masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgDid they really need to play both ends of this doubleheader?

Zach Britton lasted only two-thirds of an inning in his last start with the Orioles, on July 8 in Boston, before they optioned him to Double-A Bowie. Tonight, he exited after retiring one batter.

Britton was charged with seven earned runs (eight total) and six hits in Boston. He’s allowed seven so far tonight in New York, and he leaves with runners on second and third and still only one out.

The rookie surrendered seven hits and…Did they really need to play both ends of this doubleheader?

Zach Britton lasted only two-thirds of an inning in his last start with the Orioles, on July 8 in Boston, before they optioned him to Double-A Bowie. Tonight, he exited after retiring one batter.

Britton was charged with seven earned runs (eight total) and six hits in Boston. He’s allowed seven so far tonight in New York, and he leaves with runners on second and third and still only one out.

The rookie surrendered seven hits and walked a batter. Six of the hits were singles.

The Orioles committed two errors behind him. Nolan Reimold made a bad throw and J.J. Hardy misplayed a bouncer and threw wide of first.

When Hardy makes an error, you know it’s not your night.

The Yankees batted around and still only had one out when Derrek Jeter stepped to the plate again. Jeter struck out to begin the inning, and the next eight batters reached base.

Jeter singled with the bases loaded to drive in two more runs as Jason Berken warmed in the bullpen. Britton was done after 10 batters and 43 pitches.

The only excitement left is whether first baseman Derrek Lee changes teams tonight. The Orioles and Pirates are trying to work out a deal. The Diamondbacks are more focused on their bullpen.

Update: Britton is charged with six earned runs and nine total. Jason Berken let both inherited runners score and gave up three runs of his own, the last two on Nick Swisher’s homer.

The Yankees sent 16 batters to the plate. They collected 10 hits to go with those 12 runs.

The two teams combined for 100 pitches in the first. The Orioles accounted for 70 of them..