Unlikely hero ends O's win over Tigers | Seattle Times Newspaper

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.

By The Associated Press