Series Results: 2-1 Orioles
THE GOOD
Until his hitting streak ends, outfielder Nick Markakis will continue to find himself on this list. The Birds’ right fielder racked up six hits and a walk in thirteen at bats, and now has the longest active hitting streak in baseball at eighteen games. Markakis had only one extra-base hit, but as long as he continues to get on base at such a high clip, (.315 batting average and .375 on-base percentage) it is tough to criticize his approach.
Catcher Steve Clevenger is in line to start playing more often, at least in the short term with All-Star catcher Matt Wieters officially going on the disabled list Sunday. Clevenger, a Baltimore native (Mt. St. Joseph), has been a pleasant surprise so far this season, and had the biggest at bat of his season in the Saturday night game when he doubled in the winning run in extra innings. Impressive defense and average offense from Clevenger would be all the Orioles expect while Wieters is out.
Starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez turned in his most impressive start of the season on Saturday night against the Astros, allowing only two runs over a season-long seven innings of work. Gonzalez did not record a decision, but was efficient and needed only 90 pitches to complete his seven frames. Gonzalez also struck out six batters while allowing only two free passes.
THE BAD
Closer Tommy Hunter finally had his dangerous pitching catch up to him in the Astros series, as he allowed a run on Friday night while escaping with a save, but allowed two runs on Saturday night to send the game to extra innings, and could not finish the ninth inning. Hunter has not had an inning all season where he has set the side down in order, and although he has only two blown saves, his 4.40 ERA and 1.67 WHIP suggest he has struggled more than the saves numbers show.
Starting pitcher Chris Tillman has struggled significantly since his hot start to the season, as he allowed three earned runs in only five innings on Sunday in the Orioles’ loss. Tillman has allowed at least three runs in each of his last five starts and has not gotten past six innings in any of them, after going at least eight innings in two of his first three starts. Tillman walked five men on Sunday, and the de facto ace of the team has an ERA of 3.97.
Catcher Matt Wieters was placed on the disabled list on Sunday, and had been struggling heading into Sunday. After a hot start to the season, Wieters had been slowed of late by injury and was in a slump, recording only three hits in his last twenty-two at bats, including going hitless in both games in the series against the Astros. Hopefully Wieters can return healthy and we’ll again see that scorching bat he was showing off to start the year.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Orioles took two games out of three in the series against the Astros, which is always good. However, it is disappointing they could not pull off the sweep against baseball’s worst team on Sunday. Nonetheless, the return of Chris Davis on Sunday can only help the team, and even without having the projected starting infield defense all playing together yet all season, the O’s are currently in first place in the division, and are 1.5 games ahead of the second-place New York Yankees.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Orioles will begin a three-game series hosting the Detroit Tigers, who currently have the best record in the American League. On Monday night, the Tigers will send Rick Porcello against Bud Norris, with Drew Smyly going against Ubaldo Jimenez on Tuesday night. The finale will be a 12:35 day game on Wednesday, and will feature Justin Verlander against Wei-Yin Chen. The Orioles lost two games out of three to the Tigers in Detroit earlier this year.
