Hello, friends.
Isn't it funny how a good stretch of games wipes out the bad taste from a bad stretch of games? Not even a week ago, things seemed totally dire for the Orioles. They had just come off that strikeout-laden stretch in Houston, and then when they returned home they lost the first two games to the division-leading Red Sox to fall three games out.
Three games later, the Orioles are tied for first place again. And it's not just that they won three games, it's that they won three games in which their starting pitchers did not pitch so great. That won't last forever. Their starters will have to get better if they want to compete this year. But, as fellow Camden Chatter Bill Duck is fond of saying, they don't have to give the three wins back. They're in the bank.
Check out Joe Wedra's recap of last night's game for a rundown of all of the fun as the Yankees were sent down in flames, 6-5. And now for a late weekend edition of the links.
Around the blogO'sphere
The bullpen and booing Teixeira (O's win 6-5) - School of Roch
A New York writer asked Buck about why Orioles fans boo Teixeira. Buck, as he tends to do, gave a far more diplomatic answer than I would have done.
Orioles' Mike Wright on his one-day demotion: 'This is where I belong' - Baltimore Sun
It's good that Mike Wright believes this for himself, but it'll be better when he proves it to the rest of us.
Hyun Soo Kim becoming a difference-maker for Baltimore Orioles - Baltimore Orioles- ESPN
Perhaps Kim has finally been freed from his bench exile. He's sure making the most of his recent chances. Maybe he really did just need some extra time to get up to speed in the US?
Gallardo on his next rehab start and Duensing on joining the Orioles - Steve Melewski
Gallardo sounds a lot more sunny about how he was feeling and pitching than a guy who gave up three runs in three innings should maybe seem.
Orioles' bullpen again clutch against Yankees | orioles.com
Even without Darren O'Day, the Orioles bullpen can be clutch in a big victory, as this writer who I'm assuming is Brittany Ghiroli's summer intern will tell you.
Birthdays and anniversaries
On this day in 1967, the Orioles played their longest game in their modern history - 19 innings. They were winners over the Washington Senators, 7-5, with the winning runs coming when Andy Etchebarren hit a home run with Brooks Robinson on base.
And on this day in 2010, the Orioles fired manager Dave Trembley. Juan Samuel was named the interim manager, although, as we now know, someone much better was still to come later in the year.
There are a number of former Orioles with birthdays today, including: 2009-10 side-armer Cla Meredith, 2012 bullpen short-timer J.C. Romero, 1986 infielder Ricky Jones, 1987-88 catcher Terry Kennedy, and last but not least, Punxsutawney, PA's Billy Hunter of the inaugural 1954 Orioles. Mr. Hunter turns 88 years old today.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Along with those former Orioles, your birthday buddies include: England's King George III, about whom some American colonists once wrote an angry letter (1738), Marshal Carl Mannerheim, voted the greatest Finn of all time (1867), former Saturday Night Live funny man Horatio Sanz (1969), and actress Angelina Jolie (1975).
On this day in history...
In 1411, King Charles VI of France granted a monopoly for producing cheese to the people of Roquefort-sur-Solozon. Even today, only blue cheese aged in those caves can be called Roquefort cheese.
In 1919, the first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded.
In 1940, the Dunkirk evacuation was completed. Winston Churchill delivered his "We shall fight them on the beaches" speech. In 1942, the bulk of the Battle of Midway took place. In 1944, the Allies captured Rome.
In 1974, the Cleveland Indians had to forfeit a game to the Texas Rangers after Ten Cent Beer Night went horribly wrong.
In 1989, the crackdown on Beijing's Tiananmen Square protests led to the death of at least 241 people.
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And that's the way it is in Birdland on June 4 - or at least, until something happens later. Have a safe Saturday. Go Orioles!