This question won’t have much shelf life. Not like those Iron City Lights on the back rung of the fridge (save them for football season, and jack em up to $8 a can.)

But I want to know who you think should be taken off the 25-man roster when the Orioles bring up Brad Bergesen to pitch Saturday evening against the Boston Red Sox.

It likely will be a reliever, and the two main candidates are Matt Albers (1-3, 6.75 ERA) and Cla Meredith (0-0, 3.60). Meredith has pitched better throughout this month, but he has an option left, meaning he could be sent to Triple-A Norfolk without having to pass through waivers.

Albers no longer has options, so if the Orioles want to take him off the 25-man roster he could be claimed by another team. He also has pitched better of late, throwing 3.1 scoreless innings in his past three appearances, including a scoreless 10th for his first win of the year Friday night.

Other reliever possibilities include lefty Alberto Castillo, but he has allowed just one run in 4 1/3 innings, and Jim Johnson, who is considered a key member of the bullpen, but has struggled with a 6.52 ERA. Both have options.

If the Orioles want to drop to a three-man bench, they could cut Julio Lugo or option Lou Montanez to Triple-A. I know there is some sentiment for the team to cut ties with first baseman Garrett Atkins, but they spent $4.5 million on him in the offseason and aren’t going to eat that after just 67 at-bats.

So, who goes?

Daily Think Special: Who should be removed from the roster when Brad Bergesen is recalled?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (34)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides fell to the Gwinnett Braves in the final game of their road trip, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox couldn't score against the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The Single-A Frederick Keys were edged by the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds beat the Asheville Tourists.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Gwinnett Braves 5, Norfolk Tides 1 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Chris George (1-1) only allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings, but the Tides lost, 5-1, in the series finale to Gwinnett.

Norfolk second baseman Justin Turner was 2-for-5 with a double, and outfielder Jeff Salazar added a triple in the defeat.

Relief pitcher Kam Mickolio retired all three batters he faced for Norfolk.

Tides shortstop Robert Andino was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Richmond Flying Squirrels 2, Bowie Baysox 0 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Steve Johnson (0-2) held Richmond to two runs and five hits in six innings, but he didn't receive any support as the Baysox were blanked, 2-0.

Bowie designated hitter Paco Figueroa collected two of the team's three hits. The 27-year-old utility player is batting .361 in 19 games, which is second in the Eastern League.

Relief pitcher Pedro Beato tossed two scoreless frames for the Baysox, lowering his ERA to 1.42 in 12 2/3 innings this season.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Myrtle Beach Pelicans 5, Frederick Keys 4 (Box score)

Recap: Center fielder Kyle Hudson was 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in the Keys' 5-4 loss to Myrtle Beach.

Frederick starting pitcher Rick Zagone (0-2) was charged with five runs and nine hits in five-plus innings. The 23-year-old struck out two batters and issued two walks.

First baseman Joe Mahoney, shortstop Greg Miclat and second baseman Bobby Stevens all collected two hits, including a double, and an RBI for Frederick.

It was Miclat's first game back for Frederick after missing two weeks due to a broken nose.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 6, Asheville Tourists 3 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Jake Cowan (3-0) gave up two runs and eight hits in seven innings as the Shorebirds picked up a 6-3 victory over Asheville.

Shorebirds right fielder Brian Conley was 2-for-5 with his first home run of the season, and first baseman Tyler Stampone added a double and three RBIs.

Delmarva relief pitcher Josh Dowdy forced the Tourists to leave the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, tossing the final 1 1/3 innings to earn his third save of the season.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Miguel Tejada hits a grounder up the middle against Manny Delcarmen to score Adam Jones and gvie the Orioles a 5-4 win in 10 innings.

Yes, the Orioles walked 10 Red Sox and couldn't get the clutch hit for most of the game.

But Tejada came through when the Orioles most needed to -- and the Orioles picked up their second win this season against the Red Sox and second overall at home.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

All that criticism, all that complaining about how the Orioles are giving another potential win away and then Miguel Tejada comes to the plate in the eighth.

He smashed a 94-mph fastball from Daniel Bard deep into the night.

417 feet if you are counting at home.

Now it is 4-4 in the top of the 9th. The Orioles are still in this game.

I'm not going to tell you this one is going to end in heartbreak. I'm going to let you watch this movie again. And I'm not going to ruin the ending for you this time.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

I stand corrected.

Or make that a second example of why fans are driven crazy by the Orioles.

We diagrammed the offensive implosion in the fourth. Now for the pitching.

Reliever Jason Berken caught a huge break in the seventh when, with Adrian Beltre on first and no outs, Jeremy Hermida hits a grounder to short. Cesar Izturis flips to second for one and Ty Wigginton attempts to complete the double play, but his throw goes into the ground.

Second base ump Chad Fairchild ruled that Beltre interfered with Wigginton -- replays showed he touched the second baseman's foot on the slide -- and called Hermida out as well.

So the Orioles get a huge break in a tight 3-2 game.

And then Berken walks the next batter, ninth hitter Darnell McDonald, on four pitches.

Two hitters later, Dustin Pedroia singles off Jim Johnson, scoring McDonald. Game tied at 3-3.

How many televisions were switched to another station at that point?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

David Hernandez is pitching well enough to keep the Orioles in Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox.

The Orioles take a 2-1 lead against John Lackey and then score a run in the bottom of the fourth on an Adrian Beltre error to make it 3-1.

After Rhyne Hughes walks, the Orioles have bases loaded and no outs and John Lackey is doing the rope-a-dope on the mound.

Two runs, maybe three and Lackey is out of there and the Orioles are into the Red Sox bullpen before the fifth inning.

And then Garrett Atkins hits a double-play comebacker to Lackey. Then Cesar Izturis flies out. And the Orioles score just one run in an inning that could have been a back-breaker.

Now, Beltre leads off with a single in the fifth, and half of the crowd (I am being generous) at Camden Yards shakes its head.

Is 'here we go again' far behind?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

Boston Red Sox outfielder Darnell McDonald was back in a starting lineup Friday at Camden Yards – more than five years after it last occurred.

McDonald, the Orioles’ top draft pick in 1997, played 17 games for the Orioles in 2004 before being released at the end of that season. He bounced around with five different organizations, signing with the Boston Red Sox this offseason. Considered minor-league outfield depth, the Red Sox were forced to call him to the big leagues on April 20 due to injuries.

And he has excelled, batting .333 (eight hits, including two homers, in 24 at-bats) in his first nine games, a period in which Boston has gone 7-2 and McDonald has been a key contributor.

“It’s a dream come true,” said McDonald, who has played in more than 1,300 minor league games. “To do something like this with a franchise like the Boston Red Sox and see the appreciation from the fans, is an unbelievable feeling I will always remember. It’s something that gives you chills when you walk to the plate.”

McDonald, now 31, spent seven seasons in the Orioles organization, and was its player of the year in 2002, but never had an extended chance in the majors. He batted .156 in 32 at-bats with the Orioles in 2004.

“This is the team that drafted me and invested a lot of money in me, which I definitely appreciate. Things didn’t work out the way I would have liked or they would have liked,” McDonald said. “I wish I had better memories of being here. But I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. And I’m just trying to go out now and enjoy every day, no matter where it is.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Relief pitcher Wilfrido Perez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A Bowie, the Orioles announced in a news release.

The 25-year-old left-hander is 0-1 with three saves and a 10.80 ERA in five appearances with the Baysox in 2010. Perez has five strikeouts and five walks in five innings.

He was designated for assignment Tuesday in order to clear a roster spot for Alfredo Simon.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides wrap up their road trip with a matchup with the Gwinnett Braves, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox hit the road to take on the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The Single-A Frederick Keys meet the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds continue their series against the Asheville Tourists.

As I mentioned earlier, Brad Bergesen won't make tonight's start for Norfolk.

Now the only question is which player will lose his roster spot in order to make room for Bergesen to rejoin the Orioles for tomorrow's game against the Red Sox.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (9-13)

Opponent

at Gwinnett Braves (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Chris George (1-0, 4.50 ERA)
Gwinnett: Todd Redmond (2-2, 3.55 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (12-9)

Opponent

at Richmond Flying Squirrels (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Steve Johnson (0-1, 4.74 ERA)
Richmond: Mike MacDonald (0-2, 3.38 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (11-9)

Opponent

at Myrtle Beach Pelicans (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Rick Zagone (0-1, 2.29 ERA)
Myrtle Beach: Brett Oberholtzer (0-2, 1.96 ERA with Single-A Rome this season)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (11-10)

Opponent

at Asheville Tourists (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Jake Cowan (2-0, 2.35 ERA)
Asheville: Wes Musick (2-2, 6.41 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 1:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Brad Bergesen was originally listed as tonight's starter for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides in the series finale against the Gwinnett Braves, but he won't pitch.

Instead, veteran left-hander Chris George will start for the Tides.

Bergesen is expected to start tomorrow night's game for the Orioles against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. There is no word on the roster move that will need to be made in order to clear a spot for the 24-year-old right-hander, but we'll hear within the next 24 hours or so.

Bergesen allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings Sunday against the Charlotte Knights during his only start for Norfolk. He struck out four batters and didn't issue any walks.

In three starts for the Orioles so far this season, Bergesen is 0-2 with a 12.19 ERA.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

Before tonight's series opener against the Boston Red Sox, third baseman Miguel Tejada will present Project Medishare and one of its founders, Dr. Barth Green, with a check for $25,000 from the Orioles Charitable Foundation to assist in their Haitian earthquake relief efforts.

Project Medishare had a team of trauma doctors, led by Dr. Green, on the ground at the airport in Port-au-Prince following the January earthquake. Project Medishare is currently working closely with the Haitian Ministry of Health to coordinate medical relief efforts at the airport and other locations.

Project MediShare is operating the only trauma and critical care hospital in the country of Haiti, and are operating based out of massive tents at the Port-au-Prince airport. They have been working in Haiti since 1994, providing healthcare, education, and support to the Haitian people. Since the earthquake, they have treated over 20,000 patients and saved thousands of lives at their field hospital.

Tejada has been extremely active in the relief efforts. The morning after the earthquake, he helped collect food and water supplies and personally delivered the items to victims in Haiti. He has since sought additional fundraising, an effort that the Orioles are helping to coordinate.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Orioles fans discuss the early-season struggles, including what it would take to turn the team around.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides fell to the Gwinnett Braves, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox were edged by the Erie SeaWolves this afternoon. The Single-A Frederick Keys lost to the Winston-Salem Dash, while the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds were beaten by the Asheville Tourists.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Gwinnett Braves 6, Norfolk Tides 1 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (2-1) allowed four runs (three earned), five hits and four walks in six innings during the Tides' 6-1 loss to Gwinnett.

Norfolk left fielder Jeff Salazar collected two hits and a walk, while center fielder Joey Gathright was 0-for-5 with four strikeouts.

Tides second baseman Justin Turner added a double and a run scored, and third baseman Scott Moore had an RBI single.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Erie SeaWolves 4, Bowie Baysox 3 (Box score)

Recap: Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara tossed one scoreless inning, but the Baysox suffered a 4-3 loss to Erie in the series finale at Prince George's Stadium.

For more details about Uehara's performance, go here and here.

Baysox pitcher Zach Britton (1-2) relieved Uehara, allowing four runs (one earned) and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old left-hander collected one strikeout, issued two walks and hit a batter.

Shortstop Pedro Florimon hit a double for Bowie, but his eighth error of the season led to three runs by the SeaWolves in the top of the fifth.

Baysox right fielder Paco Figueroa was 3-for-5 with two triples and a run scored, and left fielder Tyler Henson added three hits and an RBI.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Winston-Salem Dash 8, Frederick Keys 3 (Box score)

Recap: Third baseman Billy Rowell was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, but the Keys dropped an 8-3 decision to Winston-Salem.

Frederick starting pitcher Kenny Moreland (1-1) was charged with seven runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander surrendered two home runs in the loss.

Shortstop Bobby Stevens also had an RBI for the Keys.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Asheville Tourists 2, Delmarva Shorebirds 1 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Ryan Berry held the Tourists to one run and five hits in seven innings, but he didn't factor in the decision in Delmarva's 2-1 loss.

The 21-year-old right-hander struck out eight batters and issued two walks.

Shorebirds relief pitcher Randy Henry (0-1) picked up the loss after allowing one run in the bottom of the eighth. Henry hit Asheville's No. 9 batter, Avery Barnes, and he eventually scored the winning run on an error by Delmarva second baseman Tyler Kelly.

Kelly, center fielder Michael Planeta and first baseman Tyler Stampone each had a double for Delmarva, and shortstop Garabez Rosa picked up an RBI.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is 3-for-4 with two home runs and a double.

It's his sixth career multi-homer game.

After tonight's three-hit performance, Cano is batting .407 with eight homers and 17 RBIs this season.

In 84 career games against the Orioles, the 27-year-old infielder has a .340 batting average, 17 home runs and 55 RBIs. He also has 27 doubles in his career vs. the Orioles.

When will the Orioles start to pitch around Cano?

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Coming into tonight, Matt Albers was 0-3 with an 8.38 ERA in 11 appearances this season.

With a couple of roster decisions likely coming up soon for the Orioles, Albers needed a strong performance, and his dominance of the Yankees continued with a perfect inning tonight.

In 10 career games against New York before tonight, Albers was 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA.

He packaged a pair of weak come-backers by Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira around a strikeout of Nick Swisher in the top of the seventh.

Albers' fastball reached 95 mph, according to the radar gun at Camden Yards.

Instant update: Albers came out for the top of the eighth inning and got Alex Rodriguez to ground out to Miguel Tejada before being replaced by left-hander Alberto Castillo.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Back-to-back doubles by Robinson Cano and Marcus Thames to lead off the top of the sixth inning brought another run home for the Yankees.

It's now 3-0, and the Orioles still only have two hits against A.J. Burnett.

Starting pitcher Brian Matusz did a nice job to strand Thames at second base by retiring the next three batters, but the Orioles need to break through against Burnett or the young left-hander is going to be saddled with his first loss of the season.

Coming into tonight, Burnett was 9-2 with a 5.23 ERA in 13 career starts against the Orioles. He's heading for his 10th victory and that ERA is coming down unless someone wakes up the Orioles' bats.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 8:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

After calling the game "relatively uneventful" in my last post, the action heated up briefly in the fourth.

Unfortunately for Orioles starting pitcher Brian Matusz, the Yankees added another run. He's down 2-0, and the Orioles' offense isn't showing much life so far.

After Miguel Tejada made a nice defensive play, New York second baseman Robinson Cano launched his second home run in as many nights into the right-field seats at Camden Yards.

The Yankees then put runners on the corners with a pair of singles by Marcus Thames and Francisco Cervelli before Matusz struck out Brett Gardner to end the inning.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 8:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis robbed Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira of a base hit with a diving catch down the line in the top of the third inning.

Not to be outdone, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano ranged far up the middle to take a base hit away from Nolan Reimold in the bottom of the frame.

Then, to end the inning, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez made a tough play near the bag to get Markakis by a step at first base.

Thanks to a leadoff single by Derek Jeter, a one-out double by Teixeira and a sacrifice fly by Rodriguez, the Yankees grabbed the early lead in the top of the first.

Besides the defense in the third, it has been a relatively uneventful game so far.

It's still early, but Adam Jones has two good at-bats tonight.

He laid off a couple two-strike pitches in the dirt in the first inning before hitting a groundout after eight pitches. Jones singled in the bottom of the third after six pitches and moved to second base on a wild pitch by A.J. Burnett.

Orioles prospects Zach Britton and Caleb Joseph are at tonight's game, as well as local Olympians Michael Phelps and Kimmie Meissner.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 8:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Before the game, Orioles manager Dave Trembley said that relief pitcher Koji Uehara will pitch in another injury rehabilitation assignment.

The 35-year-old right-hander, who made two appearances with Double-A Bowie this week, will pitch for Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday. Trembley also said it's possible that Uehara will make a second appearance for the Tides on Monday.

"His bullpen was very good today, the way he warmed up. He only threw 13 pitches," Trembley said. "We'd like to have him pitch against a little better competition Saturday and see where he's at."

Uehara will be used in a one-inning role when he returns to the Orioles, according to Trembley.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 6:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail had an interesting guest in his suite for the duration of the game last night. Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. joined MacPhail in taking in the Orioles' 8-3 loss to the New York Yankees.

"I invited him out to a game, and he came," MacPhail said. "That's it. That's all you're going to get from me."

That such a thing took place obviously is not that big of a deal, but it certainly is interesting timing. Foxsports.com reported earlier this month that Orioles owner Peter Angelos rejected Ripken's proposal for a front office job working with MacPhail. Angelos denied the report.

Since the report came out, Ripken has dined with Angelos and watched a game with MacPhail. That's probably a good sign for Oriole fans dying for Ripken to play a more extensive role with the organization.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)
        

During his pre-game media session, Dave Trembley briefly discussed Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts' health issues.

"He was supposed to get an endoscopy today. I talked to him last night. It's his feeling that he has been taking a lot of medication," Trembley said. "I think he's off the medication now.

"Some of the medication might have just upset his stomach, so that was another issue he's dealing with," Trembley continued. "But I don't think it's related to anything other than that.

Although Roberts was seen in the dugout holding a bat during last night's game, Trembley says there is no timetable for his return to the lineup.

"I think he's getting anxious," Trembley said. "It'd be good to get him starting in some kind of baseball activities, but we can't do it until he gets clearance from doctors."

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 4:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Orioles manager Dave Trembley just finished his pre-game media session, and here are some tidbits:

* Jeremy Guthrie allowed seven runs -- six earned -- and six hits in 4 2/3 innings last night, but Trembley isn't worried with the hard-working right-hander.

"The guy just prepares himself. He works, he cares. He's coming off a season that wasn't up to his standards. He has pitched very well, and I think he really wanted to get one under his belt last night against the Yankees. It didn't happen for him, and I think he was disappointed. He felt responsible for it, and I told him today that he shouldn't feel that way. He's a guy with a lot of pride. He works real hard. I think he expects himself to be perfect all of the time. When he's not, he takes responsibility for that and it bothers him."

* With a victory tonight, the Orioles will win their first series of the season. Trembley says the players know what's needed to earn a victory against the Yankees, so he didn't need to give them any special messages.

"They know it. You're playing against the Yankees, you've got [Brian] Matusz going and a chance to win two out of three at home. Yesterday is done and over with, and tonight's a new game. Let's go after them. Let's have good at-bats. Let's make Burnett work. Let's hit with men on base and support Matusz."

* Speaking of Matusz, the young left-hander held the Yankees to one run and four hits in the final start of last season at Yankee Stadium. Trembley used the outcome of that game to cite Matusz's confidence and approach to the game.

"It was a great way to finish, no bigger arena to do it on [than Yankee Stadium], no bigger audience to do it in front of and, as it turns out, no better team in 2009 to do it against. But I don't think confidence will ever be an issue with Matusz. I don't think he's lacking in confidence. He's very well grounded. I'm sure he's very excited to pitch tonight against these guys. I'm sure he hasn't changed his routine at all. It still baffles me that he makes himself as accessible as he does [to the media] on the days that he pitches."

* Trembley added more about what it's like to have a young pitcher like Matusz.

"I would call him mature beyond his time. That's what I would call him. I would call him a guy that you can't tell has limited professional experience. I shook my head an awful lot last year when thinking [in 2008], he was pitching for the University of San Diego and is now pitching against the best in the world in the American League East. ... Somewhere along the line, he learned how to handle very competitive situations in a way that doesn't show."

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 4:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Koji Uehara says he's ready to return to the Orioles after tossing a scoreless inning for the Double-A Bowie Baysox, but it's not his decision to make.

After his second injury rehabilitation appearance with the Baysox, Uehara says there are no physical issues with his injured left hamstring.

"Ideally, I could have thrown more, but what can I do?" Uehara said through interpreter Jiwon Bang.

The 35-year-old right-hander threw eight of his 13 pitches for strikes, walking one batter.

"I'm not really interested in the results," Uehara said. "I just want to make sure my hamstring feels good."

While he says his hamstring is healed, Uehara says he needs to make sure he is ready mentally in order to avoid future injuries.

"There's nothing much I can do to avoid it," Uehara said. "If I think too much, then I'm going to injure other places. I don't want to do that."

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

Orioles relief pitcher Koji Uehara encountered little trouble in the first inning against the Erie SeaWolves during his injury rehabilitation assignment for the Double-A Bowie Baysox.

The 35-year-old right-hander retired SeaWolves leadoff hitter Chris White on a weak groundout to first base before walking Erie's Wilkin Ramirez on six pitches.

Ramirez was caught stealing by Baysox catcher Phil Britton, and Uehara got SeaWolves right fielder Josh Burrus to hit a ground ball to shortstop Pedro Florimon to end the inning.

Uehara threw eight of his 13 pitches for strikes.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

We're about 30 minutes before game time here at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie.

Orioles relief pitcher Koji Uehara is scheduled to start for the Double-A Bowie Baysox in their 11:05 a.m. matchup with the Erie SeaWolves.

In Tuesday's game against Erie, Uehara allowed one hit in one inning. The 35-year-old right-hander struck out one batter and threw 11 of his 15 pitches for strikes.

After he's done pitching, I'm going down to the clubhouse to talk to him about his performance.

Look for an update later this afternoon on Orioles Insider.

In the meantime, today's Baysox and SeaWolves lineups are listed below. Orioles prospect Zach Britton will follow Uehara in today's game.

ERIE SEAWOLVES (9-10)

Chris White CF
Wilkin Ramirez LF
Josh Burrus RF
Cesar Nicolas 3B
Andy Ciriaco SS
Michael Bertram 1B
Cale Iorg DH
Jeff Kunkel C
Shawn Roof 2B

Andy Oliver LHP

BOWIE BAYSOX (12-8)

Paco Figueroa RF
Ryan Adams 2B
Tyler Henson LF
Brandon Waring 3B
Joel Guzman 1B
Robbie Widlansky DH
Miguel Abreu CF
Phil Britton C
Pedro Florimon SS

Koji Uehara RHP

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides face the Gwinnett Braves, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox host the Erie SeaWolves this morning at Prince George's Stadium.

The Single-A Frederick Keys wrap up their series against the Winston-Salem Dash, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds take on the Asheville Tourists.

I'm in Bowie as we speak to watch Orioles relief pitcher Koji Uehara make his second injury rehabilitation appearance for the Baysox. He's going to start the game and Zach Britton will enter once his day is finished.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (9-12)

Opponent

at Gwinnett Braves (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Jake Arrieta (1-0, 0.36 ERA)
Gwinnett: Chris Resop (1-1, 1.37 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (12-8)

Opponent

Erie SeaWolves (11:05 a.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Koji Uehara (injury rehabilitation assignment)
Erie: Andy Oliver (1-1, 6.14 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (11-8)

Opponent

at Winston-Salem Dash (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Kenny Moreland (1-0, 2.25 ERA)
Winston-Salem: TBA

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (11-9)

Opponent

at Asheville Tourists (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Ryan Berry (0-1, 3.22 ERA)
Asheville: Alan DeRatt (0-0, 3.86 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

By now, you probably know that New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi was pretty critical of Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie, who beaned catcher Jorge Posada in the right knee in the second inning.

Girardi acknowledged that he didn't think Guthrie hit Posada on purpose, but that didn't make it any easier to accept.

“"I don’t think he’s doing it on purpose, but he hits a lot of people,” said Girardi. “That’s frustrating for us. We know he’s going to pitch inside and I don’t have a problem pitching inside. What do you expect, me to be happy that our guys are getting plunked? I’m frustrated by it. I wish he had better command in there."

Actually, Guthrie doesn't hit a lot of guys, but he does hit a lot of Yankees. Guthrie hit nine batters in 200 innings last season, but five of them were Yankees. He hit seven batters in 2008 in 190 2/3 innings and three of those were also Yankees. That means that eight of the 16 batters he’s hit over the past two seasons wear Yankee uniforms.

Those numbers also don't include the one game this spring where Guthrie plunked both Mark Teixeira and Francisco Cervelli, prompting Girardi to yell at the Oriole pitcher from the dugout.

Asked about Girardi's "I wish he had better command in there" comment, Guthrie said, "I wish I had better command. If I did, I think I would pitch much, much better and we’d all see better results. … The inability to command every single pitch, I’m frustrated by it as well. It’s part of the game. Like I said, I’m apologetic for the fact that if he were to miss some time, that would be a shame that it was a pitch that got away from me that had that result. But ultimately, I’m going out there and trying to compete. I don’t ever want to give up free base runners because I can’t afford those as we’ve seen throughout my career.”

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (49)
        

Chris Tillman is a pretty calm guy, but by the voice on the other end of the phone Wednesday night you could tell just how excited the 22-year-old was after pitching his first no-hitter, a 6-0 shutout of the Atlanta Braves Triple-A affiliate in Georgia, Gwinnett.

“It was unbelievable. It felt really good tonight,” Tillman said.

He said he realized he hadn’t given up a hit until the fifth, when an error was made and he looked to the scoreboard to see the ruling.

“I looked up and noticed what was going on and then I started noticing my teammates were sitting farther and farther away from me in the dugout, giving me the cold shoulder.”

Unbeknownst to him, he was getting stronger as the game went on:

“A couple of the guys said early on I was throwing 88, 90 (mph) and the last couple innings I was at 90, 94. It was all adrenaline.”

The opposing crowd cheered for him at the end, but in the mid-innings he heard plenty of fans trying to mess with his focus: “People were screaming ‘Don’t blow the no-hitter.”

Tillman didn’t, and he gave credit to his catcher, Adam Donachie as well as his fielders.

“I can’t tell you how great the defense was behind me tonight and Donachie called a great game behind the plate. We were on the same page all night.”

It was Tillman's first career complete game as well. He said he’s had no hitter broken up in the seventh last year in Triple-A and one in the eighth in 2008.

He thought this one was going to be broken up with two outs in the ninth when Matt Young hit a grounder between second and third but shortstop Robert Andino was there.

“I thought it was in the hole, but Andino said he saw (Young) step up in the box and so he shaded toward (the third base) hole. Right off the bat, I thought it was a hit, until I saw Andino get it. Before I knew it, the team tackled me. It was good to have that support.”

Tillman is now 2-3 with a 4.05 ERA and said he is feeling better on the mound than he did earlier this month. He is continuing to work on his fastball command with pitching coach Mike Griffin.

“I’m feeling good, starting to feel good. I feel like I’m going to be getting better results.”

After the game, Tillman did some interviews, and said his phone wouldn’t stop making noise.

“My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing. The whole time it was buzzing. It’s good to have support.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Second baseman Brian Roberts, who is on the disabled list with a herniated disk in his back, is dealing with another health situation, but this one he doesn't believe is a big deal.

Roberts has been dealing with lingering gastrointestinal discomfort which he believes is from the medication he has been taking for his back injury. He saw a doctor Wednesday and is scheduled for an endoscopy on Thursday to determine if there is more to the stomach pain, but he said he is not concerned.

