Bannister Blanks O's

Every streak must eventually end, and the O's 12-game winning streak against Kansas City was snapped today, as they fell to the Royals 4-0.


Brian Burres (3-4) pitched well, and was able to escape jams throughout the game. He surrendered four straight singles to start the second inning, but only allowed one run, pitching his way out of a bases-loaded, none-out jam. He was lifted in the seventh with two on and none out, and was charged with all four runs. He gave up nine hits, walked two and struck out one.

His counterpart, Brian Bannister (4-4), was virtually un-hittable. He went eight innings,walking two, striking out five, and allowing just two base hits (both singles).

It was the lowest hit count for the O's this year, and the first time they were held scoreless this season. Still, after an exhaustive road trip, the Birds head home with a .500 record (19-19).

At least it wasn't the Mother's Day Massacre of last season, when the O's took a 5-0 lead into the ninth inning and wound-up losing the game 6-5. Today's loss was upsetting, but not unexplainable.

The O's are tied with the Yankees for third place in the A.L. East, and have Monday off before hosting the first-place Red Sox Tuesday night. Jeremy Guthrie takes the mound, opposing Boston's Josh Beckett. I'll be at the game, and will have some original pictures to post...hopefully of the scoreboard afterward showing the O's on top...

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)