Orioles Co-Studs of the Week

With the O’s winning five straight last week and vaulting to the top of the American League East standings, there were no shortage of great performances over the past seven days. So we named two players this week as our first-ever Orioles Co-Studs of the Week—both share the same first name and have come off the bench to deliver in the clutch this year.

Stud of the Week for May 5-May 11:
Steve Pearce and Steve Clevenger

The line:
Still listed as a left fielder on the O’s roster, Pearce filled in for injured Chris Davis last week and delivered a “Crush”-worthy three home runs. Clavenger, toiling behind the plate in place of injured Matt Wieters, batted .333 in four games. With Wieters now going on the disabled list with a strained elbow, we’re happy we’ve got Clavenger, a Mount St. Joseph’s grad, to step in.

Studliest moment:
Pearce’s third homer in four games helped lead the O’s to a 4-3 win over the Astros for their fourth-straight victory. Clevenger ripped a game-winning, 10-inning double into the right field corner Saturday night, capping a rain-soaked, come-from-behind win—and earning a celebratory pie in the face from Adam Jones (above photo) as he was interviewed on his hometown O’s baseball network.

The clincher:
The throwback Oriole teams of late ’70s and early ’80s always had role players and guys coming off the bench to deliver in the clutch. With the O’s suffering a spate of injuries at the start of the season, but nonetheless playing winning ball—they’re harkening back to the Oriole Magic days of John Lowenstein and Benny Ayala.