“I think it’s because of all the medication I am on, so they’re checking my stomach,” said Roberts after the Orioles’ 8-3 loss.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides received a special pitching performance in a win over the Gwinnett Braves, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox lost to the Erie SeaWolves.

The Single-A Frederick Keys fell in a rout to the Winston-Salem Dash, while the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds edged the Asheville Tourists.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 6, Gwinnett Braves 0 (Box score)

Recap: In case you haven't heard, Tides starting pitcher Chris Tillman (2-3) tossed a no-hitter tonight in a 6-0 victory over Gwinnett.

Tillman faced one batter over the minimum, collecting six strikeouts and issuing one walk.

Norfolk right fielder Jeff Salazar was 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored, and first baseman Michael Aubrey added an RBI double.

Second baseman Scott Moore had a double and two runs scored for Norfolk.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Erie SeaWolves 9, Bowie Baysox 7 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Tim Bascom (2-1) was touched up for eight runs (four earned) and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings as the Baysox lost, 9-7, to Erie at Prince George's Stadium.

Bowie third baseman Brandon Waring was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, and left fielder Tyler Henson added a double, a triple and three RBIs.

Baysox second baseman Ryan Adams collected three hits and two runs scored, while center fielder Miguel Abreu hit a solo home run in the loss.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Winston-Salem Dash 13, Frederick Keys 3 (Box score)

Recap: Right fielder Ronnie Welty was 2-for-3 with his sixth home run of the season, but the Keys were pounded in a 13-3 loss to Winston-Salem.

The 22-year-old outfielder is batting .322 with 21 RBIs in 16 games for Frederick this season. Welty is tied for first in the league in home runs and he ranks second in RBIs.

Keys starting pitcher Cole McCurry (1-1) was charged with seven runs (six earned) and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He also issued four walks and hit a batter.

Third baseman Billy Rowell hit a double and scored a run for Frederick.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 5, Asheville Tourists 4 (Box score)

Recap: Second baseman Gary Helmick was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in the Shorebirds' 5-4 victory over Asheville.

Delmarva outfielder Michael Planeta and third baseman Tyler Kelly each collected three hits and a run scored, while Planeta added an RBI.

Shorebirds starting pitcher Tony Butler gave up three runs, six hits and five walks in four innings, but he didn't factor in the decision. Relief pitcher James Brandhorst (1-1) blew a save, but picked up the win after tossing the final 1 2/3 frames.

Shortstop Garabez Rosa hit two doubles for Delmarva.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Orioles’ top minor-league pitching prospect Chris Tillman pitched Norfolk’s first nine-inning no-hitter in nearly 18 years on Wednesday as part of the Tides’ 6-0 win at Gwinnett, the Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate.

Tillman, 22, allowed one walk and struck out six in the gem, throwing 105 pitches. He retired Matt Young on a groundout to Robert Andino to secure the no-hitter.

Tillman’s only blemish was a walk to Gwinnett designated hitter Brent Clevlen in the fifth inning. He then induced left fielder Mitch Jones to ground into a double play after Clevlen reached. One other Gwinnett batter reached in the game – on a Michael Aubrey fielding error in the fifth. Tillman was helped by a strong Tides’ defense.

The no-hitter was announced to the Camden Yards crowd during the Orioles’ game against the New York Yankees.

It was the first nine-inning no-hitter thrown by the Tides since Dave Telgheder accomplished the feat on May 19, 1992.

Tides’ outfielder Jeff Salazar had two hits and two RBIs to pace the Tides’ offense.

Tillman, 22, is now 2-3 with a 4.05 ERA so far this season for the Tides. Tillman was sent to Norfolk in March after losing the Orioles’ fifth starter competition to David Hernandez.

Tillman made 12 major league starts for the Orioles in 2009 as a 21-year-old. He went 2-5 with a 5.40 ERA.

The Orioles acquired Tillman, a second round pick by the Seattle Mariners in 2006, in the 2008 trade with Seattle for Erik Bedard.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Chris Tillman strikes out Gwinnett's Matt Young for a no-hitter at Triple-A.

He walked one and struck out six.

They won, 6-0.

Now, that's some good news down on the farm.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Chris Tillman has thrown 94 pitches and hasn't allowed a hit through eight innings against Gwinnett, the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A affiliate.

H has allowed a walk and struck out six.

Hang on. Will let you know what happens.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Jeremy Guthrie’s string of quality starts ended in a big way Wednesday.

He didn’t get to the sixth for the first time this year, getting pulled in the fifth inning with two outs. He gave up seven runs (six earned) after allowing just 10 total in his first four starts.

Guthrie allowed only eight base runners, but seven scored (one after he left). He now has dropped to 0-3 and picked up his 20th loss since last season began.

In his first two losses of the season, he pitched well enough to win. Not on Wednesday, not when he gave up two runs in the first; his first first-inning runs of the season.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Through two innings tonight, Jeremy Guthrie looks a whole lot like the 2009 version rather than the 2007 and 2008 one.

He's allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and a hit batter. He didn't get much help in the first as first baseman Garrett Atkins got a poor break on Derek Jeter's leadoff double and left fielder Lou Montanez misplayed Nick Johnson's single.

However, the Yankees' three-run second was Guthrie's own doing. He hit Jorge Posada in the right knee with his first pitch. Curtis Granderson then singled, and Nick Swisher plated them both with a triple off the wall that got away from center fielder Adam Jones. Jeter then brought home New York's fifth run with a sacrifice fly.

Posada has left the game and we'll see if anything comes from him getting beaned. As I wrote earlier this week, Yankees manager Joe Girardi was not pleased and let Guthrie know about it when the Oriole hit two batters in a spring training game this year.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Long before he realized that he could potentially have a career in professional baseball, Kevin Millwood wanted to be a police officer.

“I never really thought about playing baseball really until I was a junior in high school,” Millwood said. “I didn’t know about the draft and all of that stuff. I tried to figure out something I could do where I wouldn’t have to sit behind a desk, and I could help people. That probably could have been one of the things I could have done.”

Millwood, 35, acknowledged that it’s probably too late now for a career in law enforcement, but when he was given the opportunity to be part of a ride-along with a Baltimore City police officer today, he jumped at the chance.

Millwood rode in the front seat of an unmarked squad car for about 2 1/2 hours today, and he loved every minute of it.

“We were just riding around seeing what we could see, seeing what we could get into,” Millwood said. “We got into a couple of things. It was a lot of fun, and a little bit of excitement. I learned quite a bit about Baltimore and have a much better understanding of the city.”

Millwood didn’t want to go into too much detail about the experience, which included a high-speed car chase.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been on a ride-along,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to do it for a while. It was a lot of fun.”

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Brian Roberts, who is on the disabled list with a herniated disk in his back, was away from the team Wednesday because of another health situation.

Roberts has been dealing with lingering flu symptoms and gastrointestinal discomfort, and he'll undergo an endoscopy on Thursday to determine the root of his stomach pain

The two-time All-Star has not played since the home opener April 9, when he strained an abdominal muscle on a slide into second base. The slide jarred his herniated disk, and he later was forced to have a second epidural shot in a month in his back.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

When Brad Bergesen is promoted to make Saturday's start against the Boston Red Sox, the Orioles will need to open up a roster spot, and they'll likely do it by dumping a reliever.

When Koji Uehara is activated from the disabled list -- possibly for the start of this weekend's series versus Boston, depending on how he fares in Thursday's rehabilitation outing -- he'll likely replace another current reliever on the 25-man roster.

Who will those two relievers be?

Obviously, Matt Albers would be a prime candidate because of his 9.35 ERA. Orioles manager Dave Trembley certainly didn't give him a huge vote of confidence over the weekend. Albers is out of options so the Orioles would have to designate him for assignment.

Cla Meredith does have an option left so the Orioles could demote him to Triple-A without losing him. But you'd have a hard time convincing me that Meredith isn't one of the Orioles' better relief options and belongs here.

Alberto Castillo has been quite a revelation in limited chances, and is morphing into one of Trembley's most trusted relief options. Alfredo Simon appears to be the team's closer of the present with Jim Johnson returning to his eighth-inning role.

Mark Hendrickson and Jason Berken have been extremely valuable as long relievers, while WIll Ohman is still considered the team's situational lefty.

It will certainly be an interesting decision that the club makes, and cause some uneasy nights for several of the relievers.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

Alfredo Simon, who notched his first career save last night in the Orioles’ victory over the New York Yankees, is obviously the topic du jour for Wednesday. Here are a couple of comments from his teammates about his outing.

Adam Jones: “He’s pitched here before. He knows what the deal in the big leagues is. He’s faced the Red Sox, the Yankees and the Rays -- to me the best three teams in baseball. So he’s been through them, he’s familiar with the guys. It’s just a matter of facing them this year. I don’t think there is fear in his body. He’s a big dude, 6-whatever. Huge. And he went in there and he threw strikes.”

Miguel Tejada: “It was pretty impressive. It’s hard for a young kid to be in a situation like that against the Yankees. I was impressed. He threw pretty hard, and he never slowed down.
He told me [after the game], ‘Now the pressure is gone, and I’ll go from there.’ He threw a lot of strikes. “

Kevin Millwood: “It was awesome to see him come in and get the save. He went against the heart of their lineup so it was pretty impressive. Hopefully, he can take some confidence from that and the team can get some confidence and get it rolling."

Cesar Izturis: "[Early on], he said he was excited and he couldn’t wait to go on the mound and do what he did tonight. It was good. He was throwing strikes, I think for the closer, the main thing is to throw strikes, and today he was good."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

For an idea of how outsiders view the Orioles, check out this headline in today's New York Post: Yankees lay egg vs. putrid Orioles

The story takes other shots at the 4-16 O's, too. The 5-4 Orioles win "can only be described as an embarrassing loss" for the Yankees, writes George A. King III.

Ouch.

On another note:

One night before rookie Rhyne Hughes hit a two-out RBI single to help the Orioles claim a 5-4 win over the New York Yankees, the player he was traded for, former O's catcher Gregg Zaun, now with the Milwaukee Brewers, laid a few eggs himself.

In the first inning of a 17-3 Brewers win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Milwaukee, Zaun had a series of awkward throws to Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo.

The first throw hit the dirt on the mound and rolled past Gallardo.

The second throw sailed over Gallardo's left shoulder.

At this point, fans began to boo.

The third throw fell to the ground short of Gallardo and rolled into the infield.

Zaun finally found Gallardo's glove, and Brewers fans in the stands cheered.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (21)
        

Go ahead and criticize Dave Trembley. Crush him for how he uses his bullpen. That’s definitely a spot in which his moves can be ripped.

But at least admit this: Putting Alfredo Simon in to close a game against the Yankees on Tuesday was a gutsy call.

Simon last was a closer in 2005 for Double-A Norwich. He started this season in the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk. He had Tommy John surgery last May. He was called up Tuesday afternoon.

And by Tuesday night he was facing Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez in the ninth inning. And he picked up the save.

Simon might not become the Orioles’ next closer. Or maybe he does. It is way too early to tell.

But I like the fact they gave him an opportunity. He mainly threw strikes and he got the save – yeah he gave up two unearned runs, but that was because Cesar Izturis booted a ball.

Maybe, though, you don’t like the call. Maybe you think it was unfair to put him into such a situation so soon. Or maybe you think someone else should be closer.

You tell me.

Daily Think Special: What do you think of putting Simon immediately into a save situation?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (46)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

A little Orioles history for you scoring at home. Or those of you who just watched the game.

Not only did Alfredo Simon come into Tuesday night’s 5-4 win over the Yankees and pick up his first career save, but he also made a little history, too.

With an assist from Cla Meredith.

Meredith picked up the save in Sunday’s win at Boston. It was Meredith’s first save of his career, one that included 271 previous appearances, the longest current streak for an active reliever without a save.

Simon got his in his seventh big league game.

But the last time two Orioles have picked up their first career saves in consecutive games was May 7-8, 1977.

The two that did it?

Mike Flanagan and Scott McGregor.

Not optimistic Meredith and Simon will duplicate Flanny’s and Mac’s spots in Orioles lore, but, hey, you have to start somewhere.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Alfredo Simon, who had Tommy John surgery on May 5, 2009, threw 96 mph on the black in Tuesday’s ninth inning.

He fanned Derek Jeter on a 91 mph slider with two on and one out in the ninth. He also gave up a couple of hits that led to a Yankees' near comeback.

He definitely has serious stuff. But we’ll see whether he has what it takes to be a closer -- to pitch out of the stretch, to pitch out of a jam, to do it over and over.

Dave Trembley said he doesn’t have a closer. He said he is going with the guy who can get outs.

He never said he was going with a guy who was called up hours ago. A guy who has never been in this situation before.

And it is against the Yankees. For the team’s first win at home this season.

With two outs and two on in a one-run game (after sure-handed Cesar Izturis boots a grounder) Simon has to face Alex Rodriguez.

No pressure.

And A-Rod hits a grounder up the middle snagged by Julio Lugo, who flips to Izturis to end the game.

Impressive.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
        

It was a bad night for the Orioles' four full-season affiliates.

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides fell to the Gwinnett Braves, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox lost to the Erie SeaWolves. The Single-A Frederick Keys were beaten by the Winston-Salem Dash, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds were blanked by the Hagerstown Suns.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Gwinnett Braves 7, Norfolk Tides 2 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Brandon Erbe (0-4) allowed four runs, six hits and five walks in 3 2/3 innings as the Tides lost, 7-2, on the road against Gwinnett.

Norfolk left fielder Joey Gathright was 2-for-4 with a double and a walk, and third baseman Josh Bell added a double and a run scored.

Tides first baseman Brandon Snyder and shortstop Robert Andino each added an RBI in the loss.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Erie SeaWolves 7, Bowie Baysox 2 (Box score)

Recap: Orioles relief pitcher Koji Uehara allowed one hit and struck out one batter in an inning of work during an injury rehabilitation assignment with the Baysox.

Uehara, who is coming back from a left hamstring strain, threw 11 of his 15 pitches for strikes. The 35-year-old right-hander is scheduled to pitch again Thursday morning for Bowie.

Baysox pitcher Ryohei Tanaka (2-1) gave up five runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings as Erie cruised to a 7-2 victory at Prince George's Stadium.

Bowie catcher Caleb Joseph hit an RBI double.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Winston-Salem Dash 6, Frederick Keys 4 (Box score)

Recap: Keys first baseman Joe Mahoney returned to the lineup and collected two hits, including a solo home run, in the team's 6-4 loss at Winston-Salem.

Frederick catcher Brian Ward and right fielder Ronnie Welty each contributed two hits and an RBI, and third baseman Bobby Stevens added an RBI.

Keys starting pitcher Nathan Nery (0-2) allowed five runs (four earned) and 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old left-hander struck out three batters and issued two walks.

Designated hitter Billy Rowell was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts for Frederick.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Hagerstown Suns 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 0 (Box score)

Recap: The Shorebirds woke up early to wrap up their series against Hagerstown, but apparently the players left their bats in bed.

Delmarva managed only two hits in a 5-0 loss to the Suns in a game that started at 10:35 a.m.

Second baseman Tyler Kelly and left fielder Michael Planeta each had a single for Delmarva.

Shorebirds starting pitcher Jesse Beal (1-2) held Hagerstown to one hit in the first seven innings, but he allowed five runs before being chased from the game in the eighth.

Center fielder Steve Bumbry picked up two outfield assists in the Shorebirds' defeat.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

There’s an interesting debate going on in the press box now.

What should the Orioles do if this game – 4-2 in the bottom of the 8th – comes down to a save situation in the ninth?

Jim Johnson was brought in to face the Yankees in the eighth. He retired three of four batters.

Will Ohman was warming in the bullpen in the 8th. Alberto Castillo has already pitched – and pitched well.

Sidearmer Cla Meredith is available. So is Alfredo Simon, who was just called up today. And he is now warming up (bottom of the eighth).

Johnson could come back in the 9th.

Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he has no closer anymore. He is going to go with the guy who can get outs. So who will that be?

It’s going to be interesting.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

We witnessed another example of why the Orioles traded for Kevin Millwood this offseason.

He's got chutzpah.

The veteran did not pitch particularly well, but he kept them close enough so that the Orioles could be in position to make a comeback – which they have (4-2 heading into the seventh).

Millwood threw 112 pitches and allowed eight baserunners in 5 1/3 innings. He walked off the mound steaming, presumably at himself for not going at least six innings.

Millwood did not his best stuff. No question. Another pitcher might have lost it a lot earlier. But he hung in there and showed competitive fire at the end.

Andy MacPhail can be criticized for how some of his offseason moves have worked out so far – Michael Gonzalez and Garrett Atkins, for instance – but not Millwood.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

ESPN Zone will host its first Orioles Q&A of the season -- with first baseman Garrett Atkins -- from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

At the event, which is free to attend, Atkins, who spent his first seven major league seasons with the Colorado Rockies, will answer questions from fans about switching from third base to first and what it's like to play alongside the Orioles' young players.

The Q&A will be followed by an autograph signing. Fans can also win tickets to a coming game. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

Other Orioles Q&As at ESPN Zone are scheduled for May 17, June 23, July 22, Aug. 4, Aug. 18 and Sept. 15.

Posted by Steve Gould at 6:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Orioles manager Dave Trembley’s media session was chock full of tidbts today. We’ll have an in-depth notebook later, but here are some of the main highlights:

* The biggest news, perhaps: Trembley said that right now he has no closer, that he is going to go with whoever can get outs, and that he is hoping someone seizes the job. That would include Jim Johnson, one would presume.

* Alfredo Simon, called up Tuesday, could be in that closer's mix, and Trembley wouldn’t discount Alberto Castillo, who has been very good since he came up. In fact, he wouldn’t discount anybody.

* Rhyne Hughes, who has had two hits in each of his two big leagues games, is starting at first base again Tuesday. That means Garrett Atkins is out for the third consecutive game. Trembley said he talked to Atkins and gave it to him straight: So long as Hughes keeps hitting, Hughes will keep playing, which means Atkins will keep sitting. Atkins, however, will likely play Wednesday against left-hander CC Sabathia. Trembley wouldn’t call the arrangement a platoon. I know because I asked the question directly.

* Brian Roberts saw Dr. Lee Riley on Monday and still has not been cleared for baseball activities. We hope to talk to Roberts later today, but you have to think he is still two weeks and counting away from a return. Also Michael Gonzalez isn’t on a throwing program, so there is no real timetable there.

* When asked why Kam Mickolio received the demotion when there were other candidates in the struggling bullpen, Trembley said the club has a lot of faith in Mickolio’s future and they want him to get straightened out and he couldn’t do that while pitching infrequently in the majors.

OK, that’s it for now. Lots of stuff to ponder, though

Posted by Dan Connolly at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
        

As it was reported Monday by Jeff Zrebiec, the Orioles promoted Alfredo Simon from Triple-A Norfolk today.

In order to make room on the roster, the Orioles optioned right-handed pitcher Kam Mickolio to the Tides.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, minor league left-hander Wilfrido Perez was designated for assignment.

Simon is 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA in four games, including three starts, for Norfolk.

The 28-year-old right-hander appeared in six games over the past two seasons for the Orioles.

Simon was 0-1 with a 9.95 ERA in two starts before ligament-reconstruction surgery on his pitching elbow forced him to miss the rest of the 2009 season.

He posted a 6.23 ERA in four appearances with the Orioles in 2008.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

It will be interesting to see if tempers flare at any point over the next three nights at Camden Yards with the New York Yankees in town.

If you recall, the Orioles and Yankees weren't exactly on the best of terms this spring, though there was no major incident. In one game, Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie, who gets the ball on Wednesday, hit both Mark Teixeira and Francisco Cervelli, drawing the ire of Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who yelled at the Oriole pitcher from his spot adjacent to the visiting dugout at Ed Smith Stadium. According to a couple of Orioles, Girardi yelled at Guthrie to start throwing strikes and not to pitch inside if his command was so off.

That obviously didn't sit well with several Orioles, including the coaching staff. So when Yankees closer Mariano Rivera hit Felix Pie on the lower leg in a game later in the spring, somebody on the Oriole bench started giving Rivera the same advice that Girardi gave Guthrie. Rivera looked very uncomfortable with the situation, and even took a couple of steps toward the Orioles' dugout before Girardi and the catcher came in for a mound visit. The Orioles obviously know that Rivera, one of the classiest players in the game, wasn't throwing at Pie intentionally, but it appeared that they wanted to give Girardi a taste of his own medicine.

Girardi did acknowledge after the game that he felt what was said to Rivera was in response to his comments toward Guthrie.

Don't get me wrong, we're not exactly talking about a heated situation here. It's probably a classic case of much ado about nothing, but it's at least worth keeping an eye on.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides travel to play the Gwinnett Braves, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox welcome the Erie SeaWolves to Prince George's Stadium.

The Single-A Frederick Keys hit the road to meet the Winston-Salem Dash, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds play a morning matchup with the Hagerstown Suns.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (8-11)

Opponent

at Gwinnett Braves (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Brandon Erbe (0-3, 7.98 ERA)
Gwinnett: Tim Gustafson (0-1, 8.64 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (12-6)

Opponent

Erie SeaWolves (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Ryohei Tanaka (2-0, 2.08 ERA)
Erie: Duane Below (0-3, 10.57 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (11-6)

Opponent

at Winston-Salem Dash (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Nathan Nery (0-1, 4.91 ERA)
Winston-Salem: Charles Leesman (2-1, 3.46 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (10-8)

Opponent

at Hagerstown Suns (10:35 a.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Jesse Beal (1-1, 4.50 ERA)
Hagerstown: Jack McGeary (1-0, 6.43 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

I was bringing up some inventory from the storage room in the basement of our new digs, when I found a dusty old bottle and opened it.

Out popped a genie who said he’d grant one wish that he will force on Orioles GM Andy MacPhail (hey, like how I used inventory, MacPhail’s favorite word, and MacPhail in successive sentences?).

Being a man of the people, I have decided to pass this honor onto you, my beloved patrons.

Here’s the deal: You get to pick one move that MacPhail must do right now to improve the Orioles. Yes, that can be firing manager Dave Trembley or a member of his coaching staff if you feel that is the No. 1 priority. Yes, that also means you could make MacPhail step down.

You also could tweak the 25-man roster, replacing a struggling reliever or an underperforming hitter. You could make a trade, too. But you have to be realistic. You can’t send Garrett Atkins to the St. Louis Cardinals for Albert Pujols or Matt Albers to the New York Yankees for Mariano Rivera.

One thing you can’t do is mess with ownership. The genie is powerful, but his authority stops at the GM rung. It doesn’t go any higher (or lower, depending on your perspective). Listen, I want your opinion on things that could actually happen this year to better the team. Not the same old vitriol directed at the same old person.

So, if the genie gives you one move to make right now, what would it be? Obviously, one move can’t fix this mess. But that’s all you get. This is a genie with an attitude.

(And if you think the genie thing is stupid, just remember, you are the one who stepped into a fake bar.)

Daily Think Special: You’re GM for a day. Make one move to better the Orioles.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (113)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides fell to the Charlotte Knights this afternoon, and the matchup between the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds and Hagerstown Suns was postponed due to rain and unplayable field conditions.

The makeup date for the Shorebirds-Suns game will be announced at a later date. The two teams will conclude the series with the regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday morning at 10:35 a.m.

The Double-A Bowie Baysox and Single-A Frederick Keys were idle.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Charlotte Knights 9, Norfolk Tides 7 (Box score)

Recap: Tides third baseman Josh Bell seems to be emerging from his early slump.

Serving as the designated hitter in today's game, Bell was 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs and three runs scored in Norfolk's 9-7 loss to Charlotte.

The 23-year-old infielder had three home runs and five RBIs in the final two games of the series.

Tides starting pitcher Troy Patton (1-3) was charged with seven runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. His ERA stands at 8.00 in 18 innings after four starts. The 24-year-old left-hander has allowed six home runs this season, including three today.

Third baseman Scott Moore collected three hits, including two doubles, and an RBI for the Tides, and second baseman Justin Turner doubled in his return to Triple-A.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The Orioles will add reliever Alfredo Simon before Tuesday’s series opener with the New York Yankees. The right-hander, who is 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA in four outings for Triple-A Norfolk, including three starts, is on his way to Baltimore today. I think the promotion will likely cost Kam Mickolio his roster spot. Matt Albers is also another candidate, but he’s out of options, and I think there is a better chance of him returning to the long relief role for the time being than him being designated for assignment. That, of course, is not set in stone but I do think the days of manager Dave Trembley using Albers with the game on the line are probably over until the reliever shows some consistency.

Despite prospect Jake Arrieta's dominant stretch at Norfolk, Brad Bergesen remains the favorite to start for the Orioles on Saturday night against the Red Sox. Bergesen allowed two earned runs in seven innings for Norfolk on Sunday, and got 14 groundball outs and only two in the air. That's more like it for a sinkerballer. All along, team officials were saying that Bergesen was the most viable candidate to start on Saturday assuming he went down to the minors and got some work in a less-pressurized environment.

Injured closer Michael Gonzalez (left shoulder strain) has still not resumed throwing, but that day probably isn’t far off because the club has gotten reports that the reliever is pain free.

Injured second baseman Brian Roberts (herniated disk) was supposed to see back specialist Dr. Lee Riley on Friday, but he was sick and couldn’t make the appointment. Roberts is expected to see Dr. Riley today and the club is hoping that Roberts will get cleared to begin baseball activities soon. While the two-time All-Star is still likely a couple of weeks from returning, there has been no talk about shutting him down for the rest of the season.

Relief prospect Luis Lebron had a magnetic resonance imaging on his right elbow recently, but nothing of great concern was found. The club is taking a conservative course of treatment for Lebron, who has yet to pitch this season after having an impressive spring.

Dr. Charles Steinberg, who worked 19 years for the Orioles, has been appointed by commissioner Bud Selig as his senior advisor for public affairs.

Finally, I know each off day brings more speculation that this could be the day the club fires manager Dave Trembley, but I’ve heard absolutely nothing to believe that is imminent.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (32)
        

The Eastern League selected Paco Figueroa of the Double-A Bowie Baysox as the Player of the Week for April 19-25.

Figueroa batted .481 (13-for-27) with one home run, seven RBIs and eight runs scored during the week.

The 27-year-old utility player is currently riding a six-game hitting streak, and he is hitting .351 with four doubles and eight RBIs in 14 games this season. He has hit safely in 11 of the 14 contests, including six multi-hit games.

Figueroa is the first Baysox player to earn the award since Nolan Reimold in September 2008.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides conclude their series on the road against the Charlotte Knights, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds face the Hagerstown Suns.

The Double-A Bowie Baysox and Single-A Frederick Keys are both idle.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (8-10)

Opponent

at Charlotte Knights (11:15 a.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Troy Patton (1-2, 6.94 ERA)
Charlotte: Matt Zaleski (2-0, 3.50 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (10-8)

Opponent

at Hagerstown Suns (6:35 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Jesse Beal (1-1, 4.50 ERA)
Hagerstown: Jack McGeary (1-0, 6.43 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Forget about how promising Brian Matusz is as a young pitcher for a moment.

