That series had just about everything.  Rain delays, pitching duels, long balls, extra innings, record crowds, major league debuts, blown saves, a Teddy win, walk off homers and a dose of rivalry.  What more could you want? 

The Oriole Bird wasted no time making enemies;  he began taunting our bullpen before the game on Friday, challenging both Jesus Colome and Joel Hanrahan to “fights.”  After he stole Ayala’s red glove, the bullpen huddled to plot a way to get the glove back.  After a few minutes of mild “fighting” and taunting, the glove was returned and the Bird moved on to other targets, like Screech.  Later, he would trip Teddy during the President’s Race, prompting the president to challenge the Bird to a Match Race during Saturday’s game.  Teddy was victorious for the first time.

The Oriole bird was joined by thousands of fans who made the journey down 95 to see their team at new Nationals Park.  Each night brought record numbers and lots of orange and black in the stands.  On Friday, those fans returned home empty handed.

The Nats got on the board early against Daniel Cabrera.  Both Milledge and Flores collected RBI’s in the first.  Later, Kory Casto handled the pressure well and delivered the game winning RBI in a pinch hit appearance.  Odalis Perez worked on a pitch count and was removed after the 4th inning, giving up no runs on 3 hits, with 3 walks and 3 strike outs.  Baltimore rallied back against Steven Shell in the 5th and 6th.  Hanrahan got the win, Ayala - the hold and Rauch - the save, though the latter wasn’t without some Chief-like drama.

After giving up a lead off double to Roberts and a walk to Markakis, Rauch had the winning run at the plate with no outs, a situation that had the O’s fans very excited.  With one pitch to Melvin Mora and a 6-4-3 double play, the Nats and Rauch had battled back.  Millar’s fly out to Milledge ended the game.  Rauch celebrated as soon as the ball sailed over the infield.  He was already shaking Flores’ hand at home plate when Milledge made the catch. 

Early Saturday morning we were back at the park for Baseball 101 for women.  Some of our photos are available here.  It was a great time, but more on that soon.  After 101, we took a short break before heading back to the park for batting practice.  There was a mystery outfielder who had us puzzled.  He darted full speed at every fly ball and leapt against the centerfield wall when balls carried out of the park.  Upon getting a closer look, I told Stephanie it looked like Mark Lerner.  After another minute, I said, “It IS Mark Lerner.”  Dressed in a full baseball uniform complete with a red armband, principal owner Mark Lerner shagged balls with his pitchers on Saturday night, cutting off Tim Redding a number of times.  Pictures to come soon.

Unfortunately, Friday’s momentum hit a wall on Saturday night.  Lannan struggled through five innings.  His final line would include 7 runs.  Though only 4 of them were earned, two were homers.  Young and Lannan’s errors and Flores’ passed ball didn’t help either.  Colome tacked on two more runs before Shell, Manning and Hanrahan shut the O’s down.  

Guzman doubled in the first and Milledge brought him home for the only Nats run.  Moments later, Milledge would dive and miss a ball in center while injuring his groin.  He was put on the DL before the game was over with Roger Bernadina, not Mark Lerner, getting the call-up.  Willie Harris, who had crazy fans with a huge sign in our section cheering for him, went 2 for 2 with a walk.

It was 9-1 when the skies opened up and a strong storm moved through the area.  Fans headed for shelter under the concourse.  We headed for home.  Turns out we didn’t miss too much.

Sunday was even more unthinkable.  With Beckham in town, a sell-out like crowd at Nationals Park and a humid heat, we all opted to watch the game at home.

Bergmann had an excellent outting.  In 7 innings, he gave up only one run, a homer to Luke Scott.  The Nats again scored early as Bernadina collected his first hit in his first major league at bat and scored a few moments later.  Rivera and Rauch pitched scoreless frames in the 8th and the 9th to send the game to extra innings.  Ayala pitched well in the 10th and 11th before running into trouble in the 12th.  With runners on first and second and 1 out, Manny put Charlie Manning on the mound to face lefty Luke Scott.  After striking him out, Manning was replaced by Hanrahan.   A single to Adam Jones allowed Markakis to score and the Orioles to take the lead.  The stage was set for a very good closer to send Orioles fans home happy. 

But the Orioless are now 1-12 on Sundays this season, so O’s fans should have known better.  Sherill got two quick outs on Pete Orr and Paul Lo Duca.  In the pitcher’s spot, Manny inserted Dmitri Young.  Sherill pitched cautiously and walked Young, but there were no pinch runners left on the bench.  With a 1-2 count, Ronnie Belliard drove Sherill’s slider deep to left field for an unexpected walk off victory for the home team.  Belliard stood for a few seconds to watch his homer and then trotted along the bases before celebrating with this teamates.  The come from behind, extra innings walk off win against a local rival on get-away day was reminicent of the never-give-up attitude of the ‘07 team and something that has been missing throughout ‘08. 

The team now heads to Miami to take on rookie right hander Ryan Tucker (2-2, 6.75).  We can only hope Uggla stays out of the lineup for a few days with his sprained left ankle.

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