Baltimore Orioles’ fans got to see John Means on final time at home this year in the last home game. While we still have a week to go in the season itself, it’s kind of amazing that we’ve now completed 81 home games. Then again, it’s amazing that we’re almost to the end of the line. And Means this afternoon reminded Orioles fans about why he was the biggest surprise of the season. Means’ line: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K.
It’s been a long road in those 81 home games. A lot of bad baseball, learning experiences, and even a dugout fight. However while I shouldn’t get too far into this type of mode given that we still have a week to go, Orioles fans should also be proud. Towards the end, this team really started to come together. And that was the sentiment today.
The O’s did briefly have to play from behind however, as Crawford’s first inning RBI-single gave Seattle a 1-0 lead. But things got tied up fairly quickly; Renato Nunez‘s RBI-double in the last of the first tied the game at one. And there it remained for quite awhile.
The fans were treated to a pitching duel in the final home game. John Means was spectacular in mowing Seattle hitters down. The Orioles really may have found something in Means. Speaking for myself, I’m excited to see him going into spring training next year.
Chris Davis is a question mark heading into spring training however. Many fans seem to think that he’s going to retire, however that would forfeit him a lot of money. He has three years left on his deal. GM Mike Elias said before the game that he expects Davis to be back.
However at least for one day, Davis got to play the hero once again. You have to respect the guy’s work ethic and the fact that he never seems to give up. And it was that never say die attitude which propelled Davis to smack a solo homer in the seventh inning.
That was the go-ahead run, and it propelled the O’s onto victory in the final game at home this season. This is a year that hasn’t been easy on Chris Davis. We all remember the slump in which he started the season. But at least on this day, he directly won the game for his team.
The O’s now embark on their final road trip which will close out the season, as they head to Toronto tomorrow night. The Birds are yet to name a starter, but they’ll face Toronto’s Clay Buchholtz. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 