The Orioles wrapped a lackluster homestand as they beat the Detroit Tigers, 8-5, on Sunday. Although the region was deluged with some crazy and thunderstorms before the game; however, by the time it started, it was absolutely beautiful outside.
Jo-Jo Reyes pitched fairly well, going six innings and only giving up a run. It was a welcome change to see an Oriole pitcher actually go fairly long into a game and walk out with a lead – especially after Guthrie got hammered in the sixth inning on Saturday.
Willie Eyre pitches two scoreless innings; however, things got real interesting in the ninth inning.
Closer Kevin Gregg – who came into the game in order to get some work done — was nothing short of terrible. From what I’ve heard in the past, there are a lot of closers who don’t seem to pitch well without the added adrenaline in a pressurized situation.
Gregg took that theory and expanded upon it on Sunday. He seemingly could not get anyone out; therefore, after giving up several hits and walks, a game that was a blowout became one the Orioles could have lost if the Tigers got one big hit.
After his horrible outing, Gregg was booed off the mound and replaced with reliever Jim Johnson.
Johnson was able to get Brennan Boesch to fly out to left – only after an amazing, running catch by left fielder Nolan Reimold.
After losing consecutive one-run games to the Tigers on Friday and Saturday, the Oriole bats came through in a big way.
Nick Markakis had three hits, drove in four and homered; Nolan Reimold and Adam Jones had three hits, plus Vladmir Guerrero drove in two runs.
A three game losing streak was snapped, and it was a wonderful Sunday afternoon at the ballpark.
At this point, the Orioles are now 46-72 and 26 ½ games out of first place. They have 44 games left on the 2011 season and right now everyone is wondering if 100 losses are a possibility?
I say yes — unless the starting pitching improves (and does so with some consistency) and offense can pick up. The young starters have faltered, and now the replacements in the rotation have to somehow keep their team in the games.
If that doesn’t happen, it could be a historically bad season with the Orioles.
