The Thrushes Bleating Battle With the Wrens: Orioles 5, Blue Jays 3

The Jays squandered some run scoring chances and came up short today in Charm City.  

Ricky Romero pitched fairly well, but made one huge mistake, a Mark Reynolds grand slam in the 6th inning.  Romero's final line doesn't look all that impressive, but he pitched into the 8th and two of the three walks he gave up were in the 8th.  He struck out 5 and gave up all five Baltimore runs, 4 all on the one swing, of course.  

At the plate the Jays had their chances but couldn't capitalize.  They managed 8 hits and 4 walks, but bailed out young starter Jake Arrieta in the 2nd and 3rd innings and it cost them.  The third was particularly rough as the Jays managed to load the bases on a bunt single and two walks with no one out, but Juan Rivera grounded into a 5-2-3 double play and J.P. Arencibia flew out.  

Corey Patterson had a great day at the plate with another 3 hits, including a solo home run.  Rajai Davis sparked a run with two steals after reaching on a fielder's choice in the 4th, which was great, but after singling him in, Mike McCoy was thrown out trying to steal and stopping the inning dead in its tracks.  Live by the sword, die by the sword.  Davis also drove in a run on a sacrifice fly.  

Not too much more to say about today, it was a rough one but that's baseball - one swing of the bat can change everything.  If nothing else, it was nice to have Adam Lind back in the lineup.  He was 0-3 today, but did draw a walk in the middle of what looked like a very promising third inning, but then Juan Rivera grounded into a double play.  

The Jays can still win the away series tomorrow.  Jo-Jo Reyes will take the hill for Toronto, while Jeremy Guthrie pitches for Baltimore.  A shame I can't make the game since it is right here in the next town over, but work is ridiculous at the moment.  It took my little girl coming down with tonsilitis for me to not do any work for the first day in over a month.  

Today's title comes from the Decemberists' song "June Hymn" which seemed appropriate given the amazing June weather we've had the past few days -- I did manage to go for a nice long run this morning and then also cut out of work at about 4:30 to go for a late afternoon hike.  The inter-bird matchup we have made me think of that line from the song.    Night, all.