This kid would be easy to root for even if he threw 75 mph and bounced pitches after 58 feet. Because he absolutely loves being in the major leagues.

This week was his first chance to pitch in Fenway Park. But before he did it, he wanted the full experience. So on Thursday, the Orioles’ off day in Boston, Matusz and fellow starter Jeremy Guthrie went to the Red Sox-Texas Rangers game.

“We are fans of the game too,” he said. “It’s fun to do stuff like that.”

They sat in the Green Monster seats on top of the famed towering wall in left field. It gave Matusz a different perspective of the field.

“It seems like it’s a mile away and then I realize (Boston catcher Jason) Varitek hit a ball up there,” Matusz said. “And I thought, ‘Boy he must have really gotten a hold of that one.’”

By the way, the Varitek bomb that Matusz is referring to happened in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game against the Orioles.

The pitcher that gave up that rocket?

Matusz.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides beat the Charlotte Knights, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox lost to the Akron Aeros. The Single-A Frederick Keys pounded the Salem Red Sox, while the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds dropped a close game to the Hagerstown Suns.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 7, Charlotte Knights 2 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Brad Bergesen (1-0) held Charlotte to two runs and seven hits in seven innings as the Tides rolled to their third straight victory, 7-2.

Norfolk third baseman Josh Bell hit his first home run of the season, while shortstop Robert Andino and right fielder Jeff Salazar each added a two-run shot.

Tides relief pitchers Alfredo Simon and Ross Wolf each tossed a 1-2-3 inning in the win. Wolf struck out two batters and Simon fanned one.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Akron Aeros 9, Bowie Baysox 3 (Box score)

Recap: Baysox starting pitcher Chorye Spoone (1-2) was touched up for seven runs (six earned) and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings during his team's 9-3 loss to Akron at Prince George's Stadium.

The 24-year-old right-hander walked six batters and collected two strikeouts.

Bowie third baseman Brandon Waring was 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs, and right fielder Paco Figueroa added a double.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Frederick Keys 15, Salem Red Sox 4 (Box score)

Recap: Once again, the Keys used some late-inning magic to break open a close game and cruise to an easy victory.

Frederick scored eight runs in the bottom of the eighth to top Salem, 15-4, at Harry Grove Stadium.

Keys right fielder Ronnie Welty hit a grand slam in the third inning, and second baseman L.J. Hoes added a three-run shot in the eighth.

Starting pitcher Ryan O'Shea (2-2) allowed three runs (two earned) and six hits in five innings for the Keys, and relief pitcher Brandon Cooney tossed the final 1 1/3 innings to earn his second save of the season.

Designated hitter Buck Britton had a two-run home run for Frederick, and third baseman Billy Rowell was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.

Despite the win, the Keys committed four errors, including two by first baseman Jacob Julius and Rowell's fifth defensive miscue of the season.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Hagerstown Suns 8, Delmarva Shorebirds 6 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Matt Hobgood (1-1) gave up six runs and six hits in five innings as the Shorebirds fell, 8-6, to Hagerstown.

The 19-year-old right-hander issued two walks, threw two wild pitches and hit two batters. Hobgood also had one strikeout in the loss.

Delmarva shortstop Garabez Rosa was 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored, and second baseman Tyler Kelly was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 6:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

And there was much joy in Dudville, the mighty Orioles have won.

It wasn’t easy – nothing has been easy for the Orioles this early season.

But they escaped in the 10th inning from Fenway with a 7-6 victory, breaking a five-game losing streak and a 10-game skid against the Red Sox.

One of the hitting heroes was rookie Rhyne Hughes, in his second game of his career. Hughes had two hits again, including a RBI single in the 10th to break a 4-4 tie. Matt Wieters added a two-run single through a drawn-in infield and the Orioles went up 7-4.

But they first had to survive the bottom of the 10th.
Jim Johnson, pitching in his third inning, gave up a leadoff double to Kevin Youkilis that bounced out of Lou Montanez’s glove at the base of the Green Monster. David Ortiz crushed a fly out to the deepest part of center, moving Youkilis to third. J.D. Drew followed with a double that scored Youkilis.

Rick Kranitz came out to calm Johnson, who then allowed a single to Adrian Beltre to bring the potential winning run to the plate. Bill Hall singled to make it 7-6, forcing Johnson out of the game.

Cla Meredith entered and faced former Oriole Darnell McDonald, who hit a foul pop to the catcher. Then Meredith got Scutaro to line out to second base.

Like you were worried. Like you don’t love Orioles’ drama.

Your hometown heroes head back to Baltimore with a one-game winning streak. Sure, they were only 2-8 on this road trip, but given the situation, that’s a whole lot better than 1-9 and six straight losses to mull over on an off day.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)
        

Stay around baseball long enough and you’ll experience some strange things. A perfect example occurred this morning when the phone rang and former Oriole Melvin Mora was at the other end.

We talked for a while and then I asked Mora, now with the Colorado Rockies, what he thought about the Orioles’ horrendous start and the precarious situation of his former manager Dave Trembley.

Mora knew this part of the conversation was on the record. Mora has never been shy to voice opinions, no matter how critical. And Mora is not a fan of Trembley, saying publicly last year that he felt Trembley “disrespected” him and was not upfront about the reason Mora had lost playing time.

So I was waiting for Mora, whose family still lives in Maryland, to unload on Trembley and the team that didn’t re-sign him. And this is what he said:

“In my heart, I think they should put the best team they have on the field. But in the bottom of my heart, I don’t think this losing has (anything) to do with Trembley. … With this situation, it doesn’t have to do much with Trembley. But somebody needs to get fired or somebody needs to start winning. And if somebody needs to go, who is going to go? You aren’t going to change 25 players. But, for me, maybe I am different, but I don’t like people to get fired, anyone.”

Make no mistake, Mora still isn’t one of Trembley’s fans. But this losing stretch, he said, should be on the players and the front office, and not the field manager.

“If Nick Markakis and (Adam) Jones and those guys aren’t hitting, what does the manager have to do with it? They go into the offseason and sign a closer and he has (two) blown saves before May, what does the manager have to do with it? They bring in three free agents and if they don’t work, what does the manager have to do with it?

“Maybe Trembley will say tomorrow, ‘What? Melvin Mora is defending me?’ Yeah. I give Trembley credit. It’s a tough situation and he has to battle.”

Mora said he has watched a lot of the Orioles games this season in the Rockies’ clubhouse, where his teammates like to keep tabs on former Rockies infielder Garrett Atkins. Mora said he doesn’t feel vindicated that the organization for which he played 10 seasons has struggled so mightily.

“To say I am happy the Orioles are losing or to say I am sad the Orioles are losing or to say I am mad that the Orioles are losing, I can’t say any of that,” Mora said. “All I can say is Melvin Mora wanted the Orioles to win when he was a part of that. I wanted to be part of a winning team there, but now it doesn’t matter.”

Mora has played sparingly with the Rockies so far this year, getting just 25 at-bats in nine games while playing at second base, third base and first base. Heading into Sunday, he was hitting .280 with a double, two triples and three RBIs.

He said he’s content being a utility man, that he knew that would be his role in Colorado. Although he said he’ll always be an Oriole at heart, he said he has no regrets in signing with the Rockies (9-9), especially given the situation in Baltimore.

“I love the young guys there. I had a great relationship with them,” Mora said. “But I am happy here. I am happy I don’t have to deal with a 2-16 start because those fans are going to be yelling (at the Orioles’ players) and they are right. Because they are desperate to win.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
        

Dave Trembley is trotting out another interesting lineup on Sunday versus the Red Sox and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

Nolan Reimold is leading off and playing in left field while Lou Montanez gets a break.

Rhyne Hughes, after his hot debut, is back in the lineup batting seventh and Garrett Atkins is out again.

Matt Wieters gets a day off and Craig Tatum will be starting behind the plate for his second time this year.

Ty Wigginton, the club leader in HRs and RBIs, is batting sixth.

Here's the lineup:

Reimold LF
Jones CF
Markakis RF
Tejada 3B
Scott DH
Wigginton 2B
Hughes 1B
Tatum C
Izturis SS

David Hernandez is pitching

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (7-10)

Opponent

at Charlotte Knights (2:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Brad Bergesen (0-2, 12.19 ERA with the Orioles)
Charlotte: Jeff Marquez (1-2, 5.63 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (12-5)

Opponent

Akron Aeros (2:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Chorye Spoone (1-1, 3.07 ERA)
Akron: Connor Graham (0-2, 7.07 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (10-6)

Opponent

Salem Red Sox (2 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Ryan O'Shea (1-2, 7.71 ERA)
Salem: Brock Huntzinger (0-1, 6.08 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (10-7)

Opponent

at Hagerstown Suns (2:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Matt Hobgood (1-0, 2.70 ERA)
Hagerstown: TBA

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Brian Matusz has left each of his four starts this season with the lead.

Twice he’s won the game – both of the Orioles’ victories this season.

Twice he’s been pulled by manager Dave Trembley and the bullpen has quickly blown his lead.

That’s what happened last night at Fenway Park. Matusz was pitching fairly well through six innings and the Orioles were up 3-1. But he walked the leadoff hitter, Bill Hall, after starting him 0-2. Then he gave up a single to lefty Jeremy Hermida.

Trembley came to the mound, pulled Matusz (after 102 pitches) and Matt Albers promptly allowed a three-run homer to Marco Scutaro to give the Red Sox their first lead. Kam Mickolio later in the inning gave up a three-run homer to Kevin Youkilis that proved to be the back-breaker.

Here’s what Trembley said about the decision:

“(Matusz) got himself and the team in a position to win the ballgame, He’s got the leadoff guy at no balls and two strikes and then goes four straight (balls). He’s got left against left and gives up a hit. You are certainly not going to let him lose it right there. He’s up in pitches he has gone deep in the game once again. You’ve got to turn it over to your bullpen and get outs. We didn’t get them.”

Matusz said what was expected after the game. That he wanted to stay in – he always wants to stay in, which is another great thing about the kid – but he understood what Trembley was doing. Matusz, in fact, was kicking himself some after the game for walking Hall, who was hitting .188.

“It’s lingering right now a little bit, but tomorrow it is over with. You just live and learn from those mistakes. It was nice of me to get ahead 0-2 but you’ve got to bear down and make a good pitch and not be so nit-picky with it. Yeah, it hurts right now a little bit. I wish I could do it all over.”

I’m sure there are a lot of people that wish Trembley would do it all over, too.

The problem with the decision – any decision to pull Matusz – is that there aren’t a lot of relievers in that bullpen right now that are consistent. That's not Trembley's fault.

But, as manager, it is his problem.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 12:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (17)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides beat the Charlotte Knights, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox blew a lead against the Akron Aeros.

The Single-A Frederick Keys were pounded by the Salem Red Sox, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds topped the Hagerstown Suns.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 4, Charlotte Knights 2 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (2-0) struck out 11 batters in seven scoreless innings as the Tides topped Charlotte, 4-2. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed two hits and issued one walk.

Norfolk third baseman Scott Moore was 2-for-3 with a three-run home run, and catcher Adam Donachie added a solo shot.

Tides designated hitter Josh Bell was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Relief pitcher Frank Mata was charged with one run, one hit and two walks in one inning, but he picked up his third save of the season for the Tides.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Akron Aeros 8, Bowie Baysox 6 (Box score)

Recap: Relief pitcher Wilfrido Perez (0-1) allowed three runs and two hits in the ninth inning as the Baysox lost, 8-6, to Akron at Prince George's Stadium.

Perez holds a 10.80 ERA in five appearances this season. Opponents are batting .364 against him.

Bowie starting pitcher Steve Johnson gave up five runs and five hits in five innings, but he was in line for the victory before Perez's blown save.

Baysox designated hitter Joel Guzman hit a three-run home run, and right fielder Paco Figueroa was 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Salem Red Sox 10, Frederick Keys 3 (Box score)

Recap: Relief pitcher Raul Rivero (0-1) was touched up for six runs (five earned), three hits and three walks in 1 1/3 innings in the Keys' 10-3 loss to Salem at Harry Grove Stadium.

Keys left fielder Xavier Avery was 3-for-5 with a run scored, raising his batting average to .407 in 15 games, and third baseman Billy Rowell added two hits and a run scored.

Frederick starting pitcher Rick Zagone gave up three runs (two earned) and five hits in 5 2/3 innings, but he didn't factor in the decision.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 9, Hagerstown Suns 3 (Box score)

Recap: First baseman Tyler Stampone and catcher Luis Bernardo each collected three RBIs in the Shorebirds' 9-3 victory over Hagerstown.

Delmarva third baseman Tyler Kolodny was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base, and center fielder Steve Bumbry added two hits.

Shorebirds starting pitcher Jake Cowan (2-0) held the Suns to three runs (two earned) and six hits in six innings. The 21-year-old right-hander struck out eight batters and issued two walks.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The answer is Norfolk, of course.

But the point is the Orioles bring the kid up and stick him into the starting lineup and he gets two hits in his first two at-bats against Boston's John Lackey.

His first hit, a hard single past a diving Kevin Youkilis, brought home Luke Scott.

Yeah, re-read that for a second. It's the kid's debut and he actually gets a hit with a runner in scoring position and lands his first RBI. Bring up all the Tides.

Through four innings the Orioles, who were hitting .150 in those situations, are 2-of-7 tonight. Ty Wigginton also had a single in the two-run second inning in addition to Hughes' hit.

Hughes' parents and 23-year-old brother are here to see his debut. They won't be going back to the hotel disappointed.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

Nothing is official yet regarding the pending Rhyne Hughes move. Won’t be for a few hours.

But when the Orioles officially put the Triple-A slugger onto their roster, someone has to go.

Expect it to be infielder Justin Turner, who was hitless in nine at-bats for the Orioles in five games. Turner is a great kid and a hard worker and likely will be on the Kam Mickolio Memorial Plane from Norfolk whenever the Orioles need a guy to come up and fill a variety of roles on the offense. Turner played in two games for the Tides, going 2-for-8 before being recalled when Brian Roberts headed to the DL.

But he wasn’t playing much, and he’s not a shortstop, which has kept Julio Lugo in an Orioles uniform so far.

There were other candidates, including a host of relievers. But the Orioles need all the arms they can get now, I suppose.

The interesting thing in all of this is how much Hughes plays and whether it means a reduced role for starting first baseman Garrett Atkins, who had a rough day in the field and at the plate Friday.

We’ll ask those questions later.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Needing some punch for an offense that can’t produce key hits, the Orioles are reaching into Triple-A Norfolk for another bat.

Although the move has not been made official, first baseman/outfielder Rhyne Hughes has been summoned to Boston and is expected to be in uniform today, a source confirmed. Hughes posted his promotion, the first of his career, on his Facebook page Friday night.

The Orioles are not announcing the move until a corresponding transaction is made. The player who will be affected by the Hughes’ promotion has not been notified as of this early afternoon.

Hughes, 26, was hitting .353 in 51 at-bats with the Tides. He had three homers, five doubles and 11 RBIs. Primarily a first baseman, Hughes has also played in the outfield and been the designated hitter for the Tides while mostly hitting cleanup. He reached base safely in all 14 games he has started and is 6-for-14 (.429 average) with runners in scoring position.

A former eighth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004, the Orioles acquired Hughes last year as the player to be named in the Gregg Zaun deal. He displayed legitimate power in spring training and should help an Orioles offense that is batting .150 with runners in scoring position and left a season-high 12 men on base Friday in a 4-3 loss to Boston.

The corresponding move could be the demotion or outrighting of a relief pitcher with Alberto Castillo, Matt Albers, Cla Meredith and Kam Mickolio potential candidates. The Orioles also could make a move with backup infielders Justin Turner or Julio Lugo.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (6-10)

Opponent

at Charlotte Knights (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Jake Arrieta (1-0, 0.50 ERA)
Charlotte: Carlos Torres (1-2, 3.94 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (12-4)

Opponent

Akron Aeros (6:35 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Steve Johnson (0-1, 3.21 ERA)
Akron: Scott Barnes (0-2, 6.57 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (10-5)

Opponent

Salem Red Sox (2 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Rick Zagone (0-1, 1.93 ERA)
Salem: Stolmy Pimentel (2-0, 1.64 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (9-7)

Opponent

at Hagerstown Suns (6:35 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Jake Cowan (1-0, 2.12 ERA)
Hagerstown: Josh Smoker (0-2, 5.40 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides grabbed a much-needed win over the Charlotte Knights, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox topped the Akron Aeros.

The Single-A Frederick Keys beat the Salem Red Sox, while the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds fell in extra innings to the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

There were a couple injuries involving first basemen in the Orioles' minor league system recently.

In Thursday night's game, the Keys' Joe Mahoney tweaked his hamstring while running out a ground ball. According to the team, he is day-to-day and won't go on the disabled list.

Also, Delmarva's Tyler Townsend suffered a hamstring injury Thursday and was placed on the disabled list by the team. It's unclear when he will return at this time. In order to take his place on the roster, the Shorebirds activated catcher Michael Ohlman from the DL.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 5, Charlotte Knights 3 (Box score)

Recap: Finally, Tides starting pitcher Chris Tillman (1-3) earned his first win of the season in a 5-3 victory over Charlotte.

The 22-year-old right-hander dominated the Knights, holding them to three runs and seven hits in eight innings. Tillman struck out five batters and didn't walk anyone, throwing 62 of his 90 pitches for strikes.

Norfolk designated hitter Brandon Snyder was 2-for-4 with a double and his first home run of the season, while left fielder Michael Aubrey and catcher Adam Donachie each added solo shots.

Relief pitcher Frank Mata retired the side in order in the ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season for the Tides.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 12, Akron Aeros 9 (Box score)

Recap: Although starting pitcher Zach Britton was rocked by Akron at Prince George's Stadium, the Baysox outlasted the Aeros for a 12-9 win.

Britton was charged with seven runs (four earned) and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old left-hander walked three batters and collected three strikeouts.

Despite allowing two runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings, relief pitcher Zach Clark (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season for the Baysox.

Bowie third baseman Brandon Waring contributed two hits, including a two-run home run, and first baseman Joel Guzman was 1-for-1 with a solo home run and three walks.

Baysox left fielder Tyler Henson added two hits and three RBIs, and right fielder Paco Figueroa was 2-for-4 with a stolen base, two RBIs and two runs scored.

Right-hander Jim Hoey tossed a scoreless inning for Bowie, and Eddie Gamboa recorded the final six outs in order for his second save of the season.

The Baysox committed four errors in the game -- two by shortstop Pedro Florimon and one each by Britton and second baseman Ryan Adams.

Center fielder Miguel Abreu was 3-for-5 with a run scored for Bowie.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Frederick Keys 8, Salem Red Sox 4 (Box score)

Recap: The Keys scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take an 8-4 victory over Salem in the series opener at Harry Grove Stadium.

Frederick starting pitcher Kenny Moreland pitched well, allowing only two unearned runs and three hits in five innings, but he didn't factor in the decision.

Relief pitcher Sean Gleason (1-0) earned the win for the Keys after holding Salem to one run and four hits in two innings.

Keys first baseman Jacob Julius was 3-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and three runs scored, and second baseman L.J. Hoes added a triple and three RBIs.

Left fielder Xavier Avery was 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, and center fielder Kyle Hudson contributed two hits, an RBI and a stolen base. He was also caught stealing once.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Greensboro Grasshoppers 3, Delmarva Shorebirds 2, 11 innings (Box score)

Recap: First baseman Tyler Stampone picked up two RBIs, but the Shorebirds were edged by Greensboro, 3-2, at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Delmarva starting pitcher Ryan Berry shined in seven scoreless innings, holding the Grasshoppers to four hits, one walk and one hit batter. The 21-year-old right-hander collected seven strikeouts in the no-decision.

Shorebirds relief pitcher Ryan Palsha (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing a solo home run to Greensboro first baseman Brent Weaver in the top of the 11th inning.

Shortstop Garabez Rosa was 2-for-4 with a double for Delmarva.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 1:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Finally getting a day off should have done the Orioles good.

It should have allowed them to try and start anew.

In the end, though, the Orioles dropped another winnable game in an excruciating way. They came back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game at 3-3 in the eighth only to see the bullpen walk three straight batters, the last by Jim Johnson to force in the winning run.

Now the Orioles are 2-15.

Afterward, the Orioles pitchers that couldn't throw strikes in the eighth didn't shy away from the media. That's tough to do. I've seen Orioles throughout the years hide in training rooms until our deadline summoned and we had to leave. Johnson, however, is always by his locker when things go bad. And this is the first time Ohman has been stuck in a situation like this as an Oriole, but it is my guess he'll always be stand up, too.

Here's some of their quotes.

From Johnson:
"We didn’t throw a whole lot of strikes, and you obviously can’t defend against the walks. That’s inexcusable. That’s terrible. You can’t lose a game on walking in a guy with the bases loaded. That’s just horse(bleep) on my part.

"It's not like we are trying to do that. We’ve got to figure it out. I’m trying to throw a ball down the middle and it just isn’t going there. That last pitch to Beltre. I've got to make him try to hit the ball and put it in play. You can’t defend the walk that’s the worse thing that could happen right there."

From Will Ohman, who walked two with two outs and a runner on third. He threw eight pitches, all balls. Two were intentional.

"You decide the game in the seventh or eighth inning, I didn’t get it done. This isn’t anybody’s fault but mine, personally. I gave them momentum when they didn’t necessarily have it. There’s a runner on third with two outs and I have got two chances to get a guy out and I don’t even throw a pitch close. That’s on me.

"I just stunk it up. I didn’t get it done. It’s frustrating in that we needed a pick-me-up and I gave us a let-me-down. I didn’t get it done. Nobody’s fault but mine."

"My job is to shut down that inning, I am not going to suppose what somebody else should have done. I didn't get it done. I gave them a position where JJ had to come and pick me up and it shouldn’t have been there. I don’t care what park we are in or who we are facing, I did not get it done."

Posted by Dan Connolly at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

I hate to interrupt your NFL draft, but here are some pertinent stats for Baltimore fans of the other sport.

The Orioles have batted in five innings so far at Fenway Park. They have two hits, three walks and have been hit by one pitch.

And, yes, they are being shutout by Jon Lester.

The Orioles are 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position so far, making them 17 for 113 this season, by far the worst in the majors.

They also have played shoddy defense behind Jeremy Guthrie, who has allowed three runs through five innings in what could be another quality start.

They even ran themselves out of a potential threat when Cesar Izturis was hit by a pitch to start the fifth and then was promptly picked off first base,

The Red Sox were just one of 37 in nabbing basestealers this season before tricking Izturis.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

The Orioles almost had another "here we go" moment.

During batting practice before Friday's game at Fenway, Izturis was fielding grounders off a fungo when a ball took a bad hop and smashed him in the right ear. He dropped to a knee and left the field with athletic trainer Brian Ebel. And he didn't return to the field pre-game.

It's chilly in Boston, and Izturis said the ball wasn't hit hard but it stung badly when it struck him.

His ear was still red 15 minutes later, but he said he's OK and he'll play today as regularly scheduled.

"Man, it really hurt at first. But I am fine."

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

So the Boston Red Sox are 6-10 this season, are using minor leaguers in their outfield and can't throw out any baserunners.

Red Sox ace 1A Jon Lester is 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA, and so he should be ripe for the crushing by a struggling Orioles' lineup. Right?

But consider this: Lester is 10-0 in 12 starts against the Orioles in his career. And the Orioles are 8-32 in their last 40 games at Fenway since David Ortiz hit a walkoff against B.J. Ryan on June 2, 2005.

They've also lost 13 of their last 14 here.

One thing likely will happen: Lester or the Orioles will break out of their recent funk.

You have a feeling which you'd bet on?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

Here’s an updated look at how several members of the 2009 Orioles are doing with their new organizations.

Below numbers are through Thursday’s games.

Hitters

Aubrey Huff (S.F. Giants): .268 avg., 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 11 runs, 7 BBs
Chad Moeller (Scranton/W.B., Yankees’ Triple-A): .182 avg. (2-for-11), 0 HR, 0 RBIs, 1 BB, 3 K
Melvin Mora (Colorado Rockies): .273 avg. (6-for-22), 0 HRs, 2 RBIs
Oscar Salazar (San Diego Padres): .000 avg. (0-for-10), 1 run, 1 BB
Gregg Zaun (Milwaukee Brewers): .133 avg. (6-for-45) 0 HRs, 2 RBIs, 2 BBs

Pitchers

Danys Baez (Philadelphia Phillies): 0-1, 6.35 ERA (5 2/3 IP), 4 ER, 4 hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks
Brian Bass (Indy, Pirates’ Triple-A): 0-1, 4.05 ERA (13 1/3 IP), 6 ER, 15 hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks
Sean Henn (Las Vegas, Blue Jays’ Triple-A): 1-0, 0.00 ERA (7 2/3 IP), 5 hits, 6 BBs, 7 Ks
Rich Hill (Memphis, Cards’ Triple-A): 1-1, 4.08 ERA (17 2/3 IP), 8 ER, 14 hits, 13 BBs, 15 Ks
Radhames Liz (Portland, Padres’ Triple-A): 2-0, 2.57 ERA (14 IP), 4 ER, 10 hits, 6 BBs, 22 Ks
John Parrish (Kansas City Royals): 1-1, 1.50 (6 IP), 1 ER, 3 hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks
Chris Ray (Texas Rangers): 0-0, 3.00 ERA (6 IP), 2 ER, 4 hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks
George Sherrill (L.A. Dodgers): 0-1, 10.13 ERA (5 1/3 IP), 6 ERs, 7 hits, 9 BBs, 4 Ks
Chris Waters (Nash., Brewers’ Triple-A): 2-0, 3.78 ERA (16 2/3 IP), 7 ERs, 15 hits, 5 BB, 14 Ks

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides hit the road to take on the Charlotte Knights, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox continue their series against the Akron Aeros at Prince George's Stadium.

The Single-A Frederick Keys return to Harry Grove Stadium to face the Salem Red Sox, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds wrap up their series with the Greensboro Grasshoppers at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Also, tonight is "Going Green Night" in Frederick, and the first 1,000 fans will receive a reusable tote bag, courtesy of the Frederick County Department of Solid Waste Management.

The Baysox will hold a fireworks display after their game against Akron.

Myron Noodleman is going to be appearing at the Shorebirds-Grasshoppers matchup. Yeah, I wasn't sure who that was either, so here is his website.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (5-10)

Opponent

at Charlotte Knights (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Chris Tillman (0-3, 8.38 ERA)
Charlotte: Lucas Harrell (1-1, 5.82 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (11-4)

Opponent

Akron Aeros (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Zach Britton (1-1, 3.86 ERA)
Akron: Zach Putnam (2-0, 1.20 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (9-5)

Opponent

Salem Red Sox (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Kenny Moreland (1-0, 3.27 ERA)
Salem: Alex Wilson (1-0, 7.27 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (9-6)

Opponent

Greensboro Grasshoppers (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Ryan Berry (0-1, 4.70 ERA)
Greensboro: Matthew Montgomery (1-2, 5.28 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

I am sitting at the gate at BWI waiting to board a plane to Boston and I am surrounded by fans wearing the Orioles' orange and black.

