As the Orioles returned home from a successful road trip, a large and lively crowd, which grew louder and livelier as the game went along, gathered for the first game of a doubleheader.They saw the Orioles creep within a half-game of the New York Yankees for the AL East lead with a 4-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday afternoon.New York is at Minnesota on Monday night. The Orioles and Blue Jays will play the second game of the doubleheader later on Monday. Adam Jones had four hits and Steve Johnson pitched five effective innings.Johnson (4-0) didnt give up a run, allowed three hits, struck out six and walked three.In the fourth, Chris Davis walked off Henderson Alvarez (9-14) and Jones hit a long home run to left field. It was Jones 32nd home run of the year and gave the Orioles (88-65) a 2-0 lead.Ryan Flaherty added an opposite-field home run to left field in the fifth to make it 3-0. It was his fifth home run of the year.In the sixth, Jones scored the fourth run when Mark Reynolds grounded into a double play.Troy Patton worked a scoreless sixth and in the seventh, Tommy Hunter retired the Blue Jays (66-86) in order. In the eighth, Hunter gave up a run and three hits before Darren ODay rescued him.Jim Johnson pitched a scoreless ninth for his 48th save.Alvarez worked 5 23 innings, allowing four runs and eight hits.NOTES:-The four hits for Jones in the first game tied a season high.-Orioles Wild Card and Divisional Series tickets are sold out.-The winner of the Orioles Go Orange contest is St. Phillip Neri School in Linthicum, Maryland. Area schools were invited to demonstrate their support of the Orioles by decorating in orange.-Jim Johnson was presented with the Roberto Clemente Award for his community involvement before the first game.
Orioles win first game, 4-1 over Blue Jays
Orioles win first game, 4-1 over Blue Jays
September 24, 2012, 10:54 pm





















