Leading Off

Tonight was an important game. Sure, there is plenty of season left, and the Orioles are still close enough in the AL East race that this wasn’t “must win.” But the fact remains that the Orioles have to figure out how to get this season moving in the right direction. A night after getting their doors blown off in an embarrassing 10-2 laugher, the Birds were faced with the option of falling to four games below .500, or taking the first series of the home stand.

First Base

Miguel Gonzalez was in command tonight. He allowed three hits and three walks (against five strikeouts) over his 7.2 innings. He labored through his two outs in the eighth he moved quickly through what we have come to know as a potent Blue Jays lineup. He had four separate 10-pitch innings.

In short, he was really good. And just what the doctor ordered for a team whose starting pitching has consistently let them down throughout the season.

The only person who could have possibly been disappointed with this start is Mike Wright, whose first game with the Orioles after being called up to replace an injured Jason Garcia, was not needed in relief. Womp, womp.

Second Base

How about “second inning” instead? The Orioles put the game away early, scoring five runs in the first inning, giving their starter a comfortable lead, and their bullpen a needed light evening.

The theme was patience against Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez, who came into the game leading the majors in walks. Chris Davis took a leadoff walk on four pitches, J.J. Hardy went 3-0 before taking a strike, eventually taking a walk.

With two on and none out, the Orioles were cooking. David Lough managed not to ruin the inning, providing a productive out in the way of a sacrifice bunt. Caleb Joseph delivered a two-run double and advanced to third base on Rey Navarro’s groundout to second. Then it was back to the patience.

Manny Machado worked the count to 3-1 before pounding the ball into the wall in left-center. Alejandro De Aza and Jimmy Paredes would tack on runs four and five before the inning ended.

It was the type of “pass the baton” offensive attack that was incredibly welcome after what seems like a solid week of frustrating baseball.

Third Base

Jimmy Paredes does so much for this team. Maybe not in the field, but he’s contributing at a high level. You might look at his final line and see that went 2-4 with a walk and an RBI and think “so what?” But the details of Paredes’ night are important.

Paredes drove in a run in the second inning by legging out a hit on a close throw from the shortstop. Later, in the fourth inning, Paredes ran out a tapper back to the mound, and was rewarded with an error by Jays’ starer, Aaron Sanchez. The result was giving Adam Jones an opportunity to hit with two on and two out. Jones squandered the opportunity, but it shouldn’t take away from Paredes’ effort.

In a game that wasn’t close (at that point), it was refreshing to see.

Home Plate

This was a pretty clean game, considering the emotion that has filled O’s/Jays contests this season. One team got out to a big lead. Adam Jones was hit by a pitch. Darren O’Day faced Jose Bautista. And yet… it was a drama-free contest. I, for one, am glad to see the non-event. The Orioles and Blue Jays may never develop into a full-fledged rivalry, but there has certainly been more heat as of late.

The Blue Jays have had their way with the Orioles this season, embarrassing them on a number of occasions, including Opening Day. The Orioles must respond with fundamentally sound wins like the one they put together tonight.

Back to the Dugout

I didn’t want this play to go unnoticed. Manny Machado has been uncharacteristically shaky with his  throws this season, but let’s make no mistake: Machado is a damn good third baseman. And this is yet another example that we are treated to on a regular basis. Here’s hoping he can get himself right, because when he is, he is real, and he is spectacular.