Round 2 of the Brad Bergesen Experiment wasn't nearly as strong as the first.
The Orioles prospect was pulled with nobody out and two runners on base in the fifth inning. In his second career start, Bergesen allowed five runs on 10 hits, including three home runs. Sunday's outing followed an impressive debut, in which the 23-year-old went 5 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run and four hits to earn the victory.
The Orioles' offense and reliever Danys Baez bailed him out Sunday afternoon: the offense with three-run outbursts in the fifth and sixth innings, and Baez with three perfect innings of relief.
Bergesen (1-0, 5.59 ERA) likely will find success in his first go-round in the American League, but he isn't overpowering and relies mainly on a slider for his strikeout pitch. He'll have to adjust as the season goes on, and by that point in time, he'll probably be the second-best prospect in the rotation.
ORIOLES 8, RANGERS 5: Adam Jones hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to save starter Brad Bergesen. Jones also stole his first base of the year in the eighth, setting up an insurance run for closer George Sherrill's fourth save.
