For the first time in three games, the bills on the Orioles' hats were flipped up Tuesday.
The postgame ritual, which mimics the flat bill of closer George Sherrill's cap, only takes place when Sherrill closes out a win. After blowing saves in consecutive games Sunday and Monday, Sherrill came on to get the final two outs for his 27th save of the year. "George is the kind of guy who probably said, 'I want to pitch again,'" second baseman Brian Roberts said. "That's the kind of guy you want to have at the back of your bullpen."
Right-hander Dennis Sarfate recorded the first out of the ninth, but he walked two and allowed two hits as the Royals scored twice. Sherrill allowed a hit but struck out Alex Gordon to finish the win.
Sherrill allowed a two-run, walk-off home run Sunday to the Nationals' Ronnie Belliard, and then issued a game-tying solo shot in the ninth inning Monday. Both of those situations came with the opposition down to its final strike. Both came on hanging breaking balls.
Manager Dave Trembley said Sherrill threw his fastball more Tuesday, and he had no reservations about going to his closer for a third consecutive day.
It was George Sherrill T-shirt night, and Trembley was sporting the orange faux-jersey under his uniform.
"You've got a guy down there who's the closer on this team. If there's a save situation, he's going to get it," Trembley said. "It's not tough for me at all. It's common sense."
ORIOLES 7, ROYALS 5: Radhames Liz scattered seven hits, including two home runs, in six solid innings to move to 3-0. Kansas City scored twice in the ninth inning, but the Orioles closed out the win to hand the Royals their first loss in their last seven road games.
