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Ramon Hernandez tags out Ryan Doumit on a squeeze play in the 10th inning of Pittsburgh’s 5-4 win over the Orioles Sunday afternoon. — AP
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The Orioles have proved time and again they don’t quit — and have 19 come-from-behind wins this season to prove it.
But there’s been 34 times they haven’t come back.
The only problem with a team that is so comfortable in its ability to rally is sometimes it’s not enough.
After coming back to beat the Pirates in the first two games of a weekend series at Camden Yards, the Orioles came back again on Sunday to force extra innings.
But life on the edge caught up to the Orioles, who allowed Pittsburgh to score once in the 10th to suffer a 5-4 loss in front of a crowd of 31,107.
“We’ve been playing really good baseball,” Orioles outfielder Jay Payton said. “The good thing is we get down, and we know that we have a chance to come back and win the game.”
Pittsburgh closer Matt Capps learned that lesson the hard way for the second straight day, as he gave up a two-out, two-run home run to second baseman Brian Roberts in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extra innings..
But the Pirates rallied for a run against Orioles closer George Sherrill in the 10th, and Capps made it stand by shutting down Baltimore in the bottom half of the inning to end a seven-game losing streak to American League teams dating to last June.
The Orioles didn’t play like they deserved to win the game for the first eight innings.
Starter Daniel Cabrera, who hasn’t won since May 20, allowed at least one base runner in each inning and looked like he had little idea where the ball was going during most of his six-inning outing. He walked five and sent several Pirates twisting out of the way of errant pitches. He especially looked like his former struggling self in the third, giving up a solo home run to Nate McLouth and two more runs aided by a walk, a wild pitch and two hit batters.
The offense couldn’t figure out Paul Maholm, the fourth left-hander it had faced in as many days. The Orioles had just five hits through eight innings.
“You can’t play from behind every day,” Roberts said. “You don’t want to do that every day, but we certainly feel confident enough do it. It’s not a big deal at this point.”
It was a wild ending to a wilder wild weekend.
The Orioles demonstrated the ease they feel when playing from behind. They spotted the Pirates a five-run lead early in the first game before rallying for a 9-6 win. Saturday, they recovered from Sherrill’s blown save for a walk-off win.
But Sunday proved that playing from behind doesn’t always end well.
A series sweep would have been a much nicer start to five straight interleague series than a simple home series win over a team with a losing record.
“I’m real proud of the way we played today,” Baltimore manager Dave Trembley said. “Coming back once again and having a chance to win, it’s something I could get used to watching.”
At the very least, it’s extremely exciting.
eric.detweiler@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
6:43 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 19, 2008 re: "Orioles ready for competition to begin"
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12:09 PM MST on Thu., Dec. 20, 2007
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5:06 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007
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City Resident said:
its good to see some people still support the Orioles. as a Baltimore resident who grew up in Boston, i know what its like to root for a crappy team for a LONG time (Bruins, Celtics especially). and those complainers? they'll be the first ones back when things are going well again. sad! keep it up true O's fans and i'll "see you at the Yard!"
72 agree | 69 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
TRADE !!!!!.....Who would want an Oriole player ?????
173 agree | 175 disagree
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avid reader said:
I csn't believe that baseball paid this guy all of that money to write a report that could take baseball down. There was no news in the report because so many players grow too fast in size and as a fan I say to myself this guy could not be spending this much time in the gym. This is a sad scenario for the game.
175 agree | 164 disagree
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Karl said:
many baseball players want to play, win, and continue their careers at whatever cost; even to taking illegal substances. And the fans feel the same way. Let them continue their careers. And if taking illegal substances helps to win games, that is okay with the majority of fans. As Vince Lombardi is credited with saying, "winning is everything; it is the only thing."
161 agree | 176 disagree
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O's season ticket holder said: said:
What i find amazing is this. Two years ago all of the congressmen wanted to hold hearings on this same matter, now i see why. Just like this retired senator they are all looking for lucrative jobs once they leave office.....
181 agree | 184 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How convenient that not a single current Red Sox player is mentioned, despite the glaringly obvious Ortiz. How can someone his age have a heart condition known to be linked to steroid use and not have showed up in the report? Perhaps because it was controlled by someone who has a financial stake in the Red Sox?
185 agree | 187 disagree
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Don said:
Wonder how these O's druggies would have played without the drugs ????????
189 agree | 154 disagree
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Don said:
Probably should have listed who hasn't
184 agree | 179 disagree
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Don said:
Maybe they can get a package deal for the O's and Rav's with Mayflower van lines. It's got to be terrible being a local sportcaster here in Baltimore.
