The four-game win streak for the Orioles was snapped on Friday night, as they lost 5-2, to the Oakland Athletics in the first contest of a three-game set. Baltimore is now 12-8 on the season.
Jake Arrieta took the loss, as he allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings. He got hit hard by two homers – a two-run shot in the second by Eric Sogard and a solo shot by J.J. Reddick – that did him in.
J.J. Redick drove in another run in the eighth inning with an RBI-single.
Baltimore’s offense was hamstrung by starter Oakland Brandon McCarthy, who threw seven innings and only allowed two runs on five hits. Ryan Cook – who came in the game in the eighth inning, struck out four; however, Adam Jones did reach base on a wild pitch. Grant Balfour earned his sixth save on the season.
The Orioles scored their first run in the opening inning off a Nick Markakis sacrifice fly, and then second in the sixth when Adam Jones plated in J.J. Hardy.
And yes, it looks like another fan decided to run on the field during the seventh inning stretch; however, the home plate umpire – Jeff Kellogg – pounced on the fan before the police could, as he tried to slide into home. It’s beyond asinine that fans feel the need to run onto the field and the Orioles and city police need to prosecute these idiots to the fullest extent of the law.
That being said, despite the loss, the Orioles have been playing very well in the first month of the season. The offense has come through in key moments, the bullpen is doing spectacular; however, much of Baltimore’s success has come through the starting rotation.
Let’s hope they keep it up. Only 18,297 showed up the game last night; however, like Adam Jones said in an interview this week with the Baltimore Sun, the team will have to win – and keep doing so – in order for the fans to come.
In other news, the Washington Nationals decided on Friday to promote uber-prospect Bryce Harper to the majors. He will be making his first start probably tonight in Los Angeles, as the Nationals face the Dodgers.
Harper’s gotten a lot of hyper over the years, and although he is very talented, the slugger has struggled in Triple-A. However, due to injuries to Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman, Harper will have a huge stage to perform on tonight. Maybe Harper is being brought up too early – but it should be interesting to see.
