Veteran leadership. Two words that describe an ideal bullpen and most managers? dream situation.
Unfortunately for Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo, the veteran pitchers on his staff have yet to hold their weight against the youth movement taking ground behind the left-center field wall of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
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The ERAs, through Tuesday, speak for themselves. Young guns like Kurt Birkins (25 years old), Chris Britton (23) and Chris Ray (24) have ERAs of 3.07, 2.97 and 2.95, respectively. By comparison, veterans like Bruce Chen (29), LaTroy Hawkins (33) and Todd Williams (35) have ERAs of 7.38, 4.05 and 4.17, respectively.
“We have our good days and our bad days like everybody else,” Britton said. “We just need to have more good days.”
The young relief squad is anchored by second-year closer Ray, who converted 23 of 24 save opportunities and had 38 strikeouts through Tuesday in his first year taking over for free agent B.J. Ryan.
“Chris Ray is doing an outstanding job as a closer, I mean outstanding,” pitching coach Leo Mazzone said. “Great mound presence, besides good stuff.”
Rookie left-hander Birkins has allowed 10 runs in his 31 appearances since his debut May 5.
“Birkins has been a nice find,” Mazzone said. “He has been solid against lefties and righties and has adapted to his environment and has become very effective.”
In comparison, veteran set-up man Hawkins has allowed 18 runs in 38 innings this season. Bruce Chen, who was moved from the starting rotation in the first half of the season, allowed six runs in the two innings Thursday before pitching three shutout innings Wednesday against Oakland.
“It can be one pitcher one year and another the next,” catcher Ramon Hernandez said. “When you go through the bad times, you can show people you are strong enough to be (playing) this game.”
Even with the young boost from the bullpen the O?s still rank 11th in the American League with a 4.81 ERA, tied with the Indians and leading only the D-Rays and Royals through Tuesday.
“It all depends on how big of a deal you?re going to make out of it because everybody around you is,” Mazzone said. “You, yourself have to have the mind-set that three outs isn?t that big a deal.”
The Relief Report
» The active bullpen roster: Chris Ray, Todd Williams, LaTroy Hawkins, Kurt Birkins, Chris Britton, Bruce Chen and Eddy Rodriguez
» The disabled bullpen roster: Tim Byrdak, 60-day DL
»Did you know? Eddy Rodriguez has the highest ERA (4.00) among relief pitchers under 26 years old, still a lower number than any of those over 26 in the bullpen … Ray has 23 saves, just one behind Toronto?s B.J. Ryan and five back of league leader Jonathan Papelbon of Boston.
