Game 3: Orioles @ Rays - 4/3/2011

[Oriolefan88]

cant ask to much more.Gives a hit up to their hottest hitter.Thanks announcers for beating that point in our head. but comes back and gets Manny.

[Don]

One quick tid bit over that first half inning with Manny at the Plate and Zobrist at second.

Manny is a spray hitter, but over the years the bat speed is not really as good as it use to be and with this in mind, here is how I would pitch and what acutally happened.

1st pitch - I would work outside, likely a change-up to keep Manny thinking over the at bat. I want him to rush and top the ball for a ground out. (Result - Sinker away and foul that Manny hit off his front foot).

2nd pitch - I am up on him and he is guessing. He does not want to be jammed and will try to get the bat head out quickly seeing that he lost the timing on the hard sinker. I want to throw a fastball, but up in the zone and get him into an upper cut swing. I think he may not pick it up and simply take the chance on ball/strike. (Result - Fastball, but not as high as I would have liked. He flated the swing for a solid line drive, but into the hands of Hardy).

Britton can work hitters and has a sound game, simply needs to loose the gitters and he was overly erractic in his desired location at times.

[Don]

I just heard Diaz is behind the plate; I thought Bell was the guy. I guess that is what you get when you assume things....

[Oriolefan88]

Ump needs to start giving Britton that outside call.Twice in the 1st he hit that spot and it was called a ball.Be consistent.

[BuckMagic]

Britton's first K came on a four seamer. Didn't he just start throwing those? Kinda funny.

[BuckMagic]

Already in love with this kid.

[Shorebirdfan]

And just think he is only 23.

[Oriolefan88]

is it to early to consider buying a Britton jersey? I don't want him pulling a Wieters on me.

[BuckMagic]

Well Britton is human. One groundball and he is out of this inning.

[Oriolefan88]

the walks finally but the Orioles in the tail.2 walks in one inning 9 out of 10 times it leads to a run.Markakis with a heads up play.Wieters guns a guy down then the K.Good job getting out of it with only 1 run.

[Jordan Tuwiner]

Wade Davis has retired 13 of his last 14 batters and has needed just 56 pitches over the past 5 innings after a 23 pitch 1st inning.

[BuckMagic]

Hardy har har! He's been awesome so far! Nothing better than a SS who can hit!

[Oriolefan88]

nic3e timely hitting always good to see

[Don]

It is nice that Britton becomes the pitcher on record for the hard 96 pitch effort. It was a good outing that still needs to refine some aspects and can learn off his effort today. He did some good things and some bad, but he can hold his head up high this afternoon.

[Don]

Off to do the family thing today....get my first taste of baseball on the radio with Joe on the mic...