Facing a Super Nova
The Orioles may have helped an American League East rival make a tough decision.
New York Yankees young right-hander Ivan Nova, who is competing for a spot in the Yankees’ rotation, was spectacular Wednesday night.
He plunked Robert Andino to lead off the game and has been practically perfect since in six innings. The only other Oriole to reach base in the first six innings was Adam Jones, who got to first on an Alex Rodriguez error. Nova struck out four while allowing no hits and no walks. He faced 19 batters, just one over the minimum.
Perhaps most impressive, Nova needed just 59 pitches, 41 for strikes, in six innings. He was replaced by Mariano Rivera.
The Orioles are down 4-0 heading into the seventh. Rodriguez hit a two-run homer against Clay Rapada in the bottom of the sixth.
The Orioles have used a carousel of relievers, with Jim Johnson starting the game and giving up three hits and one run in one inning. The damage could have been worse, but Mark Reynolds turned a 5-3 double play with runners on second and third and no outs.
Mark Hendrickson threw two scoreless innings and David Riske had one. Michael Gonzalez gave up a run in his lone inning pitched.
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Comments
It's Andy's fault.
Posted by: Voice in Brummie's head | March 16, 2011 8:52 PM
Watched the game on YESPN. BOOOOOOOOOORING! The Orioles played like WIMPS tonight. I'm just glad that it's spring training, but if they look this horrible in the regular season, we'll all be in for another stinkin', rotten campaign.
Some of the Orioles' pitchers just aren't good defensively. The first Yankee baserunner got on because Jim Johnson deflected the ball towards left field. MAKE THE CATCH! If you can't get the ball, let it go so the infielders can make the play! That's what they're paid to do! Is that too difficult to ask? Unfortunately, the prime offender is "Bug" Guthrie.
The only positive from tonight's fiasco was Mark Reynolds' glovework. So far, he's looking better than expected.
Posted by: Attila the Hon | March 16, 2011 9:37 PM
Did MLB ever complete it's investigation into Nova and another minor league player injecting one another with banned substances? I shake my head in disgust at the idea of Nova (an accused cheater) is competing with Mitre (who was already suspended for steroid usage) for a spot in the Yankees rotation. It just goes to show that cheating does pay off.
Posted by: James | March 16, 2011 9:59 PM