Orioles, White Sox suspended in 3-all tie after 11 innings

[April 29, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- The Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox were tied at 3 when play was suspended after 11 innings Monday because of rain.

The game will resume later this season, but no date was immediately announced. All the statistics from Monday count.

Juan Uribe hit a solo homer in the 11th off Baltimore closer George Sherrill, his first blown save in 10 chances this year. Sherrill then got out of a jam with runners at first and second.

A daylong rain had soaked the muddy infield with puddles, so umpires called for the tarp after the inning and moments later came an announcement that the game was suspended.

The start was delayed 2 hours, 6 minutes by rain and the gametime temperature was only 38 degrees with wind blowing at 12 mph. Rain fell intermittently throughout the game and picked up in the late innings. Two of the base umpires wore ski masks to protect their ears and faces from the cold. The teams were rained out Friday night, forcing a doubleheader Saturday.

Ramon Hernandez homered off Scott Linebrink in the top of the 11th -- after the White Sox botched a bunt play in the 10th -- to give the Orioles a 3-2 lead.

Neither closer could finish it. Baltimore tied the game in the ninth off Chicago's Bobby Jenks on Melvin Mora's RBI single following a leadoff double and stolen base by Brian Roberts.

Chicago had a big chance to win in the bottom of the 10th. Carlos Quentin, who continued his strong early season play, hit a leadoff double.

But after he moved to third on Joe Crede's fly ball, Chicago's Brian Anderson foul tipped a bunt attempt on a squeeze play and Quentin was tagged out. Anderson then struck out to end the inning.

Chicago starter Javier Vazquez allowed four hits, including Aubrey Huff 's solo homer in the second, walked one and struck out seven in eight innings. Huff was ejected in the 10th by first base umpire Mark Wegner for arguing after he was called out on a slow roller to second.

The Orioles also botched a big scoring chance in the top of the 10th. Adam Jones doubled with two outs, but when Brandon Fahey hit a slow roller that was going to be a hit on the sloppy infield, White Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera threw to third and caught Jones off the base for the final out.

Huff hit his fourth homer in the second to give the Orioles the lead, but Quentin tied it in the sixth with a leadoff homer off Daniel Cabrera, his sixth of the season.

The 6-foot-9 Cabrera gave up only four hits but walked seven in 6 1-3 innings. And the White Sox couldn't take advantage of his wildness until the seventh when Paul Konerko's RBI single put Chicago ahead 2-1.

Notes: Orioles LHP Adam Loewen (elbow) was to undergo an MRI and CT scan Monday in Baltimore. Manager Dave Trembley said the team would know more on Tuesday. LHP Garrett Olson is expected to be promoted from Triple-A Norfolk to start Tuesday in place of Loewen. ... Huff's homer was the first allowed by Vazquez this season. Chicago pitchers have given up 14 on the season. ... Quentin has reached base safely in 13 straight games and has an eight-game hitting streak. ... Attendance was announced at 17,367 but there appeared to be only several thousands fans in the stands.

[Associated Press; By RICK GANO]

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