ANAHEIM -- When Adam Jones accepted the invitation to participate in this year's Home Run Derby, there wasn't a whole lot of concern from manager Buck Showalter about Jones ruining his second-half swing.If anything, it's gotten better. Jones showcased his power stroke Monday night in Anaheim, going deep twice -- and for the third time in three games -- to post a four-RBI game that lifted the Orioles to a series-opening 4-2 win over the Angels. 
Backed by a solid bounce-back outing from righty hander Bud Norris, who went 6 2/3 innings and turned in a quality start, the first-place O's increased their American League East lead to four and evened their three-city road trip record at 2-2.Baltimore -- which has hit a Major League-leading 121 homers this year -- has won 13 of its last 19 road games and is 13-8 against the AL West this season.Jones, who has nine RBIs since the All-Star break, put the Orioles up on a first-inning blast off Angels starter Matt Shoemaker. After Nick Markakis' game-opening single, Jones drilled a ball into the left-field seats for his 18th homer of the year.Shoemaker, who tied a career high with 10 strikeouts, retired 15 straight after that with Markakis' sixth-inning double setting the stage again for Jones. This time, Jones sent a 1-1 slider into left-center field for a two-out shot before Nelson Cruz followed with a single to chase Shoemaker from the game.It was all Norris would need as the righty, who was drilled in the foot by a Hank Conger single in the second inning, struck out eight and allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and two walks in his first Major League start since July 9.At 89 pitches to start the seventh, Norris recorded the first two outs -- including the second strikeout of Mike Trout -- before exiting after walking Albert Pujols. Optioned to the Minor Leagues over the All-Star break to stay on track following a stint on the disabled list, Norris turned in his longest outing since June 14. He was replaced by lefty Brian Matusz, who struck out Josh Hamilton.Righty Darren O'Day tossed a scoreless eighth inning and closer Zach Britton picked up his 17th save in 20 opportunities to put the finishing touches on the win.Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
Backed by a solid bounce-back outing from righty hander Bud Norris, who went 6 2/3 innings and turned in a quality start, the first-place O's increased their American League East lead to four and evened their three-city road trip record at 2-2.Baltimore -- which has hit a Major League-leading 121 homers this year -- has won 13 of its last 19 road games and is 13-8 against the AL West this season.Jones, who has nine RBIs since the All-Star break, put the Orioles up on a first-inning blast off Angels starter Matt Shoemaker. After Nick Markakis' game-opening single, Jones drilled a ball into the left-field seats for his 18th homer of the year.Shoemaker, who tied a career high with 10 strikeouts, retired 15 straight after that with Markakis' sixth-inning double setting the stage again for Jones. This time, Jones sent a 1-1 slider into left-center field for a two-out shot before Nelson Cruz followed with a single to chase Shoemaker from the game.It was all Norris would need as the righty, who was drilled in the foot by a Hank Conger single in the second inning, struck out eight and allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and two walks in his first Major League start since July 9.At 89 pitches to start the seventh, Norris recorded the first two outs -- including the second strikeout of Mike Trout -- before exiting after walking Albert Pujols. Optioned to the Minor Leagues over the All-Star break to stay on track following a stint on the disabled list, Norris turned in his longest outing since June 14. He was replaced by lefty Brian Matusz, who struck out Josh Hamilton.Righty Darren O'Day tossed a scoreless eighth inning and closer Zach Britton picked up his 17th save in 20 opportunities to put the finishing touches on the win.Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
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