MILWAUKEE -- Last week in Baltimore, Don Sutton struck out Cal Ripken Jr. three times.
But Ripken made sure his encore performance would get better reviews as he belted a three-run homer Monday night to give the Baltimore Orioles a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
'He's a great competitor but so am I,' Ripken said. 'I was more determined to try and get him tonight after what happened last week.
'We had men on first and third and I was looking for a pitch to drive. I got a fastball down the middle of the plate and got good wood on it.'
The Orioles beat the Brewers for the 13th time in the team's last 17 meetings, despite getting just six hits to Milwaukee's 12. The Brewers, however, stranded 12 runners.
'We had a lot of opportunities but we just didn't capitalize,' said Brewer Manager Harvey Kuenn. 'That's been the story when Sutton's pitched. We just don't score runs.'
Ripken backed up Allan Ramirez, who notched his first major league victory in the game.
Ramirez, 1-0, allowed five hits over the first five innings before giving way to Sammy Stewart. Stewart worked two innings then was relieved in the eighth by Tippy Martinez, who got the last six outs to earn his ninth save.
Sutton went the distance for the second time this season, allowing just six hits, but failed to pick up his first victory since May 1.
The Orioles got to Sutton in the third after Lenn Sakata led off with a single and stole second. After Al Bumbry grounded out, Dan Ford walked and Ripken then hit his 10th homer of the year, a shot into the left field bleachers.
Milwaukee scored in the fifth when Rick Manning, Robin Yount and Cecil Cooper hit consecutive singles with one out.
Paul Molitor led off the ninth inning with his fifth homer for the Brewers' final run.
