Bruce Zimmerman made his major league debut last night for the Baltimore Orioles. That in and of itself is cool enough. But in Zimmerman, the O’s also have one of their own in a sense. Zimmerman’s a Baltimore native. You really can’t beat making your major league debut in your hometown, with your hometown team, and in your hometown ballpark. Zimmerman’s line: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 2 K.
Zimmerman obviously had some growing pains, but that’s to be expected. He surrendered a three-run homer in the first to Adames, giving Tampa a 3-0 lead. But the O’s battled back. Hanser Alberto smacked a solo homer in the second, cutting the lead to 3-1. One inning later Ryan Mountcastle‘s RBI-double brought the Orioles to within one.
But Tampa always pops back into the driver’s seat – this time on Renfroe’s solo homer in the last of the third. However, the O’s weren’t going to be outdone quite yet. Rio Ruiz‘s two-run homer in the fourth tied the game at four. And in fact, the O’s were able to take the lead. Later in the inning DJ Stewart‘s two-RBI double gave the O’s a 6-4 lead.
But this is Tampa we’re talking about. Their anything you can do we can do better outlook is always on display. Wendle’s two-run homer in the last of the fourth tied the game at six. They would manufacture four runs in the fifth, taking the nightcap off the doubleheader, 10-6.
However the story was Bruce Zimmerman, who spoke on his debut in his hometown after the game (quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports):
It’s hard to put into words. Obviously, I’ve been working for it my entire career so far. Tried to get some sleep last night and was able to get some hours there. Woke up, took it easy, knew I was going to show up a little later than the rest of the guys since it was a doubleheader. Just tried to take it all in. I’ve been to this stadium numerous times with family and friends to watch the Orioles, but it was a little different feeling driving up to the stadium today and kind of taking it all in and realizing this was the culmination of a lot of hard work and just trying to make the most of it.
The series with Tampa continues tonight at Camdeb Yards. Alex Cobb gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Tyler Glasnow. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 