Boston has taken the last nine series against Baltimore. Today was the third game of this series. The O’s had won the first game while the Sox took the second. Baltimore’s starting pitcher was a guy who had only started three games before. He has always been a relief pitcher. Yet he took us into the 9th inning with a shutout game and a 5-0 lead. All the bullpen had to do was get two more quick outs and Baltimore had their first series win against Boston in the last ten tries.

Now, keep in mind that Baltimore spent $41 million on their bullpen this last off-season. That is an unheard of amount for relief pitcher. But it was supposed to improve our weakest area. One would think it would be no problem for guys who are worth that much to go two-thirds of an inning without giving up 5 runs.

Apparently, that was too much to ask. All it took was two relief pitchers to blow the game. The worst was Danys Baez, who finished out the game. On the last play of the game he gave up two runs while covering first. The ball was hit to the first baseman, who threw to Baez. All Baez had to do was catch the ball (which was thrown directly to him) and step on the base. The inning would be over. Instead, he dropped the ball. If this guy isn’t sent back down to AA by tonight, something is seriously wrong in Charm City.

Final Score: Baltimore - 5, Boston - 6.

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