Where is Our Clutch Hitting Late in Games?

[Old#5fan]

Despite all the praise some of our players have been getting heaped on them here lately (especially Roberts, Jones, and Markakis) I have to wonder what is wrong with their late game hitting in tight games? None of them seem to have the ability to come up big like our opponents do routinely with the big homer or hit late in close games. It seems like this team has to have a blow out to win.

I mean guys like Michael Young and Johnny Damon may not be hitting as good as Jones or Markakis overall, but they win tight games with timely clutch homers and hits. That is something this team lacks, very much and until they get it will not win many tight ball games ever.

I really could care less about hitting stats that end up not mattering. I want this team to start showing some clutch hitting ability. It seems instead this is a team chock full of chokers.

[Why Not?]

Despite all the praise some of our players have been getting heaped on them here lately (especially Roberts, Jones, and Markakis) I have to wonder what is wrong with their late game hitting in tight games? None of them seem to have the ability to come up big like our opponents do routinely with the big homer or hit late in close games. It seems like this team has to have a blow out to win.

I mean Johnny Damon may not be hitting as good as Jones or Markakis overall, but he wins games with timely clutch homers and hits. That is something this team lacks, and until they get it will not win many tight ball games ever.

I really could care less about hitting stats that end up not mattering. I want this team to start showing some clutch hitting ability. It seems instead this is a team chock full of chokers.

How is their hitting late in tight games?

[Old#5fan]

How is their hitting late in tight games?

Games I have been watching it seems to be nonexistent. They score runs extremely well in the first inning and disappear when the late innings roll around. It sucks. Other teams do it routinely but not the Orioles.

Another gripe I have is they never seem to close out a game easily as in Sherrill throwing three or four pitches and retiring the side in order, yet teams routinely do this against the Orioles. Why is that?

[waroriole]

How is their hitting late in tight games?

Games I have been watching it seems to be nonexistent. They score runs extremely well in the first inning and disappear when the late innings roll around. It sucks.

Why Not, you were probably expecting some statistics to back up the initial post, but clearly you're not going to get them.

[Old#5fan]

Why Not, you were probably expecting some statistics to back up the initial post, but clearly you're not going to get them.

If you watch the games you don't need stats to know it. Or if you cannot get the games just check the box scores. They are not getting it done late in games this season. They were better (yet still far from good) last year.

[Why Not?]

If you watch the games you don't need stats to know it. Or if you cannot get the games just check the box scores. They are not getting it done late in games this season. They were better (yet still far from good) last year.

How good were they last year? How much worse are they this year?

[Old#5fan]

How good were they last year? How much worse are they this year?

I don't know the exact number but they had quite a few late come from behind wins last year. This year, it seems like their MO is to jump out early and then fold like an accordian if they fall behind even by just a run or two. In other words if they are behind a run or so by the 7h, 8th or 9th inning -game over. Thats kind of sad with the supposed potent first four hitters in this lineup don't you think? They fade into nothing when they are needed the most.

[ledzepp8]

Despite all the praise some of our players have been getting heaped on them here lately (especially Roberts, Jones, and Markakis) I have to wonder what is wrong with their late game hitting in tight games? None of them seem to have the ability to come up big like our opponents do routinely with the big homer or hit late in close games. It seems like this team has to have a blow out to win.

I mean guys like Michael Young and Johnny Damon may not be hitting as good as Jones or Markakis overall, but they win tight games with timely clutch homers and hits. That is something this team lacks, very much and until they get it will not win many tight ball games ever.

I really could care less about hitting stats that end up not mattering. I want this team to start showing some clutch hitting ability. It seems instead this is a team chock full of chokers.

Baltimore Orioles as a Team

RISP 855 OPS

Runners On 870 OPS

Bases Loaded 1350 OPS

Brian Roberts

RISP 927 OPS

Men On 998 OPS

Within 2 R 856 OPS

Within 3 R 811 OPS

Within 4 R 833 OPS

Innings 10+ 1000 OPS

Adam Jones

RISP 1100 OPS

Men On 1258 OPS

Late & Close 889 OPS

Tie Game 1222 OPS

Within 1 R 1170 OPS

Within 2 R 1111 OPS

Within 3 R 1172 OPS

Within 4 R 1095 OPS

Innings 7-9 1049 OPS

Innings 10+ 3500 OPS

Vs RP 1041 OPS

Nick Markakis

RISP 1320 OPS

Men On 1280 OPS

Tie Game 1039 OPS

Within 1 R 901 OPS

Within 2 R 910 OPS

Within 3 R 927 OPS

Within 4 R 964 OPS

Stats are our friends. They help us to not look ignorant.

[Oriolesfan4life]

I think as a general statement, the later you get in games the more teams can match-up with their bullpen arms. You get guys that can throw 95+ or you'll get a lefty vs. lefty matchup which makes it tough.

I'm not making excuses...just trying to come up with a reasonable explanation.

[Rolotomassie]

It seems to me that the Oriole hitters are being out-adjusted in the course of games. They seem to hit well in the first time or two through the lineup, and then just disappear. Game after game, it seems like late in the game we are offensively helpless. Opposing pichers seem to adjust their approaches and our hitters can't match. Franklly it doesn't say much for our hitting approach or for Crowley. We seem to also get less patient as batters in the later parts of games.

Anyone have stats on Orioles hitting after the 4th or 5th inning compared to the first three innings?

[Camden_yardbird]

Ive noticed the biggest problem late in games has been the other teams ability to bring in a lefty specialist. They do it to get through Markakis, Mora, Huff or sometimes Huff, Wiggs, Scott.

I don't know how Mora hits lefties but I would love to see a left masher between Markakis and Huff. Or someone on the bench like Craig Monroe who just destroys lefties with a manager who is not afraid to pinch hit for his lefty stars.

[Mu'ayyidSaafir]

It seems to me that the Oriole hitters are being out-adjusted in the course of games. They seem to hit well in the first time or two through the lineup, and then just disappear. Game after game, it seems like late in the game we are offensively helpless. Opposing pichers seem to adjust their approaches and our hitters can't match. Franklly it doesn't say much for our hitting approach or for Crowley. We seem to also get less patient as batters in the later parts of games.

Anyone have stats on Orioles hitting after the 4th or 5th inning compared to the first three innings?

On the broadcast today they showed an inning-by-inning breakdown of total runs scored. Sure enough, in the first inning, the Orioles are outstanding, which makes sense considering that's the only inning where B-Rob, Jones and Markakis are all guaranteed to come to the plate. But they have something like 4 runs scored in the seventh inning all year. That floored me. Through 32 games just 4 runs in a certain inning? Maybe it's more flukish than anything, but it just seems so outlandish. I can't think of a logical explanation... it's not like it's always the bottom of the lineup coming up in the seventh... you're not usually facing the other team's top relievers like you are in the eighth or ninth... so what gives? Anybody have any ideas? Maybe it is just a fluke.

[JimDH]

I think the O's are 5-11 in games decided by 1 or 2 runs and at one time they were 4-0 in that category. So they have lost 11 of the last 12 "close games". OPS figures may not tell a clear story of what happens when we absolutely positively need a hit right now.

Or an out. We really needed for Damon not to homer today and we failed in a clutch pitching matchup.

[UpstateNYfan]

If baseball was a 1 inning game, the O's would be in first!!!

[YaBoyTopher]

I don't think the issue is with our clutch hitting at all, I think it is more a case that our bullpen needs to stop giving up leads. Our offense is not a concern of mine.