O's Magic Cursed in Ninth...

It seemed as if the O's were at it again...

The Birds had squandered an early 2-0 lead and were behind 5-2 when the comeback began. Millar's solo shot made it a 2-run game in the sixth. In the seventh, Roberts had an RBI triple followed by an RBI double from Mora that tied the game at five.

In the day game, the O's tacked on three runs in the ninth, which they didn't need. In the night game, late runs were desperately needed, and the O's fell short. They were able to load the bases with one out, and the number four and five hitters due up (Millar and Huff). Neither were able to get a ball out of the infield, and the O's left the bases loaded.

That proved costly, as the White Sox WERE able to convert with the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the inning. Chicago won the game with a walk-off single from Brian Anderson. Though the bullpen blew the game, they were once again masterful. Trachsel lasted only three innings, allowing five runs (on five hits and five walks), but the 'pen held the Sox scoreless until the ninth.

After the game, Millar took credit for the loss.

"I had a chance to put us up there, and we battled to get the bases loaded," he said. "It's just disappointing to not get that run in. I take full credit for that. That's a bad at-bat in that situation. You have to find a way to get that run in. He made a good pitch, down and away, but in that situation you've got to remember that the pressure's on him. I let him off the hook by going up there and swinging at an 0-0 pitch that wasn't my pitch. I couldn't do much with that pitch." (courtesy of MLB.com)

The magic was there, but the O's just couldn't hang on. They're now 7-2 in one-run games. Boston lost, as did Toronto and New York, so the O's maintained their possession of first place. I'll be logging the next two games at Channel 2; I'll keep you posted as the magic happens...

O! by the way...Bedard's back...