GAME of the WEEK (3 game series)

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Game 1

Padres (38-27) over Orioles (37-28) 5- 4

Padres win in the bottom 12th with a 2-Run Walk-Off Home Run

This extra ending affair was decided in the bottom of the 12^th when Orioles closer Jason Starr gave up a walk-off 2-run homer to Jesus Merced (RF). Baltimore broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the inning when Yonder Hernandez (SS) singled home the go-head run following a leadoff single and steal of 2^nd base by Brutus Neill. Starr recorded his first lost of the season and 3^rd blown save this season.

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Game 2

3 Hitter ties Series at 1-1

Sun Martin combine with relievers Jeremy Cox, and Pat Sosa to shutout the Padres 4-0

Martin worked 5 innings giving up 1 hit, walking 4, and striking out 4 to earn his 7^th victory of the season. Cox and Sosa followed Martin with each going 2 innings and giving up 1 hit to complete the shutout. Player of the game was 2^nd Basemen Magglio Torres. Torres collected 4 hits, including 2 doubles, and stole his 10^th base of the season.

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Game 3

Orioles win Rubber Match 6-5

Player of the game Yonder Hernandez

Hernandez collected 4 hits, and starting pitcher Felipe Rodriguez (9-2) went 7.2 innings for the win. Jason Starr (closer) pitched the final 1.1 innings to earn his 8^th save of the season. The contest had four lead changes before Baltimore scored 3 runs and took the lead for good in the top of the seventh. Rodriguez led off the inning with a single followed by a walk to Olmedo Ugueto (1B) when Hernandez hit a ground-rule double scoring Rodriguez. Zip Ramsey (RF) followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center-field scoring Ugueto and Brian Perez (LF) finished off the scoring with a bloop double to left-center to score Hernandez. Padre starter Emil Aquino (5-6) took the lost. Baltimore remains tied with the Boston Red Sox for first place in the AL East while San Diego stay 7 games back of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West.