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Orioles finding relief in bullpen
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Orioles reliever Chad Bradford has played a key role in the team’s success in the bullpen. — AP
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The Orioles bullpen is relying on a lot of the same names this season — Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford and Jim Johnson.
The results so far, however, have been quite different.
Baltimore’s bullpen has been among the best in the majors, and is a huge reason the team entered last night’s game against Seattle just two games out of first place.
“We know we are going to be able to compete with teams,” reliever Dennis Sarfate said. “We just ask starters to do their job and give us a chance at the end of the game. We are throwing the ball real well and it’s kind of fun.”
The bullpen struggled last season, as it was called on to throw 524.2 innings en route to a 5.71 earn-run average, second worst out of 30 teams. Orioles relievers allowed a total of 333 earned runs, 98 more than the American League average. And when opponents didn’t get a hit — they batted .275 against Baltimore’s bullpen — they usually got on base, as the unit issued a league-high 279 walks.
But this Orioles bullpen is a much different group, ranked fourth in the majors with a 3.57 earn-run average and is a major reason the team was 11-8 entering its seven-game road trip. The unit has allowed just 25 earned runs in 63 innings, but more importantly, has just 21 walks against 45 strikeouts, enabling the team to go 5-1 in one-run games.
In the offseason, the team added right-handers Matt Albers, Greg Aquino, Jim Johnson and Sarfate, but no high-priced free agents. But the biggest difference might be at the end of the bench. Last year’s closers, Chris Ray and Danys Baez, are likely out for the season with injuries, and have been replaced by George Sherill, a left-hander acquired in the trade that sent ace Erik Bedard to Seattle.
Sherill, 31, has been consistently solid when called upon, converting all six of his save opportunities and striking out seven.
The key to the improved play this year? Sherill said the bullpen’s key to success is its high level of confidence.
“We have been doing pretty well, taken our lumps, but so does everybody,” he said. “It’s just a matter of putting some good ones together and I think we have been doing that.”
Bradford and Walker also have been stabilizing forces for the unit, taking the nicknames of “Shake” and “Bake,” used by two prominent teammates from the popular NASCAR-themed comedy “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” The light-hearted duo have kept the bullpen loose and embraced the monikers, with Walker even having a T-shirt that reads “Bake.”
“Some of the guys around here just came up with it, so we just kind of rolled with it,” Bradford said. “It was funny last year, so we kind of kept it going this year.”
Examiner writer Andrew Vitelli contributed to this report.
dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
6:43 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 19, 2008 re: "Orioles ready for competition to begin"
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12:09 PM MST on Thu., Dec. 20, 2007
re: "O's say no deals today"
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5:06 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007
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6:23 PM MST on Sat., Dec. 15, 2007
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12:28 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 12, 2007
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1:53 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 5, 2007
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1:21 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 5, 2007
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5:55 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 4, 2007
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6:49 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007
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City Resident said:
its good to see some people still support the Orioles. as a Baltimore resident who grew up in Boston, i know what its like to root for a crappy team for a LONG time (Bruins, Celtics especially). and those complainers? they'll be the first ones back when things are going well again. sad! keep it up true O's fans and i'll "see you at the Yard!"
74 agree | 71 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
TRADE !!!!!.....Who would want an Oriole player ?????
175 agree | 177 disagree
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avid reader said:
I csn't believe that baseball paid this guy all of that money to write a report that could take baseball down. There was no news in the report because so many players grow too fast in size and as a fan I say to myself this guy could not be spending this much time in the gym. This is a sad scenario for the game.
178 agree | 167 disagree
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Karl said:
many baseball players want to play, win, and continue their careers at whatever cost; even to taking illegal substances. And the fans feel the same way. Let them continue their careers. And if taking illegal substances helps to win games, that is okay with the majority of fans. As Vince Lombardi is credited with saying, "winning is everything; it is the only thing."
165 agree | 179 disagree
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O's season ticket holder said: said:
What i find amazing is this. Two years ago all of the congressmen wanted to hold hearings on this same matter, now i see why. Just like this retired senator they are all looking for lucrative jobs once they leave office.....
184 agree | 188 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How convenient that not a single current Red Sox player is mentioned, despite the glaringly obvious Ortiz. How can someone his age have a heart condition known to be linked to steroid use and not have showed up in the report? Perhaps because it was controlled by someone who has a financial stake in the Red Sox?
188 agree | 190 disagree
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Don said:
Wonder how these O's druggies would have played without the drugs ????????
191 agree | 156 disagree
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Don said:
Probably should have listed who hasn't
187 agree | 181 disagree
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Don said:
Maybe they can get a package deal for the O's and Rav's with Mayflower van lines. It's got to be terrible being a local sportcaster here in Baltimore.
