Notes and quotes after an Orioles' walk-off win
Some notes and quotes from Jake Arrieta, Jason Berken and Matt Wieters after the Orioles 5-4 win over the Angels that provided them a series sweep and 3-0 record for Buck Showalter as manager.
*This was the O's first three-game home sweep of the Angels since July 23-25, 1999. Their last three-game sweep of the Angels was in Anaheim from September 17-19, 1999. It was the fourth series sweep of the year following earlier sweeps over Boston, Washington and Texas. It was the O's first series win over the Angels since April of 2006.
Arrieta was asked if this was his best Major League outing: "It's got to be up at the top. It's just a matter of making a few minor adjustments. Stuff wasn't any better than it's been all year, it was just a matter of being more aggressive in the zone early and it makes a big difference.
"When you throw everything for strikes, you keep those guys guessing and they can't eliminate pitches. That's what I did tonight. For me, the location is secondary sometimes. It's just a matter of being aggressive in the zone. It's a matter of not allowing those guys to eliminate pitches.
"I focused on one pitch at a time tonight. Not allowing myself to worry about past or future pitches. Just worry about the pitch at hand and execute."
Arrieta on Showalter's influence on the team: "He brings a lot to the table. We just want to play our best behind him. Show we are capable of beating good teams. We have a lot talent here and it's just a matter of time before we put a lot of wins together."
Arrieta allowed two runs over 7 2/3 after giving up 13 ER over 13 2/3 over his previous three starts. He set career highs in innings and with 108 pitches. The last O's starter to go at least 7 2/3 was Brad Bergesen on July 2 vs. Boston.
Jason Berken on giving up a game-tying three-run homer: "I fell behind 2-0 to a very good hitter. I was trying to throw a fastball down and away and it ran over the plate. He hit it in the seats and is one of the better hitters in the league and I couldn't put him away.
"I feel good about the fact Buck stuck with me. Jake deserved to win that game, that's pretty obvious. He pitched great. I feel bad for him, he deserves that win."
*Berken was charged with a blown save, but got the win and is 3-2 on the year.
*O's starters recorded three straight quality starts in this series. It's the first time since May 17-19 that O's starters have recorded three in a row. The last time the O's had four quality starts in a row was May 29-June 1 of 2009 with Bergesen, Guthrie, Berken and Hill.
*The three O's starters, Guthrie, Matusz and Arrieta combined for an ERA of 2.61 in this series.
Matt Wieters on the three-game sweep: "I think we have been capable of playing like this all year. It all starts with the starting pitching and we got three great starts from the starters."
Wieters asked if there is a different energy under Showalter: "Anytime you get a change of manager and the new guy is going to be here for a while, a little bit of excitement comes with it. It might have helped the guys a little bit. Especially to pick them up this time of year."
*The O's have won seven straight games vs. Western division teams and are 12-13 vs. the West. That is their most wins vs. any division. They are 10-35 vs. the East.
*The Orioles were 15-33 (.455) with runners in scoring position in this series after recording just 13 hits with RISP over the previous 13 games.
*The O's are 3-0 on the year vs. the Angels, after going 2-8 last year, including a mark of 1-5 in Baltimore.
*The game-winning single in the ninth by Cesar Izturis was his first of the night and the 999th hit of his career. He now has 213 American League hits.
*As a team, the Orioles went 36 for 103 in this series for a .350 batting average. They had 15 extra-base hits, including 12 doubles and scored 20 runs vs. LA.
*Be here at MASNSports.com at Noon on Friday when I host two live chats with Adam Jones and Jeremy Guthrie. You can write in with you own questions for the players.
"When you throw everything for strikes, you keep those guys guessing and they can't eliminate pitches. That's what I did tonight. For me, the location is secondary sometimes. It's just a matter of being aggressive in the zone. It's a matter of not allowing those guys to eliminate pitches.
"I focused on one pitch at a time tonight. Not allowing myself to worry about past or future pitches. Just worry about the pitch at hand and execute."
Arrieta on Showalter's influence on the team: "He brings a lot to the table. We just want to play our best behind him. Show we are capable of beating good teams. We have a lot talent here and it's just a matter of time before we put a lot of wins together."
Arrieta allowed two runs over 7 2/3 after giving up 13 ER over 13 2/3 over his previous three starts. He set career highs in innings and with 108 pitches. The last O's starter to go at least 7 2/3 was Brad Bergesen on July 2 vs. Boston.
Jason Berken on giving up a game-tying three-run homer: "I fell behind 2-0 to a very good hitter. I was trying to throw a fastball down and away and it ran over the plate. He hit it in the seats and is one of the better hitters in the league and I couldn't put him away.
"I feel good about the fact Buck stuck with me. Jake deserved to win that game, that's pretty obvious. He pitched great. I feel bad for him, he deserves that win."
*Berken was charged with a blown save, but got the win and is 3-2 on the year.
*O's starters recorded three straight quality starts in this series. It's the first time since May 17-19 that O's starters have recorded three in a row. The last time the O's had four quality starts in a row was May 29-June 1 of 2009 with Bergesen, Guthrie, Berken and Hill.
*The three O's starters, Guthrie, Matusz and Arrieta combined for an ERA of 2.61 in this series.
Matt Wieters on the three-game sweep: "I think we have been capable of playing like this all year. It all starts with the starting pitching and we got three great starts from the starters."
Wieters asked if there is a different energy under Showalter: "Anytime you get a change of manager and the new guy is going to be here for a while, a little bit of excitement comes with it. It might have helped the guys a little bit. Especially to pick them up this time of year."
*The O's have won seven straight games vs. Western division teams and are 12-13 vs. the West. That is their most wins vs. any division. They are 10-35 vs. the East.
*The Orioles were 15-33 (.455) with runners in scoring position in this series after recording just 13 hits with RISP over the previous 13 games.
*The O's are 3-0 on the year vs. the Angels, after going 2-8 last year, including a mark of 1-5 in Baltimore.
*The game-winning single in the ninth by Cesar Izturis was his first of the night and the 999th hit of his career. He now has 213 American League hits.
*As a team, the Orioles went 36 for 103 in this series for a .350 batting average. They had 15 extra-base hits, including 12 doubles and scored 20 runs vs. LA.
*Be here at MASNSports.com at Noon on Friday when I host two live chats with Adam Jones and Jeremy Guthrie. You can write in with you own questions for the players.
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