The Orioles have been criticized by fans and media alike for their construction of the rotation. But president Andy MacPhail and his staff deserve credit for going with their gut feeling with right-hander Koji Uehara.
Uehara, 34, held the Rangers to two runs on four hits into the seventh inning, striking out six and walking none. His biggest slip-up was Hank Blalock's solo homer in the seventh. Uehara left with two outs in the seventh, giving way to Jamie Walker, and ducked into the Orioles dugout with his hat raised in appreciation of the crowd's standing ovation. Unfortunately for Uehara, relievers Jim Johnson and George Sherrill combined to allow three runs in the final two innings.
The Orioles were questioned when Uehara was signed to be a member of the rotation, as all other teams interested in the Japanese import saw him as a long reliever. In his first trip through the American League, Uehara has made the Orioles look smart with their investment.
Through four starts, Uehara is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA. He isn't facing slouches, either. The former Yomiuri Giant has defeated Texas, the Yankees and lost a 2-1 game in Boston last week.
RANGERS 5, ORIOLES 4: George Sherrill couldn't finish what Koji Uehara started, as Michael Young hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning to blow a one-run lead. It was Sherrill's first blown save of the season and his first since July 10 last season in Toronto.
