"They've got everything it takes over there. To let this one get away definitely stings a little."
On the heels of the greatest comeback in club history - a 10-run rally in the seventh and eighth innings Tuesday that turned a 10-1 deficit into an 11-10 triumph - the Orioles cruised early against the Red Sox on Wednesday.
Facing Boston's Josh Beckett, who had been 5-2 with a 3.80 ERA against them in his career, the Orioles saw their leadoff hitter reach base safely and score in each of the first four innings.
Wigginton's solo homer to start the bottom of the fourth gave the Orioles a 5-1 lead; it was the club's last hit, as Beckett and three Boston relievers combined to set down 24 straight Orioles.
Still, the game was under control thanks to Bergesen, who allowed just four hits and one run in eight splendid innings. He struck out six, walked none and has allowed two runs or fewer in six of his past seven starts.
He was pulled before the ninth with a four-run lead, having thrown 103 pitches. He hasn't thrown more than 112 this season.
"It was the right thing to do to get him out of there," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "I'm not going to [leave him in]. That's it."
Bergesen agreed with Trembley's call to go to the club's late-inning relievers, who have been nearly perfect for more than a month.
"I would always like to go back out there, and if I did I was going to battle," Bergesen said.
"But Skip made the right decision. George and JJ, they've been stellar all year long, so those are the two guys you're going to go with."
The Orioles were one out away from securing an impressive series victory, less than 18 hours after capturing their most stirring win in years.
Instead, Wednesday was just another series-ending loss, their 20th in 26 series finales this year.
"I did everything I could do wrong today. You've got to learn from your mistakes and go from there," Johnson said. "We close that door every time. Or we should. Today wasn't our day."
Inside
Orioles didn't stop believing Tuesday PG 6
Box score
for Wednesday's game PG 4
ORIOLES @ANGELS
Tonight, 10:05
TV: MASN HD
Radio: 105.7 FM
