O's 1, Mariners 0: Rich Hill can pitch, DEAL WITH IT.
The Orioles amazing run of quality pitching continued today as Rich Hill, Jim Johnson, and George Sherrill combined to pitch a two hit shutout against the Seattle Mariners. And it's a good thing, too, since the O's only managed 1 run against Jarrod Washburn, who was also dealing.
Rich Hill started the game by allowing a leadoff double to Ichiro, who advanced to third on Nolan Reimold's throwing error. I wondered then if I'd make it to the end of the game, what with it being on the west coast and all. I just didn't have it in me to stay up this late to see Rich Hill have a bad outing. Thankfully Hill buckled down and got the next three M's to pop up, strike out, and pop up again. Ichiro was stranded at third, and that was the farthest a Mariner would get all day. Innings two and three were rough as well, as Hill walked two in the 2nd inning and gave up a walk and a single in the third inning. He managed to get out of it both times, but as I watched I wondered if Rich Hill could keep it together.
Turns out, he could. The Yuniesky Betancourt single in the third would be the last baserunner the Mariners would have all night. From the 4th inning on, Rich Hill was untouchable. He retired the final 14 batters he faced and left the game having pitched 7 innings, allowing 3 walks and 2 hits while striking out 7. It was easily his best start of the year, and very encouraging after last time when he gave up 6 runs in just 3.1 innings. Jim Johnson and George Sherrill finished it off with perfect 8th and 9th innnings, respectively, running the consecutive batters retired to 20.
The Orioles offense was held down for the third straight game as Jarrod Washburn pitched a gem of his own. He held the Orioles to three hits over the first 5 innings (two of which were by Nolan Reimold). Finally, in the 6th, they broke through, though barely. Adam Jones led off with a long fly ball to left field that flew over the head of Wladimir Balentien. I daresay that Nolan Reimold would have caught that ball, but luckily he's on our team. Adam raced into second and just barely made it there ahead of the tag. A single by Nick Markakis put runners on the corners, and Aubrey Huff hit his second deep fly ball of the night to center field. Adam tagged up to score, and that would be all they'd get as Melvin Mora and Luke Scott both flied out to end the inning. The O's would only manage one more hit on the night, but they'd done just enough.
I just can't get over the pitching by this team lately. Here are the stats from this last turn through the rotation:
- Rich Hill: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
- Jason Berken: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K
- Jeremy Guthrie: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 10 K
- Brad Bergesen: 8 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K
- David Hernandez: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 3 K
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Comments
i vote for solid pitching more often than not
but its pretty hard to be more birdland than scoring the winning run/only run on either side against your former team
Sheldon: "You’re the milk thief!"
"Leonard said that I was crazy, but I knew the carton felt lighter."
~ Big Bang Theory
by Aldoran on Jun 2, 2009 2:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
begs to differ
by Johnny_S on Jun 2, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
finally, the rotation is working
sans alfredo simon
by whereswieters on Jun 2, 2009 2:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I've almost forgotten about him
"In a couple of weeks or a month, I'll be excited about this team," Dawkins said. "I've got to get used to saying that -- I'm a Bronco." Then he paused. "I'll tell you one thing -- I'll always be an Eagle."
by exitfare on Jun 2, 2009 2:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully the rotation is sans Simon forever
He’s not a ML caliber starter. I’m not sure he’s even a MiLB quality starter.
"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle
by BirdFanInPhilly on Jun 2, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Simon
was the least of our problems considering we had Hendo and Eaton at that point.
by sickuvitall on Jun 2, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rich Hill: incisive, articulate, not afraid to give up a bit of detail about how he pitched tonight.
by typozzz on Jun 2, 2009 2:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
haha
good thing he’s not paid to talk
by whereswieters on Jun 2, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Remember when this rotation had
Adam Eaton and Alfredo Freaking Simon in it? Wow, it’s so much more fun now.
"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"
by NHZ on Jun 2, 2009 2:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you foolish fools!
how can you vote for hill? the award is MBP not MVP!
uh, sike. babyface hill all the way.
on another note, i wonder if, since anita marks loves doubles, does that mean scott garceau is bananas for shutouts? for no reason, i’m just going to presume that’s the case from now on.
"If they pitch to you, make them pay."
--Diamond Dave to the Phenom
by j.q. higgins on Jun 2, 2009 3:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I get the impression that they really don't like each other.
so a contrary position does seem appropriate.
by mpire on Jun 2, 2009 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good Lord
How/why do Dr. Jones and Huff have 2 votes each? Look, they helped us score our only run, great. That run would’ve been meaningless without Hill’s 7 shutout innings. I mean, good pitching…it’s Birdland. It has to be. After 12 years of watching the likes of, say, a washed-up Doug Drabek and Pat Rapp and Jose Mercedes and Calvin Maduro and Eric DuBose and Sidney and Rodrigo and Bruce Chen and D-Cabs…after 12 years of CRAP, how can any Orioles fan watch a young pitcher succeed like Hill did last night or Berken just before him…and not vote him MBP? I just don’t get it.
