Blue Jays 5, Orioles 4: Confirming what we already knew

by Eat More Esskay on Sep 25, 2010 4:57 PM EDT in Post-Game

This game served as further reminder of three things we already knew, which, acting in concert, led to a bad result in this game.

1. Jeremy Guthrie gives up a lot of home runs.

2. The Toronto Blue Jays hit a lot of home runs.

3. Mark Hendrickson sucks.

The Jays' five runs included four home runs, although at least none of them were hit by Jose Bautista. The Orioles took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to a Brandon Snyder ground rule double and a pair of bases loaded walks issued by Ricky Romero, but this lead was steadily eroded by Blue Jays solo home runs, and one Lyle Overbay RBI sac fly. 1-9 hitting with RISP doomed the O's today as they left the bases loaded twice.

Once it got into the bullpens, it was just a matter of who would give up the game-winning home run, probably in walk-off fashion. Mike Gonzalez finished off the 7th after Guthrie left a man on base with one out. Jim Johnson threw two perfect innings to get us into extra frames, and Koji Uehara threw a perfect tenth. All the while the Orioles failed to muster any offense against the Toronto bullpen, with the only baserunner in the 9th, 10th and 11th innings combined coming on an error - and immediately that runner was wiped out by a GIDP.

I singled out Mark Hendrickson for being terrible in yesterday's recap, so it's not even like I'm surprised that he gave off a walk-off home run to Lyle Overbay, the first and only batter he faced in the game. He's not a good pitcher. Unfortunately right now, the O's bullpen is stuffed full of pitchers I never want to see again, including Alfredo Simon and Matt Albers along with Hendo. Since the O's couldn't score any runs, eventually someone bad had to come into the game. The moment that happened, the game ended. That's all there is to it.

David Hernandez had appeared in the O's last two games, and Troy Patton is probably being saved for an outing tomorrow in case Rick VandenHurk is unable to go deep into the game in his first Orioles start. So it goes. Shaun Marcum will be starting for the Blue Jays for tomorrow's 1:07 game as the Orioles look to avoid being swept in Canada for the year.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Arbitrary number trivia I didn't feel like including in the post:

Guthrie’s start today pushed him past 200 innings thrown for the second consecutive year.

It's as if every eccentric in the South decided to move north, ran out of gas in Baltimore, and decided to stay. - John Waters

by Eat More Esskay on Sep 25, 2010 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

Hate to say this, think it, or suggest it...but...

We have 8 games left.

The Os are in the running for the 3rd overall draft pick (maybe the 2nd too if the M’s comply). Right now they are #3. They are “fighting off” the Indians, Royals, Nats, and DBacks who all have a real shot at upsurping the Os at that pick. If conditions hit just right, the Os could be #7.

It may be unseemly to talk about it, but what is worth more right now? Winning as much as 8 in the last week of the season? Or, evaluating the players who Showalter has not seen enough of (e.g. Reimold, Snyder, Andino, Fox, Tatum, etc..), which would probably cost some wins to do so?

by basemonkey on Sep 25, 2010 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

We have 8 games left?

Then the goal should be to win 8 games.

by NSOsFan on Sep 25, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

Rec'd. This isn't the NFL or NBA.

There is gobs of talent in next years draft and we have the same chance of getting a future HOF with the no. 7 pick as we do the no. 3 pick. We also have the same chance at getting the next Garrett Olsen or Adam Loewen with any pick.

The stache is back!

by Knubles and Bits on Sep 25, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

The guys you named at least made it to the major leagues.

We also have the same chance at getting the next Billy Rowell with any pick.

However, I do think there is going to be some degree of Buck evaluating the players basemonkey named. Probably not Tatum, but it seems like Reimold, Snyder, Andino and Fox will be getting more of a look as he tries to figure out who is and is not a nugget. I think there is a place for all of those guys except Fox. It just seems like Fox is who he is and that’s never going to be a guy whose production (such as it is) you can’t replace with more upside.

It's as if every eccentric in the South decided to move north, ran out of gas in Baltimore, and decided to stay. - John Waters

by Eat More Esskay on Sep 25, 2010 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Some of us haven't given up

On Frederick’s all time leader in games played.

The stache is back!

by Knubles and Bits on Sep 26, 2010 12:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

rowell

It is hard to build a case for Rowell doing anything but returning to Frederick next year. He did not play well enough to merit a promotion to Bowie.

by BaltoBen on Sep 26, 2010 11:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

One thing that's sort of annoyed me about Buck

and I understand that there aren’t a ton of options out there, but he keeps using shitty mop up guys in higher leverage situations. In my opinion Hendo should never pitch in a game that’s closer than 4 runs after the 6th inning. He should only pitch meaningless innings when the outcome is already decided or when the starter gets hurt or shits himself and we need somebody to keep it relatively close and see if the bats can make it interesting. That’s literally all he’s good for.

Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck

by O'sFan21 on Sep 27, 2010 11:15 AM EDT reply actions