It's been a literal walk in the park for opponents at Oriole Park at Camden Yards lately. The Baltimore pitching staff has been issuing bases on balls at an incredible rate, an issue that has drawn the ire of manager Dave Trembley.
The Orioles walked a combined 17 batters Friday and Saturday, and they lead the majors with 610 walks allowed. "I don't have any answers, to be honest with you. I don't have any magic formula. I don't have any catchphrases," Trembley said. "You've got to be able to throw the ball over the plate. It's that simple. Throw it over the plate."
Right-hander Daniel Cabrera leads the American League with 85 free passes, while Dennis Sarfate (60), Jeremy Guthrie (57), and Garrett Olson (52) are each in the top-25 in the league.
Cabrera walked six batters in three innings Saturday. On Friday, the Orioles walked 10 batters. Nine of them scored. In the eighth inning alone, seven of the first eight batters reached base without earning it -- six walked and another was hit by a pitch.
The Orioles had Sunday off, having moved the game up to Saturday to accommodate the Ravens' season opener against Cincinnati next door at M&T Bank Stadium. The first game of Saturday's doubleheader with Oakland was rained out, and a makeup date is expected to be set soon.
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