Orioles Get Back to Extra Inning Ways, Force Series to MAXIMUM CONCLUSION

There have been 43 innings in the Yankees and Orioles series. Other than Jim Johnson’s meltdown in game one, the two teams have been either tied or within a run of each other for every other innning. I have to assume this is because the team’s are the very antithesis of each other, and their mere existence cancels out the other’s ability to score, because really, I have no idea how to explain it.

Tonight, the Orioles once again sent Joe Saunders to the mound in a win or go home game and, against all expectations, he came through. No, I don’t know how that’s happening either. Saunders lasted 5.2 innings, walking four and giving up three hits, but the Yankees were unable to push anymore across after tying the game in the sixth. Some of that credit must go to Buck Showalter who brought in Tommy Hunter to end the Yankees threat in the sixth, striking out Alex Rodriguez once again in the series.

After that, the two teams remained even at one until the 13th. Even with the Orioles staying with the Yankees at every step, the Yankees roster is loaded with talent that has made a career of winning ballgames like this and so the entire game felt like a train ready to roll off the tracks, taking out a group of orphaned children enjoying the circus for the first time. Kind of like in game one.

But it didn’t. Because it’s 2012 and not 1996 or 1999 or 2001. Instead, in the top of the 13th, Manny Machado doubled and JJ Hardy brought him in. Jim Johnson shut the door with a strikeout and two lineouts and now the Orioles are one game, one measly game where literally anything can happen, from going to the ALCS. It won’t be easy as Jason Hammel will take the mound, presumably going against the Yankees ace, CC Sabathia. Friday’s are fun.