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)
