The O's lost to Boston 5-2 in extra innings last night in front of a sell-out crowd at Camden Yards.
With the score tied at 2, the O's squandered an opportunity to win the game in the 12th. Kevin Millar failed to run out a routine ground ball, which was bobbled, and was thrown out at first. Had Millar run hard, the O's would have had the bases loaded with one out, and the outcome may have changed drastically...a fly ball could have won the game.
Instead, the O's committed three errors in the 13th inning, and allowed three unearned runs to cross the plate. The inning started off innocently enough, when David Ortiz popped-up in foul territory. Ramon Hernandez dropped the ball, and immediately images from the Mother's Day Massacre came to mind. Ortiz ended up being the first out, but two throwing errors later in the inning allowed the Sox to score three times and escape with a win in the first game of this series.
Daniel Cabrera pitched seven innings, allowing two runs off six hits, while walking two and striking out two. Both runs allowed came in the first inning; Cabrera buckled down after that and kept his team in the game. The bullpen held the Sox scoreless until the final inning.
The O's collected just eight hits, while striking out 17 times. Aubrey Huff hit a solo home run in the fourth to tie the game at two (Huff tied Markakis for the team lead in homers (9) and now leads the O's with 30 RBIs).
It was just one game, but the Red Sox didn't beat the Orioles; the Orioles beat themselves. There are still three games left in the series, and the Birds need to forget about this one and play hard later tonight. Garrett Olson (4-1) faces Jon Lester (3-3).
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
O's Unable to Complete the Sweep
The O's were unable to obtain the elusive sweep of the Yankees, falling 4-2 last night.
For the second time this season, the Birds took the first two games of the series but could not win game three. The Orioles haven't swept the Yankees at Camden Yards since 2005.
Jeremy Guthrie (2-6) was impressive, but the O's were once again unable to give him much run support. Guthrie pitched seven innings, allowing three runs off six hits, while striking out four and walking none.
Andy Pettitte (5-5) continued his dominance over the Orioles, allowing just two runs off eight hits. Pettitte holds the record among active pitchers with the most wins against the Orioles (he's now 24-6), and has won both his starts against the O's this season. Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera shut down the O's for the final innings.
The Birds were able to break through in the third inning, when Melvin Mora's 2-run blast gave the O's a brief 2-1 lead. It was Mora's second 2-run home run in as many games. The Birds had a chance to score in the fifth, when Brian Roberts doubled with one out. He was picked off/caught stealing for the second out of the inning, and after Mora walked, Nick Markakis doubled. Mora stayed at third, and Kevin Millar flied out to end the threat. What could have been a big inning turned into nothing...
"We felt we could steal third. The game is such that after those things happen, you get the hits. I've been in situations before, you put a hit-and-run on and the guy gets thrown out. You know what's going to happen next. The next pitch, the guy gets a base hit. That's how the game is," said Dave Trembley in his post-game interview (courtesy of MLB.com).
The O's still took two of three from the Yankees, and are now back at .500 with a 26-26 record. They have today off before taking on the Boston Red Sox in a four-game Series. Daniel Cabrera (5-1) takes on Josh Beckett (5-4) Friday night.
(photos courtesy of MLB.com)
For the second time this season, the Birds took the first two games of the series but could not win game three. The Orioles haven't swept the Yankees at Camden Yards since 2005.
Jeremy Guthrie (2-6) was impressive, but the O's were once again unable to give him much run support. Guthrie pitched seven innings, allowing three runs off six hits, while striking out four and walking none.
Andy Pettitte (5-5) continued his dominance over the Orioles, allowing just two runs off eight hits. Pettitte holds the record among active pitchers with the most wins against the Orioles (he's now 24-6), and has won both his starts against the O's this season. Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera shut down the O's for the final innings.
