Guthrie struggles again
Jeremy Guthrie allowed runs in each of the first three innings tonight, falling behind by four on a night when he probably needed to hold the Chicago White Sox to no more than two runs to have a reasonable chance to win.
Sox left-hander John Danks is off to a great start (1-0, 0.75 ERA in two starts coming into tonight's game) after establishing himself as a very solid starter last season. His 12-9 record and solid 3.32 last year doesn't come close to telling the whole story. He surrendered two earned runs or fewer 22 times last year, including 15 of his last 18 starts.
Guthrie lasted six innings and was charged with five earned runs. He has allowed 10 earned runs in his last 10 2/3 innings of work after surrendering just three in his first two starts. His command has become an issue at a time when the Orioles need him to be a steadying force on a volatile pitching staff.
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Comments
And Danks is all of 24 yrs old...he was in the majors at 21. He has thrown a modest number of innings the last couple of years and improved nicely last year, continuing into this year. Now that's a pitcher you can build a staff around.
Guthrie is continuing on from last Friday. I wonder if blowing a 7 run cushion plays with your head.
The O's need a couple of Danks.
At this time, one Guthrie is enough.
But it's early and Guthrie had a nice stretch of games last year. He's not a real No 1, but kudos for trying. It's gotta be tough carrying the hopes of a 70 win season on your right shoulder...
Posted by: jim66 | April 22, 2009 9:41 PM
Pete,
Guthrie just didn't have it tonight! But the bats were rather silent too and the two errors and becoming an issue each game!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | April 22, 2009 9:52 PM
Tonight's observations:
. Guthrie and Sarfate both threw fast balls straight as a string.
. How I miss the explosive fastball Guthrie threw in his first season with the Birds.
. Guthrie got hurt by some bad hangers.
. Adam Jones should let his hamstring heal properly. No need to push it now. He looked tentative in the field and did not have a good night at the plate.
. Uehara will baffle the Chisox tomorrow night. Huff, Markakis, and Wigginton go deep in a 7-3 Orioles win.
Posted by: Barry | April 22, 2009 10:09 PM
OOPS! Eaton is pitching tomorrow night, not Koji.
Make that score 7-6, Baltimore.
Posted by: Barry | April 22, 2009 10:12 PM
Who is it that said Guthrie was an "ace"? Must be the media. Then again it says a lot when Guthrie, who is no more than a 4 on a good staff, is the "ace" in Baltimore. Pretty sad. But...the future looks bright with all the arms down on the farm. Eaton tonight? *groan* I predict another 3IP 7ER outing.
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Pete's reply: On the contrary, the media has generally said that Guthrie is an ace only by default. He is the No. 1 starter, which is the definition of the term "ace," but he's still a young pitcher (experience-wise) and shouldn't have that responsibility.
Posted by: John | April 23, 2009 9:06 AM