Clutches on Cruches

The Tiger series was definitely one that showed why the Orioles aren't going to contend if they keep this up. They weren't outplayed in Detroit. They didn't lack talent per se. Going up against the defending AL Champs, they were their equal way in every way except one: where the Tigers rose to the occasion when necessary, the Orioles continued to fail in the clutch. Their anemic hitting when runners in scoring position led them to go down in a three-game sweep (well, that and their startling lack of power). It reminds me of the downward spiral of 2005 when the team seemed to be pressing extra hard as their pennant hopes were falling apart and they kept popping out with the bases loaded. Are they pressing extra-hard now? Perhaps. After all, things looked great 2-3 weeks ago and things seemed to fall down after that game against the A's where they had the good-looking comeback against Huston Street fall short thanks to some poor baserunning and bad judgment. That game seems to have them on a persistent jinx and you can't help but think that they are a big hit or a quirky play away from getting on a hot streak. But you can't force these things and that's what the Orioles continue to do. Now, it's a trip back home where they've been a much better team--even though their on a 4-game slide there right now. Sometimes, it take a little home cooking to make things right. Go Birds...