Tied in the fifth
After five innings, Orioles starter Radhames Liz has thrown 40 balls and 40 strikes. He's also fumbled a 3-1 lead.
Liz walked No. 9 hitter David Eckstein to open the fifth inning. Big, big mistake. The Blue Jays scored twice and forced Dennis Sarfate to begin warming up in the bullpen.
Adam Jones hit a tie-breaking, two-run homer in the third, but the Blue Jays have stormed back.
Now to the important stuff: Aug. 19 will be Luke Scott T-shirt Tuesday.
The orange will provide a nice contrast to all that Red Sox red.
Comments
5 walks. That is spectacular.
Posted by: Mr. Deez | July 21, 2008 8:45 PM
I'm trying to go see Wieters play at Bowie soon. Anyone know when Tillman pitches next week?
Posted by: Dan | July 21, 2008 8:52 PM
Here we go. The Trembley plan hasn't worked a couple times in a row now, but he is undeterred. Here comes Dennis Sarfate. F is for . . . well, I can't say that here.
Posted by: terpfan | July 21, 2008 8:54 PM
Whew!
I understand Liz walked Eckstein again but you've got to give him a chance to finish the inning.
Posted by: Scott | July 21, 2008 9:00 PM
I wonder what the Boston fans will do with a Luke Scott Tshirt?
Posted by: Ben | July 21, 2008 9:06 PM
I don't like the hook on Liz.
Liz has to finish the six inning. He threw 89 pitches. He has a three run lead. Let him walk a guy...and then another...and then another...and then a hit...in the sweltering heat, see if he can get the 18th out of the game. Get him to at least 105 pitches, unless the trainer says otherwise.
I understand the O's want to win, but what does Liz learn? That the manager gives him the hook so that he can still "qualify" for a win?
We are not going to get any better if our starting pitchers don't finish the six. I don't care what the score is. Maybe I'm asking for tough medicine, but i don't think the pitchers arm is gonna fall off. A young pitcher has to learn how to get that final out when he doesn't have his best stuff. A hard hit ground ball at someone ends the inning. A warning track fly ball ends it as well.
And if he blows the lead, the O's aren't going to the postseason anyway so why does it matter? Its not the ninth inning, the team could rally, as it has all year.
I like Sarfate to start innings, he is more effective and more relaxed that way.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 21, 2008 9:10 PM
wieters continued the hitting. boucher hit he deevil out of the ball in the first again and loooooou hit a great triple to go ahead. finan has saved three bad throws at first.
Posted by: adam in annapolis | July 21, 2008 9:13 PM
bob lancione--Ever hear the tune sung by Bing Crosby--"Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, don't mess with mister in between?"
"Reality" is not an ugly thing.
You said you coached at the high school level. Why don't you show us how you could work with Billy Rowell to make him a better ball player?
Would you simply tell him he is a "bust"?
After obsessing over Jamie Walker all season, you found the reasoned theme that it was really the starting pitching that was the problem.
If you want to enjoy life, you can--"Any time, any place."
Posted by: Barry | July 21, 2008 9:19 PM
Dan: Tillman started yesterday. He hasn't won a game in almost 2 months.
Posted by: eric | July 21, 2008 9:27 PM
What are the odds of the 50 millionth fan being a Red Sox or Yankee fan?
Posted by: Scott | July 21, 2008 9:33 PM