Past isn't necessarily prologue, nothing is predestined, and the Orioles might win this game 11-3.

Still, you can't help wondering if these missed opportunities are the best they'll have all night.

In the first inning, the Orioles' first two batters reached base but nobody scored.

In the second, the Orioles' first two batters reached base but nobody scored.

In the fourth, they got a first-and-third situation with two outs, and again nobody scored.

That's ... gears whirring, tumblers tumbling ... six runners left aboard in four innings.

By most measures, Joe Saunders has seriously out-pitched Phil Hughes; thanks a sharp curveball, Saunders has given up just two hits while walking two Yankees and striking out four. By the way, one of those walks and one of those hits were courtesy of Alex Rodriguez, who might actually not be terrible.

The bottom of the fourth ended when Nick Swisher grounded into a double play. He's now batting .073 in 954 career postseason at-bats. Yankees fans are probably hoping the Mariners sign him tonight.

Saunders isn't exactly anyone's idea of a Hall of Fame candidate. But if he can follow up his solid (and winning) performance in the Wild Card Game against the Rangers with a solid (and winning) performance in this one, he'll win a special place for himself in Orioles lore.

But his teammates have to score.