O's, Yanks, Jones, Mussina

What is it with the O's against the Bronx Bombers this year. It seems as if the offense wakes up against the Yankees at least once a series. Tonight it didn't take long for the O's facing an aging Mike Mussina. In my opinion, had it not been for poor coaching at third base, the O's would have had a 5-0 lead before the Bombers even had an at-bat. Third base coach Juan Samuel sent Brian Roberts on a Nick Markakis double in which he was clearly out at home plate. Regardless, the O's proceeded to bomb Mike Mussina just as they did on May 20. Moose couldn't get out of the sixth inning and watched the bullpen let up run after run to the O's to the tune of 13-4.

Adam Jones had a huge night. After making an out his first two times up, the O's rookie center fielder hit a triple to knock in Brian Roberts then, in his next at-bat, blasted a grandslam over the left field fence making the score 11-0 O's. In his fifth at-bat, Jones, still coming off the high of his first career grand slam, ripped a single. His final plate appearance of night could have lead to him hitting for the cycle, but he hit the ball hard for an out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

I think, for Jones, this was a sign of things to come, as he knocked in five, got three hits and scored two runs while playing a flawless center field. In my opinion, the kid will be an All-Star within three years and hopefully the O's will lock him up long-term. For a 22-year-old kid with no major league experience he has sure looked terrific this year. He also seems very poised when the media talks to him. Maybe this is the start of something big in Birdland after all of the negativity that has surrounded the team over the last 10 years. I sure hope so.