Orioles Being Sp-O-ilers

The Orioles have now won two straight series against two opponents vying for a wild card.

It started with a 3-game series against the Rays a week ago when they lost 5-2. However, they took the 2nd and 3rd game 4-2 and 6-2, respectively. In the 4-2 win, Alfredo Simon pitched 7 great innings of 6-hit, 2-run ball. He also whiffed 9 guys and came back strong from a very poor outing in which his command, or lack thereof, issued 6 walks. Matt Wieters came through with the game-winning 2-run home run in the 8th. In the 6-2 game, Guthrie was insane. He lasted 7 innings giving up 3 hits and 2 runs….and striking out TEN. That’s a season high. This may have been one of his best outings all season. The Orioles scored every run with long balls, including a solo shot by my man Nolan Reimold, a 3-run homer that I discussed earlier by Chris Davis, and another 2-run shot in the 8th by Matt Wieters.

Then the weekend came and with it: the Angels and pretty big crowds at Camden. Taking 2 of the first 3 in the series, the O’s won 4 games straight as well as 2 straight series for the first time since like May. Tommy Hunter was brilliant (you may notice a pattern here…) in 7 innings of shut-out ball. The O’s scored 8 unanswered points and lucky for us because Kevin Gregg was put in in the 9th and gave up a walk, 2 hits, and 3 runs in the 9th. Seriously, screw this guy.

On Saturday, Britton earned his 10th win of the season, bringing his record even at 10-10.He went 7 innings giving up only 3 hits and a run with 7 strikeouts, which is very high for him. J.J. Hardy hit his career-high 27th homer in this game.

Sunday didn’t allow for the sweep as the O’s got manhandled 11-2 as Simon gave up 6 runs included 3 homers.

However if the O’s win ONE more game the rest of the season, they will avoid the 100 loss mark. There’s 11 games left (sad) and the O’s sit at 62-89 so that’s good news.

Also, an interesting note. Out of the 4 games the Orioles won over those two series, Kevin Gregg only pitched in one in which he had an 8-run lead and still gave up 3 runs. I wonder what the difference in winning percentage is when Gregg pitches and when he doesn’t. I’d like to know but don’t feel like doing all the work that entails right now. Maybe on a rainy day when the season is over and I have nothing to write about for 5 months.