Orioles announce Postseason Ticket Options - Press Release

From the Baltimore Orioles...

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The Orioles today announced three options for fans to purchase postseason tickets, which will be available exclusively online. Fans are encouraged to visit www.orioles.com/postseason for a postseason seating chart, schedule and additional ticket information. All three options are for fans to purchase Wild Card and American League Division Series tickets (ALCS and World Series tickets will be made available for sale at a later date, if necessary).

Option 1

Fans will receive the opportunity to purchase postseason tickets before the general public by placing a $250 per seat deposit on a 2013 full or partial season ticket plan, including 13-game plans. Fans who place a deposit by midnight tonight will have access to an exclusive online-only pre-sale on Thursday, September 20 at 2p.m. Beginning tomorrow, 2013 deposits will no longer guarantee fans an opportunity to participate in this pre-sale.

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Dylan Bundy Promoted to the Orioles

The Orioles pulled out a fantastic 4-2 victory out west over the Seattle Mariners in game that went 18 innngs and ended a tad before 4AM ET.


The pitching came through late, and with that being said, the Orioles need arms. I didn't think this would happen; however, this morning they promoted highly touted youngster Dylan Bundy to the majors.

This was a huge surprise, as I didn't think the the Orioles would bring him up this year. The Orioles are now tied for the Yankees with the AL East lead, and have a three-game advantage over the Los Angeles Angels for the final playoff spot. It looks like the team is taking advantage of the expanded rosters now and promoting Bundy.

From Ken Rosenthal: BREAKING: #Orioles, in need of a fresh arm following their 18-inning victory, have promoted their top pitching prospect, Dylan Bundy, 19.

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Orioles win their 82nd game and salvage series in Oakland...

Today, the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Oakland Athletics, 9-5, and clinched their first winning season since 1997.

After losing the first two games of the weekend series, the Orioles rebounded on Sunday as Matt Wieters hit two homers, Endy Chavez plated in two runs and Chris Davis’s eighth-inning homer put the game away late.
Baltimore’s J.J. Hardy, Mark Reynolds and Robert Andino also drove in runs.

According to Roch Kubtako of MASN Sports, the Orioles had lost 16 out of 18 games on the road in Oakland – an astounding piece of information. That should tell you how huge Sunday’s win for them was on the left coast.

Randy Wolf – in a spot start – pitched four strong innings, giving up two runs; meanwhile, Brian Matusz earned the win as pitched two clutch relief innings. Jim Johnson earned his 43^rd save, coming in for an ineffective Pedro Strop.

Oakland took an early 2-0 lead; however, the Baltimore offense came through for the pitchers on the mound.
With their win, the Orioles (82-64) still trail the New York Yankees by a game in the American League; meanwhile, they hold a 2 ½ game lead over the Los Angeles Angels for the final wild card spot.

They could not afford another loss in Oakland, and they head onto Seattle for yet another important series.

Afterwards, they head back east to face the Boston Red Sox on the road to finish out the road trip.
Baltimore had rebounded from a close loss on Friday and a miserable one on Saturday due to one bad inning. Although they didn’t look great overall this weekend (blowing scoring opportunities, loading the bases, confounding pitching at times), the Orioles are still in a fairly strong position and still control their destiny. I’ve got a feeling they still make the playoffs; however, they will probably face Oakland out west in the wild card game.

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The magic number

The Orioles lost last night, meaning they have only 18 games remaining in their remarkable season to get to the next level. To me the magic number is 90 wins, meaning the Orioles need only go .500 the rest of the way to meet my playoff threshold.
 
The scenario as I see it.


This is, of course, barring any unforeseen nonsense or any team getting ridiculously hot/cold. 

One wild card will come out of the west. At this point I think the Orioles west-coast cousin Athletics will make the playoffs in some capacity. The Angels are trying valiantly but I think their inconsistent play will sabotage them going forward during the remainder. The A’s are doing their damnedest to catch the Rangers, but they seem too powerful to be caught.

That leaves the Yankees, Orioles and Rays all vying for two playoff spots. At the start of play today the Birds and the Yanks are tied for first both three games ahead of the Rays. The Rays will take on the Yankees tonight and the A’s are, of course, hosting the Orioles – each will play two more games this series.

