Orioles take series, head to New York

The Birds now begin a three-game series Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

Erik Bedard made a strong start for the Orioles, and the final results were certainly what he was hoping for to end the homestand.

Bedard went six innings, allowing three earned runs and struck out seven, before 22,031 fans at a sunny and warm Camden Yards. The Orioles have won eight of their last 11 games.

The club took two of three from the Indians and have won three straight series.

Said second baseman Brian Roberts: “We showed a lot today. We battled back after the first game [of the series]. We are playing good baseball right now.”

“That?s a good week. I know it is early,” Tejada said. “That is what we need. We are a really good team. We are professionals. We have to keep playing hard.”

Orioles? designated-hitter Javy Lopez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth, sparking a six-run inning that gave Bedard (4-0) a comfortable margin and the win.

After allowing only four home runs through their first six games, the Orioles have surrendered an eye-popping 20 homers in their last 10 games. They have allowed 24 home runs this season, tied with Toronto for the most in the American League.

But when asked if his teams recent scoring binge was simply an aberration, Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo felt the offense was on the upswing around the majors.

“It seems to me that is the trend around the league right now. It looks like the ball is flying a lot more but it?s still very early in the season. It?s just a combination of a more lively baseball, and poor pitching,” he said.

Added Perlozzo: “Last year I thought the park played pretty legitimate. We had guys at the end of the bench hitting balls deep to left-center field pretty often. The ball is tightly-woven today, and I think this is something we will continue to see for awhile.”

Tonight the Orioles will begin a six-game road trip with a pair of three-game series against the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.