Erik Bedard takes the loss, which would take him to 0-1 on the season, of course.
Not a great start for the Orioles, but maybe its a blessing in disguise since we usually win opening day and then have a miserable season. Maybe this means we’re going to have a good season? Who knows, but Erik Bedard didn’t look like a Cy Young contender last night. He gave up 10 hits in 4 and 2/3rds innings, including back-to-back solo homeruns by Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter. In all, Bedard gave up 6 runs in those innings while striking out 3 and walking 2. I think Bedard just needs to be more aware of his pitch count. He threw alot of pitches in under 5 innings and started to get the ball up as he tired. Thats when most of the hits came in. He’ll be fine in the long run and probably pitch a shut out next time out.
The bullpen did a good job keeping us in the game. The only run that came in was on a Miguel Tejada error when John Parrish was pitching in relief of Scott Williamson. The run was charged to Williamson, although it was unearned. Parrish pitched 1 and 2/3rds innings without giving up a hit. He struck out 2 batters. Williamson came in to relieve Bedard in the 5th and got out of the inning with one pitch, a fly out to left field, and retired an out in the 6th, but not before walking a batter and giving up a hit, before Parrish came in. Danys Baez pitched the 8th and got through with only allowing one hit.
The hitting was impatient, but surprisingly effective against Johan Santanna. Nick Markakis did a great job in the second inning, drawing a walk after an 0-2 count and then scoring from first on Aubrey Huff’s RBI double. Markakis also had two assists from the outfield, throwing out a runner at home plate and another one at second base. Huff also had a single in the game. Following Huff was Jay Gibbons who had two doubles in the game and drove in a run. Miguel Tejada also had two hits, including his first (and the Oriole’s first) homerun of the season. Brian Roberts chimed in with two walks and a bloop single, while Corey Patterson cracked an RBI double in the second inning to give the Orioles their first and only lead of the game. The Orioles just couldn’t overcome the 7 runs the Twins put on the board. We left too many men on base and the home plate umpire was very inconsistent (for both teams).
Player of the game: Jay Gibbons - 2-4, 2 2Bs, R, RBI
Tonight, the Orioles lean on Daniel Cabrera (0-0, 0.00) to get their first win of the season against Boof Bonser (0-0, 0.00) and the Twins. Go O’s.
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