To get to 90 wins the Yankees and Orioles both need only to win nine games, the Rays need to win 12. All teams only have 18 games to play.  While it is very reasonable to imagine the Orioles and the Yankees going .500, the Rays getting to 90 might be a bit more troublesome for them.  The Rays have only had two stretches of 12-6, or better, play this year; Once at the beginning of the season from April 12 – May 29 (14-4) and again from August 7 – August 24 (14-4).  While their pitching is simply second-to-none their offense continues to struggle to score runs consistently.

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The Number 81 and a Winning Season...

The Orioles on a gorgeous afternoon in Charm City won their 81st game of the 2012 season. Obviously for us fans, their victory over the Rays not only completed a three-game sweep, but also have now vanquished an ignominious past.

For the first time in 15 seasons, the Orioles will at finish a campaign at or above .500.

No team aspires to be mediocre; however, it happens. Then again, most organizations do not have prolonged stretches of losing like the Orioles have had.

Through umpteen players – the high-dollar free agents, the good, the bad, the call-ups, the overhyped – along with managers, team executives, and like, the Orioles have never had anything for us to rally and cheer about.

Until now.

This team is a product of what Andy MacPhail started and Dan Duquette have continued to build on.

Although the players do it all on the field with their arms with their bats, you seriously cannot discount the job that Buck Showalter has done as not only a manager.

If you have read the numerous articles written online about Showalter, you can see he’s not only the on-field general manager, but a mentor and a motivator.

It’s amazing what Duquette and Showalter have done with the resources available to them. They don’t have the money of the New York Yankees or Red Sox, but they’ve been creative with their moves and acquisition of players.

For all the talk of potential moves at the trade deadline, the biggest moves the Orioles have made came from within their system (i.e., Machado) and finding available players with track records who have contributed in one way or another (Nate McLouth, Lew Ford, Taylor Teagarden, Joe Saunders.

It’s like the magic run that the Orioles have had in the past has returned this year and at this point, I expect nothing short of the playoffs for the now.

I’m sure most fans agree now. Back in March, a .500 season would have been a cause of celebration; however, I’m looking forward to October.

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The doorstep of redemption for the Orioles

The Orioles have won their 80th game.


What else is there to say. With a sweep today the Orioles will finally end the 14-year losing streak that has plagued this team, its fans and the city of Baltimore. Confederate money, 30-3, Jeff Maier, Raffy–gate, Mazzilli, The Mother’s Day Massacre, Armando Benitez, Omar Dhal, BJ Ryan, Kurt Ainsworth – all will be wiped away. The Orioles can no longer be lumped together with the laughing stocks of sport. No longer can sports writers wax philosophical about how much a “tragedy “ the Baltimore Orioles are. With a win today the Orioles can finally close a deplorable volume in the history of this team and begin to write a new one; most certainly a better one.

There is no real way to describe what I am seeing. It’s been stated a million times before: “this team shouldn’t be here,” “they simply can’t keep doing this,” “They are lucky.” Yet here they are, the Orioles are one win away from breaking the losing streak. These Orioles remain tied for first place with their biggest rival, they are locked in a tight race for the AL wildcard and they just keep winning series after series.

Nick Markakis goes down for the rest of the regular season? They overcome. Jason Hammel seems to have suffered another knee injury? They overcome. Yankees? Rays? The best teams in the AL? Every test that has been thrown at this team they have met and passed. It hasn’t always looked pretty, and even I can think of at least four games where luck was definitely on the team’s side but that is all in the past. Where this team is, right now, is on the doorstep of history

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Press Release: Orioles Announce their 2013 Schedule...

Orioles announce 2013 schedule


Season opens at Tampa Bay April 2, home opener slated for April 5 vs. Minnesota.

The Orioles today announced they will open the 2013 season at Tampa Bay before beginning their 22nd season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 5 against the Minnesota Twins in a short three-game homestand.

The Orioles will play each of their AL East rivals three times at Oriole Park, with 10 games each against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox and nine games each against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees will visit Baltimore May 20-22, June 28-30 and September 9-12, while the Red Sox come to Charm City over Father's Day weekend June 13-16, July 26-28 and September 27-29. The Rays visit Baltimore April 16-18, May 17-19 and August 19-21 and the Blue Jays visit April 22-24, July 12-14 and September 24-26.

The Houston Astros will make their first visit to Oriole Park as members of the American League July 30-August 1, while the Orioles will visit Houston June 4-6.

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Orioles Defeat the Rays; Hammel and Markakis

It was a good night for the Orioles on Tuesday as they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 9-2. Once again, the Birds share first place with the New York Yankees as they lost to the Boston Red Sox.

