O's Bullpen Blows It

The Orioles bullpen surrendered six runs in the final two innings, propelling the New York Yankees to a 9-4 victory last night at Camden Yards.

O's starter Radhames Liz looked pretty good...he started the fifth inning having allowed just one run before giving up back-to-back solo shots, tying the game at three.

Aubrey Huff and Ramon Hernandez had two RBIs each, and the Birds had a 4-3 lead entering the eighth inning...that's when things got rough...the 'pen gave up six runs off seven hits and a wild pitch, and it was just too much for the O's bats to overcome.

The only bright spot I can see...Mussina didn't get the win...

The Birds send ace Jeremy Guthrie to the mound later tonight...

O's Avoid the Sox Sweep

The O's still haven't been swept at home this season, thanks to an impressive offensive showing in a 11-6 victory over Boston last night.

Rookie starter Chris Waters (2-0) wasn't untouchable, but went five innings to pick up the win. After allowing four runs in the first two innings, Waters settled down, giving up just one more run, a solo homer, in the fifth.

The offense backed him up, as the Birds scored 10 runs in the first four innings...both Melvin Mora and Ramon Hernandez connected for three-run home runs...Mora finished with four RBIs.

The Birds are off today and host the Yankees this weekend...Mike Mussina starts for New York on Friday. Moose has been dominant against the rest of the league this season, but the O's seem to have his number...let's hope they can do it again. It appears that the Orioles will bring up Radhames Liz from Triple A Norfolk to make the start...

O's lose again...and all I got was this lousy tee-shirt

Just kidding...I love the Luke Scott tee...but seriously, the Orioles dropped their second straight game to Boston last night, falling 7-2 in front of nearly 50 thousand fans.

To make matters even worse, my fiance and I just missed out on becoming Camden Yard's 50 Millionth Fan. We picked the right day, and even the right gate...we arrived at Gate H on Eutaw Street at 5:15, and just minutes after passing through the turnstiles saw the Oriole Bird and a camera crew running frantically toward us...and then right past us...we were so close!

An Orioles win would certainly be the one thing in the world that could make things right...

Unfortunately, we had no such luck. Daniel Cabrera was shaky early, and the O's were down 3-0 after two innings. The Birds scored twice in the third to cut the lead to one, and had the bases loaded with one out in the fourth with the big bats coming up...Melvin Mora struck out swinging and Aubrey Huff grounded out. The dynamic duo went a combined 1 for 9 with a walk and five strikeouts, while stranding seven base runners a piece.

Cabrera (8-8) took the loss, and was charged with six runs in 4 1/3 innings. The bullpen held its own, but the damage was done...the O's were held scoreless for the final six frames...

The Birds (60-65) are now 17 games out of first and seem destined to finish last in the division...closer George Sherrill was placed on the 15-day DL, and the starting rotation is in shambles...don't be surprised to see a Double-A starter join the rotation later this week...

Rookie Chris Waters will make his third MLB start later this evening...here's hoping he can get the O's going...the Birds are off Thursday and then host the Yankees over the weekend...

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

Huff Not Enough as O's Fall to Sox

Just got my Internet back...O's lost 6-3.

I'll have more to say later...Guthrie went seven strong and allowed two runs...both solo shots in the second inning...once the bullpen was summoned the Red Sox came to life...

Aubrey Huff's solo home run in the fourth and 2-run double in the eighth accounted for all the O's runs...

I'll be in the stands tonight...trying to be the 50 Millionth Fan...wish me luck!!!

Offensive Explosion as O's Crush Tigers

The Orioles set several offensive highs in a 16-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers this afternoon.

In the first Sunday road victory this year, the Birds racked up 22 hits and 16 runs, both season highs. The Birds crushed five homers, tying a season high.

Melvin Mora was the star of the show, going 5 for 6 with two home runs and two doubles. Mora's six RBIs were a career high for a single game. Luke Scott hit two home runs and finished with four RBIs, and Aubrey Huff connected for his team-leading 26th homer.

Kevin Millar was the lone Oriole starter that didn't have multiple hits in the game; Millar went 1 for four with two RBIs...

Starter Garrett Olson couldn't make it through the second inning, and was charged with five runs. The O's had already knocked the Tiger's starter out of the game, and the score was knotted at five after two innings. In a battle of the bullpens, the O's teed-off, scoring four runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, and adding another two runs in the eighth.

The Birds head home for a nine-game stretch against the AL East...Next up: the Boston Red Sox. Jeremy Guthrie is scheduled to start tomorrow night...

O's Can't Extend Winning Streak

The Orioles saw their winning streak snapped at three games as they fell to the Tigers 5-3.

Dennis Sarfate looked better than he had in his past three starts, but still took a loss as he couldn't make it through the fifth inning. Sarfate was charged with four runs off six hits...two of those hits were solo home runs, both coming in the bottom of the fourth. He walked three and struck out five...looks like he's headed back to the bullpen...for now.

The O's offense never got it going against Justin Verlander; both runs they scored off him were unearned...

Garrett Olson takes the mound this afternoon...the Birds need a Sunday victory to return home with a winning road trip...