Call to the pen
Fansided

Baltimore Orioles: looking back at the 0-21 start to 1988

By James Simmons

BALTIMORE, MD - CIRCA 1988: Manager Frank Robinson #20 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game circa 1988 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Robinson Managed the Orioles from 1988-91. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - CIRCA 1988: Manager Frank Robinson #20 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game circa 1988 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Robinson Managed the Orioles from 1988-91. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Mike Boddicker started rough but finished strong for the 1988 Baltimore Orioles.
Mike Boddicker of the Baltimore Orioles (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Pitching

Former twenty game winner Mike Boddicker got the call on opening day and he got lit to the tune of nine hits and four earned runs, and he was the best O’s pitcher of the day. His second time out he gave up eight hits and five earned in just an inning and two thirds.

Boddicker was the ace of a starting rotation that walked too many, struck out too few, and got hit hard early and often. When the season started Mike Morgan and Scott McGregor were tabbed as being key parts to the pitching staff. Morgan had a 5.58 earned run average in his first five starts and was kicked out of the rotation shortly after the team’s first win of the year. McGregor pitched to an ERA of 8.83 and was released from his contract after just four starts.

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The combination of the offense providing little run support and the starting pitching getting rocked didn’t leave the team much hope in the later innings. The bullpen did their part to keep the losing streak alive though.

Remember opening day, when Boddicker gave up four runs? The two relievers who replaced him each gave up four runs as well. In game number 16, Mike Morgan gave up six runs without recording an out, and the four pitchers who followed him, each gave up at least one run also.

In the first twenty-one games the pitching staff surrendered at least six runs eleven times. Ironically a shutout was pitched in the first win of the year.

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