The Oriole got their best start from 2nd year pitcher Eric Bedard and a clutch hit from the Sammy "The Strikeout King" Sosa yesterday to halt a losing skid. After only scoring 3 runs in 2 games, the Orioles scored 5 runs in the 8th yesterday.
Eric Bedard pitched his heart out yesterday and the best of his short career by limiting the Blue Jays to 1 run off of 4 hits. He struck out a career high 12 batters in 8 innings and earned the win yesterday. His stuff was so good that 5 batters were struck out looking. This outing was a testament to what Ray Miller is doing to the young staff of starting pitchers. He was just plainly awesome. Javy Lopez was quoted as saying the following to the Associated Press:
"Bedard was throwing amazing, and losing a game by one run again would have been hard for us," said Javy Lopez, who added a three-run homer after Sosa's hit. "The key of the game was Sammy Sosa hitting that double."
The Orioles batter finally awoke during the eighth inning with "Mr. Dependable", Brian Roberts, hitting a leadoff single to start the 8th. Melvin Mora flied out after a long struggle at the plate, and Miguel Tejada singled to move Roberts over to second. Sammy Sosa stepped to the plate to make something happen, which hasn't happened all year with men on, and doubled down the left foul line. Brian Roberts scored easily and Miguel Tejada followed after running through a stop signal, which he later apologized for. His reasoning was a true sign that he is the unofficial captain of the O's. He wanted Sosa to have the game winning hit, his first as an Oriole, to build his confidence. Javy Lopez added some more insurance runs later in the inning with a long ball to left field and scoring 3 more runs. The homer was Javy's 5th of the year.
The Orioles have yet to lose more than 2 games in a row. That is how teams have winning seasons my friends.