Baltimore Orioles: Chris Davis and others lead homer parade

Chris Davis and others lead a homer parade as the Baltimore Orioles used crooked numbers to defeat Boston.

The Baltimore Orioles re-signed Chris Davis for a reason, and we saw that on display this afternoon. We know that pitching is probably going to be the Birds’ weaker link this season – at least how things are shaping up thus far. However regardless of what some of the more cynical members of the media and fanbase might say or think, if you put 15+ runs on the board you’re going to be in good shape in games.

Yovani Gallardo had his struggles in this game early. Gallardo’s line: 3.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 3 BB, 2 K. It’s tough to gauge these results or even the pitching lines in spring training. We don’t know what Gallardo was trying to accompish in the game, nor do we know if he was working on anything specific this afternoon. However after coming out Gallardo pointed out that he had consistently struggled in spring games across his career (quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports):

"You hear a lot of guys say that spring training is the time to try different things, try to add to what you’re able to do during the season. Not only last year, you can look at every spring training I’ve had throughout my career and I think it’s … they’ve been bad. It’s a good thing they don’t count for your career."

Some might say that’s an excuse. But statistically it should give Orioles’ fans some hope.

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The Orioles got a two-RBI double off the bat of Mark Trumbo, and an RBI-single from Pedro Alvarez in the last of the first to take a 3-0 lead. However Boston would battle back in the second with five runs (including a two-run homer by Bradley Jr.) and an additional run in the third to lap the O’s and take a 6-3 lead. But remember ‘dem O’s? You know, that team that likes to mash the ball?…

Courtesy of Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

…yeah, those guys! J.J. Hardy‘s two-run homer in the last of the third brought the Birds to within 6-5. But at first to say the least, Boston didn’t want to go away. Gallardo would give up another RBI-double to extend their lead to 7-5 prior to being pulled from the game in the fourth. However with Davis at the plate in the last of the inning, Boston’s Haley uncorked a wild pitch which allowed the runner at third to score. Trumbo would later ground into a fielder’s choice-RBI, which tied the game at seven.

Again, this version of the Orioles is going to score a lot of runs. There’s absolutely no question about that, and yes the question is will the pitching be able to keep up. That remains to be seen. However the Birds took the lead for good in the last of the sixth when Manny Machado smacked a two-run homer. Davis would add a solo shot of his own a moment later to take the O’s back-to-back, and before the inning ended Audry Perez would add a three-run bop of his own – O’s then had a commanding 13-7 lead.