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Guthrie suffers 8th loss, O's fall to Jays 5-1
STATS: By Inning | Box | Matchup | O's Stats | Jays Stats
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The Blue Jays scored three unearned runs in the 8th and wrapped up a win vs. the Orioles in a game that began Wednesday night.
In the completion of that suspended contest, Toronto beat the Birds, 5-1. The game resumed in the top of the 6th today, with Toronto batting and leading 2-1.
The Jays take a 2-1 lead in this series and move to within one game of .500. The Orioles, now 3-4 on this homestand, have lost 6 of 9 and 15 of their last 23 contests to fall four games under .500 at 48-52.
Jeremy Guthrie took the loss, falling to 6-8. He gave up two runs and six hits over 5 2/3. Winning pitcher AJ Burnett gave up just one run over five innings and is now 11-9.
Toronto scored three times in the 8th to take a 5-1 lead. With the bases loaded and one out, first baseman Kevin Millar fielded a ground ball and threw home to to get a force play, but his throw sailed over the head of catcher Ramon Hernandez and two runs scored to make it 4-1. A John McDonald sac fly made it a 5-1 Jays lead.
Wednesday night's game was halted by a downpour at 8:53 p.m. Shortly before the delay, Toronto broke the 1-1 tie. Alex Rios led off the top of the 6th with a single and stole second. He later scored on a Lyle Overbay RBI single for a 2-1 lead.
Although Wednesday's game is considered an official game by Major League baseball and not subject to refunds, the Orioles will allow all fans who purchased tickets for tonight's game to exchange those for a lower or upper reserve ticket to any home game in September, subject to availability.
Aubrey Huff led off the last of the fourth with a booming triple to left center. He scored on Melvin Mora's infield RBI single to tie the game, 1-1. Mora has 15 RBI on this homestand.
Toronto moved ahead 1-0 in the third inning. Adam Lind singled and stole second, advancing to third on John McDonald's bloop hit to center. Later a Marco Scutaro groundout scored Lind for the 1-0 edge.
Tor 5-8-0
Balt 1-8-1
Steve Melewski's Live GameBlog Thursday From Camden Yards
AL Leaders, Extra-Base Hits
Bal-B.Roberts, 53
Tex-I.Kinsler, 53
Bal-A.Huff, 51
Cle-G.Sizemore, 51
Roberts leads the AL in doubles (38) and triples (8) and is 4th in steals (27). Melvin Mora is now 8th in the AL with 63 RBI and Nick Markakis is 5th in OBP (.401).
Carlson Was Tough
This game was set up for Toronto to go with a lefty pitcher today as three of the O's first four hitters would bat lefty. And Jesse Carlson has just been replaced after getting all four of the hitters out, two on strikeouts. Carlson pitches to an average of .219 vs. left-handed batters and he just faced, in order, Markakis, Huff, Mora and Scott. Shawn Camp now on for Toronto in the 7th.
Play Resumes
Play resumed today at 12:06 p.m. Lance Cormier got Scott Rolen to ground out back to the mound, ending the top of the 6th with Toronto leading, 2-1. Jesse Carlson is on to pitch for the Jays in the last of the 6th.
Trembley's Talk: Thursday
It's still a mystery, who will be pitching for the O's when the suspended game resumes at 12:05 p.m. today. Dave Trembley said he did not need to announce it and he won't. He said the Blue Jays aren't saying either. Let the guessing begin.
Trembley, who got to the park at 8:30 a.m., said he has a lineup for the regular game made out and the players saw it last night and know who will start that contest. It will be Daniel Cabrera on the mound.
Trembley was asked today about the approaching trade deadline and how much input he will have with Andy MacPhail.
"Andy has told me the players other teams have shown interest in. We'll listen to what people have to say. Some of our scouts are here and we had a staff meeting the other day with the Major League coaches and he asked for a lot of input. I really don't know what's going to happen."
