Orioles 1, Red Sox 3: Just not good enough to win, again

by duck on Jul 24, 2009 11:08 PM EDT in Post-Game

It’s a refrain Stacey has been repeating often in the past few weeks: Losing teams find a way to lose. And that was the case, again, tonight.

Tonight should have been a win. Really. The Red Sox's Brad Penny was rocked by the Orioles last time he faced them back in April. I mean, Dan Henderson leaving Michael Bisping KTFO rocked. I mean Titanic versus the North Atlantic rocked. The Scorpions versus hurricanes rocked. He pitched just 3.0 innings, gave up eight runs, and allowed six hits and five walks with just one strikeout.

And of course, Boston won, 10-8. Losing teams find a way to lose, you see.

Flash forward to tonight. We have our ace Brad Bergesen throwing (sorry, Jeremy Guthrie, it’s true), and he is as unflappable a rookie as you will find. He had a pretty bad 1st inning for him – 24 pitches, two singles and a walk, but no damage due to two strike outs and a fly out. He doesn’t exactly cruise through the next two innings, as the lead-off hitter reached, In fact, the lead-off hitter reached every inning for Boston until the 6th. But the Red Sox only scored three runs on Bergesen on a night where he was as bad as he's been in a month. Quality Starts are a dubious stat, but this was his 6th STRAIGHT Quality Start and his 10th in his last 11 starts. In 18 starts this year, Brad Beregesen has pitched at least 6.0 innings with three or fewer ER in two-thirds of them.

But if you give a team like the Red Sox enough chances, and they will score, and sure enough , they did. The O’s took a momentary lead with a single by Nolan Reimold that lead to two bases on a steal attempt of second as the ball didn’t come close to the bag. Jason Varitek saw six Texas Rangers baserunners steal in the Red Sox last game, and he was puttin’ a little sumthin’ extra on the throws tonight. I half expected the ball to 2nd base on Reimold’s attempt to roll to the CF wall. Reimold reached home on a SAC fly by Melvin Mora, which came only after three pick-off attempts (including the ill-fated throw) and 14 pitches to our #7 hitter. Brad Penny was on the ropes – he was at 23 pitches after one inning, at 47 after two innings. He was seemingly ripe for the taking.

And yet it never happened. Sad part is, if it wasn't for Nick Markakis gunning down Boston's fastest baserunner, Jacoby Ellsbury, on a fantastc throw and the block by Matt Wieters, the game could have been worse than it was.

Inning after inning of Orioles hitters went by, and until the bases were loaded in the 9th against Jonathan Papelbon, the Orioles’ mounted exactly nothing resembling a comeback. In innings 3-8, the Orioles sent 20 batters to the plate - exactly two over the minimum. One runner reached second base. One.

Brad Bergesen pitched his butt off, people, and this team couldn’t score three lousy runs against a pitcher at 47 pitches after 2 innings. And even with two runners on and no outs in the 9th, and then with the bases loaded with one out in the 9th, the Orioles couldn’t even score a second run, let alone come back to win. The middle of our lineup – Aubrey Huff, Luke Scott, Melvin Mora – let us down again. The only exception was Nolan Reimold, who did go 3-for-3 and walked in the fateful 9th to load the bases. And our last image of the game was Melvin Mora, futilely flailing at a high fastball out of the zone.

Losing teams find ways to lose. And we did, again tonight.

Poll

Who was the Most Birldand Player for Friday, July 24, 2009?

Brad Bergesen (L, 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 5 K, 3 BB)

24 votes

Nolan Riemold (3-3, R, BB)

56 votes

Nick Markakis (2-4, 1K, 1 AWESOME throw to gun down runner at the plate)

40 votes

No one - the O's lost. Again.

