The Beltway Series Summary

I don't know about the rest of you, but this series always gets me extra pumped up as a local fan.  We get to see not one, but two franchises battle it out for MD/DC supremacy.  The best part is that the series takes place twice a year.  As you all probably know, the Orioles took two of three games from the beltway rival, Washington Nationals.

Nationals Park looked to have been sold out on Saturday, when a few friends and I went to see the game. We were luckily able to get standing room only tickets for a mere $20.  The only other seats available were $185, which shows the fans definitely came out for this series.  It was my second time at Nationals Park, and while I am a bit biased towards Camden Yards, I like the park in "Natstown" as well.

Now, on to the actual games.  The first two games were played very well, while Sunday's game was a six run loss by the Birds.  Orioles fans got their first look at both of the Nationals young phenoms, Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg.  Strasburg pitched five innings, striking out eight Orioles, while only giving up one earned run.  He also made another highlight, hitting his first major league home run.
Wei-Yin Chen got torched, giving up six runs in 4 1/3 innings.  Chen also had five strikeouts and three walks. 19-Year-Old Bryce Harper went a combined 4-for-12 in the three game series with 2 RBI.

The other two games featured home runs by Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.  Pedro Strop picked up his third save of the year in game one, followed by Jim Johnson closing it out for save number 15 in game two.  Adam Jones is pacing the Orioles offensively so far this season, leading the team in home runs and RBIs, while hitting at a .308 clip.

Overall, it was a great first series with the Nats this year.  We took the series, and the Orioles fanbase came out in large numbers this weekend.  At the game, there were alternating, "Go Nats" and "Go O's" chants, showing team pride.  On Saturday, there was even a free hat giveaway.  This was my first beltway series in person and the atmosphere was ELECTRIC!!  I hope this truly can become a great rivalry.  It also helps when both teams are off to great starts!  Can't wait till the Camden Yards trip for the Nats!! Keep it here for Orioles news/updates and commentary!

Orioles Take Two Of Three From The White Sox, 5-3.

The Orioles and White Sox played a day game Thursday to close out the four game set in Chicago.  After a tough loss on Wednesday, the Orioles were looking to regain their winning ways and stay atop the AL East division.  Those wishes came true as the O's ended a brief one game slide, winning 5-3.

The home run ball came again, this time from center fielder, Adam Jones.  The three-run homer was Jones' 5th homerun of the 2012 campaign.  Nick Johnson and J. J. Hardy also added RBIs in the victory.  Buck Showalter decided to give Matt Wieters some rest, having Ronny Paulino make the start at catcher.  No one expects Wieters to start EVERY game, so the day off was welcomed.

On the pitching side of the ballgame, Jason Hammel got the victory, improving to 2-0 on the year.  It was an impressive performance for Hammel, striking out 10 over six innings of work.  Early returns on the Jeremy Guthrie trade suggest the Orioles got the better of the deal.  Hammel has been very good so far in the rotation and Matt Lindstrom has an ERA of 0.00 out of the bullpen.  Meanwhile, if we go out to Colorado, former Oriole Jeremy Guthrie has been quite disappointing.  His stats show that the move to the NL has been horrible so far for him.

Out of the bullpen, Jim Johnson notched his 6th save of the young season.  He had two strikeouts, for a pretty calm 9th inning.  Pedro Strop and Lindstrom also made performances in the game, each pitching a scoreless inning.  The Orioles improved to 8-5 so far in 2012.

The team now takes to the road to face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Brian Matusz will be making the start for the Orioles today, opposing Jerome Williams of LA.  The game starts at 10:05 pm so don't fall asleep too early.  Let's see if these winning ways continue for the Birds!