OK, I am exaggerating. Surrounded is relative. There's a woman in front of me with an Orioles' jacket draped on her shoulders. And there are two guys in bright orange O's jerseys to my left.

So, at the very least, Fenway Park is likely to be invaded today by three fans wearing Orioles' gear.

That may not exactly combat the 30,000 or so Red Sox fans that will converge each game next week at Camden Yards.

But we're talking about baby steps here. This is a team that's 2-14 and a trickle of fans are still making the trip (though they likely booked before the season's start).

I betya if we played the National Anthem before we board, there'd be at least three -- maybe even five or six -- loud 'Os' bellowed.

Baby steps.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

Here are more of your responses to the questions below:

1. Is it too soon to consider the Orioles' 2010 season a lost cause? Why or why not?

2. What should the team do with Dave Trembley? Is it too early to fire the Orioles manager?

1. It is definitely too early to call it a season. Too many things can happen, and it is still April. If the Orioles win 12 out of 15 over the next two weeks, the season is completely different. Teams like the Rockies have proven that you can rebound from a miserable start, get hot, and be successful. The starting pitching has been very encouraging, minus Brad Bergesen, and one would figure that the bats will soon come around and Roberts and others will be back as well.

2. The Orioles should keep Trembley and he should continue to hold their feet to the fire.

There is still plenty of time for this to be an exciting season. But they lose another 14 of 16 or it's really over.

Rusty Payne, 36 years old
McLean, Virginia

I would not yet consider the 2010 season a lost cause. This season the Orioles can really start to concentrate on getting players like Brian Matusz and Matt Wieters a feel for the major leagues. Matt Wieters can continue to work with the young pitchers so they can trust each other. Jake Arrieta and Zach Britton can really get a chance to perfect their pitches and not get rushed into the major leagues. A big problem that the Orioles have had this year has been lack of hitting and since there is no chance of the Orioles making the playoffs, they should bring up guys like Rhyne Hughes and Scott Moore since Atkins and Izturis would not be big losses in a season that is already over. Plus we can show off the prospects to other teams so that they can be trade bait for a big bat or a pitcher. So even though the Orioles have no chance at making the playoffs, this season is not a lost cause and the Orioles have many things to build upon.

I think that Dave Trembley is a nice guy, but he does not seem to be able to get the message to the players. I understand that he is a very positive guy and I think that is a good quality to have in a manager, but I think that this team needs a hard-nosed manager that will really get in your face. So I think that if the Orioles record does not improve in the next month it will be time to look for a new manager. I would maybe keep Trembley with the team, but I do not think that he has done a good job managing this team. He has been given enough chances and has not been able to produce wins with this team so it is time for him to go.

Chris Trenkle
Age 14
North Carolina

John Burke
37
Lutherville

This problem is beyond Dave Trembly and Andy McPhail.

Look up the article the sun published last year about the spring training facilities. How can a major league club have facilities like that?

Shame on Peter Angelos and shame on mlb for letting Kansas city, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, etc get away with spending nothing to even try to compete!

I love baseball and I love the orioles (except for angelos and eli jacobs, where this bs started).

MLB needs to take a page from the NFL.

MLB stand up to the MLBPA and the Stienbrenner family or you will join boxing and horse racing as sports that used to matter in this Country.

As I write this I am watching the NFL draft. IT'S NOT EVEN A GAME!

Steve, good luck with your project. I wonder how many people really care anymore? I really wish I did. MLB is BROKEN!

John

I'm Dan Collins, age 47, I live in Baltimore City.

1. Is it too soon to consider the 2010 Orioles season a lost cause? Why or why not?

Depends on what you mean by a lost cause. If the cause is to win the pennant, heck yeah. If the cause is to reach .500...well, probably. If the cause is to just play .500 baseball for the rest of the year, then no, I don't think it's a lost cause and here's why.

I've been watching the Orioles intently since 1979, so for over 30 years, and the key to success has always been two things...pitching and defense. 1989's team is a great example. Who was the big hitter? Cal? Brady? Larry Sheets?? But the had an outfield of Devereaux, Finley and Bradley and Brady and any ball that wasn't hit out of the park was generally caught. And we had pitching. Jeff Ballard had a career season, won 18 games, didn't come close before, never did later. Olson cracked curveballs that would have brought tears of envy to Bert Blyleven's eyes. They got men OUT. You do that, you are in EVERY GAME. You don't, you're beat. So what about this year's team? The starting pitching is there...whodahthunk that? The defense is there...or can be there, would be there if we didn't keep having players like our starting third baseman, starting second baseman et al end up on the disabled list. We just need to get everybody healthy. And MacPhail needs to find an Eddie Murray to spark the team so that the pitchers don't get fed up...and we haven't had an Eddie Murray since...well, Eddie Murray.

2. What should the Orioles do with Dave Trembley? Is it too soon to fire the Orioles manager?
It may be too soon to fire Dave Trembley, but frankly, I'd be considering it. I was a fan of Dave when he was named manager as I thought, from his look and demeanor, he was going to be an Earl Weaver type...that is, tough, no nonsense, don't want to hear about how your freakin' trapezius muscle, get out there and pitch kind of guy. Turns out he was...well, nice. Not saying nice guys finish last, but nice guys are often not the best motivators. Take Patton for instance, and I don't mean Troy. You wouldn't find General Patton singing Kumbaya. This team continues to make bonehead mistakes, lacks fire...I see guys smiling and cutting up in the dugout when they're looking at 2-11...2-12...2-13...2-14. I'm not saying they should look like they're at a funeral, but they should be focused, determined, and taking what they do damn seriously. We're not seeing that. And I'm sorry, that comes from the top. That's the manager's job and if he's not doing it, you get someone who can, end of line. So what's Earl been up to these days?

1. It is still early but there is not much hope for this team competing this year. As a Baltimorean spoiled by the successes of the Ravens I would love to see the Orioles reach .500. There are a lot of young players that show hope for a future success but Trembly has wasted his opportunity to cash in on this young talent. Yes we have had injuries but so does a lot of teams. We haven't had to many free agent busts because we haven't gotten any big free agents. You live or die by the youth movement and despite all the hype they are in one heck of a slump.

2. As much as I was thinking that Trembly would last till at least the all-star break I think that he has lost the team. I think the Orioles will need to let him go. Whatever he is using to motivate the Orioles is not working. I would say that the O's could get rid of him at any time but who is going to replace him? All the coaches are part of the Trembly regime. I think the O's should have cut him at the end of the season especially after the team totally quit on him. And even with a new manager the thoughts of the O's reaching .500 this season is dismal at best. The only thing that has me smiling (which is probably me being delirious) is thinking back to the '88 season when the O's started 0-21. We had the signing of the birth of Camden Yards and the following season we came close to the playoffs but it was an great "Why Not?" ride.

Hope this helps.
Thanks

Jamie

Trembley has to go. This shouldn't be a debate at this point, and frankly it shouldn't have been a question last season either. So, no, it isn't too soon.

Under his "leadership," this team has made a habit of playing uninspired baseball. They drop fly balls, fail to communicate in the field, allow veterans to jog out groundballs, and continually butcher the basepaths. Trembley has been preaching a focus on fundamentals for three years, yet night after night, we give away runs at the plate and in the field because of a complete lack of fundamentals. Am I the only one who thinks that if you have been working on something for three years, you should be fairly good at it by now?

Also on display every night is Trembley's impressive inability to manufacture runs. The fact is--we do no have anyone in the lineup who shouldn't be sacrificing. With all due respect to the current roster, no one is that much of a threat, particularly right now. O's hitters are even unable to (or unwilling to) hit the ball to the right side with a runner on 2nd and less than two outs, so why does Trembley continue to let everyone swing away? It is flat out moronic. The O's have lost half their games by two runs or less... think the ability to play small ball matters?
Now, all these managerial issues would be a problem on any team, but when you factor in the number of young, impressionable players on the Orioles, those problems are devastating. When a manager allows his players to loaf to fly balls (Jones), jog to first (Lugo), and be selfish at the plate (see all) without repercussions, it is as good as saying, "This is the Oriole way, welcome to the club." That is going to be a hard attitude to reverse.

I am not expecting this team to make the playoffs with a new manager, but they could, and should, be .500. This young group of talented players should believe and play like they are the better team day in and day out, whether it's true or not. That is called a winning attitude. Trembley has this team expecting to lose, and we desperately need someone in that dugout who can change that.

To finally answer your first question, the season is not lost. Unfortunately, the majority of games will be... until the Orioles have a manager who demands the most out of his players.

Paul Clark, 29
Bethesda, Maryland

Posted by Steve Gould at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides lost to the Gwinnett Braves in the final game of their homestand, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox beat the Akron Aeros.

The Single-A Frederick Keys split two games with the Potomac Nationals, losing the completion of last night's suspended game and winning by a large margin in the nightcap.

The Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds topped the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Before tonight's game, the Baysox added right-hander Jim Hoey to their roster. In order to make room for him, right-hander Ryan Ouellette was transferred off the squad.

In three games so far this season, Ouellette is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five innings for Bowie. The 24-year-old right-hander made the Eastern League All-Star team in 2009.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Gwinnett Braves 8, Norfolk Tides 3 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Brandon Erbe allowed five runs and seven hits, including two home runs, in five innings as the Tides lost, 8-3, to Gwinnett this afternoon at Harbor Park.

The 22-year-old right-hander struck out four batters and threw 52 of his 79 pitches for strikes. Gwinnett first baseman Freddie Freeman was 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs in today's game against the Tides.

Norfolk designated hitter Rhyne Hughes was 2-for-4 with a solo home run, and left fielder Jeff Salazar added a two-run shot.

Tides third baseman Josh Bell collected two hits, and center fielder Joey Gathright had a double, a stolen base and a run scored.

The Tides committed three errors, including Bell's sixth defensive miscue of the season.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 7, Akron Aeros 2 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Tim Bascom (2-0) allowed one run and six hits in seven innings as the Baysox cruised to a 7-2 victory over Akron at Prince George's Stadium.

"I just came into the game wanting to command the strike zone and that's basically what I did all night," Bascom said.

The 25-year-old right-hander struck out two batters and issued one walk, throwing 64 of his 89 pitches for strikes. In 18 innings so far this season, Bascom has held opponents to two earned runs.

"After the first inning, when he threw 25 pitches or so, he bounced back and threw the ball really well," Baysox manager Brad Komminsk said. "He know what he's doing out there and tonight was no exception."

Baysox catcher Caleb Joseph was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, and he had some high praise about Bascom's performance.

"We face [Akron] quite a bit -- four games [last week] and basically a lot of the same faces from last year -- so we have a pretty good idea, and [Bascom] was on," Joseph said. "This is the second time I've caught him [with the Baysox] and he was just spot on."

Bowie left fielder Tyler Henson was a home run shy of the cycle and he collected three RBIs, while designated hitter Joel Guzman was 2-for-4 with a two-run home run.

Frederick Keys (A)

Game 1 score: Potomac Nationals 10, Frederick Keys 8 (Box score)

Game 1 recap: For a summary of the events of this game between Frederick and Potomac, which resumed in the seventh inning after being suspended Wednesday because of fog, click here to read yesterday's recap.

Potomac scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to win, 10-8. Keys relief pitcher John Mariotti (1-1) suffered the loss after giving up two runs, three hits and four walks in two innings.

Game 2 score: Frederick Keys 12, Potomac Nationals 1 (Box score)

Game 2 recap: Third baseman Billy Rowell hit a three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning as the Keys erupted for 11 runs in the final two frames to pick up a 12-1 victory over Potomac.

The 21-year-old infielder had four RBIs in the game, but he also committed a fielding error.

Frederick center fielder Xavier Avery was 4-for-5 with a stolen base, an RBI and three runs scored, and right fielder Ronnie Welty had two RBIs and two runs scored.

Keys starting pitcher Cole McCurry held the Nationals to one run and four hits in five innings, and relief pitcher Jose Duran (2-0) earned the win after tossing three scoreless frames.

Second baseman L.J. Hoes and catcher Wally Crancer each collected two RBIs and two runs scored for the Keys.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 7, Greensboro Grasshoppers 1 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Tony Butler earned his first victory since the 2008 season as the Shorebirds earned a 7-1 win over Greensboro at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

The 22-year-old left-hander struck out nine batters, allowed three hits and issued three walks in five scoreless innings. Butler is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA in three starts this season.

Delmarva designated hitter Tyler Townsend was 1-for-2 with two RBIs, and center fielder Steve Bumbry added two doubles and an RBI.

The Shorebirds collected 16 strikeouts as a team.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Thanks for all the great responses to the questions below about whether it's too soon to write off the 2010 Orioles and what the club should do with manager Dave Trembley.

Many of you guys weighed on, either via e-mail or commenting on the blog, and had interesting things to say.

Because of space constraints, we couldn't use every response for print, but I thought you guys might be interested to see what your fellow fans had to say.

Here are some of the e-mail responses. I'll post more as I receive them:

Hi, i am an 11 year old boy named Edward Joseph Obrecht in Roland Park, Baltimore Maryland

1. No, it is not too late to consider the orioles season a lost cause. I agree with Dave Trembley that, yes, we are starting the pennant drive. It is possible that next month we could have maybe 20 wins and 10 losses, which could almost get us back to .500. So yes it is too early too start ditching the orioles because of the many possible scenarios that coud happen.

2. The orioles should fire Dave Trembly at the end of the month if the orioles continue the losing trend they are in. He had never had a season with the orioles with over 70 wins so if he continues this he should be fired soon. It is a little early but if they do continue this streak he should be gone.

Steve:

1. The O's season is not a lost cause--yet. It is still VERY early, and a turnaround
can happen very quickly. Plus, we did not expect a playoff hunt this year in any regard.

2. Trembley deserves a chance to make it to All-Star break, unless the next month
is truly dismal. I met Trebs at Fan Fest and he seemed as good a guy as i expected.
But we all know you can't fire all the players.

regards.

John C. Onyun, age 55
Kensington, MD

My name is Brendan Bailey. I am a 27-year old living in Towson, MD. I am a middle school teacher at Saint Ursula School in Parkville.

1. Is it too soon to consider the 2010 season a lost cause?

It's tough being a 27-year old who teaches middle-school students. You see, the students I teach were, for the most part, born in 1998 or later. They have literally never been alive to see the Orioles above .500, so for them, Baltimore Baseball is a joke, just a side-story before Ravens season begins. Yet, every year, I try to drum up enthusiasm, telling the kids it is their Baltimorish responsibility to cheer for the local team, that the Yankees are an evil empire (even if they do always win), and that the Orioles will get better.

In fact, this season, I just about guaranteed it. On promises of Wieters, Jones, Markakis, and Matusz, I nearly convinced my classes that the O's were worth caring about. I gave them a night off of homework on Opening Day. I organized a group outing to Camden Yards and sold nearly 600 tickets. I even saw a few of the guys wear Orioles ties to school instead of their regular school uniform ties. Hope abounded.

Well, until 2-12. Now, every day, it's like a joke. "So, Mr. Bailey, how many runs did they give up last night?" or, "So, Mr. Bailey, how many game behind the Yanks are we now?" The O's ties are gone. Kids want their money back on the group outing tickets. Their faith is lost, and they feel I misled them.

And you know what? My faith is gone too. After so many years of patience and hope, after thousands of dollars spent on season tickets each year, the best my team can field at the end of a "rebuilding" plan is no better than what they had before they even started.

Now, when I turn on MASN, I watch the Nationals. Their division is easier, their players play with hustle, their manager lights a fire under them, and their fledgling fan base is slowly growing. The contrast between their organization and the Orioles is so dramatic. I'd rather see a team on the rise than a team that is perpetually on the decline.

2) What should the Orioles do with Dave Trembley?

It is so painful to think that the only reason Trembley has this job is because Joe Girardi didn't want it. What a difference a winning manager would have made to instill a winning attitude into a group of young players. Trembley's very appearance speaks to his values. Overweight, sunburned, inarticulate, he only sets an example of how to settle into mediocrity. Fire him? They should have never hired him.

Hi Steve,

I'm 57 and been a lifelong Orioles fan. I currently live near Reno, NV.

As to your questions, I believe that its not too early to right off the season. Its still April for God's sake. Andy MacPhail is a good GM and has a good track record. He's taken a lot of heat and its understandable given the long steak of Orioles losing season. But MacPhail is doing what he's done best in the past and that is strengthening the Orioles farm system. The young pitching staff of the Orioles and at Norfolk is the envy of many other ballclubs. Its the Orioles hitting that has cost the Orioles a better record. Guys like Markakis and Jones need to step up and I believe that they will. The Orioles are not a .500 club yet but there is still time for them to become respectible.

Trembley might be in over his head, I'm afraid. He is responsible for the coaching staff and must motivate the players and I'm afraid that the team doesn't appear to be motivated at this point. Let's see if the O's can be respectable, say 6-6 over the next 12 games against big rivals the Yankees and Red Sox. If the team shows some sign of life, Trembey stays otherwise its time to make a change since you can't fire the whole team.

John Kilian

to answer the first one yes it is to late for the orioles in 2010 because in the american east there are one to many good teams and if you don't keep pace your done.

yes it is time to let trembly go but also crowley.when your offense can't score rns some time you need to manufacture runs and he doesn't do that .prime example the other night in seattle lead off with a double and don't bunt when your team can't score runs with no outs.and crowley is just not doing it he's been here to long can't get the offense going he's suppose to be an expert.

Bill Pierce
193 aston ln.
middletown ct. 06457

Posted by Steve Gould at 7:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Want to assist with, and possibly be quoted in, a Baltimore Sun story about the Orioles?

Weigh in on the following questions by e-mailing your responses to steve.gould@baltsun.com (please include your full name, age and location):

1. Is it too soon to consider the 2010 Orioles season a lost cause? Why or why not?

2. What should the Orioles do with Dave Trembley? Is it too soon to fire the Orioles manager?

All responses are appreciated.

Posted by Steve Gould at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

The Orioles have a 2-14 record.

That’s good enough for the second pick in tonight’s NFL Draft, assuming they win the coin flip with the Detroit Lions.

I am hoping Sam Bradford falls to them. He’s a 6-foot-4 college kid with a killer arm and an injury history. If he is not perfect for the Orioles’ rotation, I don’t know who is.

With the Orioles experiencing their first off day since this dreadful season began, and it coming on the first NFL Draft Thursday, I took it as a sign from the sporting gods, to talk a little football inside the bar.

Yes the bar is inside Orioles Insider, but, hey, I made the requisite crack on how bad they are. We are working under the assumption that no big news is coming out of the warehouse today. So until that is proven wrong, we can drift to the NFL.

If you were the Ravens’ brain trust, who would you select with the first pick (No. 25 overall)?

Do you want another offensive weapon such as Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas or Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham, if available?

Or do you bolster the defense, adding a lineman such as Penn State’s Jared Odrick or Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody or a defensive back such as Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson or USC safety Taylor Mays.

I know I am no fun, but I’d get me a physical corner like Wilson (a longshot to be around at 25), and if he is gone, I’d grab the best available defender. Though I’d be real tempted to get another potential stud WR, such as Thomas, given what the Ravens have wheeled out there in recent years.

Daily Think Special: Who should the Ravens take with the 25th pick?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 1:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides wrap up their homestand with an afternoon game against the Gwinnett Braves at Harbor Park, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox return home to Prince George's Stadium to take on the Akron Aeros.

The Single-A Frederick Keys will complete their suspended game with the Potomac Nationals before the two teams play their regularly scheduled contest. The first matchup is tied, 8-8, with no outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds face the Greensboro Grasshoppers at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (5-9)

Opponent

Gwinnett Braves (12:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Brandon Erbe (0-2, 7.45 ERA)
Gwinnett: Tim Gustafson (0-1, 12.27 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (10-4)

Opponent

Akron Aeros (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Tim Bascom (1-0, 0.82 ERA)
Akron: Ryan Edell (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (8-4)

Opponent

at Potomac Nationals (5:30 p.m.) -- Suspended game to be completed first

Regular game: Probable pitchers

Frederick: Cole McCurry (1-0, 2.00 ERA)
Potomac: A.J. Morris (0-1, 3.00 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (8-6)

Opponent

Greensboro Grasshoppers (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Tony Butler (0-1, 6.43 ERA)
Greensboro: Curtis Petersen (0-1, 7.11 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides beat the Gwinnett Braves, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox topped the Erie SeaWolves.

The matchup between the Single-A Frederick Keys and Potomac Nationals was suspended and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds were edged by the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Before tonight's game, right-handed pitcher Jose Diaz was added to the Keys.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 6, Gwinnett Braves 3 (Box score)

Recap: Left fielder Jeff Salazar hit a three-run home run in the third inning to lead the Tides to a 6-3 victory over Gwinnett at Harbor Park.

Norfolk third baseman Josh Bell was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, and first baseman Brandon Snyder added two hits and a run scored.

Tides starting pitcher Troy Patton (1-2) held the Braves to two runs and five hits in six innings to pick up his first win of the season. Relief pitcher Frank Mata tossed the final two innings to earn his first save for Norfolk.

Second baseman Blake Davis hit a triple for the Tides, and center fielder Joey Gathright collected two hits, an RBI and a run scored.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 5, Erie SeaWolves 3 (Box score)

Recap: First baseman Joel Guzman was 2-for-5 with a triple and a solo home run as the Baysox snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over Erie in the final game of their road trip.

Bowie third baseman Brandon Waring also hit a solo home run, and center fielder Miguel Abreu was 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored.

Baysox starting pitcher Ryohei Tanaka (2-0) was charged with three runs (two earned) and five hits in 5 1/3 innings, and relief pitcher Pat Egan tossed 3 2/3 perfect frames for his second save of the season.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Frederick Keys 8, Potomac Nationals 8 -- SUSPENDED (Box score)

Recap: Right fielder Ronnie Welty was 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBIs and three runs scored for Frederick before their game against Potomac was suspended due to fog with the score tied, 8-8.

Keys first baseman Joe Mahoney hit a two-run home run, and catcher Brian Ward was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Frederick starting pitcher Nathan Nery allowed seven runs (four earned) and 10 hits in four innings. The 24-year-old left-hander struck out one batter and didn't walk anyone.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Greensboro Grasshoppers 6, Delmarva Shorebirds 5 (Box score)

Recap: After rallying to tie the game with five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Shorebirds allowed Greensboro to score the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth in a 6-5 loss at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Delmarva right fielder Michael Planeta was 2-for-5 with a three-run double and a run scored, and first baseman Tyler Townsend added three hits.

Shorebirds designated hitter Tyler Stampone collected a double and an RBI, and shortstop Garabez Rosa was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Starting pitcher Jesse Beal allowed five runs (three earned) and six hits in six innings for Delmarva, but he didn't factor in the decision. Shorebirds relief pitcher Nathan Moreau (0-2) suffered the loss after giving up one run and two hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Third baseman Tyler Kolodny was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and three errors. So far this season, Kolodny has committed seven defensive miscues.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

If you had April 21 in the "When will Dave Trembley blow his stack" pool, collect your prize. The Orioles manager had a brief, but apparently noisy, team meeting tonight to get after his players for both their effort and execution in recent days. Trembley said it wasn't one play or sequence that set him off, but rather a collection of them. I'd say Julio Lugo's hustle down the first base line and the Orioles' getting leadoff doubles in two innings last night and not budging the runners were at the top of the list. Anyway, here is the transcription of Trembley's comments to the media about the meeting.

We need to get our offense going, and we need to find a way to get things done in order for us to win some games. It’s been really unacceptable 15 games into the season for us to be losing the amount of games that we’ve lost by not doing the things that we’re capable of doing. Let’s hope tonight we get it started in that direction. We need to get it going.

It’s time to dial it up and get this thing going in a positive direction and quit accepting it and saying "It’s OK." It’s not OK. It’s not OK at all. And I’m tired of covering for them. I get questions point blank, and I feel like I’m a damn presidential press secretary sometimes. Instead of telling them how it is, I got to smooth it over. I ain’t smoothing it over anymore. Everybody here is intuitive enough. They know. I love the players. There are people that want to see them fail. I happen to be one that doesn’t want them to fail. I want to see the Baltimore Orioles succeed. And I know the odds are against us, but I think we can do it. That’s how I feel.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (51)
        

Dating to last year, left-hander Brian Matusz has won six straight decisions starting with his Aug. 20 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Since that day, the Orioles have 18 wins total, so Matusz has a third of them.

There was some talk that moving Jeremy Guthrie back to the No. 2 spot in the rotation after the addition of Kevin Millwood would help the Orioles’ right-hander get some better matchups. That has not been the case early. Guthrie’s counterparts for the first four games (Matt Garza twice, Jon Lester and CC Sabathia) have a combined record of 27-2 against the Orioles and a 2.48 ERA. Ouch.

Of the Orioles’ 18 runs on this road trip, infielder Ty Wigginton has either driven in or scored 11 of them. He also has hit five of the Orioles’ past seven homers. I fully expected Wigginton to have a nice year if he got the at-bats, but it’s ridiculous if you have to depend on him to carry the offense.

Since the All-Star break last year, center fielder Adam Jones is batting .220 (48-for-218) with eight homers, 25 RBIs, 14 walks and 41 strikeouts in 54 games.

Jones and Nick Markakis have combined for one homer and four RBIs. Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco had one homer and six RBIs on Opening Day.

Detroit Tigers stud first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who leads the American League with 17 RBIs, has nine hits with runners in scoring position. The entire Orioles team has only 16.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
        

Orioles closer Michael Gonzalez got a second opinion on his strained left shoulder from Dr. James Andrews yesterday, and the game plan remains the same.

Gonzalez will not have surgery on his shoulder and he'll begin a rehabilitation program in Sarasota that the team hopes will have him ready in about three weeks.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The Double-A Bowie Baysox are promoting a bus trip to Richmond to watch the team take on the Flying Squirrels on Sunday, May 2 at 2:05 p.m.

Tickets for the trip are $55 each, which includes transportation and a ticket to the game.

Fans are expected to be at Prince George's Stadium no later than 10:15 a.m., so the bus can leave in enough time to arrive in Richmond before the start of the game.

The Baysox are also providing fans with the opportunity to travel on a bus trip to Norfolk on Sunday, June 27 to watch the 1:15 p.m. matchup between the Triple-A Tides and Louisville Bats.

For more information on the bus trips or to order tickets, fans should contact Chris Rogers by phone at (301) 464-4855 or by e-mail.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Orioles have claimed Pedro Viola off of waivers from the Cincinnati Reds and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk, the club announced today.

Viola, a 26-year-old left-hander, made nine appearances for the Reds in 2009, allowing four earned runs in seven innings for a 5.14 ERA.

Viola, who struck out one in one inning this year at Triple-A Louisville, went 2-2 with eight saves and a 5.47 ERA for the Reds' top minor league affiliate in 2009.

