News
Trembley expects Johnson to bounce back
Baltimore (53-76) vs. Cleveland (57-71), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
08/29/09 2:33 AM ET
BALTIMORE -- If Dave Trembley was wondering how his team would respond to adversity, he got a rousing answer Friday night. And now he's just wondering about his closer's response. The Orioles didn't need Jim Johnson on Friday in their rebuttal against the Indians, but they'll likely need him in either Saturday or Sunday's concluding acts.Johnson, who blew his first save Thursday night since taking over from ex-closer George Sherrill, was completely uninvolved in Baltimore's 13-4 rout over Cleveland. Trembley said that he was confident that Johnson would shake off Thursday's loss without a hitch, and he told a brief anecdote Friday morning to make his point.
"I was the last guy to leave [Thursday] and I think Johnson was the last player," Trembley said. "He came in and talked to me before he left, and he basically said that the next time there's a chance to save it, he wants to be out there. ... To me, he's the closer on the team. It's unfortunate that it happened and it wasn't fun for anybody."
Trembley went on to talk about how games like that -- one-run losses when you're one out away from completing a victory -- can stick with you for extended periods of time. He spoke about a story former manager Tommy Lasorda had told him once, how a loss sent him walking the streets of Philadelphia long after business hours.
And then, bringing the conversation full circle, Trembley spoke about a radio interview he had done Friday morning. The key question, he said, was how he felt after a series opener like Thursday's 5-4 loss.
"What did I feel?" he asked, incredulously. "Sick is what I felt. What do you think Jim Johnson felt? Sicker."
Johnson had converted four consecutive save opportunities before that loss, and he had allowed just two earned runs in his previous 10 appearances. Now he'll have to go out there and prove himself all over again. Trembley is looking forward to watching his progress, and he equated Johnson's skill to the closer in the other clubhouse.
"He's learning. He's like everybody else," said Trembley of his first-year relief ace. "He hasn't been in those situations very long. I talked to [Cleveland closer] Kerry Wood today, and you know, I was Kerry Wood's first manager. Woody blew a string of saves in a row earlier this year in Cleveland. It happens. That's the way it goes."
Pitching matchupBAL: RHP Chris Tillman (1-2, 4.58 ERA)
Tillman pitched well in his past outing, when he threw five scoreless innings and induced three double plays against the Twins. Things went awry in the sixth, as Tillman was responsible for a triple and a game-tying wild pitch before leaving with one out and the bases loaded. The 21-year-old is one of the youngest pitchers in the American League and will be watched closely as he progresses through September. CLE: LHP Jeremy Sowers (5-9, 4.93 ERA)
Sowers was picked up by his offense and earned the win over the Royals on Monday night, though he once again ran into trouble in the middle innings. After cruising through four innings, Sowers was rattled by a four-run fifth. Other than that, Sowers pitched effectively to get his third win of the month. Sowers has given up 16 runs in the first through fourth innings this season. He's given up 15 in the fifth inning alone. Bird bites
Baltimore's game was delayed an hour by rain on Friday night. ... The Orioles logged 15 hits and scored 13 runs, their second-highest total of the season. ... Baltimore is now 47-31 when it scores at least four runs and 6-45 when it scores less than four. The Orioles are also 17-48 when their opponent scores first and 36-28 when they draw first blood. ... Felix Pie left the game with a cramp in the seventh inning. The Orioles believe that he -- and perhaps even starter Adam Jones -- will be healthy enough to man center field on Saturday. ... Matt Wieters drove in a career-high four runs on Friday night. ... Luke Scott reached base four times and tied his career high by scoring three runs. ... Nolan Reimold has reached base in 15 straight games and in 79 of his 89 games played this season. Tickets
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• Sunday: Orioles (Brian Matusz, 2-2, 6.46) vs. Indians (Justin Masterson, 4-5, 4.47), 1:35 p.m. ET
• Monday: Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie, 9-12, 5.26) vs. Yankees (Andy Pettitte, 11-6, 4.18), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Orioles (David Hernandez, 4-6, 4.24) vs. Yankees (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET
Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
