Sundays. They used to be enjoyable. They were a time for sleeping in, long brunches, light chores, and leisurely afternoons. For Orioles fans, Sundays just aren’t that fun anymore. The Orioles had fourteen opportunities to score a run today. They were only successful once. That’s not enough to earn a win in Boston’s Fenway Park. Victories just aren’t in the cards for the Orioles on Sunday afternoons. Next Sunday, let’s all hope for rain.

Freddie’s Follies

Freddie Bynum committed a blooper in the first. The shortstop nearly fell over when he charged a ground ball. While fumbling towards the dirt, Bynum threw a pitch in the general direction of first base that sailed into in the stands. Instead of recording the second out of the inning, the play put Dustin Pedroia at second base. He scored on a JD Drew double. The birds escaped the inning without further damage when Drew took off on a ball that was caught by Adam Jones. 0-1 Sox after one inning.

Adam Jones poked a single through the middle in the top of the third inning, but the play was erased two pitches later when Jones was caught stealing. Nick Markakis walked and Aubrey Huff hit a single that Jones could have easily scored on. Melvin Mora grounded out, ending the inning without an Oriole run crossing the plate. This would repeat ad naseum all afternoon.

Cabera pitched out of a jam in the third, popping up Mike Lowell and striking out carny Kevin Youkilis with two men on base.

Memo: Sean Casey is Slow

There’s no such thing as an easy double for Boston’s Sean Casey, who was nearly called out when he pushed for two in the fourth inning. Casey benefited from a questionable call that Cabrera, Roberts, and Manager Dave Trembley all had something to say about. You know, there are several reasons Boston is so successful at home. It must be nice to get all of those calls and have a strike zone that’s nearly a foot larger than your opponent’s.

Cabrera found himself in a familiar position in the fourth. The bases were loaded with one out and diminutive Dustin Pedroia at the plate. Pedroia hit another grounder to Bynum, who double clutched it. As a result, the O’s only got one out and a run scored.

The bases were loaded for Boston’s favorite stoner Manny Ramirez, who hit a bouncer to second for the final out of the inning. 0-2 Boston through four innings.

Jamming Out

Dice K found himself in a Cabrera-esque jam in the fifth inning. The Sox starter walked Roberts and Markakis and hit Adam Jones, loading the bases with one out and Aubrey Huff at the plate. The O’s DH struck out swinging at a ball that basically landed on his feet. Melvin Mora grounded out,ending what could have been the birds’ best chance to put up some runs.

In This Corner…

Cabrera hit Kevin Youkilis in the bottom of the fifth. The two exchanged unpleasant stares as Youkilis made his way to first base. Now that’s a fight I’d love to see. 6’9” 275 pound D Cab versus MLB’s strongest Jewish first baseman.

Jason Veritek, the AL All Star who is chock full of “leadership qualities” and “intangibles,” stuck out swinging at three pitches that were nowhere near the plate. The Sox catcher isn’t even hitting his weight. There isn’t a single catcher better than him in the American League other than fellow All Star Joe Mauer?

Hideki Okajima, he of the ginormous glove, came on in relief of Dice K in the seventh. Okajima walked Jones and Markakis, but once again neither Huff nor Mora could deliver with runners in scoring position.

Turtle Race

Sean Casey hit a ball off the green monster in the seventh inning, and again tried to stretch for a double, racing at the speed of primordial ooze towards Brian Roberts, who was waiting for him ball in hand. Know thyself, Sean Casey.

Closing Time

Irish jig-dancing closer Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth inning, looking to earn his 100^th career save. The Orioles put up a fight. Brian Roberts and Adam Jones each lined a single into the shallow outfield. Nick Markakis struck out swinging on a full count. Aubrey Huff hit a single that scored Roberts and put Jones, the tying run, at third base. Melvin Mora came to bat with runners on base for the fifth time in the game. The results were the same as his first four chances.

The Orioles lost their 14^th consecutive Sunday contest, in a game that clocked in at a numbing 3 hours and 33 minutes. They have lost seven of their last eight games. This one hurts even more because the birds stranded 13 runners on base. Mora is responsible for 11 of the 13. ‘Zounds! Since we’re cursing in Shakespearean English and assessing blame, let’s not forget Freddie Bynum. His fielding woes were responsible for both of the Sox runs. Let’s hope that next Sunday the only time we see Freddie is if he buys a ticket to the Yard.

I leave you with two AL East burning questions as we head off into the All Star break.

Who do you have in a Cabrera vs. Youkilis fight?

Who would win in a race, Sean Casey or Kevin Millar?

Score: 1-2 Boston

Record: 45-48, 10GB

Topics: Freddie Bynum , Melvin Mora , Sean Casey