Daniel Cabrera

A recap of the Orioles' 6-1 victory over the Indians last night: WISH YOU WERE HERE When the Cleveland Indians drafted Jeremy Guthrie in the first round of the 2002 draft, they envisioned him developing into a top-of-the-rotation starter. He has done that, just not in an Indians uniform. In his first start against his former team, Guthrie went seven strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk. It was the fourth straight start in which Guthrie has allowed only one earned run, and the 10th time over the past 14 starts he has allowed two earned runs or fewer.

For brief intervals of every season, even losing teams play perfect baseball. The Orioles are in the midst of such a time. For two straight nights, they have jumped to big early leads with contributions from all over the lineup. They have fielded every tough grounder. Their starting pitchers have worked deep into games without stringing together mistakes. Last night, those elements added up to a 9-0 pounding of the Texas Rangers before an announced 30,914 at Camden Yards. "Those [games]

BASEBALL Rangers@Orioles 7 P.M. [CH. 13, MASN]: It's probably the best pitching matchup of the weekend with the Rangers sending Vicente Padilla (12-5, 4.59 ERA) to the mound against Daniel Cabrera (7-7, 4.97). Cabrera has struggled recently, but you still have to hope he'll figure it out someday. Why not tonight? GOLF PGA Championship 11 a.m. [TNT], 2 p.m. [CHS. 13, 9]: Hey, golf might be an Olympic sport in the near future. Did you even realize a major was going on? Without Tiger Woods, you have J.B. Holmes to root for.

NEW YORK - Daniel Cabrera had a five-run lead in the eighth inning and was in position to win for just the second time in 13 starts. There seemingly was no reason for him to intentionally throw at New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez. But as soon as Cabrera's pitch hit Rodriguez's left shoulder, plate umpire Chad Fairchild got out of his crouch and threw the Orioles starter out of the game, believing the pitch was retaliation for Rodriguez's solo homer two innings earlier. The incident set the tone for a wild final two innings in which All-Star closer George Sherrill nearly blew a four-run lead before preserving the Orioles' 7-6 victory before an announced 54,241.

Clearly, it's unwise to let a short-term turn - good or bad - dictate long-term strategy, but the Orioles' slide that began just after the Fourth of July and has landed them in last place in the American League East is indicative that the current roster is not going to be the one that makes this franchise a contender in a year or two or three. The O's have had their moments this year and have showed some tenacity, but outfielder Jay Payton put it well after a 6-5 home loss to Detroit on Thursday night when he said, "We've got to play perfect baseball."

If Glass-Half-Phil Gramm really thinks America has turned into a "nation of whiners," he might want to steer clear of Birdland for the next few weeks. In the wake of the dramatic two-week downturn that has taken the Orioles back to the lowest reaches of the American League East standings, whining probably seems like the only logical course of action for the thousands of fans who had become downright bullish about the club's unexpected first-half performance. My advice: Go to town. This is no mental recession.

TORONTO - When the Orioles inserted two rookies into their starting rotation this season, they knew there would be some rough times ahead. Those times have arrived. After rookie left-hander Garrett Olson allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings Wednesday night, the club's starters' ERA jumped to 5.08, worst in the American League. "Probably four of the five guys starting now have less than a year and a half worth of starts," pitching coach Rick Kranitz said. "We can't lose sight of that. When they stumble, hopefully they learn from it and can keep moving forward."

Orioles@Nationals 7:35 p.m. [CH. 13, MASN, MASN2] Does this feel like a rivalry to you? Me neither. But it should be an opportunity for the Orioles against a team that not only is playing sub-.400 baseball but also is last in the majors in run differential. Daniel Cabrera is the Orioles' starter, and the Nationals are hitting just .238.