Orioles manager Dave Trembley said before Friday's 11-1 thrashing of the Washington Nationals that he had been patient long enough with third baseman Melvin Mora and that it was time to shuffle the batting order.
For his part, Mora said his record proves he will drive in runs, so he doesn't care where he bats in the lineup.
On Friday night, Trembley dropped Mora from his customary fifth spot to seventh, and the veteran responded by driving in more runs in one game than he had all month.
Mora had three RBIs in his first 20 June games but matched that total in Friday's sixth inning on his way to a four-RBI night that, coupled with another impressive outing by rookie starter Brad Bergesen, ended the Orioles' three-game losing streak.
"They do it. I just try to put guys in situations where it's best for them and best for the team," Trembley said. "You can be patient, but there comes a point in time where you have to do what's best for the team. That's what it's all about."
Playing before a charged-up announced crowd of 45,024, Mora drove home two with a double and added a sacrifice fly in an eight-run sixth in which the Orioles sent 13 batters to the plate. He also had an RBI single in the third that drove in rookie Nolan Reimold, who, for now, will replace Mora in the fifth slot.
Mora, who had 104 RBIs in 2008 but just 18 in 195 at-bats before Friday, predicted before the game that he would drive in runs if he continues to get the opportunity.
"This game is about who has a strong mind," said Mora, whose fourth-inning double was his eighth extra-base hit of the year. "This game isn't about just one month or two months. I cannot tell you about one month."
The eight runs in the sixth tied the club's season high for an inning, set May 9 against the New York Yankees. The Orioles' 11 runs Friday matched the total in their previous three games, all losses to the Florida Marlins.
"It was fun. I enjoyed it," Trembley said. "A lot of high-fiving in the dugout, a lot of good base running ... and a lot of good hitting."
The offensive explosion was more than enough for Bergesen (5-2), who notched his fifth quality start in his past six attempts. Bergesen pitched perfect innings in the first and sixth, but in between he struggled with his control.
"I think my only smooth inning was that last one," said Bergesen, who allowed four hits and two walks in six innings. "Seemed like I would get two outs and then walk a guy or hit a guy and get runners in scoring position. The whole night seemed like an absolute battle."
