Wednesday afternoon was a case study in frustration if you are an Orioles fan.
The Orioles faced the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday and were hoping a series sweep.
Despite their talent level, the Angels have been lackluster this season; however, they took advantage a Baltimore pitcher during the top of the seventh inning.
The pitcher on the mound for the Orioles…
Pedro Strop.
That name has caused fans to react with occasional outbursts of anger all season long.
When Strop came into the game, the Orioles were leading 4-2; however, the Angels would turn their deficit into an 8-4 lead.
During the deciding frame for Baltimore, Los Angeles plated in six runs, thanks to an Erick Aybar triple, along with a Ryan Flaherty error; moments later, Albert Pujols lowered the boom with a home run.
The Angels salvaged the three-game series in Baltimore, winning Wednesday’s contest by a score of 9-5.
A game that the Orioles should have won became a laugher, and a lot of fans were pointing the finger at him when it was over. The fans let Strop know what they thought of his performance on the mound by serenading him with boos.
Strop only lasted 1/3 of an inning, charged with four runs, allowed three hits, walked one and threw 20 pitches in his outing. Only 11 of them were strikes. He was a critical part in the success of the Baltimore Orioles in 2012; however, since September of that season and on, he has struggled mightily.
In 2012, Strop had 5-2 record with a 2.44 ERA. He did a bang-up job with serving as a bridge to Jim Johnson to preserve games for the Orioles.
In 2013, he is 0-3 with a 7.58 ERA. Strop has pitched 19 innings so far this season and has struck out 19 batters, along with walking 15.
Instead of being an important piece of the Baltimore bullpen, he may only be trusted in a mop-up spot right now.
