O's Sweep Phillies

Best series of the year? I'd say so. Playing the defending champs in their house without the DH is always tough. The fact that we faced two of their better pitchers in Happ and Hamels made it look even worse. I was thinking it would be nice if the team could get one win out of the series.

Remember all those times when we thought how nice it would be if the offense and pitching could get hot at the same time? It happened. Rich Hill allowed too many base runners Friday but he worked his way out of most of the jams and the offense had his back with seven runs. In the second game, Brad Bergesen looked like a rookie for the first time, letting the Phils get on top with a bad inning. Things really looked bad when Ryan Howard hit a home run, but the O's had a ninth inning comeback in them. Gregg Zaun hit the most unlikely Orioles homer since Cesar Izturis' opening day shot. Brian Roberts went deep a few batters later, driving in Oscar Salazar. George Sherrill closed it out. The last game was all about Jeremy Guthrie, who out-dueled Cole Hamels. What could be better?

I'd like to nominate George Sherrill for series MVP. He finished every game, although one was not a save situation. He hardly caused me any concern. Brian Roberts deserves a nod too, with clutch hits in each of the last two games.

I'd like to move to the NL East please. Maybe Andy MacPhail can succeed Bud Selig and make that happen.