When did they start calling him Howard Kendrick? Whatever, everybody knows Howie is a cop. Switch to bourgeois given name isn’t fooling anybody. Why his beat includes basepaths and infield in Orange County, Calif. is anybody’s guess. Maybe he works for Sgt. Stedenko.

Anyway Det. Kendrick’s master plan to foil Team’s winning road trip came unraveled Sunday afternoon as Nick Markakis’ ferociously struck grounder ticked off constabular mitt into shallow center field and Jim Johnson’s sinker left Howard and his moustache at home plate for final out.

Moustaches like that are dead giveaway.

Fans of Team learned a lot about 2012 vintage on this newly ended road trip through three cities where dreams of winning win percentage often go to die.

First and foremost, fans of Team did not see any listless losing streaks. Terminating losing streaks before they blossom is hallmark of well-coached, motivated squads.

We also saw Team dodge veritable Rogue’s Gallery of Oriole Killers including, but not limited to, Jose Bautista, Alex Rios, Paul Konerko and Vernon Wells — not to mention presumptive Oriole-killer Albert Pujols.

And we see where Adam Jones is trying to add rampant base-thieving to his list of tricks. Per Joe and Fred, he’s getting lessons from Brian Roberts on how to steal third base. Jonesie needs another lesson or two because he made second out at third base in second inning Sunday.

(Of course Mark Reynolds was up so who could blame him. Reynolds certainly wasn’t picking him up. Reynolds couldn’t pick up a ______ in a _________* these days.)

Very importantly we learned — not for first time — that Jonesie will blow bubble at any given moment. Here he is, base-thiefage in progress, firing air pocket into wad of Double Bubble:

Image via FS West

It’s important to blow bubbles and to appear nonchalant when you’re on thieving mission with Officer Kendrick on patrol just steps away.

We also saw continuation of Capt. Nicky’s “more vocal” attitude about balls and strikes and assume it translates to clubhouse.

Maybe it does not but he’s looking mighty put-upon these days when Umpires, presumably anxious to get to Early Bird specials on Sunday afternoons across this fine land of ours, try to run him on pitches that ARE NOT STRIKES.

Weltschmertz via MASN

Getting back to Reynolds for moment. He is turning into one of about four total singularities on roster from which no unfavorable outcome can escape. Blog won’t trouble you to name list of said Time-Space Continuums since it’s not exactly revelatory.

Maybe a couple of them including Reynolds come around to contribute but in a way it’s a good thing because this Team has PLENTY OF ROOM to make changes with NO DOWNSIDE AT ALL should it need to.

Blog also couldn’t help but notice that Buck is taking dugout steps backwards these days. Those knees must be really screwed up. This also could explain why starting pitchers are staying deeper into games. Nobody wants to be THE GUY who makes Buck climb those damned steps!

* too early to think of something clever

Here’s alleged ball two called on Tommy Hunter pitch prior to Edwin Encarnacion’s home run with one out in bottom of 6th inning during 4-4 game last night at Rogers Centre.

Image via Great White North Sprotznet or something

Blog thinks it’s pretty clear that call is utter horseshit.

MLB.com says it was cut fastball but Blog says regular fastball. It split home plate and came in right under Encarnacion’s chest logo.

Love how Hunter didn’t even react, as if he figured it would happen.

So congratulations to Team for overcoming umpire’s obvious refusal to punch out Jays’ hitter in key spot. Clearly Team will have to overcome umpiring as well as other teams this year. So fine, there it is. Might also add that pitch prior to one shown above was similar squeeze. But hey, Encarnacion is not out till ump says so or something.

Nice job by Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold and STARTING THIRD BASEMAN Wilson Betemit staying focused and getting good at-bats until final out.

Poor job by Adam Jones, again, unable to make contact with runner on third base in eighth inning. Yes, Jonesie went yard earlier in game. Then he struck out on a ball that was 13 inches inside. It was reminiscent of his horrible at-bat that cost Team second game of series versus Yankees.

Mark Reynolds looks lost at sea. Nice job by Buck not to throw him under bus. Just make move, skip drama and try and get Wrapper found again.

There’s enough pitching talent here to compete as long as they stay focused and shake off bogus umpiring like they did last night.

Bonus, gratuitous observation that is nothing new:  How horseshit is Blue Jays’ home field? Answer: Very. Like 89 percent.

Jake: Eat your heart out
Blog of Team: Blog can see your name in lights, son
Jake: Thanks
B of T: You and Swish, just hangin’ on Acela, breakin’ it down
Jake: I would love to hang with Swish. He seems like a good time
B of T: Last year, after similarly bitter defeat, Blog saw Swish, Rod-ster and … MICHAEL KAY … all hopping choo-choo together
Jake: Oh Michael Kay
B of T: They are buds Blog is telling ya
Jake: I nearly got arrested sneaking into the VIP corporate box section of Shea Stadium during a Bruce Springsteen concert when I was in high school. And while I was begging for leniency from the security guard…
B of T: Kay bailed you out?
Jake: I saw Kay, John Franco and Al Leiter palling around
B of T: He’s the Zelig of New York sprotz!
Jake: Hahaha

Small hints early on that 2012 vintage could be different.

Pickles exceeded critical mass, but that’s nothing new…

Jake Arrieta looking regal in his white-facaded cartoony bird hat and gunning mid-90s.

Baltimore always has been colorful

Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy and Matt Wieters displaying power, looking healthy.

They made a big deal of 200th anniversary
of beginning of War of 1812

Role players like Wilson Betemit, Nick Johnson and Ryan Flaherty making contributions.

Getting dizzy. Maybe it’s the Bohs

Starters pitching deep into games. Jim Johnson looking competent.

I get triple peanut. Nick hits triple. Coincidence?

Of course it was Twins. But they had their Lirianos, Morneaus and Mauers out there…

Good day to be mascot

Exciting weekend. But let’s not get ahead of selves! Yankees and West Coast swing in queue. Can Team stay above .500 into late April?

Dunno.