Trachsel Gets Bombed

Beer of the Game: Sam Adams Cream Stout

Brian Roberts went all Ichiro in the first inning, slapping a single to left, stealing second and third and then scoring on a Nick Markakis groundout to second.

You've got to give it up to Jay Gibbon flashing some rare leather in left last night, making a diving catch in the third. Ditto for Melvin Mora making a diving catch to his right to save a double. Mora will never be among the league's elite defenders at third but there is a dramatic improvement in his footwork, range and throws compared to this time last year.

Steve Trachsel could not place his pitches tonight. Still, he shut down the rays until the miserable fourth where he gave up four runs. On the bright side, Trachsel has kept the ball int he park thus far, only giving up 1 to the Yankees this year. I thought the longball would be his downfall coming to the AL. Oh, back to reality, Trachsel gives up six earned in the 4th and gets yanked. Brian Burres came in and shut the Rays down in the 4th and continued to hold them scoreless all the way through the end of the 7th.

Fossum had the O's on the ropes until the 8th. Gibbons doubled and Alberto Castillo drew a clutch walk. Jon Knott came in to face the lefty but they called for the righty Brian Stokes to face hi,m. Knott remained in and deposited a 1-0 pitch into the leftfield stands to bring the O's with in two.

That's as close as Baltimore would get though. the bullpen did a great job once again but the early damage was too much to overcome. O's lose 6-4.