masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles and Blue Jays played nine innings last night without any casualties. That’s a win for both sides.
Can they repeat it?
The harsh feelings haven’t disappeared, they’ve just been put on hold. The bad blood runs deep.
Two major issues with the Orioles these days involve a rotation that’s gone 3 2/3, 5 1/3, five, 4 1/3, 2 1/3 and five innings on this road trip, and a complete breakdown in fundamentals that will push manager Buck Showalter to the edge.
Showalter can’t keep going to…

The Orioles and Blue Jays played nine innings last night without any casualties. That’s a win for both sides.

Can they repeat it?

The harsh feelings haven’t disappeared, they’ve just been put on hold. The bad blood runs deep.

Two major issues with the Orioles these days involve a rotation that’s gone 3 2/3, 5 1/3, five, 4 1/3, 2 1/3 and five innings on this road trip, and a complete breakdown in fundamentals that will push manager Buck Showalter to the edge.

Showalter can’t keep going to his bullpen this early in games, especially with so few optionable pieces, and he can’t continue to watch players miss the cutoff man and run into outs.

Alejandro De Aza was thrown out trying to steal third base last night to end the seventh inning. The Orioles were down 4-2 and Chris Davis was at the plate. De Aza already was in scoring position.

De Aza knew he made a mistake the instant that the tag was applied, slapping the base with both hands, but there are no mulligans. It defies explanation.

Showalter encourages his players to be aggresive. If they see an opportunity, go for it. But they also need to be smart and recognize when it’s not worth the risk.

According to Sportsnet Stats, Aaron Sanchez is the first Blue Jays pitcher to walk at least seven batters and record a win since Jeff Ware on Sept. 8, 1995. Too much first-pitch hacking with runners on base. Too many runners stranded.

The Orioles have multiple errors in the last three games and they’re lost their last three.

Steve Pearce is in a 4-for-41 slump after flying out as a pinch-hitter last night, and his average is down to .152. He’s 3-for-8 (.375) with a home run lifetime against Drew Hutchison, who starts tonight for the Blue Jays.

Hutchison is 1-0 with a 7.20 ERA in three starts this season, allowing 13 runs (12 earned) and 17 hits in 15 innings. He gave up seven runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Orioles on April 12.

tillman-pitch-gray-close-sidebar.jpgHutchison is 4-1 with a 3.25 ERA in nine career starts against the Orioles. Adam Jones is 5-for-23 (.217) with a home run against him. Ryan Flaherty is 2-for-13 (.154) with a double.

Chris Tillman is 2-1 with a 5.52 ERA in three starts and has logged 6 2/3, 2 2/3 and 5 1/3 innings. He’s allowed one run in two of those starts, but was charged with seven against Toronto on April 12 after a scoring change.

Tillman is 4-7 with a 4.68 ERA in 15 starts against the Blue Jays and 2-4 with a 5.81 ERA in eight starts at Rogers Centre.

Edwin Encarnacion is 12-for-38 (.316) with two doubles and a home run against Tillman. Jose Reyes is 9-for-24 (.375) with three doubles and a home run. Dioner Navarro is 5-for-16 (.313) with a double. Dalton Pompey is 4-for-5 (.800) with a double, two triples and a home run.