Mike Mussina -- UP -- Thursday's win was big. Proving loyalty goes both ways by accepting less for a three-year extension is bigger.
Drew Coble -- DOWN -- Crew chief stopped Thursday's game in a drizzle, then resumed it 57 minutes later in a drizzle. Lou Piniella was right.
Brady Anderson -- EVEN -- Hurt ribs, hurt leg and playing every day. Why is this guy waiting on a contract?
Defense -- DOWN -- After eight straight errorless games, there were eight in four games through Thursday.
Carlos Bernhardt -- UP -- Orioles' Dominican scouting supervisor, coach pro tem and Armando Benitez's father figure leaves after today's game. He has steadied the big man.
Rick Down -- UP -- Thirteen runs in a Big Unit start from Tony Tarasco, Jeff Reboulet, Lenny Webster, a rusty Jeffrey Hammonds and others. Proof he's paying attention to everyone.
Rafael Palmeiro -- DOWN -- Hit man entered weekend hitless since taking a foul ball off left knee May 3.
Quote of the week:
"We're going to go through a bad spell. Every team does. But we've got the guys to weather the storms. I'm not saying we're going to win anything yet. But we're going to have to be reckoned with at the end."
Jimmy Key, on Wednesday after the Orioles improved to 21-9, their second-best start ever.
By the numbers:
0: Number of stolen base attempts this year against Mike Mussina.
.047: Rafael Palmeiro's career batting average against Randy Johnson.
.111: Ken Griffey's career batting average against Mussina.
2: Games in which Brady Anderson has played and not reached base.
9: Number of teams Johnson beat during his 16-game win streak.
21: Until Thursday's eighth, consecutive innings that Orioles pitching did not allow an earned run.
22: Total bases needed by Cal Ripken to Brooks Robinson's all-time club record.
102: Number of pitches Johnson threw in allowing two runs before Thursday's 57-minute rain delay.
18: Number of pitches Johnson threw in allowing three runs after Thursday's 57-minute rain delay.
Moment of the week:
Manager Davey Johnson and Rocky Coppinger provided public closure to a fractious week during the seventh inning of Sunday's one-sided win over Oakland. Though pitching a shutout, Coppinger readily handed over the ball when Johnson removed him from the game. Instead of postgame sniping, the two left the mound chuckling.
Stat of the week:
Entering the weekend, the Orioles' starting rotation had yet to take losses in back-to-back games. Since Shawn Boskie started April 16 in Chicago, the starters were 12-3 with four no decisions and a 3.29 ERA. Only two of the last 16 starts have not gone at least six innings. No starter began the weekend with more than one loss. Jimmy Key, Mike Mussina and Scott Erickson were a combined 15-2, the best top three on any major league staff.
The Good:
The revival of Eric Davis continues. He has hit in 12 of his last 13 games played with seven home runs and began the weekend with five consecutive hits. Wait until he plays seven complete games in a row.
The Bad:
Cal Ripken fought it all week at third. His three errors give him seven in 31 games. He had 14 in 158 games at a more comfortable position last year.
The Ugly:
The local broadcast screed against Braves pitcher Tom Glavine is juvenile. Glavine's comments regarding Mussina's contract spoke for many others. Right or wrong, he didn't hide behind an anonymous quote.
Replay
Sunday: Orioles 11, A's 0: Rocky Coppinger made amends for his misdirected attack on manager Davey Johnson by pitching six shutout innings in O's romp. It was the rotation's fifth consecutive quality start. Roberto Alomar hit a grand slam and finished with five RBI. The A's became so frustrated they threw at Pete Incaviglia, never a wise move.
Monday: Angels 7, Orioles 2: Scott Kamieniecki absorbed his first loss of the season. He and reliever Terry Mathews committed throwing errors. Mathews' came during a ruinous three-run eighth.
Tuesday: Orioles 8, Angels 4: Cal Ripken's grand slam off reliever Pep Harris in a six-run seventh inning accounted for the difference. Eric Davis went 4-for-4 and grabbed the American League batting lead (.388). Scott Erickson (5-1) extended the best start of his career with an eight-inning, eight-hit performance.
Wednesday: Orioles 3, Angels 0: Jimmy Key survived nine base runners in six innings to start the Orioles on the way to their fifth shutout. Key also became the major leagues' first six-game winner. Davis hit safely in his fifth consecutive at-bat but strained his right hamstring rounding first base in the first inning.
Thursday: Orioles 13, Mariners 3: With a makeshift lineup and a career day from, yes, first baseman Chris Hoiles, the Orioles slammed Randy Johnson with his first defeat since Aug. 1, 1995. Hoiles homered twice, doubled and had six RBI. Mike Mussina struck out six in the first two innings and eight in seven innings to go to 4-1.
The week ahead
