The Baltimore Orioles snapped a 5 game losing streak last night with a 7-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers. It is more accurate to say the Tigers snapped the O's losing streak.
Daniel Cabrera started on the mound for the O's and turned in a typical performance: 5 IP, 7 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 1 Balk, 5 ER. Of the 5 runs the Tigers scored on Cabrera, 4 of those runners reached base via the free pass.
O's Fever no longer surprises O's fans, however, I was surprised to see that the Tigers caught the bug (and only in town 1 day!). Nate Robertson started for the Tigers. He's been decent so far this year and he's left-handed. The O's are notoriously weak hitting versus left handed pitching and a decent left hander is usually a prescription for an O's loss. Robertson kept the O's in the game early by walking 5 in 5 1/3 IP, leading the attending physician to become suspicious.
Carlos Guillen displayed the symptoms which confirmed the early diagnosis - he booted two routine ground balls, both with two outs, which led to 3 unearned runs for the O's, including the winning run scored in the bottom of the 8th.
O's fans have become accustomed to watching the Birds perform under this affliction. We've rarely seen it from the opposition. Perhaps this game is an indication that the O's have built up some level of immunity to the effects of O's Fever and have evolved to become a carrier.
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