Offense can't get it done v. Yankees

The Orioles dropped their third straight game last night, falling 3-2 to the Yankees in New York.

O's starter Radhames Liz turned in his second consecutive quality start, allowing three runs in 6 and 1/3 innings. Liz walked three, struck out one and threw a wild pitch that led to the Yankees third run, which proved to be the game-winner. The bullpen allowed just one hit and walked two through the final frames.

The Birds offense started off hot...Brian Roberts led-off the game with his 50th double of the season (tying his career high) and came around to score on Aubrey Huff's single. The Birds scored again in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead...unfortunately, that was it for the offense. For the second game straight, the O's had a chance in the ninth inning but let it slip away...the Birds had runners on the corners with two outs and Brian Roberts at the plate...Roberts popped out to end the game (he grounded out with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth the night before)...

Brian Burres will start in place of Daniel Cabrera this afternoon...

O's miss late opportunity; lose again

The Orioles left the bases loaded in the ninth inning last night, and left Rogers Centre with a 3-2 loss.

Starter Garrett Olson (9-9) took the loss...Olson allowed three runs in 5 and 2/3 innings but his performance wasn't enough...the Birds managed just two runs in the fifth inning; Alex Cintron stroked a two-run single to put the Birds up 2-1 before the Jays came up in the bottom of the inning.

Down 3-2 in the ninth, the O's loaded the bases against Toronto's closer B.J. Ryan. With one out, Melvin Mora popped out in foul territory and Brian Roberts grounded out to end the threat and the game...

The Birds send Radhames Liz to the mound later tonight in New York City. It will be the final home series for the Yankees at Yankee Stadium...wouldn't a sweep be sweet? Go O's!

The Erik Bedard trade looks even sweeter...it looks like he'll be out for the next 6-9 months...

O's fall just shy of three straight wins

The Orioles blew a big lead and eventually lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7 at Rogers Centre.

The Birds were up 6-0 in the fifth inning before Brian Bass and the bullpen let the Jays right back into the game. The O's scored five runs in the top of the inning to take a commanding lead, but the Jays answered with five runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it a one-run game. The bullpen allowed solo runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings and Toronto escaped with the win.

Offensively, the O's were hot. The team combined for 14 hits, and every starter but one (Luis Montanez) had at least one hit in the game. Aubrey Huff connected for his 32nd homer of the season, and Melvin Mora topped the century mark with a two-run single (he now has 101 RBIs). Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis both doubled for the second straight game, and now the Roberts (49), Markakis (47), Huff (48) trio look to become the first three teammates in the history of baseball to hit 50 doubles a piece in a single season...10 games left!

In other news, Daniel Cabrera and Dennis Sarfate have been shut down, though Jeremy Guthrie may make one final start this season. The O's 2009 schedule came out earlier today...Go O's!

Waters nearly perfect in complete game shutout

It took just over a month, but the Orioles finally won consecutive games as Chris Waters pitched the O's past Toronto 2-0.

Waters (3-3) went nine innings, allowing just four hits. He walked two and struck out three, and needed only 106 pitches to blank the Blue Jays. The O's offense managed just six hits, but scored twice to give Waters the win. Brian Roberts had an RBI double in the third, and Luke Scott blasted a solo shot in the fourth to give the Birds a 2-0 advantage...it was more than enough for Waters.

Nick Markakis doubled in the first inning, giving him 46 for the season. Brian Roberts and Aubrey Huff each have 48 doubles, and they could become the first trio of players in MLB history to have 50 doubles in a season on the same team...there's always a reason to watch the Birds in late September!

The O's send Brian Bass to the mound tomorrow night in Toronto...

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

O's use the long ball to take down Twins

The Orioles won for just the fourth time on a Sunday this season, spanking the Twins 7-3 in front of nearly 19 thousand fans at Camden Yards.

Radhames Liz pitched eight scoreless innings, and the O's offense tied a season high with five home runs. Nick Markakis and Oscar Salazar both went deep twice, and Luis Montanez hit his second major league home run. Markakis now has 20 homers, giving the Birds five players with 20-plus home runs on the season.

George Sherrill returned in the ninth inning, and was charged with three runs before Jim Miller recorded the final two outs. At least the game wasn't on the line...it's good to see Sherrill back.

The O's are off on Monday and begin their final road series on Tuesday in Toronto. Chris Waters is slated to take the mound...

O's Outscored 24-8 in Doubleheader

It doesn't get much worse than this...the O's dropped the first game of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins 12-2 and then proceeded to lose the second game 12-6.

Starting pitching was ineffective, as Daniel Cabrera took the loss in Game 1 (5.1 innings, 4 runs, 5 walks) and Garrett Olson couldn't even make it out of the first inning in Game 2 (6 runs off five hits in 2/3 of an inning).

The Orioles turn to Radhames Liz on Sunday...let's hope they aren't swept out of town...