Rafeal Palmeiro signed a one year contract this off-season so he could retire as an Oriole. He is chasing the 3000 hit/500 HR mark this season to solidify his entry into Cooperstown. The front office of the Orioles told Raffy that he would be splitting time as a first baseman and DH. Through all this, Raffy proved tonight why he a valuable asset to the O's organization.
Raffy went 4-5 tonight against the Kansas City Royals, the worst team in the majors, by hitting 3 singles and a solo long ball. In the 1st inning, Raffy hit a single to plate David Newhan and Melvin Mora which gave the O's a 2-0 lead. Over the next two innings, the Royals scored 8 runs and chased Sidney Ponson off the mound after 1.1 innings. Brian Robert shot a line drive homer in the 3rd inning to pull the O's within 5 runs. But it wasn't until Raffy got to the plate in the 4th inning that the O's broke out against KC's pitcher Jose Lima. Raffy hit his 4th long ball of the year to lead off the 4th. After another 8 batters and 4 runs, Raffy was up to the plate again with 2 outs when he hit a single into center to score Mora. The Rafeal Palmeiro hit put the Orioles up one run with a 9-8 lead. As if that were not enough, Palmeiro singled again in the 7th inning to plate the unofficial team captain, Miguel Tejada, to give the O's a 2 run lead at the time. Rafeal Palmeiro was clutch during this game by hitting in 5 runs, and he had his best game in an Orioles uniform over the last two years. Raffy raised his average from .222 to .246 with 15 RBIs. Great performance Raffy, what a sweet swing.
Rafeal did have some help from his fellow Orioles batters. Roberts hit his 11th homer of the year to lead the Orioles team. Jay Gibbons went 2-4 with his 6th homer, 1 single and 3 RBIs. Sal Fasano also went yard in his 5th at bat of the year. Fasano was pinch hitting for the thrown out B.J. Surhoff when he hit a solo shot. Sal Fasano's pinch hit homer was the first for the Orioles of the year from a pinch hitter.
The starting was a forgettable one for the O's, for Sidney Ponson lasted only 1.1 innings and surrendered 7 runs. The good thing is that he didn't give up a long ball, but he did allow the Royals to hit him around like a pinball machine. Thank goodness for the depth in the relief pitching. John Parrish replaced Ponson in the 2nd inning and gave up 3 walks, but he struck out 4 batters. Parrish did struggle with his location; however, he had not pitched in 15 days and was a little rusty. Parrish was then replaced by Steve Reed. Reed pitched a superb 2.1 innings and allowed only one hit. This was a great outing because of the struggles he has had since putting on an O's uniform. Reed was able to locate and keep his pitches down in the strike zone. Steve Kline took over for Reed in the 6th inning and allowed only one hit and walked one batter. Kline has also struggled at times, but he was very strong against one of the worse hitting clubs in the league. Jorge Julio replaced Kline in the 8th inning, and my heart stopped for the 1.2 innings. Julio was all over the place the whole time at the plate. It looked like the Royals were going to be able to score, but then the pitching master, Ray Miller, calmed Julio down to get a fly out. In the 9th inning with two outs, Julio walked a batter and gave up a single before Mazz pulled him out for the closer, B.J. Ryan. Ryan faced one batter to earn the save with a strikeout, and he got his 11th save of the season.
The O's continue their small winning streak by making it 3 in a row by riding Raffy and the bullpen to victory tonight. On Wednesday, the Orioles will have Bruce Chen (4-2, 3.38 ERA) against KC's pitcher D.J. Carrasco (0-0, 3.00 ERA).
I gotta say man that viagra must be doing something for old Raffy, he is playing like his olden days. As for the O's overall they are kicking ass, cant wait to see them play the SOX, that aught to be a kickass game!
Posted by: RED at May 18, 2005 07:30 PMThe O's have split with the Sox over 4 games, and I think the next time they play will decide who will lead the division. Boston is finally playing up to par, but still trail the O's thus far, and it will only get tougher for the O's as the season continues
Posted by: chris(helimech24) at May 18, 2005 08:11 PM