Earl Weaver Rules

Game 27 Recap-

Tampa Rays 8- Baltimore Orioles 1

The surging Tampa Rays rode the strong pitching of promising RH SP Andy Sonnastine and a 5 run 7th inning to defeat the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd game of a 3 game set at Tropicana Field in Tampa.

With the Orioles facing some adversity with pitching injuries and ineffectiveness, young RH Matt Albers kept his team in the game with 6 workman like innings, he allowed 4 hits, 3 runs, walking 1 and striking out 2. The big blow was a 2 run homer by DH Eric Hinske in the 4th to put the Rays ahead 3-1 for good. Tampa scored in the 2nd after a RF Gabe Gross sac fly, the Orioles answered in the 3rd on an rbi single by 2b Brian Roberts.

Albers tired and was pulled after the 6th, Orioles RH Bob McCrory made his ML debut and was hit hard and often. Over 1/3 of an inning, he allowed 2 hits, 4 runs and walked 2. The 5 run Tampa 7th inning was hi-lighted by a 1b Carlos Pena and C Dioner Navarro’s matching 2 run singles. CF BJ Upton added another rbi on a single. After the damage and inning was over, it was 8-1 Rays.

Star of the Game- Sonnastine went to 4-1 with this dominant performance. Over 8 innings,he allowed 6 hits and 1 run while walking 2 and striking out 5.

Things will get better! -RH McCrory’s era is 108.00

Orioles Notes-

Team designated RHP Greg Aquino for assignment to make room for McCrory… SS Brian Fahey was assigned to Triple A Norfolf… Good news on the medical front regarding LH SP Adam Loewen. No injury shown up on his tests, he will meet with noted sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews for further evaluation. Andrews performed the surgery that ended Loewen’s ‘07 season.

Next Game-

Thursday 12:35 Tropicana Field- series conclusion

Orioles LH Brian Buress(3-1) vs Rays RH Matt Garza(0-0)

Game 26 Recap-

A tired and taxed Baltimore pitching staff received a huge lift when call up starter, LH Garrett Olsen got the game to the 7th inning and helped the Orioles beat the Ray 7-4 at Camden Yards in Baltimore.  The team had faced 4 games in 3 days and without young LH Adam Loewen(elbow injury) available, a strong start was much needed.

The Orioles took a 7-o lead into the 7th after scoring 2 runs in the 2, 1 in the third and 4 big runs in the 6th.  DH Aubrey Huff led the way with a home run and 2 rbi, 3b Melvin Mora also had 2 rbi.  Young Rays RH Jason Hammel had a tough night, over 2 2/3, the Orioles collected 6 hits, 3 runs, while walking 4.

Olsen was the story for Baltimore.  They need him to help the pen with some solid innings and he did not disappoint.   Over his much needed 6 2/3 innings, he allowed 4 hits, 2 earned runs while walking 6 and striking out 5. His night was great and although he gave up the 1st run in the 7th, he helped the team a lot tonight. RH Randor Bierd entered the inherited mess and got thru to the 8th with a 7-3 lead.

Veterans RH Chad Bradford and  LH Jaimie Walker pitched into the 9th and turned the game over to closer George Sherrill. Sherill got 3 of 4 hitters out and earned his 10th save.

Star of the Game-– Garrett Olsen- picked up the team tonight, great, great job

Oriole Notes-

Olson was 1-3 in 7.99 era in his appearances  in 2007…..  C Ramon Hernandez is 7 for 14 vs Hammel

Next Game-

Camden Yards-7:05

Orioles RH Matt Albers(2-0) vs Rays RH Andy Sonnanstine(3-1)

Monday’s Chicago White Sox-Baltmore Orioles game was suspended by heavy rain with the score tied in the 12, 3-3. The game will be resumed at date to be determined.

Orioles News-

LH SP Adam Loewen was scheduled to have both an MRI and Cat scan on his injured elbow in Baltimore, the team will have an update soon after. The Orioles have called up Triple A pitcher Garrett Olsen to take his spot in the rotation.

