Hernandez saves the night (w/Samuel quote)
By Roch Kubatko
David Hernandez got the ball again tonight in a save situation, with interim manager Juan Samuel choosing to ease Alfredo Simon back into the role.
Good choice.
Hernandez picked up his second save with a scoreless ninth, brushing aside a two-out walk in the process and preserving a 4-1 win. It was pretty easy, and we're not used to such things from an Orioles closer.
A drama-free ninth? Outrageous.
"We do not want to bring Simon into that situation, a little pressure on him," Samuel said during the MASN interview. Hernandez's fastball was in the 95-97 mph range again tonight. He went after hitters, including Pablo Sandoval, who's scorching liner with two outs found Miguel Tejada's glove. The nibbling can wait until he fills his plate for the post-game meal. Hernandez did nothing to quiet the closer controversy on this team, if it really exists. It's not like the Orioles have an abundance of save opportunities, but Hernandez looks like a guy who deserves to inherit them - especially when Jake Arrieta starts. Simon, on the other hand, is 6-for-7 in save chances, and you could argue that he shouldn't lose the job to injury. Argue away. It's a nice diversion from everything else.
Gary and Jim talks with Juan Samuel about the O's 4-1 win over the Giants
"We do not want to bring Simon into that situation, a little pressure on him," Samuel said during the MASN interview. Hernandez's fastball was in the 95-97 mph range again tonight. He went after hitters, including Pablo Sandoval, who's scorching liner with two outs found Miguel Tejada's glove. The nibbling can wait until he fills his plate for the post-game meal. Hernandez did nothing to quiet the closer controversy on this team, if it really exists. It's not like the Orioles have an abundance of save opportunities, but Hernandez looks like a guy who deserves to inherit them - especially when Jake Arrieta starts. Simon, on the other hand, is 6-for-7 in save chances, and you could argue that he shouldn't lose the job to injury. Argue away. It's a nice diversion from everything else.
LATEST ORIOLES NEWS
LATEST NATIONALS NEWS
About the author
By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.masnsports.com/