masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWe’re in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Orioles are clinging to a 2-1 lead. Unless they break out here, we’ll have a save situation.

Jim Johnson probably isn’t available because of flu-like symptoms that kept him in the hospital today.

The Orioles keep passing the baton, going from starter Tommy Hunter to Troy Patton to Darren O’Day to Luis Ayala.

O’Day needed four pitches to retire the only batter he faced, catcher Jeff Mathis, who struck out looking, but manager Buck…We’re in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Orioles are clinging to a 2-1 lead. Unless they break out here, we’ll have a save situation.

Jim Johnson probably isn’t available because of flu-like symptoms that kept him in the hospital today.

The Orioles keep passing the baton, going from starter Tommy Hunter to Troy Patton to Darren O’Day to Luis Ayala.

O’Day needed four pitches to retire the only batter he faced, catcher Jeff Mathis, who struck out looking, but manager Buck Showalter called upon Ayala in the eighth. O’Day threw only six pitches to get two outs on Sunday, but he didn’t come out for the next inning.

Ayala gave up a one-out single to Kelly Johnson tonight, but he retired the next two batters.

Stay tuned.

Update: Pedro Strop is warming in the bullpen.

Update II: Strop picks up his first career save in the Orioles’ 2-1 victory. He walked Brett Lawrie with one out before escaping the jam. Strop struck out two.

Time of game: 2 hours, 22 minutes.

Tonight’s attendance: 11,058. The record-low at Camden Yards remains 9,129, set on April 12, 2010 vs. Tampa Bay.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Norfolk’s Chris Tillman allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches, 67 for strikes.