It's May, and the media are merrily expecting the Orioles' imminent collapse. But will they?
In week one, they are home, just as they are in 2001, but instead of the Devil Rays, they were facing the Angels. J.J. Bautista shuts down the California bats, scattering six hits in seven innings. Meanwhile, the Orioles aren't hitting, but the Angel staff is giving them 10 walks, which enables the O's to sneak across a couple of runs with two squeeze bunt plays in the seventh inning plating two O's. Gregg Olson shuts the door with two impeccable innings, and the O's win, 3-0.
The next night, Bob Milacki is called on to stem the O's offensive woes with a strong pitching performance. As he faces Bert Blyleven, the two exchange scoreless inning after scoreless inning, the O's stranding ten men in scoring position. In the eighth, the Orioles have the bases loaded, no out, when Cal Ripken strikes out and Larry Sheets hits into a double play. Milacki returns for the ninth, only to give up a two-run homer to Jack Howell. The O's lose, 2-0.
Seattle comes to town, and brings in some of that famous Seattle weather along with them. On Saturday, however, it's the Orioles who are all wet, as Seattle sweeps a doubleheader (remember those?) 2-1 and 6-5. After the first game, the O's have failed to plate a run in scoring position 21 straight times. In the second game, they score some runs, but Ballard gets pummeled for five runs in only 1 2/3 innings. On Sunday, the M's complete the three-game sweep, handing the O's a 5-3 defeat.
Larry Sheets is hitting .204, Jim Trabor .206, Craig Worthington .191, and Mickey Tettleton .198. The team is pressing: they have lost four in a row, seven of nine, and have fallen three games under .500 at 13-16.
And the defending World Champion Athletics are coming to town. Is this the end, or a new beginning?