Baltimore battles back to beat Pirates in 10th

Associated Press

BALTIMORE

With a power-laden lineup that thrives on the long ball, the Baltimore Orioles are built to come back from almost any deficit.

That ability was displayed amply against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had a seemingly secure lead before being victimized by Baltimore’s firepower Tuesday night.

Jonathan Schoop tied it in the ninth inning with his second homer of the game and Mark Trumbo singled home a run in the 10th to rally the Orioles to a 6-5 victory.

Baltimore trailed 4-1 after six innings and 5-3 in the ninth. Schoop’s two-run drive off closer Tony Watson knotted it at 5, setting the stage for Trumbo’s big hit.

Adam Jones singled with one out in the 10th against Wade LeBlanc (3-1) and took second when Manny Machado hit a fly ball to the warning track in left. Trumbo then lined a single to center, and Jones easily beat Andrew McCutchen’s throw to the plate.

Although a single won it, the four home runs that preceded it were pivotal.

“That’s kind of one constant with this team,” Orioles starter Kevin Gausman said. “We’re always just a couple swings away, and really one away if we have guys on base.”

Pirates starter Ivan Nova gave up three runs and five hits in six-plus innings. He yielded a solo homer to Seth Smith to begin the game, then departed with left knee inflammation after allowing back-to-back shots to Chris Davis and Schoop to start the seventh.

“They have a really heavy hitting lineup, especially with the big right handers. You have to be really careful with them,” Nova said.

Nova was poised to earn his ninth career win against Baltimore — his most against any team — until Schoop connected in the ninth to provide Watson with his fourth blown save.

“We didn’t have much going,” Trumbo acknowledged. “It happened pretty quick, and when you do it against these top relievers it’s rare.”

Davis opened the ninth with a single before Schoop teed off on an 0-1 pitch.

“The changeup was up and Schoop put a big swing on it,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.