The Baltimore Orioles May as well be playing Florida Grapefruit League games this weekend. With John Means on the mound this evening at Camden Yards against Boston, they in essence were playing spring training games. And while Means had a solid outing, the Birds couldn’t pull it out in the end. Means’ line: 6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 4 K.
I think the takeaway from this game is that Means, who’s all but guaranteed to be on the Orioles’ postseason roster, had a strong outing. He pitched to a quality start. And in a game that’s in essence an extension of games at Ed Smith Stadium, that’s probably the goal.
Means’ only mistake came on a two-run homer by Story in the fifth inning. Other than that, Means was outstanding. Boston would tack on an additional run on a fielder’s choice in the ninth, and left Camden Yards with a 3-0 win.
Remember folks, the rest of the regular season is meaningless. The O’s trotted out their “B lineup” for this game, or perhaps if this were truly spring training, we’d call it their travel lineup. While you want to be crisp and competitive, the results are ill-important.
Prior to the game the Orioles honored Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer, who celebrated 60 years in the Orioles’ organization. Consider that folks, Palmer’s in effect worked for the same company for 60 years. Different capacities as time went on, but the same organization. We could all hope to be as good at our jobs and even have the opportunity to work in the same place for that long, as Jim Palmer.
The series continues tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Kutter Crawford. Game time is set for 7:15 PM.
Birdland Crush 