Around the Diamond

The Dodgers are gone, and the Blue Jays come into town tomorrow to start yet another AL East showdown in April. I am going to try to remind myself that the Orioles won another series today, as we take our trip Around the Diamond.

First Base

I was so sick of first-inning runs. Seriously, it was starting to drive me insane. Before the game, I put the Orioles on notice: no first-inning runs allowed! So, I’m pretty sure they scored three in the bottom of the first inning just to spite me.

Working with a lead was a pleasant surprise, after spotting the opponent runs in the first inning this week. Not only did it positively impact the scoreboard, it put the Dodgers’ starter on the ropes – elevating his pitch count early.

Second Base

None of that mattered, because Jake Arrieta dusted off Kevin Gregg’s gas can and lit himself on fire. You know what? Instead of me beating him up, let’s just let him do it:

I don’t feel like the Dodgers beat us today. I beat us.

And he’s not wrong. I’ll give him credit for owning his failures, but at some point something has to give. Either he needs to pitch like he’s capable (or at least give us league-average 5th starter stuff), or he’s going to AAA. I don’t know if there’s anything he can learn in the minors, or confidence he can gain from mowing down lesser competition. I do know that he is hurting the Orioles now. He looks like a guy who went 3-9 last year in limited time with the big club. Not like the 27-year old former prospect on the cusp of figuring it out.

In his post-game press conference (while doing his best not to throw Arrieta under the bus), Buck said that “emotions affect mechanics.” If this is the case, then Arrieta needs to put down the mood ring. Arrieta is puzzling – that is the nicest way I can put it. He dominated at times today, and others, looked like he was throwing with the wrong arm. I’m done talking about how good his stuff can be. I’ve seen this one, I know how it ends. I’m about ready to check in on Steve Johnson, Zach Britton, or Freddy Garcia.

Third Base

J.J. Hardy’s best offensive years are probably behind him. I think he will continue to be closer to what we saw last year than what he showed in Minnesota, or in his 30-HR year with the Orioles. At at .194, he’s struggling. But he has shown signs of life recently. He’s put a couple of no-doubters into the seats, and made his only hit today count for 2 runs. Hardy is still a dependable fastball hitter, with sufficient power to reach the seats in left. His success as a role player in this offense may determine how far the O’s can go. It can’t all be Jones and Davis. It’s a long season, but I like what I’m seeing of late.

Home Plate

Attendance was great this week. A Saturday afternoon game aside (rainout, last minute scheduling), the Dodgers series was as popular as expected. I thought it would take a quick start to draw crowds that size to Camden Yards. I am very pleasantly surprised at the support he Birds have received thus far. Way to prove me wrong, Birdland.

Saturday 1: 26,811

Saturday 2: 45, 248

Sunday: 41,265

Summary

Um. The weather was nice? That’s all I’ve got. Ugly game, but not the end of the world. The bullpen was used and abused again, but put in a serviceable game. T.J. Macfarland showed off his versatility, and Pedro Strop retired all four batters he faced.

The Birds took the series, and have the chance to right the ship tomorrow against the reigning offseason champs.

Around the Diamond – Dodgers 7, O’s 4