The Orioles won again today taking their home opener in front of a full-throated sell-out crowd at Camden Yards. Young starter Jake Arrieta looked fantastic against the Tigers today pitching six innings and scattering six hits only giving up one run. Brian Roberts remained hot hitting his second three-run homerun of the young season powering the Orioles to a seemingly easy 5-1 victory.
The game started with full emotion as Hall Of Fame manager Earl Weaver threw out the first pitch to current Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Until you have been to a game where Earl makes an appearance you simply do not understand what he means to this town. Jim Hunter strained to announce him over the din of the sell out crowd, a vast majoroty of which was in their seats for the opening festivities the hour before the start time. As Hunter began to talk the crowd noice maxxed out, I was a bit taken back by the emotion of the scene, I admit it I got a bit choked up.
I was sitting in section 381 with a full contigent of friends. We cheered ourselves hoarse. My friend Matt has developed cheers for each player to be recited at least once each game. What are those cheers, you may ask? Well that is for another post. It will take some time, just let it be known that you will hear these chants coming from section 334 all year. I danced, we sang, I’m beat sitting here at home.
The Orioles did not disappoint. The weather today was absolutely gorgeous but nothing is more beautiful than this team’s start. Four wins against zero losses for the young season. The last time the Orioles started this strong was 1997 the year they won 98 games. I am not going to sit here and say that is in store for THIS Orioles team but if they keep playing like this they will start to convince me.
The Orioles have an off day tomorrow before resuming play on Wednesday. They will be doing it without Jeremy Guthrie who checked into a Baltimore hospital with a minor case of pneumonia. There is nothing to worry about as Guthrie will be out one week tops. Brad Bergesen will make the Wednesday start in his place.
The Orioles are 4-0, bask in that for awhile fans. They go for the series win on Wednesday I know I need a day to recover.
