Times wires
Monday, April 4, 2011
BALTIMORE — For all the hype about the offseason additions to the Orioles lineup, their most productive player is the one who has worn their uniform the longest: Brian Roberts.
Roberts hit a three-run homer, Jake Arrieta pitched six strong innings and the unbeaten Orioles thrilled a sellout crowd in their home opener by defeating the Tigers 5-1 on Monday.
Baltimore, coming off a three-game sweep at Tampa Bay, is off to its best start since 1997. The Orioles have not trailed and have outscored the competition 17-4.
With the score tied at 1 in the fifth, Felix Pie walked and went to third on J.J. Hardy's double before Roberts hit Rick Porcello's 1-and-2 pitch out to right-center. Roberts has Baltimore's only two homers and has eight RBIs.
Since his debut with the Orioles in 2001, Roberts has never been on a winner. But he has played in two All-Star games and been one of the game's best leadoff hitters.
"Robby seems to have been able to dial up what was needed, whether it be a stolen base, a walk, whatever," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's got a feel for being able to challenge the moment."
Roberts knows that 4-0 means little, but he wasn't going to downplay it.
"I don't think anybody's ever had a bad 4-0 start," he said. "It's been awesome. I certainly have been through a lot. We all know that. But with the expectations coming into this year, to still be able to go out there and do that, it's been great for us."