There's an old saying about the news business -- three of anything (fill in the blank, say, people buying stuffed owls) makes a trend.  Hence, the inevitable story on the surging popularity of stuffed owls.

So for the third straight start Oriole pitcher Daniel Cabrera was efficient, even dominating, in giving the O's eight -- count 'em -- eight solid innings in beating Seattle, 3-2, last night.  Cabrera, who occasionally couldn't find the strike zone with a bloodhound, walked zero batters and threw 65 strikes in his 95 pitches.  He gave up just five hits.  Cabrera has now allowed no more than two earned runs in any of his last three outings.

More importantly is what this is doing for Cabrera's confidence.  His talent has always been obvious but what was lacking was obviously control.  Also, the Orioles have not gotten 15.2 innings of work from their starters in the last two games and had an were off on Monday.  All of that means that manager Dave Trembley doesn't have to worry about going to the bullpen early he if has to over the next couple of games.

Photo credit:  Associated Press