Orioles get win and pitching staff gets break
The Orioles got everything they needed out of the third game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
For starters, they got a victory, 11-4, which gave them the edge in the three-game series against the team with the best home record in baseball. Secondly, manager Dave Trembley got to both rest and work his pitching staff in just the right amounts after having to go to the bullpen early the previous game.
With an 11-0 lead, Trembley was able to let young Radhames Liz work his way out of trouble as he pitched into the sixth inning. Both Brian Burres, who missed his start on Wednesday because he was ill, and Chad Bradford, who had thrown just a handful of pitches since June 20, both got some work in middle relief. And Jim Johnson needed just eight pitches in the ninth as the honorary closer. It all sets up the Orioles to begin a weekend series in Washington where they should have have the advantage in the match-up against the struggling Nationals. But, of course, the Cubs probably thought the same thing.
Meanwhile, Aubrey Huff continues to redeem himself from a first season where he was a disappointment at the plate and an off-season of intemperate remarks about the city. Huff was 4-for-5 yesterday and in June, he's hitting .357 with 10 doubles, five home runs, 14 RBIs and 15 runs scored, which is more in line with the expectations the team had when it signed him to a three-year, $20 million deal.
Comments
I am very excited with the way the orioles are playing. I still think the only reason that burres is still pitching on this team is that the orioles really don't have any replacement for him. I really don't think he is major league material by any means. I listen to these talk shows and the fans are asked how close do you think the orioles are to playoff contention. For the most part i would say that they are all pipe dreaming. We need at least 3 starting pitchers a first basemen a, 3rd baseman. shorstop and another good pitcher in the bullpen to replace walker. The outfield is more then capable ,and the catching position will be addressed as soon as weiters arrives. But lets get real bill our starting pitching is so inconsitent we are really lucky to be where we are. I am also seeing a very alarming trend of walking and pitching behinh hiiters way to much.
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Bob,
That's an interesting comment you make and I agree that the Orioles need another starter and another reliable arm in the bullpen, plus at least one bopper in the middle of the lineup. But I look at a team like the Phillies, who are going through a rough patch at the moment but are reputed to have one of the best offensive lineups in the majors, and they're just plus-6 and leading their division. The Orioles, 7 games out, are plus-3. But, and here's where I think you make a strong argument, that same Philadelphia team is plus-75 in run differential and the Orioles are minus-8. So if you want to argue that the Orioles are lucky to be where they are in W-L, well you may have a point.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: bob lancione | June 27, 2008 10:52 AM
I lost Pujols as my fantasy firstbase man, when he went on the DL. I was able to get Huff and so far, he has done very well filling in for Pujols!
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Capt.,
Timing is everything.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Captain Jack | June 27, 2008 3:08 PM