One win after five straight losses isn’t typically cause for celebration, but Manager Dave Trembley, master of scowls, angry grins, and hard stairs, was all smiles in the dugout when the O’s topped the Angels to cap an otherwise difficult homestand.

Dela-where?

I was at a wedding in Delaware on Saturday night, and for those who know Delaware as only a congested strip of I-95, Delaware fancies itself a suburb of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, on the other hand, is completely unaware of the existence of Delaware.

Anyway, instead of watching the O’s, I could only watch the Phillies. A playoff contending team mounting a dramatic comeback with a six run inning? Boring. I was hoping to watch Torii Hunter take batting practice at Camden Yards. While I was embarrassing myself by dancing like a gawky white guy, the O’s were being embarrassed by the halos, dropping the game 6-11.

The Streak

But Saturday seemed like a distant memory by late Sunday afternoon. Before their latest Sunday outing, the Orioles hadn’t won on the Sabbath since an April 6 victory over the Seattle Mariners that pushed their record to 4-1. The birds dropped 15 straight Sabbath day outings since that cool Spring afternoon, which is why Trembley didn’t allow himself to smile until the 27^th out of the day. This club has learned that on Sundays it’s never too late to lose.

It is rather surprising, then, that their rare Sunday victory came against the Angels, a team with a league-best 64 wins, who were putting 11 game winner Ervin Santana on the mound to face shaky youngster Garrett Olsen.

Take It

A win didn’t look anymore likely when Brandon Fahey, voted “least likely to play professional baseball” in twelfth grade, stepped to the plate as the leadoff hitter for the O’s. Fahey started the game with a single, though it was a erased on an Adam Jones’ grounder. Jones scored on a Nick Markakis double. Aubrey Huff then reached on a single and Kevin Millar took a walk to load the bases. It seems like Millar either hits a walks, homers, or strikes out each time up.

Luke Scott was then credited with an RBI when Santana hit him with a pitch. He definitely took one for the team there.

Quiroz Eye

Backup catcher Guillermo Quiroz picked up two RBIs in the third inning. He was up with the bases loaded following a Huff single and Millar and Scott walks. Quiroz’s RBIs brought the O’s lead to 4-1.

Garrett Olsen pitched effectively in the first three innings. All told, Olsen went 6+ innings today, giving up seven hits, two walks, and two runs, both in the fourth inning.

Jay Payton opened the sixth inning with a triple. He could have easily settled for a two bagger, but Payton rounded 2B without hesitating, reaching third base easily. Payton then scored on a Quiroz single. Quiroz, once a hot prospect with the Toronto system, ended the day 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs, making a strong bid for increased playing time.

Relieving Themselves

Chad Bradford came on for Olsen in the bottom of the seventh inning, allowing one of his inherited runners to score before inducing a Chone Figgins double play to escape the inning. The Orioles were up 5-2.

Jim Johnson and George Sherrill were effective in the 8^th and 9^th innings, respectively. Neither pitcher gave up a hit and flat-brimmed lefty Sherrill earned his 30^th save of the season. Not bad for a guy who only had 4 saves in his career before the year started.

Victory Cigar

At the end of the day, the Orioles still only won one of their last six games. Still, they relieved a lot of stress by shedding their Sunday stigma. Dave Trembley smoked a cigar during the post game interview and even got a call from ESPN, who haven’t been interested in the Orioles’ role in a non Boston or New York contest since Cal retired.

The birds will look to win on days other than Sunday starting Monday against the New York Yankees. As we head into the late stages of the season, the Orioles are shifting their focus to talent evaluation, but perhaps their Sunday victory will have them playing with a little extra pep in the Big Apple. As an added bonus, it will be fun to see who ends the week in a different uniform. The trade deadline is Thursday and President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail will be working the phones until the bitter end.

Score: 5-2 Orioles

Record: 49-55, 12 GB

Next Game: @ New York. 7:05. Guthrie (6-8, 3.58 ERA) vs. Mussina (13-6, 3.26 ERA)

For more info: Read the ESPN boxscore here.

Topics: Guillermo Quiroz , Dave Trembley , Garrett Olsen