Sweep denied once again as Tigers fall to Orioles, 8-5

Nick Markakis homered and drove in four runs, Jo-Jo Reyes allowed four hits over six innings to earn his first win with Baltimore, and the Orioles held off the Detroit Tigers 8-5.

Roman Santiago hit his second homer in 150 at-bats this season, but the Tigers had to settle for a 5-4 road trip that began in Kansas City and went through Cleveland.

Then came the ninth. Baltimore closer Kevin Gregg nearly gave away an even larger lead.

After three singles loaded the bases with no outs, Gregg walked Alex Avila and Ramon Santiago to force in two runs, and Austin Jackson followed with an RBI single to make it 8-4.

Jim Johnson entered and struck out Andy Dirks, then gave up a run-scoring grounder to Magglio Ordonez before walking Miguel Cabrera intentionally to load the bases for pinch-hitter Brennan Boesch, who hit a slicing liner to left that Reimold nabbed on the run for the final out. Rymes was batting in the spot filled by slugger Victor Martinez, who was lifted earlier in the inning for a pinch runner.