Big Victory Needed That Final Touch

BALTIMORE, May 28 -- A day after a remarkable 10-9 win over the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles Manager Dave Trembley couldn't help but talk about what may be his team's most significant, and bizarre, victory this season.

"That's the kind of stuff that happens in low-A ball," said Trembley, who by Wednesday afternoon had watched a replay of the game. "That was unimaginable what happened last night, in the big leagues and against the New York Yankees? That's pretty special."

The Orioles rallied from four runs down twice before the Yankees scored to go ahead 9-8 in the 11th inning. But Baltimore scored two runs, the second on Alex Cintrón's bases-loaded single to right-center. But even Cintrón's play featured a twist.

Cintrón rounded first, with his arms outstretched in celebration of his game-winning hit until he realized that teammate Luis Hernández had not yet touched second base. Had he not, the winning run wouldn't have counted.

"Unfortunately, a lot of guys -- even though they're big leaguers -- don't know that," said Trembley, who described the play as unfolding in slow motion. "They don't know what you have to do."

The veteran Cintrón implored Hernández to touch the bag, joining third base coach Juan Samuel and first base coach John Shelby, who were both yelling at Hernández.

"I don't know what he was thinking about," Cintrón said with a laugh. "I was just yelling at him to touch second base."

Hernández, whose playing time has been almost nonexistent since he lost the starting shortstop job this month, said Yankees first baseman Wilson Betimit blocked his view of the plate so he didn't see Cintrón make contact with the ball. He ran only when he realized the ball was in the outfield.

But because the umpire was standing away from home plate, Hernández thought there was a stoppage of play, perhaps for a catcher's interference call.

Said a relieved Hernández, "Something happened, we won, that's it."

Left to Right

With left-hander Andy Pettitte on the mound for the Yankees on Wednesday, Trembley inserted a pair of right-handed bats. Cintrón started at shortstop for Freddie Bynum, and Jay Payton stepped in for Luke Scott in left field. . . . Baltimore's 16 hits on Tuesday night were a season high. The Orioles had 37 hits in their previous six games.

UP NEXT Tomorrow vs. Red Sox7:05 p.m. Cabrera (5-1) vs. Beckett (5-4) MASN, WJZ-13 Saturday vs. Red Sox7:05 p.m. Olson (4-1) vs. Lester (3-3) MASN UP NEXT Tomorrow vs. Red Sox7:05 p.m. Cabrera (5-1) vs. Beckett (5-4) MASN, WJZ-13 Saturday vs. Red Sox7:05 p.m. Olson (4-1) vs. Lester (3-3) MASN