If you missed last night's game between the Orioles and Devil Rays -- and consider yourself fortunate if you did -- Baltimore lost its ninth in a row, 8-6. At this point in the season, the details seem somewhat immaterial, but Kevin Millar and Nick Markakis hit home runs (the Markakis shot gave the O's a 3-0 lead). However, starter Jeremy Guthrie was roughed up for six runs (five earned) in six innings and gave up a pair of homers himself.

For a good article on the psychology of losing streaks like this one on a team and its fans, take a look at Childs Walker's story in today's Sun.

*  Elsewhere, the Yankees swept the Red Sox in a three-game series behind Chien-Ming Wang, who pitched seven scoreless inning and gave up just one hit. Boston's lead in the American League East is down to five games.

* In the National League East, the Phillies are similarly trying to chase down a division leader.  They completed a four-game sweep of the Mets, 11-10, scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth after having appeared to blow the game when the Mets scored five in the top of the eighth. Pat Burrell homered twice for Philadelphia and Chase Utley drove in the game-winner off Billy Wagner. The Phils have closed the gap to two games.

As we mentioned earlier, technical difficulties have gummed up the works at O, by the Way and we'll post offerings as the cyber gods allow.