On the double: Parra impresses in O's debut
New addition starts in left field, scores in 1st-inning rally
BALTIMORE -- Welcome to Baltimore, Gerardo Parra.
Parra, the Orioles' new outfielder who was acquired for prospect Zach Davies at Friday's Trade Deadline, arrived at Camden Yards for the first time Friday night. On Saturday, Parra -- obtained from Milwaukee -- started his first career game in the American League and had a memorable debut as part of the O's 6-2 win over Detroit.
Getting the start in left field, Parra received a standing ovation from the soldout crowd and doubled off Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez in the first inning. Parra got another rousing bout of applause after that, and he came around to score on Matt Wieters' single.
Video: DET@BAL: Wieters singles in Parra to extend the lead
"[Parra] had a really good at-bat off the left-hander, I thought. Spitting on the changeup there 3-2. Selective. Very calm," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Parra's walk against Blaine Hardy in the seventh inning. "I like the calmness of it. Nice little pick-me-up [for us]."
Parra extended his hitting streak to 15 games and is batting an impressive .328 on the year. He also became the 1,000th player to play for the Orioles organization since the club moved to Baltimore in 1954.
Showalter said he thought about putting Parra in the game on Friday, but decided against it because he wanted the outfielder to start fresh.
"I feel surprised. I feel happy. I feel a little bit nervous," Parra said of the welcome he got from the Orioles' crowd. "I want to say thank you for the fans. I wanted to concentrate in that [first] at-bat and make it a good one."