Orioles Flourish in Spoiler Role
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BALTIMORE — Pinch-hitter Eric Davis’ sacrifice fly in the eighth inning lifted the Orioles over Texas, 1-0, Monday night, dropping the Rangers two games behind the Angels in the AL West.
Baltimore has won six consecutive games, including three in a row from the Angels over the weekend. The Orioles are 6 1/2 games behind Boston in the wild-card hunt, but for the most part their role down the stretch will be that of a spoiler.
Cal Ripken Jr. opened the eighth with an opposite-field single off Xavier Hernandez (6-6). B.J. Surhoff hit into a fielder’s choice and took third on a single by Lenny Webster before Davis lofted a fly ball to deep center.
Alan Mills (3-4) pitched a perfect eighth and Armando Benitez struck out the side in the ninth for his 21st save. Benitez nine strikeouts in a row over his last three appearances.
Baltimore starter Juan Guzman gave up five hits and a walk in seven shutout innings.
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Next Series for Angels
Who: Seattle Mariners
Where: at Edison Field
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Saturday, 7 p.m.
Sunday, 5 p.m.
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