The Baltimore Orioles limped into the south side of Chicago last night after being swept by Toronto over the weekend. In the baddest part of town, Kyle Bradish got the start in the first game of three at Rate Field. Bradish’s line: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 9 H.
Bradish allowed a leadoff walk in the first inning. Only problem was that ball four should have been strike three. Only problem a full count, Bradish appeared to hit the strike zone. But home plate umpire Chad Whitson called it a ball. That runner would later score on Mead’s RBI-single.
That’s sort of a microcosm of how things have gone for the O’s this year. Now it might be fair to say that Oriole pitchers (including Bradish last night) have shied away from totally attacking the strike zone. And maybe umpires aren’t taking kindly to guys trying to gerrymander their way into strikes in a sense. However a strike should be a strike.
But two can play at that game – walks, that is. The O’s put two on by way of a base on balls in the third. Jeremiah Jackson’s RBI-single would tie the game at one.
The O’s would also get two on in the sixth, one on a walk and another on a base hit. That brought Colton Cowser to the plate, who proceeded to smack a three-run homer. That gave the Birds a 4-1 lead, and put Bradish in line for the win.
And the Oriole bullpen delivered that win. They didn’t allow a base runner the rest of the way. After nine, the O’s had themselves a win.
The series continues this evening at Rate Field. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Shane Smith. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 