Matt Wieters follows through on a 3-run homer against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning. (Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr. / October 2, 2009) |
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Orioles manager Dave Trembley was aware of what had happened the last two times he was given a vote of confidence by president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail: the worst loss in Orioles history in 2007 and one of the most embarrassing innings in recent memory in 2008.
So, when MacPhail told Trembley on Friday afternoon that his option for 2010 was being picked up, the elephant in the room rumbled onto the field at Camden Yards.
"When I was up in Andy's office, that topic was brought up," Trembley said. "'Make sure you don't repeat that performance tonight, Mr. Trembley.' But it wasn't said so gingerly by Andy."
The fears were allayed as the Orioles bashed the Blue Jays, 13-7, thanks to three homers - including a two-run shot and a grand slam by rookie Michael Aubrey - in front of 16,921 drenched fans.
With the victory, the Orioles (62-98) need one win in their final two games against Toronto (75-85) to avoid the third 100-loss season in their history.
After the game, an introspective Trembley talked about the significance of coming back for a third full season and what he needs to do differently.
"I know what my shortcomings have been," he said. "I know what I have to do better. I've got to drop the hammer more. ... Because losing does not sit very well with the people around here anymore. And I almost paid the ultimate price for that, and so did a lot of other people."
The victory capped an excruciatingly long Friday in which the team plane didn't arrive in Baltimore until early in the morning, perhaps symbolic in an interminable season for Trembley.
"I did laundry until about 4:15, 4:30 [a.m.]," said Trembley, who hasn't slept much in the past few weeks. "It was tough for me. It's been tough. I tried not to show it, and I know I have sometimes.
"I know I've come across as a little short with some people, somewhat disgusted. But today, for me, was a day that reinforces on a personal level all the things I believed in all along - loyalty, work hard, don't put yourself in front of anybody else, do things right and don't make excuses."
It also showed the baseball gods really weren't against him after the last two times Trembley and the Orioles were in a similar situation.
On Aug. 22, 2007, when MacPhail removed the interim tag from Trembley's title, the Orioles took the field and promptly lost, 30-3, to the Texas Rangers, the most lopsided defeat in club history.
On Sept. 5, 2008, MacPhail announced that he had picked up Trembley's option for 2009, and the Orioles followed by losing, 11-2, to the Oakland Athletics in a game in which they allowed eight runs in one inning on one hit.
So Friday night, despite a steady rain that grew in intensity and caused a 23-minute delay in the eighth, and an uneven performance by starter Jason Berken, the Orioles' spirits could not be dampened.
"Everybody knows about the 100 losses and that stuff," said Berken (6-12), who gave up four runs in five innings Friday in his final start of the year. "You just want to go out there and end the season on a good note."
The offense rolled early against Toronto left-hander David Purcey (1-3), scoring three first-inning runs, including a two-run double by Nick Markakis. In the fourth, Matt Wieters chased Purcey with a three-run home run, the rookie catcher's ninth homer of the season.
And then Aubrey did the rest - a two-run shot in the fifth against rookie Josh Roenicke and the first grand slam of his career in the sixth.
"It was a great day," said Aubrey, who had two homers and eight RBIs this season before his two-homer, six RBI night. "Anytime I think you can double your season home run total, it was a special day. It was fun."
Aubrey joked that it was perfect timing for his breakout game, and maybe it would stick in Trembley's mind for 2010.
Trembley's mind, though, was focused on a newfound relief.
"We can move on now," he said. "I don't have to be wondering what the heck somebody else is thinking or what the hell somebody's going to say. This reinforces what I believe, and I think the players understand, too."
Notes: Trembley officially ruled out center fielder Felix Pie (strained left quadriceps) playing again this season. ... It also appears that Luke Scott (strained muscle in left foot) will be shelved for the season. However, Scott tested the foot Friday and said he still hopes to play by Sunday's season finale.
So, when MacPhail told Trembley on Friday afternoon that his option for 2010 was being picked up, the elephant in the room rumbled onto the field at Camden Yards.
"When I was up in Andy's office, that topic was brought up," Trembley said. "'Make sure you don't repeat that performance tonight, Mr. Trembley.' But it wasn't said so gingerly by Andy."
The fears were allayed as the Orioles bashed the Blue Jays, 13-7, thanks to three homers - including a two-run shot and a grand slam by rookie Michael Aubrey - in front of 16,921 drenched fans.
With the victory, the Orioles (62-98) need one win in their final two games against Toronto (75-85) to avoid the third 100-loss season in their history.
After the game, an introspective Trembley talked about the significance of coming back for a third full season and what he needs to do differently.
"I know what my shortcomings have been," he said. "I know what I have to do better. I've got to drop the hammer more. ... Because losing does not sit very well with the people around here anymore. And I almost paid the ultimate price for that, and so did a lot of other people."
The victory capped an excruciatingly long Friday in which the team plane didn't arrive in Baltimore until early in the morning, perhaps symbolic in an interminable season for Trembley.
"I did laundry until about 4:15, 4:30 [a.m.]," said Trembley, who hasn't slept much in the past few weeks. "It was tough for me. It's been tough. I tried not to show it, and I know I have sometimes.
"I know I've come across as a little short with some people, somewhat disgusted. But today, for me, was a day that reinforces on a personal level all the things I believed in all along - loyalty, work hard, don't put yourself in front of anybody else, do things right and don't make excuses."
It also showed the baseball gods really weren't against him after the last two times Trembley and the Orioles were in a similar situation.
On Aug. 22, 2007, when MacPhail removed the interim tag from Trembley's title, the Orioles took the field and promptly lost, 30-3, to the Texas Rangers, the most lopsided defeat in club history.
On Sept. 5, 2008, MacPhail announced that he had picked up Trembley's option for 2009, and the Orioles followed by losing, 11-2, to the Oakland Athletics in a game in which they allowed eight runs in one inning on one hit.
So Friday night, despite a steady rain that grew in intensity and caused a 23-minute delay in the eighth, and an uneven performance by starter Jason Berken, the Orioles' spirits could not be dampened.
"Everybody knows about the 100 losses and that stuff," said Berken (6-12), who gave up four runs in five innings Friday in his final start of the year. "You just want to go out there and end the season on a good note."
The offense rolled early against Toronto left-hander David Purcey (1-3), scoring three first-inning runs, including a two-run double by Nick Markakis. In the fourth, Matt Wieters chased Purcey with a three-run home run, the rookie catcher's ninth homer of the season.
And then Aubrey did the rest - a two-run shot in the fifth against rookie Josh Roenicke and the first grand slam of his career in the sixth.
"It was a great day," said Aubrey, who had two homers and eight RBIs this season before his two-homer, six RBI night. "Anytime I think you can double your season home run total, it was a special day. It was fun."
Aubrey joked that it was perfect timing for his breakout game, and maybe it would stick in Trembley's mind for 2010.
Trembley's mind, though, was focused on a newfound relief.
"We can move on now," he said. "I don't have to be wondering what the heck somebody else is thinking or what the hell somebody's going to say. This reinforces what I believe, and I think the players understand, too."
Notes: Trembley officially ruled out center fielder Felix Pie (strained left quadriceps) playing again this season. ... It also appears that Luke Scott (strained muscle in left foot) will be shelved for the season. However, Scott tested the foot Friday and said he still hopes to play by Sunday's season finale.
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