The Orioles won thanks to two homers from J.J. Hardy – who has 21 on the year – plus, Chris Davis hit his 25th homer. Matt Wieters went 3-for-3 with two runs driven in.

The big news on the night is that Jason Hammel is once again hurt. He seemingly re-injured his knee in the fourth inning and it is unknown if he just tweaked or re-injured it. Who knows what will happen from here on out; however, the news of Hammel being injured is definitely unfortunate, as the Orioles definitely need his arm down the stretch.

If he’s gone for the rest of the season, the loss of Hammel will hurt; however, the Orioles will just have to patch things together as they have all season. With Markakis out as well, it’s been a touch week for the team – and us fans. Unlike in the past, the Orioles seemingly have enough pieces and depth to cover up for injuries, which is a good thing.

The question is: can their success still last with the loss of Markakis and Hammel? At this point, sure … why not? Everything that has happened with the Orioles this season defies logic.

Steve Johnson came in for relief of Hammel and pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief for the win. I’ll say that Johnson has come up huge for the Orioles in several spots and could be an integral part of the pitching staff as the weeks wind down during the season.

A lot of people have doubted the Orioles all season; however, now it looks like the baseball world is taking them dead serious. They have yet to fade – and they most likely won’t. If they fail to make it into the postseason, it might only because they might run out of gas at the end.

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Yankees Light up Orioles and Split Series; The Week Ahead...

This weekend, the Baltimore Orioles showed their fans – and the baseball world – that they are in the playoff race to stay for sure. They have played their rivals, the New York Yankees to the limit and showed them the same old script has indeed changed.


After being beaten down by them for so long, the Orioles were looking to take the long, four-game series from the Yankees on Sunday. That would not be the case as the Yankees completely annihilated the Orioles, 13-3, on a very gorgeous day in Charm City.

For all the Orioles grit, guile and gamesmanship they showed in their victories on Thursday and Saturday, the Yankees have one thing they don’t have: experience in big moments.

It’s not to say that the Orioles can’t hang with the Yankees; however, on Sunday, we all saw why the Yankees are still the team to beat in American League East despite being in a month-long slump.

They are a game up on the Orioles in the American League East standings with a 79-61 record; meanwhile, the Orioles are 78-62 and still hold the second wild card spot for now.

Baltimore starting pitcher Zach Britton was off and so were the most of the relievers who came in for mop-up duty. No matter what anyone thinks, if the Orioles – or any team – want to go deep in October, they’ll need reliable starting pitching.

On the day, Britton – who had been pitching very, very well before facing the Yankees – could not get his pitches over, and when he did, they either missed their location, or he got hit hard. The Yankees knew it, and they went to town on him.

Britton gave up five runs on 3 1/3 innings, and ran his pitch count up to 80 before he was yanked. He walked five New York batters, and if do that – especially so early in a game – they will make you pay. Then again, if you walk five in the first three -plus innings against even a sub .500 team you’ll lose anyway.

The Yankees used a four-run fourth inning and a five-run eighth to send the Orioles to a loss. Derek Jeter drove in three; Curtis Granderson hit a big homer in the sixth and drove in five.

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Cruel Fate

The Orioles won last night with the help of a blown call at first base. They are, once again, tied for first in the American League East. It should be a happy day, but last night leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Like waking up on a Sunday after a night of mixing cheap beer with cheaper cigarettes and bad liquor; sure it was fun but you feel bad about it in the morning.


A win might be a win, but I hate winning like this. I hate giving the other team an excuse. I hate giving the "Orioles are just lucky" crowd more ammunition. The call was really bad as well. Even in real-time it seemed as though Tex was safe and the ump just blew it. If there is anything that can be taken away from that unfortunate incident is that perhaps Yankee fans will look at that play in some similar way the Orioles faithful look at "the catch".

But that was not even the worst thing about last night; Nick Markakis is done for the year. CC Sabathia struck Markakis' left hand with a 93 MPH fastball, one of the only pitches he was genuinely able to get up to that speed all night. Markakis jumped and begin shaking his hand feverishly; he knew, we all knew. While Sabathia, classy as always, was arguing for a strike call Markakis was being led off the field and into the locker room. He would be diagnosed with a broken thumb and he will be out at least six weeks. And that is just heartbreaking.

