Game 3 of any baseball season can only count for so much, but it was big for the Orioles to leave Tampa with their first win of the season. It would have been a very long-trip back to Baltimore for the home-opener if the Rays had rallied in the 9th.
Instead, the O’s found a way to win, and they have that monkey off their back. Last-night was an interesting game. I would have lost significant money if I was offered a bet on the chances of Matusz issuing 5 walks in a game. I think the fact that he was able to battle through that adversity, mitigate the damage, and finish strong were all good signs.
I thought Albers did another good job in relief, looking very strong in his first inning, before beginning to tire in his 2nd. I thought last-night was clearly a game where the bullpen missed having Uehara available. At this point, I am looking forward to seeing Hernandez get a couple of starts; but I also think Hernandez could have been valuable out of the pen last night. Checking the Norfolk boxscore, I see Mickolio pitched a scoreless inning with 2 k’s.
When the team gets a couple more of these arms bridging the gap between the starter and to Johnson/Gonzalez – that is when this team will have the chance to take off. Will be watching to see if Johnson is able to go today. He pitched Game 1, and was unavailable Game 2 due to soreness. Last night he did not look quite right. So it bears watching to see if Trembley will be comfortable in using him in back-to-back games.
Finishing-up thoughts on the bullpen, I have been surprised that Trembley has had Ohman enter all 3 games. I give Gonzalez credit for not being overwhelmed by the pressure, and getting his first 2010 save – but you simply can not walk hitters as a closer and be effective.
Nice to see Roberts get his first 2 hits, and steal a base. Never saw the official report, but appeared he jammed his neck with his head-first slide. On the game telecast, it was stated that Trembley offered Roberts a chance to take the night off, which Roberts declined. While I respect Roberts for wanting to stay in the lineup – I want to see Trembley mandate that Roberts will have certain days off, and not give the player the choice.
Wieters had 2 more hits, finishing the series 6 for 12. I think his off-season workouts helped, as I see a player that looks stronger in the legs and more fluid in the hips. Great to see him get off to a strong-start.
With 2 hits of his own (including his 3rd double) Atkins finished the series 4 for 12. Also have to give credit for the defensive plays he made on Matusz’s two-pickoffs.
Reimold was back in the lineup, but this time at DH – with Scott in LF. Seems rather obvious that Trembley did not want Reimold’s Achilles’ taking a pounding on successive nights on the Tampa carpet. Reimold did touch off his first bomb of the year (crushed), and again beat-out a potential double-play with hustle down the first-base line. Reimold is a very easy player to enjoy following.
I’m hoping to see Pie ready to rejoin the lineup this next series with Toronto.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.