By John Solomon
How the government's punishing of the exposure of official wrongdoing can linger for years
Sometimes, postseason experience isn't all that important.
For eight innings, the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles staged a magnificent duel worthy of two division foes that split 18 games during the regular season and finished two games apart in the standings.
After a grinding stretch when the Texas Rangers lost nine of their last 13 games, and the AL West crown in the process, manager Ron Washington gave his players the day off Thursday. They get a chance to start fresh Friday.
The champagne was on ice, plastic shields were in place above the cubicles in the Baltimore clubhouse and couches were removed to accommodate a celebration 15 years in the making.
Tea party favorite Ted Cruz took another big step Tuesday toward solidifying his image as one of the fastest rising stars in the GOP, delivering a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention after his stunning Senate primary win last month.
Chris Davis homered in each of his first three at-bats for the Baltimore Orioles against the Toronto Blue Jays, but couldn't continue the power display in his fourth trip to the plate.
It certainly wasn't the homecoming Tommy Hunter envisioned.
The Baltimore Orioles began the week with the best record in the majors, with Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals close behind. Albert Pujols was slumping, Bobby Valentine was getting booed and Derek Jeter was hitting nearly .400.
Wilson Betemit hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning after Matt Wieters doubled in two runs, giving the Baltimore Orioles an unlikely 5-2 comeback victory over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.
Previewing the 2012 Baltimore Orioles
Brian Ward, a minor league catcher, sat on a chair in front of his locker in the Orioles' big-league spring training clubhouse. When asked to describe Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy, Ward spoke in a hushed tone.
The Atlanta Braves beefed up for another playoff run, acquiring speedy outfielder Michael Bourn from the Houston Astros in a five-player trade Sunday.
The AL West-leading Texas Rangers are getting some needed help for their bullpen.
Throughout their history, from Jeff Burroughs to Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro, and on to the current group led by Josh Hamilton, the Texas Rangers have been known for their ability to score in bunches.
Josh Hamilton was in the clubhouse with his Texas teammates, trying to stay hopeful a day after finding out he could miss two months with a broken arm.
"You definitely don't want to go into New York in a five-game series down two games. This is big — having the day off tomorrow, hopefully building some momentum, and we can take that into New York," Davis said.
ALDS Game 2: Orioles beat Yankees 3-2 to even series at 1-all →
"Chen did a good job of keeping us in the game," Davis said. "To hold that offense to two runs is saying something, and we were able to get timely hits when we needed it."
ALDS Game 2: Orioles beat Yankees 3-2 to even series at 1-all →
