VIDEO: Wieters' 11th-inning HR spoils Markakis' return to Baltimore
BALTIMORE - Playing at home for the first time since the All-Star break, the Baltimore Orioles honored a part of their past and pulled out a victory they hope will influence their immediate future.
Matt Wieters homered leading off the 11th inning, and the Orioles beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 Monday on the night Nick Markakis returned to Baltimore.
It was Wieters' fourth home run, the first since June 25, and his teammates celebrated by dousing him with a bucket of water at the plate.
''Right now being where we are, cherishing a win is big,'' Wieters said. ''To be able to keep piling up wins is what we need to do.''
Markakis played nine years with the Orioles before signing a four-year, $44 million contract with Atlanta during the offseason. Many in the crowd of 26,256 acknowledged his run with the Orioles with a lengthy standing ovation before he stepped into the batter's box to begin the game.
The team also saluted their former right fielder with a video montage before the bottom of the first.
''Tonight just shows what type of fans they are and how loyal they are,'' said Markakis, who doubled and went 2-for-5.
(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)
- With files from theScore