The Birds were able to break through in the third inning, when Melvin Mora's 2-run blast gave the O's a brief 2-1 lead. It was Mora's second 2-run home run in as many games. The Birds had a chance to score in the fifth, when Brian Roberts doubled with one out. He was picked off/caught stealing for the second out of the inning, and after Mora walked, Nick Markakis doubled. Mora stayed at third, and Kevin Millar flied out to end the threat. What could have been a big inning turned into nothing..."We felt we could steal third. The game is such that after those things happen, you get the hits. I've been in situations before, you put a hit-and-run on and the guy gets thrown out. You know what's going to happen next. The next pitch, the guy gets a base hit. That's how the game is," said Dave Trembley in his post-game interview (courtesy of MLB.com).
The O's still took two of three from the Yankees, and are now back at .500 with a 26-26 record. They have today off before taking on the Boston Red Sox in a four-game Series. Daniel Cabrera (5-1) takes on Josh Beckett (5-4) Friday night.
(photos courtesy of MLB.com)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
O's Win a Thriller in Extra Innings
I'm still shaking...the O's battled back against the Yankees and won the game in the eleventh inning 10-9. This had to have been one of the most exciting comebacks I've ever seen...
The Orioles never led until they won the game. In a battle of the long balls, the O's prevailed. The two teams combined to hit nine homers in the first five innings, two shy of the record at Camden Yards. The O's finished with five home runs.
Here's how it happened...in the second inning, Jason Giambi hit a solo shot and Johnny Damon's 3-run homer gave NY a 4-0 lead. The O's answered right back, as Kevin Millar drilled a 2-run shot and Ramon Hernandez followed with a solo home run of his own. It was the first time the O's hit back-to-back home runs this season (and they weren't finished). After a throwing error led to an unearned run, the score was knotted at four.
Then in the fourth, Bobby Abreu smacked a 2-run shot, followed by a solo homer from Alex Rodriguez. Just an inning later, the O's tied the game with three home runs of their own. Melvin Mora hit a 2-run dinger, cutting the Yankee's lead to 8-6. With two out, Luke Scott drilled a solo shot to right, and Millar followed with a solo shot to left (I told you they weren't finished).
After that, it was a battle of the bullpens. Heavy rain delayed the game for just over an hour, and when it resumed in the bottom of the ninth, the O's failed to score, sending it into extra-innings. The Yankees took a 9-8 lead in the eleventh, but the O's rallied yet again in the bottom of the inning. Melvin Mora led-off with a single, and tied the game after Aubrey Huff doubled (he took third on the throw home). After intentional walks to Luke Scott and Kevin Millar, Alex Cintron won the game with a single to right field.
Honestly, I could write a term paper about this game, so I'll try to make this short and sweet...this game was HUGE, and the Orioles showed just what kind of a team they are. Brian Burres was knocked out in the third inning, giving up eight runs and four homers. The bullpen held the Yankees for the rest of the game, and the bats came to life. The O's were down 4-0, then 8-4, and then 9-8, but responded every time...they never gave up.
“You don’t want to make a living out of it, but this was probably the biggest Oriole win I’ve seen as far as just a full team effort,” said Kevin Millar (courtesy of AP/Yahoo Sports.com).
"This is the best game I've ever been a part of to win," Trembley said of his team's effort. "I've never seen anything like that. That's a real credit to our team. That's probably the biggest understatement I can say. That's just incredible," (courtesy of MLB.com).
With the win, the O's are a game over .500 and have a chance to sweep the Yankees later this evening. Here's hoping the bats stay hot...Andy Pettitte takes the mound for NY and has a 23-6 lifetime record against the Orioles. Jeremy Guthrie opposes him, and he could certainly use some run support...
The Orioles never led until they won the game. In a battle of the long balls, the O's prevailed. The two teams combined to hit nine homers in the first five innings, two shy of the record at Camden Yards. The O's finished with five home runs.
