Strike Zone

The contrast couldn't have been any more glaring from the first inning Thursday night at U.S. Cellular Field. Chicago White Sox starter Edwin Jackson threw 12 of his first 13 pitches for strikes and struck out five of the first seven hitters he faced. Orioles starter Jake Arrieta missed the strike zone with eight of his first 13 pitches, walked three batters in the first inning and needed 35 pitches to get the first three outs. Things never got much better for Arrieta, whose night was over after four rocky innings, or for the Orioles, who dropped another series with an 8-0 loss to the White Sox in front of an announced 23,898.

The emotions built throughout the night, both from being overwhelmed by Texas Rangers starter C.J. Wilson and incensed by the strike zone that he was afforded by plate umpire Jeff Nelson. Finally, the Orioles' most mild-mannered player vented. Nick Markakis was ejected in the sixth inning for the first time in 747 career big league games, and his manager, Buck Showalter, was given the hook three innings later in the Orioles' 2-0 loss to the Rangers before an announced 18,751 on Friday night at Camden Yards.

After spending the better part of three months finding ways not to win, the Orioles and their new manager suddenly can't seem to lose. Adam Jones' two-out single to left off Tony Pena in the 10th inning gave the Orioles a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox before an announced 19,687 at Camden Yards on Friday night. It was the Orioles' fourth straight victory under manager Buck Showalter and the second night in a row they won in their final at-bat. Nick Markakis, who hit a one-out single for his fourth hit of the night, scored from third base on Jones' hit, and the Orioles' poured out of the dugout to celebrate another dramatic victory.

Luke Scott waved the paper in his right hand, a tangible example of the Orioles' offensive frustration, evidence in his mind that he and his fellow scuffling hitters simply can't catch a break. For the 20th time this season, the Orioles lost a game because they failed to score more than a run, this time wasting a strong performance by rookie Brian Matusz while falling to the New York Mets, 3-1. They were victimized by a botched defensive play and another unheralded pitcher.

It must be limited Peter Schmuck Baltimore Sun If ever there was a convenient argument for expanding baseball's limited instant replay system, the blown call by umpire Jim Joyce that prevented Armando Galarraga's perfect game is it. But you have to look beyond one gross miscarriage of umpiring justice to make a decision of such scope. Making video replay available regardless of the situation would slow down a sport that already is losing young fans because it moves too slowly.

NFL best, MLB worst Bill Kline The Morning Call One time LeBron James was fouled in January, dribbled once and took three strides and a hop-step in February, jumped in March and finally shot the ball in April. The refs, of course, sent LeBron to the free-throw line. But NBA referees are not the worst, despite allowing players to travel more than Arthur Frommer and to palm the ball worse than a finicky grocery shopper manhandles fruit. The worst officials are showboating MLB umpires.

Peter Schmuck's blog updates on today's Orioles- Red Sox game at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers: Tillman goes 2 2/3 innings Chris Tillman worked 2 2/3 innings and just gave up a two-run homer to Josh Reddick in his final inning of work. He struggled with the strike zone, throwing 59 pitches and only 29 strikes, but gave up just those two runs. Bergesen speaks 2:27 PM Brad Bergesen was more upbeat about his performance in his second start of the spring than he was after his first.

The NFL fined Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis a total of $25,000 for two separate incidents in the fourth quarter of last week's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, believed to be the biggest fine in the league this season. Lewis not only delivered a vicious hit that knocked Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco's helmet off, but he also was punished for kicking at another player in the fourth quarter. ESPN reported that Lewis will appeal the fine, but the 14-year veteran wouldn't take any questions in the locker room Friday.