Baltimore Orioles: Jonathan Schoop Brings a New Day

By Randy Buchman | Jul 5, 2015

Apr 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) is congratulated by third baseman Manny Machado (13) after hitting a grand slam in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

With a completed first half-season of baseball (81 games) in the books for 2014, Jonathan Schoop returned to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday in Chicago to incite a turnaround from their three-game losing streak. The offense – so powerful throughout June – had seemed to disappear in July. But it returned in good form on Sunday in a strong 9-1 drubbing of the White Sox.

A critical early hit was the second inning home run of Schoop – a no-doubter deep into the left field stands to give the O’s a 2-0 lead at the time. And his arm on defense was displayed in a relay throw to nail a runner attempting to stretch a double. Together, it was a reminder of the resident skills in the big second baseman.

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But Schoop’s return and contributions were just one of a list of items that, on this day, had to make Orioles fans feel a bit better about the team. Among them …

Taking advantage of mistakes and opportunities – In the recent string of losing games, the Orioles have not accrued any benefit from the few chances presented to them to score a few runs. They were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position in the first two games. But on Sunday they jumped on the Sox and their four errors to break the game open.

Adam Jones – Without doubt, Jones has not been himself after some nagging injuries over the past couple of weeks have affected his game. He was 5-for-36 coming in, but he had two doubles on the day, the first scoring the opening run of the game in inning one.

Caleb Joseph – Also struggling at the plate has been the O’s every-other-day catcher. Joseph had perhaps the biggest hit of the game with a double on a nine-pitch at-bat to drive in the third and fourth runs.

Steve Pearce – The first half of the season has not been what Pearce had in mind for 2015. He came in batting .219. But on this day he collected three hits and made a great defensive play.

Miguel Gonzalez – Sunday saw the Miggy that O’s fans are used to seeing. It was a very good game after three non-characteristic starts that have been quite difficult and sub-par. Gonzalez was great in the second half last year, and hopefully this can be the beginning of the same for this campaign.

The Orioles have six games upcoming in the week ahead: three in Minnesota and three at home against the Nationals. If they could win four of the six games, it would put them at 47-41 at the All-Star break. That is not awesome, but it is better than we could have hoped for even a month ago. They’ll be right in the hunt to defend their A.L. East title with a solid second half of combined pitching and hitting.

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