'How Bout Them O's?'

The Orioles won their fourth straight game last night, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5.

The O's erupted for six runs in the first two innings, but the Brewers hit the O's hard early as well, and both teams went to the bullpen early.

As usual, the O's won in a bullpen battle, and Aubrey Huff's bat helped the 'pen out. Huff had two solo home runs in the game, and now is just one homer shy of his total from all last season (15).

Things got scary in the ninth, when closer George Sherrill loaded the bases with a single and two walks, but he escaped the jam without allowing a run and recorded his 25th save.

The rest of the AL East teams lost, so the O's gained some ground but are still in fourth place. The Birds continue their nine game road trip later tonight; Daniel Cabrera takes the mound and looks to extend the O's win streak to five straight...

O's Sweep Tejada Away

For the first time this season, the Birds swept a three game series, as they beat Houston 7-5 Thursday at Camden Yards.

The O's had a two game series sweep (Boston) and a four game sweep (Seattle) but had yet to take the always important three game series until the Astros came to town. How fitting that Miguel Tejada's new team sank as the O's rose to three games over .500.

Again, the Birds came from behind to win; they were down 2-0 before a few home runs gave them a lead that they wouldn't surrender.

Tejada finally got his first hit of the series, a solo home run, but it wasn't enough...

And, I was one of the lucky fans with a Nick Markakis bobblehead...

Astro-logy Points to O's Win

Is it really magic? Call it what you will...the O's used it again last night in a come-from-behind 2-1 victory in extra innings against the Astros.

It may be in the stars...this team just seems destined to win. Last season, when the O's took a lead into the seventh inning, you just knew they'd blow it and lose. This year, it's the exact opposite...if the O's are trailing late, you just know they'll find a way to win the game...

The O's finish the three game series against Houston tonight...I'm about to head out to the Yard (I want that Nick Markakis bobblehead). I'll be back after the game...Go O's!

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

Another Comeback Win? O Yeah...

Miguel Tejada and his Houston Astros got to view first-hand the new never-say-die Orioles, as the O's came from behind for the twentieth time this season to win the game 6-5.

The O's fell behind 1-0 in the first inning. Garrett Olson allowed a single to turn into a triple after two wild pitches, but settled down and didn't allow another run until the fifth, when the Astros tagged him for three runs with two outs.

The O's had taken a 3-1 lead, thanks to a 2-run shot from Aubrey Huff. Olson left the game with the O's down 4-3, and a solo home run off reliever Matt Albers in the sixth gave Houston a 5-3 advantage.

You just knew the Orioles would come back yet again, and Nick Markakis led off the seventh inning with a solo shot of his own, making it a one-run game. Melvin Mora came to the plate with two on and two out in the bottom of the eighth inning, and with a full-count smacked a two-run double to give the Birds a 6-5 lead. Closer George Sherrill pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning, recording his 23rd save.

Tejada went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout...

The O's are now a game over .500 but are still in fourth in the AL East. Jeremy Guthrie goes for the O's later tonight...

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

Tejada trade took a "Baltimore Bounce"

Miguel Tejada is back in Baltimore, and he'll be playing against a vastly different team than the one he remembers. The O's (34-34) have a better record at this point in the season than Tejada's Houston Astros (33-37).

So far, Baltimore's off-season trades of Tejada and left-handed ace Eric Bedard have really paid off (it's only fair; the O's have a history of horrible trades in the last few seasons/decades).

For a team in the stages of rebuilding, the Orioles have a better record than both Houston and the Seattle Mariners (Bedard's new team). In fact, Seattle gave up a ton of talent for Bedard because they believed they would be contenders this season...with a 24-46 record, they're the worst team in baseball and just fired their general manager...

The O's acquired nine players for two veterans that wanted out of Baltimore, and I have to say it's been well worth it. This Orioles team has more heart then any team I've seen recently, and are playing better than anyone expected.

The Birds are still lacking a true shortstop, but Tejada was not the defensive answer at the position, and his power at the plate was in decline.

I can't wait to see Tejada back in Baltimore; he'll be able to see first-hand how his departure has allowed the Orioles to begin the process of becoming World Series Champions...

The Sunday Streak (and my strike) Continues...

It's officially Monday, so I guess I can finally blog about Sunday afternoon's game...

The O's came close to a three-game sweep of the Pirates, but eventually lost 5-4 in ten innings.

Daniel Cabrera looked pretty bad early, but kept the O's in the game. He went six innings and allowed four runs. He also walked five batters, hit two and threw a wild pitch...

The O's didn't get on the board until the fifth inning, when Guillermo Quiroz hit a solo shot (his second homer of the season). Aubrey Huff added a solo blast of his own in the sixth to make it a 4-2 game.

With two out and one on in the bottom of the ninth, the O's needed a little magic...Brian Roberts connected for a two-run home run that tied the game at four. The O's had done it again...

Unfortunately, closer George Sherrill didn't look comfortable for the second straight appearance, and was lifted with the bases loaded and one out after allowing the go-ahead run. The O's offense went quietly in the bottom of the tenth.

The Birds are now 1-10 on Sundays, and have lost ten straight Sunday games (sure glad I didn't purchase that Sunday ticket package). The O's (34-34) are off today, and face a struggling Houston team on Tuesday night.

How Many Times Can You Say O's Magic?

Wow...the O's came back yet again last night, defeating the Pirates 8-7 at Camden Yards.

The O's came back four times in the game, and won it with a walk-off RBI single from Ramon Hernandez. The Orioles lead Major League Baseball in come-from-behind wins when down by two runs, and with their win on Friday night now have more wins when down by five runs (2) than they did in the last two seasons. The O's (34-33) have come from behind and won 19 times so far this year.

I've said it before, but this team just never gives up. I feel like O's fans are getting spoiled so far this season (and yes, I'm aware we haven't had a winning team in a decade, so I guess we're all long overdue). But come on, I'm beginning to feel like we can win every game, no matter what the score. After Matt Albers allowed the three-run home run that put the Pirates up 5-4 in the seventh inning, the only thing I was upset about was that Albers spoiled a winning effort from starter Radhames Liz. I KNEW the O's would eventually win the game; what's a one-run deficit to this team? As anticipated, Nick Markakis hit a two-run blast in the bottom of the inning to give the O's a 6-5 lead.

I wasn't prepared for the ninth inning, when closer George Sherrill allowed a two-run shot to put the Pirates ahead 7-6. But as usual, the O's would not quit. Oscar Salazar, playing for Melvin Mora (who fouled-off a pitch into his kneecap in the first inning), hit the first pitch he saw out of the ballpark to tie the game at seven. After Freddie Bynum singled and stole second base, Ramon Hernandez sent a 3-2 pitch into the gap in center field, and the O's took the first two games against the Pirates. It was Sherrill's third blown save of the season, but he ended up with the win...I think O's skipper Dave Trembley says it best.

"What a tremendous game for our team and our fans," Trembley said. "George Sherrill has meant so much to this club that we came in the clubhouse after and [Brian] Roberts said, 'Hey George, there was never a doubt. We were going to get one for you.' And I think that says something about our team. George Sherrill has meant so much to our team. For the guys to come back like they did -- not once, not twice, but three times ... that's just incredible, incredible, the fight that's in this team" (courtesy of MLB.com).

The O's look for the sweep later this afternoon. Daniel Cabrera (5-2) takes the mound against Paul Maholm (4-5). I hope to update the blog after the game...if you're new to this post, I officially went on a Sunday strike last weekend, until the O's can win a Sunday contest (they're 1-9 so far this season and have lost nine straight).

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)