David Hernandez made his major league debut tonight, and like Brad Bergesen and Jason Berken before him, he started his ML career with a win. Hernandez was shaky in the first inning. He threw 27 pitches with two walks and a single, but did not give up a run. After the game he told Amber Theoharris that he felt like he was rushing too much in the first inning, but was able to settle himself down.
Settled down David Hernandez was pretty fun to watch. He faced only three batters each in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings. He got into a little bit of trouble in the 5th when, after a double and a walk, Clete Thomas singled in the only run the Tigers would manage on the evening. With runners on 1st and 3rd, Hernandez buckled down and got the last two outs of the 5th without incident.
Dave Trembley sent David Hernandez out to start the 6th, and after Miguel Cabrera K'd for the 2nd time, Curtis Granderson singled between Roberts and Huff and stole second. Zaun's throw wasn't bad, but it ricocheted off Granderson's leg and into center field as Granderson went to third. Hernandez then walked Brandon Inge and popped Jeff Larish up to third base for the second out. With 108 pitches on the evening, David Hernandez's night was over. He left the field to a loud ovation from the small crowd. All in all it was a successful outing for the newest kid on the block.
The bullpen took it from there. Matt Albers, Jim Johnson, and George Sherrill combined for 3.1 scoreless innings. Albers wasn't too sharp as he walked two, but luckily there was no damage done. Oh, and George Sherrill had ANOTHER 1-2-3 inning.
But what of the offense? Well, do you like home runs? I do! Chicks dig the long ball, don't you know. All five Oriole runs were scored on three home runs. Luke Scott went deep twice, a solo HR in the 2nd inning and a 3 run HR in the 8th to give the O's some breathing room. The other HR came in the 5th from rookie sensation Nolan Reimold, who has now homered in three straight games. Nolan Reimold is on a mission, and that mission is to make you say, "Wieters who?"
If you aren't watching these games, I really hope you'll start. The infusion of rookies has given this team new life and suddenly it's fun to watch Orioles baseball. I can only imagine that it will get more fun as the rookie to end all rookies makes his debut tomorrow.
Don't look now, but the Orioles have won four games in a row and 6 of their last 7. Streaks are Birdland!