Orioles probable pitching match-ups for Tampa Bay series….All Games at Camden Yards

Tuesday-7:05-LHP Garrett Olsen(0-0)vs TB RH Jason Hammel(2-1)

Wednesday-7:05-RH Jim Johnson(0-0) vs Rays RH Andy Sonnanstine(3-1)

Thursday-12:35-RH Steve Trachsel(1-3) vs TB RH Matt Garza(0-0)

Game 25 Recap-

1b Paul Konerko, in a season long slump hitting .197 with 3 homers, hit 2 home runs today and RH Jose Contreras pitched 6+ strong innings to lead the White Sox to a 6-1 at US Cellular Field in Chicago. The two teams play the series finale Monday after splitting the 1st two games.

Orioles RH Jeremy Guthrie started the game and allowed 3 runs over his 5 innings, while giving up 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out 5. 2b Brian Roberts continued his recent strong play with a homer in the 3rd but Konerko homered again in the 6th to make it 2-1 White Sox. A throwing error by SS Brian Fahey on a fielder’s choice allowed 2 more runs to score and it was quickly 4-1. The White Sox added 2 more runs in the 7th vs the Orioles bullpen on a hit batter with the bases loaded and a fielders choice.

Star of the Game-Konerko with 2 homers

Orioles Notes-

Roberts led the Os with 2 hits….1b Kevin Millar took a day off with Aubrey Huff playing 1st while Jay Payton getting a start, taking his spot in LF… Contreras(6 2/3 innings,5 hits,1 run,3 walks, 3 Ks) earned his 2nd win of the season vs the Orioles in 2 starts

Next Game-

2:05 US Cellular Field-Chicago

Baltimore RH Daniel Cabrera(2-0) vs White Sox RH Javier Vazquez(3-2)

Game 24-

Chicago White Sox 6- Baltimore Orioles 5

The White Sox rode the advantage of their starting pitching matchup and some timely hitting to gain a double header split vs the Orioles Saturday Night at US Cellular Field in Chicago, 6-5.

Chicago Ace LH Mark Buehrle took the mound and was strong thru his 6 innings of work, allowing only 3 hits and 3 runs while striking out 5 and walking 2. The Orioles jumped out to a 2-0 lead when C Ramon Hernandez drove in 2 with double in the 1st. Chicago quickly answered with 2 runs of their own after an rbi ground out and run scoring double vs Orioles veteran RH SP Steve Trachsel. Tracs struggled all night with his control, over 3 innings plus he walked 5, gave up 5 hits,5 runs(4 earned) and struck out 2.

In the 3rd, White Sox LF Carlos Quentin drove in another run with a double and Orioles error on the play to make it 3-2. Trachsel was done for the night after RF Nick Swisher’s 2 run homer in the 4th. Promising Orioles RH Jim Johnson(.45 era) entered the game and pitched 2 hit ball over 2 1/3 innings with 2 Ks. 1b Kevin Millar homered off of Buehrle in the 6th to make it, 5-3 Chicago.

LH RP Boone Logan entered the game and the Orioles rallied with 2 more runs on a run scoring triple by 2b Brian Roberts followed 3b Melvin Mora’s double to tie the game at 5. Unfortunately, RH Randor Bierd allowed 2 walks and a single in the 9th bring OF Brian Anderson to the plate with the bases loaded. He quickly hit a shallow single for the winning margin,6-5.

Orioles Notes-

SS Eider Torres’ single in the 7th was his 1st ML hit

Game 23 Recap-

The day after learning promising LH SP Adam Loewen might be out for a while, fellow LH SP Brian Burres picked up the Orioles with a huge performance in the 1st game of Saturday’s double header in Chicago. Burres worked 8 strong innings, allowing 3 hits, k-ing 4 versus one of the better hitting clubs in the AL, The White Sox.

