Byron Dixon (@BKD_TV)
As the chill of winter departs, the warm feeling of spring returns and is cemented by the crack of the bat and another 2017 season of MLB baseball. Fresh off a season that saw them eliminated during the wildcard play-in game, the Baltimore Orioles were ready for redemption. Ironically enough the first opponent for the Orioles this season is the Toronto Blue Jays the team that eliminated them in heartbreaking fashion.
This season marks the 25th season the Orioles have called Camden Yards home. The Orioles, who have retained most of their roster from last season are poised for another postseason run. These two teams are evenly matched and that was evident today as it took extra innings.
Mark Trumbo delivered a game-winning home run to left field to give the O’s a 3-2 opening day win. Trumbo, last season’s home run leader gave the sellout crowd of 45,667 something to cheer for as the game continued n with no team being able to take control.
Kevin Gausman got the start for the injured Chris Tillman and gave up two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. The Orioles struggled with runners in scoring position. That trend ended in the third. Newcomer Seth Smith doubled and Jones walked, Chris Davis delivered a RBI single and Trumbo followed with a run-scoring double.
The Orioles got two strong innings from Zach Britton and Tyler Wilson earned the win. The Orioles played their first extra inning opening day game since 1993.
Up Next:
Blue Jays: J.A. Happ (20-4 in 2016) starts Wednesday night in the finale of the two-game series. He’s 4-3 against Baltimore.
Orioles: Dylan Bundy (10-6) makes his 15th career start Wednesday, the first against Toronto.
