From left, Brian Roberts, Melvin Mora and Cesar Izturis celebrate the Orioles' 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, which ended a season-worst 13-game losing streak. (AP photo / October 1, 2009) |
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -
For about 15 seconds, Orioles manager Dave Trembley felt as if time were standing still. It had been far too long since he last experienced the feeling; there had been far too much heartache since he last witnessed his players gather for the handshake line.
It didn't come easily, but nothing ever does for Trembley and the Orioles. When struggling closer Jim Johnson gloved Akinori Iwamura's comebacker and threw to first baseman Michael Aubrey for the game's final out, the Orioles had a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, and a 13-game losing streak and the most trying stretch of Trembley's career had mercifully ended.
"Oh my, I can't explain it to you. We've got the music on in the clubhouse and I'm drinking something other than a diet soda," Trembley said. "I can tell you that right now. It's unbelievable. I'm just glad this thing is over. I can't think of anything [else] that has been as challenging."
The 13-game skid, which demoralized the club and brought more attention to Trembley's tenuous job security, was the longest in the major leagues this season and the third-longest in franchise history. It ended one game shy of the 14-game losing streak that the organization suffered through Aug. 11-25, 1954, and eight games behind the 21 consecutive contests the 1988 team lost to begin that year.
With the victory in their road finale this season, the Orioles escaped the first winless road trip of seven games or more in franchise history and kept alive their chances of avoiding another dubious distinction accomplished by the 1988 squad.
The Orioles (61-98) will now have to win two of three against the Toronto Blue Jays, who have won six straight games, over the final weekend of the season at Camden Yards to narrowly miss becoming the third team in franchise history and the first since 1988 to hit 100 losses.
"You don't want to get the 100 losses on our record," said the Orioles' veteran third baseman, Melvin Mora. "That's our reputation. It doesn't matter who's who. It's our name, it's the Orioles. You don't want to lose 100 games because that's my reputation, too."
Mora acknowledged that it was a nerve-racking bottom of the ninth as Johnson allowed a run to cut the Orioles' advantage to one, and still had runners on the corners with two outs. "I know Iwamura is a lefty, but I was saying, 'Hit it to me. I'm going to make the last out,' " Mora said.
Johnson, who had a loss and a blown save during the 13-game skid and had squandered three of his past five save opportunities, fell behind Iwamura 2-0 before coming back to get him to bounce a one-hopper back to the mound. All that was left was the throw.
"Just don't throw it in the stands and we're fine," Johnson said after allowing three hits in the inning but holding on for his ninth save. "Can you have a bigger victory? We only have 61 wins, right? It's just good to finally break that losing streak."
All it took was five solid innings from Chris Waters, who hadn't started a major league game in more than a year, and RBI singles from Nick Markakis, Mora and Jeff Fiorentino off Tampa Bay starter Matt Garza.
Waters, a Lakeland resident who was pitching in front of 60 of his family and friends at Tropicana Field, said that he was more nervous Thursday night than he was starting the final game for the Orioles last season at old Yankee Stadium.
"It's my last start of the year and a good one to end on, possibly a blueprint for 2010," said Waters, who allowed one run on five hits over five innings.
Waters gave up his only run in the fourth inning, when Ben Zobrist slammed a home run. He hit .407 (24-for-59) with seven homers and 18 RBIs against the Orioles this year.
Waters "stayed away from the middle of the plate except to Babe Ruth over there," Trembley said. "I'm glad that's over with. I thought he was no longer out there, but he's been reincarnated against us this year."
The Orioles' maligned bullpen, which figured prominently in the losing streak, protected the 3-1 lead. Cla Meredith got five outs, Alberto Castillo got one and Danys Baez pitched a scoreless eighth before Johnson made things interesting.
"I thought it was a pretty basic formula there in the ninth compared to what we've been going through here for two weeks," Trembley said. "I had to let it just sink in for a while. Gosh darn, it's not that tough. We've made it really difficult, but you'll remember this one more so than the other ones. You'll remember this one a little bit more for all the circumstances that led up to getting it. It has been an experience I'd rather not have to duplicate again, and I'm sure the players feel that same way."
NOTES: Outfielder-designated hitter Luke Scott missed Thursday night's game with a strained muscle in his left foot, and Trembley said it's 50-50 whether he'll be able to play again this season. … The Orioles finished 25-56 on the road this year, the third-lowest road win total in franchise history. They also went just 7-29 in road games against American League East teams.
It didn't come easily, but nothing ever does for Trembley and the Orioles. When struggling closer Jim Johnson gloved Akinori Iwamura's comebacker and threw to first baseman Michael Aubrey for the game's final out, the Orioles had a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, and a 13-game losing streak and the most trying stretch of Trembley's career had mercifully ended.
