The Baltimore Orioles got a semi-solid start out of Andrew Cashner, as they snapped their four-game losing streak by defeating the Oakland Athletics. Cashner did what you ask of a starter defensively: he put the team in a spot to win. Cashner’s line: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R (3 earned), 1 BB, 1 K.
The O’s has the lead from the beginning in this one, although it was threatened a couple of times. Trey Mancini smacked a solo homer in the first to give the Birds a 1-0 lead. One inning later Cedric Mullins smacked a two-RBI triple. However as Mullins slid into third, the ball ticked away, allowing Mullins to score.
It’s the same effect as an inside-the-lark home run. However it goes down as a triple and an error. Just a scoring difference, but it’s the same amount of runs.
The only issue with Cashner’s performance tonight was that immediately after getting that four-run lead he tried to give it back. He surrendered a two-run homer in the third, cutting the Orioles’ lead in half. However the Birds extended it back to four again almost right away when Jonathan Villar snacked a two-run homer in the last of the fourth.
Oakland would try to inch closer with a solo homer in the fifth and a sac fly-RBI in the sixth. However the O’s would come back and put up three more runs before the eighth inning. And at the end of the day, the lead ballooned to 12-4. And the Birds has snapped their losing streak.
The win gets the Orioles back to .500 on the year at 5-5. They were beaten around this past weekend at the hands of NY, as has been mentioned ad hoc on various outlets. This was the response, which is a good sign.
Not that this means that the Orioles are going to the post season or be in contention. But the fact that this team responded to a 15-3 loss with a 12-4 victory should vouch for something. It tells you that this team plays with pride, and furthermore they have the ability to put losses behind them.
The series with Oakland continues tomorrow at Camden Yards. John Means gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Oakland’s Brett Anderson. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 