via d.yimg.com (© LM Otero / AP)

I didn't see the first game, but I do know that getting three base hits is not exactly good. Rangers won 3-1. Stupid every-third-year Kevin Millwood.

In the second game, Adam Loewen struggled badly with his control -- again -- and left a couple too many pitches up -- again. Count me as decidedly not on the train with Loewen or Cabrera. I mean, I'll be psyched when they have good games now and again, but these bad ones are torture. I don't watch summer re-runs; I don't want to watch them on live TV, either.

Jay Payton homered and Markakis and Melvin had two hits apiece in the second game, too. Randor Bierd looked good in relief. The Rangers chipped away at Chad Bradford to score what turned out to be the winning run in the bottom of the eighth, following the Orioles tying it in the top of the inning on a sac RBI from Millar.

Brandon Fahey and Luis Hernandez combined to go 0-for-6 over two games. I know Luis had that one big game-winner, but don't stop expecting to see Alex Cintron sometime soon.

Luke Scott's hot streak hit a roadblock with an 0-for-3 opener (three strikeouts and a walk) and then crapped out in a pinch-hit appearance in game two. Ramon Hernandez had a 1-for-5 day to raise his average to .143.

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Steve Trachsel, RH (1-0, 3.18/1.06) v. Kevin Millwood, RH (0-2, 1.29/1.43)

The Rangers switched it around so that Millwood starts game one today, and Kason Gabbard will take game two against Adam Loewen. Both games are on MASN2.

I talked about Trachsel yesterday. Go get 'em, Steve.

Millwood had a rough 2007, but this will be his year. He's already sporting the 1.29 ERA. Look, every three years, Millwood is really good. He's due. Career ERAs: 4.03, 4.08, 2.68, 4.66, 4.31, 3.24, 4.01, 4.85, 2.86, 4.52, 5.16, ?.

I'm going to have to miss most of the first game thanks to BS that I wasn't planning on having in the way of a game. If I'm not back by the start of game two, there's a new thread scheduled to post at 8pm for that one, but if it doesn't, just use this thread and I'll take care of it when I get in.

ORIOLES STARTING LINEUP

1. Adam Jones, CF
2. Melvin Mora, 3B
3. Nick Markakis, RF
4. Kevin Millar, 1B
5. Aubrey Huff, DH
6. Luke Scott, LF
7. Ramon Hernandez, C
8. Scott Moore, 2B
9. Brandon Fahey, SS

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Michael Young, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Milton Bradley, DH
5. Hank Blalock, 3B
6. Hulk Hogan, LF
7. David Murphy, RF
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Ben Broussard, 1B 

FUN STATS (RERUN!)

• In three starts at The Ballpark, Trachsel has a 7.63 ERA with four homers allowed in 15 1/3.
• Ben Broussard is an average player, but an Oriole killer. In 73 career at-bats against the Birds, Big Ben hits .370/.410/.562.
• Hank Blalock is an average player, but his home-road splits are pretty infamous. At The Ballpark, he hits .303/.372/.524. Away, he bats just .244/.302/.399. Home? The old George Brett comparisons aren't so crazy. Away? Neifi Perez comparisons.
• The most significant Texas contribution to Orioles history is Frank Robinson, born in Beaumont, also the birthplace of the great George Jones. Not a stat, I know. Who cares?