Today was just not a good day for pitchers. The Orioles played the Houston Astros in Sarasota in the third game of a three game home stand, and neither team seemed to be able to locate pitches and get outs. Brad Bergesen got the start for the Birds, going four innings and letting up three runs. He also issued two walks, which were back to back 4-pitch walks in the 2nd inning that had everybody on their toes. Kevin Gregg, who came on after Bergesen, pitched a complete third of an inning. Getting just one out, Gregg allowed four earned runs on a Brett Wallace grand slam.
Gregg said post-game that PC Mark Connor had been working with him on mechanical adjustments, but he will go back to his old style next outing. After starting the spring with four straight scoreless outings, Gregg has racked up eight earned runs over his last two outings. Speaking of lousy statistics; in three March starts, Bergesen has allowed ten runs in nine and two thirds innings.
Wynn Pelzer, who relieved Gregg and finished the 5th inning, allowed a run. Ryan Drese, pitching the next three innings, allowed five runs. The only shutout pitcher of the day for the Orioles was Chris George, who pitched the 9th inning and allowed two hits.
On the offensive side, Jake Fox hit another home run, his mid-game replacement Robert Andino added another, and Orioles bats went 8-34 (.265) on the day. No hitter got more than one hit on the day, and with four runs in the 9th inning, the lineup was not impressive against the Astros’ arms today. Eight runs may seem like a nice amount, but with only half coming in the meaningful innings of the game and mostly on hits dropping here or there, this was a day that the O’s most likely want to just put behind them
The Orioles go on the road tomorrow and take on the New York Yankees.
