Small crowd, big problems for O's in loss

[madinmaryland]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-royals-0518-20100517,0,4977245.story

On a miserable, rainy, windy evening at Camden Yards, the Orioles' all-around performance in a 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals was befitting the nasty weather and the apathy emanating from the soaked, near-record-low crowd.

The Orioles made base-running blunders and defensive miscues, failed to get big hits and mixed in a run-scoring balk for good measure. The game was officially lost in the ninth, when Ty Wigginton and Miguel Tejada, the Orioles' best run producers this season, couldn't take advantage of a bases-loaded opportunity, striking out and grounding out, respectively, against Royals All-Star closer Joakim Soria.

But the frustration of the night -- and of the 12-27 season -- boiled over for all to see at the end of the eighth, when center fielder Adam Jones grounded into an inning-ending double play and then heaved his helmet about 50 feet down the right-field line.

Afterward, Jones, who slowly retrieved the helmet before heading to center, summed up his feelings, his performance and the Orioles' start to the season.

"I have had so many damn opportunities this year and haven't done a damned thing," said Jones, who had a bunt single in four at-bats and is now hitting .245. "I've got to handle it better. Point blank."

..snip

Orioles shortstop Cesar Izturis is shown in front of a sparse crowd at Camden Yards. An announced 9,299 showed up to watch the Royals' 4-3 victory. (Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr. / May 17, 2010):



:wow:

[brendan120678]

1. The fan with his rear end facing the field...

in the upper right portion of the picture pretty much sums up the whole scenario, I believe.