Three games down and 159 more to go! The O’s offense, especially Jonesy and the Deputy, had a great series down in Tampa but it was none too great for the Orioles bullpen. Poised to have another stellar year, the boys of the pen looked a little lackluster. Maybe it was just shaking off the rust, but in a series where every run mattered mistakes became costly for the O’s.
Going for an early series win in game two, Wei-Yin Chen and Chris Davis put the Orioles up 4-0 against the Rays. In the bottom of the sixth, Buck felt that Chen might be in some danger so he quickly turned to his veteran sinker-baller, Luis Ayala.
Ayala, who is considered to be part of the core of Orioles bullpen, should have had no problem coming in with two outs and comfortable three-run lead. O’s fans quickly saw that lead disappear after an Evan Longoria single and game tying three-run home run from Shelly Duncan. To put it lightly, Shelly Duncan is awful. He has never hit more than 11 homeruns in a single season and is career .229 hitter. This might only be the second game of a 162 game season, but in a series against what is most likely the Birds’ largest competition, every win matters.
The O’s quickly shook up some Orioles Magic and answered the Rays on a McClutch single to right to put the orange and black up 5-4. With a one run lead, it seemed as though the O’s could salvage this win, I mean they did have the best one-run record in the biz last year. Fans also saw Pedro Strop warming up in the bullpen, who was coming off an amazing performance in the WBC, so all seemed like it was falling into the Orioles’ formula for success. One run lead, bullpen holds down the fort, and the Orioles are the talk of baseball world. Well, the WBC Pedro Strop didn’t show up to the Trop. The Pedro that showed up that night was the one we saw last year who would let a hit or two get in his head, start throwing even harder, and then completely lose his control.
All it took to derail the flame throwing Dominican was a Matt Joyce bunt against the Orioles shift. You could see the frustration on his face. Right there was Strop’s downfall to last year. As soon as you let your emotions get the best of you as a pitcher, it’s over. From there Strop started throwing wildfire, and the Rays took a 7-5 lead. Some could argue none of this would have happened if Buck had not put on such an exaggerated shift, but a shift is only playing the numbers and it is up to the pitcher to make sure the batter hits into the shift.S trop, who had zero control, was not pitching into the shift.
But do not fear, the Orioles Magic is here! The Orioles clawed back into the game, tying it at 7 all in the top of the 9th. Fans were buzzing like crazy! I personally ran wildly around my apartment when Roberts smacked that game-tying double. The O’s were headed to another extra innings win, all they had to do was survive the bottom of the 9th. Buck sent Tommy Hunter back out to try to hold off the Rays, I imagine to save JJ for a save opportunity later in the game, but Tommy being Tommy surrendered a walk-off homer to Matt Joyce.
I was left scratching my head after the game. It didn’t make sense to me. The Orioles bullpen always slams the door. Granted this was only the second game of the season, but it was just so odd to see the Orioles bullpen surrender the game.
The O’s pen did bounce back in the rubber game and here are some positives out of the Tampa series…
Jim Johnson tallied two saves and looked as though he is going to continue to build on his successes last year. Darren O’Day also had two solid outings, dominating batters and hitting all his spots. Brian Matusz showed that he could continue to be a force out of the bullpen, but after a strong first inning he came out and seemed to lose a bit of control. He should polish up after a few more relief efforts. Patton’s opportunity against a lefty match-up was spoiled by a pinch hitter, but his opportunities will come.
Tommy may throw 97 and has performed well as a long reliever, but I would never send him to the bump in a close game. He floats too much in the middle of the plate. That was his problem as a starter last year – he continues to miss his spots and he gets burned.
Hunter will most likely not be used in any more late inning appearances due to being susceptible to the long ball. Hopefully he will get his command down and help in more of a long inning relief role.
Overall, I believe the Orioles bullpen will continue to work out some of its kinks as the season goes on. Look for a bounce back against the Twins, especially Ayala and Strop. Both of them have plus stuff and will find their rhythm.
