BLOG: Orioles Interleague Play
I hope everyone had a happy and safe Fourth of July. If you were away (Ocean City?) did you watch the three-game series against the Atlanta Braves? And if so, what did you think of the way the Orioles finished interleague play?
Once again, Jeremy Guthrie pitched well enough to win -- and the first pitcher since June 15th to pitch seven innings -- and Mark Reynolds continued showed his power in the National League... but the O's were only able to take one game, thanks to Mark Reyonlds. I was worried Reynolds' power would drop when he returned to the American League but the third baseman went yard again last night in Texas. Unfortunately, the O's took an embarrassing 13-4 loss behind Chris Jakubauskas, who in all fairness, has done everything the Orioles have asked of him.
He wasn't able to go his signature five innings -- he lasted only two after giving up six runs -- but against the tough Rangers lineup, I had a feeling it was going to be a disaster from first-pitch.
So we're almost at the half-way mark and the rotation is the most concerning. Is it me or do the lineup and the rotation take turns taking blame? Right now, the rotation is a major issue. Brian Matusz is down in Triple-A, Jake Arrieta has already missed a start due to elbow soreness, Zach Britton is going through his expected growing pains, Jeremy Guthrie is getting no run support and Chris Jakubauskas is... well, filling in. I'm not sure Brad Bergesen and Chris Tillman are the answers. The O's have tried that experiment in the past. And now Mitch Atkins will take the hill tonight in Texas making his eighth Major League appearance and first Major League start. Against the American League Champion Rangers.... Good Luck, Mitch. Welcome to "The Show."
Your thoughts?
Oh, and congratulations to catcher Matt Wieters on making the All Star Game in Phoenix. Well-deserved, kid. Don't forget to vote for Adam Jones as the fan favorite to join Wieters in Arizona!
