Tommy Hunter did something amazing today: he struck out 8 batters. His career K/9 is 4.5, and he tied his career high that he did just one other time. Sadly for the Orioles, Hunter also gave up 8 runs, so it's hard to care about the strikeouts.
Hunter never really got it together in this game. Starting with a two-run homer from A.J. Pierzynski in the second inning, Hunter got knocked around. He loaded the bases in the third and was lucky to get out of the inning with just one run. In the fourth he gave up a home run to Alejandro De Aza for crying out loud. Then after facing just three batters in the fifth, it all really fell apart in the sixth. Hunter hit Alex Rios to start things off, then after Alexei Ramirez singled with one out, Gordon Beckham finally got his first hit of the year. It knocked in Rios and when Nolan Reimold threw the ball around in the outfield, both runners moved up. One walk to load the bases later, and Tommy Hunter was removed from the game.
In came Troy Patton, who allowed a bases-clearing double to Adam Dunn. Whoopsie!
Kevin Gregg also pitched. He managed to walk two guys in one inning but didn't give up any runs.
Oh, and the Orioles got their only run thanks to an Endy Chavez double. I know!
Tomorrow the O's will try to win the series as they play a day game in Chicago. The pitching matchup is Gavin Floyd vs Jason Hammel.