Bedard Stymies the Rangers 4-0, Rundown

The last few years have been nothing but lackluster for the Orioles, but last night, ace Erik Bedard threw one of the best games by any pitcher this year.

No disrespect to Daniel Cabrera, but I think what Bedard did last night was even masterful than his one hitter against the Yankees.

In deep heart of sweltering Texas, Erik Bedard struck out 15 and gave up 2 hits as the Orioles beat the Rangers 3-0 on Saturday.

Criticized by most in the media for being standoffish, not going deep into game and at times “just packing it in”, he seemingly took his game to a new level as he stymied the Rangers and was just plain nasty.

He was so good last night, he struck out the side in the ninth inning.

I didn’t see the game live, but I caught a replay online and he looked like I guy I had never seen before – and keep in mind, he leads the league in strikeouts.

Things went so well last night that the struggling Jay Gibbons homered, and had three hits.

The Wit and Prose of Bedard: Post-Game Quotes:

• When the media was waiting for Bedard to talk (from the Baltimore Sun): In fact, the hardest part of Bedard's evening appeared to be his post-game talk with the media. Bedard delayed it as long as possible, even turning to a group of reporters behind his locker at one point and saying, "What are you guys waiting for?"
• Comments from Bedard: Asked if he could have thrown any better, Bedard said, "Uh, perfect game. No-hitter. I just battled out there. We won. That's the bottom line. If I throw a complete game, I throw a complete game. If I don't, I don't. Today we won, and that's all that counts."
• More from Bedard: Asked how he kept his pitch count so low while striking out so many, Bedard said, "I was throwing strikes with everything, so it was hard to lay off, I guess.
  

The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Examiner, Washington Post have a recap of the game last night.

Baltimore Sun Columnist Dan Rodricks believes that the Baltimore Orioles have lost their way; however, not literally. In a well written piece, because the team is not winning, whole generations of youngsters are being deprived of a team that had a past full of glory.

Kevin Millar is picking it up at the plate as he’s now plying everyday. As well, he says he wants to stay in Baltimore…

In light of the chatter of Mark Teixiera wanting to be an Oriole in 2008, Peter Schmuck believes the Evil Empire will want to take a chance on him.

Sun beat writers, Candus Thompson and Monica Lopossay barnstormed the Mid-Atlantic region and visited all the minor-league affiliates of the Orioles.

Utility guy Freddie Bynum is on the DL now. The Washington Post has more.