Game Thread: Washington Nationals at Baltimore Orioles - 2008 Game 43 of 162. "Everything I Know About Baltimore I Learned On 'The Wire'"

Interleague Play...

Former Baltimore starter Kris Benson was the winning pitcher on May 19, 2006 in RFK Stadium when the newest incarnation of a Washington, D.C.-based baseball franchise played the first game against their neighbors to the north, out of Camden Yards, the AL East's Orioles. Mike O'Connor took the loss for Washington that day, receiving only Alfonso soriANO's solo shot in terms of run support. Soriano did it again the next night, taking Rodrigo Lopez deep for a three-run blast in a 5-1 win for the Nationals, who also took the last of the three game Inaugural Interleague set, on the arm of old Mr. National Himself Livan Hernandez, who allowed only 1 run in 7.0 innings and knocked in a run himself in a 3-1 Washington win over Baltimore. 

In June of '06 the Orioles took 2 for 3 at home in Baltimore, and the Nationals beat the Orioles twice in three in May of '07 when the teams met for the last time in RFK. When the Nationals traveled to Baltimore in June of '07, Washington took all three games of the road series to take the overall lead 7-5 in the 12 Interleague games played against their Beltway rivals since the Nationals resurfaced in DC in '05. 

On the Hill...

Shawn Hill's never faced the Baltimore Orioles, and he hasn't thrown a professional pitch to any player on the opposing team's payroll. HIll's 5 starts into his '08 campaign, and he's yet to record a decision, pitching 30.1 innings and posting a 3.56 ERA but failing to figure in any of his own starts. Baltimore lefty Garrett Olson was the Orioles' 1st  round pick, 48th overall in the 2005 Amatuer Draft, and after four years in the Minor Leagues, over which Olson's compiled a (22-18) record and 2.88 ERA in 64 starts, the 24-year old's (3-3) in ten career starts, with his (2-0) record and 2.95 ERA through two starts this season starting to reduce the damage done to his career stats by Olson's (1-3) start in the Majors in '07. 

DY UPDATE...

With Nick Johnson out a predicted 4-6 weeks, DY is headed to Baltimore, where MLB.com's Bill Ladson speculates, in his article entitled, "Johnson on DL with torn wrist tendon", that 2007's MLB Comeback Player of the year will:

"...become the everyday first baseman in Johnson's absence, while Aaron Boone will be the backup. With Interleague action starting on Friday night against the Orioles at Camden Yards, however, Young most likely will be the designated hitter."

DY's got 36 hits in 99 career AB's (for a .364 AVG) against the Orioles, doubling 7 times, tripling twice and collecting 8 HR's and 22 RBI's against Baltimore starters. In Camden Yards, Dmitri Young's hit .368 in 16 games with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR's and 14 RBI's. In two at bats so far in '08? 1-2 with an RBI double...

Asked whether or not DY was ready by Washington Post sports writer Chico Harlan in a "Nationals Journal" post entitled, "Johnson out 4-6 weeks", Nationals' Manager Manny Acta responded:

"'...The reports we have from Double AA are that he's swinging the bat well, and he feels that he's ready to go through it. We don't push anybody. He's going to come in, DH, play first base here and there. And he can hit.'"

According to a MASN Press Release...

For this weekend’s series, the Washington Nationals talent team featuring Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton and veteran play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter will join the Orioles booth, which includes nationally-renowned play-by-play announcer Gary Thorne and Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer. Nationals’ sideline reporter Debbi Taylor will join the Orioles’ Amber Theoharis throughout the game with insights and interviews from both teams.

 

"The Nationals are always excited about inter-league play with our Beltway rivals," said Nationals President Stan Kasten. "I believe our fans will appreciate hearing a different perspective during MASN's broadcasts of both series."

I think I'll appreciate three straight games with Hall of Fame pitchers Don Sutton and Jim Palmer talking pitching. (ed. note - "Too bad Redding's not starting, I'd like to know what Mr. Palmer thinks about Don Sutton's favorite pitcher?")  The Nationals just took three of four in NY. The Orioles have won five of their last six, 3 of 4 from KC on the road, and two straight at home over Boston. The Mid-Atlantic matchup, The Battle of the Beltway,The O's vs the Curly W's, The first of three starts tonight at 7:05 pm EST.