Once Again, Angels Rally As Orioles' Bullpen Falters
Angels 9, Orioles 6
Los Angeles Angels' Vladimir Guerrero (27) points to the sky after hitting a two-run home run off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rich Hill in the fifth inning of a baseball game on Sunday, July 5, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif. At left is Orioles catcher Matt Wieters. (AP Photo/Keith Birmingham)
(Keith Birmingham - AP)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Monday, July 6, 2009
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 5 -- If nothing else over the past two days at sun-drenched Angel Stadium, the Baltimore Orioles succeeded in putting on clinics on how to blow four-run leads in the middle innings.
On Saturday, it was two defensive miscues, coupled with an all-around implosion by a tiring bullpen that resulted in a disheartening loss. In Sunday's 9-6 loss in front of an announced 35,912, Orioles pitchers lost touch with the strike zone at the most inopportune times as a chance to secure a four-game series split went by the wayside.
The Los Angeles Angels broke open a deadlocked game in the bottom of the seventh with three runs despite only one hit. With Manager Dave Trembley's bullpen options down to a precious few, struggling reliever Chris Ray was summoned with the bases loaded and no outs, inheriting Matt Albers's mess.
Ray promptly walked the only two batters that he faced, bringing in two runs. He then returned to Baltimore after the game to have his right shoulder examined, the latest blow to his trying season.
"What happens is the usage of your bullpen is a direct reflection of what your starters do," Trembley said. "We talked a little bit before the game. When your starters are up in pitches and continually not holding leads, then you've got to go to your bullpen night after night after night. It makes it tough on everybody."
In the last two games the Orioles' bullpen has logged 6 2/3 innings and given up 10 earned runs, 12 hits and 6 walks.
Brian Roberts, who was involved in the two defensive gaffes Saturday, got the Orioles started Sunday. He pounded Angels starter Joe Saunders's third pitch of the game over the wall in left, the first time he's led off a game with a homer since April 2, 2008, and his first homer from the right side since July 1 of last year.
