Astronomers call the summer solstice the longest day of the year. Exactly when that day started and when it ended may be up for conjecture, but I'll tell you right now, when the Orioles look back at the longest day of their year, it will be June 20-21 and the time spent traveling to Arlington, Texas, and then back to Baltimore to enter the pure purgatory of their 10-7 loss to the uninspiring San Diego Padres June 21.
After taking back-to-back series against American League East foes the Boston Red Sox (June 14-16) and Toronto Blue Jays (June 17-19), the O's were riding high. But they had the misfortune of having to uproot after just three days in Baltimore in order to make up an early season rainout against the Texas Rangers.
Adding to their misfortune, beyond the lousy logistical break, was the fact that the Orioles had to face a Rangers club that had won six straight entering play June 20 and had a sizable lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. Quite simply, the Orioles were facing the best team in the AL.
