Last night Brad Bergesen became the latest pitcher to pick up a win/quality start in the Buck Showalter era. Furthermore, in the future when someone asks who the first Oriole pitcher to throw a complete game under Showalter was, you'll know to answer Brad Bergesen! Behind Bergesen's complete game two-hit performance, the Orioles defeated the Indians once again in Cleveland (3-1) to take the first two of this three game set. This was probably the best start of Bergesen's career, and a welcome sight for a pitcher that hadn't won since May 12th, although he was coming off of two straight quality starts. While Bergesen is a sinker-baller, his fastball was well commanded in the strike zone. I also noticed that he threw what amounted to a nasty 12-6 curve ball to right-handed hitters that was making them whiff all night.
So what's suddenly given Oriole starters this kind of moxie? I suppose a more general question might be what's giving the Oriole team this kind of moxie of late? By virtue of the fact that I was always a better coach than player in sports, I generally try to look at things from a coach's perspective; I'd like to give Buck Showalter most of the credit there, but in fairness I really can't. For sure his presence and the respect that he mandates has played a role, however let us also keep in mind that just prior to Showalter coming on the scene the Orioles got Roberts and Pie back from the walking wounded list. It took both of these players some time to get back to their old form, but that process has been coming along nicely. However when you have an interim manager situation, the players know that everything is in flux. Dave Trembley was, in theory, a permanent manager; however we all know that truly wasn't the case. Juan Samuel was by title an interim manager. When your coaching situation is in flux, that tension trickles down to the players. Now that the issue has been resolved, that sense of calm also trickles down to the players. Fundamentally, Showalter is also a great coach, and the players know that. They also know that they'll be given every opprotunity to play hard and show their worth, because Buck Showalter has a reputation as a fair coach. However if they don't play hard, odds are they'll be elsewhere come next spring.
Be it a pitchers' duel or a shootout, the Orioles seem to be finding ways to win of late, as opposed to finding ways to lose earlier in the season. On Tuesday we saw the O's basically outslug the Indians, who had to be reminding themselves that in general if you put eight runs on the scoreboard you should expect to win. Last night the O's got what they needed in one little burst, and Bergesen did the rest. The night's scoring was highlighted by Brian Roberts' homer in the fifth inning, which actually closed the scoring for the night. But back to Bergesen for a moment; it shouldn't go lost on Oriole fans that he pitched a complete game. With one game left in Cleveland before heading to Tampa this weekend, the Orioles saved their bullpen a night's work. In contrast, the Indians used four different relievers in the ballgame. So come tonight if the game gets turned over to the bullpens early for some reason, the Oriole pen will be much fresher. And unless tonight ends up being one of those marathon games where both pens get emptied, that freshness should trickle into the Tampa series.
Speaking of the Tampa series this weekend, I would remind all Oriole fans that Saturday's game is at 4 PM (EST), and will be shown by FOX as opposed to MASN. I'm looking forward to that because while I love watching the Orioles on MASN, it'll be good to see them get some national exposure. Granted FOX is undoubtably showing the game because they want to showcase the Rays, but the Orioles are also the hottest team in baseball right now with Buck calling the shots and everyone playing well.
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