The Orioles got all the runs they would need when backup C Guillermo Quiroz hit a 2 run homer off of White Sox LH SP John Danks in the 6th. That was the Chicago SP only mistake over his 6 1/3 innings,giving up only 4 hits, those 2 runs and striking out 4. Baltimore scored 3 more runs in the 9th with an error allowing one to score and 2b Brian Roberts hitting a run double to make it 5-0.

RH Matt Albers relieved Burres and allowed 2 hits and walk to load the bases. Orioles Closer George Sherrill entered the game and after hitting his 1st batter for the White Sox only run, got 3b Joe Crede to fly out to end the game and earn his 9th save.

Star of the Game-Burres- Huge performance and much needed with the bad news on Loewen and overuse of the pen

Down Pour did in Friday Night game….Day-Night double header Saturday

Game #1

Noon-

Orioles LH Brian Burress(2-1) vs White Sox LH John Danks(2-1)

6 pm-

Baltimore RH Steve Trachsel(1-3) vs Chicago RH Nick Masset(NR)

Friday night series opener in Chicago is being delayed… more than likely will rescheduled

Orioles DLed LH Adam Loewen with his elbow issue. This is not good, this is the same elbow that required surgery during last season with a stress fracture. No word on who will take his spot, long men Matt Albers or Jim Johnson might be short term answers. Team might want to call someone up or make a trade, this could be season ending.

Game 22 Recap-

Baltimore Orioles 8- Seattle Mariners 7

The Orioles continued to show spunk and fire, rallying from a 5-0 deficit to win the game and series,8-7. Baltimore scored 3 big runs in the 7th and all star 2b Brian Roberts hit the decisive homer in the 8th.

Orioles SP LH Adam Loewen was lit up over 2 2/3 innings of work, allowing 4 hits,3 walks and 5 runs. Seattle 3b Adrian Beltre took him deep in the 2nd for a 1-0 lead. The Ms added 4 more runs in the 3rd on 2 sac flies and a 2 run double by DH Jose Vidro.

To make matters worse, post game Loewen admitted to pitching with forearm stiffness and might be DLed or face further tests. He said he would travel with the team to Chicago and maybe return to Baltimore for more evaluation. The promising LH is coming off of elbow surgery and any injury to him would be devastating to Orioles long and short term. However, if he is hurt, they need to shut him down and get this fixed.

The Orioles showed signs of life off of Mariners LH SP Jarrod Washburn with LF Jay  Payton hitting a solo shot to make it 5-1. They scored again in the 5th to chase Washburn, then added another run in the 6th for a 5-3 score. Ex O’s LH RP Arthur Rhodes entered the game in the 7th and allowed all 3 batters to reach with 2 hits and walk. He was relieved by RH Mark Lowe and as Seattle Manager John McLaren went to the mound, he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

Baltimore then errupted for 4 runs with a sac fly(1b Kevin Millar),run scoring single (DH Aubrey Huff) and double(CF Adam Jones) to make it 7-5, Os. RH Sean Green entered the mess and got two outs to escape any further damage.

After some great pen work by the Orioles relief corps,RH Matt Albers tired and was picked up by LH Jamie Walker. Unfortunately, Mariners superstar RF Ichiro picked up his pitch to the right field stands with a 2 run homer to tie the game at 7.  However, Roberts came thru huge with his lead off homer in the 8th for the decisive run. RH Chad Bradford gave up a hit in the 8th but got 3 outs.  Closer LH George Sherrill allowed a lead off hit but got a quick double play and then another ground out to end the game and get his 8th save .

Star of the Game- The Orioles pen… allowed only a homer to Ichiro over 6 2/3 innings….hats off to RH Randor Bierd, Albers, Walker, Bradford and Sherrill.

