Jorge Lopez got the start last night in Seattle for the Baltimore Orioles. It ended up being another short(ish) start, as Lopez couldn’t qualify for a win with five innings pitched. Lopez’s line: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R 2 BB, 4 K.
Lopez in effect did put the O’s in a spot to win. And again, that’s all you can ask of a starting pitcher. However after the game Lopez himself admitted he needed to get deeper into games:
It is something I have to work on. Last couple of outings been the same and same and same. I just go through, pitch by pitch again. When you try to do too much and or be better than last time, it doesn’t have to be like that. Sometimes it’s frustrating. I know everybody wants to get me, as a starter, seven innings. When are winning when we get to six or seven innings.
Quote courtesy of Steve Melewski, MASNsports
Seager’s solo homer in the fourth gave Seattle a 1-0 lead. But that’s the only run Lopez would surrender, and the Birds got it back an inning later. Rio Ruiz would tie the game at one with a solo shot of his own in the fifth.
But it would be Seager who would give Seattle the lead back. His sac fly-RBI in the eighth gave Seattle a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning Seattle broke the game open with Lewis’ three-run homer. Trey Mancini’s RBI-single in the ninth cut the final to 5-2.
Monday night the O’s got some clutch hits. That didn’t happen last night. One thing which sticks out is the Orioles loading the bases in the second inning, only to let Seattle off the hook. You have to at least push one across in that situation. Otherwise you embolden your opponent, and reject the opportunity. But this is part of growing as a young team.
The series and road trip conclude this afternoon at T-Mobile Park. John Means gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Seattle’s Yusei Kikuchi. Game time is set for just after 3:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 