"Might as well just win this game." - Adam Jones, 4/17/2008
Adam Jones is the tits.
by KenDixonFanClub on Jun 2, 2009 7:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
because you put someone on the ballot, SOMEONE is gonna vote for him
I could put Popeye on there and he’d get 5 votes.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jun 2, 2009 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I probably would have voted for Popeye.
by Johnny_S on Jun 2, 2009 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Popeye Jones?
’Cuz Cesar kinda looks like him:


Okay, that’s a little unfair to Cesar. But I couldn’t help myself.
"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
by Brotz13 on Jun 2, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
see also Nader, Ralph.
"Believe it or not, I read the paper." - Nick Markakis
by 2632 on Jun 2, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or Paul, Ron
" I'm happy to announce that we've made Adam Jones our 4th and 5th starting pitcher as well as bench coach and team chaplain" - peter_angelos 8:04 AM May 14th from digsby
"Matt Wieters Adopted Mark Texiera's Parents Because He Felt They Needed A Son To Be Proud Of."
by getxstoked on Jun 2, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good on Rich, obviously
Sure helps that the Mariners can’t hit. But that’s not to take away. Seems like he did a good thing.
by pipkin on Jun 2, 2009 7:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's probably the worst lineup we'll face all year
by dkdc on Jun 2, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But Hill still did the job
Because August of last year, D Cabs toally would have gone 4 innings or perfect ball then give up 5 runs in the 5th. We’ve seen him do it.
There’s something to be said of taking advantage of a bad lineup.
"I’m going to go out and buy pizzas for everybody, and we’re going to have a pajama party out there waiting for Wieters..." - Dave Trembley
by duck on Jun 2, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not trying to take away from Hill's outing
He pitched a great game. I just think that Hill has a little bit of DCab in him in that the line between a good start and an awful one is very thin.
This was his best start of the season and he still walked three batters against one of the least patient and weakest lineups in the majors.
When he loses command of that fastball (and it has happened in stretches in every start so far), he’s basically a one-pitch pitcher. That pitch was good enough last night, but I think he’ll get eaten alive by the Red Sox and Yankees.
by dkdc on Jun 2, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah… but he also allowed 4 total balls to reach the outfield.
There wasn’t even the specter of an offense coming.
by math_geek on Jun 2, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
big daddy rich
i watched until the o’s scored. i figured that was enough. rich was scaring me a bit with his penchant for getting into hitter’s counts but the m’s lineup (my second fav team btw) is absolute dreck.
by henhoo on Jun 2, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am hoping Wieters settles in today soon
His swing is looking great, but he doesn’t seem to be picking his pitches well. The ones he does get contact with it seems like he keeps just missing it by a tiny bit.
In Wieters We Trust.
by Johnny_S on Jun 2, 2009 8:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
those foul balls
have a really lound sound to them.
The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST
by the fix is in on Jun 2, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So sleepy
By the time I was actually ready for bed, it was the ninth inning, so I figured I might as well watch til the end, 6 AM wakeup be damned. Man, no matter how well Georgie has been pitching, it’s terrifying watching him protect a one-run lead. Three deep fly ball outs…thank goodness Seattle plays in the Grand Canyon.
Also, forgive me if this was covered in the game thread, but…Mike Sweeney hitting cleanup? Wow. Just wow.
"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
by Brotz13 on Jun 2, 2009 8:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know, right?
sad day when Mike Sweeney is the DH
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jun 2, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And yet Frank Thomas is unemployed
"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
by Brotz13 on Jun 2, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So....
what does all this great starting pitching do to the Tillman Clock? Anyone hear any info or guesses on that?
by prov2002 on Jun 2, 2009 9:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll echo the popular opinion
It’s a good problem to have. The kid’s only 21, so if some combination of the three rookies, Rich Hill, Guts, and Koji is pitching well enough that he gets a full season in AAA, it’s certainly not going to hurt anything. That’s my way of saying that I have no idea, and it’s probably too soon to tell, particularly since Berken and Hernandez have combined for three starts in the majors.
"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
by Brotz13 on Jun 2, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Given teh fact Tillman's having slight injury problems
I say there is no need to see him until at LEAST August, and given the nature of the injury (hamstring, iirc) there’s no need to bring him up in the dead of the summer heat. Not that it’s any cooler in Norfolk, but you can manage his appearances without worrying about winning a game first.
September 1 sounds good.
