masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWell, this isn’t the only time that Kevin Millwood has escaped the first inning without the opposition scoring, but it sure feels that way.

Millwood had given up at least two runs in the opening frame in 11 of his last 12 starts – and a total of 34 runs. He kept dumping the team in an early hole. He kept getting beat because of it.

Not tonight. Millwood walked the leadoff hitter, Juan Pierre, but he retired Omar Vizquel on a pop up, Alex Rios on a fly ball and Paul Konerko on a grounder to…Well, this isn’t the only time that Kevin Millwood has escaped the first inning without the opposition scoring, but it sure feels that way.

Millwood had given up at least two runs in the opening frame in 11 of his last 12 starts – and a total of 34 runs. He kept dumping the team in an early hole. He kept getting beat because of it.

Not tonight. Millwood walked the leadoff hitter, Juan Pierre, but he retired Omar Vizquel on a pop up, Alex Rios on a fly ball and Paul Konerko on a grounder to third.

Nineteen pitches, and Millwood was back in the dugout with the game scoreless.

Must be the Buck Showalter influence again.

Update: Here’s the first Orioles lead of the game, courtesy of Adam Jones’ 16 home run. The ball traveled 394 feet to left-center field.

Nice way to follow up last night’s walk-off single.

That’s the first home run that Gavin Floyd has allowed since June 2, a span of 77 1/3 innings.