The Orioles this weekend took two of four from the suddenly tough Kansas City squad, as they won on Thursday and Saturday, while they lost on Friday and Sunday. Baltimore’s offense had some bright spots, but struggles late Koji Uehara (he definitely hits a wall during the mid-point of a game) and by the bullpen on Sunday caused them to split the series.
If there was a bright spot from the weekend, it’s definitely Rich Hill. The southpaw — who made his first start in well over a year — was not lights out, but was solid as he went 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits, while striking out. He could have been better, but a bloop double down the left field line by Alberto Collaspo in the fifth inning led him to yield those runs.
Hill on Saturday had an amazing curveball working, looked poised and one could not tell that he was recovering from elbow issues. He left the game in the sixth inning throwing fairly well, despite giving up back to back hits, but the team did the right thing in protecting him.
Well, if Hill can pitch this well from start to start, Andy MacPhail will look like a genius and the Orioles perhaps found another pitcher for next to nothing (ala Jeremy Guthrie).
He’s certainly not a youngster at 29; however, his performance on Saturday showed why the Cubs were so high on him before his struggles. I’ll be looking forward to seeing more from the lefty as the season goes along. God willing, he’ll be a nice part of the future in Baltimore because right now, the pitching really needs a solid arm.
