After claiming a 10-4 lead, it was good that the O’s with-stood the charge by Texas and found a way to win the first-game of the road-trip.
Uehara is going to have days where he his hit around, and last night was certainly one of them… it was a bit dissapointing to see him give up 3 runs in the 6th, letting the Rangers right back in the game.
For the night Uehara went 5 innings, allowing 7hits, 7er, 4 walks, with 2hr, and 2 k’s.
Of greatest concern, and surprise for me, is the walks.
In 10 innings of work so far this year, Uehara has 5 walks.
Compare this to the previous 3 years (and really his entire career)…
2008 – 89.2 IP, 90 hits, 72 k’s, 16 walks
2007 – 62 IP, 47 hits, 66 k’s, 4 walks
2006 – 168.1 IP, 157 hits, 151 k’s, 21 walks
2009 projected – 23 starts, 10-10, 4.50 era, 140 innings, 140 hits, 30 walks
Uehara will not meet my 2009 projections, if he continues to have this level of walks.
Some will say they are not surprised… that Japan is not MLB…. to that, I would say that while Japan is not MLB – it is accepted as AAAA level baseball.
When you have a guy that has 200 walks in about 1500 professional innings, now have 5 in 10 innings…. that is pause for concern.
My guess is that two things are going on… 1) He is adjusting to the size (and feel) difference of MLB baseballs, 2) He is a bit intimidated by the power of MLB teams, and because his velocity tops at around 89, scared to pitch over the plate.
The reality is there is no where to run and hide in the American League East, and he is going to have to throw strikes and not compound issues with walks. With his multiple pitches, and looks… I believe he will keep the O’s in games more often than not.
Uehara was not the only issue of the night.
Baez came into replace Koji, and allowed 2 runs in 2 innings…. I kept thinking it would have been nice to have had Albers available.
Walker came in, and looked great for the one batter he faced… there is no doubt he looks better than last year… still, when Hendrickson goes to the bullpen when Hill returns… I am not sure I see a need for Walker.
Johnson was effective… and Sherrill picked up his 3rd save of the year, after Markakis made a tremendous play in RF.
Bottom-line, we could concentrate on the issues of the rotation… but it is more enjoyable to think of future rotation possibilities, and the existing offense.
The O’s pounded out 16 hits last night… big nights for Roberts and Huff, but I was very excited by Pie’s 3 hits.
Baltimore will attempt to win their 3rd series of the year tonight, when Simon faces McCarthy.
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.