Blue Jays 8, Orioles 4: Nothing to see here, please move along

by Stacey on May 1, 2009 10:33 PM EDT in Post-Game Comment 25 comments

In a result that surprised no one, the Orioles fell to the Blue Jays tonight 8-4. When the pitching matchup is Roy Halladay vs. Mark Hendrickson, I can't imagine any O's fan felt confident that their team would pull out a win.

The game started wonderfully enough, when, after an Adam Jones double, Nicky Markakis hit a home run to right field, giving the Orioles a 2-0 league on Halladay and the Blue Jays. After that, however, Halladay got himself together. He allowed multiple baserunners in the 2nd and 4th but didn't give up any more runs until the 8th when Huff singled in Jones and Mora had an RBI grounded out to score Markakis. It was evident Roy was losing his stuff, but he got out of the inning and ended his day allowing 4 runs on 10 hits. And honestly, that's a pretty good day off of Halladay for an opposing team. But it wasn't enough thanks to the O's pitching.

Mark Hendrickson started off well enough, and for a brief second I thought he might pull off a rare effective start. He got through the first three innings allowing just two hits and he looked good. He came back to earth in the fourth inning, allowing 4 runs to the Blue Jays. Former Oriole Kevin Millar was right in the thick of things with an RBI double and a a run scored. Mark pulled himself together to get out of the inning and finished the fifth with no more damage.

Dennis Sarfate relieved Hendrickson and didn't look great. He allowed 2 runs in 1.2 innings and left with an apparent injury. No word on what happened.

Chris Ray pitched the 8th, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits to effectively put the game out of reach for the O's in the 9th. Thanks, Chris!

Not too fun of a game to watch, but pretty much what I'd expect. I honestly thought Halladay would shut the O's completely down so at least they got to him a little bit.

For those of you not lucky enough to hear the MASN broadcast for this game, your announcers were Gary Thorne and Rick Dempsey. The Demper was in an even crazier state of mind than usual, as he waxed on for minutes about how Dennis Sarfate should be the #2 starter on the team (even as Sarfate was coughing up runs in relief), causing Gary to just remark, "Interesting." Poor Gary.

One last thing. Prior to the game I predicted Kevin Millar would own the Orioles tonight. In fact, he was 2-5 with a 2B, 1 R, and 3 RBI.

Poll

Who was tonight's Most Birdland Player (MBP)?

Adam Jones (2-5, 2B, 2 runs, SB)

33 votes

Nick Markakis (1-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB)

95 votes

Kevin Millar.....oh, oops. Nevermind.

81 votes

Luke Scott (3-4, bad luck of hitting in front of Wiggy so he'll never score a run)

30 votes

239 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Anyone to call up?

Hard to see the 6’9" beast pitch as if he’s 4’9"

by whereswieters on May 1, 2009 10:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kevbo

for honorary MbP.

Jioe Flaacco, Hon!!! "He’s like a live JUGS machine."

by dayzd toe on May 1, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I liked the uniforms today

Powder blues and black Friday road jerseys? Yes please.

by pipkin on May 1, 2009 10:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Per Roch: Sarfate suffering numbness in his right middle finger

School of Roch

bq.Dennis Sarfate told reporters that he began losing sensation in his right middle finger during the sixth inning, after he replaced starter Mark Hendrickson, and alerted the training staff.

A little more information at the link above, but that’s the gist of it. Roch is currently unaware if this may be a DL situation.

Cry havoc and unleash the Esskay hot dogs of war! - The Wayward Oriole, Opening Day 2008

by Eat More Esskay on May 1, 2009 11:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's pretend I can follow the style guide

I missed the space after the period. Here, I thought I’d look so hip and now I look silly.

Cry havoc and unleash the Esskay hot dogs of war! - The Wayward Oriole, Opening Day 2008

by Eat More Esskay on May 1, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Markakis was actually 1 for 3

And 3 runs off Halladay is 2 more than I expected.

by wickedwitch on May 1, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I think i was looking at Huff in the box score right below Markakis when filling that out.

I’m smart, not a dummy. ~Adam Jones

by Stacey on May 1, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How did Nick

hit that pitch out?! Damn that guy can hit…

Mood about O's rotation: Depressed : (

by sickuvitall on May 2, 2009 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I now will do my usual

minor league roundup to help cheer up the crowd…

Chris Tillman picked up the win for Norfolk today in a 14-7 victory. Nolan Reimold continued to be on fire, as he clubbed another HR for Norfolk. Mr. Wieters collected 2 hits and 2 walks and is back to full-time duty behind the dish. Oscar Salazar, who is obviously not a prospect, is once again tearing up AAA. Scott Moore’s bat is heating up, as he went deep twice tonight.

