Orioles Weekly Wrap: August 7th - 13th

Results and Standings

The Orioles went 2-4 this week against the Angels and Mariners to wrap up their West Coast trip. They scored 21 runs and allowed 24. The team is currently 57-56, third place in the AL East, 5.5 games out of first place. However, they sit just 2.5 games back from the second wild card spot. Their predicted end-of-season record is back to 82-80.

Best Hitter / Worst Hitter

Chris Davis continued to swing a hot stick, hitting .350/.480/.850 with three more home runs for a wRC+ of 259. I think it had something to do with that wet sock he strapped to his upper lip for a few days. If so, J.J. Hardy should try it, because he hit a miserable .059/.111/.118 (-46 wRC+) this past week.

Best Start / Worst Start

It's tough to beat Ubaldo Jimenez's no-hit bid here, but Kevin Gausman did it. He turned in a gem on the night his team was no-hit, pitching seven innings, striking out 8, walking 2, and not allowing a home run. He did give up three earned runs on six hits though. Unfortunately he did it on the night Hisashi Iwakuma was just a little bit better. The week's worst start belongs to Chris Tillman, who lasted only 2.1 innings against Seattle, striking out just two and giving up two dingers.

Have a Game, Why Don't Ya!

The Orioles lost Chris Tillman's start, but it was nearly saved by the other Chris. Davis walked in the top of the first inning and would later score on a Jonathan Schoop single. He struck out in the third, but singled in the sixth. When he came up in the 8th, the Orioles were behind 5-4, having just pulled within one run on a two-run jack by Adam Jones. Seattle reliever Joe Beimel entered the game to face Davis, who promptly took him deep on a 1-0 pitch to tie the game at 5. Overall, Davis added 27.1% to the Orioles' chances to win that night. Unfortunately they lost it in a walk-off when Austin Jackson singled in Logan Morrison off T.J. McFarland in the bottom of the 10th.

Clutchiest Relief Appearance

Two nights earlier, Brad Brach was called in to face the Angels in the bottom of the 9th with the game tied at 4. He got Kole Calhoun to fly out and struck out Mike Trout. He walked Albert Pujols (who then stole second) but then struck out David Murphy. He had a 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th. Unfortunately, the combination of Chaz Roe and Brian Matusz, plus two intentional walks from Buck Showalter, set up a walkoff single from Murphy in the bottom of the 11th. It was that kind of week for the Orioles.

Upcoming

The Orioles enter a long homestand, first against Oakland and then against the Mets before facing the Wild Card chasing Minnesota Twins.