Trey Mancini Lifts Orioles Over Pirates In 11; Nick Markakis Drives In Five In Braves' 14-1 Romp

Players of the Day for Wednesday, June 7, 2017

American League

Mancini: 2 HR, 5 RBI

While the Yankees and Red Sox were splitting the first two games of their three-game series in New York, the Baltimore Orioles were busy making life miserable for the Pittsburgh Pirates, taking two straight from the visitors to Camden Yards, both in extra innings.

The pattern was the same for both games, with the O's falling behind, then rallying to tie the game in the ninth inning and winning in extra frames. On Tuesday, it was Jonathan Schoop who belted a two run homer to tie the game, leading to Mark Trumbo's RBI single in the 10th.

Wednesday's contest was even more dramatic, with rookie Trey Mancini - pinch-hitting for leadoff hitter Seth Smith - socking a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at six, then launching his 15th belt of the season, a three-run shot, for the 9-6 game-winner.

Pittsburgh had built a 6-1 lead after seven innings, but the Orioles rallied for one run in the eighth and four in the ninth. Seven Pirate pitchers contributed to the losing effort, keeping Pittsburgh in last place in the NL Central, a game behind St. Louis, losers of six straight, and 5 1/2 behind surprising division leader, Milwaukee.

For the Orioles, they can't complain about the split in New York, as they have gained a game on both the Yankees and Red Sox. New York leads the AL East by two over Boston, with the Orioles another 1/2 game back.

Baltimore heads down I-95 to play the Nationals on Thursday, a make-up for a May 11 postponement, before heading to Yankee Stadium Friday for a three-game series with the Bombers.

Pittsburgh heads home to open a four-game series with the Marlins on Thursday.

National League

Markakis: 2 2B, 5 RBI

With the Nationals romping to an 11 1/2 game lead in the National League East, there isn't much to say about the rest of the division's teams, but the Atlanta Braves soldier on in second place, tied with the Mets after dropping the Phillies, 14-1, after losing the
first two games of their four-game series in Atlanta.

Highlighting the effort was outfielder, Nick Markakis, who doubled three times in five at-bats and drove in five runs.

Markakis sent his first two-bagger into the left-center gap in the fourth inning, driving in his first run. He doubled in two in the seventh inning and did the same in the eighth. The Phillies didn't score until their final chance, in the ninth.

Always a reliable performer, Markakis, in his third year with the Braves, is batting .289 with 31 RBI.

Game four of the series is scheduled for Thursday night, 7:35 pm ET, in Atlanta.