Well, the Baltimore Orioles seemingly are now a team of destiny. They’ve pulled out amazing win after another, and some of them seem utterly incomprehensible. One night after their amazing 18-inning win over the Mariners, they did at again this morning.
Once again, the Orioles played an extra inning game – this time, only 11 innings – and they defeated the Mariners again, this time, with a 3-1 victory. Adam Jones’ two-run homer in the 11th put away his former team, and Jim Johnson earned his 45th save.
Johnson’s save tied the team record, held by Randy Myers, who set it in 1997. He allowed the first two hitters he faced to reach base on hits; however, whatever God the Orioles pray to saved them. A double play later, along with an amazing scoop by Johnson, a walk, and a runner caught stealing base thanks to Taylor Teagarden’s throw to end the contest, Baltimore earns their 85th win of the season.
Even crazier, the Orioles have won their 15th straight game in extra-innings. I guess if the Orioles go more than nine innings, the opposing team will lose.
Joe Saunders pitched a great game, as he went eight innings and only gave up a run. Five relievers helped keep the Mariners off the scoreboard, and Luis Ayala earned the win, his fifth of the season.
Adam Jones and Nate McLouth had two hits; meanwhile, the Orioles held their own against Felix Hernandez who was on the mound for Seattle. Hernandez only gave up a run – off a Reynolds’ RBI in the fourth inning – but the Orioles Saunders’ matched up well with him on the mound.
With the sweep in Seattle, the Orioles go back East to face a Boston team that seems to have packed it in. The Orioles have a fairly schedule after their weekend series as the Blue Jays come to town, as well as the Red Sox again, but they do go on the road to close the season against the fading Tampa Bay Rays.
The Yankees lead the American League East by ½ a game; meanwhile, the Orioles now hold the first wild card spot as the Oakland Athletics have lost three in a row.
At this point, the Orioles should make the playoffs – however, they have to win the division. I would not want them to head into the Wild Card one-game playoff.
I still believe I am watching the Orioles hopefully March into the postseason. Completely unbelievable. I didn’t stay up for Tuesday’s game, but I did last night. The suffering we all have faced as Orioles fans is coming to end, I think, and it’s a beautiful thing.
You really cannot predict baseball…
