O’s win in home opener 5-1 against the Tigers

Yep. The Baltimore Orioles are 4-0 for the first time since 1997 (also their last winning season). The feeling was great in Baltimore all day (I attended the game) due to their wonderful 3-0 start and much optimism for this game and the rest of the season.

Jake Arrieta had the start today for the O’s and, after getting past a shaky first inning, pulled it together and delivered a 6-hit, 1 run six innings of ball.  So, yet again, another solid outing for the 4th starting pitcher in the rotation.  With today’s great start, the Orioles pitching staff have now only given up 4 runs in 4 games.  2 of them were earned and 2 were unearned.  That is an incredible way to start the season.  And to do this without our best pitcher Matusz, it’s really unbelievable.  In addition to the starting pitching being really good, so has the bullpen.  Jason Berken threw 2 innings in today’s win with no runs, no walks, one hit, and 3 strikeouts.  Finally, Koji Uehara came in at the top of the 9th and got the 1-2-3 out.

As for the offensive side of the game, Brian Roberts hit another 3-run homer (he hit one against the Rays as well) in the 5th to take the lead 4-1.  The first run had been scored by Matt Wieters on a wild pitch.  Wieters also drove in the 5th and final run in the 5th inning, sending Nick Markakis to home plate.

Felix Pie went 1 for 3 with a run scored and made many fly ball catches that required him to do an awful lot of running.  I have to say, I like Luuuuuke Scott and all, but I feel a lot safer with Pie in left field than Luke.  He’s a much faster runner so he can get to those tough catches more quickly and he just has a much better handle on the position.  In addition, I think he can have some clutch hits and is able to rack up some RBIs.

On the negative side, Adam Jones, Mark Reynolds, and the DH Vladimir Guerrero all went 0 for 4 today.  It’s only been 4 games so it’s not time to panic yet, but this is a bit worrisome (not as worrisome as the Red Sox going 0-3 and their starting pitching).  Jones is definitely a slower starter, at least that’s what it has seemed like these past few seasons.  As for Reynolds, he does usually have a place among the top 5 players who strike out the most, so this is to be expected sometimes.  He’ll definitely show up and start hitting homers like he’s also supposed to do.  As for Guerrero, he’s new and just getting started here as an Oriole.  I think he needs some time to warm up before he really gets going.

Besides all that, again, let me repeat, the O’s are 4-0 for the first time since they’re last winning season, which was 1997.  Also, they have the best record in the league right now.  So, that’s great and hopefully the wins keep on coming.

Tomorrow, they have a day off before finishing up the series with the Tigers Wednesday and Thursday night.