229 agree | 207 disagree
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Caroline- A.K.A orioles fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and what did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!
238 agree | 223 disagree
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Lauren said:
i hope the orioles make some changes in the offseason because i've just about had it them. we have some great guys on our team. But, the pitching, most of all the pitchers have been injured this year, loewen,benson,wright,bedard,guthrie, and some other guys, if we can get them healthy and ready to go for 2008 i think we will play better. to be a playoff team you need everything, solid pitching, good defense and good offense and the orioles will have eveything if they just keep their players healthly.
268 agree | 262 disagree
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oriole fan said:
all i want is for the orioles to at least get to the playoffs, thats all i'm asking from them. or maybe even finish above .500 because after 10 losing seasons baltimore deserves a winning team! but i had to say that orioles have not given up. they play better against the yankees then they do agaisnt the devil rays. i mean c'mon! whats up with that?
216 agree | 240 disagree
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oriole fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and want did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!
278 agree | 269 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It is ASTONISHING that these comments get well over 50 users rating their statements. The real issues get 1, 2, maybe 3. Maybe this is why Baltimore has such problems- no one cares enough to speak up, or take the time to do something! When it starts to leak into your neighborhood, I bet then we'll hear your mouth.
243 agree | 261 disagree
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Baseball Fan said:
HI, I think it is about time that the Baltimore Orioles wear your cities name on their away uniforms. They have the weak excuse that they serve other areas that would not relate to Baltimore. I live in New Hampshire and I have no problem with the Boston Red Sox identifying with Boston on their away uniforms. If the Red Sox didn't recognize Boston on their away uniforms I would take it as an insult to Boston and the home town fans. I have been to your city many times and have taken in Orioles, Red Sox games. I can't understand how Orioles fans and the city of Baltimore don't insist on the Orioles identifying with Baltimore on their away uniforms. After all, they are the Baltimore Orioles. They wouldn't have such a great ball park if it wasn't for the support of the tax payers of Baltimore. Thanks
275 agree | 262 disagree
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Don said:
Send the O's packing it's over. Root for the new kids on the block the Washington Nationals. They are welcome to use our stadium Hon.
252 agree | 262 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I thought Palmer put Markakis on the rising stars list because he was under 25 which the list asked for. Bedard is, what, 29? C'mon Welsh. Do your homework and stop twisting facts. Palmer wins in a landslide.
245 agree | 263 disagree
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A memorable season said:
That's one way to make this season memorable!
300 agree | 254 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ouch. That's no spanking, that's a slaughter.
277 agree | 245 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Uncle Pete, please open up that checkbook this winter!!!
324 agree | 277 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Trade Mora, Millar, Trachsel. Trade for Arod pay him and let him continue to be the best power hitter in baseball. Get the first baseman from Texas as soon as possible. One more starter and one relief pitcher. = winning season and some Oct. playing time.
317 agree | 324 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The first thing they should do is decide what kind of team they're going to be (which is what MacPhail presumably is doing now). Then they can trade Daniel Cabrera and Steve Trachsel. Next get rid of Miggy and Mora in the off-season. And then they can ship out a few of the other role players listed. I actually would keep Jay Payton for veteran leadership. They need to be smart.
346 agree | 311 disagree
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Mr. Mirth Alert said:
Pfooey! The Orioles can win without Guerrero, A-Rod. or even Curt Schilling. Just start finding reasons to win, not excuses for losing. That's the mgr.'s job: to convince the team they're better than they are. But the crusty owner interprets that to mean they're better than he—& they are.
746 agree | 323 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The four noisy people with HD? I guess i'll continue to watch a WINNING team in it's HD bliss!
333 agree | 320 disagree
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Scott S. said:
The self proclaimed king won't allow it
393 agree | 394 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Orioles is no longer a region team since the Nationals have come to Washington, DC, so what is the problem with Baltimore being on the road jersey. If it is a marketing issue the Orioles would profit from it and the fans would appreciate the recognition of the city and the team while on the road.
414 agree | 366 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Bring back the Baltimore road jersey!!! It would be a small concession to the fans that would go a long way to improving team relations under a dismal team win record. As for the "O's" caps; it is appropriate for a team that has been a bunch of zeros the past few years. Zero championships too.
404 agree | 374 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How is this even an issue? Everyone knows that the Orioles are from Baltimore. I hate baseball and i know where every team is from without seeing the city name before the team name. Save your energy for the topics that matter.
390 agree | 375 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Shouldn't the Orioles ownership be proud of the fact that they're from Baltimore? Put it back.
394 agree | 400 disagree
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