Baltimore Orioles: Three won’t do it; Manny Machado homers

First off make no mistake about the fact that Manny Machado and the Baltimore Orioles are not a poor hitting team. They’re going through a stretch right now where they just aren’t making contact with the ball. And when they are able to get a hold of one, it’s normally dying in an outfielder’s mitt. And from the Orioles’ perspective, the fact that opposing fielders keep making amazing plays against them doesn’t help things.

Ubaldo Jimenez was the latest starter to be victimized by a high pitch count. Jimenez’s line: 5 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K. Similar to Gausman on the previous night, Minnesota tried to take all but Jimenez’s fastball away from him. However unlike Gausman, Jimenez did everything in his power not to give in to the Minnesota hitters. He ultimately left with the lead and left with the Orioles in a position to win.

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Steve Pearce‘s lead off triple in the fourth gave the Orioles what they hoped was going to be some life. That was followed by a Caleb Joseph walk, and J.J. Hardy‘s subsequent double-play. In general, that can be seen as a win for the defense. However when things are going as tough as they are for the Orioles, you have to be happy with manufacturing just the one run there. However unfortunately, this wasn’t a Minnesota team that was going to be denied on this day. Bud Norris relieved Jimenez in the sixth, and following a one out walk Brian Dozier‘s two-run homer gave Minnesota the lead. Joe Mauer would add a solo shot before the inning would end.

Eric Fryer would tack on a two-RBI double in the seventh, this after Caleb Joseph had a deep shot that was run down in the top of the inning. Again, keep in mind that when the O’s are hitting the ball hard, their

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opponents seem to be making amazing plays in the field. As Buck Showalter often says, sometimes you just have to tip your cap.

Manny Machado and Chris Davis would each homer in the top of the eighth, but at the end of the day it was too little too late. The Orioles were swept in Minnesota, and they completed a disappointing 1-5 roadtrip. However they still remain in striking distance in the division, most of which struggled as well this week.

Baltimore Orioles: Three won’t do it; Manny Machado homers

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