Cabrera, O's Let Lead Slip Away

The Bird's bats came to life early but couldn't keep up as the Minnesota Twins battled back to beat the O's last night 7-5.

The O's took an early 3-0 lead, thanks to back-to-back shots from Mora and Millar in the first inning. The O's had five hits in the inning but couldn't do any more damage...Nick Markakis was picked-off/caught stealing after he singled, and would have scored on Mora's homer. Another base running blunder late in the game gave the Twins an extra out and helped them seal the win.

Daniel Cabrera struggled early as well, as the Twins scored two in the second to make it 3-2. The game would have been out of reach had it not been for an incredible play by Mora in the fourth inning with the bases loaded...Mora's diving catch was the final out of the inning and saved three runs. Cabrera almost escaped the fifth inning unscathed, but with runners at second and third, a sacrifice fly to center scored both runners...Adam Jones slipped after making the catch and the throw home was WAY late, and the score was 5-4 O's. I've never seen two runners score on a sac fly before...ever... (though it HAS happened before, the last time it happened was in 2001). (courtesy of MLB.com)

Cabrera started the sixth and was immediately in trouble: he gave up a lead-off single and then an RBI triple, which tied the game at five and chased Cabrera to the dugout. His final line: five innings, eight hits, six runs, three strikeouts and no walks (again, an encouraging sign). Cabrera lost for just the second time this season but it came at a bad time...with the win the O's would be back at .500; instead they're two games under and back in last place.

"Today, we fought to a lead and I was supposed to keep the game to three or four runs," Cabrera said. "I'm just feeling bad." (courtesy of MLB.com)

The Birds have a chance to win the series this afternoon...Garrett Olson (4-1) takes on Scott Baker (2-0). The O's then head to Toronto for a three game series.