Last night, Oriole rookie Chris Tillman learned how difficult life can be in the majors at times. The youngster pitched well and show why the Orioles have been so high on him; however, despite his solid start, the offense could not get anything going, and in the end, Baltimore lost to Minnesota, 2-1, to kick off a three game set.
Minnesota used an RBI-single by Denard Span and a sac-fly by Jason Kubel to fnish off Baltimore in the bottom of the sixth inning. It looked like the Twins were too struggling at times in the batter’s box, but they came together at the right time and made Tillman — who was beginning to struggle in the frame. Chris Tillman pitched 5 1/3 to take the loss and was charged with two runs. Mark Hendrickson came into relieve Tillman and get the Orioles out of a tight spot; however, he gave up the sactifice to the Twins’ Kubel to decide the game.
Baltimore’s only run came in the second inning as Brian Roberts — perhaps the hottest hitter on the squad — plated Michael Aubrey with an RBI-double; however, that was pretty much all the offense they could muster after that.
Minnesota’s Scott Baker earned the victory as he went seven innings, and was charged with a run. Closer Joe Nathan got his 32nd save, but the Orioles did make things interesting as they got two men on base thanks to back-to-back walks; however, Matt Wieters struck out to end the game.
Well, this is the last series that the Orioles will ever play in the Metrodome as the Minnesota Twins will be opening up Target Field — an open air stadium — in 2010. I’ve been to the Metrdome three times — twice for baseball during trips, and once for NCAA Basketball — and while it may make for quite an environment for basketball and football due to the domed structure, it is awful for baseball. I don’t care for domes in baseball, and I truly believe that all stadiums/parks in the sport should be played on grass, plus fans should be able to see the sky.
The two times, I’ve seen a ballgame there, I was so far away from the field that I felt I was watching another game all together, it was lous, the food wasn’t great, and yes — I missed the sky and taking the architecture of the surrounding areas (especially some of Minneapolis’s skyscrapers). The Metrodome certainly isn’t a baseball cathedral, doesn’t the charm of a Camden Yards nor PNC, or the opulence of the New Yankee Stadium, but it is not a sutiable place for baseball to be played in, nor a comfortable place to take in a game.
I honestly can’t remember any notable moments in Oriole history that happened there aside from Cal Ripken’s 3,000th hit; however, I know the Twins have had plenty of bright moments there, especially the 1991 World Series.
I’ll be glad to see Target Field open, but I do wonder how Minnesotans will endure April and May considering the weather that part of the country recieves. I mean, I woould have figured that Target Field would have gotten a retractable roof, but I guess te decision not to add it came to finances.
Then again, if Chicagoans can survive their cold springs, people in Minnesota should be fine.
