Game 50: Orioles 2, A's 4
The Good:
- Brad Bergesen showed Tillman how it's done, pitching effectively despite a couple defensive miscues and a whole bunch of hits falling in (mostly singles). His four-seamer was a good pitch for him, coming in at 90-93 mph and generating a whiff rate of 19% or so. Final line: 5.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 5 K.
- Clay Rapada (0.1 IP, 1 K) and Jim Johnson (1 IP, 2 K) did a nice job in relief. Koji also struck out a pair in his inning of work, but he gave up a solo home run whereas the other relievers were perfect.
- When the offense isn't hitting for power - like the O's - it needs to be able to put runners on base to score runs. And that's what the Birds did in this one, walking 7 times (Robert Andino and Craig Tatum with two each, and JJ Hardy, Mark Reynolds, and Nick Markakis with one apiece).
- Six singles and no extra-base hits. Two double plays. And 20 left on base by O's batters. Yikes.
Another game in Oakland, another loss. Hopefully the O's can actually score some runs and avoid the sweep tomorrow.
