Birds Up, O's Down - 2014 Week 18

Brad Brach

Needed 31 pitches to make it through his last appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals, but at least no harm was committed.  That marked his 5th straight appearance of at least one inning with no earned runs allowed.

Zach Britton

Big wins meant the closer was mostly unnecessary.  Did get the ball in Sunday's game, even though it was not a save situation, but he got worked anyway, allowing both a walk and a homer (3 ER allowed).

Wei-Yin Chen

Although Chen continues to lead the Orioles in both wins and WAR, he had his worst start in recent days against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.  Chen lasted just 5 innings and allowed 8 hits and 4 earned runs.

Kevin Gausman

Provided an almost identical start to Chen's with 1 fewer ER allowed an no homer.  He's gone two straight starts with 8 hits and 3 ER allowed.

Miguel Gonzalez

Posted a line of 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 4 K before ending up back at AAA Norfolk with the return of Jimenez.  He's expected to make a start there, but will be back with the Orioles next week.

Tommy Hunter

Made two appearances totalling 2.2 innings and allowed just one baserunner.

Ubaldo Jimenez

Ubaldo's first start in a month started exactly how you'd expect:  two walks, a couple of hits, a homer, and 2 ER allowed (through just two innings).  However, he rapidly settled down and provided an additional 4 innings with just one more earned run.  He ended up K'ing 6 and eventually got the W for his efforts.

Brian Matusz

Somewhat up and down week, but mostly down.  He was brilliant in a longer outing on Friday evening, going 1.1 innings and facing the minimum 4 batters (no hits, 1 strikeout).  He was featured in two more "situational" outings, however, and did not perform as well. 

T.J. McFarland

His last two outings have been hit parades.

Andrew Miller

Allowed his first ER as an Oriole in Sunday's game against St. Louis.  Had some control issues that lead to two walks in his first outing of the week, as well.

Bud Norris

Not entirely sharp in a win against the Blue Jays, but did strike out 6 in 5.1 innings.

Darren O'Day

With a few big wins, O'Day didn't see regular action this week.

Chris Tillman

Got a ton of run support and cruised to victory on Friday night vs. the Cardinals.  Allowed 2 ER in 6.2 innings, including 7 strikeouts.

Catchers

Nick Hundley

Did not see regular action, but still posted a three-hit game on Friday night in support of Tillman.

Caleb Joseph

Homers in 5 straight games left Joseph one shy of the Orioles record for consecutive games with a round-tripper.

Infielders

Chris Davis

While three of his five hits left the park and his overall slugging in August has been solid, his contact rate has been miserable.  His OPS remains below .700 and average below .200 for the season.

Ryan Flaherty

Receiving fairly regular starts at 2B, but not providing regular offense.

J.J. Hardy

Scratched from Sunday's game with a thumb injury, which is a shame since Hardy has been on fire.  Eleven hits in 23 trips this week, including 2 that left the park.

Manny Machado

Continues to provide solid offense and had three multi-hit games this week.

Jonathan Schoop

See Flaherty, Ryan.  His week was just a touch better, as he provided an approximately equal contribution in fewer ABs.

Outfielders

Nelson Cruz

Saturday's homer was his first in 13 games.

Adam Jones

Like Machado, his offensive contribution hasn't been overwhelming, but very steady.

David Lough

2-7

Nick Markakis

Another very solid week for Markakis:  11 hits (1 homer), 2 RBI, and 6 BB.  He took a walk in 5 of 7 games this week.

Steve Pearce

0-2

Delmon Young

Was called into action more than usual this week and certainly delivered - 6 hits in 17 AB including a homer, 5 RBI, and 2 BB.

Disabled List

Matt Wieters

Kind of weird having Wieters solo on the DL list