Orioles Notes- 

Loewen has a career 10.80 era in 4 games vs Seattle… CF Jones had 3 hits and 3 rbi

Next Game-

8:11 US Cellular Field-Chicago

Baltimore LH Brian Burress(2-1) vs White Sox LH Mark Buehrle(1-2)

Game 21 Recap-

Baltimore Orioles 3- Seattle Mariners 2

RF Nick Markakis found a happy ending to his rough night with a 8th inning homer for winning margin at Safeco Field,3-2. Markakis was 0 for 3 with 2 bad looking strikeouts and an rbi ground out before his big homer.

RH Daniel Cabrera continued his recent run of solid pitching with 8 innings of work while allowing 5 hits and striking out 5 with no walks. The Mariners scored single runs in the 1st(LF Raul Ibanez sac fly) and 4th(DH Jose Vidro ground out) to go up 2-0.

Mariners RH Carlos Silva, was looking to go 4-0 but the Orioles finally broke thru in the 6th with 2 runs. Melvin Mora’s rbi triple and Markakis ground out tied the game at 2. Silva,who deserved better, tired and was gone after a walk to led off the 7th. His final line was 6 innings,6 hits,2 runs, 2 walks and 4 strike outs. RH RP Sean Green pitched a strong 1 1/3 and Mariners Manager John McLaren went LH vs LH when he brought in LH RP Ryan Rowland-Smith. He was 3 for 17 vs LH and Markakis made that 4 for 18 with a shot to right.

Orioles closer LH George Sherrill took the mound in the 9th and allowed a leadoff single but then retired the next 3 batters with out incident for his 7th save.

Star of the Game-RH SP Daniel Cabrera– Repeat after me, zero walks, I win, zero walks, I win! This kid has talent, he trusts it, he is dangerous!

Next Game-

10:10 Safeco Field

LH Adam Loewen(0-1) vs LH Jarrod Washburn(1-3)

Orioles Notes-

Cabera is now 5-1 vs Seattle in his career, 4-0 at Safeco

Game 20 Recap-

Seattle Mariners 4- Baltimore Orioles 2

Orioles wasted a great pitching performance by RH Jeremy Guthrie to lose a tough game to open a 3 game series vs Seattle at Safeco Field, 4-2. The game was tied in the 8th and the Mariners rallied for 2 runs in the inning for the winning margin.

After the Orioles took the lead in the 1st on another rbi hit by 1b Kevin Millar to make it 1-0, Seattle responded. Guthrie was outstanding over his 7 2/3 innings of work. However he aallowed a single run in the 1st after M’s Superstar Ichiro Suzuki led off the game with a triple and scored Seattle’s 1st run on a ground out.

Mariners RH Felix Hernandez was tough as always but the Orioles made him work early in the game and he escaped some decent jams but also racked up a big pitch count. After a throwing error by C Ramon Hernandez made it 2-1 Seattle in the 5th, Felix gave the run back with a homer by Baltimore DH Aubrey Huff making it a new ballgame at 2. Hernandez pitched thru the 7th with a final line of 6 hits, 2 runs ,3 walks and 7 strike outs. LH ex Oriole Arthur Rhodes threw a clean 8th inning.

The Mariners took the game in the 8th inning. After a single and 2 walks, DH Jose Vidro’s rbi single made it 4-2. RH Dennis Sarfate got the last out of the inning in relief of Guthrie, who deserved better. Over 7 and 2/3 innings, he allowed 5 hits, 4 runs(3 earned) while walking 4 and striking 5. Mariners All Star Closer JJ Putz, among the elite closers in the game, entered the game fresh off of a DL stint and was devastating in the 9th with 2 strike outs for his 2nd save of the season after allowing a leadoff double.

2nd Guess-Manager Dave Trembley allows Guthrie to stay in the game at 100+ pitches with his bullpen fresh after an off day. Tough call, that why he get paid the big $$$$$

Next Game-

Orioles RH Daniel Cabrera(1-0) vs Mariners RH Carlos Silva(3-0)

Orioles Notes-Mariners honored ex Catcher John Marzano, who died tragically over the weekend, with a pregame ceremony. He played in Seattle from 96-98.

