O's Win World Series Rematch

Only one team would reach the .500 mark after this game...and it was the Orioles (33-33) that eventually stung the Pirates (34-35). I have to say that every O's game I attend is better than the last...after the O's took a 1-0 lead and then fell behind 6-1, they rallied to win the first game against Pittsburgh 9-6.

Even more amazing than the post-game fireworks was the fact that Brian Burres actually got the win...he started strong with a 1-2-3 first inning, but then allowed six runs in the next two frames. He settled down after that, and was able to keep the Pirates scoreless through the sixth inning.

As usual, the O's were not conceding defeat, and they chipped away, eventually taking a 7-6 lead. The bullpen went the final three frames without surrendering a single hit, and the offense continued to tack on the runs.

It's becoming a normal occurrence: the O's rally and win the game. I have to be honest, this team just continues to amaze me. The crowd was definitely on their side; of an announced attendance of over 47 thousand, I'd say 90 percent were cheering for the orange and black.

The O's go for another win later tonight...Radhames Liz looks for his second win of the season.

O's Return Home Losers in Boston but Winners on the Road

Sorry about the late blog...I've been a little busy lately...the O's dropped the finale in Boston 9-2 yesterday, but still went 5-4 on a tough road trip.

The O's take on the Pittsburgh Pirates today in a rematch of the 1979 World Series. I'm about to leave for the game now; I'll update the blog as soon as I get back home...Go O's!

Big First Inning Sinks O's

The Red Sox tagged Garrett Olson for five runs in the first inning, and even with some late O's Magic, the lead was just too much to overcome, as the Orioles lost the game 6-3.

Olson looked horrible in the first; he walked two, threw a wild pitch with a man on third, botched a pick-off attempt at first and gave up a 3-run home run (in no particular order). Olson's a rookie, and was probably nervous in front of the Boston crowd. He settled down after that, and didn't allow another runner to cross the plate until he gave up a solo shot in the sixth, making it a 6-1 game.

The O's mounted a comeback in the ninth, but it was just too little, too late. Aubrey Huff led-off with a double, followed by an RBI double from Kevin Millar. Millar scored on an error, and with two on and two out, Brian Roberts came to the plate representing the tying run. Sox skipper Terry Francona had seen enough, and went to closer Jonathan Papelbon, who retired Roberts on a routine grounder.

The O's are guaranteed a winning road trip against three good clubs, and still have a chance to take two of three from Boston tomorrow night. The Red Sox were the only team in the division to win tonight, so the O's are still tied for third with Toronto and New York.

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

The 'Comeback Kings' are at it again...

The O's battled back yet again and defeated the Boston Red Sox tonight at Fenway Park 10-6.

The Birds are now tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for most come-from-behind victories when down by two runs; both teams have done it 14 times this season.

Daniel Cabrera was shaky, and didn't look like himself (well, he did, but not his 2008 self). He lasted only five innings, giving up six runs and the lead. He looked like Houdini early on, escaping a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the first with only one run crossing the plate. The O's answered right back with a four-run second, but Cabrera couldn't hold on. Cabrera continuously was in trouble, he walked four in five innings and gave up seven hits, and it finally caught up with him in the sixth. After Cabrera hit a batter, he gave up a two-run shot to J.D. Drew to give the Sox a 5-4 lead. Manny Ramirez followed with a solo shot of his own, and the Sox led 6-4.

The O's offense wasn't finished though, and the bullpen held the Sox to just one hit through the final four frames. The bats could only manage four runs off starter Josh Beckett, but the O's love to see relief pitcher Hideki Okajima on the mound (see: Payton's slam and Jones' 3-run double). Okajima was charged with both a loss and a blown save as the O's scored three runs in the seventh to take a 7-6 lead. The Birds added on three more in the ninth, and closer George Sherrill finished the game in a non-save situation, striking out the last batter he faced to end the game.

The O's offense was amazing, racking up 10 runs off 15 hits against Boston. None of the hits went out of the park, but the Birds racked up five doubles on the night. Melvin Mora was the only Oriole without a hit, but still came around to score twice.

With the win, the Orioles are guaranteed a winning road trip, which is all you can really ask for. If the Birds can win just one more of the next two games in Boston, they'll have won each road series on the nine-game trip. The O's are now a game above .500 and are still tied for third with the Yankees and Blue Jays. Garrett Olson (5-1) takes on Bartolo Colon (3-1) tomorrow night.

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

O's Striking Out on Sundays

It's official...I'm on strike when it comes to blogging Sunday O's games.

The Birds lost to Toronto 5-4, continuing their miserable Sunday losing streak. After the O's beat Seattle on April 6, they've dropped nine straight Sunday games. It doesn't seem to make a difference whether they're home (1-4) or on the road (0-5), the O's just can't get a Sunday win.

It happened again this past weekend, when the O's took a 4-2 lead into the sixth inning only to lose the game 5-4. Luke Scott homered twice, giving the O's a 1-0 and then a 4-2 lead, but reliever Matt Albers gave up three runs in the sixth to spoil a strong start from Radhames Liz and spoil the Bird's chance of sweeping the Blue Jays in Toronto.

The O's were off Monday and begin a three-game series against the first place Boston Red Sox later this evening. The game has been pushed forward an hour (it starts at 6:05 instead of 7:05) so that all the "lucky" Boston fans can watch the Sox and then the Celtics in game three of the NBA Finals at 9 pm.

Tampa Bay won on Monday and remain in second place in the AL East, but both Toronto and New York lost close games. The O's (31-31), Yankees(32-32) and Blue Jays (33-33) are now in a three-way tie for third (or last) in the division.

So until the O's can win another Sunday game, I'm taking the day off...maybe now that it's out in the open the streak can finally come to an end.

Runs for Guthrie (Finally)!

The O's won their third straight yesterday, beating the Blue Jays 9-5 in Toronto.

Jeremy Guthrie (3-6) recorded the win. He allowed just one run through seven innings, walking none while striking out six. The O's bats supported him throughout; the Birds collected 14 hits in the game and were ahead 9-1 in the ninth before ex-starter Steve Trachsel allowed the score to appear closer than it really was.

Jay Payton had another five RBI day, and Nick Markakis went 3-for-5 with an RBI.

The O's have a chance to sweep the Jays this afternoon, but it will be tough, as Radhames Liz (1-0) opposes Toronto's Roy Halladay (7-5). I was there in person the last time the O's swept the Jays (April 20-22, 2007), but it seems as if the O's haven't been able to do it on the road for years...

The Birds are hot right now, and are now in third place behind Boston and Tampa Bay, respectively. They've gone 4-1 on the road trip...