Orioles Beat Rays Again, Concerned Over Wieters
By Nate Wardle
May 6, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) singles during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Orioles turned out the lights on the Tampa Bay Rays, but now the concern is whether Matt Wieters could be headed to the disabled list.
Game 30 – Baltimore Orioles (16-14) 5 Tampa Bay Rays (15-18) 3 F
W: Darren O’Day (1-0, 0.75
L: Joel Peralta (1-2, 5.54)
S: Tommy Hunter (9, 2.31)
MVP: Ryan Flaherty 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 2B
The GOOD: The Orioles batting approach in this game was much, much better. Many people working counts, good at-bats. The Orioles weren’t able to fully put together great innings, but did the small things to help the team win. Nelson Cruz, Matt Wieters and Ryan Flaherty (yes, Ryan Flaherty) all had two hits. The Orioles had two double plays in the game.
Chris Tillman had a better start, making his way through 6 innings with a line of 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 SO. He did have a few mistakes, and the Orioles would have liked to get a few more outs from their top starter, but couldn’t.
Zach Britton also had a strong outing as well, which is nothing new. Britton has been the most consistent pitcher for the O’s all season, and that didn’t change in this one.
The BAD: Is very bad. The news came out on Tuesday that Matt Wieters will be going to visit Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday due to a forearm soreness. Best case scenario is a bone bruise or something minor. Worst case is that he has a tear, possible a UCL tear, which would likely require surgery.
The Orioles could have had so much more in this game. They had the bases loaded three times, and only scored four runs off of it. Two of those were on sac flies, one on an RBI groundout.
Manny Machado had an error in this game, but it is more chalked up to the fast turf in Tampa than his inability to play defense. He also was eaten up by another ball in the first inning by Matt Joyce, which became the Rays first run.
That first run came on a two-run HR by Evan Longoria. Longo is one of the best in the game, but the pitch by Chris Tillman was not good. A fastball right down the middle in an 0-2 count.
What’s NEXT: The Orioles are back at it on Wednesday in the terrible Tropicana Field for Game 2 of the series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Bud Norris will take the mound for the Orioles with his record of 2-2, 3.94. He will face Cesar Ramos, just one of the Rays filling in for their injured starters. Ramos (1-1, 2.91) has not gone more than 5 innings all season, as both a reliever and a starter. The Orioles will be without their one of their two best hitters this season, as Matt Wieters will miss the game. The Orioles likely will have Caleb Joseph called up, and I assume he will replace Jemile Weeks on the roster.