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06-14-2002, 03:01 PM
Couldn't find any BA for the O's pitchers, but this was an article on MLB.com..... I don't think anyone's expecting too much from them. I'm gonna predict Scotty hits one over the fence!!! :biggrin:
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Pitchers to get their fill at plate
Orioles continue Interleague slate at Philadelphia
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
PHILADELPHIA -- The Orioles' Interleague focus shifts to National League parks, starting tonight at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, a stretch of games manager Mike Hargrove is not clamoring to play.
For the past two weeks, Orioles pitchers have been taking batting practice at Camden Yards, with some claiming to be home-run kings after several swings at 60 mph fastballs.
But what happens when Sidney Ponson (3-4, 4.32) faces a 90-plus heater tonight from the Phillies' Robert Person (2-3, 4.28)?
"If they have to depend on me to get a hit, then we are in trouble," Ponson said. "I am not a hitter."
The Orioles' string of nine straight games in NL parks means Hargrove has to bench a key hitter. The skipper probably will alternate between Marty Cordova and Jay Gibbons.
When the pitchers whacked balls around the field last week, the one who emerged with the most power and hitting prowess was reliever B.J. Ryan, who might get an at-bat in a late-inning game. But that doesn't help the Orioles (30-34) much.
"I thought so much of the pitchers hitting, I didn't watch it," Hargrove said. "I don't need to see it until I have to."
The Orioles' bench will get a workout in the next 10 days. Ryan McGuire has been little used since being called up to replace David Segui on May 19. The club has elected to keep 12 pitchers because of the possibility that a pitcher might come to bat in a key situation, requiring a pinch-hitter.
"Given the fact that 99 percent of the American League clubs are going into the National League parks with six relievers instead of five, it certainly limits the amount of pinch-hitting you can do," Hargrove said. "But we'll play the game and we'll play hard."
This series is crucial to the Orioles' quest to reach .500. The club travels to Arizona to face the defending World Series champion Diamondbacks on Tuesday and then plays three with the Barry Bonds-led San Francisco Giants beginning next Friday.
Philadelphia's three starting pitchers this weekend have combined for only eight wins. Person's most impressive accomplishment this season is hitting two home runs and knocking in seven runs in one game.
Ponson is coming off a sparkling complete-game loss to the Dodgers, when he allowed one earned run. He has battled inconsistency this year but has reached six innings in all but one start.
"I feel good about the way I am throwing right now," he said. "I just want to keep my team in the game and hopefully get the win. I don't play this game to lose."
Scott Erickson pitches Saturday, seeking to snap an eight-game winless streak. He will make his first offensive appearance in a game since the 2000 season. He missed all of last season with elbow reconstruction surgery.
"I like the way I am pitching right now," he said. "I probably could have had a couple of more wins but all that matters is that the team wins."
Gary Washburn covers the Orioles for MLB.com and can be reached at gwashb7519@aol.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Pitchers to get their fill at plate
Orioles continue Interleague slate at Philadelphia
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
PHILADELPHIA -- The Orioles' Interleague focus shifts to National League parks, starting tonight at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, a stretch of games manager Mike Hargrove is not clamoring to play.
For the past two weeks, Orioles pitchers have been taking batting practice at Camden Yards, with some claiming to be home-run kings after several swings at 60 mph fastballs.
But what happens when Sidney Ponson (3-4, 4.32) faces a 90-plus heater tonight from the Phillies' Robert Person (2-3, 4.28)?
"If they have to depend on me to get a hit, then we are in trouble," Ponson said. "I am not a hitter."
The Orioles' string of nine straight games in NL parks means Hargrove has to bench a key hitter. The skipper probably will alternate between Marty Cordova and Jay Gibbons.
When the pitchers whacked balls around the field last week, the one who emerged with the most power and hitting prowess was reliever B.J. Ryan, who might get an at-bat in a late-inning game. But that doesn't help the Orioles (30-34) much.
"I thought so much of the pitchers hitting, I didn't watch it," Hargrove said. "I don't need to see it until I have to."
The Orioles' bench will get a workout in the next 10 days. Ryan McGuire has been little used since being called up to replace David Segui on May 19. The club has elected to keep 12 pitchers because of the possibility that a pitcher might come to bat in a key situation, requiring a pinch-hitter.
"Given the fact that 99 percent of the American League clubs are going into the National League parks with six relievers instead of five, it certainly limits the amount of pinch-hitting you can do," Hargrove said. "But we'll play the game and we'll play hard."
This series is crucial to the Orioles' quest to reach .500. The club travels to Arizona to face the defending World Series champion Diamondbacks on Tuesday and then plays three with the Barry Bonds-led San Francisco Giants beginning next Friday.
Philadelphia's three starting pitchers this weekend have combined for only eight wins. Person's most impressive accomplishment this season is hitting two home runs and knocking in seven runs in one game.
Ponson is coming off a sparkling complete-game loss to the Dodgers, when he allowed one earned run. He has battled inconsistency this year but has reached six innings in all but one start.
"I feel good about the way I am throwing right now," he said. "I just want to keep my team in the game and hopefully get the win. I don't play this game to lose."
Scott Erickson pitches Saturday, seeking to snap an eight-game winless streak. He will make his first offensive appearance in a game since the 2000 season. He missed all of last season with elbow reconstruction surgery.
"I like the way I am pitching right now," he said. "I probably could have had a couple of more wins but all that matters is that the team wins."
Gary Washburn covers the Orioles for MLB.com and can be reached at gwashb7519@aol.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.