Game 19 Recap-

New York Yankees 7- Baltimore Orioles 1

The New York Yankees put together some clutch hits plus a strong and much needed strong pitching performance from veteran LH Andy Pettitte to beat the Orioles at Camden Yards, 7-1. The Os were looking for a sweep but battled rain delays and a strong, veteran Yankees club. The big story of this game was an apparent quad injury to the reigning AL MVP Alex Rodriquez. The injury did not appear to be serious and he was planning on missing some games this week with family issues. This would be a big blow to the Yankees if serious, in that they have had Captain and SS Derek Jeter as a well as long time C Jorge Posada miss time with injuries.

Long time NYY SP, LH Andy Pettitte, was the clear star of the game as he completely shut down the improved Orioles lineup. Over 7 dominant innings, he allowed 4 hits while striking out 5. The key being zero walks, as the new patient Baltimore approach did not reap any benefits. The Yankees took a 2-0 lead in the 2nd on rbi doubles by Rodriquez and Hideki Matsui. Veteran Os RH Steve Trachsel competed and kept the game at that score til he ran into major trouble in the 7th. Tiring, he was relieved by sidearming RH specialist Chad Bradford who then gave up a two run homer to Johnny Damon. Steve’s final line stands at 6 1/3 innings pitched, 7 hits, 3 earned runs with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts.

The Orioles touched Yankees phenom RH Joba Chamberlain for his 2nd earned run in 30 1/3 career innings with a Brian Roberts sacrifice fly in the 8th, to make it, 4-1. Jeter put the game away with a bases loaded, 3 run double off of LH George Sherrill in the 9th to put the game out of reach. Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth without incident to close the game.

Star of the Game- Clearly,NYY SP Andy Pettitte. Yankees have made some tremendous personnel mistakes the past 5-6 seasons, as a Red Sox fan, the biggest was letting this guy leave for Houston. Big game, big time pitcher who knows when and how to win in big spots. Losing streak stopper and leader.

Orioles Notes-

Backup catcher Guillermo Quiroz got a rare start in relief of Ramon Hernandez and hit in a double while scoring the Os only run

Next Game-

Off Monday- on the road in Seattle and Chicago this week

Tuesday-10:10 start-Safeco Field

Orioles LH Adam Loewen(1-0) vs Mariners RH Felix Hernandez(2-0)

Team is off Monday and on the road with trips to Seattle and Chicago

Tuesday-10:10- LH Adam Loewen(1-0) vs Mariners RH Felix Hernandez(2-0)

Wednesday-10:10- RH Jeremy Guthrie(0-1) vs Seattle RH Carlos Silva(3-0)

Thursday-10:10-RH Daniel Cabrera(1-0) vs Mariners R.A. Dickey(0-1)

Friday-8:11 LH Brian Burres(2-1)vs White Sox LH Mark Buehrle(1-2)

Saturday-7:05- vs Chicago White Sox

Sunday- 2:05-vs Chicago White Sox

Game 18 Recap-

Baltimore Orioles 6-New York Yankees 0

Baltimore won the 2nd game of this weekends series with the New York Yankees behind strong pitching from starter Brian Burress and young reliever Jim Johnson, 6-0. Offensively, the Os made Yankees pitchers work, drawing 8 walks( 5 from rookie starter, Ian Kennedy) and making them pay with clutch hits.

The Orioles jumped on young Kennedy in the 2nd with a double by SS Brian Fahey making it 1-0. 1b Kevin Millar continued his strong April with a homer to make it 2-0. C Ramon Hernandez 2 run double made it 4-0 and the Yankees rookie starter was gone with 2 2/3 innings of work, allowing 5 hits, 4 runs , while walking 5 and striking out 4. Kennedy really struggled as he fell behind the count on 11 of the 17 hitters he faced.

