Somewhat Satisfying Split

Coming into the series with the Cleveland, things were pretty low. Frustrating loss after frustrating loss, including a couple of one-run losses that were very winnable. With the hot Indians coming to town, the season could've gone down for the count. Fortunately for the O's, Erik Bedard was on the mound. Unfortunately for the Orioles, Bedard hadn't quite regained his 2006 form. Last year, Bedard had a strong April followed by a so-so May and June and then closed out with a fine second half. I don't think there's any issues with the cold weather given he is Canadian, but he definitely seems to do better as the season goes along. Problem is, the Orioles needed a stopper.

Fortunately, Bedard came through with a pretty strong game as did the bullpen. The offense mustered just enough offense to get their walk-off win. The more of those you get, the more you won't think you're out of a game in the 9th. That's a good feeling. I can recall 2005 when they NEVER came back in the late innings. This season, Markakis has had two walk-off hits. Getting that win was key to setting the tone for the series. The next night, Cabrera pitched a Cabrera-style game (never feeling completely comfortable, always a couple of 3-2 walks, lots of bending without breaking) and the offense came alive.

With that sort of opening to the series, they had reason for optimism on Sunday--even when Brad Burres had to spot start against Indian ace CC Sabathia. Even as Burres struggled and the Orioles fell behind, they were never out of it. In fact, it was Grady Sizemore that singlehandedly kept the Orioles from coming back. Even at the end, Melvin Mora nearly tied it on the game's last swing. No loss is easy to take, but the Orioles didn't need to hang their head on that one--the Indians just played one heck of a ballgame.

Perhaps that's what makes Monday's game so frustrating. A great start from Steve Trachsel (again--geez, who'd have thunk it?) and the bullpen melted down while the offense sputtered again against Fausto Carmona. It's as if they mailed it in (reminding me of another Monday afternoon game against the Indians years ago where the O's lost something like 12-0 and never should've bothered showing up). Still, getting a split from a talented team on a hot streak after the way the Orioles played the previous 10 games, they should feel OK about this series. Now, they need to make sure they win the series from the Devil Rays. Jeremy Guthrie gets another shot followed by Bedard and Cabrera, all against a very talented lineup of young hitters. Anything is possible, but the Orioles need this series to get some good karma and momentum going into a weekend series in Boston against the (gulp!) Red Sox...