Erik Bedard, 2007 Topps Allen and Ginter #112

Last night Erik Bedard had ten strikeouts and no hits allowed through the first six and one-third innings against the Mariners. However, he found himself working in a 2-2 game, thanks to a bit of sixth-inning wildness and some poor defense: three walks and two Jason Castro passed balls. After Bedard walked Justin Smoak (free pass number five overall) with one out in the seventh, Houston manager Bo Porter came to the mound to ask if the veteran lefty wanted to stay in the game. With his pitch count at 109, Erik told Porter that he was done. Naturally, reliever Jose Cisnero issued another walk, then a Michael Saunders two-run double. It proved to be Seattle's only hit on the night, and they won 4-2, with Bedard getting hung with the loss.

After the game, Bedard gave an honest, blunt explanation of his decision, as he typically does:

"I've had three shoulder surgeries. I'm not going over 110 (pitches). I'd rather pitch a couple more years than face another batter."

I can see his point, but I wonder how many loudmouths whose livelihood does not depend on the integrity of their left shoulder will hammer him for thinking that way...and especially for having the nerve to admit it.

Melvin Mora, 2007 Topps Allen and Ginter #109

Much like the entire state of Maryland, Melvin Mora is blanketed in white. In fact, with over 60 inches of snow having fallen in just two months and the latest forecasts calling for another foot or two in the next two days, my home state is going to blow away its previous record for the most snow-heavy winter. Officially speaking, there is another six weeks to the season and many of us are close to begging for mercy. This place is looking more like Colorado - Melvin's new baseball home.

Speaking of changing places, Stacey at Camden Chat spent her snowed-in weekend writing (among other posts) a summary of the members of the 2009 O's that have already moved on to greener...well, let's just say other pastures. Let's just say that the majority of the list defines the phrase "addition by subtraction". Sean Henn, we barely knew ye.

If you're in Maryland (or anywhere that has been beset by snow and ice), I hope you're only leaving home when absolutely necessary and that you're taking all possible precautions when you do so. Hopefully you've got electricity wherever you are and you're not having to read this on your phone. I made it safely to my girlfriend's house in Calvert County on Friday afternoon before the snow really started sticking, and tonight (following 72 hours of movie watching, fine comfort food dining, and *ugh* snow shoveling) I returned home no worse for wear...though Route 301 is still in horrendous shape.

Well, if we do get besieged again tomorrow, I'll be staying home this time. So you'll be reading a bit more from me than you did over the weekend.