Nelson Cruz Powers Baltimore Orioles to Extra-Inning Victory
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.) — Nelson Cruz continues to prove himself to be one of the best signings of baseball’s last offseason, powering his Baltimore Orioles to a victory almost single-handedly on Sunday.
Cruz drove in seven runs and hit two home runs in the Orioles’ game against the division rival Tampa Bay Rays. His second homer gave the Orioles a 7-5 lead in the 11th inning, a lead they wouldn’t give up.
The Orioles win increased their cushion atop the American League East to 9.5 games with just 20 to play.
Cruz became just the 19th player since 1920 to record seven RBIs and drive in all of his team’s runs in a game. The last to do so was Jason Giambi for the Colorado Rockies in 2011.
Cruz posted four of the Orioles’ 10 hits and also added a walk in one of the best games he’s had all year — a year that’s been full of good games.
For the season, Cruz is hitting .262 with 39 home runs and 101 RBIs.
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