Ever since losing their first two games in Tampa Bay, the Baltimore Orioles have been rolling. They won their third game in a row, as they defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 3-2, on Wednesday night.
The Orioles have won their third in a row and are 37-28. They trail the Boston Red Sox by 2 ½ games right now.
As well, the Orioles have taken five out of six games from the Angels in 2013.
Another Baltimore pitcher came through for the second night in a row with a solid performance, as this time it was Miguel Gonzalez.
He perhaps had his best best in his short Oriole career so far, as he went eight innings, and allowed only one run. Gonzalez allowed four hits, struck out five, and his only run given up was via a Mike Trout homer.
Gonzalez was unflappable on the mound last night and for a change, the bullpen got a night of rest.
Jim Johnson came on the mound in the ninth and earned 23rd save; however, he did give up a run in the frame as Albert Pujols had an RBI-single.
On the offensive front, Nick Markakis was the start of the game as he had a two-run double in the seventh inning that broke a 1-1 tie. That made the difference for Baltimore. He also shined in the field, making several decisive plays that could have been favorable to the Angels, if not made.
Manny Machado plated in a run with a RBI-groundout in the 4th inning.
I find it amazing how bad the Los Angeles Angels have been despite the amount of money and talent on the roster. They should have an all-world offense, but it is not clicking, Josh Hamilton and Pujols look old and terrible; in addition, their general manager, Jerry DiPoto perhaps did a lackluster job in building a pitching staff.
I know a lot of people had issues with what Dan Duquette and the Orioles did in the offseason in terms of the free agent market; however, they seemed to have faith in the core players and knew their personnel very well.
That’s more than what can be said for the Angels.
The two teams meet up again this afternoon; however, this weekend, the Boston Red Sox come into town and face the Birds. It should be an interesting four-game set, as play starts on Thursday night into Sunday. With the Red Sox leading the American League East, hopefully, the Orioles can chip their lead down, if not overtake it.
