Saturday, July 12, 2008

O's End Skid at Fenway

The Orioles ended their five-game losing streak last night, defeating the Boston Red Sox 7-3.

Brian Burres pitched into the seventh, giving up just three runs on six hits. Brian Roberts was the offensive catalyst, going 3 for 5 with two stolen bases. Roberts was just a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.

Things got scary in the ninth... Jim Johnson got two quick outs before a single and an error by shortstop Brandon Fahey (the ball went through his legs...sound familiar?) forced Trembley to bring in closer George Sherrill. After walking the bases loaded, Sherrill struck out Kevin Youkilis looking to end the Sox's threat and the O's streak.

The Orioles (45-46) are still tied for last in the division, and need to sweep the Sox to head into the break with a winning record.

I have a wedding to attend this evening, so I'm afraid I won't be able to watch the game...hopefully, I'll be back on Sunday with good news...

Radhames Liz takes on Tim Wakefield tonight, and on Sunday Daniel Cabrera faces Dice-K...

Friday, July 11, 2008

Bullpen Blows Another One as O's Fall to Last Place

The O's were swept in Toronto last night, succumbing to yet another one-run loss, 6-5.

I'm a pretty fun-loving guy, easy to get along with, but this is the type of game/series that has me pulling out my hair and contemplating throwing whatever is close-by through the TV screen.

Jeremy Guthrie pitched an incredible game, giving up just two runs (one earned) through seven innings. The O's offense held up their part of the deal, and actually gave Guthrie five runs in support. The O's took an early three-run lead, and when the Jays scored twice to make it close, the Birds answered right back, taking a 5-2 lead in the eighth inning.

Game over, right? Guthrie had been in command all night, allowing just four hits, and two of his three strikeouts came in the seventh inning.

Manager Dave Trembley elected to go to the bullpen (Guthrie had thrown 101 pitches, and at his age, you can never be too careful) and once again the momentum of the game changed drastically.

I'm baffled as to how the Orioles bullpen transformed from one of the best in the league to the laughingstock of the majors (could Matt Albers really have been the cog that made this machine run?).

Jim Johnson, once unhittable, gave up two hits and two runs in the eighth. With the O's nursing a one-run lead, closer George Sherrill came on in the ninth and blew yet another save. Incredible!

The Birds have now lost five straight and are tied for last place in the AL East with Toronto. Next up...the Boston Red Sox at Fenway!

*Roberts IS NOT an OFFICIAL All-Star this year, but many thanks to those who voted!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Olson Hit Hard as O's Sink Below .500

The O's lost their fourth straight tonight, as they fell to Toronto 9-8.

Garrett Olson looked good until the fourth inning, when the Jays tagged him for seven runs. It was just the second time the O's allowed seven runs in an inning this season; the first came just six days ago. That spells bad news to any die-hard Orioles fan.

Down 8-1 in the sixth, the O's rallied with a big inning of their own, capped by a 3-run blast from Adam Jones. The Birds were down 8-7, and another comeback seemed immanent...

Aubrey Huff was called out at the plate to end the seventh, though replays show he was never tagged...I can't wait until MLB starts using replays instead of blind faith...

Former Oriole B.J. Ryan picked up his 17th save, but not before Nick Markakis took him deep with two out in the ninth to make it a one-run game.

The O's are now a game under .500 for the first time since early June, and are now 17-16 in one-run games (still a huge improvement over last season).

The Blue Jays go for a sweep tomorrow night, and have actually switched starters to further humiliate the O's...Roy Halladay was scheduled to start the game, but the Jays are letting former Oriole John Parrish take the mound (saving Halladay for the Yankees)...the O's counter with Jeremy Guthrie. Here's hoping the move pays off...GO O'S!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Bynum and the Bullpen Blow It

The Orioles let one slip away tonight, and dropped the first game in Toronto 7-6.

Daniel Cabrera pitched a great game, and left in the seventh inning with two on, one out and a 6-2 lead. Reliever Dennis Sarfate came on and got one quick out before he imploded and allowed four runs to cross the plate. With the game tied, Alberto Castillo allowed the bases to load again before Chad Bradford finally was summoned and recorded the final out. Looks like the O's bullpen of 2006 has returned...

Jim Johnson came on in the ninth, and with two out, Alex Rios attempted to steal second base. A throwing error by Ramon Hernandez allowed him to reach third. A routine ground ball to shortstop Freddie Bynum WENT THROUGH HIS LEGS, and Rios easily scampered home with the walk-off win. Brandon Fahey was playing short until the ninth, when Skipper Dave Trembley elected to give Bynum some playing time...nice call!

Offensively, Aubrey Huff got the O's on the board in the first with his 18th homer of the season. Adam Jones contributed with an RBI double, and Nick Markakis drove in two with a bases loaded single. It just wasn't enough...

The O's (44-44) are now back at .500. Interestingly enough, they're also dead even in runs scored/allowed (417). To reach the All-Star break at .500, they'll need to play better than this...

Vote For Roberts!

Even with closer George Sherrill in the All-Star Game, it's foolish to believe he'll be brought in for the ninth inning...the Yankee's Mariano Rivera will more than likely finish out the final All-Star game at Yankee Stadium...

So... if anyone reads this and wants to actually SEE an ORIOLE player at this year's Mid-Summer Classic, VOTE for B-ROB!!!

Monday, July 7, 2008

O's Look for a Winning Road Trip

After dropping the series to the Texas Rangers at home, the Orioles head to Toronto to try and get back on track against the last-place Blue Jays.

After splitting a four-game series against Kansas City, the Birds were unable to rally against the Rangers, and finished the homestand 3-4. After facing Toronto, the O's travel to Boston to face the Red Sox before the All-Star Break.

I was able to catch most of the action this weekend; unfortunately, my Internet connection was spotty...I watched the beginning of Sunday's game in Ocean City before having to listen on the radio for the final three innings...

If you were there Sunday, at least you got to see a crazy game. And if you stayed, you probably could taste O's Magic right before it slipped away...three home runs in the final two innings brought the Birds within a run, but they lost 11-10.

Still, the O's are in the hunt and are playing winning baseball. We'll see where they are after these next six games against division opponents....Go O's!