New Day, Same Problems - N51_rob's Blog

N51_rob's Blog

New Day, Same Problems

Posted on April 16, 2012 at 10:59 AM.

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Baltimore, MD It was another night of bull pen problems for the Baltimore Orioles as they fell for the second time to the visiting Minnesota Twins. 9-4. Baltimore battled from an early 4-1 deficit to make it 4-3 in the 6th inning and were feeling good. They managed to chase the tough lefty Francisco Liriano (1-0, 5.40) after only 5 innings getting 5 hits, and working 2 walks. Jason Hammel pitched admirably giving up 4 runs in his 5 innings of work and Kevin Gregg, was really good throwing 2 innings of no hit relief. It would again be Troy Patton who would blow the O's chances at a comeback. The lefty was brought in to face a cavalcade of left handed hitters and when the smoke cleared, Patton would manage only two outs in the 8th while allowing 4 runs to score and his ERA ballooned to 33.75 after only two appearances.

Patton was sent to AAA Norfolk and LRP Zach Phillips was called up in his place. Baltimore has also sent out feelers to 37 year old lefty specialist Damaso Marte, and there have been internal discussions about former Oriole Mike Gonzazlez, but the O's are reluctant to make any knee jerk reactions outside of the organization.

The O's look to salvage a win in the series when Tommy Hunter faces off against Nick Blackburn. The Orioles would like to get a win before facing the Yankees for 3 games and the potential to be 0-6 becomes a reality.

Notes: In his first start of 2012 Nick Johnson knocked in his first 2 RBIs of the year.

Comments

# 1 Meatfish87 @ Apr 18

Do you think it was a knee-jerk reaction to demote Patton after two games? Maybe he shouldn't be used in close situations until he becomes a little more seasoned?

# 2 N51_rob @ Apr 18

It was a knee jerk reaction. But I am prone to those and playing for me is a high pressure situation. Patton had/has one job get lefties out. Truth be told, I used the OSFM spring rosters to get through spring training and he was headed to AAA anyways, but I wanted to used the OSFM Opening Day roster. He will get another chance.