The Baltimore Orioles sent Spencer Watkins to the mound last night in the second game of the three-game set with Boston. And Watkins did his job, which was to put the team in a position to win. Which incidentally is the job of any starting pitcher. Watkins’ line: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K.
Watkins allowed an RBI-single in the first to Bogaerts, and that was it. Unfortunately however, the O’s couldn’t even muster a hit until the last of the sixth when Cedric Mullins doubled down the left field line. Needless to say, it was a pitcher’s duel.
The Orioles tied the game at one in the last of the eighth inning on Anthony Santander’s RBI-single. The game was still tied after nine, so we went to extra innings. Which in a pitcher’s duel is fitting.
You might remember on Friday night I wrote about how Boston simply took advantage of the Orioles’ mistakes. New York did exactly the same a day before in the Bronx. In short, that’s simply another way of saying that they took advantage of the opportunities they were given.
That’s an important aspect of any baseball game. The game’s based on failure in a sense. If the pitcher misses his spot just barely, the ball might leave the park. If the hitter’s timing is slightly off, he might strikeout. So when your opponent gives you an opportunity, you have to take it. If you want to win, that is.
In the last of the tenth Robinson Chirinos reached on a fielder’s choice. Boston pitcher Sawamura tried to nail Jorge Mateo at third, but threw the ball away. Mateo scored, ending the game in a 2-1 walk off Orioles’ win.
The opportunity presented itself, and the O’s didn’t let the opponent off the hook. That’s part of winning big league games. Heck, it’s part of just about everything. And for once, the Birds took advantage.
The series concludes this afternoon at Camden Yards. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Nick Pivetta. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 