It was an interesting scene in the Orioles clubhouse after the game. Michael Gonzalez, who had just turned a hard-earned, one-run Orioles lead into a gut-wrenching 4-3 loss, sat slumped in his chair after talking to reporters and shouldering the blame for the Opening Night defeat.
One by one, several of his teammates approached him to offer encouragement. First came pitching coach Rick Kranitz, who put his arm around the closer for a brief conversation. On his way to the shower, Miguel Tejada told Gonzalez to keep his head up, resulting in a nod from the Orioles' first-year closer. Then came rookie starter Brian Matusz, who bumped fists with Gonzalez.
I know it's no consolation to Orioles fans, who are calling for Gonzalez to be demoted from the closer's role after Game 1 of a 162-game season, nor should it be. But at the very least, it was nice to see, especially from a youngster like Matusz.
If the Orioles' bullpen is going to be effective this year, they need Gonzalez, and his teammates know it.
The shame of it is the rest of the bullpen performed so well with Matt Albers, Will Ohman and Jim Johnson all turning in scoreless outings.
-- Jeff Zrebiec