In a game the Orioles described as their most emotional of the season, their most animated player worked his way out of two late-inning jams last night, pumping his fist, thumping his chest and pointing to the heavens as he sent the New York Yankees hitters back to the dugout in disgust.
Doing everything short of a cartwheel to celebrate six outs, all with the Yankees in scoring position, Willis Roberts somehow managed to keep the game tied.
The Orioles finally celebrated as a group when Tony Batista's single scored Gary Matthews in the ninth inning for an 8-7 victory before 42,670 at Camden Yards.
"I think it was the biggest [win] of the year," Orioles first baseman Jay Gibbons said. "It was just an emotional roller coaster, and with the emotion of the fans, it felt like a playoff game."
The Orioles made three comebacks and blew two leads but came away with their fourth consecutive victory, matching their season-high, and pulling within one game of .500 at 37-38.
After going 5-13 against the Yankees a year ago, the Orioles are 6-5 against them this season. In a more stunning development, the Orioles are 4-0 in games started by six-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens.
This loss knocked the Yankees out of first place in the American League East, a half-game behind Boston.
Clemens allowed seven runs, and Orioles starter Rodrigo Lopez allowed six. For Lopez, it was his worst start of the season, and it came in front of Yankees manager Joe Torre, who will name his All-Star pitching staff Sunday.
Matthews, Gibbons and Chris Singleton each had home runs against Clemens, who has given up five homers against the Orioles this season and three against everyone else.
Clemens was in line for the loss until Alfonso Soriano hit a run-scoring single off Orioles reliever Rick Bauer in the seventh inning. That made it 7-7 and set the stage for a battle of bullpens, one filled with postseason heroes and household names, the other quietly becoming a force.
Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, in his first game back from the disabled list, struck out the side in the seventh, and Roberts strolled to the mound in the eighth with his hulking physique and tiny 1.73 ERA.
New York quickly put Roberts on the ropes, as Bernie Williams doubled and Robin Ventura walked. But Roberts got Jorge Posada to hit into a double play, and struck out Rondell White, raising both arms in the air and looking toward the stars in triumph.
"When a guy does things like that on the mound," Posada said, "you're trying to get him."
But the Yankees never did.
After Mike Stanton sat down the Orioles in the eighth, the Yankees put runners at the corners with no outs in the ninth and the top of the order coming. Needing a strikeout, Roberts thought he had one when Soriano checked his swing with an 0-2 count. Orioles manager Mike Hargrove had a heated exchanged with home plate umpire Derryl Cousins, but it mattered less when Roberts blew a fastball by Soriano on his fists for strike three.
Roberts (5-2) pounded his chest after the second out, as Derek Jeter grounded to shortstop Mike Bordick, who threw home in time to nab Nick Johnson. Jason Giambi grounded to Gibbons, ending the inning.
Hargrove has had numerous talks with Roberts, 27, about his antics, but the Orioles have found Roberts becomes too passive when he tones down his act.
"It's hard to watch," Hargrove said, "but when he's successful, it's much easier to take. I'm glad I'm not on the other side watching. It's his style, and it works."
Said Roberts: "I was a little more emotional when the umpire missed the swing by Soriano. ... This is big for me. You know, the Yankees are the best team in the league."
But the Orioles have won four of their past five games against the four-time defending American League champions. The winning rally started after Stanton (3-1) retired the first two batters in the ninth.
Matthews singled, and Torre summoned right-hander Steve Karsay. After Matthews stole second base, Batista's single found the hole between third and shortstop. Matthews slid home ahead of left fielder White's throw, and the Orioles rushed from their dugout.
"I don't know how you get more exciting baseball, other than playing in the postseason," Hargrove said. "Our young guys were able to handle it, corral the energy, and not let it blow them away, which young players have the tendency to do at times. It's a good lesson."
Results
Past 5 games
Date Opponent Result WP/LP
6-21 at San Fran. L, 3-4 Bauer
6-22 at San Fran. W, 4-2 Driskill
6-23 at San Fran. W, 3-1 Johnson
6-25 N.Y. Yankees W, 4-3 Roberts
6-26 N.Y. Yankees W, 8-7 Roberts
Orioles tonight
Opponent: New York Yankees
Site: Camden Yards
Time: 7:05
TV/Radio: Comcast SportsNet/WBAL (1090 AM)
Starters: Yankees' David Wells (7-5, 3.61) vs. Orioles' Scott Erickson (3-6, 4.76)