Athletics 6, Orioles 1: Five Runs All Earned Returns

This game also sucked. The Orioles sucked. Tommy Hunter sucked, giving up five runs, all earned, including two home runs. The Orioles sucked in particular at getting hits with RISP, going 0-6 on the night. They also sucked at hitting for power, with only two extra-base hits in the ten hits they collected - a double by Omar Quintanilla and a complete, utter and total FUHR by Nick Markakis in the bottom of the 9th to break up the shutout - Nick was, perhaps, shamed by seeming to have given up on last night's game after 3 runs had scored in the top of the 9th.

Miguel Socolovich came in, ate some innings, gave up a run and then was demoted after the game, probably because of last night. Kevin Gregg generally sucked but gave up no runs because it did not matter, so what else is new, really. The Athletics appear to be a better baseball team than the O's in every possible phase and way, which is a totally depressing and sobering reality check. Stop thinking this team could, should or will contend as the season rolls along. Definitely do not think this team should be buying pieces to make a run. No matter what they buy, there will be no run.

But maybe they will find a way to salvage one game in this series tomorrow as Travis Blackley faces off against Wei-Yin Chen at 1:35pm.