Bob Haynie: The Orioles Like The Home Run
Heading into Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels, the Baltimore Orioles were a team that rated high in Major League Baseball's home run categories.
In a good and a bad way.
The Orioles have blasted 86 HR's in 2013. That total trails only the Atlanta Braves (88) in all of baseball. Chris Davis, Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy pace a Baltimore attack that can swat them out with the best of them.
Unfortunately, the Birds like to serve up the gopher ball too.
Orioles pitchers have given up a league-leading 90 jacks. That's right. 90 home runs allowed.
By throwing 16 souvenirs, Chris Tillman has been the most generous of Baltimore hurlers. Jason Hammel has been very giving, as well, as he has been touched for 12 taters.
However, Freddy Garcia has been lit up for 13 home runs in only eight starts. Needless to say, he tends to leave them over the plate just a bit.
The good thing , if there is a good thing about allowing HR's, is that 57 of the 90 bombs hit against the Orioles have been solo shots.
So they're not really being decimated by the long ball.
That being said, I'm sure manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Rick Adair would like to see those numbers decrease.
Either way, if you're going to see the Baltimore Orioles play, sit in the bleachers and bring your glove.
