Baltimore Orioles Thread: Orioles Magic

[ThomasTomasz]

Solid game yesterday from Zach Britton, going six innings in the 4-1 win, allowing five hits, two walks and 2 ks. He went deep into a lot of counts, but Britton still came through- as he gains more experience and gets more comfortable, we will see him come out on top more.

Also very impressed with Jim Johnson. He flat out dominated in the seventh, and even after allowing a double to Adrian Gonzalez, he shut the Sox down.

Derrek Lee, Vlad Guerrero and Luke Scott finally came through, combining for seven hits and a walk between the three of them. Jones had two RBIs off sacrifice flys, and Reynolds had another sacrifice. Matt Wieters also had a good day at the plate.

I was also impressed with Clay Buccholz. Despite being behind in many counts, he came back and never gave up. Most other pitchers would not have lasted as long as he would have.

 

[Leftwich]

This is the only night the Orioles take the backseat to my TV. Draft all night baby!!!

 

[ThomasTomasz]

This is the only night the Orioles take the backseat to my TV. Draft all night baby!!!

Agreed. I had to work tonight (I can't get Thursdays off at this point sadly) and had a draftcast going on the front and back office computer.

Just read a post-game writeup about today's game. Sucks we lost today, but taking 2 of 3 from Boston doesn't hurt at all. Looks like Bergeson pitched a solid six innings- much better than his last start- and he calmed down after a rough first inning.

Jim Johnson and Mike Gonzalez imploded afterwards, sharing four earned runs between them. I am disappointed in both, after Johnson pitched very well two days ago, and Gonzalez continues to struggle.

Vladimir Guerrero went 1/4 with a home run, continuing a nice hot streak. The Orioles only had three other hits in the game however.

Funny stat- Jon Lester is now 14-0 against us.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Hmm, maybe I should not follow the Orioles for another weekend? We are going for the sweep of the White Sox tonight with Jeremy Guthrie going up against Mark Buerhle. We have outscored the Sox 22-10 over the series, so hopefully the offense can continue tonight.

Oh, and Britton had another solid game yesterday as well....not his best stuff but a good performance nonetheless.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

4 and 6 in our past 10.......I really lost track last week with following the team. I hope that I can catch some more games this week. At the very least, it looks like Derrek Lee and Adam Jones are hitting more consistently, and JJ Hardy is close to returning from injury.

 

[Leftwich]

I was at the game yesterday. Sucks going to a game and watching them lose.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Have not kept up with the team all this week- been very busy with work and finishing out the final busy week at church- but with how well we've played, maybe I should stay away more often lol. A three game sweep of the Mariners, with a gem by Zach Britton (too bad he couldn't get any run support) and the rubber game of the series against the Rays, where Bergeson won his first game of the year with a four hit shut out.

Our pitching has been pretty solid so far this year, definitely better than what I expected it to be. On the flip side, the bats are really struggling to find consistency this season, with a lot of streaky players.

For the season, we are 18-20, just about where I expected us to be. Just so people know that we are headed in the right direction, we didn't reach 18 wins until June 15th last year. I'm very happy with the progress we are making.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I didn't get a chance to watch the game today, but it was nice to take the series. Looks like Arrieta pitched six good innings, and the bullpen did well to save the victory- except for Mike Gonzalez who continues to pitch terribly this season.

Also great to see JJ Hardy pick up where he left off before going on the DL- he hit a grand slam. Adam Jones also continues to hit well and is slowly raising his average.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I am going to say just two things on today's game......

1.) I agreed with our announcers- its a tough loss and it was an emotional game for both sides, with the Orioles being ahead until the final at bat and the Red Sox continually pushing back through the later innings.

2.) Kevin Gregg can suck a fat one.

 

[PP]

I knew Gonzo was gonna pull through. :smug:

Side question... do you pitch to gonzo there or do you load the bases and pitch to youk? A single is scoring Ellsbury whos on 2nd anyway so why not load the bases for a force out?

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Two losses to the Yankees, both equally tough, but I would hate to be the Nationals after the Orioles lost the 15 inning game and then the blowout yesterday. As always, should be a good series between the two teams this weekend.

Oh, and is it too much to ask for the Orioles to get Britton some kind of run support?

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Rubber game of the series starting in just a couple minutes.