23 votes

Matt Wieters (1-3, great block of the plate from Markakis'; throw)

4 votes

147 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

It is clear we as fans must realize this lineup will not be the.....

lineup going forward in 2010 and 2011. They can’t hit with men on base or in the clutch. It is all mental going back to lack of confidence and finding ways to lose. It is demoralizing for me to see us lose in the ways we lose. What do we do when Tillman, Arrieta, Matusz, Bergenson, Hernandez and the rest of our young arms are pitching their butts off and we can put up a single run in support of them. Frustration is in my heart tonight. I will be better tomorrow morning but tonight is not a good night.

"Losing teams find ways to beat themselves" Jim Palmer

by Baysox39 on Jul 24, 2009 11:25 PM EDT reply actions

But we lead the AL in RISP BA

That’s the crazy part – statistically, we’re better than anyone in the AL with batters in scoring position. Yet, we continue to lose.

I do agree, this lineup will not be a lineup that wins the AL East, no matter how good the Big 3 + Brad become.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Jul 24, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

we lead in risp ba

but we’re the worst I believe in risp ba with 2 outs, amazingly enough. so when its on the line, we dont come through. lets all hope Wieters is the god we’ve made him out to be, because it may take a miracle for us to contend if not much else changes.

Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.

by daveh873 on Jul 24, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

we’re not really very good at getting runners into scoring position in the first place.

by Gonfoo on Jul 25, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Our lineup isn't even close to next years imo...

You’ve gotta figure that wieters will bat what, 4th or 5th. Alot can be said when discussing batting orders. Look at riemolds stats in Frederick 2yrs ago… Barely holding it together til wieters got there for protection. If wieters bats say 4th it changes the whole dynamic of the lineup. When people don’t want to pitch to the guy behind you, you are more likely to see good pitches to hit. See: David ortiz

If snyder comes through he’ll play the role riemold plays this year with Nolan batting 5th in my projected lineup. That leaves us just a 3b short of being solid.

I’m not discouraged this year cause quite frankly no ones scared of melmo or huff. They are bad jokes that we have to find a way to laugh at while our young hitters learn. The only thing I fear is if none of our big3 pan out. If we get 2-#2 starters I can live with that scenario.

I ask those of you concerned about our young hitters this- would you rather they come up young get cocky and plateau? Or let them learn and grow into what we hope they can be?

by GeoffreyA on Jul 25, 2009 1:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Snyder is batting .200 in Norfolk

Don’t hang your hopes on him.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Jul 25, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Iirc reimold was batting

.235 before wieters got to frederivk

by GeoffreyA on Jul 25, 2009 8:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

They can’t hit with men on base or in the clutch. It is all mental going back to lack of confidence and finding ways to lose.

Eh, I think it has more to do with the fact that most of the guys in the lineup aren’t all that good. Aubrey Huff’s 2008 was a fluke. I’m pretty sure we can all agree on that at this point. Mora hasn’t really been productive in years. It is what it is, but it’s not a mystery to unravel. They’re just not good enough.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

by Scott Christ on Jul 25, 2009 2:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Mora was pretty awesomely productive the 2nd half of last year.

by O'sFan21 on Jul 25, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

He is also 37

So last year’s spike in production in the second half was more of a last gasp than a revelation of his talent.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Jul 25, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Certainly, we lack a killer instinct...

…and are unable to put teams away. And it is beyond strange that we seem to have an offense that wakes up against the best closers in the game yet fails to do much with mediocre starters.

On the other hand, teams learn to win by winning. And if Wieters can put up a .800 OPS and just one of the big three can put up a 4.00 FIP, this team would win a lot more games. In addition, while this is the best that Roberts, Scott, and possibly Markakis will ever be, it is probable that Reimold and Jones will continue to improve. We clearly need a bigger bat at one of the infield corners, preferably third, but it seems pretty obvious that the front office recognizes that and is doing their best to obtain one. And Figgins isn’t the answer either; we need power and on-base skills. But that wasn’t available with the fifth pick, and Teixiera was never really an option, and there aren’t many of those guys out there.

