Originally published Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 8:11 PM
Unlikely hero ends O's win over Tigers
A crazy, back-and-forth duel that began in daylight and ended well after nightfall was decided by a slump-ridden shortstop and a veteran...
BALTIMORE — A crazy, back-and-forth duel that began in daylight and ended well after nightfall was decided by a slump-ridden shortstop and a veteran making his season debut.
Taylor Teagarden ended his first game with the Baltimore Orioles in stunning fashion, hitting a two-run homer in the 13th inning that sealed an 8-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.
Teagarden's shot off Joaquin Benoit (1-2) followed a solo drive by J.J. Hardy, who snapped an 0-for-28 skid with a drive into the left-field seats.
"It was a long time since I've hit a ball hard," Hardy said. "It felt good."
Hardy's homer set the table for the game-winner. After Benoit hit Adam Jones with two outs, Teagarden homered over the right-field wall to put an end to Detroit's six-game winning streak.
The Orioles needed 4 hours, 43 minutes to secure their 10th straight extra-inning win. Had the game not gone beyond the ninth inning, Teagarden would not have even played.
Activated off the 60-day disabled list before the game, Teagarden entered after starting catcher Matt Wieters left for a pinch runner in the 10th.
"I've been thinking about this day for a while," he said. "It has been somewhat of a grind for me this year, so just being in this clubhouse and among these guys, it means the world right now."
Notes
• Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel will miss his next start because of a knee injury.
• The Tigers placed left-hander Drew Smyly on the 15-day disabled list with a strained muscle in his right side.
• The St. Louis Cardinals activated first baseman Lance Berkman off the disabled list.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks activated left-hander Joe Saunders from the 15-day disabled list.










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