The O's completed a three game series today against the Twins, and took 2 of 3 games from the supposed AL Central winners. The O's got good pitching for all three games, and one was blown. Some of the Orioles problems came from fielding errors and others came from the umpires.
In the first game, Daniel Cabrera had a career day by striking out 11 batters and shut out the potent offense through 8 innings of work. B.J. Ryan closed out the game for his 8th save of the season at the time. Miguel Tejada homered in the game and drove in 2 runs. But the real story was Daniel Cabrera. He was untouchable during the whole game. He allowed only 3 hits over his 8 inning of work. This is exactly the way the Orioles need to start a series to be competative this year. Ron Gardenhire and Michael Cuddyer told the AP News the following:
"That's nasty stuff. I'm glad I wasn't hitting," Gardenhire said. "Then, I would have been frustrated. I think our hitters were frustrated."
"You've got to tip your hat to the way he threw the ball tonight," Cuddyer said. "It was 99 mph with an 89 mph slider, and he was throwing strikes."
Well Daniel, I tip my hat to you as well. After starting the year struggling, you have shown the fans your true self.
The second game went just as well for the Orioles starter, Eric Bedard. He allowed only one earned run through 7 inning and again got little support from his defense and offense. Now to be truthful, it was not all the Orioles fault. The plate umpire did blow a lot of calls during the whole game. It started getting out of hand in the bottom of the 8th inning when Luis Matos was hit by a pitch that would have loaded the bases with no one out and the score tied. But the non-call, in which Matos got his finger broken, was called a foul tip on a bunt try. Geronimo Gil was called to pinch hit for the hurt Matos, and bunted badly to the pitcher. Jesse Crain of the Twins pitched out of the rest of the inning. The top of the 9th inning was no different when Todd Williams was called on a balk for a move the Jesse Crain did in the bottom 8th. The plate ump also made Williams strike out the same player twice when he missed a swinging strike out and called it a foul tip. Luckily for Williams, the Twins couldn't capitalize on the blown calls. It didn't stop there, for the plate ump called B.J. Surhoff out on obvious balls that magically turned into strikes. This whole innings worth of events changed the outcome of the game and was eventually won by the Twins in the 10th with back to back solo shots. Melvin Mora did make some costly mistakes during the game, but I have ranted enough about this game. Let’s move on...
The final game of the series showed the Orioles resolve when the faced the Twins Ace, Johan Santana. Ponson was pitching for the O's and gave up his typical 4 runs, but did hang on to pitch into the 8th inning to earn the win. But the real story is beating last years AL Cy Young winner. Well, he didn't get the lose, but the Orioles chased him of the mound and took advantage of the Twins bullpen. Santana's ERA was just over 2.00 coming in to face the O's, and the Orioles scored 4 runs 5 inning, Santana lasted 6 inning. Ponson kept it together after the 3rd inning when he gave up the 4 runs, and he allowed the O's batters to pick him up. The O's scored 3 runs in the 8th inning to help Sidney to a 5-1 record. B.J. Surhoff was the hero today by hitting a single down the first base line to score Miguel Tejada. The O's would score two more runs when all was over, but B.J. Ryan didn't really need them. After allowing a lead off double in the 9th, Ryan retired the next three batters to earn his 9th save.
Players of the series-All three pitchers. Sidney Ponson for not imploding on himself when times got hard. Daniel Cabrera for getting back to his dominate self that we saw in Spring Training. Eric Bedard for pitching one heck of game, even with getting a no decision.