O’s overcome early woes, defeat Boston

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August 21, 12:02 AM

by Jay Trucker, Baltimore Orioles Examiner

 

 

The Orioles front office must have an express shuttle running to and from AA affiliate Bowie and AAA affiliate Norfolk.  With only one strong pitcher in the rotation, the O’s have been mixing and matching their arms all season. 

How can they win any games with such a suspect pitching staff?  They have to score a lot of runs.  The Orioles hitters have risen to the challenge, scoring ten runs or more thirteen times this season.  Wednesday night, they did so against a Boston pitcher, Clay Buchholz, who tossed a no hitter against them last year.  This time around, the birds beat the Sox 11-6.

Muddy Waters

Recent callup Chris Waters struggled in the early goings, giving up a triple to Dustin Pedroia and a walk to David Ortiz.  Kevin Youkilis, who had a big series, came through with an RBI single.  After a Jason Bay single, Waters forced in a runner with a bases loaded walk.  0-2 Boston after the first inning. 

Backup catcher Kevin Cash hit a double over Jay Payton’s head to leadoff the second.  Jacob Ellsbury followed with an excellent bunt that Waters threw off the mark to first.  Cash scored and Ellsbury moved to second.  Ellsbury advanced to third with a steal.

David Ortiz hit a hard single off the wall to score Ellsbury.  0-4 Boston. 

Slippery Slope

Luke Scott was the first Oriole on the bases Wednesday night.  He worked a one out walk.  A Lou Montanez single scored Scott from second.

Jay Payton got into a 3-2 pitch, then walked on ball four.

HAHAHA!  Fooled you!  Jay Payton doesn’t take walks.  But he did get on base when Sox pitcher Clay Buckholz slipped while fielding a softly hit ball.  Buchholz then walked Juan Castro in four pitches, loading the bases. 

Brian Roberts delivered a 2 RBI single.  3-4 Boston after two. 

Mad Melvin

Melvin Mora was hit by a pitch in the top of the third, which produced a classic Melvin Mora scowl.  Mora stole third while Luke Scott was walking to first, prompting Sox skipper Terry Francona to lift struggling pitcher Clay Buchholz.  This was certainly not Buckholz’s best performance vs. the O's. 

Boston’s relievers didn’t fare much better.  Ramon Hernandez hit a three run dinger off David Aardsma, putting the birds on top.  Jims Palmer and Hunter spent more time gushing about Coco Crisp’s effort to get to the ball than they did discussing the O’s ability to battle back from a four run deficit.  Sure, Crisp’s play was athletic, but he flipped over the wall and didn’t catch the ball, which still technically qualifies as a blooper, I believe.

The bottom of the birds’ lineup got into the act in the third inning as well, tacking another run on with a Lou Montanez walk and Juan Castro single. 7-4 O’s after three innings.

Mashing Melvin

In the fourth inning, Roberts singled and a Markakis walked; Melvin Mora extended the lead with another three run homer.  You won’t like Melvin when he’s angry.  At this point, the O’s had scored 10 unanswered runs.  10-4 O’s after four. 

On the Down Low

During the Wired Wednesday feature, Palmer asked George Sherrill if he’s ever been on the DL before.  That’s a personal question, Jimbo.

That’s a bit of prison humor for you.  Anyone?   Anyone?  Tough crowd. 

Jason Bay launched a solo homer in the fifth that Jay Payton reached for but just missed.  I guess his nearly-great play was not as impressive because Payton didn’t topple over the wall.  The Sox got one back, but the birds answered with a Melvin Mora sac fly in the bottom of the fifth.  Mora had a 4 RBI day.  11-5 birds after five innings.

Dennis Sarfate, last seen pitching two plus innings as a starter, came out of the bullpen for the sixth inning.  He pitched two scoreless innings.  So far, so good in the “send Sarfate back to the ‘pen” experiment. 

Smooth Sailing

With the O’s up by 6 runs, announcers Jim and Jim took to discussing yachting.  Apparently, Palmer owns a yacht.  He also likes his pasta al dente, just so you know.  Even blowout wins have their drawbacks. 

Still in the sixth, the announcers are now discussing their golf games.  I’m out of here.  I’ll be back if anything happens…

New guy Kam Mickolio gave up a run off of three hits in the eighth inning, but I’m not even sure the announcers noticed.    11-6 O’s after eight, which is how the game ended.

The birds got some big hits to avoid a sweep.  They’re playing for pride at this point in the season, but it’s nice to see the pink hat Red Sox Nation go home unhappy.  Let’s hope they can put the nail in the coffin of the Yankees season when they start a three game series following Thursday’s day off.

Score: 11-6 Orioles

Record: 61-65, 16GB

Next Game:  vs. New York. 7:05pm. Friday. 

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