Baltimore Orioles’ bats did starting pitcher Dylan Bundy no favors tonight against Detroit. Bundy pitched to a quality start, which also means that he put the Orioles in a spot to win. That’s all you can ask of a starting pitcher. Bundy’s line: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 8 K.
The zero walks and eight strikeouts are what sticks out to me. Bundy had fantastic control and was hitting his spots all game long. However the Oriole offense couldn’t muster anything in the way of runs. It’s hard enough to win when you only score one or two. It’s impossible when you score zero. And that’s a fact.
Detroit took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Cabrera’s RBI-single. However Bundy was able to get out of the inning without any further scathing, in what became a bit of a theme in the game. Bundy flawlessly limited the damage Detroit was able to do.
Jones’ RBI-double in the second would run the score to 2-0. Detroit would net a third run on a fifth inning solo homer off the bat of Goodrum. This put the O’s in a 3-0 hole.
But they had their opportunities. The Birds went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position over the course of the game. Perhaps most poignantly, the O’s had the tying run at the plate in the form of Pedro Severino in the eighth inning. After a lengthy at-bat, Severino struck out with two on.
One very bright spot for the Orioles was DJ Stewart, who was called up from Norfolk for this game. He had his first career three-hit game (after having a cup of coffee with the Orioles in the big leagues last September), showing the Orioles’ brass that he belongs. The hope certainly is that he’s up here for awhile.
The series with Detroit concludes tomorrow night at Camden Yards. John Means gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Detroit’s Ryan Carpenter
Birdland Crush 