I went to the game last night, and for eight innings, I had a great seat, ate some good food, had fun, and watched the Orioles battle for eight innings against C.C. Sabathia and the Yankees. However, when Jim Johnson came on for the ninth inning, you could smell the Yankees plotting a comeback, planning a attack, and trying their best to warn another victory despite having a comfortable lead over the Red Sox in the American League East.
The New Yorkers might have a store-bought team; however, they have a killer instinct, and each guy on that team is fighting for a worthy cause — that’s of course, a championship. They used a nine-run seventh inning, where they drew walks and got hit after hit to dismantle the Orioles, 10-2, in what was a fell-fought game which later turned into a mess. Johnson gave up five runs in the fateful frame, and replacement Dennis Sarfate was not even better by a longshot. Kam Mickolio — who came into the game in the sixth inning with the game tied, gave up two runs off an Alex Rodriguez two-RBI single in the seventh– took the loss.
The Bronx Bombers came to win, and by the end of the night on Wednesday, they got the brooms out and swept the Orioles.
Oriole fans were outnumbered by Yankees Universe — many of whom travelled to get a discount of their seats from their new spanking ballpark — and saw their team sweep Baltimore. The Orioles got their runs off a Nick Markakis sacrifice fly in the first, and a Nolan Reimold homer in the 8th — his 13th and a solo shot — but it was all for naught. C.C. Sabathia recovered from a shaky first inning to earn his 16ht win — tops in the American League — as he went seven innings, allowed a run, and struck out nine.
What can one say about the Orioles this second half? Although there have been some nice performances from several guys, it’s looking like the same old story — players seemingly ready for the season to end and lackluster baseball.
Baltimore is now 54-80, and with All Star centerfielder Adam Jones out, what’s next to look forward to? I hope Dave Trembley doesn’t lose his job in the offseason; however, his team is doing very little to help his cause right now, and last night is indicative of that.
Without weapons, much less a killer instinct, I don’t know what else the Orioles can do besides just play out the season.
