Game 27: Orioles 8, Red Sox 2
Game one of this series, the O's went into Fenway and had to face Jon Lester - that usually seems like an auto-loss. Especially when the Birds fell behind. But no, they battled back - a Wieters' triple, Mark Reynolds' first home run of the year (plus a double and a walk), three walks and a hit from Wilson Betemit - and the bullpen pitched 8 scoreless innings as the Orioles picked up the 6-4 win in the 13th inning.
The Good:
- Jason Hammel was once again outstanding, getting groundballs (9-4, GB-FB) and strike-outs while only allowing only one free pass (despite control going in and out). The two-seamer continued to do work, as he repeatedly threw the pitch by left-handed batters (94 moving fastballs off the outside corner are tough to hit, I guess). 7 totals whiffs on fastballs, and a couple more on sliders. It's looking more and more like Hammel - even if he's not a #1 type starter - is a legitiamtly different (and above average) pitcher. Final line; 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K.
- Adam Jones crushed a two-run home run out of the park (over the Monster), and Mark Reynolds hit his second home run in as many days (also doubled to deep center-field).
- Every Oriole except - amusingly - Robert Andino got on base, and the team batted around while putting a 7 on the board in the 3rd inning.
- Chris Davis missed at least one more scoop at first on a throw in the dirt. Sure, the infielders need to make better throws, but a major league first-baseman needs to make those plays more often - it seems like Davis
Fresh of taking two straight from the Yankees, the O's have won a pair - and locked up the series - in Boston. They have now outscored their AL East opponents 62-47 on the season. Move their record to 18-9, and only need 52-83 (a 63 win full-season pace) to get to 70 on the year. That's looking pretty good at this point, even if I'm not ready to set the sights to 81 yet.