It is not that I think the Orioles' playoff push is done - far from it. I think Nate McClouth can be a legitimate leadoff hitter, Xavier Avery or LJ Hoes can play in the outfield. Chris Davis has done well in right and Lew Ford is a solid glove out there as well. This team has met every challenge presented to it, they are too close not to rally around each other and get it done. But as an Orioles fan, a Markakis fan, it is soul crushing.

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Orioles Beat Yankees Again in a Saturday Night Thriller; Markakis Hurt...

This is crazy. I didn’t go to the game tonight due to simply just taking the night ‘off”; however, maybe I should have reconsidered and bought a ticket in standing room, or on Stubhub.

Considering I live close to D.C., and would be up in Baltimore on Sunday, today was a good time to see everything in high-definition at home.

Just a few minutes ago, the Baltimore Orioles beat C.C. Sabathia and the New York Yankees in a surreal 5-4 thriller.

Up 5-3 in the ninth inning, the Orioles’ Jim Johnson gave three consecutive hits, including a Derek Jeter bunt, and their backs were against the wall with no outs – and the bases loaded.

In the past, they would have potentially lost this game; however, that is not case this season. The New Yorkers did plate a run as Nick Swisher grounded out, but Mark Teixeira ended the game with a double play that looked way-too-close-to-call at first base.

Baltimore is once again tied with New York for the American League East lead with a 78-61 record.
Despite the rain and the crazy weather that swept through the region, the Camden Yards looked absolutely packed – and filled with orange. For those who attended the game, it must have been an awesome night.

The bad news of the night is that Nick Marakakis broke his thumb. As you all know, Sabathia drilled him on his hand in the fifth inning, and he is now out at least six weeks. Everyone knows that since Markakis was inserted as the leadoff hitter, his numbers and the Orioles’ fortune has improved.

Who knows how this will affect the Orioles down the road, but yet again, another player has to setup up and shoulder the load.

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About Last Night, Yankees Beat O's...

After the magic of Thursday night at Camden Yards where the Orioles engineered an incredible win, the two teams met again on Friday. The atmosphere was not nearly as festive as it was on Thursday; however, there was still buzz in the air as the Orioles faced their notorious rival for the second in a four game series.

However, the Orioles could not pull off a miracle as the experienced New Yorkers took advantage of a off-his-game Wei Yin Chen, 8-5.

Chen was rolling in the first third of the game; however, the Yankees used the longball in the fourth inning to plate five runs thanks to homers by Russell Martin and Steve Pearce and scored three more times in the fifth as former Oriole Alex Rodriguez went deep.

Chen kind of started the fire that led to New York's onslaught in the fourth inning. He led off the frame hitting a batter, and then walking another before Martin's blast.

He - nor any of the Oriole pitchers - can make those types of mistakes against any team. Especially the Yankees.

Despite the loss, the Birds had some highlights, as they too used the longball, as Adam Jones, Robert Andino and Manny Machado all homered. In the end, the homers didn't propel the Orioles to another victory; however, they showed that have grit and always fight hard.

That was something missing from the Orioles in the past. The Yankees - and the rest of baseball - know that the Birds are no longer pushovers and are really in it.

You also can't forget the play of Nate McLouth on Friday. As we all know, he'd struggled to stay in the league for the past few years; however, in Baltimore, McLouth has found new life.

He had three hits on the night, but made an impact on the field. In the fourth inning, McLouth nearly saved the Orioles as he seemed to have a play on Martin's homer; however, it looked like a fan hit him while he attempted to catch the ball.

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What this weekend means to the Orioles and us fans...

On Thursday evening I hopped in my car and made my way from my Remington house towards downtown Baltimore. As I passed through neighborhoods in various stages of gentrification, the recession of urban decay and the seemingly endless stream of commuters it began to hit me what I was about to see. I was going to see my hometown team face-off against a bitter rival, in my city, in September, for a chance at first place in the American League East. As I approached midtown Baltimore I realized I was not the only one thinking that - the traffic stretched on forever.

I gave up about 10 blocks from the stadium, saw a spot on the street took it and walked the rest of the way.
As I approached the gates, the rush of people was amazing. I walked onto Eutaw Street and my heart leapt into my throat. I literally teared up a bit I looked around to the completely packed stadium, almost entirely in orange. This was a night I have anticipated for so long. For a decade all I have ever wanted was to experience that night.

And what an experience it was.

