The Orioles’ 7-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins means very little in the standings, but it may be the biggest win in rookie Radhames Liz’s season.
The right-hander tossed eight shutout innings in an audition that could earn a player who was once one of the team’s brightest prospects a full-time role in Baltimore next season.
“I think I used my mind a little better, and my body,” Liz said. “I wasn’t trying to do too much, and let my emotion get to me with men on base.”
The Orioles (66-82) should forget about sending Liz (6-5) to the bullpen.
If he continues to pitch the way he did against the Twins — a team contending for the playoffs — in front of 18,559 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, he should be considered to be the No. 2 starter next season.
Manager Dave Trembley said players in the dugout were “hootin’ and hollerin’” as Liz retired the Twins (82-67) in order during the first inning.
“It’s a big weight off everybody’s shoulder,” Trembley said. “Just throw the ball over the plate, locate, pitch ahead, let the guys behind you make the plays. Don’t put your finger in the socket when guys get on base. Radhames did a tremendous job. He was in control.”
Liz was in command, scattering five hits and one walk against four strikeouts on 108 pitches in his longest outing of the season.
Liz fought through the eighth inning, stranding the lone Minnesota runner he allowed to advance to third base on a pop-out to shortstop.
He wasn’t alone. Liz had some support from the longball Sunday, as the Orioles hit five home runs. Nick Markakis and Oscar Salazar each homered twice, and Lou Montanez hit his second career home run in the fourth.
The Orioles’ version of the Bash Brothers came to life in that fourth inning, when Salazar and Eastern League MVP/Triple Crown winner Lou Montanez hit back-to-back blasts.
Salazar and Montanez — only in September.
The offense has been there for most of the second half, for the Orioles and their opponents. In fact, the Orioles had lost 12 of their past 14 games and 17 of 20 before Liz came to the rescue.
Most importantly, it was refreshing to see a starter go eight innings. Sunday’s was the longest such start from an Oriole since Chris Waters’ eight shutout innings Aug. 5.
The team had just two quality starts since Waters’ gem in Anaheim.
“Sooner or later, you’re going to get it right,” Trembley said. “Sooner or later someone is going to get you started. I think today was a game that gives us something to get excited about for the future.”
