Rain and Wind Can't Stop O's Streak

The O's started off hot, as they went up 3-0 in the first, courtesy of a Kevin Millar 3-run blast. It was the third time in as many games that the team connected for a 3-run home run, after going the entire beginning of the season without one.



The game was delayed in the middle of the first inning due to heavy rain, and didn't resume for nearly two hours. The O's were able to hang on and win their third straight game, 6-5.

It wasn't easy. The winds were reportedly swirling at nearly 50 mph, and the rain never really stopped. It was so bad that throughout the game, the televised screenshots came from behind the batter instead of from center field...you could barely see through the wet camera lens. It was a mess.

Garrett Olson continued to impress, leaving in the sixth inning with one out. He gave up three runs off eight hits, walking one and striking out two in the win.

Jamie Walker came in to start the seventh, and immediately got knocked around. He gave up three hits and a run without recording an out, and was pulled with runners on the corners and the O's up 6-4. Jim Johnson came on to relieve him, and was absolutely brilliant. He struck out the first two batters he faced and then induced a ground ball to end the threat. He ended up pitching two innings of no-hit ball. I've heard a lot of talk about Johnson moving into a starting role, but I like him right where he is. He really stabilizes the bullpen in a long-relief role.

Meanwhile, the O's had slowly added to their lead. Mora had an RBI single in the fifth, and the O's added two more runs in the sixth. Adam Jones RBI triple plated Millar, and Jones came home on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of backup catcher Guillermo Quiroz.

With a 6-4 lead, the O's sent closer George Sherrill to the mound to start the ninth. After a lead-off walk, Sherrill struck out the next two batters. Billy Butler stepped to the plate, and the game was tied...or so it seemed. Butler's blast into the wind ended up hitting the wall instead of clearing it, and the O's were still up by one. Kansas City actually had the fireworks going; it seemed as if everyone thought the ball was gone. The next batter grounded-out, and the O's won their 12th straight against the Royals. Sherrill picked up his 13th save in 15 attempts, though I swear he's going to send most hardcore O's fans to an early grave!

Brian Burres takes the mound this afternoon as the O's attempt their second four-game sweep of the season.

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)