Yesterday, the Orioles got trounced again by the Blue Jays, 8-2, as Kevin Millwood once again got lit up in another start on the mound. The veteran only lasted 5 1/3 innings and gave up six runs – five earned – on ten hits. The Jays broke open the game with a three-run first inning and didn’t let up from there.
Who knows what trade value – if any – Millwood has at the moment.
The Orioles once again were buried by a poor pitching effort in the opening portion of the game. For a team that’s struggling mightily to score runs, they were done after that. Amazingly, the Orioles have not beaten the Blue Jays in 11 chances this season.
Jose Bautista continued his breakout year by slugging his 29th and 30th homers off Baltimore pitching (Millwood and Simon).
If there was one positive to come out of last night’s game, it may be the work of Mike Gonzalez. He went 1 2/3 innings and didn’t give up a run. It’s good to see Gonzalez work his way back in less pressurized situations, and get his mechanics plus confidence back in order.
The Orioles are now an astonishing 31-69; meanwhile, the Blue Jays – a team a lot in the media, online or wherever finished to PICK LAST in the AL East – are 52-49.
On Monday, Baltimore again had another young starter get hammered for the umpteenth time as Brad Bergesen’s struggles continued. The Jays won 9-5 despite two homers from Matt Wieters –who for one night showed the promise we all have been seeking out of him.
Back to Brad: He allowed eight runs over five innings and he again didn’t fool anyone at all. I guess it’s time to wonder if it’s time to send him back to Norfolk for an extended period of time, or to just let him work out his issues at the big league level. No matter what the decision is, Bergesen has been awful for the most part in 2010.
For the most part, keep him up in the majors and see if his problems can be worked out. It doesn’t matter what happens at this point – the Orioles are playing for nothing more than pride; however, I am sure Bergesen is part of the future of the organization and we as fans just need to hope for the best.
It’s startling how good Beregsen was last year, versus now. Bergesen seems to have not been the same after his injury, and I’m not sure if there’s something mechanical wrong with him, confidence, or maybe his luck may have run out.
Zach Britton may be a candidate to be called up, but as it is, I’d leave him in Norfolk. There’s no point in rushing the young man up the majors at this moment.
Finally, Luke Scott was named AL Player of the Week for the absolute tear he’s been on as of late.
