Rico Garcia Allows One Hit in 18 Orioles Appearances
rico garcia has allowed one run and one hit in 17 innings over his first 18 appearances for the Orioles, and he did it while working in relief without a fixed role. He has turned in a 0.53 ERA, the sort of start that puts a journeyman pitcher in rare company.
Garcia’s 0.53 ERA
Garcia earned his second career save in the Orioles’ 7-4 win over the Marlins, finishing with six walks and 19 strikeouts across those 17 innings. The only hit he had allowed through 57 batters was Michael Massey’s solo homer on April 21.
That line has made him one of the most efficient relievers in the majors by rate stats. His 0.41 WHIP and.020 opponent average were the best in the majors among relievers, and he had stranded 12 inherited runners without allowing one to score.
Michael Massey’s lone hit
The Massey homer also snapped Garcia’s franchise-record streak of 11 scoreless and hitless appearances to open the season. It was the one real blemish on a run that otherwise stayed clean through his first 18 outings.
He had faced 29 right-handed batters without allowing a hit. Garcia also threw 5 2/3 scoreless and hitless innings in spring training, with one walk and seven strikeouts, before his camp stay was interrupted by the World Baseball Classic.
Orioles kept Garcia
The Orioles kept Garcia even though he was out of options, and the decision has paid off through the opening stretch. He has pitched for seven teams, including Baltimore twice, and three clubs employed him last year.
That background fits the way the Orioles have used him: closer work, setup work, and other spots as needed. For now, the numbers say the role has changed more than the results have — and the results have been as sharp as any reliever in baseball.