Baltimore RH Brian Burress was solid for 5 2/3 vs a very good, veteran hitting lineup in the Yankees. With his 88 pitches, he allowed 5 hits, walked 4 and mixed in 2 strikeouts. Pleasant Surprise RH RP Jim Johnson finished the final 3 1/3 innings allowing 1 hit over his workload. His control was outstanding, with 26 of his 41 pitches being strikes. Johnson has allowed zero runs over his 9 innings this season to really help the Orioles pen.

Offensively, the Os were led by 1b Millar with 2 hits including his homer. SS Fahey added 2 hits and an rbi while Hernandez chipped in 2 hits with an rbi and walk. The entire lineup put together quality at bats and made the Yankees pitchers work. Baltimore goes for the 3 game sweep Sunday.

Next Game-

Sunday-1:35 PM

Orioles RH Steve Trachsel(1-2) vs Yankees LH Andy Pettitte(2-1)

Orioles Notes-

LF Luke Scott extended his 7 game hit streak…. Orioles 1st shutout since September 13 of last season, when they beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 4-0

Game 17 Recap-

Orioles won the opener of a 3 game weekend series tonight with the New York Yankees via a solid, team effort,8-2. What turned out to be a low,scoring affair with each club scoring single runs in the 4th(Orioles on a double play) and 5th(Yankees on a Melvin Mora throwing error), turned into a rout with the Os scoring 7 runs in the 6th to blow the game open.

Rookie Yankees RH Phil Hughes continued his rough freshman campaign with his third loss with no wins. He left after 5 1/3 innings, allowed 9 hits, 5 runs,2 walks and struck out 1. RH Reliever Latroy Hawkins entered the game and threw some gas on the fire allowing 3 more rus to make it 8-1. Orioles RH Daniel Cabrera was strong and kept his walks to a minimum, his key! Over his 6 innings, the Yankees had 6 hits, scored 2 runs , drew 2 walks and struck out 3 times. Cabrera, for all of his wildness and faults, has had some success vs the Pinstripes over his career. The Os pen got solid work out 3 members tonight to pitch the final 3 innings, RH Randor Bierd, LH Jaime Walker and long man Matt Albers all looked strong.

Orioles offensively were led by RF Nick Markakis(Os All Star?), who had 3 hits and a rbi, LF Luke Scott (2 hits, rbi) and DH Aubrey Huff, on base all night with 2 walks and a hit. Pinch hitter Jay Payton had the biggest hit of the night with a 2 run hit in the 6th to put the game out of reach.

Store this away…. Orioles will win a lot of games if they continue to get solid starting pitching. Cabrera has talent but needs to throw strikes and work on his emotional control. He is a key! Pen is improved with a legit closer in Sherrill and the offense is making pitchers work. I killed this team in my season preview and they have been surprisingly competitive.

Next game-

Saturday-7:05

Orioles LH Brian Burres (1-1)vs Yankees RH Ian Kennedy(0-1)

Game 16 Recap-

The Baltimore Orioles came back against one of the best bullpens in the AL last night to post a exciting victory over the Chicago White Sox, 6-5 in ten innings. 1b Kevin Millar, who walked to leadoff the inning, scored from second on a rbi single by CF Adam Jones for the decisive run. New Os closer George Sherrill(1-0) got the win with a scoreless tenth.

Both starting pitchers had good performances and quality starts. White Sox right hander Gavin Floyd continued his strong opening month with 6 innings of 2 hit ball, allowing 2 runs(on a Nick Markakis home run), walking 2 and k-ing 4. Orioles right hander Mark Guthrie matched the 6 innings allowing 6 hits, 4 runs(3 earned), walking 1, striking out 2 and allowing 2 solo shots.(OF Carlos Quentin and 3b Joe Crede)

With Guthrie out after giving up the 2 solo shots, the Os pen entered with the Sox up, 4-2 in the 7th. Quentin took RH RP Dennis Sarfate deep in the 8th for his 2nd homer in consecutive innings to make it,5-2. Luke Scott made it 5-3 with a clutch double in the 8th of White Sox new comer RH Scott Linebrink.

