The Orioles had long begun preparations for their game last night when the club's top executives summoned reporters into a small room adjacent to the home clubhouse at Camden Yards and delivered a somber announcement. Adam Loewen would miss much of the season with a stress fracture in his left elbow, a revelation that cast a reeling team into even more despair.
As Loewen's roommate and best friend, Nick Markakis took the news harder than most. And it was he who stepped to the plate in the 10th inning last night when the Orioles desperately needed something to feel good about.
