It's the middle of May, and the O's have been struggling. They've dropped four games under .500, losing 10 of 14, and the press has called their death knell, as their best pitcher pulls his groin. The Baby Birds fly out to Texas, wondering what's going to happen next. Frank Robinson continues to demonstrate that he's the right guy to lead this particular group of players, reassuring them, telling them to just play one game at a time, and to just show effort and improvement, and let the chips fall where they may.
Dave Schmidt tosses a five hitter at the Rangers, as Mickey Tettleton slugs his eighth homer and the O's take two of three. Returning home to face division rival Cleveland, Bob Milacki draws Tribe ace Greg Swindell. After five, Milacki trails 2-0. In the sixth, however, the O's break a 28 2/3 Memorial Stadium scoreless inning string via a Phil Bradley triple and a Cal Ripken single. Rookie Mike Devereaux starts off the seventh with a single, then steals second and third, coming home on a two out double by Billy Ripken. Finally, in the 10th, Milacki yields to Mark Williamson, who sets down the heart of the Tribe's order. Anderson walks for the O's, steals second, advances to third on a single by Phil Bradley. Cal is intentionally walked, but Bob Melvin continues his hot hitting by delivering Anderson to win it, 3-2.
On Friday, J.J. Bautista continues to feed his gopher, surrendering two home runs in a 4-2 loss. At this point, Robinson and pitching coach Al Jackson decide to place the youngster in the bullpen. Jay Tibbs is recalled from Rochester, where he has won five games while losing only one, and Brian Holton assumes the role of number five starter, as this is now necessary as the team swings into the latter part of May.
Holton's first start is Sunday, and he conducts himself well, but the O's lose 2-0, continuing their pattern of win one, lose one. The good thing is, no one in the AL East is asserting themselves. The entire division is under .500, and all six teams are within four games of first place. The O's currently stand at 18-21, and they are beginning to be the talk of the town. This is not supposed to be happening, and the fans and players both seem to realize this. No one seems to be sitting around dreading the inevitable, however. The fans, like the players, are just taking one game at a time, and enjoying them all.
Now it's on the road to Chicago and Cleveland. This trip will most likely determine how much longer the Orioles will remain competitive in the division race.