After LH RP Jaime Walker held the Sox scoreless in the 9th, White Sox All Star closer, RH Bobby Jenks, entered the game. The Os brought the crowd out of its seats with 2 runs on an rbi double by 2b Brian Roberts and a clutch single by 3b Melvin Mora to tie the game at 5-5.

Orioles Notes-

Jenks has 13 career blown saves, 3 have occurred at Camden Yards…. RF Nick Markakis has reached base in 15 of the 16 Baltimore games

Next Game- Series Starters-

Friday-7:05

Orioles RH Daniel Cabrera(0-0) vs Yankees RH Phil Hughes(0-2)

Saturday-7:05

Baltimore RH Brian Burres(1-1) vs NY RH Ian Kennedy(0-1)

Sunday-1:35

Orioles RH Steve Trachsel(1-2) vs Yankees LH Andy Pettitte(2-1)

Game 15 Recap

Orioles wasted a good starting pitching performance by young LH Adam Loewen and lost a tough one to open this 2 game series at Camden Yards , 3-1. Cuban legend Jose Contreras kept the Os at bay all night and was solid for 7 innings. The crafty White Sox veteran allowed 4 hits(3 consecutive in the fourth) while striking out 6 over 7 innings. Jim Thome supplied all the needed offense with a 3 run homer in the 1st inning.

O’s manager Dave Trembley hoped to get a strong innings eating peformance out of his starter after some rough work by his rotation and Loewen responded. The youngster went 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, the 3 earned runs(all on the Thome HR) while walking 5 and striking out 3. He was added by the defense of his outfielders as both RF Nick Markakis and LF Luke Scott had big assists to throw out runners, Scott got his at home plate in the 5th and Nick at 3rd during the 3rd.

Not much offense by either club after the Thome homer as the Orioles strung together 3 consecutive singles in the 4th to score Markakis on an infield hit by Aubrey Huff. Orioles right handed relievers Jim Johnson and Chad Bradford each backed Loewen with an inning of work and a strike out. The excellent White Sox bullpen took over the game in the 8th and it was lights out as set up RH Scott Linebrink worked the 8th and tough White Sox closer RH Bobby Jenks got his 5th save in the 9th.

Store this away-

Adam Loewen has improved but he must work on two things to really be the man– walks(11/12 K/BB ratio) and home runs(4 over 15 2/3). These are vital in the offensively explosive AL.

Next Game-

Thursday-7:05 at Baltimore

Orioles RH Jeremy Guthrie vs Chicago’s RH Gavin Floyd(2-0)

Game #14 Recap

Toronto Blue Jays 11- Baltimore Orioles 3

Orioles were done in by two things tonight at Camden Yards- 2 big innings and their own starting pitchers poor performance. Toronto scored 4 runs in the 3rd and 3 in the sixth to make this game a blowout. Veteran RH SP Steve Trachsel was not on tonight and for a man who relies on control, he was wild, walking 3 in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Trachsel was touched up for 5 hits, 5 earned runs and struck out one, while giving up a homer to underrated Jays 2b Aaron Hill for 3 runs in the 3rd. RH Greg Aquino replaced the vet and over his 3 innings of work did not fare much better, allowing 5 hits, 4 earned runs while walking one and k-ing a single Jay.

Promising Toronto RH Shaun Marcum was tough all night, going 6 and 2/3 innings, he allowed 4 hits, 2 runs(on solo shots), walking 3 and struck out 4. This is one of the better young starters in the AL. His 2 mistakes were solo homers by young Os OFs- RF Nick Markakis(3rd inning) and CF Adam Jones(5th).

