NewsBullpen becoming area of concern for O's
Baltimore (60-94) at Cleveland (63-91), 1:05 p.m. ET
By Matt ODonnell / MLB.com
09/26/09 11:51 PM ET
CLEVELAND -- As the Orioles' focus turns increasingly towards the 2010 season, one of the biggest areas of concern is the bullpen. Going into Sunday's series finale with the Indians, the O's 'pen is one of the worst in baseball. And with just eight games remaining, time is running out for the relievers to show their worth. "Opportunities are provided," manager Dave Trembley said. "But it's up to the individual to take advantage and make a positive impression on those people who make decisions on their statuses on this team for the future." The Orioles bullpen had the third-worst ERA in baseball (only better than the Royals and Nationals) going into Saturday night and a 9-8 loss to the Indians surely didn't make matters any better. Things haven't been much better on the current road trip. The bullpen has more or less given up a run for every inning pitched. In a loss to the Blue Jays on Tuesday, the bullpen was given a three-run lead to protect. But veteran reliever Danys Baez and closer Jim Johnson blew the lead in a game the O's lost in extra innings. "When the guys you are counting on to close the game out turn into road blocks, then you are really banging your head against the wall." Trembley said. In Friday's 4-2 loss to the Indians, reliever Matt Albers came in to keep his team's deficit at one. But after a hit and three walks, the Indians had the crucial insurance run they needed. "It's been kind of tough," Albers said. "You have your ups and downs, but the overall morale is good. It's just one of those things." Trembley said that doesn't mean individual players should not take the rest of the season lightly. There is plenty left for the O's relievers to prove. Johnson, for example, was put in the closer spot when the Orioles traded former closer George Sherrill to the Dodgers in late July. But Johnson hasn't performed well in the role. He has blown six saves this season, including three of his past nine attempts. Other guys like Albers, who have been up and down from the Minor Leagues, have big opportunities to prove that they belong. "No matter what the situation is, no matter when you come in, put a zero up," Trembley said. "If you can't show you can do those things, then you eliminate yourself." Pitching matchupBAL: RHP Chris Tillman (2-4, 4.71 ERA)
Tillman had one rough inning in his last start, but it was enough to sink him for the loss. The right-hander allowed three consecutive hits at one point and walked three batters in a row at another, but he still left after five-plus innings with only four earned runs allowed. The 21-year-old has been fairly effective in his first 11 big league starts and has delivered five innings or more in all but one of them. CLE: LHP David Huff (10-8, 5.98 ERA)
Huff limited Oakland to two runs through six frames in his last start, scattering seven hits and two walks while striking out three. However, he admitted to struggling with his command around the zone. Huff has pitched at least six innings in his past four outings, surrendering three runs or fewer in all of them. This is the rookie's first career start against the Orioles. Tidbits
Felix Pie wasn't in the lineup Saturday after he went down with a left quad strain while trying to beat out a double play in Friday's game. Trembley said Pie would be out for the rest of the series and would be reevaluated on Monday in St. Petersburg. "We thought it'd be a whole lot more severe," Trembley said. "I'm confident we'll be able to get him back." ... Cesar Izturis was sick and was also out of the lineup on Saturday. He was available off the bench, however. ... With a double on Saturday, Matt Wieters has now hit safely in 16 of 21 games in September. Tickets
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• Monday: Orioles (Mark Hendrickson, 5-5, 4.37) at Rays (Jeff Niemann, 12-6, 3.81), 7:08 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Orioles (David Hernandez, 4-9, 5.20) at Rays (Wade Davis, 1-1, 4.07), 7:08 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Orioles (TBD) at Rays (James Shields, 10-12, 4.17), 7:08 p.m. ET
Matt O'Donnell is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
