The O’s needed to take 2 of 3 from Toronto at-home, and should have been positioned for a possible sweep today. It did not happen, as a right-handed based lineup was totally overwhelmed by lefty Dana Eveland.
As I stated in the series-preview, Eveland had success with Oakland in 2008, but was a disaster in 2009. Even in that 2008 season, right-handed batters posted a .275 batting average against, and a .761 OPS against. You tip the cap to Eveland I guess, but the O’s lineup needed to do more. Perhaps if they had a more patient approach earlier in the game, they could have gotten to the Jays bullpen by the middle-innings.
The real disappointment is that a quality start from David Hernandez was wasted. I have not been shy about saying that I believe Tillman should be the 5th over Hernandez. Or that if the team wanted Hernandez in the rotation, they should have moved Guthrie. Even just yesterday I again stated my preference for Hernandez to eventually become the O’s closer. I still believe in each of those thoughts. However, Hernandez reaffirmed my previous stance that he is capable of being a back-end starter in the American League. There is little doubt in my-mind that over the course of an entire season here in 2010, that Hernandez will be capable of 170+ innings, at a 4.75 era. That has value. At a very minimal salary, that has a lot of value.
I think there are internal options that can be better starters, and I think Hernandez can answer a lot of questions for the O’s for the next-several years if he became Baltimore’s version of Papelbon.
Just focusing on last-night, it was really good to see that Hernandez was able to maintain his velocity 93-95, the 2nd, and most of the 3rd-time through the lineup. Beyond that, his slider which was his strikeout pitch in the Minors, looked more effective than it had during his stint in the Majors in 2009. Also saw him featuring his new-found sinker. Despite Jose Molina golfing one that was perfectly-placed, I thought Hernandez had to feel good about his results with the pitch. Not that he forced a lot of grounders, but that he had good location with it.
For the night, Hernandez finished with 6 innings, 6 hits, 2 er, 4 walks, and 5 k’s. Too many walks, but a reminder of why 2010 should see marked improvement for the O’s overall. The rotation is better, and is going to keep this team in a lot of games.
I was very happy to see Jason Berken get into a game. His outing was exactly the type of performance I believed we could get out of him as a reliever. A guy with the ability to extend over 2-3 innings (last-night 2.2), that could force some grounders. Ohman is on the roster to pitch against the best left-handed hitters in the game. Adam Lind qualifies as that, and I understand why Trembley made the move. I would have liked to have seen Berken get the chance to pitch against Lind. Another benefit of having guys like Berken (and possibly Uehara, and Hernandez at some-point) is that as former starters they are used to facing both sides of the plate.
In the bottom of the 8th, the O’s were scheduled to bring-up Izturis, and Lugo while being down 2-0. Izturis lined-out to 1st, while Lugo singled to LF. I would have pinch-hit for them both. Yes, I understand that Scott and Pie are both left-handed hitters and that Eveland (who was on the mound) or Downs (who entered the game to face Jones) are both lefties as well.
Scott and Pie are better hitters, and I would not have left those weapons on the bench. In the past 3 seasons, Scott has had 312 at-bats vs. lefties and has a .793 OPS against those south-paws. During that same 3 year period, Pie has been abysmal (.447 OPS) against lefties, but the real number to note is the limited at-bats (87). That is far to few at-bats at the beginning of his career to judge his ability to hit lefties.
If you had made those moves, in the top of the 9th, you could have moved Wigginton to 3rd, Scott to 1st, and Tejada to SS. I understand the O’s (and Tejada) do not want to move Tejada shuffled back and forth between 3rd, and SS. There is justification for that stance. However, he should be more than capable of playing SS an inning at a time if needed.
In the bottom of the 9th, you are now down 3-0, and facing the righty Frasor. Markakis walks, Tejada pops out. Why does Atkins come to the plate? Why would you keep Scott on the bench at this point? To Atkins credit, he had a very good at-bat, and singled to left. The result does not justify the decision though. Scott hits RHP better than Atkins.
Frustrating game, but the beauty of baseball is that you can get right back on the field. I am expecting a big-time start from Millwood today. Salvage one win, and get ready for Tampa.
Owner
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.