Where's the O-Fence?

The O's dropped their third straight game last night, losing to Tampa Bay, 2-0.

After scoring 12 runs against the Yankees on Tuesday, the O's have managed to score just one run in their past three games. After being shut out just once this season, the Birds have been held scoreless in two of their past three games. What happened to the offense?

Jeremy Guthrie (2-5) was dominant, allowing just one run through 6 2/3 innings, yet once again he was tagged with a loss. Guthrie allowed just four hits and three walks, while striking out five. The bullpen wasn't spectacular, but held the Rays to just one unearned run through the final innings. It doesn't matter how spectacular the O's pitching is right now, since the bats continue to sputter.

It looked as if the O's were about to break through early in the game. Aubrey Huff led-off the third inning with a stand-up triple, and Kevin Millar followed with a walk. With runners at the corners and none out, the O's were able to produce no runs. None. Nothing.

When you have a man at third and none out, you have to bring him home. The Orioles have not been able to do that in the last few days. In the finale against New York, Freddie Bynum's RBI triple scored the O's only run. With one out, Bynum was stranded at third. Last night, Huff was thrown out at the plate after Ramon Hernandez hit a weak grounder to first base.

It's obvious the O's are having trouble at the plate. It's just frustrating considering they set a season high in runs scored just a few days ago...it feels like an eternity since that 12-2 drubbing.
Nick Markakis has really been slumping; he struck out three times Thursday and then twice last night. It's not just Markakis...the team has just 15 hits in the last three games.

I'm a firm believer in O's magic, and it looked as if the Birds might have been able to produce some in the eighth...with Markakis at first and one out, Huff hit what looked to be a fair ball down the first-base line, a sure double. It was called foul, and Huff then grounded into a double-play to end the inning. Dave Trembley was ejected after arguing the call. Either way, Markakis probably would have held-up at third, and the Birds would have needed a clutch hit to score a run...

I'm still optimistic that the bats will heat up again, but they need to in a hurry. Starter Steve Trachsel (2-4) takes the mound tonight, and he's been hit hard this season. Trachsel hasn't started in two weeks, and I'd be surprised if he didn't give up a couple of runs to the Rays potent offense. The O's bats will need to answer early and often to end this losing streak....Go O's!!!

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

Burres Solid, but O's Fall in Ninth

Brian Burres was magnificent, holding the Yankees to just one run through 7 2/3 innings, but the O's lost 2-1 tonight. Burres allowed just one run off six hits, striking out five and walking none.

The Orioles just couldn't score any runs...this is how it always happens: the O's break-out the bats for one game and then decide to leave them in the clubhouse for the rest of the series. Most fans I talk to would rather the O's "save" their bats and consistently score. I loved the 12-run spanking, but the O's could only score one run over the next two games...the team just needs to keep it consistent. I'd rather win 3-2 and save those nine runs for the remainder of the series.

After an RBI triple from Freddie Bynum in the third inning, the O's squandered a bases-loaded, one-out opportunity. Nick Markakis struck out looking, and Aubrey Huff flied out to left. Look, I'm always an optimist when it comes to this team, but you can't do that and expect to win. How can the #3 and #4 hitters not take advantage of that situation? The Yankees may be struggling this season, but when you have the chance to break the game open at Yankee Stadium, you better do it.

The O's did not, and it cost them in the ninth. Jim Johnson gave up a lead-off single, and then struck out the next two batters he faced (maybe...Giambi was a close call!). A walk and a single later, and the Yankees took two of three from the O's.

The O's continue to baffle me...the team looked like contenders after crushing the Yanks on Tuesday. After being shut out Wednesday, and losing a one-run game tonight, the O's look confused. It only gets worse, as the Birds take on the 2nd place Tampa Rays tomorrow night.

Jeremy Guthrie takes the mound; the O's have failed to score runs for him all season until his last start. Here's hoping the bats wake-up against Tampa...Go O's!

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

Yanks Blank O's

Just a game after the O's managed 12 runs against the Yankees, they were shut out, falling 8-0 last night.

Garrett Olson (3-1), who had yet to lose a game this season since filling in for injured starter Adam Loewen, couldn't make it through the third inning. He was pulled after allowing six runs off eight hits, while walking two and striking out one. The O's bullpen did its best to keep the O's in the game. Four relievers combined to pitch the final 5.1 innings, allowing two runs off five hits.

But the O's bats were held silent by Yankees pitching. Darrell Rasner (3-0) pitched seven strong innings, and allowed just five hits and one walk, while striking out six. Joba Chamberlain 1-hit the Birds for the final two innings.

Overall, this was a pretty disappointing game to watch. The O's had the Yankees right where they wanted them after Tuesday's drubbing, but then turned around and got shut out for just the second time this season. Brian Burres (4-4) will look to give the O's another series win against New York later this evening; he opposes Ian Kennedy (0-3).

Photos courtesy of MLB.com

O's Rough-Up Mussina,Crush Yankees

I thought this was going to be a pitching duel...Mike Mussina couldn't make it through the first inning, and the O's won, 12-2.

The Orioles scored seven runs in the first inning, all charged to Mussina, who left after recording just two outs. Mussina was only charged with one earned run though, as a throwing error gave the O's an extra out that they took full advantage of. He walked two and struck out one, and matched the shortest outing of his career.

The Birds seven-run first tied their season high (they had a seven-run outburst on April 18 against the Yankees), and the 12 runs scored set a new season high. All seven of the runs in the first inning came with two outs. In fact, all but one of the O's runs came with two outs (Kevin Millar led-off the fourth with a home run). Adam Jones had the best game of his young career, going 4 for 5 with four RBIs. The O's ended up scoring 12 runs off of 12 hits.

