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Baltimore Orioles: Offense a problem in the second half?

By Domenic A. Vadala

Jun 20, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (39) delivers a pitch to the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (39) delivers a pitch to the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /
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If not for a Jonathan Schoop solo homer the Baltimore Orioles would have been shut out last night. Are the bats going to sleep?

The Baltimore Orioles are 2-2 since coming back from the all-star break. That may not be horrible, however in each of their four games the offensive output hasn’t exactly been what it was prior to the break. And needless to say, it certainly hasn’t been what Orioles fans and pitchers would expect.

The Birds all but wasted a decent effort by Kevin Gausman last night, who pitched very well against New York in the Bronx. Gausman’s line: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K. No matter how you look at it, that’s a quality start. Gausman however should be used to not having runs scored for him, as he’s on the list of MLB pitchers who get the least amount of run support.

So you would almost wish that Gausman hadn’t brought it last night if the offense wasn’t going to put up the necessary runs to win. Pitchers aren’t always on their game, so when they are you certainly don’t want to waste the outing. But that’s life sometimes.

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    • New York took a 1-0 lead in the last of the second when ARod homered with the bases empty to left field. However one inning later the game was tied, as Jonathan Schoop followed suit with a solo home run of his own. But McCann’s sac fly-RBI in the last of the third gave NY the lead back at 2-1. And would you believe that ended the scoring in the game?!

    This isn’t to say the O’s didn’t have their chances. They stranded the bases loaded back in the first inning as well, Reimold was tagged out on the base paths in the fourth after stumbling over second base, and Schoop struck out with a runner at third in the seventh. At the end of the day it was a pitcher’s duel so to speak. But the O’s had their chances to tie the game and couldn’t do it.

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    So is it even worth being concerned about the fact that the O’s haven’t put up mega-numbers on offense since the all-star break? It’s noteworthy given the fact that the standings are so tight. But whether it’s time to panic is another story. Especially considering that Chris Davis was unavailable last night due to a stomach virus that landed him in the hospital.

    One bright spot for the O’s in the past two games has been reliever Donnie Hart, who was called up from double-A Bowie during the break. Hart made his big league debut on Sunday in Tampa, and pitched a full inning last night in New York. Granted it’s a small sample size, but he’s yet to give up a hit.  

    Next: Baltimore Orioles: Chris Tillman continues to lead Orioles' unpredictabe rotation

    The Birds will try to get back on track this evening in the Bronx. Vance Worley will make the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by NY’s Nathan Eovaldi. Game time is set for just ater 7 PM.

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