231 agree | 209 disagree
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Caroline- A.K.A orioles fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and what did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!
241 agree | 226 disagree
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Lauren said:
i hope the orioles make some changes in the offseason because i've just about had it them. we have some great guys on our team. But, the pitching, most of all the pitchers have been injured this year, loewen,benson,wright,bedard,guthrie, and some other guys, if we can get them healthy and ready to go for 2008 i think we will play better. to be a playoff team you need everything, solid pitching, good defense and good offense and the orioles will have eveything if they just keep their players healthly.
271 agree | 265 disagree
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oriole fan said:
all i want is for the orioles to at least get to the playoffs, thats all i'm asking from them. or maybe even finish above .500 because after 10 losing seasons baltimore deserves a winning team! but i had to say that orioles have not given up. they play better against the yankees then they do agaisnt the devil rays. i mean c'mon! whats up with that?
218 agree | 243 disagree
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oriole fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and want did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!
281 agree | 272 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It is ASTONISHING that these comments get well over 50 users rating their statements. The real issues get 1, 2, maybe 3. Maybe this is why Baltimore has such problems- no one cares enough to speak up, or take the time to do something! When it starts to leak into your neighborhood, I bet then we'll hear your mouth.
245 agree | 264 disagree
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Baseball Fan said:
HI, I think it is about time that the Baltimore Orioles wear your cities name on their away uniforms. They have the weak excuse that they serve other areas that would not relate to Baltimore. I live in New Hampshire and I have no problem with the Boston Red Sox identifying with Boston on their away uniforms. If the Red Sox didn't recognize Boston on their away uniforms I would take it as an insult to Boston and the home town fans. I have been to your city many times and have taken in Orioles, Red Sox games. I can't understand how Orioles fans and the city of Baltimore don't insist on the Orioles identifying with Baltimore on their away uniforms. After all, they are the Baltimore Orioles. They wouldn't have such a great ball park if it wasn't for the support of the tax payers of Baltimore. Thanks
278 agree | 264 disagree
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Don said:
Send the O's packing it's over. Root for the new kids on the block the Washington Nationals. They are welcome to use our stadium Hon.
254 agree | 264 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I thought Palmer put Markakis on the rising stars list because he was under 25 which the list asked for. Bedard is, what, 29? C'mon Welsh. Do your homework and stop twisting facts. Palmer wins in a landslide.
248 agree | 265 disagree
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A memorable season said:
That's one way to make this season memorable!
302 agree | 256 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ouch. That's no spanking, that's a slaughter.
280 agree | 247 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Uncle Pete, please open up that checkbook this winter!!!
327 agree | 280 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Trade Mora, Millar, Trachsel. Trade for Arod pay him and let him continue to be the best power hitter in baseball. Get the first baseman from Texas as soon as possible. One more starter and one relief pitcher. = winning season and some Oct. playing time.
320 agree | 327 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The first thing they should do is decide what kind of team they're going to be (which is what MacPhail presumably is doing now). Then they can trade Daniel Cabrera and Steve Trachsel. Next get rid of Miggy and Mora in the off-season. And then they can ship out a few of the other role players listed. I actually would keep Jay Payton for veteran leadership. They need to be smart.
348 agree | 314 disagree
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Mr. Mirth Alert said:
Pfooey! The Orioles can win without Guerrero, A-Rod. or even Curt Schilling. Just start finding reasons to win, not excuses for losing. That's the mgr.'s job: to convince the team they're better than they are. But the crusty owner interprets that to mean they're better than he—& they are.
748 agree | 326 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The four noisy people with HD? I guess i'll continue to watch a WINNING team in it's HD bliss!
335 agree | 323 disagree
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Scott S. said:
The self proclaimed king won't allow it
395 agree | 396 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Orioles is no longer a region team since the Nationals have come to Washington, DC, so what is the problem with Baltimore being on the road jersey. If it is a marketing issue the Orioles would profit from it and the fans would appreciate the recognition of the city and the team while on the road.
417 agree | 369 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Bring back the Baltimore road jersey!!! It would be a small concession to the fans that would go a long way to improving team relations under a dismal team win record. As for the "O's" caps; it is appropriate for a team that has been a bunch of zeros the past few years. Zero championships too.
407 agree | 377 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How is this even an issue? Everyone knows that the Orioles are from Baltimore. I hate baseball and i know where every team is from without seeing the city name before the team name. Save your energy for the topics that matter.
393 agree | 378 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Shouldn't the Orioles ownership be proud of the fact that they're from Baltimore? Put it back.
398 agree | 403 disagree
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