[Game 6] RAYS @ Orioles: Oh, crap, Shields is pitching on the road again
By Scott Caruso | April 12th, 2009 | Posted in Game Thread
2 straight losses to the Orioles. A shutout last night. Meh, I’ve got nothing else to say, just play ball boys.
What to watch for: James Shields turns into Dewon Brazelton on the road (okay, not THAT bad, but the hyperbole gets my point across, doesn’t it?), so he’ll need to show a little sumpin’ sumpin’ this afternoon and prove that his carrer struggles away from The Trop have been nothing more than a fluke.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
James Shields - Shields had a rough Opening Day outing when he allowed five runs to take a loss against the Red Sox. Clearly Shields did not have his best stuff, but he battled through 5 1/3 innings. Shields has built a reputation as a pitcher who will do whatever is necessary to pitch his team into the seventh or eighth innings, which is evidenced by two consecutive seasons with 215 innings pitched. The right-hander is 4-1 with a 3.21 ERA in 12 career starts against the Orioles; 2-0 with a 3.14 ERA in six career starts at Camden Yards.
Adam Eaton - Eaton was released by the Phillies early in Spring Training despite still being in the final season of a lucrative three-year contract. Eaton, a former first-round draft pick, hasn’t had an ERA under 5.00 in any of the last three seasons. The right-hander still has a winning record for his career and the Orioles are hoping he can hold down a spot for the first half of the season. Most of Eaton’s experience has come in the National League, but he briefly pitched for the Rangers.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
BALTIMORE ORIOLES |
| SS – Jason Bartlett | Brian Roberts – 2B |
| LF – Carl Crawford | Adam Jones – CF |
| 3B - Evan Longoria | Nick Markakis – RF |
| 1B – Carlos Pena | Aubrey Huff – 1B |
| DH – Pat Burrell | Melvin Mora – 3B |
| C – Dioner Navarro | Luke Scott – DH |
| CF – Ben Zobrist | Felix Pie – LF |
| RF – Gabe Gross | Chad Moeller – C |
| 2B – Akinori Iwamura | Robert Andino – SS |
Be sure to join other fans in the chat room for some Rays talk during the game!!!
Tags: Orioles
April 12th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Random thought: that photo above makes Adam Eaton look as if he’s eaten about 12 too many pizzas.
April 12th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Maybe Eaton is his nick name
April 12th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Happy Easter Scott
April 12th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Not “Oh, crap, Shields is pitching on the road again”, Oh crap it’s Balfour. Just kidding, he will be OK just need more meaningful work. Now bring on the Yanks so they can see us raise the American League Champions banner tomorrow. Now that is justice.