Well that was crazy, right?
I’m not sure if I’ve watched a more crazier game then the Orioles 13 inning, 13-11 win last night. The best thing I can say about that game is that the Orioles won, and in the end, that’s all that matters. There were more heroes and villains last night then in a Games of Thrones episode.
The good news was the Orioles offense collected 20 hits and four walks while scoring a season high 13 runs. You want heroes? How about Mark Trumbo lining a home run to right field with two outs in the top of the 9th to tie the game? How about Chris Davis making up for his bone headed play in the 1st inning that cost the team a run hitting two two-run homers in extra innings including what proved to be the winning home run in the 13th inning? How about RF Joey Rickard making a great diving catch in the 1st inning with the bases loaded and two outs that saved at least three runs? And how about Richard Bleier pitching the last one and two-third innings despite throwing 44 pitches just two days agao? Bleier got the team out of a Donnie Hart melt down induced jam in the 12th an then tossed a shutout 13th for the win.
Unfortunately this game came with it’s Orioles villains, or at least goats, most of which came from the bullpen who have suddenly become a major concern. After getting the team out of a Wade Miley mess in the 6th, Mychal Givens totally melted down in the 7th, walking the bases loaded without recording an out. That brought on Brad Brach who promptly gave up a grand slam home run to put the Tigers ahead 8-7 and blow the 5th lead in as many games by the Orioles bullpen. It was an epic meltdown by two of the Orioles best relievers. Darren O’Day and Asher settled things down and after the Orioles scored three runs in the top of the 12th, it looked like the Orioels had the game in the bag. Unfortunately, Hart (who actually has not been very good this year overall) had his meltdown game allowing three runs on five hits before Bleier was called on and got the final two outs to send the game to the 13th.
With all this craziness, the Orioles will need at least two if not three relievers in their pen. the Orioles cut caught with their short 6-man pen last night and it almost cost them the game, so you have to imagine they can’t keep carrying three catchers. Francisco Pena will most likely have to be DFA’d or traded since I can’t imagine them sending Caleb Joseph back to the minors after the way he’s been playing. That free up one spot so the next guy I think is in trouble is Hart. Hart hasn’t been as sharp as he was last year and after that epic meltdown last night, he may have pitched himself to AAA. If the Orioles want a 3rd fresh reliever then Bleier unfortunately could be the next to go though Asher could also be in contention because he won’t be available for at least 3 days after last night’s outing.
So who could be coming back? If his hamstring is better Gabriel Ynoa is ready to come off the 10-day DL and with one or possibly two lefties going to AAA, Paul Fry seems like the logical replacement. Don’t look past the Orioles possibly adding Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson or even Jimmy Yacabonis to the 40-man and giving them an opportunity.
Either way there is going to be some changes today and let’s hope someone can come up and settle down this pen.
