Orioles Sweep Indians, Return to 1st Place

After losing four games in a row during the third week of July, the Baltimore Orioles found themselves in second place behind the Boston Red Sox. After salvaging the final game of a four game set with the New York Yankees, the Orioles faced a difficult weekend series, hosting the A.L Central leading Cleveland Indians for three games.

Baltimore was up for the challenge, sweeping all three games from Cleveland, scoring five runs in each victory, while Orioles pitching held the Indians to just six runs over the three games. Mark Trumbo continued his power display with a pair of home runs in the series, making his total 30 for the season. He leads the major leagues in homers. Baltimore got off to quick starts offensively in the first two games, leading all the way, but the final game was a different story. The game was tied 3-3 with two out in the bottom of the ninth, when pinch hitter Nolan Reimhold belted a home run to win the game and sweep the series.

At the close of play on July 24th, Baltimore (57-40) was back in the lead in the A.L. East with a game and a half lead over the Red Sox (55-41). Despite getting swept, the Indians still had a six game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the A.L.Central, who split a four game set against the Chicago White Sox. Cleveland, however, is just 7-11 in its last 18 games.