"I’m going to go out and buy pizzas for everybody, and we’re going to have a pajama party out there waiting for Wieters..." - Dave Trembley
by duck on Jun 2, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Andy MacPhail is at all inclined to view this year as anything more than a building year. I don’t think he’ll be swayed by the possibility of sniffing .500, although others in the organization may be. To that end, having some of the ‘back end’ prospects come up and perform will help the cause. Let Matusz, Arrieta, and Tillman build up in the minors until the organization feels they are ready. Hopefully, the current pitching will remain acceptable.
In the meanwhile, I hope MacPhail is aggressively looking at trades to make the team younger and (hopefully) stronger. Some of the current fan favorites (Huff, Scott, maybe Guthrie) have to be on the block.
by drj on Jun 2, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huff and Scott should be shopped
if there is a commensurate return for them. Thing is, both are still in their prime – Scott is 31 later this month and Aubrey is 32. They COULD be part of a winning O’s team in 2 years as DH and 1B, respectively.
And, I’d hate to get rid of Guts – one older starter to lead the rooks would be a good thing. And he doesn’t have that much mileage on his tires – late bloomer without a ton of innings. An argument can be made for keeping all 3.
But if the return’s there, yeah, ship ’em.
"I’m going to go out and buy pizzas for everybody, and we’re going to have a pajama party out there waiting for Wieters..." - Dave Trembley
by duck on Jun 2, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Baez should be on the market as well
He’s pitched great so far, but he’s in the last year of his deal. Sell high.
Guthrie I’d keep. He isn’t eligible for FA for another 3 years, right? I don’t see the point in trading him unless the return is very high.
"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle
by BirdFanInPhilly on Jun 2, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is the last year of Baez's contract too right?
If he’s dominating into July I think there will be some demand for him – contenders always need late inning dominant guys. If we’re going to be done with him after this year anyway we may as well get some bodies for him.
by O'sFan21 on Jun 2, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they'd like to put Sherrill on the block, too, if Ray can bounce back.
Huff would be a great pickup for a playoff-driving team, as well.
by prov2002 on Jun 2, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huff
I kind of wonder if it would make sense to keep Huff and offer him arbitration in the offseason. If he doesn’t accept, he would probably be a Type A FA. If he does accept it, we would keep him for a year at not too steep a price. If Huff goes, we’ll probably need to add another 1B/DH next year while waiting for Snyder (and that’s assuming we still have Scott).
"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle
by BirdFanInPhilly on Jun 2, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He really wants to stay.
He was annoyed that he didn’t get to stick around for the Devil (intentional) Rays rise and feels like he could be part of the O’s return to glory and doesn’t want to miss out. It’s hard not to love that attitude – he might even give a discount to stick around. We certainly aren’t going to replace his bat from our system, so if we can get him at a market discount I’d be all for keeping him around.
by O'sFan21 on Jun 2, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And he will only be 33 at season's end.
I’d go market value, just not over.
"I’m going to go out and buy pizzas for everybody, and we’re going to have a pajama party out there waiting for Wieters..." - Dave Trembley
by duck on Jun 2, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it will do nothing
Our best prospects are on clocks that are independent of what the big league team does. It was that way with Matt and the top 3 pitchers are no different. I could see them bringing Matusz and Tillman up around June 1 next year to get us an extra year with them.
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
by Reddrummer9187 on Jun 2, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to be an arrogant Orioles fan...
but John Gibbons would not accept a 1.87 ERA from our starters the last time through the rotation.He’d punch them in the face until they were sub 1.00… then he’d kick ’em in the ass and laugh & point at them.
Jioe Flaacco, Hon!!! "He’s like a live JUGS machine."
by dayzd toe on Jun 2, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
dude...
you are SUCH an arrogant orioles fan!
"If they pitch to you, make them pay."
--Diamond Dave to the Phenom
by j.q. higgins on Jun 2, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DAMN RIGHT I WOULD

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver
by Graham71681 on Jun 2, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If only I had one of these cards...
I could sell it and retire to some place nice:

"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
by Brotz13 on Jun 2, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i know someone who would buy that card from you
but he’s not around any more. ;)
It's 4 in the morning. Too much to drink. All the girls look hot. So, the Nationals are Jennifer Lopez to me. —Julian Tavarez
by zknower on Jun 2, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Look into my icey blue eyes
and notice my pencil-thin lips…then call a barber and an anger-management therapist!"
by sickuvitall on Jun 2, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He looked like an asshole in '85, too
"In a couple of weeks or a month, I'll be excited about this team," Dawkins said. "I've got to get used to saying that -- I'm a Bronco." Then he paused. "I'll tell you one thing -- I'll always be an Eagle."
by exitfare on Jun 2, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why is he so pink?