Toronto was led offensively by Matt Stairs(2 rbi), 2b Hill and Os killer Alexis Rios, 2 more rbi producing at bats. CF Vernon Wells and Hall of Fame bound DH Frank Thomas added rbi singles. The Baltimore offense did not do much but young Markakis and DH Luke Scott each had 2 hits from the team total of 6.

The teams split this short mid week 2 game set and not much was settled. Toronto should get stronger with the return of closer BJ Ryan from Tommy John Surgery. This pitching staff for the Jays has scary potential.

Next Game–

Chicago White Sox-7:05 Wednesday and Thursday

LH Adam Loewen (0-0) vs White Sox RH Jose Contreras(0-1)

Game 13 Recap

Baltimore Orioles 4- Toronto Blue Jays 3

The Orioles won the opener of the battle for first place tonight vs the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Both starting pitchers pitched well but the difference was 1 pitch— a home run by Os clean up man Kevin Millar. The Os First baseman hit a shot to left making the score 3-1, a lead the home team did not give up.

RH Matt Albers made his 1st start for Os , he had done some  relief work after his off season acquisition in the Miguel Tejeda trade. The former Astros starter was excellent allowing 1 earned run over 5 innings while allowing 5 hits, 1 walk and striking out 1 Blue Jay. His mound counterpart, promising Jays RH Dustin McGowan was also very good. Over 6 innings he gave up 3 earned runs, walked 1 and k-ed 5. He also gave up the big homer to Millar in the 5th.

The game was tied after 1 frame with the Jays scoring on an rbi single by CF Vernon Wells, Millar countered with his own rbi hit to make it 1-1. The game stayed tied until Millar’s homer in the 6th, the Os added a single run in the 8th on a sac fly by C Ramon Hernandez to make it 4-1.

The Orioles relief corps, one of the keys to the teams early success, continued their solid work tonight with RH Jim Johnson taking over for the young Albers for 2 1/3 strong innings. LH Jamie Walker and RH Chad Bradford followed to get thru the 8th and get the game to promising closer LH George Sherrill. George,unfortunately, learned what a lot of AL fans have learned over the past 4-5 years, Alex Rios is pretty good! The talented Jays OF hit a tremendous 2 run homer to make it interesting at 4-3. However, George settled down, getting a strike out and line out to earn  his 6th save and secure the Oriole victory!

Star of the Game–Millar with 3 big RBI

Unsung hero-Young RH middle man Jim Johnson for getting the pen set up in order with his strong 2 1/3 innings

Orioles Notes-
Millar and CF Adam Jones led the way with 3 hits, LF Luke Scott, 2b Brian Roberts and 3b Melvin Mora all added two…. Team stole 4 bases tonight

Next Game-

Tuesday-7:05

RH Steve Traschel (1-1) vs Jays RH Shaun Marcum(1-0)

Your Os are a surprising 7-5…

Probable starters…2 game series vs the Blue Jays

Baltimore RH Matt Albers(0-0) vs RH Dustin McGowan(0-0)

Rh Steve Trachsel(1-1) vs RH Shaun Marcum(1-0)

The Battle for 1st Place Begins!!!!

My name is Jay Flannelly and I am your new Os beat writer. Although I grew up as Red Sox and Mets fan, I know this team fairly well and look forward to covering them. The team has got off to a great start and has surprised many. I like the offseason moves of new club President Andy MacPhail and the direction the Os are going in.

Like I said, I grew up as a Red Sox fan( until Yastrzemski retired in 1983) then I watched the great Dwight Gooden-Darryl Strawberry Mets teams of the 80s. I came back to the Sox with Mo Vaughn and Nomar Garciaparra in the mid 90s. However, my baseball hero was always one man…. Cal Ripken Jr. I think he helped save baseball and is maybe the greatest ambassador to the game EVER. I know this clubs great history(I am 36 and saw Palmer, Eddie Murray, The Martinez brothers, Earl,et al) and love Camden Yards. I am excited to be writing for you and hope you enjoy my columns!

The Orioles are 6-1. The Tigers are 1-7.

Enough said.