masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgXavier Avery can cross “home run” off his list of firsts in the majors.

Avery produced the all-important tack-on run in the bottom of the eighth with a shot off Chris Perez that cleared the left-field fence and increased the Orioles’ lead to 9-7.

Avery has a home run, walk and two RBIs in his second game since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

Avery had six home runs in 224 at-bats with the Tides. He hit four in 557 at-bats with Double-A Bowie last year.

Pedro Strop needed only five…Xavier Avery can cross “home run” off his list of firsts in the majors.

Avery produced the all-important tack-on run in the bottom of the eighth with a shot off Chris Perez that cleared the left-field fence and increased the Orioles’ lead to 9-7.

Avery has a home run, walk and two RBIs in his second game since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

xavier-avery-black-swing.jpgAvery had six home runs in 224 at-bats with the Tides. He hit four in 557 at-bats with Double-A Bowie last year.

Pedro Strop needed only five pitches to retire the Indians in order in the top of the eighth. Jim Johnson will try for his 23rd save in 24 chances in the ninth.

The nine runs tonight matches the Orioles’ total in their five previous games.

Update: Shin-Soo Choo’s single with two outs in the ninth cut the lead to 9-8, but Johnson retired Asdrubal Cabrera on a fly ball to record his 23rd save in 24 chances.

Johnson hadn’t allowed a run since June 5 against the Red Sox, when he blew his only save of the season.