BALTIMORE _ The Orioles finally came home to roost Friday night, shaking off the frustration of their four-game series in New York with one of their more uplifting victories of the season.
Why should anyone be surprised? The Orioles own the best home record in the major leagues and have struggled all season on the road, so Friday night's series opener against the Cleveland Indians figured to be an elixir for what ailed them in the Big Apple.
Of course, there were no guarantees with unproven Dylan Bundy making only his second major league start. But major league home run leader Mark Trumbo snapped out of a two-week homer drought with a three-run shot in the first inning and the Orioles (55-40) cruised to a 5-1 victory before 39,358 at Camden Yards.
The home run was Trumbo's 29th of the year and it was the first for the Orioles since Jonathan Schoop hit a solo shot in the series opener at Yankee Stadium on Monday night. It would not be their last, however, because Manny Machado opened the third inning with his 20th home run of the season to extend the Orioles' lead to five runs.
That was the first time the heavy-hitting Orioles have held a five-run lead over an opponent since they defeated the San Diego Padres, 12-6, on June 29 at Petco Park.
Bundy (3-2) enjoyed the support and made the most of it, pitching five solid innings to get the victory. He gave up just five hits and was not charged with an earned run. Reliever Odrisamer Despaigne took over in the sixth inning and pitched 32/3 strong innings before Zach Britton came on to get the final out to convert his 31st save without a blown opportunity.
Despaigne was in line for his first career save until he walked Abraham Almonte to bring the tying run to the on-deck circle in the ninth. He protected a four-run lead from the sixth inning on, so he would have been eligible for a rare four-inning save if he had gotten the final out.
