This was quite the exciting game.  I must admit that when the runs started to go around and around and around I turned to the Food Network.  However, I did see the great stop by Brian Roberts in the 8th, and the incredible catch by Nick Markakis in the 9th. . . then there was George.  You just never know.  However, he pitched what the O’s needed, and got the job done.  Good job, George!

Yippee!  I finally finished my brother-in-law’s 2008 Christmas Presents

Yippee!  The O’s weren’t shut out.  Holy cow! 

I have to give props where props are due.  The Rays pitcher, Shields, did an incredible job, and the Rays hitting definitely controlled the O’s pitching staff.  How many home runs by the Rays (4?)  I didn’t think the O’s players all of a sudden became little league hitters . . . the Rays pitcher was just incredible.

Also, I thought the play be Chad Moeller would turn the game around.  It was such an incredible out at home plate.  However, the O’s batting continued to struggle against Shields. 

Onward to Texas!

I didn’t know which made me cringe more:  When I found out Jeremy Guthrie was not coming back out to pitch, or when I saw later in the game that Jaime Walker was.  Maybe he’s better than last year, but  . . . I still don’t know why Jeremy couldn’t pitch longer.  His command was still very good, and the defense was backing him up.  He’s such a good defensive player; that out at home was very cool.  The double play with Izturis, Roberts, and Huff was also very cool, as they threw on the off beat. It’s like when a catch is thrown it’s usually after a breath, but they threw within the same breath as when the ball was caught.  Nice focus, O’s! 

Chris Ray . . . never saw him pitch before, and the announcers were saying to give him time.  Well, he pitches over 90 MPH, and he struck out 3 batters in the last inning.  I think he’s doing ok:)

I knitted a lot today starting at my knitting group, then through the Angels/Red Sox game, and then through the O’s/Rays game.  I was able to knit and watch the game at the same time, so I guess I hit my stride.  It didn’t take as long as I thought.  Today I knitted the heel turn, heel flap, gusset, and I’m on the foot.  I can’t wait to finish this, and then start on something else. Oi!

Nice grand slam, Melvin! 

I was very inspired by Baez.  I’m surprised he was removed so quickly as he struck quite a few out.  I hope he gets a chance to play longer.  I wasn’t very comfortable with how Dave Trembley managed the pitching last year, and if he’s going to remove a good pitcher so quickly, then he’s up to his old tricks.

Sherrill at the mound is the time to stop knitting because I can’t concentrate.  It is definitely a time when I can’t do two things at the same time.  He can be so good or not so good.  I Completed about 14 rows during the game.  The last row, the one completed in the bottom 8th/top 9th was the one out of over 100 rows so far n the sock that contained an error I didn’t take the time to fix.  Why is that?  Because knitting became background noise to this baseball game.  I was too stressed, man!

I think Greg Zaun is my favorite player this year.  He is quick, and he is fun to watch.  The pitchers can trust him, and I think the other players can trust him especially with respect to his offense and defense.

It would be really cool to see if Brian Roberts becomes more competitive on the stealing bases front with Izturis on the team.  During the time when Izturis was on 2nd, and Brian was on 1st it was pretty cool.  From what the announcers were saying they are both quick stealers, and it should be quite the treat when they are both on base.  Screw with the mind of the other team’s pitcher, eh?  Team spirit.  At the same time, who could out steal the other one.  Competitive spirit

I was only able to hear the game at work, and it got a little surreal.  I had to slap my hand, or drink lots of coffee to remind myself that this was one game.  This wasn’t an entire season.  In fact, this wasn’t last season . . .

Last season was the first time I followed baseball all the way through in my 40 years.  Under my skin the only course my blood knows is the losing O’s. 

BUT, we’ll see.  Let’s Go O’s!

I definitely have to ease into the season.  I can’t knit and watch baseball as the sound and visuals are too distracting.  I can either watch the TV, and mute the voices, or listen to the radiocast, and not watch visuals.  By the end of the season, baseball will be relegated to background noise, but I’m still getting used to the new season.

Good game, odd last inning as always.  I knitted about 2 rows on a sock – my brother-in-law’s 2008 Christmas Present . . . we’ll get there.  I already have one sock finished.

I knew I missed the season, but I didn’t realize how much.  It was such a joy to listen to Fred and Joe on the radiocast while I was at work yesterday.  I’m really excited about this team!  So many of the good players are still there, and there are some new spices to the cake mix, you know. 

I’m in more of a destashing mode this year, so I don’t know how many socks I’ll knit.  I’m also working on scarves, sweaters, and blankets. 

What a long strange trip this will be, eh?