The Orioles transferred outfielder Felix Pie to the 60-day disabled list from the 15-day DL to make room for Viola.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (22)
        

The Orioles are 2-13 to start the season. They have played an exhausting 15 straight.

They have scored three runs or fewer in nine of their last 11 games.

They are without Brian Roberts and Felix Pie, and Miguel Tejada has been banged up.

And, with apologies to the Jason Vargas and Dana Eveland fan clubs, the Orioes haven't exactly gone against a Cy Young candidate every night.

That changes Wednesday when they face Felix Hernandez in the series finale against the Seattle Mariners.

Hernandez, who just turned 24, was second in AL Cy Young voting last year. He is 1-0 with a 3.10 ERA in three starts this year. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of those starts, but he hasn't been thoroughly dominating yet in 2010.

Wouldn't be a stretch to say it happens tonight.

The silver lining is that Hernandez has had some trouble with the Orioles in the past. He is 4-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 career starts versus the Orioles. So I guess a reverse lock is possible here.

I envision two possible scenarios: Because baseball is so hard to figure out, maybe the Orioles' slumbering bats wake and rock the guy I think is arguably the best pitcher in the AL.

Or Hernandez dominates in a gem worthy of leading off Thursday morning's Sports Center. Maybe he flirts with history.

I'm just saying you might want to pay some attention to the game tonight.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (4-9)

Opponent

Gwinnett Braves (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Troy Patton (0-2, 11.12 ERA)
Gwinnett: Ryne Reynoso (0-2, 6.30 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (9-4)

Opponent

at Erie SeaWolves (12:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Ryohei Tanaka (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
Erie: Duane Below (0-2, 9.64 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (8-4)

Opponent

at Potomac Nationals (7:03 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Nathan Nery (0-1, 3.38 ERA)
Potomac: Patrick Lehman (0-0, 6.52 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (8-5)

Opponent

Greensboro Grasshoppers (10:35 a.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Jesse Beal (0-1, 4.50 ERA)
Greensboro: Edgar Olmos (1-0, 4.32 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

As they were heading for their sixth consecutive loss, the Boston Red Sox were rescued by two big hits from former Oriole Darnell McDonald in last night's 7-6 win over the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park.

McDonald, who was selected in the first round of the 1997 MLB draft, hit a two-run home run as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the eighth inning against Rangers left-hander Darren Oliver to tie the score at 6.

Still, McDonald wasn't finished for the night. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, he smacked a single off the Green Monster -- which was close to a walk-off grand slam -- to allow the game-winning run to score.

The 31-year-old outfielder was recalled earlier in the day when the Red Sox placed outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Cameron on the 15-day disabled list.

After tomorrow's day off, the Orioles head to Boston for a three-game series. They'll also host the Red Sox next week at Camden Yards.

With Ellsbury out of action for at least the next week with a chest bruise and Cameron facing extended time on the DL because of a sports hernia, McDonald could get plenty of time to prove himself to the organization that drafted him.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

For his career, Jason Vargas is 10-15 with a 5.44 ERA, and yet the Orioles are making him look like Cliff Lee, who was pitching in a simulated game when I got to Safeco Field 5 1/2 hours ago.

Vargas has held the Orioles to just one first-inning run and three hits over six innings as the Mariners lead 2-1. Twice, the Orioles have had a man on second and no outs after a leadoff double, and both times, the guy never budged off second.

I know the Orioles miss Brian Roberts. I know Felix Pie's absence also is being felt. But there are no excuses for how much the lineup has struggled. The Orioles entered tonight with the fewest runs in the American League. They were also 16-for-100 (.160) with runners in scoring position, and they are 0-for-7 already tonight.

The shame of it is David Hernandez did a terrific job of calming down after a rocky first inning to get through six having allowed only two runs. You'd take that from your fifth starter any day.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (28)
        

After handling their young catcher with kid gloves last year, Oriole officials talked this spring about putting more responsibility on the shoulders of Matt Wieters, and that’s exactly what they’ve done through the first two-plus weeks of the season.

Wieters is starting behind the plate tonight against the Seattle Mariners for the sixth straight game and for the 14th time in the Orioles’ 15 contests. The only game that he hasn’t started during a stretch where the Orioles haven’t had a day off is on April 14 when Craig Tatum got the call.

“We took it easy on him in the spring and built him up toward the end of the spring,” said Orioles manager Dave Trembley. “I thought going into the first part of the season until we had days off, he was going to catch.”

Last season, Wieters was called up to the majors on May 29, the Orioles’ 49th game, so he was with the club for 114 total games. During that span, he started 86 games at catcher, and 10 at designated hitter. He entered another game as a pinch-hitter, which means that he got 17 full days off after he joined the club last year.

Trembley said that he’ll likely give the 23-year-old more days off as the weather starts getting warmer, and the grind of the season takes hold. But at this point, Trembley sees no harm in Wieters’ early schedule.

“It’s not like it’s the dog days of July and August,” Trembley said. “He’s fine, he’s a young guy. Like I said, he’s the guy and he’s the catcher and it’s his staff and I’m going to go with him.”

That’s just fine with Wieters, who said that his body feels great after an offseason in which he made conditioning a focus.

“I wouldn’t say that I expected it, but it’s good the way it has worked out,” the second-year catcher said. “If it was later in the year, like June and August and September, I probably wouldn’t be catching days after night [games]. But earlier in the year, I still feel good and you try to get as much out of your body as possible. It’s going to get worn down as the year goes on, but I feel good and fresh at the beginning of the year so you try to catch as many games as possible.”

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides were edged by the Gwinnett Braves, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox were handed another loss by the Erie SeaWolves.

The Single-A Frederick Keys topped the Potomac Nationals, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds picked up another exciting win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Gwinnett Braves 2, Norfolk Tides 1 (Box score)

Recap: Second baseman Scott Moore was 0-for-4 with his seventh error of the season for the Tides in their 2-1 loss to Gwinnett at Harbor Park.

Norfolk third baseman Josh Bell hit a single and is batting .191 in 12 games this season, while first baseman Brandon Snyder was 0-for-4, lowering his batting average to .174 in 13 games in 2010.

Each player also committed his third defensive miscue in the loss.

Tides starting pitcher Alfredo Simon (1-1) held the Braves to two runs (one earned) and six hits in seven innings, but he suffered the loss. The 28-year-old right-hander struck out five batters and issued three walks.

Shortstop Robert Andino was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the Tides, and left fielder Jeff Salazar also collected two hits.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Erie SeaWolves 7, Bowie Baysox 2 (Box score)

Recap: Right fielder Paco Figueroa was 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, but the Baysox committed four errors in a 7-2 loss to Erie.

Bowie catcher Caleb Joseph was 0-for-3 with two errors, while third baseman Brandon Waring and shortstop Pedro Florimon each committed one defensive miscue.

Baysox starting pitcher Chorye Spoone (1-1) allowed four runs (two earned) and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander issued four walks, hit one batter and collected one strikeout.

First baseman Robbie Widlansky had Bowie's only other hit.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Frederick Keys 6, Potomac Nationals 1 (Box score)

Recap: Second baseman Buck Britton was 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs in the Keys' 6-1 win over Potomac.

Frederick right fielder Ronnie Welty and designated hitter L.J. Hoes each added two hits and an RBI, and left fielder Jacob Julius was 3-for-3 with a stolen base and two runs scored.

Keys starting pitcher Ryan O'Shea (1-2) gave up one run and three hits in five innings to earn the victory. The 23-year-old right-hander struck out two batters and issued three walks.

Third baseman Billy Rowell was 0-for-5 with a throwing error for Frederick.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 1, Greensboro Grasshoppers 0 (Box score)

Recap: Shortstop Garabez Rosa hit a walk-off home run to lead the Shorebirds over Greensboro, 1-0, at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Delmarva starting pitcher Matt Hobgood allowed only two hits and one walk in seven scoreless innings. The 19-year-old right-hander struck out six batters.

Relief pitcher Jacob Smith (3-0) tossed the final two innings, giving up one hit and one walk, to pick up the victory for the Shorebirds.

Shorebirds first baseman Tyler Townsend was 1-for-3 in his season debut.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

In a phone interview earlier today, starting pitcher Brad Bergesen, who was sent down to the minors after the Orioles' 8-2 loss on Monday, acknowledged that he was surprised by the demotion but said he understands why the move was made.

"I knew obviously I wasn't pitching well and if I didn't turn it around, it would have happened sooner or later," he said. "I obviously was a little surprised that it happened after three starts, but if you don't perform at the highest level of baseball, they're going to make some changes."

Bergesen was 0-2 with a 12.19 ERA in three starts. He acknowledged that he had lost some confidence, but he refused to pin his struggles on the shoulder injury he sustained in December, nor the shin injury he got last July. And he said there has been absolutely no psychological carryover from getting drilled by a Billy Butler liner last year.

"Obviously, I don't feel right right now, but it's not a health issue," he said. "It's a confidence issue. I'm putting way too much thoughts in my head right now. It obviously didn't help that my first bullpen session was in March, but it is what it is. It's the hand I was dealt, and I just have to overcome it. I just want to get back to being mentally strong."

Bergesen also said he's choosing not to look too far ahead and at the possibility that he could be recalled to make the start May 1, which is the next time the Orioles need a No. 5 starter.

"I'm not going to look ahead because I've been doing that too much lately," he said. "I'm staying positive. I'm going to go down there and work my butt off and try to get back up there.

"They'd like me to throw more sinkers and not as many sliders. I don't think it's a mechanical thing. I just think it's getting back to having the confidence in myself."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

First baseman Tyler Townsend, who was in extended spring training because of a hamstring injury, joins the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds, the team announced today.

The 21-year-old infielder, whom the Orioles selected in the third round of the 2009 MLB draft, batted .143 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 31 games for the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds.

In order to make room for Townsend on the roster, infielder Levi Carolus was transferred to Aberdeen. Carolus batted .255 with eight RBIs in the first 11 games this season.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 3:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Orioles injured closer Michael Gonzalez was supposed to report to the team's spring training complex today in Sarasota to begin a rehabilitation program for his strained left shoulder, but first he'll be in Birmingham, Ala., to get a second opinion from noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

It's never great news to hear anybody visiting Dr. Andrews, but Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said there is also no reason to be alarmed. Gonzalez is just seeking a second opinion and he's had no setbacks or anything.

"I have no reason to believe that the original prognosis is not the one that comes to fruition, which is to expect him back in like three weeks," MacPhail said. "I think it’s generally a good idea [to get a second opinion]. It’s not up to us or not. It’s a collectively bargained rite that they have, which makes common sense. You’re not going to be available for a couple of weeks so why not? Let’s get the information."

MacPhail also discussed Brad Bergesen's demotion and said that it was more of a matter of the two off days (Thursday and next Monday) giving the Orioles an opportunity for the second-year pitcher to work on his mechanics in a less-pressurized environment. The Orioles won't need a fifth starter until May 1, and MacPhail said that Bergesen is very much a candidate to pitch in that spot.

Of course, he'll obviously have to show some improvement at Triple-A Norfolk for that to happen.

"Rather than him work sporadically or work out of the bullpen, he is better served to go to Triple-A, get a start under his belt and spend some time working on his mechanics where he can get his sinker back to where it was last year," MacPhail said.

As for Bergesen making that May 1 start, MacPhail said, "We'll see how he does. Clearly, if he can make some of the adjustments we’re asking him to make, he’s as viable of a candidate as anybody else."

Though Bergesen clearly looks uncomfortable on the mound and is coming off both shin and shoulder injuries, MacPhail said that the pitcher's struggles aren't injury related.

"The velocity is there," he said. "His stuff is just flat. He’s not getting the downward movement that he had a year ago. It’s an opportunity for him to go work on his mechanics and to get himself back here and pitch like he pitched for us a year ago."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

We'll have more reaction on the Orioles' decision to option struggling starter Brad Bergesen to Triple-A Norfolk, and bring up reliever Alberto Castillo, when manager Dave Trembley meets with the media in Seattle later today.

However, here are the postgame quotes related to Bergesen following last night's game. After Bergesen met with the media, he was summoned to the manager's office where Trembley and pitching coach Rick Kranitz delivered the news that he was headed to Triple-A Norfolk.

Dave Trembley on Bergesen
"It looked like he was pushing a lot of his pitches and then got away from throwing the sinker and became more of a slider-type guy and left some pitches up. We didn’t turn that potential double-play ball, but still you’ve got to make some pitches after that, and he didn’t do it."

"I think he’s just really trying to find it. I’ve watched him warm up in between innings, I’ve watched his bullpen sessions, he told me that he felt like he was getting himself back to where he was. I think he just gets underneath a lot of his pitches and he really is pushing the ball, and he just doesn’t have the movement out of his fastball that he’s had, so he’s given up on that, is what it looks like to me. He’s given up on it and become more of a slider-breaking ball guy, and … the Mariners just spit on those pitches and didn’t chase them and forced him to come into the middle of the plate with a fastball that’s supposed to be a sinker for him that was flat."

"I see him looking in the dugout a lot. I think he’s searching, to be honest with you. I think he’s trying to find a comfortable arm slot, I think he’s trying to get the ball down. He’s just not able to do it. But I watch what you see. I see him walking around, taking a lot of time in between pitches. Sometimes he’s rushing so bad he’s trying to be so quick, looking at the runners. He’s just not in a real good groove at all."

Now, Bergesen discusses outing
"It’s just been kind of the story of my season so far. Looking for that break and I haven’t found it and right now, it just seems that when it goes, it goes for me, but every start I’m mentally and physically preparing as much as I possibly can and I’m going to continue to do so. I’m going to turn it around here pretty soon."

"As bad as it was, the positive was in the bullpen today before the game, I actually felt something in my mechanics that I haven’t felt the whole year, which led to a little better sinker, so as bad as it was, I’m going to try to look at it as a positive and try to build on it."

"I’m trying everything right now. I think the two previous starts, I started getting a little too slow, so I came in with a lot of confidence, wanted to work fast, wanted to be upbeat today, trying to get our team going, and I just wasn’t able to do that."

"I have not gotten into the sequencing that I need to do to be successful in this league. I keep saying it, but hopefully it’ll click and I’ll get it for the next outing. It’s tough for everyone and extremely tough for me. I care so much about this team. To not chew up innings and put that workload on the bullpen, it just absolutely kills me right now."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Baltimore Sun Sports cartoonist Mike Ricigliano discusses how he illustrates an Oriole Bird cartoon after every game. His cartoons are published in The Baltimore Sun and in an online photo gallery.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides take on the Gwinnett Braves at Harbor Park, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox face the Erie SeaWolves on the road.

The Single-A Frederick Keys play a morning matchup against the Potomac Nationals, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds welcome the Greensboro Grasshoppers to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (4-8)

Opponent

Gwinnett Braves (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Alfredo Simon (1-0, 2.00 ERA)
Gwinnett: Todd Redmond (1-1, 1.93 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (9-3)

Opponent

at Erie SeaWolves (6:35 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Chorye Spoone (1-0, 2.70 ERA)
Erie: L.J. Gagnier (0-0, 1.69 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (7-4)

Opponent

at Potomac Nationals (10:30 a.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Ryan O'Shea (0-2, 12.15 ERA)
Potomac: Brad Peacock (0-1, 5.23 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (7-5)

Opponent

Greensboro Grasshoppers (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Matt Hobgood (1-0, 4.66 ERA)
Greensboro: Erik Carrillo (0-2, 11.70 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

I just got confirmation from a couple of sources. Starter Brad Bergesen has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, and reliever Alberto Castillo will be called up to take his place.

Not sure when this will become official, but Bergesen already has been informed, and Castillo should be on his way out to the West Coast tomorrow morning.

The Orioles will be able to go with four starters for the time being because of days off Thursday and next Monday. By my calculations, the Orioles won't need to bring up a fifth starter until Saturday, May 1.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 2:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)
        

Orioles manager Dave Trembley and pitching coach Rick Kranitz were meeting with struggling starter Brad Bergesen behind closed doors in the manager's office as I left the clubhouse.

I'm told by multiple sources that Bergesen has been informed that he won't make his next start up here and he's headed to the minors.

Hopefully, I'll have more tomorrow, but it's hard to get people on the horn at 1:45 East Coast time. I'm guessing either long reliever Jason Berken or Triple-A Norfolk's Jake Arrieta takes his spot in the rotation. But we shall see.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 1:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

That question doesn't apply to this game, which Bergesen has already departed after 2 2/3 innings. It was the shortest start of his career. He allowed seven runs, though only four were earned, on six hits and three walks. All the runs came in the third inning.

Casey Kotchman delivered the final nail with a two-run homer to right after Milton Bradley had stroked a two-run double. But Bergesen, whose control is normally one of his best assets, delivered back-to-back walks in the inning, which, coupled with Ty Wigginton's error on a potential inning-ending double play ball, led to his downfall.

Actually, the question referred to how long can the Orioles stay with Bergesen in the rotation. Through three starts, he has a 12.20 ERA, and he's allowed 21 hits and five walks in 10 1/3 innings. I bet the Orioles send him out there at least one more time, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.

The Orioles also don't have a hit in four innings against Doug Fister. So much for carrying the momentum from Sunday's performance.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 10:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides fell to the Gwinnett Braves, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox were edged by the Erie SeaWolves.

The Single-A Frederick Keys topped the Potomac Nationals, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds beat the Hagerstown Suns in extra innings.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Gwinnett Braves 4, Norfolk Tides 2 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta held the Braves to two runs (one earned) and five hits in six innings, but he didn't factor in the decision as the Tides suffered a 4-2 loss at Harbor Park.

Norfolk relief pitcher Ross Wolf (0-1) was charged with two unearned runs and three hits in two innings and left-hander Alberto Castillo tossed a scoreless frame.

Tides center fielder Joey Gathright collected two hits, two stolen bases and an RBI, and right fielder Jonathan Tucker added a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Shortstop Scott Moore committed his sixth error of the season for Norfolk.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Erie SeaWolves 5, Bowie Baysox 3 (Box score)

Recap: Center fielder Miguel Abreu hit a solo home run for the Baysox, but they lost their second straight game, 5-3, to Erie.

Bowie designated hitter Paco Figueroa and shortstop Pedro Florimon each collected an RBI, while third baseman Brandon Waring hit a double.

Starting pitcher Steve Johnson (0-1) allowed five runs and six hits, including three home runs for the Baysox, but relief pitcher Zach Clark tossed four scoreless innings.

Calvert Hall graduate Jon Kibler (1-2) held the Baysox to three runs (two earned) and five hits in seven innings to earn the victory for the SeaWolves.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Frederick Keys 8, Potomac Nationals 5 (Box score)

Recap: First baseman Joe Mahoney was 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the Keys' 8-5 win over Potomac, and right fielder Ronnie Welty added a two-run shot.

Frederick center fielder Xavier Avery and shortstop Michael Mooney each added two hits and two RBIs, and left fielder Kyle Hudson was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

Starting pitcher Rick Zagone allowed four runs (two earned) and four hits in five innings for the Keys, and relief pitcher Brett Bordes (1-0) picked up the victory despite giving up one run, two hits and two walks in one-plus inning.

Keys right-hander Sean Gleason tossed three scoreless innings to earn his second save of the season.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 3, Hagerstown Suns 2, 11 innings (Box score)

Recap: Left fielder T.J. Baxter scored all the way from second base on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Shorebirds a 3-2 victory over Hagerstown at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Baxter and center fielder Michael Planeta each collected two hits for Delmarva.

Shorebirds starting pitcher Jake Cowan allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. The 21-year-old right-hander struck out seven batters and issued two walks.

Relief pitcher Ryan Palsha (1-0) held the Suns to one hit in four scoreless innings to earn the win for the Shorebirds.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Orioles third baseman Miguel Tejada (strained hip adductor) played catch today, but that was pretty much the extent of his activities. Tejada told Trembley that he is available to pinch hit, but I don't see that happening especially since the veteran hasn't taken live batting practice since the injury.

Trembley thinks Tejada will be available to start by Wednesday's series finale.

Luke Scott was informed by a couple of reporters, who went to his locker for an interview, that he was getting his first start at first base this season.

"I haven't played there in a while, but I'll be ready," said Scott, who has been taking ground balls at first during pre-game activity. "It's no big deal."

Trembley went out of his way to praise injured outfielder Felix Pie, who played several weeks with a ruptured lat that will now keep him out for three months.

"I think it tells you something about Pie’s pain tolerance because the information that we got today was that he felt he did it in the Opening Day game at Tampa when he made that throw to get the guy out at the plate," Trembley said. "He’s been dealing with that ever since. It’s a real tough loss."

Koji Uehara threw a 35-pitch simulated game today, but Trembley still has no idea when he'll be ready to return. He just knows that a rehabilitation stint, likely at Double-A Bowie, will probably be in order.

And finally Trembley on young pitcher Chris Tillman's struggles at Triple-A Norfolk: "He didn’t pitch well last night in Triple-A. I know Alan Dunn and Kranitz both spoke to [Triple-A pitching coach Mike Griffin] about him. I hope he gets it straightened out. He’s got a big upside for us and is someone we’re counting on, but he didn’t pitch well last night."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 8:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

So much for the good sentiment surrounding Sunday's win and the end of a nine-game losing streak. The Orioles learned today that outfielder Felix Pie will be out for at least three months after he tore the latissimus dorsi muscle off the bone.

Pie, whose injury was initially classified as a strained muscle in his upper back, had a magnetic resonance imaging performed today and then visited another doctor, when the diagnosis was made.

"The prognosis is just to rest, no surgery needed," said Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. "But the probable time when he can return, we’re probably looking at three months. [The severity] did come as a surprise to me. He thinks he did it on Opening Day when he threw the runner out at the plate and then he's had periodic issues since. It is certainly disappointing from our standpoint. It is the one area where we felt like we had depth, but it’s disappointing for the kid and disappointing for us."

With Lou Montanez, Luke Scott, Nolan Reimold Nick Markakis and Adam Jones on the roster, MacPhail said that he has no plans to bring in an outfielder. Pie, meanwhile, will go to Sarasota to begin the rehab process.

Injured second baseman Brian Roberts (herniated disk in back) saw back specialist Dr. Lee Riley for the second time in a four-day span, and while he's progressing, he still has not been cleared to resume physical activities. Roberts was eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday, but that's not going to happen.

"I think things are progressing as they had hoped," MacPhail said. "We’re probably a week or so away from [him resuming baseball activites], in the best case. I think we’re talking about a matter of weeks and not days, that’s for sure."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

I was away from the bar this weekend, but I want to make one point crystal clear: There’s no truth to the rumor that I am taking credit for the Orioles’ start.

So heard any other good rumors recently?

Seriously, everyone and their talk show buddy from Dundalk are commenting on last weekend’s story that Cal Ripken Jr. wants to join the Orioles front office and that request was or wasn’t denied by Peter Angelos.

I am going to throw my four cents in here (my blog, I get to double up). This is based on stuff I have heard from sources, from research I have done, and, frankly, some pure speculation on my part. So take it with grains of tequila salt.

Ripken would like to come back to the organization, he said that Monday in a released statement. And the Orioles would like to have him back in some capacity. Despite what many of you would like to believe opposite universes do collide, and Ripken and Angelos are friends and associates.

I don’t believe that Angelos would tell Ripken, “No, because I don’t want you to take credit for any success we may have.” This is just my opinion, but I think at this point in his life and ownership, Angelos would give credit to Davey Johnson, Jon Miller, Pat Gillick, Albert Belle and right-wing Republicans if it meant righting this ship and shedding his reputation as a baseball failure.

I do believe that the subject of a Ripken reunion tour has come up, perhaps informally, in the last few months and the sides probably exchanged loose proposals.

And I do think Angelos would be hesitant to bring in Ripken and have it appear that he is meddling with Andy MacPhail’s power and judgment or that he is creating an heir apparent to MacPhail.

I also am not sure Ripken would want to come in without any authority, to be an ambassador with no decision-making powers. Cal is too proud, too smart and has too many other responsibilities to re-join the Orioles just to sign autographs and kiss babies.

My guess is there may one day be a happy medium reached. That he could be like George Brett in Kansas City with a few more direct responsibilities.

Here’s my bottom line: Any time current Orioles are connected with the past greats it shouldn’t be dismissed. But you can’t expect that Ripken is this organization’s savior. Remember, during this dark period of the Orioles, Mike Flanagan and Eddie Murray returned and things didn’t change.

But I want to know if you think Ripken’s presence in the organization would make a difference. But limit it to a front office/filed position and spare us “the Cal needs to be owner” stuff. I understand that many of you want Angelos gone. But that’s a separate issue here. And, by the way, Ripken as owner isn’t happening.

Daily Think Special: Would Cal Ripken’s presence in the organization make a difference?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 4:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (27)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

Responding to media reports that the Orioles turned him away for a front-office position, former Oriole and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. denied today that Orioles managing partner Peter G. Angelos said he did not want Ripken to get credit for any success the club would have if Ripken were brought on board.

"First I want to say that Mr. Angelos never said that he didn't want me to get credit for any success that the club might have. That’s just not true."I have had a very good relationship with Peter for a long time," Ripken said in a statement.

Ripken's comments come after a story appeared Friday on FoxSports.com, citing unnamed sources who said that Ripken met with Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail about joining the club but that the idea was shot down by Angelos.

Angelos has said no such request had been made.

"Cal could make a contribution to any ballclub. I just don't see Cal Ripken as being an assistant to anyone in a baseball context," Angelos told The Baltimore Sun on Saturday. "If he expressed the wish to do that in some secondary position with the Orioles, which I think he'd never do, obviously that would be something that will be considered seriously. But Cal has many interests and is a very busy guy. I don't think he's ever considered himself available to play some secondary role with the ballclub and appropriately so."

In the statement, Ripken said that he has met with MacPhail and Angelos on "a number of occasions."

"I have enjoyed those talks very much, and yes the subject has been broached about me potentially joining the organization. I look forward to those talks continuing," Ripken said.

Read Dan Connolly's full story on the Ripken news.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides return home to play the Gwinnett Braves at Harbor Park, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox continue their road trip against the Erie SeaWolves.

The Single-A Frederick Keys travel to meet the Potomac Nationals, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds wrap up their series against the Hagerstown Suns.

One tidbit to note for today's game between the Baysox and SeaWolves -- St. Paul's graduate Steve Johnson pitches for Bowie against Erie's Jon Kibler, who is a Calvert Hall alum.

Shorebirds third baseman Tyler Kolodny was selected as the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the opening period of the season (April 8-18). The 22-year-old infielder leads the league with six home runs so far this year.

Also, there were a series of roster moves in the organization.

The Shorebirds placed catcher Justin Dalles on the disabled list after he was injured in a collision at home plate in Sunday's game against Hagerstown.

In order to replace Dalles on the roster, catcher Luis Bernardo was transferred from Frederick. It's unclear how much time Dalles will be out of action.

