On Thursday, the Orioles managed to split their single-game doubleheader with the Rangers; however, much like on Tuesday, history was made – again.
In game one, the Orioles won 6-5, as they homered five times off Texas starter Colby Lewis. They started the game off with three consecutive homers from Ryan Flaherty, J.J. Hardy and Nick Markakis and Adam Jones along with Matt Wieters joined in the fun. All the hits by Baltimore were homers.
Lewis’s feat – that is, serving up the home runs, plus striking out 12 – was the first time any pitcher gave up five homers and struck out more than 10 batters since 1918. Weird. He was too effective at a point, sitting down 18 straight batters.
The Orioles would not give up the lead; however, things became extremely compelling in the ninth inning as the bullpen gave up three runs as Luis Ayala allowed two runners to reach base. Afterwards, Jim Johnson was summoned into action and gave up a three-run homer to David Murphy. He would strike out Elvis Andrus to end the game and get the save – his ninth on the year.
Wei-Yin Chen would earn the win with another solid outing, going 7 2/3 innings and only allowing two runs.
In the second game, things did not go so well for Baltimore, despite it looking promising early.
Baltimore lost 7-3, and despite holding a 3-2 lead after the third inning — as Texas helped them out with three errors in the second inning – they got shelled by the swinging Rangers again.
Tommy Hunter was ineffective, and Josh Hamilton homered again – for the sixth time in the series.
Although the Orioles lost three out of four to the Rangers, they should have no shame in doing so. They still hold a share of first place in the division with the Tampa Bay Rays. Both teams are 20-12 heading into tonight.
Tampa Bay will be at Camden Yards in Baltimore tonight to play a three-game weekend series. I guess if there’s a series that the Orioles have to do well in, it may be this one. If they can win two out of three, they will be in terrific shape against the Yankees, who will follow the Rays.
Then again, it is astounding how Tampa Bay continues to win without a large payroll; however, they have superb pitching, an excellent scouting department, a solid front office, players of value and the ability to think outside of the box on the field.
Dana Eveland starts tonight for the Orioles against the Rays’ Jeremy Hellickson. Eveland is making his first start of the year and his Oriole debut. Eveland is a decent arm, but nothing exceptional; however, if he can keep the Orioles in the game, they will be better for it.
With Jason Hammel ailing, the Orioles have had to delve into the minors for pitching depth. Hopefully the arms coming up can match up to the strong solid pitching we’ve seen so far before the week started.
