It would be one thing if the O’s were evaluating talent, but pitchers like Brian Burres have been evaluated enough. Burres is a spot starter/long man at best, and he’s only starting for the squad right now because they don’t have enough arms to go around.

Burres gave up a two run homer in the first to Wayne’s World wannabe Nick Swisher. He also gave up one run each in the second and third innings and two runs in the fourth.

The Orioles were down 6-0 before Nick Markakis doubled to score Brian Roberts in the bottom of the fourth.

Thorny Issue

Said Gary Thorne in the top of the sixth: “The White Sox have their hittin’ shoes on.”

Hokey cliché or made up Thornism? You decide.

Either way, it’s hard to blame the Orioles bats for this one. The fielders had a few botched plays, but they were chasing balls all day. At one point Jay Payton dove for a line drive and I swore he was going to stay down. I'm sure he wanted to.

Gary’s Little Helper

Randor Beird came on and pitched the sixth, putting Burres out of his misery. He promptly surrendered another run, plunked Paul Konerko in the bread basket, and loaded the bases.

Here’s a better Gary Thorne quote: “The seventh inning stretch is brought to you by Jack Daniels Tennessee whiskey. Please drink……Responsibly.”

Sounds like Gary had more fun working the Little League World Series.

Beird escaped the sixth giving up only one and he pitched a scoreless seventh, but allowed another run to score in the eighth.

Local Hero

Nick Markakis made his way around the bases after working a sixth inning walk, but the O’s were never really in it. They were down 8-2 after eight innings of Gavin Floyd. The Severna Park, MD native could have gone the distance, but Ozzie Guillen called him off in the ninth.

The Orioles had a little more luck in the ninth, getting two on with no outs. They managed to score a run and load the bases, but Alex Cintron couldn’t connect. The O’s were about five runs short.

Score: 8-3

Record: 62-70, 4 SP Short

Next Game: vs. Chicago. Wed. 7:05pm. A Chi Pitcher (10-6, 3.16 ERA) vs. Some Shlub (4-3, 7.32 ERA).

For more info: Check out the ESPN boxscorehere.

Topics: Brian Burres , Gary Thorne

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