Trembley realizes the O's have different options like trying to acquire many young players or also keeping most of the roster intact since the club has made improvement.
"We have discussed that; it's an open dialogue. In the end the decision is Andy MacPhail's. Andy will get input from everybody, but in the end he'll make the decisions. I'm confident he'll do what's best for our team now and in the future. Andy is of the mindset you don't move a player unless you get equal or better value in return."
Trembley was reminded that several current O's have said they want to stay here and see the rebuilding process through to completion.
"It makes you feel good that you've established an identity and you are trying to build a nucleus. I think there is a pretty good nucleus of guys that are going to contribute here for a long time."
Trembley said he won't hold a pitcher out of game one, saving him for game two.
Jamie Walker is scheduled to pitch one inning in today's Bowie game, which has a special camp-day 11:05 a.m. starting time. Trembley said he is not sure if Walker will make other Minor League rehab appearances after today. They need to see how Walker feels tomorrow, the day after he pitches.
Trembley has talked about the fact that there isn't much help at Triple-A for the rotation, but was reminded today that Hayden Penn did pitch a strong seven innings his last time out.
"It was his first game that Larry McCall told me he pitched like we know he can pitch. One time doesn't get him a plane ticket here. It puts him back on the radar, is what it does. We'll follow him a little more closely and be anxious to see if he can repeat it. Other guys I have to stay away from--Andy told me in the spring, 'don't even think about Tillman, we're not going to do that." The other that has pitched well out of the pen is Mickilio. He's pitched very well, but, hey, let's give him time. But I hear he's been nails against right handers."
Trembley added that Brad Bergesen, who has 12 wins at Bowie, has also gotten the organization's attention.
Dave Trembley's comments after the suspension of play Wednesday
"We will not wear the throwback uniforms tomorrow. They have been signed and are going to a charitable cause...I don't know who will start pitching for us tomorrow....We could situational pitch to get out of the 6th and then go to someone else........Burnett had it all going tonight, when he gets that breaking ball over and throws 95 with a fastball, he's something."
Trembley said Jamie Walker will pitch an inning for Bowie on Thursday during its 11:05a.m. game with Harrisburg. Daniel Cabrera will be the O's starter in Thursday's regularly-scheduled contest.
Steve Melewski's Live GameBlog Wednesday From Camden Yards
Baysox Win Tonight
The Double-A Bowie Baysox won tonight at home, 3-0, over Harrisburg in a game halted by rain after four and a half innings. Winning pitcher Brad Bergesen went all five frames, improving to 12-3. He retired the first nine batters in order. With 12 wins, he is now just one off the single-season Baysox record.
Matt Wieters hit a two-run single in the first for the Baysox. Bowie is now 60-45, its most games over .500 this season. The Baysox will host Harrisburg Thursday with a special camp-day starting time of 11:05 a.m. David Hernandez (5-3, 2.65) is the scheduled starter for Bowie.
These O's Hit Well vs. Toronto in 2008
Adam Jones: ..343-4-9 (12-35 AB)
Nick Markakis: .425-3-8 (17-40 AB)
Melvin Mora: .429-3-15 (15-35 AB)
Brian Roberts: .300-0-1 (12-40 AB)
Luke Scott: .313-2-4 (10-32 AB)
A Nice Ceremony
It was great to see and hear from some of the players from the O's 1983 World Championship team today. The O's just concluded a nice pregame ceremony with the many players that returned for tonight. They were all introduced to the crowd and it just so happened that the three Hall of Famers from the team were introduced one after another: Murray, Palmer, Ripken.
Players talked about how the team was motivated to win in 1983 after losing that last game to Milwaukee in 1982. Players talked about how Joe Altobelli set a nice tone as manager, about how even after leading the Phillies 3 games to 1, no one was taking anything for granted after 1979.
Mike Flanagan mentioned how the O's overcame a lot of injuries, his included, to win that year. The chemistry that team had then, they still have. You can see it if you spend just a few minutes with that group as reporters here today got a chance to do.