At the same time, if the pitching prospects pan out, this becomes a pretty easy problem to solve. There are only five rotation spots available, and no way for Guthrie/Bergesen/Tillman/Matusz/Arrieta/Patton/Erbe/Britton/et al to pitch for us at the same time. While we can’t count on them all to cut it in the bigs, nor to stay healthy, by the time enough pitching is here to make us contenders, we have enough depth to still be able to swing a deal for a good hitter. Between them and Snyder and Waring, I don’t feel too concerned about our hope for the future.

by James F on Jul 25, 2009 2:51 AM EDT reply actions

Best markakis ever will be?

The guy was valued to b top draft pitcher on all but 2 MLB draft boards when he came out. With no juice I’ll take (guesstimate) 34 2b, 90r, 100rbi, 22 hr, 303 avg, 395obp anyday from my number 3 hitter. Especially with that arm…

Not saying he’s juiced, saying most ppl are used to inflated numbers cause of others juicing.

by GeoffreyA on Jul 25, 2009 8:55 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Bergesen’s face in that photo is terrifying.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

by Scott Christ on Jul 25, 2009 2:53 AM EDT reply actions

Did anyone see Jacoby throw dirt in Wieters face when he was tagged out?

"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.

by LenaO on Jul 25, 2009 3:03 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

What a punk move

that no one in the media will call him out for. But if Reimold had done that to ’Tek, there would be calls for suspension.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Jul 25, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I watched the replay just now 5-6 times. Not sure I see what you're talking about?

by O'sFan21 on Jul 25, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, apparently I'm crazy for being the only Wieters vote.

But his block of the plate was so Birdland. He practically crushed Jacoby’s puny self into the ground. And when Jacoby threw dirt in Matt’s face, he didn’t do anything. Such a veteran.

But my other vote would have gone to Nolan. Or I guess Nicky for making the sick throw.

"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.

by LenaO on Jul 25, 2009 7:48 AM EDT reply actions

i voted for sliced bread too!

"The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers." - Earl Weaver

"The only thing Earl knows about big-league pitching is that he couldn't hit it." - Jim Palmer

"Ain't the beer cold!?!" - Chuck Thompson

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Jul 25, 2009 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Wieters or Rye?

Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.

by daveh873 on Jul 25, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

its really annoying

that only markakis and jones realize that you gotta hit to score runs (reimold too to a certain extent). bases loaded against anusface and scott, mora, and huff go up there and completely embarass themselves (although at least melvin worked the count)

by twistedlogic on Jul 25, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

WTF is with everyone saying Melvin sucks

Did anyone actually WATCH the game last night? First half of the season, he was terrible. He’s been on a contact streak, and he had 5 well-hit balls last night. Two were hit right at guys. One was the sac-fly that scored our only run. If he hits that to the left or the right, it’s an easy double. The same for his next line-out to J.D. Drew. It’s an excellent hit that is right at a guy. Then on his foul balls down the line, a foot to the left or right is an easy double. but losing teams don’t have those balls go their way. Aubrey Huff is working his way out of a big year in free-agency / arbitration, and Melvin has most likely already worked his way out of having his option picked up. Still, Melvin is not doing badly, he’s jsut suffering the same luck this entire team is.

On the first day, Chuck Norris created God. But the day before that, Matt Wieters created Chuck Norris and the calendar.

by oriolesfan151 on Jul 25, 2009 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

Melvin is not doing badly...

I’m sorry, but that is a completely ridiculous statement. He is AWFUL. Did you see his defensive play yesterday where he just shit in his pants on a totally routine play?

Quite frankly, everybody is saying he sucks, because he fucking sucks. No other way to put it.

If he catches fire like last year great, but he’s been fucking miserable up to this point and I see no evidence that he’s breaking out of it. And even if he does catch fire does that excuse his atrocious play up to now? He’s costing us runs, outs, games regularly.

by O'sFan21 on Jul 25, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions