masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgI fired up my laptop after the top of the fifth inning – just in time for Jake Arrieta to give up a run on his first two hits.

I blame myself. Again.

Alex Rodriguez broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff double. Tears were shed, but I quickly pulled myself together.

The Orioles need a quality start from Arrieta after Chris Tillman lasted only 1 2/3 innings last night. Manager Buck Showalter has talked about the risks involved with having young starters go back-to-back. When I mentioned it…I fired up my laptop after the top of the fifth inning – just in time for Jake Arrieta to give up a run on his first two hits.

I blame myself. Again.

Alex Rodriguez broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff double. Tears were shed, but I quickly pulled myself together.

The Orioles need a quality start from Arrieta after Chris Tillman lasted only 1 2/3 innings last night. Manager Buck Showalter has talked about the risks involved with having young starters go back-to-back. When I mentioned it during the last homestand, Showalter reminded me that it’s usually back-to-back-to-back-to-back.

Before the game, Showalter told reporters that Tillman would make Monday’s start at Camden Yards. That can’t come as a surprise. Again, the options are severely limited.

Nick Markakis has a two-run homer and RBI double tonight that knocked Phil Hughes out of the game.

No. 9 hitter Cesar Izturis is 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Let’s give the man a little credit for his work at the plate. It rarely happens here.

The Orioles have muscled up and they’ve played small ball. It’s been fun to watch. Now they need to put their foots on the Yankees’ throats and not let them up.

Update: Now it’s time to give Izturis’ glove some love. His diving stop and throw in the seventh inning robbed Russell Martin of a hit. A run scored, but the Orioles got the second out and the potential tying run stayed at second base. A huge play.

Derrek Lee dug out Izturis’ throw. By my count, that’s roughly the 50th error he’s prevented in 11 games.

Jason Berken replaced Arrieta to start the seventh. Time to pass the baton.