Baltimore Orioles: Game One in the Win Column!
By Nate Wardle
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Baltimore Orioles 2, Boston Red Sox 1 F
W: Zach Britton (1-0)
L: Jon Lester (0-1)
S: Tommy Hunter (1)
MVP: Nelson Cruz, RF Bal 1-2, 2 R, RBI, HR, BB
Game 1 is in the books. For Orioles fans, there are some positives to take away from the first game, but the result wasn’t all rosy. But a win is a win, right?
The GOOD: Nelson Cruz had a great game. He did a good job limiting runners in the field from advancing, took an extra base on heads up running himself, and had the home run that proved to be the difference in the game.
Ryan Flaherty did a great job in the field, showing his worth as a utility infielder.
Jonathan Schoop got a hit in his first at bat for the year.
The team didn’t leave a lot of people on base, mainly because they didn’t get a lot of people on base.
Zach Britton was tremendous out of the bullpen. He truly could be a star emerging for the Orioles this year. Could he be destined to close? set up? or maybe even start? Stay tuned.
The BAD: Offensively, the Orioles struggled a bit but they were facing Jon Lester, so you can’t say much.
The bad revolves around the pitching. Chris Tillman threw 104 pitches in 5 innings. Yes, no one works the count like the Red Sox, but from an ace that won’t cut it. The Orioles cannot tax the pen early this year.
Evan Meek didn’t look sharp, but Buck’s use of him in a set-up role showed the confidence they have in him. Tommy Hunter made the game interesting. Hunter hit Will Middlebrooks, possibly a bit of retaliation? He also left up a single to Dustin Pedroia, who should have already had struck out. He also left up a fear-inducing deep fly to David Ortiz that was caught on the warning track. But in the end, Hunter gets the save, the Orioles are in the win column.
What’s NEXT: Game 2: Boston Red Sox (Lackey 0-0) vs. Baltmore Orioles (Jimenez 0-0) 7:05 p.m. Wed.
What are your first thoughts after the first game?