As you all know by now the Orioles used six homers, including one incredibly clutch solo-homer from Adam Jones to avert a near catastrophic collapse, to beat the New York Yankees 10-6. The Yankees returned the favor last night getting out to a big 7-0 lead before finally winning by the more respectable score of 8-5. So the season series is down to its last two games, with both teams owning eight wins apiece. The Orioles still sit only one game behind the dread New York Yankees and the next two games will go a long way to deciding the fates of both these teams.

This weekend means so much to Orioles fans everywhere. Thursday night was an experience I will never forget. This city wore its heart on its sleeve for one night and if Thursday September 6 is any indication playoff games at Camden Yards would be astronomically ridiculous. I simply can not describe the sound, the sonic detonation of 47 thousand competition-starved fans. When Matt Wieters hit his first inning homerun into the left field seats the undulating mass of humanity, the sound that was released. You could feel the 14 years of misery and heartbreak. 14 years of broken promises and cheap, penny-pinching moves, 14 years of bad luck, bad karma, bad calls and bad losses were finally blasted away with a three-run homer into the second row of the left field lower boxes.

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On a day where Cal Ripken is Honored, O's Pull out Thrilling Victory Against the Yankees...

I’m not one to usually read into something more than it actually is, or go into hyperbole; however, I’ll say this about the Baltimore Orioles: this team has grit, is going through one of those ‘magical seasons’, and may be one of destiny.


There’s no need to go through what happened last night if you’re a fan of this team. I went to Camden Yards last night with some company, and went home completely spent, tired, and just beyond delirious.

The buzz is back in Baltimore for baseball. I would have been certainly satisfied with a winning season back in March; however, now, I fully expect the Orioles to make the playoffs.

Finally, during a Yankee series in downtown Baltimore, the park was filled with orange. It was sight to behold and fans were standing up from the first pitch to the very end. Sitting in the club section on Thursday night, it was quite chilling to see a fan base from up high finally come together for a winning cause in a sold out ballpark.

I would not say I’m the most boisterous person out there; however, I stood and was at the edge of my seat the entire game. So this is only game 137 on the season for the Orioles, but it felt like so much more.

If this is what September baseball is like in Baltimore, I shudder to think what October brings – if the Orioles make it.

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Orioles Lose in Toronto; A Huge Weekend Against the Yankees...

The Orioles, as we all know, lost last night to the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-4. All in all, they had a successful road trip, going 6-2; however, last night, you expected the Orioles to sweep their rivals to the north. It’s weird to believe it, but I did think it was going to be done for a bit.


Miguel Gonzalez grinded through his start on the mound; alas, he ran into trouble in the seventh inning and Baltimore gave up four runs in that frame, leading to their 60th loss on the season.

In the eighth inning, the Orioles had a very good chance of getting back into the game, trailing 6-2, as they had two men on base with Lew Ford at the plate. Ford seemingly dropped a hit for extra bases down the left field line that would have scored at least two. However, third base umpire Laz Diaz called Ford’s drive a foul, and even though Buck Showalter tried to argue his case, the call stood. Of course, then Ford grounded into a double play.

If any good came from Wednesday’s game, Adam Jones hit his 27th homer of the year in the second inning and Mark Reynolds continued his hot streak at the plate as he hit a two-run homer in the ninth (his 18th of the season).

The Jays just had the Orioles’ number on the night as they got the hits they needed.

It’s too bad that Baltimore could not have pulled out a win, but they have to look forward to this weekend’s huge series against the Yankees. Apparently, Thursday and Saturday’s game are sold out; however, tickets are available for Friday and Sunday.

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Press Release: Orioles encourage fans to "BUCKle Up!" for September, offer throwback ticket pricing for Tampa Bay series

Orioles encourage fans to "BUCKle Up!" for September, offer throwback ticket pricing for Tampa Bay series

The Orioles today announced a new ticket promotion to celebrate the team's push for the postseason in this 20th Anniversary season of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. In an effort to encourage fans to "BUCKle Up!" and Back the Birds, the team will offer 1992 throwback pricing for select locations during the Orioles' series against the Tampa Bay Rays September 11-13.

For all three games of the series, while supplies last, Eutaw Street Bleacher seats are $4.00 (regularly $19) and all Left Field Lower Box seats are just $8.00 (regularly $32). Fans can take advantage of this 75% discount online at www.orioles.com/buckleup or by stopping by the Oriole Park Box Office.

Fans who already purchased regularly priced seats in the Eutaw Street Bleachers or Left Field Lower Box will receive a refund for the difference in ticket value. A refund check will be automatically issued, and fans should allow up to four weeks for processing and delivery.