"Oh my, I can't explain it to you. We've got the music on in the clubhouse and I'm drinking something other than a diet soda," Trembley said. "I can tell you that right now. It's unbelievable. I'm just glad this thing is over. I can't think of anything [else] that has been as challenging."
The 13-game skid, which demoralized the club and brought more attention to Trembley's tenuous job security, was the longest in the major leagues this season and the third-longest in franchise history. It ended one game shy of the 14-game losing streak that the organization suffered through Aug. 11-25, 1954, and eight games behind the 21 consecutive contests the 1988 team lost to begin that year.
With the victory in their road finale this season, the Orioles escaped the first winless road trip of seven games or more in franchise history and kept alive their chances of avoiding another dubious distinction accomplished by the 1988 squad.
The Orioles (61-98) will now have to win two of three against the Toronto Blue Jays, who have won six straight games, over the final weekend of the season at Camden Yards to narrowly miss becoming the third team in franchise history and the first since 1988 to hit 100 losses.
"You don't want to get the 100 losses on our record," said the Orioles' veteran third baseman, Melvin Mora. "That's our reputation. It doesn't matter who's who. It's our name, it's the Orioles. You don't want to lose 100 games because that's my reputation, too."
Mora acknowledged that it was a nerve-racking bottom of the ninth as Johnson allowed a run to cut the Orioles' advantage to one, and still had runners on the corners with two outs. "I know Iwamura is a lefty, but I was saying, 'Hit it to me. I'm going to make the last out,' " Mora said.
Johnson, who had a loss and a blown save during the 13-game skid and had squandered three of his past five save opportunities, fell behind Iwamura 2-0 before coming back to get him to bounce a one-hopper back to the mound. All that was left was the throw.
"Just don't throw it in the stands and we're fine," Johnson said after allowing three hits in the inning but holding on for his ninth save. "Can you have a bigger victory? We only have 61 wins, right? It's just good to finally break that losing streak."
All it took was five solid innings from Chris Waters, who hadn't started a major league game in more than a year, and RBI singles from Nick Markakis, Mora and Jeff Fiorentino off Tampa Bay starter Matt Garza.
Waters, a Lakeland resident who was pitching in front of 60 of his family and friends at Tropicana Field, said that he was more nervous Thursday night than he was starting the final game for the Orioles last season at old Yankee Stadium.
"It's my last start of the year and a good one to end on, possibly a blueprint for 2010," said Waters, who allowed one run on five hits over five innings.
Waters gave up his only run in the fourth inning, when Ben Zobrist slammed a home run. He hit .407 (24-for-59) with seven homers and 18 RBIs against the Orioles this year.
Waters "stayed away from the middle of the plate except to Babe Ruth over there," Trembley said. "I'm glad that's over with. I thought he was no longer out there, but he's been reincarnated against us this year."
The Orioles' maligned bullpen, which figured prominently in the losing streak, protected the 3-1 lead. Cla Meredith got five outs, Alberto Castillo got one and Danys Baez pitched a scoreless eighth before Johnson made things interesting.
"I thought it was a pretty basic formula there in the ninth compared to what we've been going through here for two weeks," Trembley said. "I had to let it just sink in for a while. Gosh darn, it's not that tough. We've made it really difficult, but you'll remember this one more so than the other ones. You'll remember this one a little bit more for all the circumstances that led up to getting it. It has been an experience I'd rather not have to duplicate again, and I'm sure the players feel that same way."
NOTES: Outfielder-designated hitter Luke Scott missed Thursday night's game with a strained muscle in his left foot, and Trembley said it's 50-50 whether he'll be able to play again this season. … The Orioles finished 25-56 on the road this year, the third-lowest road win total in franchise history. They also went just 7-29 in road games against American League East teams.
Orioles' longest losing streaks
| Games | Year | Dates |
| 21 | 1988 | April 4-28 |
| 14 | 1954 | Aug. 11-25 |
| 13 | 2009 | Sept.17-30 |
| 12 | 2004 | Aug. 16-28 |
| 12 | 2002 | Sept. 18-29 |
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no suprise o,s on there way to losing 100 games.bullpen was burnt out by mid-may.if trembly is back next year it will be more of the same.o's need someone who can use his head for something besides a hat rack!when he was not fired last year it was depressing.that he still has his job tells me o's remain clueless and
will finish last in 2010.has anyone noticed the stands are empty except for yanks
or red sox? albers baez wiggington stink,jones pie need coaching.o's look legit
center fielder a firstbase man who can hit for power or at least catch the ball.it's a joke,10 years of being horrible is plenty.
lyric8th (10/02/2009, 3:25 PM )