Brian Matusz started for the Frederick Keys and failed to figure in the decision. Thus far Brian has gone 2-1 with a 3.67 ERA…which sounds decent on paper. However Matusz has not been nearly as dominant early on as many had expected. I wouldn’t panic, I just think that automatically projecting him as our future No.1 could be a mistake.

Mood about O's rotation: Depressed : (

by sickuvitall on May 2, 2009 1:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

or at least projecting him as our future #1 as soon as we may have hoped

thanks for the writeup

by pipkin on May 2, 2009 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well said

I think that David Price really got us thinking about what Matusz might do…bad idea.

Mood about O's rotation: Depressed : (

by sickuvitall on May 2, 2009 1:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

C'mon REPLY button!!

Mood about O's rotation: Depressed : (

by sickuvitall on May 2, 2009 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WHAT IS GOING ON!!!

We started the season great and now with pretty much the same team they are falling apart. I blame the pitching more than anything for not WANTING to protect a lead. Please!!!! STOP GIVING AWAY LEADS!!!!!!!!! The team might not be scoring as many runs as they would like but protect that lead. I feel bad for the offense when they go out there, score runs, and then watch that lead evaporate fast.

by boricuaoriolesfan on May 2, 2009 1:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

you seem surprised

i mean, how is it possible that hendo got out dueled by halliday!?

"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17

by daveh873 on May 2, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Millar better not win

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on May 2, 2009 2:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I didn't think anyone would actually vote for him.

I’m smart, not a dummy. ~Adam Jones

by Stacey on May 2, 2009 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Freel at Bowie

Well it was a rehab assignment. But many expected more. Freel walked to the dugout with Brandon Snyder completely ignoring all the kids asking him for his autograph. Snyder did come out to sign for the kids. I was a school reading program night and it must have been 4,000 plus kids there. It was loud. Well Freel was 0-3 with a strikeout and two groundouts. One producing an RBI. He also made a excellent play at third to throw out a runner. The very next play he airmailed his throw for an error. It was rehab so we are hoping for Freel to do better the next two games. The Sox lost 8-6 in 10 innings. After trailing for most of the game the Sox rallied for 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th and left the sacks filled. The Aeros pulled out the big sticks in the top of the 10th by hitting a pair of homers. The Sox could not answer in the bottom of the inning. Fire works followed for the 6,000 plus crowd.

"They are who we thought they were"-Dennis Green

by Baysox39 on May 2, 2009 3:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So, big-timing kids while on a AA rehab assignment?

You stay classy, Ryan Freel.

The more I read about this guy, the more I want him gone. What an asshole.

Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.

by duck on May 2, 2009 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The guy doesn't have an obilgation to sign autographs

Maybe I don’t understand the culture of minor league ball, but…

A. The guy has been hurt.
B. Wouldn’t you rather he be droppin’ some big-leaguer knowledge on Brandon Snyder anyway?

by pipkin on May 2, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't care if Freel signs for kids or not

I do care that he’s a crappy baseball player that doesn’t fit on this team.

Get rid of him.

by dkdc on May 2, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I don't have an OBLIGATION to be nice to my students

But it is the decent, human thing to do.

Hell, even Reggie Jackson signed autographs. I know, I got one when I was 12.

Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.

by duck on May 2, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Being a frequent

minor league game visitor, I do sort of have a problem with people who pass by kids with autograph requests. The parents of these kids pay their salaries by purchasing tickets/merchandise, meaning that no one would even be asking you to sign your name if it wasn’t for our support.

I will admit, when it comes to really outstanding prospects, I will often get a baseball or something like that signed. However, there is always the slew of slimebag e-bayers who lineup at minor league games for excessive amounts of autographs. You can always pick them out…normally overweight sweaty fellows with man-bags and markers galore. There was one guy who was so bad with it in Frederick last year that Matt Wieters nearly quit signing for everyone because this person was shoving like 20 items in his face every night. Those types of fools are why players sometimes don’t like to sign.

Mood about O's rotation: Depressed : (

by sickuvitall on May 2, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs