Over the past week, there’s been a healthy infusion of some youth in the Baltimore Orioles organization, and so far, the kids have delivered. Another young arm from Norfolk — David Hernandez — made his major league debut and impressed as the Orioles opened up their four game set with the Detroit Tigers winning on Thursday, 5-1.
Luke Scott hit two home runs — including a three-run shot in the 8th inning (he now has seven on the year) — and drove in four to help Baltimore earn their fourth victory in a ro
w. For the third day in row, Nolan Reimold homered — a solo shot in the in 5th inning to break a 1-1 tie. Scott’s first home run of the night came in the second inning.
The Tigers have now lost five out of their last six games.
The story of the night was David Hernandez, another arm in the minors who was thriving and earned a call up the majors. Much like Berken on Tuesday, Hernandez would get into trouble, pitch his way out of it, and keep his team in the game. When the night was done for Hernandez, he only allowed one run, five hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings — a solid and promising debut for a pitcher. He got into trouble in the fifth inning as Clete Thomas plated in a run.
In the end, David Hernandez became the fourth Orioles pitcher to start and win his MLB debut this season.
Moreover, the Baltimore bullpen — Matt Albers, James Johnson and George Sherrill — preserved the win for Hernandez, and in turn, he earned a pie shot in the face (the third of the week for a Oriole rookie).
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Of course, the big story of the night and for much of the week is the Friday debut of Oriole wonder kid, Matt Wieters. Now, one doesn’t know what will transpire in about six hours tonight, but there’s one thing I am sure of — Matt will be fine just by the way he’s handled the attention. Let’s not try to make him into the Messiah yet for the Orioles; however, I don’t think in my years on this earth — 30 — I’ve seen this much hype and anticipation from fans along with the media about one player.
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Let’s wish Chris Ray the best of luck as he was sent down to Triple-A Norfolk yesterday in order for David Hernandez to make his major league debut. It looks like Ray is healthy; however, he’s having some mechanical problems with his delivery that’s leading him to be pounded in appearance after appearance.
Instead of pouting and feeling it’s in his birth right to play at the highest level of baseball, Ray looked at the situation as it was and he knew that he was struggling out there; therefore, he knew the demotion was to help him out, not to punish him.
Ray handled the situation in a very mature matter, and I’m sure with his stuff and attitude, he’ll will be back up in the majors sooner rather than later.
