Garrett Andrew Olson (born October 18, 1983 in
Fresno, California) is a left-handed pitcher in
Major League Baseball who plays for the Baltimore
Orioles.
Olson was promoted from the Norfolk Tides to take
the place of injured Orioles starter Steve Trachsel,
and he made his major league debut on Independence
Day of 2007 against the Chicago White Sox. He would
have earned the win in his debut, but he only
pitched 4⅓ innings, falling two outs shy of the 5
innings required to qualify for a win. He earned his
first career win in his next start, also against the
White Sox, on July 14. He gave up 2 runs in 5⅓
innings, both on solo home runs by Jermaine Dye, and
the Orioles went on to win 5-3.
Olson committed his first career error in his debut
on July 4. After allowing the first batter he faced
in his career, left fielder Andy Gonzalez, to reach
base via a walk, he made a throwing error on a
pickoff attempt, allowing Gonzalez to reach second
base. His first career strikeout came three batters
later, as Paul Konerko was called out on a 2-2
pitch.
