Hunter Blows Jimenez’s Gem, Orioles Lose
By Nate Wardle
May 13, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tommy Hunter (29) is pulled from the game by manager Buck Showalter (26) after giving up the game winning home run in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Tigers defeated the Orioles 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Orioles lost Tuesday night in spectacular fashion as Tommy Hunter blew the save by leaving up a three-run home run to Miguel Cabrera.
Game 37 – Detroit Tigers 4 (23-12) Baltimore Orioles 1 (20-17) F
W: Justin Miller (1-0, 3.48)
L: Tommy Hunter (1-1, 6.60)
S: Joe Nathan (9, 3.68)
MVP: Miguel Cabrera 2-3, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 R, 1 BB
The GOOD: The good in this game was clearly overshadowed by the disastrous ending. But there was a lot of good.
Ubaldo Jimenez was masterful again. Since the calendar turned to May, Jimenez has only allowed one run and has pitched like the ace the Orioles wanted. Ubaldo went 7 innings, left up three hits, walked two and struck out seven.
Darren O’Day also pitched a great eighth inning, getting two big strikeouts and keeping the Tigers off the scoreboard.
Caleb Joseph. What a game. Joseph had his first hit as an Oriole, called a great game and caught two people stealing and had a masterful throw out at third base on Torii Hunter. Great game for Joseph.
Adam Jones was 2-4 in the game, with a frozen rope home run hit to left field in the first inning. Jones’ bat is starting to heat up, and the Orioles need it as their hitters are slumping.
The BAD: Tommy Hunter blew this game in spectacular fashion. I don’t even know what to say. He shouldn’t get all the blame, though. A single against the shift, not on him. A missed tag on the play that was overturned, not on him.
However, the walk to Torii Hunter is on him. The home run to Miguel Cabrera is also on him. Yes, Cabrera is the best in the game. But if you want to be a closer in the AL East, you have to get people out. Then to leave up another solo HR to Victor Martinez, that was the icing on the cake. Could it be time for Zach Britton to be the closer?
What’s NEXT: The Orioles will be right back on the field at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday at 12:35 p.m. Kevin Gausman will make his 2014 Oriole debut, facing off against Justin Verlander (4-2, 2.67). Gausman’s best start of his career against the Tigers, and the Orioles would like another good start tomorrow to avoid the three-game sweep.