Orioles Again Ride Good Pitching, Cruz HR
By Nate Wardle
Jun 3, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) hits a home run in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Global Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
It is becoming fairly routine over the last several games, the Orioles get a good start from the pitchers and a home run from Nelson Cruz on way to a victory.
Game 56 – Baltimore Orioles (29-27) 8 Texas Rangers (29-29) 3 F
W: Brian Matusz (2-1, 3.43)
L: Alexi Ogando (2-3, 6.84)
MVP: Adam Jones 4/5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R
The GOOD: Another good start, another game with more offense. This is what Orioles’ fans have been hoping for.
Ubaldo Jimenez only went 5 2/3 innings, another start that just is not long enough, but once again, an Orioles starter allowed two or fewer runs. That makes it five straight games, and this time Ubaldo only allowed one.
Ubaldo struck out 5, but also walked 4 people and left up 4 hits. However, the only run scored was on a home run by Adrian Beltre, someone who has hit a lot of home runs off opposing pitchers.
The Orioles offense had pounded out a lot of hits off former O Joe Saunders, but only had two runs to show. But they got to the Rangers bullpen in a big way. Caleb Joseph led the parade with a double, Nick Markakis and Manny Machado kept it going with RBI singles and then Nelson Cruz came up with two people on. And you can guess what the major league leader in home runs did in his return to Texas. Yep, that’s right, another long home run for Nelson.
Every Oriole had a hit in the game, as the team pounded out 18 hits, and 8 runs as well. Even Caleb Joseph had two hits, including what will end up being the game-winner. The Orioles offense continues to heat up as we hit June.
The BAD: The Orioles have a still unknown injury on the pitching roster in the bullpen at this point. Other than that, it was a good night for the Orioles.
The one other slight concern is that Chris Davis continues to really struggle for the Orioles. Not sure what to do than let him play through his struggles, and hope he can do it.
What’s NEXT: The Orioles play Game 2 of the three game series at Globe Life Park at Arlington on Wednesday. Bud Norris will take his 3-5, 4.04 ERA to the hill for the Birds against Rangers’ right-handed starter Nick Martinez. Martinez is 1-1, 2.75 on the season in just a few starts as a rookie.