O's Win the Duel in D.C.

The O's won their second straight game, defeating the Nationals 2-1 on Saturday night.

That's right...the Orioles won a pitching duel, and they did it while only collecting three hits in the game.

Birds starter Koji Uehara was pulled after three shutout innings; Uehara was bothered by a sore hamstring and may miss his next scheduled start...bad news for the O's, who just released Adam Eaton and already need to promote a starter from the minors. However, as a fan I've been waiting for the O's to try out some of our young arms, and this just may force their hand...I'd much rather see a young arm than see Mark Hendrickson come out of the bullpen for a spot-start.

The bullpen was incredible for the third straight game...Brian Bass (3-1) was credited with the win...Bass went three innings and allowed one run ( a solo homer) off three hits. Matt Albers, Jim Johnson and George Sherrill pitched the final three frames, allowing just one hit...Sherrill picked up his ninth save in 11 attempts and struck out the side in the ninth. It looks like the "closer-by-committee" idea, though never really implemented, has really worked...Sherrill hasn't allowed a hit in his last five outings.

Offensively, the Birds really couldn't get anything going...their three hits tied a season-low, yet they still got the win. Nick Markakis' RBI single put the O's on the board in the third inning, and Aubrey Huff's pinch-hit RBI triple in the seventh put the O's up for good...Gregg Zaun recorded the O's only other hit of the ballgame, a double in the seventh inning.

The Birds go for the elusive three-game sweep Sunday afternoon...Brad Bergesen (1-2) is matched-up against the Nationals best pitcher, Shairon Martis (5-0)...Go O's!!!

O' Yeah...

• As if Koji's injury wasn't bad enough, a possible Triple-A replacement may have suffered a similar injury on Saturday...Chris Tillman (5-0) was lifted after just two innings and 33 pitches for the Norfolk Tides