The decision (w/Tillman update and B-Rob walk-off)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

August 09, 2010, 5:32pm

Comments

B-Rob walk-off: Brian Roberts just hit his first home run of the season, leading off the bottom of the 10th with a drive onto the flagcourt in right against J.J. Putz. That's the Orioles' first walk-off homer of the year, and the first since Matt Wieters on Sept. 16, 2009 vs. Tampa Bay. Manager Buck Showalter pulled Koji Uehara after two perfect innings and gave the ball to Alfredo Simon. One pitch, and we're tied. Paul Konerko crushed a 95 mph fastball for his 28th home run. Brian Matusz is denied the win. And Showalter, who's on record as saying he doesn't care about saves, is finally open to some serious second-guessing. He had to know it was coming. This isn't his first rodeo. Simon walked Carlos Quentin before I could send this entry. Still no outs, and Simon is hearing some boos. Instant update: Michael Gonzalez enters with one out and the go-ahead run on second. More boos accompany Simon to the dugout. Tillman update: Triple-A Norfolk's Chris Tillman allowed one run and eight hits, with one walk and nine strikeouts, in 6 2/3 innings. He threw 112 pitches, 72 for strikes.