In another move, shortstop Blake Davis was promoted from the Baysox to Norfolk. Infielder Matthew Tucker was added to Bowie's roster in order to replace Davis.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (4-7)

Opponent

Gwinnett Braves (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Jake Arrieta (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Gwinnett: Chris Resop (0-1, 0.93 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (9-2)

Opponent

at Erie SeaWolves (6:35 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Steve Johnson (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Erie: Jon Kibler (0-2, 1.64 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (6-4)

Opponent

at Potomac Nationals (7:03 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Rick Zagone (0-1, 1.00 ERA)
Potomac: Marcos Frias (0-0, 3.72 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (6-5)

Opponent

Hagerstown Suns (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Jake Cowan (1-0, 1.80 ERA)
Hagerstown: Josh Smoker (0-1, 6.75 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides were pounded by the Durham Bulls, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox were cooled off by the Akron Aeros.

The Single-A Frederick Keys edged the Lynchburg Hillcats, while the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds were tripped up in extra innings by the Hagerstown Suns.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Durham Bulls 10, Norfolk Tides 1 (Box score)

Recap: Things aren't looking good for Tides starting pitcher Chris Tillman.

The 22-year-old right-hander (0-3) lost his third consecutive start to begin the season, allowing four runs and four hits in one inning. After three games, Tillman's ERA is 8.38.

It wasn't just about hits and runs for Tillman. He also threw two wild pitches, issued two walks and hit a batter. Tillman needed 42 pitches to complete his one inning of work.

Tides third baseman Josh Bell was 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. The 23-year-old infielder is batting .179 (7-for-39) with 15 strikeouts, one walk, no home runs and three RBIs in 10 games this season.

Norfolk right fielder Rhyne Hughes had a double and a solo home run, but he committed a fielding error. Shortstop Scott Moore was charged with his fifth error of the season for the Tides.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Akron Aeros 4, Bowie Baysox 0 (Box score)

Recap: After eight consecutive wins, the Baysox were blanked by Akron, 4-0.

Bowie starting pitcher Zach Britton (1-1) allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings. The 22-year-old left-hander collected six strikeouts and walked one batter.

Baysox first baseman Robbie Widlansky picked up two of the team's five hits.

Relief pitcher Ryan Ouellette tossed two scoreless innings for the Baysox.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Frederick Keys 7, Lynchburg Hillcats 6 (Box score)

Recap: Designated hitter Billy Rowell was 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs in the Keys' 7-6 victory over Lynchburg at Harry Grove Stadium.

In his past three games, the 21-year-old infielder is 4-for-10 with one home run and six RBIs.

Frederick center fielder Xavier Avery added two hits, and right fielder Jacob Julius contributed a double and an RBI.

Relief pitcher John Mariotti (1-0) earned the win after tossing two scoreless innings for the Keys, and starting pitcher Kenny Moreland gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Hagerstown Suns 9, Delmarva Shorebirds 7, 12 innings (Box score)

Recap: After giving up four runs in the top of the first to Hagerstown, the Shorebirds climbed back to send the game into extra innings.

However, the Suns scored three times in the top of the 12th and held on, 9-7, to win at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Shorebirds third baseman Tyler Kolodny was 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs and four RBIs. The 22-year-old infielder leads the South Atlantic League with six home runs in 2010, including four in his past three games.

Right fielder Brian Conley was 2-for-5 with a run scored for Delmarva, and first baseman Tyler Stampone added two hits and an RBI.

Delmarva starting pitcher Ryan Berry gave up four runs and eight hits in five innings, but he didn't factor in the decision. Relief pitcher James Brandhorst (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) and three hits in one inning.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 8:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

Orioles manager Dave Trembley was in a particularly good mood for obvious reasons.

Trembley on jumping on A's ace Brett Anderson early: "The predicament that we’ve been in early, it’s important for us to get up early on anybody. They really haven’t been our cup of tea no matter who we’re facing. We’ve been facing Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale since the start of the season. They’ve been reincarnated every time we’ve played."

Trembley on breaking the nine-game losing streak: "We’re starting the pennant drive. We won. The other stuff is a wash, it’s a flush. You can’t do anything about it. It’s done, over with. All you can control is today. And we’ll try to control what we’re going to do tomorrow."

Trembley on using Jim Johnson for two innings after he blew save Saturday: "I thought you had to go with the guy with the best stuff. He needed to pitch. Wigginton hits a home run and gives him a little cushion, but if he’s going to be the guy that pitches late in the game, you got to give it to him. All the mixing and matching, sometimes enough is enough with that. You have to go with what you think is the best arm. I thought he was the best arm today against their hitters."

Nolan Reimold on getting the green light on 3-0 before lacing a two-run double in the fifth: "You always give your hot hitters the green light on 3-0. Sometimes that’s the only time you know you’re going to see a fastball. He gave it to me, and it was a good situation. I’m glad he didn’t catch it at the wall."

Obviously, Reimold was joking about the hot hitters part.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Jim Johnson just retired Rajai Davis for the final out as the Orioles finally beat the Oakland A's, 8-3, and broke a nine-game losing streak.

Ty Wigginton provided the bulk of the offense with four RBIs, including a two-run homer in the top of the ninth.

The eight runs were a season high and one more than the Orioles had scored in the previous three games of the series.

They also went 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position after going 11-for-87 in such situations entering the game.

The Orioles are now 2-11 and Brian Matusz has both of those wins.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

Oakland just cut the Orioles' once five-run lead to 6-3 on Eric Chavez's sacrifice fly off Will Ohman, who relieved Brian Matusz, in the bottom of the seventh.

It was a pretty gutty outing for Matusz, who has been struggling all week with a head cold. He allowed three earned runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out eight over 6 1/3 innings. The third run he allowed was a tough one as center fielder Adam Jones lost a flyball in the sun, allowing Eric Patterson to reach base. Two batters later, Chavez hit the sacrifice fly.

Jim Johnson is getting ready to come in the game for the eighth. That's rather interesting considering manager Dave Trembley said before the game that Johnson is still his closer.

Will he go two innings? Will Cla Meredith or Mark Hendrickson pitch the ninth if Johnson works a scoreless eighth? I guess we shall see, but it's hard to feel too confident here with how this season has gone so far.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

There is only so much you can do as a manager when your team is not hitting a lick, but one of those things is being a little more aggressive. Bunt more, call for more hit-and-runs or straight steals and give your players the green light in hitter counts.

Dave Trembley did that for struggling outfielder Nolan Reimold in the top of the fifth inning and it paid off. With the count 3-0 and runners on second and third, Reimold smoked a Brett Anderson fastball to deep left-center field. A's center fielder Rajai Davis made a pretty amazing athletic play to get his glove on it, but couldn't hold on and both runs scored.

It's 6-1 Orioles in the bottom of the sixth. It ties for the most runs the Orioles have scored all season.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 5:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

In the top of the third inning, the Orioles doubled the number of hits that they have had all season with two outs and runners in scoring position. And no, I'm not joking.

The Orioles came in 2-for-44 with runners in scoring position and two outs. But after A's lefty Brett Anderson retired the first eight Orioles in order, Cesar Izturis hit a two-out single in the third. Adam Jones followed with a single. Ty Wigginton then plated them both with a two-run double to right, giving him a team-leading eight RBIs.

Nick Markakis then made it 3-0 with an RBI single up the middle, giving him just two RBIs all season.

Obviously, the hits were long overdue but I'm a little surprised that they came against Anderson. A: He is a lefty. B: He is pretty damn good. Anderson had started the season with 14 consecutive scoreless innings before the Orioles got to him in the third.

He was three scoreless innings short of setting the Oakland record for the longest season-opening scoreless streak by a starter in franchise history. Matt Keough set that mark with 16 straight scoreless innings in 1980.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Third baseman Miguel Tejada is out of the lineup today and probably not available to pinch-hit either. Orioles manager Dave Trembley said that his injury is not a groin strain, which is how it was initially classified. Instead, it's a strained hip adductor.

"I'll try to keep him out today and we'll see how he is tomorrow," Trembley said.

When told Tejada didn't think it was anything that would demand a disabled-list stint, Trembley said, "I would agree with that."

Trembley also said that Jim Johnson, who blew a one-run save opportunity on Saturday, will remain his closer.

"We have guys in the bullpen with not a whole lot of experience closing games at the Major League level," Trembley said. "Johnson is the one guy who has done it."

Trembley didn't think Johnson was overcome by the moment yesterday, but he did say, "Yesterday, he clearly overthrew," Trembley said. "I think he was trying to throw the ball through a wall."

Also, one quick correction from yesterday about the players only meeting. I'm being told that while several veterans spoke at it, it was reliever Mark Hendrickson who was the driving force behind calling the meeting. I initially had Kevin Millwood behind it. Sorry for the confusion.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Before throwing a bullpen session on Friday, Orioles starter Brad Bergesen sat in the clubhouse next to pitching coach Rick Kranitz with two laptops in front of them. One had tape from some of Bergesen’s better starts from last year and the other carried footage from his two shaky starts this season.

The goal of the video session was to help Bergesen rediscover his sinking fastball.

“The things that we were seeing were so minor,” Bergesen said. “Whether that’s what is causing the problems mechanically or it’s a confidence issue at this point, it’s tough to say. We’re really focused on my tempo and my direction because I’ve been pulling off a little bit. But for me, it’s about getting back to being myself right now and having the conviction behind every pitch.”

In his two outings, Bergesen, who starts Monday in Seattle, has allowed 10 earned runs, 15 hits, three homers and three walks in just 7 2/3 innings, leaving him with an 11.74 ERA. During his impressive rookie season, the right-hander went at least six innings in 15 of his 19 starts. He also gave up five earned runs or more, which he’s done in both starts this year, just once in 2009 and that was in his second big league start.

However, Bergesen did give up four earned runs or more in four of his first seven starts, but he’s not panicking, nor is he looking for excuses, like his offseason shoulder injury.

“I’ve been through this before where it took a little time, and I found it,” Bergesen said. “I honestly hope it doesn’t take those seven outings and I find it in my third one. But I’m not too worried about it.”

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (4-6)

Opponent

at Durham Bulls (5:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Chris Tillman (0-2, 5.19 ERA)
Durham: Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 1.59 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (9-1)

Opponent

at Akron Aeros (1:35 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Zach Britton (1-0, 2.61 ERA)
Akron: Zach Putnam (1-0, 2.00 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (5-4)

Opponent

Lynchburg Hillcats (2 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Kenny Moreland (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Lynchburg: Mark Serrano (3-1, 2.11 ERA with two minor league teams in 2009)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (6-4)

Opponent

Hagerstown Suns (2:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Ryan Berry (0-1, 3.86 ERA)
Hagerstown: Daniel Rosenbaum (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides fell to the Durham Bulls, but the Double-A Bowie Baysox defeated the Akron Aeros for their eighth straight victory.

The Single-A Frederick Keys held on to beat the Lynchburg Hillcats, while the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds were pounded for a second consecutive night by the Hagerstown Suns.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Durham Bulls 7, Norfolk Tides 2 (Box score)

Recap: Right fielder Rhyne Hughes collected a double and two more RBIs for the Tides, but they suffered a 7-2 setback against Durham.

Norfolk first baseman Brandon Snyder broke out of a 2-for-23 slump with two hits, and center fielder Joey Gathright had a single, a double, a stolen base and a run scored.

Tides starting pitcher Brandon Erbe (0-2) gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out four batters and issued one walk.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 3, Akron Aeros 2 (Box score)

Recap: Third baseman Brandon Waring provided all of the offense needed for the Baysox in a 3-2 victory over Akron.

The 24-year-old infielder was 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs for Bowie.

Baysox left fielder Tyler Henson hit a double, and right fielder Miguel Abreu and designated hitter Paco Figueroa each scored a run.

Bowie starting pitcher Tim Bascom held the Aeros to one run and three hits in five innings, but he didn't factor in the decision.

Relief pitcher Pedro Beato (1-0) picked up the victory for the Baysox despite blowing a one-run lead by throwing a solo home run to Akron second baseman Cord Phelps in the seventh inning. The 23-year-old right-hander gave up one run and four hits in two innings.

Baysox right-hander Pat Egan recorded the final two outs for his first save of the season.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Frederick Keys 6, Lynchburg Hillcats 4 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Cole McCurry held Lynchburg to one run and five hits in five innings as the Keys pulled out a 6-4 victory at Harry Grove Stadium.

Keys third baseman Buck Britton was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBIs, and designated hitter Billy Rowell added two RBIs.

Frederick relief pitcher Brandon Cooney recorded a 1-2-3 inning to pick up his first save of the season.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Hagerstown Suns 13, Delmarva Shorebirds 4 (Box score)

Recap: First baseman Tyler Kolodny was 3-for-4 with a triple, a home run and two RBIs, but the Shorebirds were routed, 13-4, by Hagerstown at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Delmarva right fielder Brian Conley continued his hot start with two hits, including a triple, and a run scored. The 23-year-old outfielder is batting .464 (13-for-28) in eight games this season.

Shorebirds shortstop Garabez Rosa and designated hitter T.J. Baxter each added two hits, and left fielder Michael Planeta and third baseman Levi Carolus each collected an RBI.

Starting pitcher Tony Butler (0-1) gave up five runs, five hits and four walks in three innings for Delmarva, and relief pitcher Randy Henry was charged with seven runs (five earned) and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings. Despite his struggles, the 19-year-old right-hander struck out seven batters.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Orioles third baseman Miguel Tejada was diagnosed with a mild groin strain. He said that he's confident that he'll only be out a couple of games but doesn't think a disabled list stint will be necessary.

There's your one piece of the good news for today.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

The Orioles were 1-for-41 with men and scoring position and two outs when Garrett Atkins deposited a two-run single into left field to tie the game at two in the top of the sixth inning.

It was the first run-scoring hit for the Orioles with two outs and a runner in scoring position all year.

Allow me to repeat - It was the first run-scoring hit for the Orioles with two outs and a runner in scoring position all year.

Brian Roberts had the only other Orioles' hit with a runner in scoring position and two outs and that was an infield single back in the top of the fifth inning on April 8 against the Tampa Bay Rays. No run scored obviously.

The Orioles also broke another dubious streak. By knocking Justin Duchscherer out of the game with two outs in the sixth, they avoided allowing an eighth straight opposing starter to pitch six complete innings.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 5:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (22)
        

Orioles third baseman Miguel Tejada was just removed from the game in the top of the sixth inning after appearing to pull a right quad muscle while legging out a bunt single.

Something appeared to grab on Tejada, who had three hits today,as he was about halfway down the first-base line. Tejada did a head first slide into first anyway before head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and manager Dave Trembley came out to check on him. He tried to walk around a little beyond the bag, but ultimately limped back to the dugout and Cesar Izturis entered as a pinch runner.

It's obviously too early to speculate on the severity of the injury, but it's just unbelievable what is going on with this team right now.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
        

The Orioles had runners on first and second with no outs in the top of the fourth today and Justin Duchscherer got out of it in four pitches. Luke Scott, who left two men on in the first inning, swung at the first pitch and grounded into a double play. Nolan Reimold then flied out.

That leaves the Orioles 1-for-40 (.025) with runners in scoring position and two outs and 10-for-81 (.123) overall with runners in scoring position.

The A's, of course, just got a clutch two-out hit as Adam Rosales blasted an RBI double off Jeremy Guthrie to give Oakland a 1-0 lead after four. Rosales now has five RBIs, which is more than every Oriole except third baseman Miguel Tejada, who has seven runs batted in.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 5:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

Injured pitcher Koji Uehara threw live batting practice today, and he'll throw a simulated game on Monday.

"I don’t know what would be the next phase after that. I would say this, he’s getting close," manager Dave Trembley said. "He’s progressing very well and getting close, which is good news for us."

Trembley elaborated slightly on injured second baseman Brian Roberts' appointment with back specialist Dr. Lee Riley on Friday.

"I was told Roberts is improved. He will see Dr. Riley on Monday and then he’ll be re-evaluated on when he will start getting involved in activities. But they said he was improved."

Predictably, Trembley was in no mood to discuss the players only meeting, which lasted about a half hour. He gave a gracious answer to the first question about it, saying, "I think it’s always a positive step when people step forward and exchange some thoughts and ideas."

I asked a follow-up and was told, "I’d rather not talk about it. I don’t need to continue on that."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

You kind of saw this coming, but the Orioles are currently having a team meetings as I type this. It appears to be a players only thing, directed by veteran pitcher Kevin Millwood. The timing doesn't surprise me as several Orioles, including Millwood and center fielder Adam Jones, were pretty much at wits end after last night's loss, the team's eighth straight setback.

Either way, it's probably a good first step, and I'll know more after the game. Right now, the clubhouse is closed to the media and Orioles manager Dave Trembley won't talk to us until 2:45 East Coast time.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 2:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

Peter Angelos responded today to Ken Rosenthal's story on www.foxsports.com that said the Orioles owner turned down Hall of Famer Cal Ripken's request to work with the club. Attempts to reach Ripken have been unsuccessful.

Here is what Angelos said:

“In response, simply what is being reported is inaccurate and grossly incorrect,” he said.

“I don’t know of any differences that exist between Cal Ripken and me. If there are any, I’d like to know them from Cal Ripken directly. He was a great player with the Orioles and a friend for many years since he retired. He and I have a lot of contact with each other. We have an excellent relationship in many ways.”

“Andy MacPhail is in charge of baseball operations for the club. There has never been any interest in my part or discussions where his authority in running the baseball operations would be shared with anyone.”

“Cal could make a contribution to any ballclub. I just don’t see Cal Ripken as being an assistant to anyone in a baseball context. If he expressed the wish to do that in some secondary position with the Orioles, which I think he’d never do, obviously that would be something that will be considered seriously. But Cal has many interests and is a very busy guy. I don’t think he’s ever considered himself available to play some secondary role with the ballclub and appropriately so.”

“What the story said is Cal proposed that to Andy, and I find that to be unbelievable, that Cal would somehow take a secondary or minor role in operation of the Orioles or any other ballclub. He certainly has the stature or the background where he could ask for or seek to be the top of the operations of any major league club.”

Angelos also said that he, MacPhail and Ripken had some discussions in October, but it related to the potential relationship between the Orioles' minor league facility in Sarasota and Ripken's baseball academy, not a front office job with the organization.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (31)
        

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (4-5)

Opponent

at Durham Bulls (5:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Brandon Erbe (0-1, 8.31 ERA)
Durham: Carlos Hernandez (0-0, 3.60 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (8-1)

Opponent

at Akron Aeros (1:35 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Tim Bascom (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Akron: Ryan Edell (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (4-4)

Opponent

Lynchburg Hillcats (2 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Cole McCurry (0-0, 2.25 ERA)
Lynchburg: Travis Webb (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (6-3)

Opponent

Hagerstown Suns (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Tony Butler (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Hagerstown: Paul Demny (0-1, 9.00 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Orioles lost again tonight, this time by a 4-2 score to the Oakland A's. They also lost another player to the disabled list as outfielder Felix Pie, who had been one of the few guys swinging a decent bat, joined Brian Roberts, Michael Gonzalez and Koji Uehara on the DL.

About the only piece of good news was the Roberts, a couple of days removed from getting his second epidural to ease the discomfort from the herniated disk in his back, had a positive appointment with back specialist Dr. Lee Riley.

"There is some improvement," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "He will go back for a follow-up on Monday and see where he's at."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 1:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides couldn't recover from a six-run deficit after the first inning in their loss to the Durham Bulls, but the Double-A Bowie Baysox earned their best start in team history by beating the Akron Aeros.

The Single-A Frederick Keys were edged by the Lynchburg Hillcats at Harry Grove Stadium, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds lost their home opener to the Hagerstown Suns at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Before today's game, the Keys added outfielder Jacob Julius and infielder Michael Mooney to their roster. Julius hasn't played yet this season, and Mooney was 3-for-16 (.188) in four games for the Shorebirds before heading to Frederick.

In order to make room for the two players, the Keys placed Greg Miclat on the disabled list with a broken nose. Jason White was added to the temporary inactive list for personal reasons.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Durham Bulls 14, Norfolk Tides 7 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Troy Patton (0-2) was roughed up for six runs (five earned) and six hits and only recorded one out in the Tides' 14-7 loss to Durham.

Norfolk shortstop Robert Andino was 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored, while catcher Steven Lerud added two hits and two RBIs.

Tides center fielder Joey Gathright and right fielder Rhyne Hughes each hit a triple, and left fielder Jeff Salazar contributed a double and an RBI.

First baseman Brandon Snyder was hitless in five at-bats for the Tides, and he is now batting .176 (6-for-34) with no home runs and five RBIs in nine games this season.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 4, Akron Aeros 2 (Box score)

Recap: Shortstop Pedro Florimon collected two hits and two RBIs as the Baysox topped Akron, 4-2, for their seventh straight win.

Bowie designated hitter Joel Guzman was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, and second baseman Ryan Adams added a double.

Relief pitcher Eddie Gamboa (1-1) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the victory, and left-hander Wilfrido Perez pitched out of trouble in the ninth inning for his third save of the season.

Baysox starting pitcher Ryohei Tanaka gave up two runs and five hits in six innings, but he didn't factor in the decision.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Frederick Keys 4 (Box score)

Recap: The Keys scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn't enough as Lynchburg held on to win, 5-4. Frederick only managed three hits -- including two home runs -- in the game.

Keys catcher Brian Ward and third baseman Billy Rowell each hit a solo home run, and second baseman L.J. Hoes added an RBI single.

Frederick starting pitcher Nathan Nery (0-1) allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old left-hander struck out six batters.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Hagerstown Suns 15, Delmarva Shorebirds 2 (Box score)

Recap: Hagerstown pounded Shorebirds pitchers for 15 runs and 19 hits in a 15-2 victory.

Delmarva starting pitcher Jesse Beal (1-1) gave up five runs and eight hits in five innings, and relief pitcher Nathan Moreau was touched up for six runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings.

First baseman Tyler Kolodny hit a solo home run for the Shorebirds, and shortstop Garabez Rosa was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

As I sit in the pressbox and watch the Orioles' offense continue to struggle, I am reminded of a sequence last night that really didn't factor heavily in the game but it said a lot about how the Orioles are playing these days.

Young pitcher David Hernandez had a rough bottom of the second inning, facing seven guys and stranding the bases loaded. Oakland loaded the bases with no outs and Hernandez performed pretty good damage control, allowing only one run to score. He did throw 25 pitches in the inning.

Now, what came next is the disturbing part. Hernandez obviously could have used a little of a rest in the dugout after the grueling inning. But what do the Oriole hitters do?

Felix Pie, the leadoff man in the top of the third, swings at Ben Sheets' first pitch and grounds out to the pitcher. The next man up, Adam Jones, grounds out on the fourth pitch. And then Nick Markakis, flies out to left on Sheets' second pitch.

So Hernandez got to sit down for all of seven pitches before having to go right back out to the mound.

That type of thing is often referred to as selfish baseball. Sure, it's a little thing but all that stuff adds up.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)
        

OAKLAND, Calif. – Continuing to lose key players almost as rapidly as they are losing games, the Orioles put outfielder Felix Pie, one of the team’s few hot hitters and the de-facto leadoff man in Brian Roberts’ absence, on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Lou Montanez from Triple-A Norfolk.

Pie, who suffered a strained left rotator cuff in spring training, aggravated the injury in Thursday’s loss while swinging and missing at a Tyson Ross pitch in the seventh inning. Pie will get an MRI Saturday.

It is the latest blow to an offense that entered Friday with the second worst run total (29) in the American League. Pie, the Opening Day starter in left field, was leading the team in hitting with a .400 average and one home run, and had filled in admirably in the leadoff spot with Roberts on the disabled list.

His injury will likely mean more at-bats for second-year outfielder Nolan Reimold, who is still recovering from an Achilles' injury. It could also force manager Dave Trembley to use his normal No.2 hitter, Adam Jones, in the leadoff spot.

Montanez, an outfielder who has hit .247 in 194 big league at-bats over the past two seasons, was hitting .259 with five RBIs in seven games for the Tides.

The Orioles’ disabled list now includes Pie, Roberts, closer Michael Gonzalez and setup man Koji Uehara.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Orioles injured closer Michael Gonzalez will report to the team's spring training complex on Monday in Sarasota to begin a rehabilitation program that will keep him out for at least three weeks.

I spoke to Gonzalez last night and he admitted that he is frustrated about how his Orioles' tenure has started - two blown saves in three attempts and now a DL-stint with a strained left shoulder - and he doesn't blame the fans for sharing that frustration.

“The truth is, I’m a professional and I totally understand the frustration of the fans,” said Gonzalez. “I was brought here to close the door. I’ve done it before. I know I can do it and I haven’t gotten it done. But I’m focused on the team right now. They grinded, and we were right there and I didn’t shut the door. That’s what I’m most frustrated about, but I know I can do this.”

Gonzalez also reiterated that he started feeling the injury on Tuesday while he was warming up in the bullpen, dismissing the speculation that he was pitching hurt through spring training and through the first week of the season.

To his credit, he blames the team's poor start on himself, saying that not only did he cost the Orioles two victories, but his struggles created doubt in the other player's minds, and forced other relievers into roles that they weren't used to.

“I’m definitely frustrated with the situation, but then again, I have three weeks to get healthy and to join the guys,” he said. “What they’re going through right now, I wish I could be there with them. I’m going to focus on getting myself ready to bring some positive spark when I come back. I have to get it together, get healthy, get my mind right so I can be a positive spark to these guys.”

Gonzalez said that he'll start playing catch when he feels no pain and said that he'd like to be ready before three weeks.

“The best thing about it is we talked to all the doctors, to [head athletic trainer] Richie Bancells, and I’m not going to need surgery,” Gonzalez said. “The big thing is for the inflammation to go down. After four of five days of not doing anything, it should be calmed down. It’s only going to take two or three days of playing catch before I’ll get my rhythm back. I need to be healthy to help this team out. That’s what I have to focus on.”

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

The Orioles still aren't sure if Felix Pie will need to go on the disabled list, though they have a plan in place if he does. Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Lou Montanez is on his way to the West Coast to join the club and he'll be ready if Pie needs to go on the DL.

Pie aggravated his left shoulder strain, which has bothered him since spring training, in last night's loss to the Oakland A's. Pie, who acknowledged that his shoulder hurts every time he throws the ball, didn't want to speculate on whether he'll need a stint on the DL. And it remains a possibility - albeit a slim one - that the outfielder, who has been one of the team's only productive hitters, will feel much better when he reports to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and be able to take a couple of days off and then rejoin the lineup.

But the Orioles really want to get him right. Manager Dave Trembley made it clear last night that it isn't a good situation not being able to count on Pie because of the status of his shoulder.

Having Montanez already on the West Coast will prevent Trembley from having to play short-handed tonight if in fact Pie goes on the DL.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 1:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)
        

If you are new to Connolly’s, if you staggered in the new Orioles’ Insider wanting to talk baseball and only baseball, well let me set you up with a free shot and an apology.

Baseball is the main thing here – is and always will be. We’ll discuss all aspects of the Orioles, and do it good-naturedly with the occasional rise in temper and spirits (that gives Bubba at the door something to do besides letting in underaged women with fake IDs).

