Had to work hard there

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

June 26, 2010, 1:09pm

Comments

When Brad Bergesen walked the number nine hitter leading off the top of the third, that was not a good start to the inning. An out later, he hit a batter. Bergesen had to throw 29 pitches as the Nats scored four runs on four hits off him in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Two more Washington runs and the O's will have them right where they want them. Bergesen is clearly not sharp, nor does he have his usual sink it doesn't look like. He has thrown 65 pitches in the first three innings. Those that felt he was called back too soon from the minors, just got more ammo for their side with that top of the third. Meanwhile, after Bergesen had to face nine hitters and work so hard to get through the top of the third, the O's top of the lineup went down quickly, 1-2-3, on just 10 pitches in the last of the inning. The O's got back-to-back singles in the first to start that inning from Patterson and Tejada, but could turn it into any runs. Coming into this game, the season series between these clubs is tied 2-2 and the all-time series is even at 14-14. And the Birds are 2-2 on a nine-game homestand.