I’m having a hard time watching the Baltimore Orioles this season and last night’s game against the Oakland Athletics illustrates why. Not to go over the gory details again, but Brad Bergesen gets into a wee bit of trouble in the eighth inning and is yanked with a 5-2 lead.
A lot of fans have ragged on Dave Trembley’s bullpen management and they were justified in doing so after what I saw. Personally, after Beregesen gave up two base runners – I would have left him in the game to see what he can do. He’d only thrown 90+ plus pitches before being pulled and if he gets a ground ball, he’s close to finishing up the frame. However, Trembley brings in Berken – who gets one out, then brings in Hendrickson who allows a lucky single, and opens up the allowing three runs while recording an out.
Thereafter, Herndrickson is yanked in favor of Cla Meredith – who has been struggling – with the bases loaded (nevertheless) and then Kevin Kousmanoff makes a 5-4 O’s lead go away witha 3-run double. Minutes later, what looked to be a potential Baltimore victory turned into yet another loss, the 33rd of the season. The fans aren’t happy, everyone is in disbelief, and another victory is down the drain.
In the end, Oakland won 7-5, taking two of three from Baltimore.
The Orioles had a weak lineup with Atkins (he’s turning out to a be a bigger bust than imagined), Lou Montanez, Julio Lugo all penciled in. Adam Jones, who had been struggling, has picked up it with a 13-game hit streak. Then again, the only Orioles right now hitting over .280 is Ty Wigginton and Luke Scott is on the bench with a shoulder injury.
The loss on Thursday night mirrors some of what we have seen throughout the season. Some of the moves that have been made have now raised a lot of questions in my eyes. Well, if the moves that Trembley made had worked out – would we be upset with things? Probably not; however, I’m scratching my head why Bergesen was brought out so early, and why it was another night of musical chairs with the Baltimore bullpen.
I guess I am not the only one…
