masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgDerrek Lee was hitting .132 with runners in scoring position before stepping to the plate with no outs in the ninth inning and the potential go-ahead run 90 feet away.

Lee hit a slow chopper to third, and Nolan Reimold beat the throw home. Credit Lee with an RBI on a fielder’s choice that gives the Orioles a 3-2 lead.

OK, so it wasn’t the most dramatic at-bat in history. It wasn’t the shot heard ’round the world. But the Orioles needed Lee to do something besides strike out or ground into…Derrek Lee was hitting .132 with runners in scoring position before stepping to the plate with no outs in the ninth inning and the potential go-ahead run 90 feet away.

Lee hit a slow chopper to third, and Nolan Reimold beat the throw home. Credit Lee with an RBI on a fielder’s choice that gives the Orioles a 3-2 lead.

OK, so it wasn’t the most dramatic at-bat in history. It wasn’t the shot heard ’round the world. But the Orioles needed Lee to do something besides strike out or ground into a double play with pinch-runner Reimold holding at third base. I’ll take it without complaint.

Jon Rauch faced three batters and gave up singles to Vladimir Guerrero and Luke Scott, and Lee’s chopper heard ’round Rogers Centre.

If the Orioles can close this one out, the plane ride back to Baltimore will be a lot more comfortable.

They lost Jeremy Guthrie to a strained muscle in his back. Mark Reynolds committed an embarrassing blunder on the basepaths. Ryan Adams committed a costly error and has hit into three double plays, though Reynolds is responsible for the second one.

Not the ideal recipe for winning in Toronto for the first time in 17 tries, but they’ll take it without complaint.

Instant update: Reynolds walked to load the bases, and Adams came through with his first major league RBI on a single into left field. And the Blue Jays are using their third pitcher of the inning, hoping that somebody can get an out.

Update II: The Orioles didn’t score another run, leaving the bases loaded. I wasn’t real comfortable with that development, and Adam Lind just led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run off Kevin Gregg.

Orioles 4, Blue Jays 3.