Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Halfway Home

It's still dim, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Spring training is halfway over, and games that really matter are just weeks away...

Since my last post, the O's have gone 4-3 and have a winning record at 8-7-2 in the Grapefruit League. Here's a quick recap of the last six games, as well as some thoughts and concerns on the state of the Birds and the health of a few key starters:

Game Eleven (Wednesday 3/9/11):


  • The Minnesota Twins had owned the O's up until this game, blanking the Birds twice. Not today. The Orioles spanked Minnesota 11-2; Jake Arrieta (1-0) picked up the win, allowing just one run (a solo shot) on three hits over three innings while striking out two
  • The Birds collected 13 hits, seven for extra bases
  • Vlad Guerrero, Adam Jones and Ryan Adams all went deep for the O's
  • Luke Scott slapped a single to end his hitless spring, and also knocked a man in for the first time this season
  • Kevin Gregg solidified his grasp on the closing role with yet another scoreless inning of relief

Game Twelve (Wednesday 3/9/11):

  • In a televised split squad contest, the O's fell to the Boston Red Sox 2-1
  • Ryan Drese made a strong case toward making the team with three innings of work, allowing just a run (a solo homer) on three hits and a walk while striking out one
  • The Orioles managed just five hits; Josh Bell and Jake Fox both slapped doubles, and Joseph Mahoney picked up a triple
Game Thirteen (Thursday 3/10/11):

  • The O's took down the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-8; starter Brad Bergesen wasn't particularly sharp, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks in just 2 2/3 innings
  • The Birds banged out 15 hits, five for extra bases
  • Vladimir Guerrero went 1-for-3, slapping his third homer of Spring Training
  • Jeremy Accardo continued to impress, pitching a scoreless inning and striking out two

Game Fourteen (Friday 3/11/11):

  • The Philadelphia Phillies spanked the Birds 13-6
  • Jeremy Guthrie (1-2) gave up four runs on six hits over four innings and picked up his second straight loss
  • Kevin Gregg got roughed up for the first time this spring...Gregg gave up four runs off five hits (two homers) in just an inning of work
  • Adam Jones slapped his third dinger of the spring; Robert Andino went deep for the first time

Game Fifteen (Saturday 3/12/11):

  • Zach Britton (1-0) led the Birds to a 6-4 win over the Houston Astros; Britton pitched four scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while fanning two
  • Brandon Snyder went 3-for-5 with a double and hit his first homer this season
  • Chris Tillman came on in relief and allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits in 3 2/3 innings

Game Sixteen (Sunday 3/13/11):

  • The Birds were absolutely embarrassed in a 9-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers
  • Brian Matusz set the tone early, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits in 3 1/3 innings
  • Matusz (0-1) and the rest of the O's pitchers allowed 17 hits including seven doubles and a home run
  • J.J. Hardy scored the O's lone run when he slapped his first round-tripper of the season in the fourth inning

Game Seventeen (Monday 3/14/11):

  • Jake Arrieta led the Birds to an 8-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates; Arrieta (2-0) has now won consecutive decisions after allowing two runs off eight hits in four innings, walking none and striking out six
  • The bullpen (including Jason Berken and Jeremy Accardo) held the Pirates to just six hits over the final five frames
  • Jake Fox belted his team-leading fourth home run in the seventh inning

Bird Bites...

On Deck...

The O's send Brad Bergesen to the mound Tuesday afternoon as the Birds do battle with the Houston Astros.

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