Showing Some Character in Tampa
The Orioles history in Tampa Bay isn't one that has a ton of highlights. It seems that the most vivid memories involve Jorge Julio, Aubrey Huff, and balls going into orbit. There was also a near-miraculous comeback last year that failed when the Oriole bats suddenly fell silent after creeping to within 13-12. Coming off an uplifting sweep of the Royals over the weekend, it was hard to predict how the trip to Tampa would play out. It didn't help that the Rays were starting a pair of lefties, including their ace Scott Kazmir. And when the O's were down 7-1 in the opener after an inconsistent outing by Adam Loewen, you could feel the Orioles come crashing down to earth. The Devil Rays lineup has some outstanding talent on it, including several players that are being pegged for great success (Upton, Young, Dukes) or are already achieving it (Baldelli, Crawford). And they were teaching the O's a lesson. Perhaps the most demoralizing play was the three-error debacle by Aubrey Huff and Paul Bako that nearly enabled a little league HR.
But then something happened. An unlikely hero in Freddie Bynum got the comeback going with a 2-run shot. Melvin Mora, this year's key Oriole in my mind, then came through with a two-run shot of his own. Then, a rash of doubles and suddenly the game is tied. An RBI grounder to take the lead. And a HR by Huff (felt good to be on the other side of that) took it to 9-7. And the $42M bullpen didn't bend, much less break. Last year, there's no way the Orioles win this game. Yes, it's April and it's early, but these are important signs. The Orioles absorbed a horrible start from Loewen and still managed to win on the road. Wow. The next night, they nearly did it again when they were down 6-1, closed it to 6-4, and then saw a Miguel Tejada game-tying blast just curve foul. Devil Ray fans had to have that feeling of doom that Oriole fans get with the Yankees, where like a bad horror movie, the villain is never dead when you think he is. By game 3 with Bedard on the mound, you liked your chances. But Bedard struggled as well, still looking for the magic of 2006. Still, as been his MO this season, he managed with the stuff he had and kept the Orioles in this game like a true ace should. And, after trailing 3-1, the Orioles stormed back again and took the lead. And the bullpen closed the door again. And the Orioles had themselves another comeback win and road series win. After getting swept to start the season, the Orioles have crept past 500 again.
Clearly, the team MVP is the bullpen. It may be grand expectations to think this team can continue like this throughout the season, but when you have rock-solid pen, any game is within reach. Most people think that the comeback capability is spurred by an explosive offense, but it's as much about the bullpen that makes sure the comeback target isn't a moving one. For all the David Ortiz game-winning HRs over the years, there's been a Mike Timlin that keeps the Red Sox in the game. The Orioles have a solid offense (though they still lack a big bopper), but difference this year is the pen. The late inning guys (Chris Ray & Danys Baez) have been outstanding, and perhaps the best sign is how they both rebounded from that Saturday afternoon game against the Yankees with the Giambi and A-Rod HRs. In both of their cases, that game was the only run that they've been scored upon and they seemed to get BETTER after that game. Many people suggested the Orioles overpaid on Baez. But with Baez in the 8th and Ray in the 9th, you are developing what the Orioles had in 1997 (their last winning season) with Benitez in the 8th and Myers in the 9th. In 1998, Myers left, Benitez moved to the 9th and entire franchise came down as the Orioles failed in BOTH innings (no one could replace Benitez and Benitez couldn't replace Myers). The Yankees in their best years had this setup. Whether it was Rivera in the 8th and Wetteland in the 9th. Or Gordon in the 8th and Rivera in the 9th. That's what I used to call the "softball effect": when teams turn it into a 7 inning game. When the Red Sox were clicking last year, it was Timlin and Papelbon. It's demoralizing for the opponent to even think that their time is running out in the 7th. And frankly, with the success of Walker, Parrish, and Bradford, the focus really comes to the starter. To that end, John Parrish has been absolutely outstanding. You wonder if the Orioles would have even signed Walker if they had known this was going to happen with Parrish (though I am still glad they signed Walker). Keeping the guys fresh throughout the year will be important, but if this keeps up, I like my chances. And with BJ Ryan (who cost more than $42M all by himself) on the DL, the Blue Jays come to town. I miss BJ, but isn't that money looking much better spent right now?
But then something happened. An unlikely hero in Freddie Bynum got the comeback going with a 2-run shot. Melvin Mora, this year's key Oriole in my mind, then came through with a two-run shot of his own. Then, a rash of doubles and suddenly the game is tied. An RBI grounder to take the lead. And a HR by Huff (felt good to be on the other side of that) took it to 9-7. And the $42M bullpen didn't bend, much less break. Last year, there's no way the Orioles win this game. Yes, it's April and it's early, but these are important signs. The Orioles absorbed a horrible start from Loewen and still managed to win on the road. Wow. The next night, they nearly did it again when they were down 6-1, closed it to 6-4, and then saw a Miguel Tejada game-tying blast just curve foul. Devil Ray fans had to have that feeling of doom that Oriole fans get with the Yankees, where like a bad horror movie, the villain is never dead when you think he is. By game 3 with Bedard on the mound, you liked your chances. But Bedard struggled as well, still looking for the magic of 2006. Still, as been his MO this season, he managed with the stuff he had and kept the Orioles in this game like a true ace should. And, after trailing 3-1, the Orioles stormed back again and took the lead. And the bullpen closed the door again. And the Orioles had themselves another comeback win and road series win. After getting swept to start the season, the Orioles have crept past 500 again.
Clearly, the team MVP is the bullpen. It may be grand expectations to think this team can continue like this throughout the season, but when you have rock-solid pen, any game is within reach. Most people think that the comeback capability is spurred by an explosive offense, but it's as much about the bullpen that makes sure the comeback target isn't a moving one. For all the David Ortiz game-winning HRs over the years, there's been a Mike Timlin that keeps the Red Sox in the game. The Orioles have a solid offense (though they still lack a big bopper), but difference this year is the pen. The late inning guys (Chris Ray & Danys Baez) have been outstanding, and perhaps the best sign is how they both rebounded from that Saturday afternoon game against the Yankees with the Giambi and A-Rod HRs. In both of their cases, that game was the only run that they've been scored upon and they seemed to get BETTER after that game. Many people suggested the Orioles overpaid on Baez. But with Baez in the 8th and Ray in the 9th, you are developing what the Orioles had in 1997 (their last winning season) with Benitez in the 8th and Myers in the 9th. In 1998, Myers left, Benitez moved to the 9th and entire franchise came down as the Orioles failed in BOTH innings (no one could replace Benitez and Benitez couldn't replace Myers). The Yankees in their best years had this setup. Whether it was Rivera in the 8th and Wetteland in the 9th. Or Gordon in the 8th and Rivera in the 9th. That's what I used to call the "softball effect": when teams turn it into a 7 inning game. When the Red Sox were clicking last year, it was Timlin and Papelbon. It's demoralizing for the opponent to even think that their time is running out in the 7th. And frankly, with the success of Walker, Parrish, and Bradford, the focus really comes to the starter. To that end, John Parrish has been absolutely outstanding. You wonder if the Orioles would have even signed Walker if they had known this was going to happen with Parrish (though I am still glad they signed Walker). Keeping the guys fresh throughout the year will be important, but if this keeps up, I like my chances. And with BJ Ryan (who cost more than $42M all by himself) on the DL, the Blue Jays come to town. I miss BJ, but isn't that money looking much better spent right now?
posted by sandyk at
1:41 PM
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