I was just a young radio reporter at WFMD in Frederick in 1983, fresh out of college then, getting an amazing chance to cover my hometown team in the World Series. It was a thrill and an honor then and I felt the same way tonight.
Jimmy Williams, first base coach in 1983, probably said it best.
"At the end of that season, us coaches all agreed, that was the best group of ballplayers we'd ever been around," he said. "They were great guys, too. And they still are."
Time To Play Ball
Game three of the Orioles-Toronto series is underway. First pitch was at 7:10pm and it's 88 degrees. Check back during the game for live news and updates from the Yard.
Starting Lineups
Blue Jays
RF Joe Inglett
2B Marco Scutaro
CF Alex Rios
1B Lyle Overbay
C Rod Barajas
DH Matt Stairs
3B Scott Rolen
LF Adam Lind
SS John McDonald
P AJ Burnett
Orioles
2B Brian Roberts
CF Adam Jones
RF Nick Markakis
DH Aubrey Huff
3B Melvin Mora
LF Luke Scott
1B Kevin Millar
C Ramon Hernandez
SS Brandon Fahey
P Jeremy Guthrie
Olson's Struggles
Garrett Olson couldn't hold a 4-0 lead last night, couldn't survive five innings and could not get outs vs. the bottom of the order. The lefty who pitched so well earlier in the year is really struggling right now. His ERA for the season is up to 6.11 after he allowed six runs in 4 2/3 against the Blue Jays. In four July starts his ERA is 10.53 (23 ER - 19 2/3). In three career starts vs. Toronto his ERA is 14.72. He threw 108 pitches, 61 for strikes.
Listen to Steve Melewski's interview with Garrett Olson
Trembley's Talk
The skipper got to meet members of the Orioles 1983 World Champs at a luncheon today and enjoyed that experience.
"I'd to like to get those guys here more often. They have an open invitation to come here anytime. We're here because of what they did. They are welcome in our clubhouse, around our batting cage and in my office. There is no substitute for guys who have done it before, like T-Bone Shelby, this guy loves the Orioles. His life is better because of what he went through here."
Trembley said he would have an update on Jamie Walker's status after tonight's game.
The questions soon turned to the struggling Orioles pitching, especially the young starters like Garrett Olson and Radhames Liz.
"We're just not attacking guys, not being aggressive with our fastball. I think guys are trying to be perfect, you can't play this game that way. I talked to Jim Palmer about it today, you know, either you figure it out or the game passes you by. We should be winning some of these games.
"Some things that fry my butt are letting guys that hit 7,8,9 beat you. When you get a lead, add on and show some confidence. You need some killer instinct.
"If I had guys to take their place, I'd consider it, but there's nobody here to take their place. I've told these guys 'what are you looking over your shoulder for.' I've told Olson and Liz, 'you're going to pitch every fifth day.' We've had way too many walks.
"That was damn painful last night. I had to take a couple of deep breaths before I came in this room last night. That was terrible. I can handle it, but I want to see guys get better. That opportunity won't be there forever."
Trembley was asked if it's possible some of the young pitchers just aren't ready for the Majors?
"Physically guys are ready. I think in other traits (poise, maturity) there is room for improvement."
Game Preview
Toronto (49-51) at Orioles (48-51)
The Orioles have scored 8 runs in each of the first two games of their series with Toronto, winning 8-3 Monday and losing 10-8 on Tuesday.
Tonight the Orioles host the Jays in game three of this series and game 100 of the season.
With O's pitching, especially the starters, struggling in recent weeks, the Birds have lost 5 of 8, 10 of 14 and 14 of their last 22 games, falling three games under .500.
Melvin Mora continued his post All-Star break hot hitting Tuesday, going 4-5 with a homer and 5 RBI. In six games since the break, Mora is 12-24 with 4 homers and 14 RBI and he has 20 RBI his last 11 games.
