Orioles 3, Pirates 2: Snoozefest in Bradenton

If you happened to watch the first two innings of this game and then went off to do something else, good for you, because after the 2nd inning the Pirates and Orioles combined for zero runs and just 4 hits. 

Brad Bergesen made his first start on the year and the good news is he didn't feel any pain in his shin or his shoulder. He didn't have a great outing, throwing 35 pitches in 1.1 innings and allowing 2 runs on three hits and a walk. Said Bergesen: 

"I would have liked to have been a little better than that in the second inning, but getting out there and being the first time facing hitters in a live situation like that since July 30, that part was great, getting back out there. But just from a pitching standpoint, I worked behind too many guys. But I guess in some ways that's kind of expected at this point," he said.

"I felt like I was rushing myself. I was getting a little too quick and couldn't slow it down, which I'm normally able to do when I feel myself getting that way. In that second inning, I just felt myself getting quicker and quicker, so that part I need to work on."

Some starters work on pitches no matter the count. Bergesen must be different.

"I didn't get in enough counts to be able to throw my slider," he said. "The only slider I did throw was the one that I hung (to Garrett Jones) in the first inning. I threw four changeups. Two of them were good and two of them were bad."

Luis Lebron relieved Bergesen after 1.1 innings and allowed one hit in 0.2 innings. Following Lebron were Jason Berken (2 IP, 1 H), Mark Hendrickson (2 IP, 1 H), Will Ohman (1 IP, 0 H), Kam Mickolio (1 IP, 0 H), and Matt Albers (1 IP, 1 H). A pretty good night for the pitching staff, especially Jason Berken who has now pitched 4 innings in ST allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk. Will Ohman also continues to impress as he struck out two. 

The Orioles offense got to Zach Duke for three runs in the first inning, but after that only managed on more hit, a single by Ryan Adams in the 7th inning. In the first Zach Duke quickly struck out Felix Pie and Cesar Izturis before allowing Adam Jones to wallop a long triple. Duke fell apart a bit after that, walking Miguel Tejada and Matt Wieters to load the bases. Singles to Luke Scott and Ty Wigginton cleared the bases and give the Orioles their only three runs. The mighty Pirates pitching staff stifled them for the rest of the night. 

Tomorrow is another night game as the Orioles travel to play the Twins at 7:05. The game isn't being broadcast locally but if you have Gameday Audio you can catch the Minnesota feed.