We keep it civil in here, and I think that’s what has made this blog work the past two years – yep we are nearing our two-year anniversary. Amazing, eh?

We also talk about other subjects that pass my fancy: Football, Terps, Tiger Woods, the age of the Gilligan’s Island women, whatever. It’s my blog, my bar, my whims. One frequent topic is music, one of my favorite subjects. So indulge me, newbies, for a minute.

On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my favorite bands, the Drive-By Truckers, at the Recher in Towson. I know I have pumped them up in the past, but if you have a chance to see the Truckers live, even if you are unfamiliar with their hard-charging Southern rock (and brilliant lyrics), you have to take my advice on this one. These guys are awesome live.

It was probably the 10th time I have seen them and it was one of my favorites, partially because Langhorne Slim opened up for them. I have seen Langhorne headline a show in the past, and his 40-minute set Wednesday was too short for my tastes but, obviously, the right length for an opener.

He probably was as well received as any opener I have seen. He’s also one you should check out. You won’t be sorry. And if you have any bands I should throw into the old bar jukebox, don’t hesitate to suggest. I picked up on M. Ward and The National because of the fine patrons here at Connolly’s. (By the way, Ben Harper is at Pier Six next week. I’d love to go, but the tickets are too salty for my tastes. But if you go, let me know how he was. Great, I’ll assume).

Now, to the matter at hand: The 1-9 Orioles. I have seen 7 of those games (all losses) up close. Thankfully, I am not on the West Coast swing of this trip (Jeff Z is, so keep an eye on Orioles Insider for his keyed-in insights) but I’ll meet up with the team in Boston.

I watched most of the 6-2 loss to the A’s, but I really didn’t have to watch after the first, when the A’s picked up two runs. It’s the second consecutive game that was over before it started. And, really, those were the only two losses in which that has been the case.

That’s been a big difference with this season than in the past years. As bad as the Orioles’ record is right now, they have been more competitive game-in and game-out than they have for much of the past five seasons. I know that is no consolation for the continual losing, but it has made them more watchable during this stretch – at least for reporters.

Any good beatwriter worth his/her Twitter account abhors late-changing games. It’s our bane. There’s nothing worse than having to rewrite repeatedly on deadline – it is both stressful and a recipe for inexcusable mistakes. Given our druthers, we’d rather have every game’s outcome decided in the fifth inning, so we can properly craft a solid story angle.

But I learned long ago, the game doesn’t care about me and my deadline.

And being in every game, even though the outcome may be heartbreak, is extremely important for those who play the sport. I had a long talk with Orioles designated Luke Scott about that concept on Wednesday. As painful as this first week has been for the Orioles, Scott said he would take those one-run, gut-punchers every time over the 5-plus-run losses he has dealt with since coming to Baltimore in 2008.

You never want to lose, Scott said, but there’s some solace in being competitive within a game. As he put it, getting beat with your best effort is much more tolerable than not showing up at all.

As a fan, though, I am not sure that philosophy sticks. Some friends of mine have told me that this first week was impossible to stomach because there is nothing worse than losing games that should be won. Being close is no consolation. It’s actually worse, they say.

I am curious as to your thoughts here. I personally would rather see the Orioles be in every game and lose (and deadlines be damned) than have them get blown out all the time. But I am not invested emotionally into this team.

Daily Think Special: What’s worse: Close losses or blowouts?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides look for their third straight victory when they face the Durham Bulls, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox will achieve their best start in franchise history if they beat the Akron Aeros tonight.

The Single-A Frederick Keys welcome the Lynchburg Hillcats to Harry Grove Stadium, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds host the Hagerstown Suns for their home opener at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (4-4)

Opponent

at Durham Bulls (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Troy Patton (0-1, 3.38 ERA)
Durham: Virgil Vasquez (1-0, 1.59 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (7-1)

Opponent

at Akron Aeros (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Ryohei Tanaka (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Akron: Paolo Espino (1-0, 5.06 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (4-3)

Opponent

Lynchburg Hillcats (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Nathan Nery (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Lynchburg: Brad Boxberger (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (6-2)

Opponent

Hagerstown Suns (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Jesse Beal (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Hagerstown: Jack McGeary (0-0, 3.60 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides held on for a victory over the Durham Bulls, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox pounded the Akron Aeros.

The Single-A Frederick Keys lost to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Harry Grove Stadium, but the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds edged the Greensboro Grasshoppers on the road.

I was at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick, so here is a link to my live updates from the Keys-Pelicans matchup.

A quick injury update -- Keys shortstop Greg Miclat, who left tonight's game after he was hit in the face on a freak play when the ball ricocheted off his foot, was diagnosed with a broken nose. He's listed as day-to-day.

Also, Keys starting pitcher Oliver Drake is likely out for at least a couple weeks with a shoulder injury that landed him on the disabled list today. Kenny Moreland is expected to take Drake's spot in the rotation.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 6, Durham Bulls 4 (Box score)

Recap: Designated hitter Rhyne Hughes collected two doubles and an RBI in the Tides' 6-4 victory over Durham.

Norfolk starting pitcher Alfredo Simon (1-0) allowed two runs and six hits in six innings. The 28-year-old right-hander struck out five batters and issued one walk.

Tides left fielder Lou Montanez added a double and an RBI, and shortstop Robert Andino contributed a triple and an RBI.

The Tides gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but left-hander Alberto Castillo recorded the final out to collect his second save of the season.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 9, Akron Aeros 1 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Chorye Spoone (1-0) allowed one run and three hits in six innings as the Baysox cruised to a 9-1 win over Akron.

The 24-year-old right-hander walked four batters and collected one strikeout. It was Spoone's first victory since the 2008 season.

Bowie second baseman Ryan Adams was 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs, while first baseman Robbie Widlansky added two hits, including a double, and two RBIs.

Baysox third baseman Brandon Waring contributed a single and a double. Center fielder Miguel Abreu and designated hitter Danny Figueroa each collected two singles for Bowie.

Relief pitcher Zach Clark held the Aeros to two hits in the final three innings to earn his first save of the season for the Baysox.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Myrtle Beach Pelicans 15, Frederick Keys 5 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Ryan O'Shea (0-2) was touched up for seven runs (five earned) and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings as the Keys were routed, 15-5, by Myrtle Beach.

Frederick left fielder Xavier Avery was 2-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored, while center fielder Kyle Hudson added two hits and an RBI.

Keys third baseman Billy Rowell walked three times, but he also committed two throwing errors in the loss. The 21-year-old infielder is batting .182 (2-for-11) with six strikeouts and five walks in four games so far this season.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 6, Greensboro Grasshoppers 4 (Box score)

Recap: Designated hitter T.J. Baxter hit a solo home run to start the game and added a three-run shot in the fifth inning as the Shorebirds topped Greensboro, 6-4, to wrap up their road trip.

Delmarva starting pitcher Matt Hobgood (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season after giving up two runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. The 19-year-old right-hander struck out four hitters and didn't allow any walks.

Shorebirds center fielder Steve Bumbry was 2-for-3 with a run scored, and third baseman Levi Carolus added two singles and a walk.

James Brandhorst retired the side in order in the ninth inning to pick up his first save of the season for Delmarva. The 22-year-old right-hander collected two strikeouts.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Orioles manager Dave Trembley started his pre-game meeting with reporters by declaring this "a new day, a new game."

Well, it certainly looks awfully familiar to me.

The Orioles are already 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, making them an obscene 10-for-70 in such situations this year. A's starter Ben Sheets only threw 47 pitches over the first four innings, status quo for an Orioles team that is 29th in the major leagues in pitches seen per plate appearances.

Then, there was the two errors in the bottom of the fourth that helped Oakland extend its lead to to 4-0. Adam Jones overthrew both cutoff men, turning Adam Rosales' leadoff double into a triple. Second baseman Ty Wigginton then booted Cliff Pennington's ground ball, allowing Rosales to score without a throw.

David Hernandez is getting knocked around a little bit, but it would be nice if the Orioles' offense and defense would help a young pitcher out.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

You have what appears to be an RBI first-inning double by Miguel Tejada taken away on a fantastic diving catch by A's third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff.

You have a runner at first base in Rajai Davis reach on a swinging bunt and then be dead to rights on David Hernandez's pickoff throw but get back to first when Garrett Atkins can't apply the tag in time.

Perhaps taking out a week and a half of frustration, Orioles manager Dave Trembley was in first base umpire and crew chief Gary Cederstrom's grill for well over a minute. Cederstrom certainly let Trembley have his say.

It was a rough first inning for Hernandez, who allowed two runs as the Orioles are in an early hole again. Hernandez is from Sacramento, Calif., about 90 minutes away from here, and he has about 35 friends or family members at the game. Perhaps it was just some early jitters.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
        

Orioles manager Dave Trembley said today that struggling closer Michael Gonzalez will miss at least three weeks because of the left shoulder strain.

Gonzalez had a magnetic resonance imaging performed today in Baltimore and Trembley said that it showed the normal wear and tear, but nothing other than the strain.

Gonzalez will report to the team's spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla., in the next couple of days and begin a rehabilitation program.

Meanwhile, Trembley said he'll mix-and-match with his bullpen, but he'll likely give Jim Johnson most of the save opportunities.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 8:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

We’ll probably periodically take a look at how several members of the 2009 Orioles are doing with their new organizations. Keep in mind, the below numbers are through Wednesday’s games.

Hitters
Aubrey Huff (S.F. Giants): .273 avg. (9-for-33), 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 8 runs, 4 BBs
Chad Moeller (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Yankees’ Triple-A): .000 avg. (0-for-4), 1 K
Melvin Mora (Colorado Rockies): .111 avg. (1-for-9), 0 HR, 1 RBI
Oscar Salazar (San Diego Padres): .000 avg. (0-for-5)
Gregg Zaun (Milwaukee Brewers): .045 avg. (1-for-22)

Pitchers
Danys Baez (Philadelphia Phillies): 0-0, 2.45 ERA (3 2/3 IP), 1 ER, 2 hits, 1 BB, 2Ks
Brian Bass (Indianapolis, Pirates’ Triple-A): 0-1, 4.91 ERA (7 1/3 IP), 4 ER, 11 hits
Sean Henn: (Las Vegas, Blue Jays’ Triple-A): 1-0, 0.00 ERA (3 IP), 3 hits, 2 BBs
Rich Hill: (Memphis, Cardinals’ Triple-A): 1-0, 1.50 ERA (6 IP), 1 ER, 3 hits, 6 BBs, 5 Ks
Radhames Liz: (Portland, Padres’ Triple-A: 1-0, 0.00 ERA (5 IP), 3 hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks
Chris Ray (Texas Rangers): 0-0, 2.70 ERA (3 1/3 IP), 1 ER, 2 hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks
George Sherrill (L.A. Dodgers): 0-1, 15.00 ERA (3 IP), 5 ERs, 4 hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks
Chris Waters (Nashville, Brewers’ Triple-A): 1-0, 3.60 ERA (5 IP), 2 ERs, 3 hits, 1 BB, 4 Ks

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
        

The Single-A Frederick Keys take on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans tonight at Harry Grove Stadium.

I'll be providing live updates throughout tonight's matchup. Feel free to join in the discussion and I'll approve comments and answer as many questions as possible.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides kick off their first road trip of the 2010 season by traveling to play the Durham Bulls, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox also hit the road to meet the Akron Aeros.

The Single-A Frederick Keys continue their homestand against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Harry Grove Stadium, while the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds face the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

I'll be blogging live from the Keys-Pelicans matchup, so come back to Orioles Insider this evening to join the fun and participate in the discussion.

Also, earlier today, the Baysox announced that right-hander Armando Gabino was promoted to Norfolk. To take his place, the Baysox added right-hander Zach Clark to their roster.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (3-4)

Opponent

at Durham Bulls (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Alfredo Simon (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Durham: Jeff Bennett (0-1, 9.00 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (6-1)

Opponent

at Akron Aeros (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Chorye Spoone (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
Akron: Connor Graham (0-0, 13.50 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (4-2)

Opponent

Myrtle Beach Pelicans (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Ryan O'Shea (0-1, 12.00 ERA)
Myrtle Beach: Cole Rohrbough (0-0, 9.00 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (5-2)

Opponent

at Greensboro Grasshoppers (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Matt Hobgood (0-0, 6.75 ERA)
Greensboro: Erick Carrillo (0-1, 12.60 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

I know the Major League Baseball Draft is still about a month and a half away, but I figured talking to Orioles director of scouting Joe Jordan about how the draft preparation is going would be a welcome break from the daily dissection of the team’s 1-8 start.

The Orioles will have the third overall pick in the June 7 draft. Bryce Harper, the catching phenom and Sports Illustrated cover boy who is currently playing for the College of Southern Nevada, is expected to go first overall to the Washington Nationals. The Pittsburgh Pirates will pick second ahead of the Orioles, who haven’t drafted this high since they tabbed Ben McDonald with the first overall pick in 1989.

“I’m very optimistic,” said Jordan, who is in California scouting a couple of players. “We pick three so we don’t have to line up a great deal of them for that first pick. We’re going to get a very good player. There are a good group of players at the top of it and we like plenty of them.”

Jordan is obviously not going to tip his hand this early, especially with the uncertainty attached to who the Pirates will pick at No.2. However, he did acknowledge that if all things were equal, he would love to get an impact bat with the third pick. The problem is that beyond Harper, who the Orioles have scouted several times and do like, there are really no impact hitters that project as top-five guys in this draft.

The good news is that there are two shortstops (Cal State Fullerton’s Christian Colon and Manny Machado, a high schooler from Miami) that will be available and would fill a long-term void in the organization. There is also a group of highly-touted pitchers that are projected to go early to mid first round, including Anthony Ranaudo (LSU), Matt Harvey (UNC), Drew Pomeranz (Ole Miss), Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast University), Jameson Taillon (The Woodlands HS in Texas) and AJ Cole (Oviedo HS in Florida).

There has been some speculation that Taillon, a hard-throwing right-hander who fits the mold of the big, physical pitcher that this organization craves, is the Orioles’ top choice if the Pirates don’t snag him at No.2. However, Jordan said that the Orioles aren’t at the point where they’ve narrowed it down to one or two targets yet.

“So much can change in the next six weeks,” he said. “Basically, we have a group of players that we feel like are the best players in the country and we’re going to scout them till the very end. We’re going to make sure that our works done and we’ll be ready. There’s no doubt about that. I'm feeling much better than I did about it a month ago. Some of the guys [on the board] have really got it going.”

The Orioles will pay particularly close attention to Ranaudo over the next several weeks as the right-handed pitcher is just returning to form after missing some time with an elbow injury.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (19)
        

The Orioles announced today that they're recalling right-hander Kam Mickolio, who was sent to the minor leagues after spring training, from Triple-A Norfolk.

The recall comes after closer Michael Gonzalez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday.

Mickolio (1-0) had a 1.93 ERA in nine spring games and, in three appearances with Norfolk this year, he allowed one earned run in three innings.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

There were a lot of shutouts in the Orioles' minor league system Wednesday.

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides blanked the Charlotte Knights this afternoon, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox swept the Harrisburg Senators.

The Single-A Frederick Keys held the Myrtle Beach Pelicans scoreless, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds topped the Greensboro Grasshoppers this morning.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 9, Charlotte Knights 0 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (1-0) only allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings as the Tides blanked Charlotte, 9-0, at Harbor Park.

Arrieta threw 56 of his 79 pitches for strikes. The 24-year-old right-hander collected five strikeouts and walked two batters.

While warming up before the eighth inning, relief pitcher Dennis Sarfate suffered a minor oblique strain and he is listed as day-to-day, according to the Tides.

Tides right fielder Rhyne Hughes was 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, and shortstop Robert Andino added two hits, an RBI and two runs scored.

Norfolk third baseman Scott Moore and left fielder Jeff Salazar each collected two RBIs.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 1, Harrisburg Senators 0, 12 innings (Box score)

Recap: Second baseman Ryan Adams hit an RBI double with two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning to lift the Baysox to a 1-0 win over Harrisburg at Prince George's Stadium.

Bowie relief pitcher Ryan Ouellette (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the victory, while starting pitcher Steve Johnson allowed two hits in five innings. The 22-year-old right-hander hasn't given up a run in 10 innings this season.

Baysox left fielder Tyler Henson added two hits and a run scored.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Frederick Keys 6, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 0 (Box score)

Recap: First baseman Joe Mahoney was 2-for-3 with four RBIs in the Keys' 6-0 victory over Myrtle Beach at Harry Grove Stadium.

Frederick center fielder Kyle Hudson added two hits, a stolen base and a run scored, while shortstop Greg Miclat was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Keys starting pitcher Rick Zagone tossed five scoreless innings, but he didn't factor into the decision. Relief pitcher Jose Duran (1-0) earned the win for Frederick after blanking the Pelicans for three innings.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 9, Greensboro Grasshoppers 4 (Box score)

Recap: Designated hitter Gary Helmick contributed two home runs and five RBIs to lead the Shorebirds over Greensboro, 9-4, this morning.

Delmarva first baseman Tyler Kolodny hit a two-run home run, and third baseman Levi Carolus added a double and two RBIs.

Shorebirds starting pitcher Jake Cowan (1-0) earned the win after scattering six hits in six scoreless innings. The 21-year-old right-hander struck out six batters and issued two walks.

Left fielder T.J. Baxter and shortstop Garabez Rosa each had a double for the Shorebirds, while right fielder Brian Conley was 2-for-3 with a double and a triple.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail is not exactly pleased with the start of this season.

He is the one, remember, who said this team would be judged on wins and losses and not just development.

And nine games into the season, the Orioles are 1-8 and head toward a brutal 10-game road trip to Oakland, Seattle and Boston.

But for those of you expecting MacPhail to can manager Dave Trembley right now, forget about it.

MacPhail didn’t want to address Trembley’s job security -- which makes sense since the Orioles’ early tailspin has not been caused by anything Trembley has or hasn’t done.

“I don’t even know how to begin to answer that. We are nine games into [the season],” he said.

But he did answer it because he knows that if he didn’t, speculation would be rampant:

“That’s just not the way I operate. We are going to do everything we can to try and make personnel decisions to try and help the team, and that is what we are going to focus on, making things better and not looking for scapegoats.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (45)
        

Triple-A Norfolk Tides relief pitcher Dennis Sarfate entered today's game against the Charlotte Knights at Harbor Park in the top of the eighth inning, but he suffered a minor oblique strain while warming up, according to Tides media relations director Ian Locke.

Norfolk manager Gary Allenson described the right-hander as day-to-day.

Sarfate was replaced by Ross Wolf, who tossed two innings to complete the Tides' 9-0 win over Charlotte.

Norfolk starting pitcher Jake Arrieta gave up three hits in seven scoreless innings for his first win of the season. The 24-year-old right-hander threw 56 of his 79 pitches for strikes.

In two appearances before today, Sarfate allowed one hit in three scoreless innings.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Nothing is official right now – the Orioles are in the middle of getting blown out by the Rays for their sixth straight loss – but expect right-hander Kam Mickolio to be called up to replace Michael Gonzalez (strained shoulder), who hit the disabled list today, on the 25-man roster.

Mickolio, 25, was one of the last cuts in spring camp. The 6-foot-9 righty has pitched in 20 games with the Orioles in the past two seasons, going 0-3 with a 3.80 ERA.

He has made three appearances for Triple-A Norfolk this season, allowing four hits, four walks and one run in three innings pitched. He has struck out five.

Mickolio is considered the club’s closer of the future, but that future likely isn’t now. At least not until he can throw strikes consistently. Expect Jim Johnson to get the lion’s share of save opportunities, with others being inserted in the mix if the situation dictates.

Johnson saved 10 games for the Orioles in 2009.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 2:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

A few hours after Dave Trembley said Michael Gonzalez was unable to pitch Tuesday, the deposed closer has hit the disabled list with a strained left shoulder.

Gonzalez was asked repeatedly this spring about the health of his shoulder – primarily because his low-90s fastball was clocked in the mid-80s.

He kept saying he was fine, with the exception of some back stiffness. And now he is on the 15-day DL after three difficult appearances, including blowing two saves. He was 0-2 with one save and a 18.00 ERA.

The move is retroactive to April 10.

Gonzalez missed Monday to witness the birth of his first child. He was up in the bullpen on Tuesday but told Trembley he could not get loose.

Another move is pending. Expect either Kam Mickolio or Alberto Castillo to be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (27)
        

At the end of manager Dave Trembley’s pre-game talk with the media Wednesday morning, he said that Michael Gonzalez was not available to pitch Tuesday and he wouldn’t be available today against the Rays.

Trembley said he wanted to use Gonzalez in the tight, 8-6 loss to the Rays on Tuesday, but was told the left-hander couldn’t get loose.

Trembley said Gonzalez, who was temporarily removed from closer duties after blowing two of his first three chances, would see a team doctor today. Trembley said Gonzalez was in the trainers’ room with an ice pack on his left shoulder this morning.

Gonzalez was away from the team Monday to witness the birth of his daughter in Arizona. When approached by reporters this morning, he said he would talk after he spoke to Trembley.

By 11:45 a.m., the two hadn’t spoken, Trembley said.

Gonzalez signed a two-year, $12 million offseason to be the Orioles’ closer.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (19)
        

Once again, the Orioles will hold Q&A sessions with players throughout the season at the ESPN Zone in the Inner Harbor.

Orioles first baseman Garrett Atkins is scheduled to take part in the first event, which is scheduled for April 28 at noon. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m.

An Orioles broadcaster will moderate each Q&A and there will be time for autographs.

Additional Q&As are scheduled for May 17, June 23, July 22, Aug. 4, Aug. 18 and Sept. 15. The players for those sessions will be announced at a later date.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

You can’t fault Dave Trembley for trying different things with his lineup.

After mixing it up Tuesday, he’s shuffled it again for this afternoon’s contest against the Tampa Bay Rays.

With lefty David Price on the hill for the Rays, left-handed hitter Felix Pie is sitting and Nolan Reimold is in left field. With Pie on the bench, Trembley needs a backup to Brian Roberts’ leadoff backup.

And that will be Adam Jones, who will be starting his seventh career game in the leadoff spot.

Ty Wigginton, who homered twice on Tuesday night, will bat second. The lineup is pretty normal after that, except Matt Wieters is getting the day off and Craig Tatum is getting his first start in an Orioles uniform.

Here’s the lineup:

Adam Jones CF
Ty Wigginton 2B
Nick Markakis RF
Miguel Tejada 3B
Nolan Reimold LF
Luke Scott DH
Garrett Atkins 1B
Craig Tatum C
Cesar Izturis SS
Brad Bergesen RHP

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (27)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides conclude their opening homestand this afternoon against the Charlotte Knights at Harbor Park, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox will also hit the road after tonight's game against the Harrisburg Senators at Prince George's Stadium.

The Single-A Frederick Keys face the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Harry Grove Stadium, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds meet the Greensboro Grasshoppers in a morning matchup.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (2-4)

Opponent

Charlotte Knights (12:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Jake Arrieta (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Charlotte: Carlos Torres (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (5-1)

Opponent

Harrisburg Senators (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Steve Johnson (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Harrisburg: Aaron Thompson (0-1, 12.27 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (3-2)

Opponent

Myrtle Beach Pelicans (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Rick Zagone (0-1, 2.25 ERA)
Myrtle Beach: Randall Delgado (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (4-2)

Opponent

at Greensboro Grasshoppers (10:45 a.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Jake Cowan (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
Greensboro: Chad James (0-1, 2.08 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Orioles owner Peter Angelos told the Associated Press in November that he’d like his team to play a home-and-home series against the Cuban National Team next spring in a repeat of the historic games the two sides played in 1999.

However, I’m told there has been zero movement on that front and the series is no longer in the works for spring training 2011. It’s not impossible that Angelos could revisit it and try and get it on schedule in a couple of years, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon.

On another topic, a bunch of people have written in and asked what’s going on with minor leaguer Mychal Givens, the high school shortstop from Tampa, Fla., and the team’s second-round draft pick last year. Givens, 19, has yet to be assigned to an affiliate and remains in extended spring training in Sarasota, Fla., but farm director John Stockstill told me today that is by design, and not because of injuries or anything like that.

“He’s just going through a heavy instructional period on his total game at this point,” Stockstill said. “There’s nothing wrong with him at all.”

Stockstill said he’s planning to return to Sarasota within seven to 10 days to get a better look at Givens, and a decision could be made then on where the organization’s ninth-ranked prospect, according to Baseball America, starts the 2010 season.

Stockstill also said that Mike Flacco, another guy who I’ve been asked about quite a bit, is in the same boat as Givens, and it has not been determined what affiliate he’ll report to.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides lost again to the Charlotte Knights at Harbor Park, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox edged the Harrisburg Senators at Prince George's Stadium.

The Single-A Frederick Keys won their home opener against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Harry Grove Stadium, while the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds were pounded on the road by the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Prior to tonight's game, the Shorebirds placed catcher Michael Ohlman on the disabled list with a left knee injury. The team promoted catcher Jason Stifler to replace him.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Charlotte Knights 6, Norfolk Tides 1 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Chris Tillman (0-2) suffered another loss for the Tides after being charged with three runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings during a 6-1 defeat to Charlotte.

The young right-hander, who turns 22 on Thursday, threw 70 of his 100 pitches for strikes. Tillman struck out four batters and issued one walk.

Norfolk second baseman Scott Moore contributed two hits, while center fielder Joey Gathright added a single and an RBI.

Third baseman Josh Bell and first baseman Michael Aubrey each hit a double for the Tides.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 2, Harrisburg Senators 1 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Zach Britton (1-0) held Harrisburg to one run and five hits in six innings as the Baysox picked up a 2-1 victory.

The 22-year-old left-hander collected six strikeouts and walked two batters.

Bowie first baseman Robbie Widlansky was 2-for-3 with an RBI double. Blake Davis played left field for the Baysox and contributed an RBI.

Baysox relief pitcher Wilfrido Perez tossed a scoreless inning for his second save of the season. He allowed one hit and struck out one batter.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Frederick Keys 9, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4 (Box score)

Recap: Right fielder Ronnie Welty introduced himself to the home crowd by going 3-for-4 with a double, two home runs and five RBIs in the Keys' 9-4 victory over Myrtle Beach.

Frederick left fielder Xavier Avery and center fielder Kyle Hudson each added two hits and a run scored, while first baseman Joe Mahoney and third baseman Bobby Stevens each contributed a double and two RBIs.

Keys starting pitcher Oliver Drake allowed two hits in 2 2/3 scoreless innings, but he didn't factor in the decision. Despite giving up four runs (two earned) and three hits in two innings, relief pitcher Brett Jacobson (1-0) earned the win for Frederick.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Greensboro Grasshoppers 12, Delmarva Shorebirds 7 (Box score)

Recap: Catcher Justin Dalles was 2-for-4, including a two-run home run, but five errors derailed the Shorebirds in a 12-7 loss to Greensboro.

