Miguel Tejada, 2005 Leaf Alternate Threads #AT 15

The Orioles eked out a 3-2 win in 10 innings against the Angels today to salvage a single game out of their weekend series against the Angels. That brings their record to 9-7 and leaves them tied with the Rays in second place, a half-game out of first place. This isn't really anything to trumpet, but it is worth noting that the O's have just wrapped up a ten-game road trip through Toronto, Chicago, and Anaheim, and they posted a winning record of 6-4. The last time the Orioles got the best of a ten-game swing away from Camden Yards was September 13-23, 2004. Back then, they took two of three each in Toronto and Minnesota before splitting a four-game set in Boston against the eventual World Champion Red Sox. To offer a little perspective, that was five managers ago (Lee Mazzilli, who was replaced by Sam Perlozzo, who gave way to Dave Trembley, who was succeeded by Juan Samuel, who was supplanted by Buck Showalter). In the final game of that road trip, the O's topped the Red Sox 9-7. Todd Williams was the winning pitcher, and Miguel Tejada hit his 30th home run of the season, a 3-run shot off of Derek Lowe in the fifth inning. It was Miggi's first year in Baltimore, and the team finished with a 78-84 record. In the ensuing seven full seasons, they haven't gotten any closer to a .500 record. Could this be the year? Probably not, but staying above water on a long journey away from Camden Yards is a rare pleasure.