Alex Cobb made his maiden start of the spring for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon in Clearwater against Philadelphia. However his day was cut short after a lone inning – due apparently to Cobb not feeling well. Cobb had apparently been dealing with flu-like symptoms the past couple of days, and was only able to pitch one inning. Cobb’s line: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.
After his short outing Cobb seemed semi-content with the preparation he had put in, and with what he got out of the start:
I told you I wasn’t feeling that good, so just feel dehydrated and dizzy. So, figure it was stupid to keep pitching and risk anything. I just didn’t feel very good today. I put a lot of work into getting ready for the game and got a lot of information in the game. So there is a lot to build off there.”
Quote courtesy of Steve Melewski, MASNsports
I suppose I would question why Cobb was starting to begin with given that. Flu and other illnesses can spread like wildfire through an MLB clubhouse. Especially for whatever reason during the spring. Now Cobb did look fairly crisp through that one inning, however it might have been advisable for him to stay home until he feels right.
David Hess followed Cobb to the mound, and shut Philadelphia down. The Orioles’ issues started when some of the young minor leaguers got into the game. Mahtook smacked a three-run homer in the fourth, giving Philadelphia a 3-0 lead. The O’s would battle back two innings later in the sixth, with Anthony Santander smacking an RBI-single to get the O’s on the board.
However it was the last of the sixth that really put the Birds in a hole. Williams and Forsythe smacked back-to-back home runs, and Maton a two-run shot. Again, keep in mind that the people in the game at this stage were minor leaguers. The majority of them won’t be seeing time in the majors this year. But these spring outings are good for them to help them to get ready for when they are in the big leagues.
Pat Valaika and Richie Martin each smacked solo homers in the seventh inning (back-to-back), bringing the Birds to within 7-3. The game appeared to be drawing to a conclusion. But the Orioles had other ideas.
Jose Rondon smacked a two-RBI double, bringing the O’s to within 7-5. Ryan McKenna would reach on a throwing error, allowing another run to score and bringing the O’s to within one at 7-6. Malquin Canelo would later double home the tying run, knotting the game at seven. You have to appreciate the effort on the part of the youngsters in the game at that stage. It shows a lot of fight, and it shows what the organization is all about.
Unfortunately however, a win wasn’t to be in this one. A throwing error (E3) in the last of the ninth allowed Philadelphia to go home with a walk off win. However you have to tip your cap to the young Orioles out there this afternoon. They battled, and that’s what you want to see.
Manager Brandon Hyde also addressed the play of first baseman Chris Davis yesterday against Boston, and he appeared upbeat regarding Davis:
I liked all three at-bats. First at-bat I was excited about. Couple of runners on, nobody out. Gets behind on the count. Fouls a couple of pitches off, takes a couple of tough ones and works a walk. Great at-bat. I liked the left-on-left too. Stays in there, stayed closed. Used the whole field and punches one to left off a left-hander. Thought it was a really good Day One for him, took three good at-bats.
Quote Courtesy of Steve Melewski, MASNsports
Tomorrow the Orioles head into a split squad game, with the “A team” staying at home and playing Tampa at Ed Smith Stadium, and the “B team” heading to Jet Blue Park to take on Boston. We’ll primarily cover the home game tomorrow; John Means gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Charlie Morton. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 