Another frustrating loss
Each time I see Nick Markakis swing the bat, I'm reminded of all the teams that would have drafted him as a pitcher if the Orioles hadn't gotten to him first.
Then I see the Orioles score nine runs and lose, and I wonder if Nick Markakis could pitch for them.
Another starter fails to go five full innings. And Rocky Cherry ends up working the ninth in a tie game.
No offense to Cherry, but that's not how the Orioles drew it up in spring training.
Now we'll wait to see whether Brian Burres can get through the fifth tomorrow.
I need a stiff drink.
Down on the farm, Double-A Bowie's Brad Bergesen ran his winless streak to three consecutive starts after allowing four runs in six innings in Game 1 of a doubleheader. He didn't record a strikeout.
He's still going to be the organization's minor league Pitcher of the Year. It's in the bag. And the Orioles will continue to debate whether he should join the expanded roster in a few days. It's up for discussion - unlike Matt Wieters and Chris Tillman.
Triple-A Norfolk manager Gary Allenson is getting creative with his lineup. Freddie Bynum is starting in left field and Jeff Fiorentino, who doubled and scored a run in the second inning, is playing first base.
XD23, it should be about whom had the best year and is the most promising player. Tillman wins on both counts, age is a factor, a very large factor. A 20 year old having the season Tillman had is much more impressive then a 22 year old having the season that Bergesen did.
Also he didn't lead him in every catagory except strikeouts. Bergesen allowed a .253 batting average against in AA, Tillman .226.
Bergesen is also scuffling to finish the season as opposed to Tillman who has a 1.5 ERA, .181 BA against and a 44/7 K/BB ratio in August.
Bergesen has had an excellent year, it just comes up short compared to what Tillman has accomplished.
Age isn't the requirement for winning PotY. All about the numbers.
Tillman 10-4 3.17ERA 1.31WHIP 147K 130.2InnP
Bergesen 15-5 3.11ERA 1.14WHIP 72K 142.0InnP (Not counting the 1-1 2.08 ERA in A+ ball)
But except for K's Bergesen leads him in every category. BTW you forgot David Hernandez and his monster season:
D.Hernandez 9-4 2.58ERA 1.27WHIP 161K 136InnP
In the bag or not it should go to Tillman, the kid is 20 and just rockin folks in AA. I would not be suprised if he doesn't join Wieters in being a top 10 prospect in all of baseball next spring.
10-4 3.17 61/147 BB/K ratio folks are hitting .226
Bergesen has had a nice year but he's 2 1/2 years older then Tillman.
I was pushing for Bergesen to be up here two months ago, but now I'm not so sure. I'm sure he's thrown more innings this year than ever before and like seems to be happening to Guthrie he may be tiring. Although, I understand Olsen is going to pitch Monday and I would take anyone other than him right now.
Roch,
I'm at the shorebirds game and it's not good when you have more errors then hits... H-3 E-4
Okay now we are equal b/c #26 got a double...
Roch,
I am confused. 9 times out of 10, a manager will bring his "best pitcher" in with the game tied on the road in the 9th inning. I know that had Sherril been off the DL and able to pitch, he would've been out there for the bottom of the 9th--though I really don't think he has any greater value than situational lefty at this point. Still, with that scenario, you'd almost automatically believe that Trembley should've put J Johnson in the game. Hard to argue with his success and numbers this season and if he's the designated closer, you assume Trembley believes he's the shutdown guy. Obviously, had the O's taken the lead in the top half of the 9th, Johnson would have been out there. Just seems that with a very good offensive playoff bound team at home, you want a guy with better control and better stuff.
Is there a reason Johnson didn't come in? I was listening on the Rays network on XM and they were a bit surprised that Johnson never entered in the 9th or the game at all. Especially given how poor the O's pitched in general, it's certainly a surprise to me. Did Trembley mention at the press conference why his most reliable pitcher stayed in the pen on a day that no pitcher could stop the damage?
No, let him pitch in the playoffs and shut him down after that.
Leave the "Happy to be here" shellackings to someone from Norfolk.
Walked in a run, another run in from a so-called hit by pitch... it's the stupid little things that lose these games.
You'd think 9 runs would be enough.
Nick hit that ball a mile.
Why not bring up Bergessen? He's got great control and a good sinker, he should at least eat up some innings.