Chris Ray gets the win, his first.
The pitching was again outstanding last night. That makes 7 solid starts in a row now for Orioles pitchers, and 8 out of 10. Steve Trachsel did it again, pitching 7 innings in only 86 pitches while only giving up 3 hits, one run, one walk, and one strikeout. The bullpen also pitches really well again. Chad Bradford got the first out of the 8th inning after giving up 2 hits, Jamie Walker got the second out by striking out a batter, and Danys Baez got the final out of the inning. Baez also gave up a hit and had a strikeout in a scoreless 9th. Chris Ray again pitched outstanding in his inning of work, striking out a batter. I still think Sam Perlozzo’s over-managing is terrible, but it worked out this time.
The hitting wasn’t exactly bad, we had 12 hits in 10 innings, but we still struggled mightily at bringing runs in. Only one batter, Aubrey Huff, didn’t get on base and he struck out 3 times. The only runs came in on a Paul Bako double in the 7th (he also had a single in the game) and in the bottom of the 10th, Jay Gibbons drove in the game winning run with his 3rd single of the night. Brian Roberts had 2 hits on the night including a double, Melvin Mora walked and was HBP, Nick Markakis had a single and a walk. Miguel Tejada had a couple of singles, and Kevin Millar and Corey Patterson had a single each. The problem was the hitting with runners on base. We grounded into 3 double plays and couldn’t come through in the clutch. Sam Perlozzo bunted twice when it wasn’t exactly necessary and Jay Gibbons got thrown out at the plate.
Player of the game: Jay Gibbons - 3-5, RBI (game winning)
Tonight, we have our ace on the mound in Erik Bedard (1-1, 6.94) against the Royals again. Kansas City has Brandon Duckworth (0-0, 0.00) going for them. I’m looking for a break out game by the offense and a lopsided victory for the Orioles. Go O’s.
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