Road Trip Wrap-Up

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April 13, 5:29 PM

by Pete Sabatini, Baltimore O's Examiner

 

 

Fifth starter, Brian Burres, worked four no-hit innings before digging a six run hole in the fifth that was too deep for the Birds to climb out.  Randor Bierd entered the game to stop the bleeding, followed by a perfect eigth by recent call-up Jim Johnson.  In the lone offensive bright spot, Nick Markakis hit his first home run of the season - a two run jack in the sixth.

Another shortened starting performance continues to strain the bullpen.  These outing of six innings or fewer are quickly wearing on relief arms that got such a great start to the season.  In an effort to ease the load, manager Dave Trembly added another arm to the 'pen by sending corner infielder Scott Moore back to the minors and bringing up Jim Johnson. 

Johnson looked sharp in today's one inning of work, but the Orioles are going to need more seven and eight inning outings.  Trembly certainly won't have the luxury of a quick hook, even in close games or late innings, if this bullpen workload continues.  That translates into a starter working their way out of a jam, or grinning and bearing it while they give up runs that will inevitably cost games.

Matt Albers, the man beat out by Burres in Spring Training for the final starting spot, is slated to be your fill-in starter for Monday's return home against the Blue Jays.  Albers, the long reliever, will be making the start after a rain postponement forced a double header this week.  Trembly had to make other plans soas not to push another starter into pitching on short rest.  This Albers start also takes away a reserve arm from the bullpen for the coming days so Jim Johnson will likely see more work very soon.

Photo: Brian Roberts Avoids a Rays Runner  (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

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