The Orioles Crush the Dominican Republic

Random thoughts from today's game, my first World Baseball Classic match.

The Supporters of the WBC are right: It was fun to watch what amounts to an all star team. Hanley Ramirez ended up playing shortstop so that Michael Tejada could play third, so that ARod could have a hip cyst specialist in Colorado look at his hip.

None of the rabid, Dominican fans seemed to miss him. They were just so excited to see their players. They got just as excited when Juan Berito came over to sign autographs as they did when Miguel Tejada did the same.

The Oriole pitchers may be better than I thought: Koji Uehara started the game for the Os, pitched two innings and all they got out of him sere singles by Tejada and Tavares. Tavarez led off with a sharply hit single followed by a Juan Bautista bunt sacrifice (who said you can't bunt your way off the island?). Uehara promptly got Hanley Ramirez to pop up behind second base. Big Popi was next and after the Dominican fans went crazy, Ortiz hit a long ball that Nick Markakis had no trouble chasing down. After Tejada singled to open the second, Uehara got Guillen to pop to the first baseman and struck out Aybar and Cruz.

In fact, the only DR run came when Bob McRory walked Tavares (on base all four times, two singles, a walk and hit by a pitch). Bautista's single mved him to third and he scored when Hanley hit into a 5-4-3 DP - one of 4 hit into by the DR.

Felipe Alou is 74 Years Old: But he carries himself like a 90 year old. But, he has his trusty sidekick, Luis Pujols with him as Bench Coach. Does anyone remember Pujols' 55-106 year managing the Tigers? Or, the time they batted out of turn?

30 MLB GMs May Not be Right: Pedro Martinez pitched two credible innings. OK. It was against the Orioles and he did throw 19 pitches in each inning, and his first inning was weak -- after Tejada mysteriously let a pop fly drop in front of him, Scott pounded a long fly to left. Pie and Zaun then each stroked an RBI single. Pedro settled down after that, got Jolbert Cabrera and Dave Roberts to fly out peacefully. His second inning was better. After walking Adam Jones, he struck out Markakis and Gomez while Huff popped into left. All in all, he may just be someone's 5th starter