Friday’s start was huge for David Hernandez in more ways than one. Mired in an awful 11-game losing streak and a lack of offensive support, Hernandez came through huge by giving up a run on one hit in six innings as the Orioles defeated the Nationals, 5-3, in their first game of a three game inter-league set in the “Battle of the Beltways”.
After seeing Brian Matusz getting shelled on Thursday and losing a close one on Wednesday, Hernandez served as a stopper on the mound and he had a no hitter into the fifth inning.
Hernandez showed he can be a viable major league starter and all he has to do is be consistent.
However, he *still* threw way too many pitches in his start – at least early on. He really needs to work on that. Who knows if the Hernandez we saw on Friday was a pitcher who turned the corner, or just had a good start in line of somewhat mediocre ones, but let’s hope he can build on it.
Before the series, the Orioles brought up Scott Moore and sent down Alberto Castillo – again. I figured the team would have called up Michael Aubrey; however, the Orioles might have needed Scott Moore’s flexibility – he can play pretty much every infield position and some outfield. As well, I guess it gives the organization a chance to see if Moore is a viable major leaguer or not.
Finally, on the eve of the interleague series with Washington, the owner of the Baltimore Orioles spoke about the state of the two organizations. Keep in mind, MASN is owned by Peter Angelos and Orioles, plus has the rights to air Nationals games. Also, the Orioles according to various sources pay the Nationals tens of millions for the privilege to air their games.
However, he said a few things that I found a little disconcerting.
His Orioles are struggling, but team owner Peter Angelos said Thursday that “it’s a very good thing” for his club that the Washington Nationals are generating excitement over their performance and celebrated pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg.
“I’m sure the Washington team will continue to improve, and I made the side comment that I’m hoping the Orioles will get their act together,” Angelos said.
and also…
“What’s good for the Nationals is good for MASN,” Angelos told The Sun. “That makes me happy, and that makes [Nationals principal owner Ted Lerner] happy. They are partners in the MASN network. The better they do, the more interest it generates.”
As much I can’t tell an owner of a business, enterprise, team or otherwise what to do with his money or his opinions, perhaps Angelos might have chosen some better words to speak of his great fortune or his relationship with Ted Lerner.
He’s a smart businessman and a civic leader in the eyes of some – but for customers and the fanbase, we could care less how much money is being made or how good the Nationals are for you.
The fans want W’s, not a rosy financial outlook.
We all know MASN is probably a nice money maker for Angelos and the Orioles; however, at this point, fans that have tolerated the losing for more than a decade and have watched a team go from the penthouse to literally the basement need to see a winning product.
It’s plain and simple.
As owner of the Baltimore Orioles, Peter Angelos is captain of the ship and deserved – or not – he will get the blame for the misfortunes of the franchise until it turns around.
