The Baltimore Orioles have issues.
Usually, I try to stay positive and not go on the attack like a pit-bull; however, the 2010 Orioles so far are not certainly not the team we were promised in the offseason.
We all know that Brian Roberts is out and that’s killing the offense, Pie is hurt, the $12 million closer is on the shelf and never got his footing, Miggy is ailing, and Koji Uehara has not been seen much at all.
In light of the negative, the pitching for the most part is doing it’s job, but right now the youth – that’s right, the future – and some of MacPhail’s acquisitions are killing this team. As it is, this team has little to no leadership whatsoever at all.
Last night, the Orioles lost again for their 13th time in 15 games as the Mariners beat them again, 3-1.
David Hernandez – who had a quality start and did his best humanly possible to keep his team in the game – took the loss, his second on the year. He went 6 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs. He got touched up for two runs in the first inning off a Franklin Guiterrez sacrifice fly and Milton Bradley RBI-single. Hernandez would settle in and roll until the seventh inning, but would give up his third run of the night of a Jack Wilson RBI-double and his night was done.
At this point, do Baltimore pitchers have to throw shut-outs to win?
The Baltimore offense could not bail Hernandez out. Aside from a Nolan Reimold RBI-double off the center field wall in the first inning, the team didn’t do squat thereafter. On the night, the Orioles were 0-7 with runners in scoring position and only had four hits.
Yes, once again, the Orioles made another Seattle pitcher look like a Cy Young award candidate. Jason Vargas went seven innings for the victory and only gave up a run. David Aardsma got the save, his sixth.
Right now, only Matt Wieters his hitting above .300 and Ty Wigginton – who I hate to say it has been carrying the meager efforts of the team at the plate – is close to that mark with a .297 average. Aside from those two, no one else in the lineup from Tuesday is hitting above .225.
Adam Jones, the leadoff hitter for now, is only hitting .215; Nick Markakis is only hitting .222. One of Andy MacPhail’s key acquisitions, Garrett Atkins is hitting .220 and is looking like a bust so far, plus both Luke Scott and Nolan Reimold aren’t hitting their weight.
I’m not impressed with Julio Lugo at all. He’s looked listless at the plate and has managed to piss off a lot of people for his lack of hustle – evidenced by not running out a ground ball in the second inning of last night’s game. I just watched the replay now — eh, Lugo should have been benched.
Are these guys pressing and trying too hard? Maybe. However, something needs to be done and soon. The Orioles are 2-13 and things look as if they are going to only get even more rough before they get better.
I’m not one to give up, but this 2010 campaign will certainly head into infamy if the tide isn’t turned.
Are more changes needed? Who knows. Right now, Dave Trembley isn’t coming off good right now. Yes, all this — in fact, the horrific start may not be his fault — but Trembley’s in charge on the field and sooner or later, the lack of success will catch up to him.
I know he likes his players and wants them to succeed, but at some point, he’s got to put his foot down. The crap with Lugo last night should have never been tolerated. The losing isn’t easy and Trembley is trying his best, but something’s got to give.
If things don’t change by tonight, they’ll have their hands full against a Boston team looking to win and a hot Yankee team.
Things are not looking good.
