TOWSON, Maryland, Saturday, July 15, 2017 - There were almost stunning discussions earlier this week which actually suggested that the Baltimore Orioles were entertaining offers for their feared closer Zach Britton. The thinking was that the Orioles would soon be declared a non-factor in this year's pennant chases and could obtain a much-needed infusion of young talent if they were willing to part with the incredibly talented Britton, who had missed most of the early part of the season with arm injuries.
All of that was before last night.
After an ominous one-hour thunderstorm delayed the beginning of the game, the Orioles, who were beginning a ten-game homestand, promptly fell behind the defending World Champion Chicago Cubs, 8-0. All was not lost, however, at least not yet. The Baltimore Nine stormed back and finally forged an 8-8 tie entering the ninth inning. Mark Trumbo capped the Baltimore Comeback with a monstrous two-run homerun to gain the late tie. Britton had been summonsed from the bullpen by Oriole Manager Buck Showalter in the top half of the 8th, and retired the Cubs without incident, providing Trumbo and company the opportunity to complete their comeback. Baltimore had entered the 8th inning trailing Chicago, 8-6.
In the ninth, with the two teams now tied, Showalter brought in Brad Brach - who has filled in at closer in Britton's absence - and Brach immediately surrendered a home run to Addison Russell. It proved to be the winning run. Suddenly, any thought of dealing away the beloved Britton went up in smoke.
We hope.
The Orioles have done crazier things, but that was during a 14-year succession of losing seasons before the arrival of current GM Dan Duquette. Duquette has changed the Oriole reputation for bone-headed player moves and replaced it with shrewdness and foresight,
But the Birds have stumbled this season despite a veteran line-up and a record of success. It was hoped that the return of Britton and Chris Davis would be enough to right the ship. Just before the All Star break the Orioles had celebrated the return of Chris Tillman and Darren O'Day. Now, Britton was back and all-but-ready to reclaim his closer's role.
Then came last night. The Cubs and Orioles play again tonight at 7 pm and Sunday at 1:30 pm.
Across the Ocean in Dublin, Ireland, the news was much much better for the lads from Burnley, who traveled here for their preseason opener against the Irish Side, the Shamrock Rovers. The Claret scored early and often in a 4-0 whitewash of the green and white clad Rovers. New signees Jon Walters and Robbie Brady - both from Ireland - scored a goal apiece, and Sam Vokes and Ashley Barnes also scored in the relatively easy Burnley win. A large crowd at Dublin's Tallaght Stadium, including a huge number of Burnley's travelling fans, saw Walters open the scoring after taking a beautiful pass from another new Claret player, Jack Cork. The 1-0 Burnley lead held through the half, but in the second half the Claret poured it on, getting goals from Brady, Vokes and Barnes to seal their host's fate.
Burnley had been working out a a facility in Dublin and only needed a proverbial walk to the corner to arrive for the game. Their fans came from much further, but they loved every minute of it.
Burnley is off now until July 22, when they play a split squad affair with both matches taking place on the road and starting at the same exact time, Burnley will be at Alfreton Town and Kidderminster and both matches will get underway at 3 pm. The Alfreton Town match will be at The Impact Arena while the Kidderminster affair will be at Aggborough.
The active preseason fixture list also includes a match at Preston North End three days later The match begins at 7:45 pm at the host's stadium, Deepdale. On July 29, Burnley will take on Nottingham Forest at 3 pm at The City Ground.
In August, Burnley will play two more matches before the start of the Premier League Season. Both of these matches will be at "Fortress Turf Moor." On August 1, Burnley collides with venerable Spanish Side, Celta Vigo, at 7:45 pm. Celta Vigo competes in the extremely formidable La Liga association. On August 5, at 3 pm, the Claret wind up the Preseason Schedule with a match against Hannover 96, the legendary German Side which is about to rejoin the top flight of the Bundesliga after several seasons in the second tier.
Suffice to say, Burnley Boss Sean Dyche will have ample chances to view his side under extremely tough conditions as he prepares them for their second consecutive season in the Premier.
No comments:
Post a Comment