Grayson Rodriguez and the Baltimore Orioles had to put in overtime last night. LOTS of overtime. Last night’s series opener against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards was delayed two-and-a-half hours by a cataclysmic rain storm that hovered over the Inner Harbor. But once it got started, Rodriguez turned in perhaps the best start of his career. Rodriguez’s line: 6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K.
Rodriguez was pitching-to-contact. And New York was swinging early and often. Which was fine with the fans, all of whom waited out the delay. That in and of itself speaks to the grandiosity of this series.
This of course with the backdrop of Mo Gaba Day at Camden Yards, with none other than Adam Jones on hand to catch the first pitch – thrown out by Mo’s Mom. Jones of course stayed for the game as well, becoming the first guest “Mr. Splash.” However Jones’ customized City Connect Jersey said something different. He wore his familiar number 10, but the name plate said “Captain Splash.” Fitting for a guy who was very much the Orioles’ Captain during his tenure.
Unfortunately for the Orioles and the fans, New York starter Cole was equally as outstanding as Grayson Rodriguez. The two went heel-to-heel on the Camden Yards bump. Both sides had a chance or two. But nobody could push so much as a run across.
Until it really mattered, that is. With one out in the last of the ninth with midnight in the rear view mirror, Anthony Santander strode to the plate in a still scoreless tie. And he set off a blast equal to what the “Mighty Casey” (of CASEY AT THE BAT) was envisioning when he famously struck out…
…425 feet later, the ball landed. And the Orioles had a walk off 1-0 win over their division rivals. When you add it all up, the rain delay, Mo Gaba, Adam Jones, the season the Orioles are having, the Yankees, and the walk off homer, it was a scene almost out of THE NATURAL.
This game personifies the essence of what sports can embody. It has to be in the correct context to be that special, and with the Orioles it is. There are few teams who are as embedded in their communities in the manner that the Orioles are. There are few teams who are representative of their regions, states, or cities in the manner of the Orioles. That’s why “Orioles Magic” is a thing. And both on the field and in the stands, we saw it last night. With a tip of the cap to the past in the form of “Captain Splash.”
The series continues tonight at Camden Yards. Tyler Wells gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Clarke Schmidt. Game time is set for 7:15 PM.
Birdland Crush 