UPDATE: The Orioles missed a golden opportunity to take a road series on Wednesday night, losing 3-2 on a walk-off single by Adrian Beltre in the bottom of the ninth inning . The Seattle third baseman drove in all three runs for the home team.
An outstanding effort from Brad Bergesen (see below) was wasted as the Orioles could only score two runs on 10 hits. Having two runners picked off and another caught stealing certainly won’t help you win many ballgames either. Baserunning continues to be an Achilles heel for this team.
Luke Scott continues to be the only hitter doing much of anything lately, driving in both Baltimore runs.
The Orioles (24-30) are off Thursday before starting a three-game set in Oakland on Friday.
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12:20 – The Orioles’ offensive struggles continue tonight as they’re tied 2-2 in the eighth inning.
Brad Bergesen has pitched a heck of a ballgame. Manager Dave Trembley left himself wide open for criticism by leaving the rookie starter in the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Bergesen got Adrian Beltre—who hit a two-run homer in the third—to ground out to end the rally.
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It’s a shame that Bergesen will not be able to earn the victory, because he’s more than deserved it tonight (7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 K, 3 BB). With all of the talk about protecting the young pitchers’ confidence, the lineup actually providing some offense would provide the biggest boost. The Orioles have mustered only eight runs in the last five games.
Luke Scott has provided all of the offense for the Birds tonight, hitting a solo shot in the second inning and doubling in the tying run in the top of the sixth.
Following Scott’s game-tying double, Aubrey Huff was inexplicably picked off at third with two outs, one of the biggest baserunning blunders of the entire season. Just a horrible lapse in concentration.
Matt Wieters is 0-for-3 and hitting .143. When do we start hearing the complaints about the rookie phenom’s struggles? It will obviously be far too reactionary, but it’s bound to happen if the young catcher doesn’t start hitting by the weekend.
