Baltimore Orioles: Winning Ways Continue into August
Aug 1, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen (16) pitches in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Orioles won their first game in August with a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night. The Orioles move to 61-47 on the season, and with a Toronto loss to Houston puts their lead back to two-and-a-half games over the Jays.
The win improves the Orioles’ AL West record to 20-11 on the season, which is the best among any team outside the division.
The Orioles found themselves in another pitching duel. Wei-Yin Chen continued his recent dominance with 7 1/3 innings of one-run baseball.
He struck out a season high eight batters, while only allowing one walk.
Chen is now 5-0 with a 2.53 ERA over his last five starts with a season record of 12-3.
”Results have been good from a team standpoint.”
Buck Showalter commented on Chen’s pitching after the game. “Results have been good from a team standpoint.”
Showalter’s words are an understatement, as Chen is 9-1 after the Orioles lose a game. He has certainly been a key factor for the Orioles preventing extensive losing streaks.
The Orioles only have three instances where they have lost four consecutive games.
The pitching has carried over the successes begun in July, though the offense has not quite come alive yet. Manny Machado had a three-hit day, while Nick Markakis had two hits. No other Orioles had more than one hit.
The Orioles played in their seventh consecutive one-run game, in which they are 5-2. The seven consecutive one-run games ties a team record.
The pitching has been coming up big in the absence of the Orioles’ deadly offense in these close games.
Zach Britton earned his 22nd save with a quick three up, three down ninth inning. The new Orioles acquisition in Andrew Miller did well in his first appearance for the Birds.
Chen’s strong start helped the bullpen which had been used quite a bit during the series with the Anaheim Angels.
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The Orioles’ strong pitching is going to help them surge forward when the offense returns. If the Orioles’ pitching continues to be this strong, it should not be a problem to extend the lead in the AL East.
The Toronto Blue Jays are a hot team right now, and the Orioles have to continue to win to stay ahead. If they do not, the Blue Jays could very easily overtake them when they play each other.
The Orioles offense has to show up, because the pitching cannot continue this trend forever without help from the bats.