Baltimore Orioles: Christian Walker is Next Man Up

Sep 20, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Christian Walker (18) singles in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles have had a season with injuries and personnel moves where one of several slogans has been “the next man up.”

On Saturday evening, the O’s decided to rest the hot-hitting Steve Pearce with a slight wrist injury. The last-minute decision involved a re-writing of the lineup and the insertion of rookie Christian Walker – who had made his major league debut in the previous two games.

Chris Tillman had one of his patented rough first innings and allowed a two-run homer to David Ortiz. Adam Jones tied the game with the same feat in the bottom of the third.

Walker led off the bottom of the fourth inning by lining a 1-2 pitch over the center-field wall for his first career home run. It would prove to be the winning run, as the Orioles would go on to defeat the Red Sox 7-2.

Boston starter Rubby De La Rosa was clearly upset when the umpire failed to call out the following batter Ryan Flaherty on what was indeed a clear strike. Flaherty doubled on the next pitch with a liner into the right-field corner. Nick Hundley’s grounder to second – hitting behind the runner – moved Flaherty to third.

The Orioles next pulled off a play I did not honestly believe they had in their repertoire – the suicide squeeze. It was perfectly executed by Jonathan Schoop. What is encouraging about this – beyond the fact that it was the first time it was done this season – is that Schoop made it happen. Back in April, Schoop was clearly completely lost on any capacity to bunt. Obviously some coaching has transpired.

Adam Jones would add an additional two-run homer, moving the Baltimore Orioles’ world-leading home run total to 202 on the year.

The victory is #93 on the season, tying the total registered two years ago in the great 2012 campaign.