While the baseball waits for the Orioles to fold, they keep doing what they have done best for the month of August.
They win.
Baltimore did that again on Wednesday night as they used a five-run sixth inning to finish off Boston, 5-3.
Amazingly, for the first half of the game, the Orioles were hamstrung by Red Sox starting pitcher Aaron Cook. He had a no-hitter for five innings until the sixth inning. Then, Cook and the Red Sox found a way to hand off the game to the Orioles.
With Boston up 1-0 in the sixth, an out recorded in the frame and runners on first and third, Adam Jones hit a grounder back to Cook. It seemed that Cook would get an easy double play; however, he threw the ball into centerfield and enabled J.J. Hardy – who was at third base – to score.
Cook (3-6) would take the loss for Boston.
The score would be tied at two after Cook’s errant throw, but the flood gates opened up from there. Doubles by Mark Reynolds and Matt Wieters in the frame to left field helped the Orioles to five runs and en route to their 64th victory of the year.
Miguel Gonzalez (5-2) won his 5th game of the season, as he went six innings and gave up two runs. His start was not the greatest; however, he kept his team in the game and got outs when needed. Once again, the Baltimore bullpen came through and J.C. Romero, Luis Ayala and Pedro would hold off Boston for the next two innings.
Jim Johnson would pitch in the ninth inning and earn his 35th save of the year.
The Orioles are now 64-53 and are still the Wild Card leaders. By virtue of their win last night, they will take another series from Boston; however, they have a tough road around with the Tigers and Rangers away from the confines of Camden Yards.
They have to win as many games as they can. The Tigers are ½ game out of the final Wild Card spot, and the Angels along with the Athletics trail by 1 ½ games.
Finally, former Yankee, Brave and Royal, Melky Cabrera got popped for PED use. He is now suspended for 50 games and will miss the rest of the season for the San Francisco Giants along with the playoffs – if they make it that far.
A lot of people wonder why Cabrera would even use these drugs?
Simply put, the drugs work. They don’t turn a utility guy into Ted Williams; however, they help in recovery after workouts, and help muscles heal and regenerate a lot faster than if one was not using. Well, combined with a trainer, rest, disciplined diet and drive, PEDS do wonders for an athlete – even a weekend warrior.
If a guy is stronger, he probably can hit the ball farther and gain an edge – even just a little one.
Considering all the travel these players do (and it can be brutal at times in spite of the paychecks they get), drugs do help in making a player fresher. That is a major reason why greenies/amphetamines were part of the culture within the game for so long.
In addition, PED’s give users a psychological edge and that should not be doubted.
It ceases to amaze me why players would put themselves at risk by using PED’s. Then again, if I could go from a player making a few million to securing a multi-year deal in the high eight digit range, I see why many foolishly put their careers, reputation and good name on the line.
