You'd have to be blind not to notice that there have been some tense moments around Camden Chat lately, and I'd be in denial if I said that I had nothing to do with it. It's another long, hard baseball season and personally it's taken its toll. It takes a toll on me every year, but this is the first year I've had a larger responsibility here. Don't get me wrong, I love Camden Chat. We have a wonderful thing going here. But for me it's been sort of amplified, the suckitude, at least compared to years past. So if I start acting like a biotech on anybody, my apologies in advance; just call me on it and I'll get over myself.
Tonight was yet another frustrating loss. My head says, "Who cares" but I can't help it. Watching the losses, listening to that pro-Yankee crowd, seeing another season end with a whimper, it's tough. It makes my stomach hurt. We keep banking on the future, but what if it never comes? What if there is 12 more years of this? Do I stop liking baseball? Because I can't keep it up, and I can't root for another team.
I'm sorry. This is self-serving drivel. It's not a game recap, not even close. I just can't wait for the day that fights don't break out about Felix Pie because we have nothing else to focus on, and that September isn't a month to dread and the the off-season isn't one of the most exciting times of the year. That's it for that kind of talk, though. It's depressing and useless. On to the recap!
David Hernandez pitched poorly. He only gave up four hits but he walked 7 and 3 of the 4 hits were home runs. Two of those home runs were hit with a runner on base who'd gotten there via a walk. Dennis Sarfate then made his triumphant return by facing two batters, both of which reached. Then with two outs and both of Dennis Sarfate's runners still on, Dave Trembley brought in Chris Ray to face A-Rod, because that's always a good idea. A-Rod at least didn't hit a home run, but he did hit a single to score a run. He looked awful but for some reason he went back out for the next inning where he gave up back-to-back home runs to Nick Swisher and Erik Hinske. Nice.
Anyone who has ever watched Chris Ray knows that he's garbage against the Yankees. In 18.1 career innings he's allowed 19 runs and 6 home runs. That's before tonight, by the way. But God forbid anyone on the Orioles pay any attention to that. Who needs strategy when we've got folksy?
The Orioles offense wasn't awful tonight. The Yankees allow an average of 4.69 runs per game and the Orioles scored six. Felix Pie hit another home run, Melvin Mora had a nice RBI hit, and Luke Scott hit a vintage LUUUKE 3 run home run onto Eutaw Street. But it wasn't enough, of course it wasn't. They had a few missed opportunities, sure, but you want to think that six runs would be enough.
Oh, and Adam Jones hurt himself again.