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)
