Game Wrap and (Afternoon) Links: May 19, 2011

Baltimore 1, New York (A) 4
Box Score / Play-By-Play / AP Recap

Zach Britton wasn't particularly sharp, but he held the Yankees to one unearned run through seven innings. Unfortunately, Bartolo Colon was quite sharp, spotting his 2-seamer to both sides of the plate and keeping it down in the zone throughout eight innings, holding Baltimore scoreless. The O's finally broke through in the ninth, against future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera no less, sending the game to extra innings. Using the entire pen, Showalter was forced to insert Jeremy Guthrie in the 15th after Mike Gonzalez was surprisngly ejected for hitting Chris Dickerson in the head with an errant pitch. Perhaps he was tossed because the HBP happened to followd a Robbie Cano go-ahead double, but it seems clear from replays and context that Gonzalez simply missed badly with the Dickerson offering. It was another anemic night for the Baltimore offense, who standed 15 runners and went just 3-15 with runners in scoring position. Because Guthrie was used last night, Brad Bergesen will start opposite CC Sabathia tonight, with Matt Wieters scheduled to get the day off.

Stat(s) of the game

20.1

The number of consecutive innings rookie sensation Zach Britton has thrown without allowing an earned run. His .227 BABIP is freakishly low, even for an elite groundball pitcher, and may not be sustainable. But even with moderate correction he is throwing like a mid-rotation starter. If he can continue to have balls find the gloves of his teammates, he will remain in the Rookie of the Year running.

Orioles Game ball

Zach Britton (7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO)

MiLB game balls

Norfolk (Box) - Nolan Reimold, LF (2-4 HR (6))
Bowie (Box) - Greg Miclat, 2B (1-2, 2B (7), BB)
Frederick (Box) - Buck Britton, DH (2-5, HR (3))
Delmarva (Box) - Scott Copeland, RHP (8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO)

Three Morning Links

MASN's Roch Kubatko reviews and comments upon Buck's post game press conference, including discussion of the Gonzalez ejection.

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says Caesar Izturis could be out up to 8 weeks following surgery on his right elbow.

Daniel Moroz of Camden Crazies thinks Zach Britton could be tabbed Baltimore's lone All-Star rep in July.

Up Next

Brad Bergesen (4.22 xFIP, 91 ERA+) pairs with battery mate Jake Fox to try for the split against C.C. Sabathia (3.47 xFIP, 115 ERA+).