Game Wrap and Morning Links: May 8, 2011

Baltimore 2, Tampa Bay 8

Box Score / Play-By-Play / AP Recap

Compared to the two previous home Saturday games, the Orioles' attendance fell slightly more than 50% to 18,961.  Hopefully, this was a product of several fans wishing to go to Kentucky Derby parties.  There is certainly some concern that the fan base has determined this team is gilded and not solid gold as none of the major off season acquisitions have paid off.  Mark Reynolds (-0.3 WAR) is on pace to avoid 200 K's, but is also on pace to have less than 20 home runs and fail to hit a .200 average.  Vladimir Guerrero (-0.1 WAR) is not rewarding people's faith as he is struggling to get on base (.290 OBA) and has not shown much if any power (.126 ISO).  Derrek Lee (-0.1 WAR) is also on pace to hit about 15 home runs over the course of the season.  None of this is surprising, but what has happened is slightly below what we were anticipating here at the Depot and far below what the public in general seemed to think.  What happened in the game?  Jeremy Guthrie was hit hard over five innings, giving up three doubles and two home runs.  Four of the extra base hits that fell on hit were when there were base runners compounding the effect.  The Orioles only managed five hits with Nick Markakis producing three singles.  They were unable to take advantage of the Rays issuing 10 walks over the course of the game.  The difference really was that the Rays were able to produce extra base hits and the Orioles were not.  It was the 17th time out of 32 games in which the Orioles failed to score more than three runs.  Brad Bergesen is now tasked to lead the Orioles back on track with a solid game on Mother's Day.

Stat of the game

  5 XBH in 5 IP

When a pitcher gives up on average an extra base hit per inning, he is going to be giving up a lot of runs.  The Rays did a good job of squaring up on Guthrie and were a tad bit lucky so many balls fell in to the right place.  Twice that right place was in the stands.

Orioles Game ball

Nick Markakis (3-4, SF)

MiLB game balls

Norfolk (Box) - Tyler Henson, CF (2-3, 3B (1), BB)
Bowie (Box) - Ronnie Welty, RF (1-4, HR (5))
Frederick (Box) - Tyler Townsend, 1B (2-4, HR (6))
Delmarva (Box) - Jarret Martin (2 IP, 1 H, 4 SO, 1 BB).

Three Morning Links

Cal Ripken Jr. thinks Manny Pacquiao will win..

Baltimore Orioles had a scout in attendance for New York HS Kevin McAvoy.  The right hander hit 90 a couple times.

Derek Jeter played his 2,303rd game at shortstop for the Yankees.  This breaks Cal Ripken Jr.'s record for most games played at shortstop with one club.

Up Next

The O's loss last night has dropped them into sole possession of last place in the AL East. Brad Bergesen (4.32 xFIP, 82 ERA+) will work to prevent a sweep against Wade Davis (5.04 xFIP, 133 ERA+) who is having a confusing year as he is striking out only 3.9 per nine innings, yet have been effective. 1:35 pm Eastern start.