BALTIMORE (AP) ― Adam Jones had heard tales about how Camden Yards used to be when the place was packed and the Orioles were in a pennant race.
With one dramatic swing of the bat, Jones found out for himself just how crazy the place can get.
Jones hit the first of Baltimore’s three home runs in a wild eighth inning, and the Orioles climbed back into a first-place tie with the Yankees in the AL East by defeating New York 10-6 Thursday night before a euphoric sellout crowd.
Mark Reynolds had two of Baltimore’s season-high six home runs. Wieters and Robert Andino also connected for the Orioles, who have won 10 of 13 ― a run that includes three of four over New York.
Jones’ leadoff homer in the eighth off David Robertson (1-6) put Baltimore ahead 7-6 after the Yankees rallied from a five-run deficit in the top half.
“I’ve always asked our trainer, Richie Bancells, how loud can this place get? I always asked that,” Jones said. “After I hit that home run, he came up to me and said, ‘That’s how loud this place can get.’”
Jones has hit many a game-winning home run, but none with the stakes so high.
“That’s the biggest hit I’ve ever had in my life. Everything else up to this point has been leading up to this,” he said.
Matt Wieters followed with a single and Reynolds hit a drive into the left-field seats. Chris Davis then slammed the first pitch from Boone Logan over the right-field wall.
After trailing the Yankees by 10 games on July 18, the surging Orioles pulled even Tuesday, then dropped a game back on Wednesday before taking the opener of this important four-game series.
“They are playing with a lot of confidence right now,” New York’s Alex Rodriguez said. “You have to tip your hat to Baltimore.”