O's starter Garrett Olson failed to protect an early 4-0 Orioles lead as he gave up six runs over 4 2/3. Adam Lind had a three-run homer among his career-high 4 hits for Toronto.
The Orioles are 7-11 in July, 28-19 at home and 4-6 on the year vs. the Blue Jays.
Toronto is 22-31 in road games, but has won 7 of its last 11 overall.
Delmarva Wins
In a Wednesday afternoon game, the Delmarva Shorebirds blanked the Hickory Crawdads, 3-0. Sean Gleason, 7-1, pitched a complete-game, two-hitter with three strikeouts. He faced just 28 batters to get the 27 outs and give Delmarva its first nine-inning outing of the season. Matt Angle led off the game with a homer as the Shorebirds sweep that four-game series.
Delmarva is now 18-14 in the second half and 56-45 overall. The Birds are off Thursday and host Lexington to begin an 8-game homestand on Friday night.
Pitching Match-Up
RHP Jeremy Guthrie (6-7, 3.60) tonight will make his 22nd start, his 11th at home and his 3rd this season vs. the Toronto Blue Jays.
Guthrie picked up a win Friday vs. Detroit, despite allowing a career-high 12 hits over six innings. He gave up four runs and threw 96 pitches.
Guthrie has lost only once his last nine starts since June 1st and is 4-1, 3.55 in that time. In his 10 starts at Camden Yards, he is 3-3, 3.74.
Guthrie, who has allowed exactly one earned run in four of his last eight starts, has 14 quality starts in his 21 outings this year. Guthrie has allowed 2ER or less in 11 starts. Despite his solid pitching all year, the Orioles are just 10-11 when he takes the mound.
Guthrie allows a batting average of .240 vs. right-handed batters, .260 against lefties and .245 with runners in scoring position.
Guthrie vs. Toronto
2008: 1-0, 1.29 in two starts (2 ER - 14 IP)
2007: 0-0, 3.60 in three starts
Career: 1-0, 2.65 in five starts, 34 innings
RHP AJ Burnett (10-9, 4.84) tonight will make his 22nd start this season, his 12th on the road and his 3rd vs. Baltimore.
Three starts ago, the O's pounded Burnett for seven runs in 5 1/3. In the two starts since then, he is 1-1, 1.76. Burnett pitched to an ERA of 5.06 in June and his July ERA is 5.20.
A 31-year-old, Burnett has pitched 134 innings. In his 11 road starts, he is 3-6, 4.17. The Blue Jays are 11-10 in his 21 starts this season.
On May 12, 2001, Burnett tossed the third no-hitter in Florida Marlins history at San Diego. He fanned seven and walked nine in that game, throwing 129 pitches. His cap and a baseball from that game are on display at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Burnett was originally drafted by the Mets in round 8 in the June, 1995 draft.
Right-handed batters hit .239 off Burnett while lefties hit .275 against him. Burnett has an ERA of 13.97 this season against the Orioles.
Burnett vs. the Orioles:
2008: 1-1, 13.97, two starts (9 2/3 IP, 17H, 15 ER)
2007: 4-0, 3.28 in five starts
Career: 6-1, 5.26 in 8 starts covering 53 innings
Melvin Mora's Hot Stretch
7-17 v. Det: 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
7-18 v. Det: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI
7-19 v. Det: 3-5, HR, 3 RBI
7-20 v. Det: 0-3
7-21 v. Tor: 2-4, 2 RBI
7-22 v. Tor: 4-5, 2B, HR, 5 RBI
Mora in those six games is 12-24, 4 homers, 14 RBI. He has raised his average from .233 to .251 since the break. He has knocked in more than one run in a game in 8 of his last 11 games.
Pitching Struggles
*O's have allowed 28 runs the last 4 games and 107 runs in 16 games
*Starters ERA is 7.21 the past 16 games
*Team ERA is 6.05 since the All-Star break
*Team ERA is 6.04 in 18 games in July
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