Berken falters
Jason Berken did a great job of keeping his poise when the defense failed him in the first inning, and he looked like he was cruising with two outs in the fifth and a four-run lead. Then you got to see one of the reasons he is 2-11 despite a pretty good pitch repertoire.
He walked the No. 9 hitter and then could not put the hammer down when he got ahead on the count to the next two hitters. Both fought back to deliver run-scoring hits and now the game is very much in doubt.
Still, considering the way things started, it was a gutsy 5 2/3-inning performance by a guy who has had every reason to quit this season, yet keeps coming back start after start to compete.
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Comments
Like every O's fan, I want to see Berken do well, but I can't imagine he has a place in next year's rotation. Seems more suited to long relief than a major league starter.
Posted by: Jon | August 23, 2009 4:00 PM
Berken is improving. Earlier in the season, he would have had a first inning meltdown following the defensive lapses (2 errors + stolen base).
Posted by: George | August 23, 2009 4:09 PM
Competition for the starters job, with all our young guns learning the ropes this year, will be great next year!
So, do we/should we, still sign a veteran starting pitcher (Guthrie doesnt count) to help mentor them or just stick with what we already have in the bigs and minors?
Posted by: jongermany | August 23, 2009 10:34 PM
Ideally it would be nice if someones pockets were deep enough for a quality starter AND a power hitter at the corner or DH. IF we even get one of those, personally - i'd like to see the money go towards the latter (based on recent events). If we ask for a veteran pitcher - all we will get is another Eaton. I'd rather stick with our youth.
Posted by: mike | August 24, 2009 6:47 AM