Bedard Looks Solid, O’s 7-5

Erik Bedard looked sharp through an uncharacteristically efficient 8 innings. Though he only had 4 K's, Bedard was able to take advantage of the free-swinging Angels and hold off the equally sharp Bartolo Colon for the victory.

As mentioned, the key to Bedard's start were his efficient pitching sequences.  He certainly appears to have come a long way from the 25 year old who led the major leagues in pitches per inning in 2004.  In fact, he was able to make it through 8 innings in a reasonable 102 pitches; 75 of which went for strikes.  Perhaps he got some assistance from the team that tied for the second worst isolated discipline (LAA-0.55) in the AL last year (note: Bal was 5th worst at 0.58).  Only time will tell.

Here are a few other observations from the game:

– Nick Markakis either A) had a tough time dealing with the sun today or B) is not yet a major-league caliber CF.  Either way, he spent the evening looking a bit lost out there and that near-collison with Jay Gibbons was scary. 

– Corey Patterson looks like he has quickly been pigeon-holed as a defensive replacement.  I'm not saying it isn't the correct move, just that I'm surprised it has happened so quickly.  Here is a guy that is making over 250% the salary that Luis Matos is, while Matos has received 250% more plate appearances.  I doubt it would change things much, but I was certainly expecting him to get a much longer look as a starter.

It also strikes me as a bit odd that Patterson has forced Matos to LF a few times in the later innings.  While they're both above-average CF, Patterson's Rate2 last year (102) was 5 runs lower than Matos' (107).  Despite Matos' lackadaisical body language, having him defer to Patterson in CF would cost the O's half a win for every 100 games.

– I think it was the seventh inning when Markakis led off with a single.  Immediately, Brian Roberts laid down a bunt.  According to this site, the O's had an 85.7% chance of winning the game before Roberts sacrificed him over to second.  Afterwards, they had an 85.3% chance of winning.  Nitpicking?  Yes.  Nonetheless, it was, at best, a pointless move (and those odds don't even factor in that Roberts is one of the O's best hitters).

– Jeff Conine hit a double today, doubling his hit total to 2.  The first hit was a HR, so at least his isolated power looks good…

– Remember when I said this?

Ramon Hernandez may be worth the money in the early part of his contract, but he is unlikely to be the difference between contending and not contending in those years. And towards the back end of his contract, when the Orioles might be in a better position to contend, he is unlikely to be worth the money.

Of course you do (insert winking emoticon).  I guess I should clarify that my commentary was contingent on him not hitting .526 this year, in which case he could very well be the catalyst for the O's contending.

– I'd like to reiterate that Chris Ray is my favorite Oriole, just in case anyone had forgotten.  Through 5.3 ip, he has 7 K's, 2 BB's, 2 hits allowed, 4 saves, and a 0.00 ERA.  It's getting really hard to continue being realistic about what this kid can accomplish, but I'd be hard-pressed to name an AB where Vladimir Guerrero looked worse than in the 9th inning today.  This is a guy who struck out all of 48 times last year and Ray made him look like Corey Patterson.