IT WAS OVER WHEN …
Daniel Cabrera allowed two runs in the first inning. The Orioles have allowed a run in the first inning 54 times this year, and stand 22-32 in those contests. Cabrera has been the most frequent offender, surrendering a first inning run in 15 of his 27 starts. The Orioles are 8-7 in those starts.
O’S FANS CHEERED …
When left fielder Luke Scott singled home Aubrey Huff with two outs in the third inning. On Luke Scott T-shirt night, fans had plenty to cheer about in the third, when Scott’s RBI single brought the Orioles within a run. The Orioles, though, wouldn’t score again.
O’S FANS JEERED …
When catcher Ramon Hernandez watched as his roller stayed fair down the third base line in the seventh inning. Boston’s Jed Lowrie fielded the ball in fair territory and threw to first as Hernandez — who is gaining a reputation for laziness — began to trot out of the batters box.
FANTASY STUD …
Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury has turned into a valuable commodity for fantasy owners in a short period of time. A fourth outfielder to start the year, he’s claimed a starting spot in the Boston lineup. Tuesday, he went 2-for-5 out of the leadoff spot, stealing two bases and scoring two runs.
GOOD CALL …
Getting Cabrera out of the game when Dave Trembley did. Cabrera had already allowed three hits before he walked Sean Casey with just one out in the fifth. Having thrown 92 pitches, Cabrera looked like he’d reached the end of his physical and psychological rope. The Orioles bullpen came on, and allowed just one run in 4.1 innings.
BAD CALL …
Using Alberto Castillo as the first man out of the bullpen. The 36-year-old rookie left-hander got out of the fifth inning jam, but he allowed a run-scoring double before doing so. Boston scored three times in the fifth — all those runs credited to Cabrera — to pull away.
IF ONLY …
The Orioles had four more Jeremy Guthries. They could use them. The rest of the rotation has been taxing the bullpen with truncated starts. The Orioles’ penchant to fall behind isn’t just hurting them in the late innings, but later in the week.
