The Orioles once again struggled on the offensive front Friday night, and suffered yet another loss, this time to the Atlanta Braves by a score of 7-2. On paper, the Orioles should have done a lot more than score two runs as they had twelve hits and had the bases loaded at times; however, the aforemetioned lack of offense doomed Baltimore and gave Atlanta uber-prospect Tommy Hanson his first MLB win.
Jason Berken was off and got hammered; therefore, he was saddled with the loss. Berken only lasted 4 1/3 innings, and seemingly hit a wall in the fifth, as he gave up two runs in the frame as well as struggled to get anyone out. Berken’s opponent on the mound — Tommy Hanson — went 5 2/3 innings and gave nine hits, walked five, and struck out five. The Atlanta bullpen — Pete Moylan, Eric O’Flaherty, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez — kept the Baltimore bats quiet for the remainder of the game.
Atlanta’s Brian McCann had 4 hits, and drove in two; meanwhile, Yunel Esobar scored three times and Barbaro Canizares along with Nate McLouth had two hits each. For Baltimore, Nick Markakis, Oscar Salazar and Mick Markakis had two hits each.
Yunel Escobar homered (a two-run shot) in the first off Berken to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead; however, Baltimore cut the lead in half as Adam Jones drove in Brian Roberts with an RBI-groundout. The Orioles would tie the game in third as Aubrey Huff plated Jones with a RBI-single, but after that they would find ways to get on base and crossing home plate would become elusive.
After scoring twice in the fifth — thanks to a McCann RBI-single and Garrett Anderson driving in a run via a walk with the bases loaded — they scored in seventh off a McCann RBU single, and scored twice in the eighth off reliever Mark Hendrickson thanks a solo homer by Martin Prado and yet another RBI-single by McCann.
The Orioles had a golden chance to perhaps make a game of it the eighth inning; however, a microcosm of what has happened with the Orioles within the past two weeks took place — they had the bases loaded, but Adam Jones (who leads the team in batting) looked to be pressing and struck out at-the-bat, ending the rally and quieting them for good that night.
I know Adam Jones has seen his average a dip and struggle, but watching him last night at the plate — he looks nothing like the player that has been ripping things up before June. He fell into the same mistakes as last year, but he may just be pressing, trying too hard and not let the letting the ball to come to him.
Things have not looked as bad as many have thought for Baltimore, but the bats have to come alive, or it’s going to be a long hot summer. Granted, the Orioles are in much, much better shape offensively than they have been in the past, but they have to find a way to turn the funk around.
Unrelated to the action between the lines on the field, I noticed an increased Baltimore police presence around the stadium, the bars, and also near the University of Maryland Law/Medical campus where I often park my vehicle. I know of the recent events and attacks in the Downtown area; therefore, the extra law enforcement in the area is much appreciate by fans and much less anyone walking down the street in Baltimore. People should have the right to enjoy a night out at the ballgame, theatre, bars, clubs, engage in commerce, and enjoy entertainment without fearing for their safety — much less their life.
