Someone has to lose to the Baltimore Orioles. Now Frank Violaand Bert Blyleven get their chance.
The Orioles have lost their first 18 games. Next stop on theway to the longest losing streak in modern history, 23 byPhiladelphia in 1961, is a three-game series in Minnesota. Violawill pitch the opener tonight for the Twins, and Blyleven willfollow.
"This game is as big for us as it is for them," Viola saidMonday. "We're 5-11. Who are we?"
The Twins might be a good candidate to lose to Baltimore, whichhas been outscored 114-34. The Twins' earned-run average is 6.36,the only one higher than the Orioles' 6.01. And Minnesota is just3-6 at the Metrodome. Plus, Viola is only 7-8 lifetime against theOrioles, and Cal Ripken owns a .302 career average with three homeruns against Viola.
However, as O's manager Frank Robinson warns: "The way we'regoing, everybody is pitching well against us." True. The O's arehitting only .198.
Robinson led the O's through a workout Monday at the Metrodome,during which good plays were followed by Orioles yelling, "Our luckis changing!"
Trying to maintain his humor, Robinson has suggested the Oriolesmight try to lose. "Look what happened when the Black Sox tried tolose the World Series," he said. "Even they won some games."
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