Some thoughts and notes on an amazing night of baseball
Some thoughts and notes on an amazing night of baseball
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As Orioles fans woke up today, they realized something. That was not a dream last night. That happened. The Red Sox were one out from winning in the ninth and Tampa Bay was one out from losing in the ninth. How about this stat: The Red Sox entered last night's game with a record of 77-0 this year when leading after eight innings. They are 77-1 now. The Orioles can certainly be criticized for another losing season, but they also have a reason to be proud of how they played and handled...
Nolan Reimold talks about the win and his double in the ninth
Nolan Reimold talks about the win and his double in the ninth
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Nolan Reimold knocked in 14 runs for the Orioles over his last 12 games this season and he saved one of the best for last. His two-out, RBI double off Jonathan Papelbon in the last of the ninth tied the game at 3-3 and set the stage for Robert Andino's game-ending single as the Orioles beat Boston 4-3. Minutes later, when Tampa Bay won, the loss ended Boston's season short of the playoffs. "It was exciting," Reimold said of the dramatic finish. "We battled to the end. We weren't playing...
Showalter speaks about "special" night
Showalter speaks about "special" night
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Manager Buck Showalter couldn't return to his office after meeting with reporters until he returned to the field through the home plate entrance and waved to fans who refused to go home. Pitcher Tommy Hunter tossed baseballs into the stands. It felt like the final regular-season game in 1979, except this wasn't Memorial Staidum and the Orioles weren't heading to the playoffs. The Orioles rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Red Sox, 4-3. A few...
Andino talks about his game-winning hit against Boston
Andino talks about his game-winning hit against Boston
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Just a few minutes after his game-ending and season-ending RBI single gave the Orioles a walk-off win over the Boston Red Sox tonight, Robert Andino said he enjoyed handing the Red Sox such a crushing loss. "To end the season like this and make Boston go home sad and crying, I'll take it all day. I've got no words for it. You saw Boston's faces," he said. Robert Andino talks about his walk-off base hit that knocked the Red Sox out of the Wild Card race After Chris Davis doubled off...
Reimold and Andino with the clutch hits in the 9th as the O's stun Boston
Reimold and Andino with the clutch hits in the 9th as the O's stun Boston
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The last game of the year produced one of the best finishes ever at Camden Yards. Down to their last out, the Orioles scored twice off Jonathan Papelbon in the bottom of the ninth to stun the Boston Red Sox with a comeback, 4-3 victory. With two outs and none on, Chris Davis doubled to right and Kyle Hudson came on to pinch run. Then Nolan Reimold came up with an RBI double to right center to tie the game 3-3. Robert Andino then lined one into left field and Carl Crawford just missed making a...
There's got to be a morning after ...
There's got to be a morning after ...
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I might be confused, but I'm pretty sure what I eat this morning determines whether a Boston sportswriter has to skip breakfast. All of us in the press box who cover the Orioles were in agreement that last night's ending made up for a lot of the aggravation, frustration and heartache of a 14th consecutive losing season. The three straight two-out hits off Boston closer and face contortionist Jonathan Papelbon. The wild celebration between second and third, with Robert Andino leaping in the...
From tarp to targets (Andino wins it in ninth)
From tarp to targets (Andino wins it in ninth)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Play resumed at 10:58 p.m. after a 1 hour, 26 minute rain delay. Boston reliever Alfredo Aceves might need a few more warmup tosses. Aceves hit Mark Reynolds in the left ribcage with his first pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning. Chris Davis flied out, and Aceves drilled Nolan Reimold in the left shoulder. Reimold flipped his bat, walked toward first base and glared at Aceves. He wore an expression that said, "Are you kidding me?" Aceves isn't throwing at the Orioles with his team...
Harper, Rendon, Solis and others arrive at Arizona fall league
Harper, Rendon, Solis and others arrive at Arizona fall league
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals instructional league camp continues for another couple of weeks, but few notables left Wednesday for the Arizona fall league. Bryce Harper, Sammy Solis, Derek Norris, Pat Lehman, Rafael Martin and Anthony Rendon head the list of Nationals prospects playing this year for the Scottsdale Scorpions. The groups traveled to Arizona on Wednesday. The Scorpions won the league championship last fall. Harper has looked good in instructional camp, swinging the bat well, according to Potomac...
The starters struggled most of the year and Simon did tonight too
The starters struggled most of the year and Simon did tonight too
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles' starting pitching has been a flop most of this year. The starters' ERA for the season is in the 5.30 range and yes, that is awful. Alfredo Simon struggled in his start tonight, giving up three runs and six hits over just 4 1/3 innings. Simon will finish this season winless in eight starts against AL East teams with an ERA of 5.91. His final season ERA is 4.90 and he won't win his fifth game tonight. You have to wonder how the Orioles will use Simon next year. I still think his...
Game update and Reimold note (and attendance)
Game update and Reimold note (and attendance)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Alfredo Simon lasted only 4 1/3 innings tonight. Dustin Pedroia hit a tie-breaking home run in the top of the fifth, and Simon exited after David Ortiz singled off the out-of-town scoreboard in right field. Simon was charged with three runs and six hits, with three walks, two strikeouts and a balk. He threw 87 pitches, 53 for strikes. Simon also gave up three runs in his last start, but they were spread out over eight innings against the Tigers. In the start before that one, he allowed six...