Of course, I was disappointed in the loss Friday, but it was great to see the bats respond last night. Nolan Reimold hit a home run, and both he and Brandon Snyder are hitting fairly well. Also, it finally looks like Adam Jones and Nick Markakis have started hitting, raising their averages over the past week up to .296 and .260 respectively.

Guthrie pitched very well in the win yesterday as well. Seven innings, five hits, one walk and two unearned runs. Jim Johnson pitched a shutout inning, and Uehara allowed one run in the ninth. Those two are probably the best in the bullpen right now.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Exciting game today against the Nats to win the series with a 2-1 victory. First of all, both starters pitched pretty well. Tillman ran his pitchcount up early, but always seemed to find a way out of his jams. He's improving from where he was last year. Meanwhile, Jordan Zimmerman also had a high pitch count to start the game and pitched six shutout innings before losing it in the 7th, with a hanging curveball that Vladimir Guerrero sent into the stands for a two-run homer.

The bullpen pitched very well in relief of Tillman. Accardo, Johnson (who got the win,) Uehara and Gregg all pitched scoreless innings, which is always nice to see.

The Oriole offense only had four hits on the day, but they made them count. Also, great job by Matt Wieters throwing out two baserunners and keeping the Nats speedsters honest in a tight game.

 

[Leftwich]

Exciting game today against the Nats to win the series with a 2-1 victory. First of all, both starters pitched pretty well. Tillman ran his pitchcount up early, but always seemed to find a way out of his jams. He's improving from where he was last year. Meanwhile, Jordan Zimmerman also had a high pitch count to start the game and pitched six shutout innings before losing it in the 7th, with a hanging curveball that Vladimir Guerrero sent into the stands for a two-run homer.

The bullpen pitched very well in relief of Tillman. Accardo, Johnson (who got the win,) Uehara and Gregg all pitched scoreless innings, which is always nice to see.

The Oriole offense only had four hits on the day, but they made them count. Also, great job by Matt Wieters throwing out two baserunners and keeping the Nats speedsters honest in a tight game.

He's making a case for being the best catcher in baseball right now.

 

[Blick]

Nice matchup of young lefties tonight with Britton vs. Duffy. I haven't seen Britton this year. Looking forward to it.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

He's making a case for being the best catcher in baseball right now.

Besides the measurables, like his arm, or blocked pitches, Wieters can also call a game very well. A lot of people dont know that Showalter gave him almost free reign when he came on board, and the pitchers responded well.

Nice matchup of young lefties tonight with Britton vs. Duffy. I haven't seen Britton this year. Looking forward to it.

Should be a good game, and I am happy I am off work tonight to catch some of it. Britton has a great selection of pitches, but will rely heavily on his mid 90s sinker- keep an eye out for it. Duffy, meanwhile, is having his trial by fire, facing the Rangers first, and now the bipolar Oriole offense.

 

[Blick]

A sinker in the mid 90's is filthy. I definitely expect the Royals to struggle tonight.

 

[BazookaJoe5]

The O's offense tonight includes such luminaries as Nolan Reimold, Brandon Snyder, Mr. .196 Mark Reynolds and no Brian Roberts.

I'd say it would be a good game to watch if you like pitching but I'm not sure that is the case...lol.

 

[Blick]

I love pitching more than anything. Duffy walked 6 in his debut so hopefully he settles in a little better tonight and makes it a good game to watch.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Good game tonight- I was only able to catch about half of it.

Zach Britton struggled a bit, giving up a two run homer and three runs, but in his last inning, it could have been worse. He pitched out of a bases loaded situation. Accardo pitched 1 2/3 of scoreless relief, and Alfredo Simon pitched the ninth and received the win in his first appearance of the year.

The offense was sporadic, with two runs coming in the sixth off a Matt Wieters double and a Luke Scott single. Vladimir Guerrero also extended his hitting streak to nine games with a single.

In the ninth, the Orioles finally solved Joakim Soria, who had not allowed a run to the Orioles until tonight. JJ Hardy kept himself alive in a great at bat to get on with a double. Felix Pie pinch-hit for Brandon Snyder and hit a double that Wilson Betemit did not try to block (its the ninth inning, don't just lean back and throw your glove up) that scored Hardy.

Adam Jones capped the game off with a walk-off homer, taking an 0-2 pitch to straight center to end it.