Orioles: Flaherty Hits Eutaw Street, Machado Hits Ventura
The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Kansas City Royals 9-1 last night in a game that featured an all-out, benches clearing rumble.
The brawl was instituted by Yordano Ventura hitting Manny Machado in the back with a 99 MPH fastball, and Manny returned the reach-out-and-touch-you moment by hitting Ventura in the dome with a 99 MHP fist.
Ventura, not to be confused with the professional wrestler and Minnesota governor of the same last name, was not having a happy evening. Historically pitching rather well against the Orioles, the O’s hit him hard and often. Five of the first six batters got on base, the seventh batter making an out only on a great catch by Lorenzo Cain stealing a home run from Pedro Alvarez. Four runs scored.
The biggest blow was a Eutaw Street home run by Ryan Flaherty in the second inning. At 424 feet, it was the second career homer onto the street that gives the player a plague at the point of landing. Though announcers and interviewers acted as if this had never happened before for Flash, in fact on September 25th of 2013 he hit one out there against Esmil Rogers of Toronto that travelled 413 feet. It was the first of two long balls that evening. A list of the 80+ career homers onto Eutaw Street can be seen HERE, along with videos.
Flaherty is a beast, I tell ya! Well, actually, I’ve not been much of a Flaredog fan over the years. Batting only .213 this year, he has been 5-for-20 in June. He made a great defensive play and is certainly a plus defender. And now he is going to be getting more playing time. With Hardy still out and Manny facing some measure of a suspension, we’re going to see a lot more of Flaherty on the field.
Opinions on the appropriateness of Manny charging the mound are going to run the gamut of thought. While admitting that Machado might have a trigger for controversy that is a bit overly sensitive (recalling the Donaldson incident for one), there are times when it is appropriate to take a stand for something. I believe this was the correct time. It is not as if there were not some incidents between them, dating back to the end of last year. And it is not as if Ventura does not already have a reputation stretching far beyond the Orioles in this category of controversy.
While not supporting brawls, I often feel the Orioles are too passive by total team personality … lots of good guys, but not many to put up a fuss, even when the called third strike was nearly a foot off the plate. So I like to see some emotion, and I like this post-game press conference remark by Buck Showalter…
"“When you go through the disappointment and heartache we had in ‘14 in Kansas City, it kind of, you have to sit there and take it. I think Manny and the team decided not to take it tonight.” More from Baltimore OriolesWhat other Baltimore Orioles Offseason Storylines will you be interested in seeing?Baltimore Orioles to Face Numerous Playoff Contenders Down the StretchBaltimore Orioles Showing Encouraging Signs During Recent WinsThe Baltimore Orioles and the Expanded September RosterOrioles Josh Rogers Expectations in his Major League Debut"
Ubaldo Jimenez was good enough to get the win, but this is still not a confidence builder. Though he deserves credit for pitching out of some self-inflicted jams, even more credit goes to the defense. And nine hits and three walks allowed over five innings translates to a 2.40 WHIP, which is not going to win a majority of games.
Chris Tillman will try to get the Orioles a sweep over the Royals, along with a 4-2 season record by taking the mound tonight. It will be interesting to see what sort of mood takes the field for each side.