On this date... (updated)

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of 2,131, I think we should all run a lap around our houses at exactly the same time. If you're stuck at work, I'm sure your boss will understand if you circle the building. As I've written in the past, I attended the two games that allowed Cal Ripken to tie and break Lou Gehrig's unbreakable record. I was still working for The Sun, though I wasn't on the Orioles beat. My editors asked me to help out, and I did so with great enthusiasm. I had to write a sidebar on the Angels' reaction to the record and the ovation he received. I kept forgetting to look over to their dugout because I was so captivated by the moment, especially when Ripken took that lap. Those two nights, the night that Ripken voluntarily ended The Streak and his final game stand out most among the stories I've covered. And I had a seat in the press box for the last two, since I was on the beat at that time. I sat in the "auxiliary press box" in the left field seats on Sept. 5 and 6, 1995. No complaints, though. I was lucky to be there. Feel free to share your memories of 2,131, whether they came from Camden Yards or in front of your TVs. The Orioles are in New York today, hoping to improve on their 2-10 record against the Yankees, including 0-6 in the Bronx. They've lost 17 of their last 19 games on 161st St. and have recorded a winning record just once in the last 20 seasons (5-1 in 1997). In his last three starts covering 21 innings, only eight runners have reached second base against left-hander Brian Matusz. He's 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in those three outings. In eight career starts against the Yankees and Red Sox, Matusz is 3-3 with a 2.32 ERA in 50 1/3 innings, and he's posted a 1.37 ERA in three career starts at Yankee Stadium. Down on the farm, Double-A Bowie's post-season hopes took a serious hit last night. Steve Johnson threw seven scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and walking one, but Richmond prevailed, 1-0, to keep Bowie one game out of second place with one remaining. The Baysox must win today and hope for a Harrisburg loss, which would force a one-game playoff. First-round pick Manny Machado came through with a two-run triple in the bottom of the 13th inning for short-season Single-A Aberdeen, and he scored the game-winner on Kipp Schutz's single for an 8-7 victory over Connecticut. Machado went 2-for-7 to leave his average at .345. Mychal Givens was 3-for-5 with a double and RBI and finished with a .364 average. Machado will be among three or four players reporting to Single-A Frederick and working out with the Keys. It's still not known whether he'll participate in the Carolina League playoffs. Update: Givens was added to Frederick's roster today.