44-42, 3rd place, 3.5 games behind CWS, win streak is at 5
The Tigers kick off the back half of the season with a 3 game set against the Orioles. The Orioles are in the middle of their predictable pattern of everybody’s darling to mediocrity to irrelevance as they get passed up by everyone else in the East. But this doesn’t mean that they aren’t full of talent, they simply have the unfortunate consequence of playing in baseball’s best division.
Tonight’s pitcher, Jason Hammel is in the midst of a career year (which also happens to be a contract year). On the year he’s 8-5 with a 3.47 ERA and 101 Ks against 38 BBs in 106.1 IPs, though he’s had a tough go against Detroit in his career. Covering 6 outings, the Tigers have roughed up Hammel for a 6.20 ERA. Hammel’s worst inning is the 4th, so look for a Raburn bomb there. Peralta is averaging an RBI every 1.7 ABs against Hammel. Hopefully we can get to Hammel because the Orioles bullpen leads the majors in ERA (2.75) and Jim Johnson leads the majors with 26 saves and sports a 1.21 ERA.
Fister has allowed 18 ER in his last 14 1/3 IPs. To boot, the Orioles are batting .314 off of him as a team. Let’s see what Fister can give us this 2nd half.
A few notes:
– The Orioles video production department was recently recognized by the other video guys at the “Best Overall Video Display In Baseball” as the sparsely attended and new to me Information Display Entertainment Association conference in Minneapolis earlier this week.
– Worth up, Ortega down.
– What could Delmon Young have in common with the following names that I know from Tony LaRussa Baseball for PC Circa 1991 – Rudy York and Vic Wertz, along with Hank Greenberg, Willie Horton and Marcus Thames? If he hits a HR tonight he’ll find out.
– AJax is on a 15 game hitting streak.
Tonight’s Lineup:
1. CF Austin Jackson
2. LF Quintin Berry
3. 3B Miguel Cabrera
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. DH Delmon Young
6. RF Brennan Boesch
7. SS Jhonny Peralta
8. C Alex Avila
9. 2B Ryan Raburn
What does Delmon Young have in common with the Mighty Casey? At least Boesch comes through fro a change.
Young is going to get one more chance.
What’s up with MLB.com?? (“This Game Will Begin Shortly”)
It was a bit slow at the start. At first I thought it was my reception, but it seems to be doing better now.
How long does Fister last with his 89MPH fastball?
No kidding with MLB.com, even at bat is having issues!
Must have used the break to “upgrade” something.
I can’t get it to work on any of my devices, though other games work fine. I’m guessing it’s something with the Bal tech setup.
Raburn must have misread my 4th inning homer call.
Same here,,,no MB audio with Dan and Jim…Balt must still be reeling from the storm blackouts? Got to watch/listen to Mario and Rod.
OMG a non-solo homer.
Home Rhun!
Liriano auditioning for a trade deadline move to a contender – 8 Ks in 3 IP vs OAK.
And only one of them were Inge!
I guess the audition is officially over.
Amazing (and frustrating for Twins fans) the inconsistency there.
Fister’s out-pitch seems to have been the curve tonight.
this outing by Fister is pretty huge all things considered….
The Orioles have used 6 pitchers already…this will help the rest of the series.
Rayburn is on track to have 80 hits and 80 RBI in the second half…just sayin!
They’ve got him going now.
If only he can keep up the 1-for-4 pace, he’ll finish July with a batting average of….189.
What I said.
MLB is back up finally on the west coast…
Thanks for the heads up Mark as audio is strong in steamy Miss. Royals take the lead over the White Sox too!
I guess Coke’s ERA is relatively low due to guys like Benoit bailing him out. His BAA before tonight was .308 with an OBA of .348, and LH are hitting him at a .280 clip.
nice win….keep it rolling!!!
moment of silence…Inge just joined Rayburn south of the Mendoza line….business as usual.
Broxton walks 2 on 8 pitches…CWS loads the bases with 0 outs in the top of the 9th.
Royals seem to be going out of their way not to win this (runner picked off 2nd in the 9th).
If you get in the game, don’t blow it.
Piece of cake…probably should have left me in longer though.