Ryan Webb quietly has put together a solid year for the Orioles

Pitching on a team that has relievers like Darren O'Day (1.23 ERA) and Zach Britton (1.42 ERA), Ryan Webb can sometimes be overlooked. But the 28-year-old right-hander has put together a very strong season for the Orioles in his first year with the team.

Webb's signing didn't get nearly the publicity of other players over the winter but he's proven to a be a very solid addition after signing a two-year, $4.5 million deal in December.

Webb gave up four runs over his first two appearances with his new team in April and had an ERA of 15.43 at that point. It was a shaky start for the new Oriole, but he quickly put those outings behind him.

In 34 games since April 7, he has posted an ERA of 1.80. On the season, he is 2-1 with an ERA of 2.65 in 36 games. Over 37 1/3 innings, Webb has allowed 30 hits, just one homer, along with eight walks and 30 strikeouts.

Webb pitched to an ERA of 1.76 in 15 games in May and an ERA of 1.50 over 10 games in June.

"I feel like I've gotten comfortable here. I'm really happy," Webb said. "I chose to come here and I love my teammates and coaches. Excited about what lies ahead. Hopefully, I keep helping the team putting up zeroes. Wouldn't rather be anywhere else."

Webb has been effective against both left- and right-handed batters. Lefty hitters are batting just .178 against him to .239 for right-handed batters.

What is the key for him in getting lefties and righties out about equally well?

"Really, for me, being effective against anybody is just attacking the zone, throwing strikes and being able to locate my pitches inside and out, and keeping the ball down. If I'm getting my sinker over to both sides to anyone I can be effective," he said.

"Recently, with lefties, I can add another pitch and use a changeup. The further along in my career I've gone, I've gotten to face lefties more and more, and I think that has a lot to do with getting comfortable and my approach to left-handed hitters."

Webb has allowed just two of 15 inherited runners to score, a real solid stat for a reliever. He gives up just a .135 batting average when pitching with runners in scoring position. He has given up just one hit in 18 at-bats for an .056 average with RISP and two outs.

Webb also appreciates the way manager Buck Showalter handles his bullpen pitchers. It is not often that pitchers are asked to warm up but don't get into a game. They are not wasting many pitches in the bullpen.

"One of the main things you really focus on is realizing what the situation is," Webb said. "When you need to get fully hot and when you kind of put the brakes on and stay loose.

"That is part of bullpen management for us. Realizing what situation is coming up, what hitter we need to be ready for and being able to adjust."

Webb has settled nicely into an O's bullpen that is pitching very well. In the Texas series, O's relievers worked 11 1/3 innings, allowing just five hits and one run with one walk and 14 strikeouts.

The Orioles bullpen ERA for the year is 3.52 and that ranks sixth in the American League.

The Orioles take on Boston in a day-night doubleheader today with games at 1:05 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. The first game will air on MASN2 HD and the second game on FOX.

In Game 1, Miguel Gonzalez (4-5, 4.56 ERA) faces Jon Lester (9-7, 2.92 ERA). In Game 2, Ubaldo Jimenez (3-8, 4.31 ERA) pitches against John Lackey (9-5, 3.62 ERA).