It’s pretty ridiculous, really.
These Orioles can only hit the home run ball. And it’s going to be their undoing. We all know it. Ultimately, anyway.
They were 1-for-9 Wednesday with runners in scoring position, with what seemed like 37 strikeouts in those nine at-bats.
They were done, history. They were again losing to the rival Toronto Blue Jays, who were about to hammer another nail in the Orioles’ playoff coffin.
There was no way this team, which completely forgot how to score about the time they started getting decent pitching, was headed to the postseason, right?
And then Mark Trumbo hit a solo homer in the eighth to close within one, 2-1.
And then Jonathan Schoop, in a terrible slump, singles in the ninth. And pinch-runner Michael Bourn steals second, to get the tying run 180 feet from home with pinch-hitter Hyun Soo Kim, the Orioles’ best contact hitter, up.
A well-placed single and the game is tied.
So what does Kim do? He battles through eight pitches and then homers into the visiting bullpen.
The Orioles take the 3-2 lead in the ninth and then Zach Britton shuts the door again, his 47th save in 47 chances.
Suddenly, the Orioles are now just one game behind the Blue Jays for the AL Wild Card spot again with the final game between the two clubs Thursday.
The Orioles won thanks to just the sixth home run of the season – and the sixth pinch-hit in nine at-bats — by a guy who made the Opening Day roster only because he was contractually obligated. Seriously.
This club is frustrating. This offense is one-dimensional.
This team relies too much on its bullpen and its power.
Yet, once again, this team isn’t dead.
In fact, it may have just experienced its best, and most meaningful, win of the year.
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They don't call him "The Hitting Machine" for nuthin'!
I take it all back from yesterday. I love this team!
Fickely yours,
Boog Robinson Robinson
Let's all take this time to give thanks to our own Boog Robinson Robinson, who yesterday shed his mask of optimistic civility and thundered out commands to both Showalter and Schoop, excoriating the former for not playing the Hitting Machine and the latter for swinging at garbage. Not only was glory achieved by both men unquestioningly obeying the Boogster (from a different sovereign nation, no less), but our favorite commenter is now a dark horse candidate for the Cincinnati Reds managerial job. I know this isn't a Taproom situation, but get that man cold one and put it on my tab!
Mr. Moustache, I am humbled by your appreciation of yesterday's rant, however I take absolutely no credit for last night's miracle win in the Queen City. And before the rumor mill goes completely unchecked, I respectfully withdraw my name for managerial consideration of the team located in ... well ...the other Queen City. I bleed Orange, not red. But thanks for the shout out.
AND the cold one!! hic
Even Boog and his mastery of the impossible couldn't have dreamed the Kimpossible ending Wed. But beers all round
"Kimpossible" ... I like that! And thanks for the beer!
Stop being so modest, Boog. I'm convinced that your rant directly correlates to last night's heroics. You mention both Schoop and Kim, and they each play key roles the same day in probably the biggest win of the season? No way that's just a coincidence.
Now, can you please:
- Ensure 4 more wins so that we likely host the WC game
- Return the bats to their 1st half form to ensure a deep playoff run
- Find us two different candidates for president
Thanks in advance.
Hmmmm....and I also mentioned Crush Mendoza, but that didn't stop him from looking at strike 3 with the bat on his shoulder and the bases loaded again.
Can't win 'em all, I guess. To be fair, not much could be done about that anyways. Davis gonna Davis. If you could do us all a solid and use your powers of persuasion on Jimenez it would be nice. Just need to get rid of the customary Ubaldo moment in the first inning, where he walks a guy and gives up a tater, making us all scream 'Oh s**t! He sucks again!' before retiring the next 15 in order. My Cardiologist will thank you
Talk about Orioles Magic! This stuff takes Magic to a whole new level.
Sometimes teams just find a mojo. Not sure that's the deal with this club. But coming back like that sure doesn't hurt confidence.