The Orioles looked like they were trying to maintain their run of walk-off wins this afternoon. Tie the game, take a lead and be tied again within the first three innings. Get in and out of jams. Pin the opposing pitcher on the ropes and let him escape.
Just get them to the ninth or past regulation, when something magic happens.
Dylan Beavers was last night’s hero with his bases-loaded single in the 10th. He delivered the go-ahead run again today, but it came from an infield hit in the seventh inning to propel the Orioles to a 3-2 win before an announced crowd of 13,957 at sunny Camden Yards.
Four of the previous five games ended with walk-off wins, but wild celebrations aren’t promised.
The Orioles (69-77) have won eight of their last nine games and nine of 11. Twelve more victories guarantee a .500 finish or better.
Today marked their seventh sweep of the season.
Thirteen of 18 home games have been decided by one run since Aug. 10. The Orioles have played 25 one-run games since the All-Star break, most in the majors.
The decisive rally began with Jackson Holliday’s leadoff single and stolen base. Colin Holderman issued an intentional walk to Gunnar Henderson with one out, Emmanuel Rivera struck out, and Beavers grounded an Evan Sisk sweeper up the middle that second baseman Nick Gonzales failed to backhand.
The bullpen was nails again with 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Keegan Akin earned the save after Kade Strowd stranded two runners in the eighth by striking out pinch-hitter Spencer Horwitz. Catcher Alex Jackson threw out pinch-runner Oneill Cruz trying to steal for the final out.
Orioles relievers have registered a 1.14 ERA this month, allowing one earned run or fewer in nine consecutive games.
Cade Povich allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Interim manager Tony Mansolino removed him after 93 pitches.
The Orioles didn’t wait to go on the offensive attack today, but the damage was minimal.
Colton Cowser drew a leadoff walk against right-hander Johan Oviedo in the second inning, stole second base with two outs and scored the go-ahead run on Coby Mayo’s single into left field. Third base coach Buck Britton made the aggressive send and Cowser dived across the plate ahead of the tag.
The Pirates tied the game for a second time only one batter in the third inning, with Alexander Canario belting a 409-foot home run to left field at 111.4 mph.
Liover Peguero walked and was picked off first base. Jared Triolo followed with a triple, the ball eluding right fielder Jeremiah Jackson, but Povich struck out Tommy Pham and retired Bryan Reynolds on a ground ball.
Damage control was part of Povich’s game today. Nick Yorke led off the fifth with a double and was stranded after a strikeout, grounder and fly ball. Pham walked to begin the sixth, and Povich exited after two fly balls.
Yennier Cano gave up a single to Andrew McCutchen and threw a wild pitch before Joey Bart struck out. Grant Wolfram stranded a runner in scoring position in the seventh after an infield hit and stolen base.
Both teams also tallied a run in the first inning, as they did Tuesday night. Triolo had a leadoff single and came home with two outs on Gonzales’ single before the Pirates’ second baseman was caught in a rundown. Jackson singled with one out, Henderson tied his career high with his 31st double, and Rivera’s ground ball leveled the score.
Alex Jackson drew a leadoff walk in the fifth and Mayo appeared to walk with the count 3-1, tossing his bat before hearing the strike call from plate umpire Jim Wolf. The pitch was low. Mayo was right. And he struck out two pitches later.
Holliday singled to put runners on the corners, but Jackson struck out and Henderson lined to right at 105 mph.
Oviedo also went 5 2/3 innings. Rivera led off the sixth with a single, Cowser walked with one out and Oviedo departed after Samuel Basallo grounded into a force. Holderman walked Alex Jackson to load the bases and Mayo popped up.