Thank Goodness for Miguel Gonzalez; Burnley Faithful Worry As Fixtures Dwindle

BALTIMORE, Maryland April 15, 2015 - The only memories I have of Miguel Gonzalez are of him pitching great baseball.  He doesn't always get the win because everytime he pitches the Oriole offense seems to struggle to score.  Last night was typical of the Gonzalez MO.  Struggling to score against long time nemesis CC Sabathia, the Birds relied on Gonzalez to keep them in the game.  He responded.  Striking out a career-high ten batters, Gonzalez surrendered only one run over seven innings.  Adam Jones homered and drove in two runs, and Clayton Joseph had two hits including a rally-starting triple as the Orioles beat back the Yanks, 4-3.  Zach Britton retired the final five Yanks to earn the save.  It was a must win after the bullpen flubbed another lead the night before in a 6-5 Yank win.

Burnley Drops Heartbreaker at Arsenal, 1-0
The days dwindle down and the challenge remains.  Burnley sits in range of escaping relegation.  It might be that only one more win will do it.  It might be that two or three more draws will do it.  But the days dwindle down.  Saturday at powerful Arsenal, Burnley made just one mistake.  In the 12th minute, Aaron Ramsey got a shot by Claret Keeper Tom Heaton - after Heaton had made two superb saves that he was nonetheless unable to control - and Arsenal then held on for dear life to defeat the Claret, 1-0.  Burnley came so close, a theme for the entire season.  Arsenal still has a chance to win it all and could ill-afford to lose at home.  Yet Burnley almost defeated them after letting the Gunners take a lead.  Danny Ings came so close on several occassions.  So close.  Even with time expiring Burnley continued to press the attack.  The Arsenal crowd could hardly believe what they were seeing.  The powerful Gunners looked like usurpers imitating a Premier League Power.  The struggling Claret again were standing toe-to-toe with a power without backing down.  One more win.  Three more draws.  The days dwindle down.  Two weeks ago at Turf Moor Burnley drew with Tottenham.  Saturday, Burnley goes to Everton.