Hill delivers in a pinch
If Rich Hill was pitching with his job on the line, he showed everybody that he could jack up a good game under pressure tonight. I don't know how that affects his long-term prospects for staying in the rotation. He pitched six solid innings and gave up two earned runs, but that only dropped his Camden Yards ERA to 10.26 and his overall ERA to 6.92.
The guy has some tools, but the window may be closing for him. He may have to deliver a couple more performances like tonight's if he is to hold his place on the staff with the club's top minor league pitching prospect -- Chris Tillman -- apparently within a couple weeks of joining the rotation.
Comments
It is usually not my way to question the manager, but it is ridiculous when you get the lead runners on in the 7th and 8th in a close game and you choose not to bunt and instead you either run your way or double play your way out of a rally. It is looking more and more like Dave is in his final year, because next year the O's will need a major league manager.
Posted by: FlaOsFan | July 11, 2009 9:26 PM
Dave isn't managing tonight though.
Posted by: Luke | July 11, 2009 9:30 PM
Literally no reason Sherrill should not be pitching the 10th. He threw 10 pitches!! Oh look at that lead off single off bass...If this was Boston Papelbon would be back out if it was NY Rivera would be back out.
Posted by: Joe | July 11, 2009 9:48 PM
Good, he got out of it but the decision still bothers me. Win it in the 11th Baltimore, so my beer drinking is for celebration not short term memory loss.
Posted by: Joe | July 11, 2009 9:54 PM
Trembley isn't the problem with this them. Earl couldn't win 80 games with this talent...
Posted by: NC_Terpfan | July 11, 2009 10:02 PM
This teams approach at the plate late in the game is TERRIBLE.
Posted by: Joe | July 11, 2009 10:22 PM
Last I looked and maybe I am wrong, but Trembley is a major league manager. The fact is this is a young team everyone is pressing to win. Stuff happens, please let go of perfection, it is unattainable. Give them time. .
Posted by: cb coach | July 11, 2009 10:26 PM
Perfection...I'll take .500...I lost my patience over the last decade. Weiters should have spent the season in AAA.
Posted by: NC_Terpfan | July 11, 2009 10:34 PM
Yes....Mora is still done but Yes!!
Posted by: NC_terpfan | July 11, 2009 10:42 PM
Maybe Berken needs to go down rather than Hill being waived. Bring up Tillman for Berken. But no rush. It will not make that much difference this year
Posted by: pablo | July 11, 2009 11:00 PM
I said to the screen "This would be a good time to break that homer drought Melvin" and VOILA....one walkoff tater...I sure hope it works on the powerball tonight too!!
Posted by: dave taylor | July 11, 2009 11:08 PM
Melvin makes me crazy! What a roller coaster..
1. Gets the homer to win it
2. Falls asleep and gets picked off first in 7th
3. Makes great play in extra innings to keep the lead run from scoring. I don't think Wigginton or Salazar make that same play.
I know everyone in the world is giving Wieters the benefit of the doubt but....he nearly gave the game away twice tonight -- once on a horrible throw to 2nd base on an attempted steal that nearly sailed into CF and also on that ridiculous drop during that rundown.
Posted by: Ed | July 11, 2009 11:51 PM
Pete.
If somehow Sherill gets traded and with Ray up in the air with injuries, has anything been said about using one of the young guys as a possible closer in the future?
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Pete's reply: Haven't heard anything like that. I think they would go with Johnson and Ray (when ready) if that situation arises.
Posted by: Rob | July 11, 2009 11:53 PM
I agree put Berken down in the minors for another 1/2 year and bring Tillman up
Posted by: steve | July 12, 2009 4:08 AM
I think it would interesting to see if BJ Ryan could go on the disable list for 15 and bring him back to the O's. What do you think ?
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Pete's reply: I think it would be interesting, too, but don't know what's going on there.
Posted by: steve | July 12, 2009 4:18 AM
I attended the game last night and observed one huge difference in Hill. He did NOT throw 2/3 curve balls last night. His curve was fine, but he threw about 2/3 FAST BALLS last night, and located them rather well. When the hitters are looking for his curve, they hit him. When they are thinking fastball, the curve gets THEM.
Somebody told Hill & Wieters to use mostly fastballs last night to get the hitters off Hill's curveball. It worked.
Posted by: Jim | July 12, 2009 9:21 AM