BALTIMORE — The hum of anticipation around Camden Yards Monday had a vintage feel, one which has been lacking at the ballpark even at recent opening days.
The Orioles, with their overhauled roster and authoritative weekend sweep at Tampa Bay, returned home to an excited sold-out crowd of 46,593 and rewarded those in attendance by remaining undefeated.
Brian Roberts smashed a tie-breaking three-run homer in the fifth and Jake Arrieta continued Baltimore’s run of scorching starting pitching to help the Orioles capture a 5-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
Arrieta said he was so invigorated by the atmosphere that he had the worst cottonmouth of his life while warming up before the game.
“The crowd was electric, our team was in it, the emotions were high, but I think that helps,” Arrieta said. “There’s really not a better feeling. We find out if we’re having a boy or girl tomorrow. I think that’s the only thing that’ll trump the feeling I had today.”
Again, offense, pitching and defense were in harmony to help the Orioles start 4-0 for the first time since 1997 and move one win away from matching the best start in franchise history — 5-0 in 1970.
The difference Monday was the thrill of earning the victory at a packed home ballpark.
Roberts said the players’ eagerness ramped up when Kevin Buck, the team’s traveling secretary, told the team Sunday that standing-room only tickets were going for $75 to $100.
“All the guys were like, ‘Wow,’” Roberts said. “It was one of those things that I don’t think even the team had been that excited in my career for opening day here. It certainly helps when you’re 3-0 coming in and coming off of those two months last year.
“That felt like the city was excited, the team was excited, and it was an incredible atmosphere today.”
Roberts ignited the Orioles’ offense with his second tie-breaking three-run homer in three games.
This time, Baltimore’s leadoff hitter came through in the fifth with the Orioles and Tigers knotted at 1-1, runners on second and third, and none out.
Roberts then flew a 1-2 pitch from Rick Porcello (0-1) just over the right-field wall to stake the Orioles to a 4-1 lead. Nick Markakis followed with a double and three batters later, Matt Wieters drove him in with an RBI single to produce the final margin.
Roberts has been the early season catalyst with a team-best eight RBIs through four contests.
“For a long time in the Baltimore Oriole organization, he seems to have been able to dial up what’s needed, whether it’s a stolen base, a walk,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He’s got just a feel for being able to challenge the moment. He’s already had some big hits for us early in the year.”
Said first baseman Derrek Lee: “He’s fun to watch right now. He’s swinging the bat great.”
Backing that up was another first-rate pitching performance from a Baltimore starter. Arrieta (1-0) didn’t always look at ease, especially when he threw 24 pitches (12 for strikes) in the first inning. But he overcame the emotions of pitching the Orioles’ home opener to hold Detroit (1-3) to one run on six hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked two.
That made it four strong showings in as many games for Baltimore’s rotation. The club’s starters have now combined to allow just two runs in 26 innings for a 0.69 ERA.
“You want to kind of follow their lead. They really set the tone the first three games,” Arrieta said of Jeremy Guthrie, Chris Tillman and Zach Britton’s work during the sweep at Tampa Bay. “I think we all feed off of each other and I think it builds confidence with each quality outing.”
That, coupled with two scoreless innings from reliever Jason Berken and one from Koji Uehara, helped keep the undefeated run going for another day.
“We’re playing good right now,” Lee said. “It was a great crowd, great atmosphere, I’m glad they came out. I’m glad we could get a W for them.”
Reach staff writer Josh Land at 410-857-7875 or josh.land@carrollcountytimes.com.
Copyright 2011 Carroll County Times. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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