Harvesting a green pitcher
Wasn't it nice to see the Orioles finally facing a rookie pitcher making his major league debut. They took advantage of Armando Gabino's inexperience and lack of command to jump on top with three runs in the second inning and one more in the third before Twins coach Ron Gardenhire gave the kid an early hook.
Brian Matusz is a grizzled veteran by comparison. He made his fifth major league start tonight and he also has struggled allowing the Twins to answer immediately after each of the Orioles scoring innings.
The O's have to take advantage of the soft underbelly of the Twins bullpen in the next inning or two to tack on some runs or -- trust me -- this is another loss waiting to happen. The Twins always have a magnified home-field advantage at the Metrodome, so a team like the O's has to build a cushion when the opportunity presents itself.
Comments
now what might make you think that a team that has had squandered many opportunities this year will somehow figure it out tonite?Here's hoping they do...
Posted by: jim66 | August 25, 2009 9:38 PM
Bases loaded - 1 out in the top of the 4th. This has been a situation when the O's typically ground into a double play. I hope that this will be an exception to that frustrating rule this season!
Posted by: Kenny from NJ | August 25, 2009 9:40 PM
The O's just seem to lack that killer instinct that good teams thrive on. I like that Wieters drew the walk, but he didn't seem too aggressive at the plate. Hopefully that killer instinct comes with age and experience.
Posted by: Kenny from NJ | August 25, 2009 9:45 PM
Another bases loaded situation and only 1 run to show - frustrating!
Posted by: Kenny from NJ | August 25, 2009 9:50 PM
Not a good 4 innings for this team despite a 2-run lead. Terrible baserunning by Pie, bad at-bats in key situations by Mora and Scott and a poor start from Matusz so far.
Posted by: Jon | August 25, 2009 9:52 PM
This is Birdland!
Posted by: Seth | August 25, 2009 11:09 PM
Reimold on 2nd and no outs in the 9th. How many times can these "professional" ball players not do their job and bring in a run. If you have to, sacrifice bunt the runner to third. We have no superstars who are too big to do that. I think it's poor execution by Trembley.
Posted by: Bbaron | August 25, 2009 11:29 PM
Damn it. I can't take any more of this garbage... I'm going to watch HGTV and Law and Order reruns until football season. If this is progress it only cements how VERY, VERY, VERY far they have to go!
Posted by: OforPetesSake | August 25, 2009 11:55 PM