Friday, September 12, 2008

O's Split Series with Cleveland

The O's took the final game of the four-game set against Cleveland, winning 6-3. It may not have been a series win, but at least it wasn't another loss.

Melvin Mora returned to the O's lineup, and delivered a key two-run double in the third inning to give the Birds a 3-1 lead. Mora is now just an RBI shy of reaching 100 for the season.

Spot-starter Brian Bass kept the O's in the game...Bass allowed four hits and three runs (one earned) in four and 1/3 innings, and ended up with a no-decision. The bullpen held on, and reliever Lance Cormier was credited with the win, while Jim Miller picked up his first MLB save.

The O's host the Minnesota Twins later tonight...Daniel Cabrera (8-9) is slated to take the mound...

Thursday, September 11, 2008

This is getting ridiculous..

It just keeps happening; the same old story...the O's lost to the Indians 7-1 last night at Camden Yards. The Birds are now 34-35 at home, the first time they've had a losing record at home since Opening Day (if I remember correctly).

Once again, the O's were able to score just a single run off six hits, and again, the opposing teams' starter went eight strong innings.

Chris Waters, the O's starter, allowed five runs in just under six innings, and that was more than enough for Cleveland.

Aubrey Huff drove in the O's lone run...in the ninth inning. Melvin Mora was out of the lineup, and now Jeremy Guthrie is doubting he'll be able to start on Saturday. On the plus side, closer George Sherrill may return on Friday (as if the O's have had a save opportunity lately).

The Orioles (64-80) are now proving the experts right...they need to win just one more game this season to prove them wrong (the pre-season prediction was that the O's would finish 64-98).

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

O's back in the loss column

For a brief day, the O's were big winners...they fell to the Indians tonight 6-1 at Camden Yards.

Radhames Liz (5-5) wasn't horrible, but his effort certainly wasn't enough. Liz lasted just four and 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) off eight hits. He walked three and struck out five. The bullpen fared a bit better, but the offense was flat...

A day after scoring 14 runs, the Birds managed just a single run off six hits. The ninth inning was the only frame in the game where they actually had more than one hit in an inning (though they were unable to score).

Chris Waters (2-2) takes the mound for the O's on Wednesday, and Melvin Mora (a late scratch today) is finally expected back in the lineup later this week...

Monday, September 8, 2008

O's, Huff bring bats in big win

The wait is finally over...the Orioles losing streak ended tonight as they took the first game of a four-game series against the Cleveland Indians, 14-3.

O's starter Garrett Olson (9-8) set the tone early. Olson went six strong innings, allowing just three runs off eight hits, while walking three and striking out six. You heard it right...an O's pitcher had a quality start in September (and it wasn't even Jeremy Guthrie).

The Birds were down 3-2 in the sixth inning, and then the bats came to life...the O's scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth and another five runs in the eighth to sink Cleveland.

The Birds bats' hit for the home run cycle...Luke Scott (solo shot), Ramon Hernandez (2-run dinger), Adam Jones (3-run blast) and Aubrey Huff (grand slam) all went deep to account for ten of the O's runs. Huff and Jones each went 3-for-5 with four RBIs a piece...welcome back Aubrey! Melvin Mora is expected to return Tuesday, adding even more power to the O's lineup...

Jeremy Guthrie was scratched as tomorrow's starter due to the flu; Radhames Liz is scheduled to take the mound...here's hoping the O's can start a winning streak at home...

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

Sunday, September 7, 2008

O's Drop Season-worst Eighth Straight

The losses continue to pile up...the Birds fell again last night to the Oakland A's, 5-1.

Daniel Cabrera took the loss, and was unable to make it through four innings. Cabrera allowed two runs off five hits through three innings, but walked six batters while striking out just one. He threw 84 pitches, 42 for strikes.

That was all the cushion the A's would need, as the O's were held to just one run in the eighth inning. The Birds managed just five hits all night...Nick Markakis' sac fly was all the bats could muster.

New relief pitcher Alfredo Simon came on after Cabrera exited, and allowed two home runs in an inning and 2/3...at least he didn't walk anyone (though he did hit a batter!). The Orioles have lost eight games straight, and have walked 63 batters in those games (averaging nearly eight walks per game).

As expected, the first game of the doubleheader was postponed due to Tropical Storm Hanna; a make-up date has yet to have been announced. That may have been good news for the Birds...the team has Sunday off before Cleveland comes to town. Garrett Olson is scheduled to start Monday...both Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff are expected to return to the lineup...