Login

Fairiedust · 07-13-2005, 09:47 PM

Palmeiro two steps closer as O's roll
07/09/2005

By Gary Washburn / MLB.com

BALTIMORE -- As he awkwardly landed against the hard rubber warning track, Luis Matos was trying to collect himself before he sprinted back to the dugout. He denies he was trying to add drama to an already dramatic scene. The only hint that he robbed David Ortiz of a three-run home run was the bullpen attendant in the bright orange shirt behind the center-field wall raising his fist in excitement.

But as long as he was in the spotlight, as long as a national television audience was watching in anticipation, and as long as the Red Sox contingent in the crowd of 49,331 at Camden Yards was cheering wildly, Matos figured he might as well enjoy the moment before ending the suspense. He flipped the ball out of his glove and into his right hand, holding it up with pride. The game was still tied.

That play catapulted the Orioles to a 9-1 win over the Red Sox on Saturday, as Baltimore reduced Boston's lead in the American League East to three games.

After Matos' robbery in the third inning, the Orioles' offense took care of the rest. Rafael Palmeiro drove in six runs and had two hits, giving him 2,997 for his career and a chance to get 3,000 on Sunday against Tim Wakefield. Miguel Tejada had five hits and was a home run away from the cycle.

Meanwhile, left-hander Bruce Chen (7-5), once jettisoned by the Red Sox, held Boston to five hits and one run over seven-plus innings for his first win in 25 days. Things may not have been so rosy, however, had Matos not made the improbable catch against the center-field wall that ended Boston's rally.

Palmeiro then completed the momentum shift with a three-run homer off Wade Miller (2-3) in the bottom of the third inning for a 4-1 lead.

"That was a six-run turnaround," Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli said. "I didn't think it was out. It was a [heck] of a play, as good as you are going to see out there like that."

Matos had a tough night Friday, making two poor reads on liners in the gap that turned into doubles. He said he told his wife, Vivian, that he needed to make one of his signature catches that became a staple over the years.

Ortiz launched a 2-2 pitch high into the air and it began carrying. Instead of jumping at the fence, Matos said he made sure to get a running start to maximize his height. He got his entire arm and part of his upper body over the fence to make the grab.

"It was fun, I got goose bumps after I caught it," he said. "It was important to the game. It was fun, everybody was waiting until I showed the ball. I didn't do that on purpose. I hit the wall hard. But with the Red Sox fans cheering, I did want to show them that it was an out."

Said Ortiz, who clapped as he walked back to the dugout: "[Matos] told me the other day, 'Make sure that when you hit a ball over my head, that you get it out.'"

As they were running back to the dugout, Tejada said he told third baseman Melvin Mora, "With that play, we gotta win this game."

"I think that's one of the biggest plays of the year," Tejada said. "With the way we've been playing -- the Red Sox, robbing a home run -- it's unbelievable. We won the game with that play."

Miller had held the Orioles to one run over seven innings on May 30 at Fenway Park. But he couldn't stop Palmeiro, who lifted his 565th career home run in the third inning, or Tejada, who had three hits off the hurler.

The six RBIs were the most Palmeiro amassed since collecting seven RBIs in July 2003. The 40-year-old, however, continues to deflect the 3,000-hit talk. He admitted Friday night that he wanted to reach the mark just so he could stop fielding questions about it. Several out-of-town reporters have sprinkled into the Orioles' clubhouse the past several days, and Palmeiro has grown less and less accommodating.

"I wish we would be winning more, it might be a little more enjoyable," he said. "[Saturday] was a good game. I would love to do [3,000 hits] here [Sunday] for the fans, being at home. We just won the game, that's what it's all about."

Chen was sparkling against a lineup that chewed up Sidney Ponson the night before. He stayed ahead in the count, had the life in his changeup back and also mixed a crisp fastball. After the Orioles took a 4-1 lead, Chen was never threatened. He did not allow a hit after the third inning.

On Monday against the Yankees, Chen labored as he limped around the mound because of a sprained left toe. He was shelled for six earned runs in 1 1/3 innings, his shortest start as an Oriole.

"After his last outing, I know that he was down," Mazzilli said. "You can tell early on how he is, and he was around the zone all day."

Chen, who struck out five and walked three, said he removed a foot brace that limited his mobility in his last start. Able to move freely, Chen appeared more comfortable and confident. "This time, my foot was much better," he said. "I just tried to make good pitches. I am just glad to be a part of this team. I just hope I can keep pitching well so I can help this team win."