masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgYour latest press box debate:

Should Jake Arrieta have come out for the seventh inning?

I agreed with another reporter that three runs over six innings, and 106 pitches, was more than sufficient for Arrieta’s major league debut against the Yankees. Don’t push him any further.

A team employee sitting next to me wanted Arrieta to continue, at least until the rookie allowed a baserunner, and argued that two intentional walks in the sixth shouldn’t be included in the pitch count. They’re…Your latest press box debate:

Should Jake Arrieta have come out for the seventh inning?

I agreed with another reporter that three runs over six innings, and 106 pitches, was more than sufficient for Arrieta’s major league debut against the Yankees. Don’t push him any further.

A team employee sitting next to me wanted Arrieta to continue, at least until the rookie allowed a baserunner, and argued that two intentional walks in the sixth shouldn’t be included in the pitch count. They’re nothing more than warm-up tosses.

Interesting point.

Anyway, once the Orioles took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth on Luke Scott’s triple and Adam Jones’ double, the guy conceded that Arrieta should come out of the game with a chance to win it.

No fair flip-flopping on the issue.

I’m not necessarily excited about interim manager Juan Samuel going to his bullpen, but the time felt right for Arrieta to be lifted.

That is, unless Frank Mata lets him down.

Arrieta’s line: 6 innings, 4 hits, 3 runs, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts, 106 pitches, 61 strikes.

One reporter believes that former manager Dave Trembley would have removed Arrieta in the sixth, rather than give him a chance to escape the jam. We’ll never know.

Update: Mata retired the first two batters, and Samuel brought in Will Ohman to face Nick Swisher. More matchup mania. Ohman walked Swisher and Mark Teixeira before pinch-hitter Francisco Cervelli struck out.

Whew.

Tim Bascom allowed three runs and six hits in seven-plus innings in his Triple-A debut. He walked one and struck out six. The Tides have one hit and no walks through seven innings against Gwinnett’s Chris Resop.