Hunter's home-run's get him running home to Bowie
Tommy Hunter, affectionately known as ‘Deep-ball Tommy’ or ‘The Home-run King’ has been optioned to Double-A affiliate Bowie Baysox. What is mainly being seen as an opportunity for him to give up home-run’s to double-A players for a change, could also provide an opportunity for Steve Johnson to showcase his talent. Johnson has a 3.27era in four game appearances with the Orioles this year. His lone start against Seattle he had a line of 6.0IP, 5H, 2R, 2BB, 9SO, and earned the win thanks to a five RBI day by Wieters.
Hunter’s best pitch would could be called a ‘meatball’ , and is usually served up to admiring fans in the stands, as he leads the major in one pitching category; home-runs allowed (32). As I wrote in an earlier post the Orioles had hoped Hunter would return to form this year, but with his 4-8 record in 23 games this year it appears the Orioles are ready for a break.
With Hammel set to return shortly, and Johnson making his second start the Orioles have continued to overcome adversity, they have also showed something we haven’t seen much of in recent years, the willingness to put down a dead horse. If the O’s are going to make a playoff run they will hope to ride Chen, Hammel, Gonzalez, Britton and Johnson into October. With a number of series against AL East opponents the Orioles could do what they’ve been doing all year, continue to win and prove everyone wrong.