Here's how it happened...in the second inning, Jason Giambi hit a solo shot and Johnny Damon's 3-run homer gave NY a 4-0 lead. The O's answered right back, as Kevin Millar drilled a 2-run shot and Ramon Hernandez followed with a solo home run of his own. It was the first time the O's hit back-to-back home runs this season (and they weren't finished). After a throwing error led to an unearned run, the score was knotted at four.
Then in the fourth, Bobby Abreu smacked a 2-run shot, followed by a solo homer from Alex Rodriguez. Just an inning later, the O's tied the game with three home runs of their own. Melvin Mora hit a 2-run dinger, cutting the Yankee's lead to 8-6. With two out, Luke Scott drilled a solo shot to right, and Millar followed with a solo shot to left (I told you they weren't finished).
After that, it was a battle of the bullpens. Heavy rain delayed the game for just over an hour, and when it resumed in the bottom of the ninth, the O's failed to score, sending it into extra-innings. The Yankees took a 9-8 lead in the eleventh, but the O's rallied yet again in the bottom of the inning. Melvin Mora led-off with a single, and tied the game after Aubrey Huff doubled (he took third on the throw home). After intentional walks to Luke Scott and Kevin Millar, Alex Cintron won the game with a single to right field.
Honestly, I could write a term paper about this game, so I'll try to make this short and sweet...this game was HUGE, and the Orioles showed just what kind of a team they are. Brian Burres was knocked out in the third inning, giving up eight runs and four homers. The bullpen held the Yankees for the rest of the game, and the bats came to life. The O's were down 4-0, then 8-4, and then 9-8, but responded every time...they never gave up.
“You don’t want to make a living out of it, but this was probably the biggest Oriole win I’ve seen as far as just a full team effort,” said Kevin Millar (courtesy of AP/Yahoo Sports.com).
"This is the best game I've ever been a part of to win," Trembley said of his team's effort. "I've never seen anything like that. That's a real credit to our team. That's probably the biggest understatement I can say. That's just incredible," (courtesy of MLB.com).
With the win, the O's are a game over .500 and have a chance to sweep the Yankees later this evening. Here's hoping the bats stay hot...Andy Pettitte takes the mound for NY and has a 23-6 lifetime record against the Orioles. Jeremy Guthrie opposes him, and he could certainly use some run support...
Monday, May 26, 2008
Olson Dominant as O's Snap Losing Streak
Garrett Olson pitched seven scoreless innings and the O's bats backed him up as the Orioles beat the Yankees 6-1 at Camden Yards this afternoon.
Olson(4-1) was hit hard during his last start at Yankee Stadium, but held New York to just three hits through seven innings, striking out seven while walking four (he also hit a batter). Chad Bradford pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, and Jamie Walker finished the game, allowing two hits and a run to spoil the shutout.
Nick Markakis made a great throw in the third to get Johnny Damon out at the plate and keep the game scoreless. He knocked a solo shot to center field in the sixth to give the O's a 1-0 lead, and had an RBI single in the seventh. It looks like Nick's slump may be over...he went 3 for 4 with a single, double and home run.
Huff put the O's up 6-0 with a 3-run shot in the seventh. He's had a homer in his last two games.
With the win, the O's are back at .500 and are out of last place in the AL East. Brian Burres (4-4) will oppose Ian Kennedy (0-3) tomorrow night.
(photos courtesy of MLB.com)
Olson(4-1) was hit hard during his last start at Yankee Stadium, but held New York to just three hits through seven innings, striking out seven while walking four (he also hit a batter). Chad Bradford pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, and Jamie Walker finished the game, allowing two hits and a run to spoil the shutout.Nick Markakis made a great throw in the third to get Johnny Damon out at the plate and keep the game scoreless. He knocked a solo shot to center field in the sixth to give the O's a 1-0 lead, and had an RBI single in the seventh. It looks like Nick's slump may be over...he went 3 for 4 with a single, double and home run.
Huff put the O's up 6-0 with a 3-run shot in the seventh. He's had a homer in his last two games.