Daniel Cabrera (5-1) was absolutely amazing. I honestly can't believe this is the same guy I've been watching the past few years. Cabrera went seven strong innings, allowing just two runs off five hits. He struck out four, and again DID NOT WALK A SINGLE BATTER. His only mistake came in the sixth, when he gave up a 2-run homer to Alex Rodriguez. He's now had eight straight quality starts, and left after throwing just 86 pitches (52 for strikes).

Cabrera didn't walk a batter, but he did hit one; Derek Jeter was hit by a pitch on his hand in the third inning. It seems like the O's are Yankee killers this season: Alex Rodriguez was injured on April 20 in a game against the Orioles, and though he returned to play tonight, Jeter had to leave the game.

Honestly, this game had it all. The benches cleared in the sixth after LaTroy Hawkins threw at Luke Scott's head. Hawkins was ejected, and just two innings later Scott got his revenge, smacking a 2-run shot to the right field upper-deck. That gave the O's a 12-2 lead, which proved to be the final score.

The O's (24-20) are in third place in the AL East, and the Yankees (20-25) are still in last. Tomorrow's game features two unbeaten pitchers, as the O's Garrett Olson (3-0) opposes Darrell Rasner (2-0).

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

Cabrera v. Mussina tonight in NY...

I have to be honest; I'm really looking forward to this series against the Yankees, especially the first game.

Daniel Cabrera will go head-to-head tonight with former Oriole Mike Mussina ("Moose" pitched for the O's for a decade; from 1991-2000). This should be a good one...

Mussina was my favorite player years ago, and nothing was more upsetting than seeing him leave Baltimore, except for the fact that he left the O's to become a Yankee. He left with dreams of winning the World Series, but has yet to wear the ring he thought he'd receive in New York City. Not that the O's have done much since then, either...

Both Mussina and Cabrera have anchored their respective staffs this season. Mussina is 6-3, and is tied with Chien-Ming Wang (6-2) for the most wins on the team. Cabrera has been a pleasant surprise: he's had seven straight quality starts, the longest streak of his five-year career. His record of 4-1 is best among O's starters (Brian Burres has won four but has also lost four).

Personally, I can't wait to see this game. The "new" Cabrera v. the "old" Moose...

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

Guthrie, O's Drop Finale

Rain and the O's just don't mix. After a two hour delay this afternoon, the O's bats went silent until the eighth, when yet another rain delay interrupted the O's magic. The Birds eventually fell, 2-1, to the Nationals.

Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven strong innings, allowing just four hits, but one of them was a solo home run off the bat of Cristian Guzman in the third.

Guthrie's counterpart, John Lannan, pitched just a tad better. He took a 2-hitter into the eighth, and after Adam Jones singled, Ramon Hernandez struck out, and Luke Scott doubled, he was pulled.

Just as the O's were gaining momentum, so was the rain. Brian Roberts was about to come up with runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out, but another rain delay kept him on the bench for nearly 30 minutes (If this reminds anyone of a previous game, click here. Roberts has been here before, and at least he still produces...).
Robert's sacrifice fly drove in the O's lone run, and the O's were unable to rally.

This was a classic pitching duel, and Guthrie came up just short. Listening to the pre-game chatter, it seemed apparent that Guthrie would need some offensive support. Last season, Guthrie faced the Nats twice, allowing just one earned run, but both games were no-decisions.

It's upsetting that a starter can go seven innings, allowing just a run, and lose the game. But that's been Guthrie's story so far this season. The O's bats need to produce when he's on the mound; Guthrie SHOULD be a 20-game winner.

As if the weather factor wasn't bad enough, it looks like the O's and Sunday don't mix either. After beating Seattle on April 6, the O's have lost six straight Sunday games, and are now 1-6 in Sunday afternoon games.

The team is off Monday, and will face the Yankees in New York Tuesday night. Daniel Cabrera is scheduled to start against ex-Oriole Mike Mussina......O YEAH!

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)

Burres, Bullpen and Bats Beat Nats

The O's won their fourth straight game last night, defeating the Nationals 6-5.

This time, the O's were actually up early before the bullpen let the game get close, but they were able to hang on for the win. The Birds are now 23-19 and just a game-and-a-half out of first.

I was at a wedding, and relied on text messages to keep me updated on the game. Much thanks to the O's fans that kept me in the loop...

Here's what I know...Brian Burres (4-4) pitched well and got the win. He went 6 and 1/3 innings, allowing two runs off four hits, while walking two and striking out three.

The O's bullpen was hit hard. Chad Bradford, Dennis Sarfate and Jim Johnson combined to pitch just an inning and a third, yet allowed three runs off three hits, two walks and a hit batter (Johnson hit the batter with the bases loaded to force in a run; he struck out the next batter to end the threat). George Sherrill pitched the ninth and earned his 17th save.

The O's bats were hot early, as they scored all of their runs in the first five innings. Nick Markakis had three RBIs (two from a 2-run shot in the 3rd) and Jay Payton hit a 2-run shot of his own in the fifth to seal the win for the O's.

I'll be logging the final game of the series later this afternoon at Channel 2. This will complete my internship; unless I get hired, I'm finished at WMAR-ABC. I had a great time there, and hope to stay on full time.

The O's will send Jeremy Guthrie to the mound to try and complete the sweep. The Birds have Monday off before a six game road trip against the Yankees and Rays.