Dylan Bundy pitched another decent game for the Baltimore Orioles again this evening. He battled and then battled more. That’s what you want out of a starting pitcher. That’s what you want out of any player. Means’ line: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R (two earned) 2 BB, 6 K.
The Orioles drew a walk and had to HBP’s in the first to load the bases. Austin Hays would then walk with the bases loaded, giving the O’s a 1-0 lead. However an RBI-single by Lux in the second would tie the game at one. But the Orioles took the lead back in the fifth with a solo homer by Pedro Severino.
After that, things got strange. First off, Rio Ruiz allowed the bases to get loaded with a fielding error in the sixth, bringing Martin to the plate (with two outs). Martin appeared to offer at a two-strike pitch, but on appeal first base umpire Jim Wolf said he checked in time. That kept the at-bat alive.
Bundy then proceeded to strike Bundy out swinging, which in theory preserved the Orioles’ lead. However Severino let the ball go right by him behind the plate, and it went to the backstop. Not one, but two runs scored on a passed ball. An oddity for sure.
The check swing is a judgement call. Plays as such also happen very quickly. Umpires have to make snap decisions. However the Orioles’ dugout was up in arms when that call was made. As was Dylan Bundy.
And that may well have made him dig just a little deeper to strike Martin out. However that extra sauce on the ball may well have led to Severino’s passed ball, which lost the game for the Orioles. Mind you folks, it’s never one thing that causes a win or loss. It’s the sum of the parts. But those two things stand out in this game.
I don’t believe that quirky things like that are gifted to you when you’re a “good team” such as Los Angeles. It would be ludicrous to suggest that. But good teams bound for the playoffs always take advantage of the opportunities they’ve been given. The game’s based on failure – either the hitter or pitcher is going to fail. And again, a good team will take advantage of your failures.
The O’s now head to Detroit for a four-game set at Comerica Park. Aaron Brooks gets the call for the O’s tomorrow, and he’ll be opposed by Detroit’s Jordan Zimmerman. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 