Game 151 Recap-
3b Jose Bautista homered in the 1st and Pinch hitter Greg Zaun’s 2 run double help support RH Jesse Litsch’s strong start, leading the Toronto Blue Jays over the Baltimore Orioles,3-2 Thursday night at Rogers Centre. The Orioles have lost 9 series in a row and 19 of 22. They also are 2-17 in 1 run contests since June 18th, after going 18-10 in previous games.
LH Garret Olson(9-9,6.75) got the start for the Os and pitched well. The loss was his 3rd in 4 starts, he was charged with 4 hits and 3 runs over 5 2/3 innings. This was a significant improvement over his last start vs Minnesota Sunday, when he did not get out of the 1st while allowing 6 runs. “I thought he was feeling for it early in the game but he settled down, he made some good pitches,” Baltimore Manager Dave Trembley said. “Obviously it was a big improvement from the last time he pitched.” Olson, for one, was not down post game. “It all comes down to those big pitches,” Olson said. “I think we’re all capable of doing it but sometimes we just don’t get it done. Bottom line, if you make your pitch, more times than not you’re going to get out of that situation.”
Promising RH Jesse Litsch(12-8) went 6 to earn his 3rd win in 4 starts, while allowing 4 hits and 2 runs with 6 Ks and 4 walks. He is 4-1 with 1.91 era in 7 starts since his recall from Triple A on August 14th. ” Ever since he’s come back up he’s thrown the ball a lot better, he’s used both sides of the plate,” Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said. “It seems he’s just getting better all the time.”
The 5 runs in this contest came after 3 swings. In the 1st inning, 3b Jose Bautista homered to left center for a 1-0 Jays lead. Litsch walked the bases loaded in the 5th and SS Alex Cintron singled in the two Orioles runs. The Jays pulled it out in the 6th after an infield hit and 1b Lyle Overbay’s single ran Olson. RH RP Jim Miller then threw a wild pitch to advance the runners. Zaun then hit his 2 run double down the right field corner for the 3-2 spread. The outstanding Toronto bullpen took over and ex Oriole BJ Ryan earned his 31st save in the 9th.
Star of the Game-
Litsch- A Huge part of this pitching rich club, bright future
Orioles Notes-
RH Daniel Cabrera will not pitch again this season although an MRI on his injured elbow showed no further damage…RF Markakis had his Al leading 16th assist… Luke Scott was back in LF and veteran Jay Payton was in CF
Next Game-
3 Game weekend series at New York, vs the Yankees
7:05 pm
Orioles RH Radhamez Liz(6-5,6.90) vs RH Carl Pavano(3-1,5.26)