With the win, the O's are back at .500 and are out of last place in the AL East. Brian Burres (4-4) will oppose Ian Kennedy (0-3) tomorrow night.
(photos courtesy of MLB.com)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
O's Swept by Rays
The Orioles dropped their fifth straight and fell to last place in the AL East today after losing 5-4 to Tampa.
The O's scored first, but Daniel Cabrera gave up four runs in the third inning to put Tampa ahead. Cabrera settled down after that, but he wasn't as sharp as he'd been in his last few outings. He was pulled after 5.2 innings, and allowed four runs off nine hits and six walks. Cabrera's quality start streak came to an end, as this was his shortest outing since his first start of the season.
The O's rallied, scoring once in the fifth and twice in the sixth. Aubrey Huff's solo shot to center field in the sixth inning tied the game at four.
Jim Johnson pitched a scoreless eighth and got one out in the ninth before being lifted for George Sherrill. Sherrill walked the first batter he faced and then gave up a game-winning double.
The Birds are now a game under .500 and in the AL East cellar (with the win, the Rays took first place). This is the O's second 5-game losing streak this month, and they went just 1-5 on the road trip. They return home to begin a three-game series against the Yankees tomorrow afternoon. Garrett Olson will face Darrell Rasner (a rematch from last week, hopefully Olson comes out on top this time).
The O's scored first, but Daniel Cabrera gave up four runs in the third inning to put Tampa ahead. Cabrera settled down after that, but he wasn't as sharp as he'd been in his last few outings. He was pulled after 5.2 innings, and allowed four runs off nine hits and six walks. Cabrera's quality start streak came to an end, as this was his shortest outing since his first start of the season.The O's rallied, scoring once in the fifth and twice in the sixth. Aubrey Huff's solo shot to center field in the sixth inning tied the game at four.
Jim Johnson pitched a scoreless eighth and got one out in the ninth before being lifted for George Sherrill. Sherrill walked the first batter he faced and then gave up a game-winning double.
The Birds are now a game under .500 and in the AL East cellar (with the win, the Rays took first place). This is the O's second 5-game losing streak this month, and they went just 1-5 on the road trip. They return home to begin a three-game series against the Yankees tomorrow afternoon. Garrett Olson will face Darrell Rasner (a rematch from last week, hopefully Olson comes out on top this time).
Trachsel's Train Wreck
The O's were able to score a few runs last night against the Rays, but it wasn't enough after Steve Trachsel imploded early (even earlier than usual this season). The O's lost the game, 11-4.
Traschsel had been skipped in the rotation and hadn't pitched in over two weeks, but the veteran took the mound with the responsibility to go deep in the game and help stop the O's skid.
That didn't happen. Trachsel couldn't get the final out in the second inning, and allowed nine runs on seven hits, two walks and two home runs.
The Orioles managed to score four runs after being held to just one in the past three games. Luke Scott hit a 2-run shot in the third to make it a 9-3 game, but the deficit was just too much for the O's to overcome.
Dave Trembley has a lot to think about concerning the starting rotation, and talked about the run support in his post-game interview.
"I would have taken the last four runs we got tonight about the last three game, and we would have won some ballgames," Trembley said (courtesy of MLB.com).
I was all for signing Trachsel to be the veteran presence in the clubhouse, but it's going all wrong. He should be the one helping the rookies after a tough outing, not the other way around. He was only on 15 days rest because Trembley didn't want to disrupt the young rotation, and this was his chance to prove that he was, indeed, a seasoned vet that could handle this situation. I'm sorry to say it, but I think I've seen all I need to from Steve Trachsel...
The O's look to Daniel Cabrera this afternoon to stop the bleeding. The starting pitching has been incredible lately (excluding a couple of games), and if Cabrera continues his dominant pitching and the O's bats can score just a few runs, they have a good chance to avoid the sweep in Tampa.
The O's are 24-24, back at .500. The team is five games out of first, and just a half-game out of last.
(photos courtesy of MLB.com)
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