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jun 2, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was actually red
Y’know, from the anger. Donruss used the best photo-corrective tools at their disposal, and tamped him down to pink.
"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
by Brotz13 on Jun 2, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he has rosacea
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jun 2, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it was a miscalibrated print
I’m blaming Donruss for this one. Color printing before computers took over everything wasn’t exactly precise…
"I’m going to go out and buy pizzas for everybody, and we’re going to have a pajama party out there waiting for Wieters..." - Dave Trembley
by duck on Jun 2, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
2-2 in the DW era.
Hopefully we’ll march back to Baltimore on a six game win streak for 10DW… game 10 During Wieters.
Jioe Flaacco, Hon!!! "He’s like a live JUGS machine."
by dayzd toe on Jun 2, 2009 9:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So the last Oriole playoff visit...
..was th year 12BW?
by mpire on Jun 2, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Safeco is a nice park.
Can’t help thinking about Brewster’s Millions every time the train whistle goes off though.

by mpire on Jun 2, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
pitch counts
Here are the pitch counts for each pitcher their last time:
Hill 106
Berken 102
Guthrie 113
Bergesen 105
Hernandez 108
There has been criticism of Trembley pulling pitchers after 80-85 pitches but I think actually he’ll let them pitch more when they are being effective.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jun 2, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I liked a lot of what I saw yesterday
Not just the pitching line, but a few specifics of Hill’s performance. The way he mixed up the pitches really leveraged that mofo of a curveball, so that when he threw the fastball it was a lot more effective than it deserved to be. Also the way he did not get flustered, either by the early baserunners or the complete lack of run support. Any of the last crop of “prospects” -DCabs, Olsen, Penn, Liz-would have completely come apart and been crying like little girls by the fourth. Hill zoned in and got the outs, which says a lot about his mental makeup. Kind of reminded me of Moose that way, a little. True, a better team would have taken better advantage of getting leadoff hitters on base. But the ingredients are there for some success, if he can get focused from the getgo and not give up any stupid walks.
by fishoutawata on Jun 2, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Olsen
Olsen’s actually looked pretty good his last couple of starts. I think the O’s are going to see him this series. Outside of that start, I’m still rooting for him to be successful. But, yeah DC or Liz would have fallen apart after Reimold’s error.
by uneasy rider on Jun 2, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OlsOn*
He’s allowed 6 HRs in 25 IP. His last start he allowed 5 ERs in 5.1 innings. Is he even permanently in their rotation?
by O'sFan21 on Jun 2, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he's a bullpen guy
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jun 2, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Imagine if the O's had pitching
what an amazing team that would be…soon hopefully!!
Best OF in baseball - Markakis, Jones, Reimold, and Scott
by Redskincow on Jun 2, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I still agree but you have odd timing
being that the score was 1-0 last night and the pitching has been very good as of late
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
by Reddrummer9187 on Jun 2, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, but kinda
pitching has been good, yes. But does Seattle count?
Best OF in baseball - Markakis, Jones, Reimold, and Scott
by Redskincow on Jun 8, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoa, a 1-0 two-hitter -- which WE won?!?
“Holy crap!” doesn’t do this justice!!! I wanted to vote for Hill 6 or 8 times…
Anyway, let’s go ape-sh*t on Buh-DARD tonight— I dunno, 4 runs, or maybe 5!!!
Go O’s!
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Churchill,1942-- a rebuilding year.
by Titov on Jun 2, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Our first 1-0 win on the road
Since 2004 (Danny Cabrera’s ML debut!). Strange days indeed.
"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
by Brotz13 on Jun 2, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow BJ Surhoff was still playing in 2004
without thinking much I would have assumed he had retired in like 1999…
by O'sFan21 on Jun 2, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Javy(licious) was still with the team then
and our starting CF was the terrible Luis Matos.
"In a couple of weeks or a month, I'll be excited about this team," Dawkins said. "I've got to get used to saying that -- I'm a Bronco." Then he paused. "I'll tell you one thing -- I'll always be an Eagle."
by exitfare on Jun 2, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I took this picture at Opening Day 2006
I couldn’t believe that someone went to all of the trouble to make this well crafted Luis Matos banner.
![]()
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jun 2, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was his mommy
And maybe it’s just me, but I don’t understand why anyone would do that for any player.
"In a couple of weeks or a month, I'll be excited about this team," Dawkins said. "I've got to get used to saying that -- I'm a Bronco." Then he paused. "I'll tell you one thing -- I'll always be an Eagle."
by exitfare on Jun 2, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He had one really good year
Where he actually batted in the No. 3 spot for a couple weeks. Which is….I can’t believe that.
"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"
by NHZ on Jun 2, 2009 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
470 votes? Is that the most ever?
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jun 2, 2009 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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