Kris Benson gets to double digits in the win, his 10th.

Benson pitched a great game, so that makes 4 games in a row our starter has had a solid outing. You had to like what you saw out of Benson tonight. He went 7 strong innings striking out 5. He gave up 6 hits and the only runs he gave up came on back to back homeruns from Vernon Wells and Troy Glaus in the 6th. Benson is one pitcher who has pitched almost exactly as we expected him to. Most amazingly about the pitching recently has been the bullpen, which continued to throw blanks. LaTroy Hawkins and Todd Williams finished off the final 2 innings without giving up a run or a hit.

3 games with Nick Markakis hitting from the 2nd spot, 3 wins… Markakis continued his excellence from the 2 spot, going 3-4 with a double. Melvin Mora had a huge night. He was 3-4 also and hit a 2-run homerun (his 13th) and had a 2-run single, he also stole his 8th base. Miguel Tejada joined the 3-4 party, he also had a double. Brian Roberts, Jeff Conine, Corey Patterson, and Ramon Hernandez each had hits in the game. Two big innings in the early goings were all the O’s needed tonight.

Markakis watch: 3-4 (.304)

Daniel Cabrera (5-8, 5.40) looks to bounce back from a bad outing against Shaun Marcum (1-2, 5.12). The O’s are trying to extend their winning streak to 4 games. Go O’s.