Liz Gets Hit but O’s Hit Back

4 comments

June 21, 9:24 AM

by Pete Sabatini, Baltimore O's Examiner

 

 

In his 4^th and worst start of the season Radhames Liz was overwhelmed in the first 2 innings, but a huge night from Aubrey Huff pushed the Orioles ahead to win 8-5 in Milwaukee. 

After Liz’s shockingly strong start on June 3^rd it’s been a steady downhill decent for the 24-year old righty.  The youngster has not earned a decision since his debut win but has earned himself a ballooning 6.27 ERA – 13 runs on 18 2/3 inning, including 5 runs on 2 innings of work Friday night.

Trembley said of Liz, “I thought he got caught up in the environment of the game.  He just didn't have his delivery tonight or command of his fastball. ... You pitch behind, you get in trouble."  

Experience can cure that but hopefully he can stay mentally tough enough to get back to making quality major league starts.  (read: don’t hang out with Daniel Cabrera too much)

The bullpen went on to lock down the game in the following 7 innings not allowing a run after Liz’s exit in the 3^rd with no outs.  Aubrey Huff was as locked in as we’ve seen him while an Oriole. 

Huff was working first base Friday night while Millar got the night off due to the lack of DH spot and went 4 for 5 with 2 homeruns.  He’s now homered in 2 straight games and 4 of his last 5.

The two teams accounted for 11 combined runs in the first three innings getting the game off to a torrid start.  By the time the craziness was over 5 different Orioles recorded RBI.

Friday night was indeed a wild game with lots of early offense and odd plays including a dropped third strike to Freddie Bynum in the 4^th who was able to leg it out to first.  On the night, though, Bynum struck out in 3 of his 5 plate appearances and recorded no hits.  Cintron is showing a stark offensive contrast to Bynum making Trembley’s allegiance to Freddie look unwarranted.

Sherrill came on in the 9^th to earn his 25^th save of the season.  This one was as hard-won as any as the flat-capped lefty clearly did not have his best stuff, but battled for a save anyway.

Said his manager, “The guy's makeup and sense of competitiveness is as good as I've ever seen”

In Ex-Orioles news, Erik Bedard left his Friday night start after the third inning with back spasms.  More bad luck for the woeful Mariners.

Score: 8-5 Orioles, (Box Score)

Next Game: @Milwaukee 7:05pm Fri, Cabrera (5-2) vs. McClung (4-3)

Record: 38-34, 6GB

(AP Photo)

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