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The First Place Baltimore Orioles.Yes, the First Place Baltimore Orioles.

The Baltimore Orioles.

Are currently tied for first place in the American League East.

There really isn't anything else to say.

The Orioles are tied for first.

With a win tomorrow the Orioles, at worst, will open their final series with the Yankees tied for first place. There is a legitimate chance that the Orioles could be in sole possession of first place at the end of play tomorrow night.

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Saunders Pitches Gem & Helps O's in Toronto; Believing...

Wow, it is an amazing time to be a baseball fan here in the region.

If you told me in March that that the Orioles would be contenders and would be a game out of the American League East after Labor Day, I would have laughed you out of a room.

I – and many others – was against Major League Baseball instituting a second wild card. I even didn’t consider the Orioles in the whole playoff conversation; however, the games aren’t played on paper … but in reality.

The Baltimore Orioles won their 75th game of the season, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-0. Pitcher Joe Saunders – who got roughed up in his first start as an Oriole – came through big time on Labor Day as he carried a perfect game into the sixth inning.
Saunders (1-1) won the game and the bullpen, notably Luis Ayala – who avoided disaster by not allowing the Jays to score with the bases loaded during the seventh inning.

J.J. Hardy plated in two runs, and Nick Markakis along with Nate McLouth drove in a run each.

J.A. Happ (3-2), who started for the Jays on the mound, took the loss.

At this point, the Orioles are in the driver’s seat and can either sink or swim. They have gone 8-2 in their last ten games and obviously every game is a must win at this point. The Orioles still have the second wild card in hand, but Oakland has been red hot and Tampa, Detroit, along with the Los Angeles Angels are lurking not too far behind.

A lot of pundits have wondered how in the world Baltimore could possibly be winning all these games. At least within the past month, it’s been all pitching – both the starters and bullpen. They are keeping the Orioles afloat and in the divisional race.

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Orioles win 74th game, take series

The Orioles retlentless march toward the post season continued today with a 8-3 come-from-behind win in New York. The Orioles were down 3-1 at one point but went on to score seven unanswered runs off of eight Yankee pitchers, including starter Phil Hughes. Five of the Yankee pitchers were used in the top of the seventh inning where the Orioles were able to string together three hits and two walks, one with the bases loaded, scoring three runs and putting the game out of reach.

Mark Reynolds was truly the hero of the day smacking a pair of homers for the second time this series. Down 2-0 in the fifth Reynolds launched the a 2-2 pich from Hughes 437 feet into the left field seats. Then in the fifth, right after a Matt Wieters RBI single, with two on Reynolds took Hughes deep again into the left field seats for a three-run shot giving the Orioles a 5-3 lead and ending Hughes' day.

Luis Ayala, Brian Matusz and Darren O'Day pitched a very tidy last 2.2 innings to clench the series win, but the real hero was the Birds' newest acquisition Randy Wolf. Wolf came out in relief of Chris Tillman who was pulled after three innings. In his three innings Tillman had pitched well enough giving up two runs on two hits with two walks and two strike outs. In the second inning Tillman gave up a two-run homer to New York substitute center fielder Chris Dickerson, but was otherwise on point. After the third inning ended Tillman went straight back into the lockerroom and Wolf was warmed up quickly.

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The Orioles Play Their Biggest Series in Years...

The Orioles won game one, but dropped game two of the biggest series in the recent history in New York City.

The Orioles currently sit three games behind the Yankees as they try to do what many consider the impossible, take the American League East. I honestly never thought I would be writing those words but there they are and the Orioles have a legitimate shot at the number one spot in the toughest division in baseball.

The Orioles took a step backward today as they lost a game that they could easily have won. The Orioles would blow a three run lead losing 4-3. The Birds took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning when it all came unravelled. With two out and one on Wei Yin Chen got two quick strikes on the Yankees Lance Nix, but could not put him away. Nix extended the at bat, earned the walk and extended the inning. Eduardo Nunez got jammed and flared a broken bay line drive over JJ Hardy to score former Oriole Steve Pearce from second, Nix moved to third. Pedro Strop came in and could not find the plate. Strop walked Ichiro and Jeter back-to-back tying the game.The killer came with Nick Swisher's at bat. Strop induced the sharp grounder that hit Hardy in the stomach on hone hop, but Hardy was unable to recover the ball off the ground resulting in an error, a run scored and the eventual Orioles loss.

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