The Orioles played a fairly solid game on Friday up in Boston, but lost for the 55th time in 79 chances this season. They were defeated 3-2 as Red Sox rookie Daniel Nava’s bloop single in the eighth inning to right field off reliever Wil Ohman did the Orioles in, and J.D. Drew hit two solo homers (including one that was very questionable).
Brad Bergesen gave up three runs in 7 2/3 innings in one of his better showings of 2010, but he could not get much support from his offense that was kept at bay by knuckballer Tim Wakefield along with the Boston bullpen. Nick Markakis hit his 4th homer of the year in the fourth inning, and Corey Patterson had an RBI-single in the fifth.
Jonathan Papelbon got the save.
Other than that, it looks like Felix Pie and Mike Gonzalez are closer to returning to the major leagues; however, both men had their struggles on Friday night. I’m not too worried about Pie, but does anyone wonder if Gonzalez will become a viable part of the Oriole roster and live up to the contract he signed in the offseason?
Gonzalez got shelled in his outing at Bowie and has had his ups downs during his rehab stint at the various levels of the organization so far. I am beginning to wonder if he’s got bust written all over him.
In other news, Rick Dempsey chatted with the Orioles about the managerial opening, as did Eric Wedge (for the second time); Adam Jones is being told by the coaches to play a little deeper in the outfield (he’s made some real bad plays out there this season) and reliever Jim Johnson is on the mend.
