Around the Diamond – O’s 6 Rays 3

Around the Diamond

Here we are with another trip around the diamond. You know the drill, let’s get to it!

Box Score

First Base

Brian Roberts was carried off the field in the top of the 9th, with an injury to his right leg. Roberts said he felt a “pop” behind his knee. What was first reported as a knee injury, and now thought to be a hamstring injury will lead to an MRI tomorrow. We have talked ad nauseum about Roberts’ health, and whether or not he will last any significant length of time this season. It will be interesting to see how much of the season this injury costs him.

Roberts’ injury is unfortunate, because he was contributing at the bottom of the order (5-12, with a double and an RBI). It is also unfortunate that he won’t be able to take part in Opening Day ceremonies tomorrow. Many fans seem to have forgotten that B-Rob has been a great Oriole, and that his best years were squandered  in miserable seasons of futility. I, for one, was looking forward to welcoming him back to the Yard, even if for a short time. Instead, Roberts will watch the excitement from the sidelines. Again.

Second Base

Didn’t we just talk about how awesome Chris Davis is? Well, he’s still awesome. To the tune of a 2-3 day with another HR and 4 RBIs. Ho-hum, just another day at the office. Rays fans cheered fascetiously cheered when he was finally put out for the first time this series. Joe Madden and company definitely will NOT be sorry to see him go.

Third Base

While not exactly Don Stanhouse (or even Flat Breezy), Jim Johnson makes things more interesting than they need to be. Johnson allowed an inheirited runner to score, and walked a batter late in the inning. If not for the Rays running themselves (over) into an out, the 9th could have been an even more dicey situation.

Lots of fans get frustrated that Johnson doesn’t come into the game unless it’s a save situation (be honest – how many of you were yelling at your television when Tommy Hunter came in, even though Johnson was up and ready?), but Johnson is not “the best reliever in the pen.” He’s just the scariest in the ninth inning. With a brutal sinker, and a starter’s repitoire, he’s the best guy for the job. But he’s not perfect, and sometimes, it’s going to be ugly.

Home Plate

Manny Machado doesn’t look comfortable at the plate in 2013. And that’s… OK. The Orioles’ third baseman is 20 years old, and playing defense at an extremely high level. After an 0-5 day (including two strikeouts), Machado should be moved down in the lineup. Not only is this better for the team, it’s better for Manny. Showalter needs to put someone in the two hole who will get on base a little more frequenltly in front of Chris “The Natural” Davis. The bottom of the order is a great place for a struggling hitter to get right. The Roberts injury may provide Buck just the excuse he needs to shake up the lineup.

Summary

Hey! A starter got into the 7th inning! The Roberts injury will draw headlines from this game, but Miguel Gonzalez’s solid outing. Not spectacular, but we’ll take solid right now. The Orioles won their first series, and defeated an AL East team that is expected by many experts (and Jake) to win the division.