Proof O's aren't going through the motions
If you doubt the Orioles really care at this point, just check out the replay of Nick Markakis leveling Francisco Cervelli at home plate in the seventh inning. Cervelli held the throw and Markakis was out, but it was Cervelli who had trouble getting up.
Pretty sure the Yankees don't appreciate that, since they've got a pennant race to win and the Orioles are playing for pride right now, but I'm guessing that play confirmed everything manager Buck Showalter thought about Markakis.
“It’s a baseball play,'' Showalter said. "He’s sitting there with the ball in front of the plate. People have done the same thing to Matt. It’s a baseball play, a great play. Great relay and great throw from center field. We probably need to a little better job of reading that ball off the bat so it’s not close.
"Let’s keep in mind the challenges of what’s gone on here the last 48 hours. To come out and play a game with that intensity and knowing how much it means to the Yankees, and for our guys to play on the same level of intensity, I’m pretty proud of them. A lot of guys, at 4-1, 3-0, might have had thoughts of getting through customs in Toronto. But our guys have a lot of pride and I’m proud of them.”
Thought there might be some fallout, but there wasn't much, When Matt Wieters struck out to end the inning without the Orioles scoring the tying run, Cervelli fist-pumped his way back to the dugout like it was the World Series.
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Comments
The Orioles never just "go through the motions", they don't "mail it in", etc. They're just never good enough to win more games...
Posted by: The Situation | September 8, 2011 4:31 PM
Glad to see this, Pete. Maybe now we can get something for him in the offseason like a frontline pitcher.
Posted by: Mark | September 8, 2011 4:36 PM
Your comments don't make sense considering the catcher is mainly in a stationary position whereas the runner is moving full speed in forward motion. Of course the catcher is going to get leveled...when don't they??? I know because i was a catcher at a Div. I school for 4 yrs. You're at a distinct disadvantage. Ray Lewis or Bryant Mckinney would likely be toppled if placed in the same situation. You're just waiting. Also, if you watch the Cervelli, he pumps his fists after a strikeout in key situations against all teams, frequently. So I seriously doubt it had anything to do w/the markakis play.
Posted by: holliday68 | September 8, 2011 4:47 PM
Love how we made the Yanks play extra innings in a game they didn't want to have to play (after extra innings yesterday as well) just before they go play the games they actually care about against the Red Sox.
Posted by: Brian Adams | September 8, 2011 4:53 PM
Andino saves the day! If you can't be in the playoffs, you may as well try and screw up the teams that are.
Posted by: popodan | September 8, 2011 4:53 PM
Great play by Markakis, stupid play by Reynolds, even worse by Andino. I thought only Upton of the Rays made those boneheaded plays.
Posted by: Gene Strite | September 8, 2011 5:24 PM
Okay--I get that the O's are CURRENTLY playing with what Showalter calls "Competitive Integrity."
What will we call the period of the season between June 15th and August 30th?
Posted by: bdf | September 8, 2011 10:30 PM
Not sure I've ever seen a better relay throw in my life than the one Cano had on that play. He caught the ball and released it almost instantly, while still managing to whirl and throw an accurate rope to Cervelli. I think with any other 2B in baseball cutting that throw, Markakis is easily safe. Great aggressive play at the plate though.
Pete, I know it'll be pure speculation on your part, but why does this team always seem to get fired up once their out of it? I realize they've had injuries and some inconsistent play, but a lof their wins of late have come from aggressive play and station-to-station baseball, especially the use of the SB, which was non-existent the first four months of the season. It's a powerful weapon...just ask the Angels of the last decade. SB lead to more runs. I hope we see more of them next season.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 9, 2011 9:57 AM
Francisco Cervelli's got to put a cap on his little celebrations or an opposing team is going to take offense to it to the tune of some chin music.
Cervelli has already pissed of the Red Sox, namely catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, with an obnoxious celebration at home plate after a home run. Not a game-tying home run, mind you. Not even a go-ahead home run. Not even a clutch home run late in the game. A home run that was hit in the 5th inning when the Yankees were already winning 3-2.
Sure, it's nice to increase your lead a bit in a close game and maybe Cervelli was just a bit too excited because it was his first home run in almost four months. But you save those celebrations for the big moments. If you want to express a bit of emotion in a not so big moment, do it discretely as you round first base. Don't bend over and clap right in front of the catcher's face.
In short, Cervelli had better watch himself, because he's going to piss off a lot of people. And there are a lot of people in this game that you probably don't want to piss off.
Posted by: not brooks | September 9, 2011 11:57 AM
interesting that he criticized Markakis' read
Posted by: onceawarrior | September 9, 2011 1:19 PM
"Proof O's aren't going through the motions"
That may be true, but the O's have the 2nd worse record in baseball. It's mid-Sept. The divisional & wildcard races have been pretty much decided except for AL West.
The games don't mean much. The Yanks & Red Sox have just lost 3 in a row; the Brewers 4 in a row.
The pressure's off. We had a great record the last two months of last year under pretty much the same circumstances.
Posted by: dave | September 10, 2011 10:38 AM
Just finished watching Sat game and I just can't take Kevin Gregg any more. Losing today's game was a disgrace.
Posted by: Harrisburg Fan | September 10, 2011 4:49 PM
Kevin Gregg. He's more than frustrating. But what's worse is that he keeps getting handed the ball in situations that he's shown many times this season that he's not prepared for.
Why? It can't be that there are no other relievers to go to.
If winning games is the No. 1 goal, how can Kevin Gregg be given so many opportunities to fail?
Posted by: Nelson | September 10, 2011 5:26 PM
"But our guys have a lot of pride and I’m proud of them"
you've got to be kidding me? Have you been watching the season. This team is the definition of no pride. frustration maybe. pride no.
Posted by: Rainmaker | September 11, 2011 12:26 PM