Looking back at a fitting tribute and impressive win

The Orioles certainly seemed to hit the right tone in how they honored Mike Flanagan last night. There was a moment of silence before the game and the video tribute after the first inning was emotional and touching. The "Flanny" patch on their right sleeves sure seemed a proper tribute also along with seeing No. 46 on the right-field scoreboard and front of the press box. I am probably the last person anyone would expect to say anything good about the Yankees, but when they stood outside of their dugout to watch that video and then applauded along with the Orioles on the other side of the field, they showed great respect for a great man and that was a class move. Meanwhile, on the field, the Orioles were impressive when the game started, pounding a struggling pitcher in A.J. Burnett. It seems $82.5 million doesn't get what it used to. The Orioles matched their season high with a five-game win streak and they have outscored the opposition 36-9 during the streak. In the five games, the Orioles are batting .306 as a team with 13 doubles, three triples and eight homers. They are batting .455, at 20-for-44 with runners in scoring position and went 6-for-10 last night. On the mound, the team ERA is 1.80 during the win streak and the starting pitchers' ERA is 2.18. Over the stretch, O's starters have worked 33 innings, allowing 24 hits and eight earned runs with 11 walks with 24 strikeouts. Over the last 11 games, the Orioles are batting .384 (38-for-99) with runners in scoring position. In going 1-9 against New York going into this series, the Orioles were averaging three runs and 2.7 extra-base hits per game. Last night, they scored 12 runs with nine extra-base hits. Now the clubs take today off due to the impending weather and try to resume with a day-night twinbill on Sunday. I hope everyone in the path of the hurricane stays safe today. Click here to watch the Flanagan video tribute in our Media Lounge.