The O's just finished a three-game sweep of the A's in Oakland with a 5-3 win, led by a pretty damn good last-minute start from Eric DuBose (6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 2 K) and nice bullpen work from Steve Kline (!) and Todd Williams, who picked up his first save of the season.
The only downer? Grimsley continues being as bad as Steve Reed, giving up three earned without recording an out. His ERA is now 7.98. He sucks.
Luis Matos went 3-for-4 with a homer to continue his little hot streak, but Melvin Mora was 0-for-4 to continue his cold streak. Melvin's OPS is under .800 (and has been for a few days). I renew my hope that they trade him in the offseason, because I think this is something to really worry about. He's merely a pretty decent hitter at this point, but of course the only way you'd trade him is if you could replace him at 3B, and with no real 3B prospect in our system, we'd have to get one via trade or free agency. It's an idea, but I realize it's not one without flaws or reasons it wouldn't happen. I hope they find a way.
Cabrera was officially scratched today due to a sore lower back (day-to-day; "Aren't we all?"), and Palmeiro was a late scratch due to a sprained ankle that will hopefully land him on the DL so he can stop eating a roster spot. It's not that I want him to be injured, but he's rarely playing and there's just no point in this.