phil coke

A day after the Detroit Tigers bullpen imploded in Game 1, the same cast of relievers was again responsible for an eighth-inning meltdown that sent the Orioles on the road with a 7-6 win and a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series.

The Orioles hit two homers and then battered the Detroit Tigers bullpen for an eight-run eighth inning -- turning a one-run game into an all-out rout in a 12-3 win in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

Ubaldo Jimenez makes Os ALDS roster. team goes with 2 lefties in pen

Even with the impressive comeback -- the Orioles sent 10 batters to the plate in the ninth -- the bottom line is that the Orioles (1-4) have still lost four straight and two consecutive series after an exhilarating Opening Day victory against the defending World Champion Boston Red Sox.

Entering Sunday's series finale with Detroit, the Orioles bench had struggled throughout the year in contributing late in games, hitting just 1-for-18 in pinch-hit situations.

The Orioles (32-25) captured two of the three games in the home series against the Tigers (30-25), winning both after trailing early.