The Orioles' newlook offense had been fairly restrained through the first five games of the new season, but there was reason to believe that it would pump up the volume on Thursday night against struggling Tigers starter Brad Penny.
Turns out, Penny was not really the problem. He gave up four runs -- and the game-tying home run to Adam Jones in the sixth -- but turned in a workmanlike performance. It was the bullpen that came unraveled in the O's five-run seventh.
Jones (left) snapped out of an early 2-for-19 slump with a bunt single, the two-run shot and a sacrifice fly. Third baseman Mark Reynolds delivered his third RBI double in the last four games and also drove in three runs. Say what you want about Reynolds' and his proclivity for striking out. He has been very tough in RISP situations, especially with two strikes.
Vladimir Guerrero delivered his first home run as an Oriole earlier in the game, so the heart of the lineup arrived just in time to bail Chris Tillman out of a rocky performance in his second start of the season.
Best news: The Orioles continue to successfully buy time until the rotation gets back to full strength. Jeremy Guthrie was back in the clubhouse and said before the game that he's very hopeful of starting against the Texas Rangers on Sunday.
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