Trembley Ball Comes To The Bronx

I won't bother commenting on the Matt Wieters negotiations just yet for two reasons: (1) I want to let the events play out and (2) what just happened in the Bronx is a pretty big deal and it's worth enjoying that instead of getting lost in the morass that is the Wieters negotations. Nevertheless, I am sure I will have an interim post with my thoughts once it plays out. Just one message to the O's brass: get 'er done.

Now back to the present, whatta series. The Orioles had won two of three from the Yanks in each of the first three meetings this year. But they hadn't faced a Yankee team this hot all season and they were especially hot in Yankee Stadium. When Jeremy Guthrie wasn't bringing his A-game, you had to think it was going to be a long series. For the record, I think Jeremy is going to be fine, but he needs to work through this the way Bedard worked through his issues in 2005 and became the star in 2006 and superstar in 2007. But even with Guthrie's struggles, for the fourth time this season, the O's took two of three! How? Pitching and enough clutch hitting. They even nearly took the first game thanks to some good bullpen work and showing a lot of heart in the late going (again!). If Mora scores, that game is completely different. And then the 12-0 blowout was a shocker. How does a team that hot game that badly beat in every facet of the game? And D-Cab continues his good start/bad start alternating routine. That's the D-Cab I am prepared and pleased to accept. Still wild, but no one really hits the ball solidly. Frankly, going into game 3 with Bedard on the mound, I was feeling pretty good about a series win. How many times have I said that about a series in the Bronx? Usually, I watch the Orioles go in there and hope we get at least one. That's the power that is Bedard and why they need to get that long-term deal done in the off-season. And even though he got vultured out of his 13th win, the O's won again. So, let's review:

• The Orioles have won 8 of 12 from the Yankees. They won 7 all of last year and that was one of their better years!-The Orioles came very close to winning three of those four games that the Yankees took. The A-Rod walkoff, the suspended game that should have been called sooner and the Orioles still nearly came back, and then Monday's comeback that fell short. Imagine if they were 11-1...
• Bedard gave up three runs in his first inning against the Yankees this year. Since that inning, 20 straight shutout innings, only allowing 8 hits.
• Jim Hoey has had four straight scoreless outings against the top AL East rivals. In fact, he had retired nine straight before he gave up a single, and then got the DP from Jeter. What a shot in the arm he could be...
• Aubrey Huff with HRs in back-to-back games. His bat would make this offense legitimate.
• Two words: Corey Patterson. Whoever knows what the difference is between first-half Patterson and second-half Patterson would be a rich man. Frankly, when he plays like this, there are very few centerfielders I'd take over him. Gap power, terror on the bases, and great coverage in CF. Each day, he gets more expensive to sign, but if the O's were confident he could keep it up, you gotta bring him back.

So, obviously, there's a lot of stuff to get excited about here. Sure, the Duncan HR was disappointing, if only because it took a win away from Bedard, prevented back-to-back shutouts of the league's hottest offense, and reminded us that the back-end of the bullpen continues to be inconsistent. But the way the O's came back was a great reminder to the Yanks and the rest of the league that this team will not go quietly. Welcome to Trembley Ball.