A prime example of a guy that I hope can overcome the obstacles he has faced is Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts.
When Baltimore was busy celebrating their Wild Card win in Arlington last October, I immediately thought about Brian Roberts, who for so many years while the team was terrible was playing at such a high level he was considered the best at his position. Roberts averaged around 12 homers per season from 2007-2009 and averaged exactly 40 stolen bases per season during that stretch, including a career high of 50 in 2007.
Injuries have limited Roberts however, as he was only able to play in 59 games in 2010, 39 in 2011 and just 17 games in 2012. For a guy who toiled in Camden Yards during the lean years, I felt bad for Roberts as they were finally winning and he was not able to be a contributor. But this spring Roberts has hit the ball well and appears to be healthy. On Friday, Roberts went 3-3 with a solo home run, his first of the spring. With a .545 batting average so far in Spring Training, and with the Orioles set to contend for a playoff spot once again, here is hoping Roberts can stay healthy for a full season.
Scores from Friday:
Minnesota 8, Miami 7
Philadelphia 10, N.Y. Yankees 5
Baltimore 6, Pittsburgh (SS) 5
St. Louis 8, Houston 8 (F/9)
Toronto 5, Tampa Bay 4
N.Y. Mets 6, Detroit 2
Washington 6, Atlanta 5
Boston 5, Pittsburgh (SS) 2
Notes from Friday:
The Phillies continued their hot hitting on Friday, getting a three RBI performance from John Mayberry and a pair of runs batted in for Jimmy Rollins. Roy Halladay pitched 2.1 innings against the Yankees, giving up just one run on three hits, while registering three strikeouts. Robinson Cano and Francisco Cervelli each had two hits for the Yankees. Hiroki Kuroda started for New York, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing four runs, three which were unearned, on three hits while striking out two different Philadelphia hitters. Joba Chamberlain pitched an inning as well against the Phillies, allowing two runs on two hits while walking two batters. Gaby Sanchez knocked in two runs for Pittsburgh and Travis Snider collected three hits, but it was not enough to overcome three hits from Brian Roberts and a two run homer from Nolan Reimold and the Orioles. Daniel Descalso and Pete Kozma, two of the lightest hitting Cardinals, each had two hits and knocked in two runs in their tie with Houston. Jason Motte pitched one inning, allowing two hits and two runs and giving up a two run homer to Houston outfielder Chris Carter. The Astros new closer, at least to start the season, Jose Veras, pitched a perfect inning on Friday, striking out two hitters. Shelley Duncan hit a solo home run and drove in another run for Tampa Bay, but it was not enough to take down the Blue Jays, who got a two run homer from Brett Lawrie and a two inning, one run pitching performance by newcomer Mark Buehrle. Buehrle struck out two Rays hitters while walking two as well. Prince Fielder went 2-3 for the Tigers and Avisail Garcia had a two run homer, but that was all of the offense Detroit could muster against the Mets. New York got an RBI each from Marlon Byrd and David Wright, but it was Justin Turner who went 2-3 with a pair of RBI in the win. Jon Niese pitched three scoreless innings for the Mets while striking out three. Bryce Harper hit a solo home run for the Nationals and Washington also got three RBI from Carlos Rivero in their win over Atlanta. Jordan Zimmerman started for the Nationals, pitching three innings and allowing five hits and two runs. Jason Heyward launched a solo homer for the Braves, while B.J. Upton knocked in two runs in the loss. And finally, the Red Sox got a pair of RBI from Dustin Pedroia and the first RBI from free agent acquisition Mike Napoli in the Boston win over Pittsburgh. Napoli was 1-2 on the night. Jeff Larish knocked in the only two runs the Pirates scored.
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