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Baltimore Orioles: Late Comebacks and Late Rumors

By Randy Buchman

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Jul 30, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Bud Norris (25) pitches to Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) during the fifth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles were involved in a late comeback, and they are still involved in late rumors before the trade deadline. They came up just short on the former, and I’d bet they’ll do the same on the latter.

Over the years I have taken visiting Europeans to a MLB game for the first time in their lives. They marvel at how large the field is, how few defensive players there are on it, yet how relatively small numbers of batted balls are able to fall onto the grass.

On Thursday night in Baltimore, they would have been interested to see how many Detroit Tigers balls managed to find their way between the defenders. Seven of the first nine players would do so as the Tigers jumped out early to a 7-0 lead.

The Baltimore Orioles would not have a base hit land on the grass until the sixth inning. This would be after a pair of two-run homers by Adam Jones and Chris Davis. Detroit outhit the O’s 16-10 and outscored them 9-8.

In the end, a gallant comeback effort was a run short. Miguel Gonzalez simply was not sharp, allowing five runs in 3.1 innings. Unfortunately, Bud Norris would follow him with four more allowed in 2.2 innings. If only the damage could have been limited. Can anyone see a reason to retain Norris at this point?

Trade Rumors

The Orioles had their name in several trade rumors on Thursday night. Earlier in the week, there was talk of interest in the Tigers’ Yeonis Cespedes. If someone was going to secure Cespedes before the trade deadline, it certainly would have been helpful to the Orioles if that could have been consummated before he had a chance to get three hits and three RBIs against them.

Maybe by the time readers are seeing this, there will be some definitive news about a deal. Writing this here in the moments after the game, the evening talk centered around Ben Revere of the Phillies and Gerardo Parra of the Brewers – both left fielders primarily.

Each would be an upgrade for sure. Though giving up Zach Davies – a presumptive starter for next year – would be a difficult loss unless the Orioles really could win it all this season.

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Parra is not as familiar to me, though his numbers for this season are great. A lifetime .279 hitter, he currently is batting .326 with an OBP of .367.  And he has been a Gold Glove winner in 2011 and 2013. But it would be a rental situation.

I’d rather see Revere, who brings a much-needed speed component. He is also under control for two more seasons. Right now Revere is batting .298 with a .335 OBP and 24 stolen bases.

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