O’s win away game, lose home game in the same day

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August 25, 11:36 PM

by Jay Trucker, Baltimore Orioles Examiner

 

 

It was an odd day in birdland as the team attempted to shake off the hangover of a humiliating sweep at the hands of the Yankees.  Monday presented its own challenges for the O’s as they had to complete two games under some quirky MLB rules. 

Lengthy Intermission

The evening started an hour earlier than usual at Camden Yards, as the O’s and White Sox completed a suspended game.  The game began on April 28 in Chicago and went twelve innings without a decision before it was suspended due to a torrential downpour.  

The O's roster has changed extensively since late April, as players like Brandon Fahey and Luis Hernandez were sent to the minors.  Aubrey Huff was ejected from the game for arguing a call at 1st base, so he wasn't allowed to play the completion of the game, either.

Nearly four months after the game began, Lou Montanez hit a single with the bases loaded in the top of the fourteenth, giving the birds a one run lead.  The rookie, who was in the minors when the game began, also gloved a potential RBI gapper off the bat of Jim Thome. 

Since the game began in Chicago, the birds batted first when they played the concluding innings in Baltimore Monday night.  Rocky Cherry was able to preserve the lead in the bottom of the fourteenth, earning him his first career save. 

Regularly Scheduled Program

Rookie Chris Waters took the ball for the regularly scheduled Monday night contest.  He turned in a decent performance, giving up 3 earned runs, one a Jim Thome homerun.  He also surrendered a run on a balk that scored a run.  Waters made a rookie mistake, stopping mid-windup because he thought the hitter had requested time. 

Then again, he pitched through the seven innings, so I’m sure manager Dave Trembley will take a mistake or two in exchange for a lengthy appearance that gives the O’s a chance to win.  At this point, Waters’ performance easily qualifies as a strong outing. 

Sweet Lou

Continuing his strong day, Montanez scored the O’s first run, charging home on a Ramon Hernandez RBI.  A Kevin Millar single scored Aubrey Huff and Hernandez came home off of a Jay Payton single.

Old Jr.

Most of the balls in play in the five hit, three run fourth inning came to Ken Griffey Jr.  The veteran looks like a real liability out there at this point in his career.  He’s not Johnny Damon bad, but there’s no reason to have him playing CF with Nick Swisher on your roster. 

Unfortunately, the Orioles bats couldn’t come up with another run.  The balk proved costly as the O’s lost by a run. 

Still, I’ll take a split to the White Sox over a sweep by the Yankees any day.

Scores:             

                               April 28^th game:  4-3, Orioles

              Regularly Scheduled Game: 3-4, Chicago

Record:62-69, 18BG

Next Game:  vs. Chicago.7:05pm Tues. Floyd (13-6, 3.78 ERA) vs. Burres (7-7. 5.64 ERA)

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