Delmarva third baseman Tyler Kolodny committed two defensive miscues, while first baseman T.J. Baxter, second baseman Michael Mooney and center fielder Michael Planeta each had one.

Shorebirds shortstop Garabez Rosa collected two doubles and a single, while Stifler added two RBIs in his debut with the team.

Starting pitcher Ryan Berry (0-1) allowed six runs (three earned) and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings for the Shorebirds, while relief pitcher Randy Henry recorded seven strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Brian Matusz just keeps rolling this evening. He’s got all four pitches working; his changeup is particularly nasty.

Through six, he has allowed just that one hit, a bunt single by Ben Zobrist in the fourth.

The rookie lefty has thrown 73 pitches, 50 for strikes. He hasn’t faced more than four batters per inning; he has had one inning in which he has thrown more than 12 pitches.

He’s gone to a 3-ball count just twice on 20 batters. The last time he faced the Tampa Bay Rays, last Thursday, he walked five.

He's bouncing back OK here.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

Brian Matusz has cruised through his first three innings, allowing one walk and no hits versus the Tampa Bay Rays on a chilly night at Camden Yards (game-time temperature a balmy 46 and dropping).

Matusz has thrown 37 pitches, 23 for strikes. In the first inning, Ben Zobrist grounded out to third base. It’s the only groundout he has allowed in his first eight innings pitched (including five last Thursday).

He’s using all his pitches, recording his first two strikeouts -- to consecutive batters -- on a nasty 81 mph changeup and then an 81 mph slider.

And he is doing it in the Orioles’ bright orange jerseys, with the black "O" hat. That has nothing to do with the game or his performance, but I thought you’d like to know.

The Orioles are leading 1-0 on a Matt Wieters’ groundout with the bases loaded.

The crowd, by the way, doesn’t look much better than last night’s when a stadium low of 9,129 was achieved. But I have been assured the total will surpass that one handily.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 7:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

If you are going to brave the drizzle and the cold to attend tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards, you’ll get more than a Matt Wieters T-shirt.

You’ll get to see Wieters do something he hasn’t done before in the major leagues: Bat cleanup.

Wieters, in his first full major-league season, has made 101 starts. The breakdown: 12 starts batting third; four batting fifth; 22 batting sixth; 21 batting seventh; and 42 batting eighth.

He batted cleanup on occasion in college and in the minors, and the 23-year-old said it isn’t a big deal.

“It’s really just a number,” Wieters said. “It’s a different number in the order, but you still have to go out there and put the barrel on the ball.”

Trembley said he is just trying to mix things up a little for a team that has scored three runs in its past three games.

Adam Jones moves from his traditional second spot to fifth, where he has made just five starts in his career. Only cleanup, where Jones has hit once, is more unfamiliar.

Miguel Tejada will bat second, where he spent much of last year with the Houston Astros.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

1. Felix Pie, LF
2. Miguel Tejada, 3B
3. Nick Markakis, RF
4. Matt Wieters, C
5. Adam Jones, CF
6. Nolan Reimold, DH
7. Garrett Atkins, 1B
8. Ty Wigginton, 2B
9. Cesar Izturis, SS
Brian Matusz, SP

-- Dan Connolly

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

I don’t think I’ve ever seen outfielder Nick Markakis as down and frustrated as he was last night after the Orioles’ 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays that extended the home team’s losing streak to four games. Markakis was 0-for-3 to lower his batting average to .143. While he enters tonight’s game tied for the major league lead with 10 walks, Markakis has zero home runs, zero RBIs and is hitless in his past nine at-bats.

“I’m just trying to recognize pitches, put good swings on it,” Markakis said. “I’m starting to hit the ball a little bit better than I have been. I just need to calm down and relax. It’s a long season. Eight games, it’s not going to make or break your season. A lot of people struggle early on. We just need to relax and play the game.”

I wrote several times this spring that I thought Markakis was in line for a monster year. He reported to camp stronger and in great shape. He appeared very comfortable both on and off the field, and content with the perceived improvements the Orioles made this offseason.

In a story I wrote this spring, Markakis admitted that he wasn’t in as good as shape as he needed to be in last season, and he had struggled somewhat with all the changes that occurred in his life over the past year. That included getting the $66.1 million contract, getting married, being a first-time father, starting a foundation and making Baltimore County his full-time home.

With all that stuff behind him, Markakis felt that this would be his year to put himself in the American League’s elite. Perhaps, that’s why he’s taking both his and the team’s poor start so hard.

Perhaps Markakis could be a little more aggressive and stop taking so many called third strikes. Perhaps he could focus more on pulling balls with authority rather than going the other way all the time. At times this season, he has been overpowered by a good fastball.

Manager Dave Trembley hinted at lineup changes after last night’s game to try to jump-start a lineup that is letting the team down. Maybe, he’ll move Markakis to second and put Adam Jones third. Markakis is clearly not getting much to hit in the No. 3 spot, so it couldn’t hurt.

Wherever he hits, Markakis is going to be fine. After seven games last season, he was hitting .370 with one homer and nine RBIs. But the previous two seasons after seven games, he was batting .296 with no homers and 1 RBI, and .276 with one homer and three RBIs.

He’ll get hot, but it better be sooner rather than later, especially with Brian Roberts on the disabled list.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 1:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides look to snap a two-game losing streak when they face the Charlotte Knights at Harbor Park, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox hope to remain hot against the Harrisburg Senators at Prince George's Stadium.

The Single-A Frederick Keys play their home opener against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Harry Grove Stadium, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds take on the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (2-3)

Opponent

Charlotte Knights (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Chris Tillman (0-1, 4.50 ERA)
Charlotte: Lucas Harrell (0-0, 9.53 ERA)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (4-1)

Opponent

Harrisburg Senators (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Zach Britton (0-0, 4.15 ERA)
Harrisburg: Jeff Mandel (0-1, 8.31 ERA)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (2-2)

Opponent

Myrtle Beach Pelicans (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Oliver Drake (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Myrtle Beach: Jose Ortegano (9-7, 3.22 ERA with two minor league teams in 2009)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (4-1)

Opponent

at Greensboro Grasshoppers (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Ryan Berry (0-0, 1.80 ERA)
Greensboro: Matthew Montgomery (0-1, 0.00 ERA)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

It's not exciting to be a fan of a team that hasn't had a winning season since 1997 and is already struggling this year.

But, Orioles fans, it could be worse for you. Well, OK, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a better record after the first week, but come on, they're swapping exiled Orioles pitchers on their roster.

How much lower can it get than that?

Yes, that's right, former Orioles right-hander Hayden Penn was designated for assignment yesterday in order for the Pirates to make room on their 40-man roster for left-hander Brian Burres.

Burres was called up in order to make last night's start against the San Francisco Giants since right-hander Ross Ohlendorf was scratched. The ex-Oriole didn't fare well, however, suffering the loss after allowing six runs and eight hits in four innings.

Hey, at least he lasted 11 outs longer than Penn did Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 25-year-old right-hander recorded only one out while walking three batters and giving up four runs. He only threw four of his 19 pitches for strikes and also uncorked a wild pitch.

Yikes. Remember the days of having Penn and Burres in the starting rotation?

So, Orioles fans, while you're waiting for the team's second victory in 2010, just keep in mind that things could be worse.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (21)
        

Wow, was the bar packed last night. Lots of people drinking away their Orioles sorrows. OK, so we don’t have enough alcohol in this joint to do that, but they tried.

By my count, we had about 10,000 in here. About 1,000 more than those who happened to stroll down the street and watch the Orioles lose their fourth straight at home.

Friends of mine from New Jersey came to the game – their first at Camden Yards. And they loved the park and the experience. The game, well, not so much.

They were part of history, too: The smallest crowd in Camden Yards’ 19-season history at 9,129.

I’m sure there will be official reasons for the lack of customers at the Yard on Monday.

It was a weekday in April with no promotional giveaways. And schools are still in session.

But it was also a beautiful evening for baseball, and the Tampa Bay Rays, while not the Yankees or Red Sox, are still a pretty good team and a divisional foe.

We all know attendance continues to slip at Camden Yards, and we all know the reason. The Orioles have lost 12 straight years, and people are reluctant, in a down economy, to spend on a losing team. Trust me, I get that and understand it completely.

But I want to know whether the park is still a draw for you. It has been 19 seasons, yet the place is still pristine and engaging, in my opinion. My friends, for instance, loved everything about it – they were especially interested in the Warehouse and Eutaw Street.

That’s obvious for people who have never been to Camden Yards, but what about those of you who have been there plenty. You get to enjoy the park but often walk away pained by the performance.

Despite the organization’s woes, is it still worth it to come to Camden Yards?

Daily Think Special: Is Camden Yards still worth visiting?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (93)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides fell to the Charlotte Knights tonight.

The Double-A Bowie Baysox shut down the Harrisburg Senators, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds rallied to top the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Charlotte Knights 6, Norfolk Tides 3 (Box score)

Recap: Center fielder Jeff Salazar led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run for the Tides, but the team struggled for the majority of the night in a 6-3 loss to Charlotte at Harbor Park.

Salazar finished with two hits for Norfolk, and designated hitter Rhyne Hughes was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Norfolk starting pitcher Brandon Erbe (0-1) was charged with four runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings during his Triple-A debut. The 22-year-old right-hander issued three walks and struck out three batters.

Third baseman Josh Bell added an RBI double for the Tides.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 5, Harrisburg Senators 2 (Box score)

Recap: Baysox starting pitcher Tim Bascom (1-0) held Harrisburg to five hits in six scoreless innings during a 5-2 victory at Prince George's Stadium.

Bowie right fielder Miguel Abreu was 1-for-4 with two RBIs, a stolen base and a run scored, while third baseman Paco Figueroa and center fielder Danny Figueroa each added an RBI.

Relief pitcher Armando Gabino allowed two unearned runs and two hits in three innings for the Baysox to pick up his first save of the season.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 11, Greensboro Grasshoppers 6 (Box score)

Recap: The Shorebirds scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning for a come-from-behind victory, 11-6, on the road against Greensboro.

Delmarva second baseman Tyler Kelly was 3-for-6 with four RBIs and a run scored. In his past two games, the 21-year-old infielder was 5-for-11 with one home run and nine RBIs. He currently leads the South Atlantic League in RBIs (10).

Shorebirds shortstop Garabez Rosa added three hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs. Designated hitter T.J. Baxter picked up his fifth stolen base of the season for Delmarva.

Relief pitcher Jake Smith (2-0) tossed one scoreless inning for the Shorebirds in order to earn the win. Shorebirds starting pitcher Tony Butler allowed four unearned runs and two hits in four innings.

Delmarva catcher Justin Dalles was 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and three runs scored.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Orioles once again received a good pitching performance by their starter. And it didn’t change the outcome.

This time, it was Jeremy Guthrie, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks in seven innings in the Orioles’ 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

It was the Orioles’ fourth straight defeat – all at home -- and sixth in seven games this season.

The Orioles’ starters’ ERA is a very respectable 3.89. Those starters are 1-4.

The Orioles have scored three runs in their past three games – all, by the way, have been played without Brian Roberts, the offense’s catalyst who was put on the disabled list Monday.

They have scored three or fewer runs in five of seven games this season. And it’s not getting any easier.

 Dan Connolly

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

Be proud Baltimore. You did it.

And you thought there wouldn’t be history made at Camden Yards this season.

The announced attendance for Monday’s game versus the Tampa Bay Rays is 9,129. That makes it the smallest crowd in the stadium’s 19 seasons.

The previous low was set last May 26, when 10,130 people showed.

You shouldn’t be surprised. This season was never supposed to be about attendance.

-- Dan Connolly

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

The smallest crowd in Camden Yards history was 10,130 for a game last season against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Unless, this is a late-arriving crowd, that number will be seriously challenged tonight. I obviously haven't counted by hand - though I probably could - but there is absolutely no way there are 10,000 people in the seats right now.

Can't blame it on the weather either. The temperature at first pitch was 66 degrees and you couldn't get a much better April night for a baseball game.

Felix Pie did give the small crowd something to cheer about when he hit a 392-foot bomb off Matt Garza to lead of the bottom of the first. It was Pie's first career leadoff home run.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Brian Roberts had an epidural shot today in the herniated disk in his back and cannot do any activities for several days, making the possibility of him coming off the disabled list on April 25 highly unlikely.

The epidural was applied after a MRI on Roberts on Monday showed nothing different from the MRI taken on his back in March.

“He is to rest for the next four or five days, let the epidural take effect,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. “Then they will introduce some (exercise) activity. He will be out the entire 15 days and then a good possibility longer than 15 days because he would have to start doing some baseball activities.”

Roberts was placed on the DL Monday with a strain to his abdomen that occurred when he slid into second base on a steal in the first inning of Friday’s opener.

Trembley said doctors believe that incident jarred his ailing back, which cost him to miss all but six games of spring training.

Roberts, who had his first epidural shot March 15, did not make himself available for comment.

A combination of Julio Lugo, Ty Wigginton and Justin Turner, who was recalled Monday from Triple-A Norfolk, will play second base while Roberts is out.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

The decision to put Brian Roberts on the disabled list with a strained abdominal muscle is not good for the struggling Orioles’ short term.

But it may help out as the season progresses, because Roberts back still isn’t right and he likely will get another epidural shot for his herniated disk.

“They told me it was an abdominal strain. I don't if there's something else going on with the back issue. I'm not sure about that,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. “Obviously it is a major loss. We're going to have to pick up the pieces and fill in as best we can. He's very valuable to the club. The guy that sets the tone for us offensively. You can't replace it; you just try and do the very best you can to fill in while he's gone.”

Second baseman Justin Turner was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and Julio Lugo is expected to get a lot of playing time at second as well. Roberts could come off the disabled list April 25, but if he still is dealing with the back issue it could be longer.

Roberts was scheduled to have an MRI on his back Monday; the results weren’t known at 4 p.m. However, the belief is if the doctors don’t see anything unexpected in the MRI, then Roberts will receive another epidural in the herniated disk in his back.

If something unexpected is discovered through the MRI, then various treatment options will be weighed.

Roberts had an epidural in Baltimore on March 15 and played in six games at the end of spring, hitting just .211 in 19 at-bats. He played in the Orioles’ first four regular season games, hitting .143 (2-for-14) before injuring his abdomen while stealing a base in the first inning of Friday’s home opener.

The abdomen strain may take another “five or six or seven days” to heal. But the layoff will also give Roberts time to rest his back. He won’t be able to do any baseball activities for a few days if he has the epidural.

Trembley said Roberts wouldn’t go with the team on next week’s road trip to the West Coast, and he probably will have to participate in a rehab assignment, either at one of the Maryland affiliates or down at the minor league complex in Sarasota, Fla.

--Dan Connolly

Posted by Dan Connolly at 4:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Here's some more information on infielder Justin Turner, whom the Orioles recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Brian Roberts on the active roster while the second baseman goes on the disabled list, courtesy of Orioles Insider's own Dean Jones Jr., who wrote about Turner in January 2009:

Speaking of trades, in case you forgot, the Orioles picked up two prospects along with utility player Ryan Freel in the deal that sent Ramon Hernandez to the Cincinnati Reds earlier in the offseason.

Here is what MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo said about Turner following the deal.

I’m going to be optimistic and say that Turner will hit .300 with 10-15 home runs and 60-70 RBIs for the Tides. Look for him to be among the league leaders in doubles and runs scored.

Posted by Steve Gould at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides welcome the Charlotte Knights to Harbor Park, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox continue their homestand against the Harrisburg Senators.

The Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds travel to play the Greensboro Grasshoppers, while the Single-A Frederick Keys are idle.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (2-2)

Opponent

Charlotte Knights (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Brandon Erbe (5-4, 2.70 ERA with two minor league teams in 2009)
Charlotte: Daniel Hudson (1-1, 3.38 ERA with White Sox and 14-5, 2.32 ERA in minors in 2009)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (3-1)

Opponent

Harrisburg Senators (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Tim Bascom (7-12, 3.94 ERA with two minor league teams in 2009)
Harrisburg: Matt Chico (2-1, 3.96 ERA with two minor league teams in 2009)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (3-1)

Opponent

at Greensboro Grasshoppers (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Tony Butler (0-1, 6.23 ERA with two minor league teams in 2009)
Greensboro: Curtis Petersen (3-5, 4.29 ERA with short-season Single-A Jamestown Jammers in 2009)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Brian Roberts has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained abdominal muscle, the Orioles announced Monday.

The move, which was retroactive to April 10, comes three days after Roberts injured himself sliding into second base on a steal in Friday’s 7-6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Roberts was hitting .143 ( 2-for-14) with one double.

Replacing Roberts on the Orioles’ active roster is infielder Justin Turner, who was called up from Triple-A Norfolk. Turner hit .344 (11-for-32) in 16 spring training games with the Orioles. He also hit one home run and seven RBIs.

Turner appeared in 12 games with the Orioles last season. He batted .300 (116-for-387) with two home runs and 43 RBIs in 108 games for Norfolk in 2009.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)
        

Through six games, the Orioles are 1-5 this season.

They'll head to the West Coast after three games against the Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards. Don't forget they also have to play 12 straight games against the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

So, with that knowledge, how many wins will the Orioles have after 30 games?

Vote in the poll and feel free to share your comments below.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 8:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)
        

The Orioles have won one of their first six games this season.

That doesn’t seem particularly good to me.

If you want the Connolly Bar patented silver lining, here it is: The Orioles started 6-2 last year and ended up losing 98 games. So the first week of the season is just a blip that doesn’t necessarily dictate how the season will go.

Yeah, that’s the best I can do.

As I have told people heading into this season, I think the Orioles will be more competitive within games than they have been since 2005. That might not translate into a serious bump in the record/standings, but there should be fewer 11-2, 9-4 games in 2010.

We’ve seen that so far. In fact, the Orioles could very well be 5-1 instead of 1-5 at this point. A lot of that has to do with the uncertainty with the club’s closer situation.

Michael Gonzalez was anointed the guy this winter with a two-year, $12 million deal. But he has blown two of three chances and loaded the bases in the other one. He has been temporarily removed from the position until he can get his mechanics straight and throw strikes.

And, regardless, he won’t be closing the game tonight; he went to Arizona for the birth of his first child and is expected back Tuesday.

So who should get the lion’s share of closing opportunities in Gonzalez’s absence/struggles?

Jim Johnson is the obvious answer because he took on the job part of last season. But the club likes him better as a shutdown setup man in the eighth.

Matt Albers is probably next in line, with Cla Meredith and even lefty specialist Will Ohman possibly getting chances depending on the situation.

There’s also Kam Mickolio and Alberto Castillo at Triple A. And the Orioles paid a lot of money for Gonzalez, so eventually he gets another shot, right?

This isn’t an easy call. No one jumps out. And closers by committee rarely work.

So I am giving the managerial reins to you. Who do you trot out in the ninth with the game on the line right now? Should it change as the season progresses?

Daily Think Special: Who should be the Orioles closer now and for the rest of 2010?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (79)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

It’s such a crazy stat that it needs to be highlighted.

The Orioles have allowed a total of 11 runs in the eighth and nine innings of their six games this season.

They have allowed 16 runs in the other seven innings combined in 2010.

There are obvious conclusions to be made from this.

The first one is closer Michael Gonzalez’s implosion, but he is only responsible for four of those runs. So Gonzalez aside, the Orioles have to do a better job in late-game situations.

If you want a silver lining, it’s that the Orioles’ starters have pitched relatively well so far in this early going.

But am I the only one with the sinking feeling that this could be another season in which one facet of the team does well, while the others suffer? And there never seems be a protracted period when the club runs on all cylinders simultaneously?

If so, that’s the sign of a club that’s not quite ready to be competitive throughout a long season. Not that it's news to you.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides came up short against the Durham Bulls, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox powered to their third win in four games over the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The Single-A Frederick Keys rallied for a victory over the Lynchburg Hillcats, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds beat the Greenville Drive.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Durham Bulls 3, Norfolk Tides 2 (Box score)

Recap: Second baseman Scott Moore was 3-for-4 with a double and a solo home run, but the Tides fell short in a 3-2 loss to Durham at Harbor Park.

Norfolk designated hitter Michael Aubrey added two hits, including a double, and right fielder Rhyne Hughes also hit a double in the defeat.

Tides starting pitcher Troy Patton (0-1) pitched well, but suffered the loss after giving up three runs (two earned) and two hits in 5 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old left-hander struck out five batters and issued three walks.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 4, Richmond Flying Squirrels 1 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Ryohei Tanaka (1-0) tossed six scoreless innings as the Baysox topped Richmond, 4-1, at Prince George's Stadium.

The 27-year-old right-hander collected four strikeouts and allowed five hits.

Bowie third baseman Brandon Waring and left fielder Tyler Henson each hit a solo home run -- the first of the season for both players -- and first baseman Robbie Widlansky added two hits and an RBI.

Baysox relief pitcher Eddie Gamboa retired the side in order in the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Frederick Keys 4, Lynchburg Hillcats 1 (Box score)

Recap: First baseman Joe Mahoney hit a two-run home run as the Keys scored four runs in the eighth inning to take a 4-1 victory over Lynchburg.

Frederick second baseman L.J. Hoes was 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. He also had a stolen base and committed a fielding error. In the opening series, the 20-year-old infielder batted .357 (5-for-14).

Keys relief pitcher Kenny Moreland (1-0) earned the win after tossing four scoreless innings, while right-hander Sean Gleason retired all three batters he faced for his first save of the season.

Third baseman Buck Britton and shortstop Jason White each added two hits for the Keys, while catcher Luis Bernardo had a double.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 9, Greenville Drive 3 (Box score)

Recap: Third baseman Tyler Kelly contributed a double, a home run and five RBIs in the Shorebirds' 9-3 win over Greenville in the series finale.

Delmarva left fielder T.J. Baxter was 4-for-6 with two doubles, two runs scored and a stolen base, and center fielder Steve Bumbry added two hits, two runs scored and a stolen base.

Shorebirds starting pitcher Jesse Beal (1-0) earned the victory after tossing five scoreless innings. The 19-year-old right-hander gave up five hits and struck out five batters.

Right fielder Brian Conley was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored for Delmarva.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 7:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

The Orioles lost Sunday, 5-2 to the Jays.

They are 1-5 on the season.

They are 1-5 in the division.

They haven't yet played the Red Sox and the Yankees.

They haven't yet taken their brutal West Coast/Boston trip next week.

Imagine if this season weren't being judged on wins and losses?

-- Dan Connolly

Posted by Dan Connolly at 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (24)
        

In the eighth, Kevin Millwood got two quick outs before third baseman Miguel Tejada booted a grounder. The next batter, Jose Bautista, hit a hanging curve into the left-field seats and the Orioles trailed 3-2.

The next batter, Alex Gonzalez, also homered -- his second of the game and fourth of the young season -- and the Orioles trail 4-2.

It wiped out what had been a wonderful performance by Millwood, who walked off the mound to a nice round of applause from the crowd of 22,499.

Matt Albers is into pitch, and the Orioles will need a comeback to avoid the sweep. They'll have to do better with men in scoring position. They are 1-for-8 through seven innings in that category.

-- Dan Connolly

Posted by Dan Connolly at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Reporters keep asking Dave Trembley if it is comforting to him that Kevin Millwood, the man the club traded for to be the veteran leader and innings eater, was in line Sunday to stop the Orioles’ two-game skid.

Those questions are a little premature since it’s only Game 6 of the season. But Millwood has done everything asked of him today, everything expected of an “ace.”

He’s entering the top of the eighth with a 2-1 lead. He’s thrown 70 pitches, 46 strikes. He has allowed three hits and walked none.

And he’s resting this bullpen, which has had to warm up early throughout the young season.

 Dan Connolly

Posted by Dan Connolly at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

It likely won't be official until Monday but the indication is that second baseman Brian Roberts will end up on the 15-day disabled list with a strained abdominal muscle that he injured Friday. Only a major turnaround in Roberts' health would change that scenario.

Triple-A second baseman Justin Turner has been summoned from Norfolk and, if there is no improvement with Roberts, he will be activated Monday.

Roberts was expected to see team doctors once more before game time, and the Orioles had no word as of 12:30 p.m. about Roberts’ updated examination.

With the Orioles in the midst of a 16-game streak without a day off, a West Coast trip pending and Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold getting occasional days off to rest their various ailments, the Orioles can’t afford to have Roberts unavailable for more than another day or two.

So expect a DL move Monday, unless Roberts is dramatically better today.

 Dan Connolly

Posted by Dan Connolly at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides host the Durham Bulls at Harbor Park, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox conclude their series against the Richmond Flying Squirrels at Prince George's Stadium.

The Single-A Frederick Keys play on the road against the Lynchburg Hillcats, while the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds face the Greenville Drive.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (2-1)

Opponent

Durham Bulls (1:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Troy Patton (7-5, 3.83 ERA with two minor league teams in 2009)
Durham: Virgil Vasquez (2-5, 5.84 ERA with Pirates in 2009)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (2-1)

Opponent

Richmond Flying Squirrels (2:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Ryohei Tanaka (4-4, 3.00 ERA with Baysox in 2009)
Richmond: David Mixon (3-2, 3.56 ERA with two minor league teams in 2009)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (1-2)

Opponent

at Lynchburg Hillcats (2:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Cole McCurry (6-9, 2.71 ERA with Shorebirds in 2009)
Lynchburg: Travis Webb (7-10, 3.99 ERA with Single-A Sarasota Reds in 2009)

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (2-1)

Opponent

at Greenville Drive (4 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Jesse Beal (5-5, 4.26 ERA with Rookie-level Bluefield Orioles in 2009)
Greenville: Roman Mendez (2-3, 1.99 ERA with Rookie-level GCL Red Sox in 2009)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

There has been so much focus on the meltdowns by new closer Michael Gonzalez that the Orioles' problems offensively haven't gotten much attention, and they absolutely should.

While I'm by no means absolving Gonzalez, nor should anybody, he's not being asked to protect three one-run leads if the Orioles could get a couple of hits with runners in scoring position. They went 0-for-6 tonight with runners in scoring position, and are now 8-for-46 (.174) in such situations on the season. That's obviously not getting it done.

Adam Jones is 1-for-17 since getting three hits on Opening Day. Nick Markakis has eight walks already and that's great, but he's hitting .200 with two extra-base hits. Luke Scott is hitting .143 with six strikeouts in 14 at-bats. Take away Miguel Tejada's three hits in Friday's home opener and he's 2-for-16 with one RBI.

The Orioles' offense is the one area that I was least worried about at the start of the season and it's way too early to hit the panic button on the lineup. But they're going to have to start scoring some runs if they want to put some wins on the board. The starting pitchers have certainly pitched better than a 1-4 record indicates.

- Jeff Zrebiec

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 10:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides routed the Durham Bulls, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox edged the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The Single-A Frederick Keys split a doubleheader against the Lynchburg Hillcats, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds beat the Greenville Drive.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 12, Durham Bulls 3 (Box score)

Recap: First baseman Brandon Snyder was 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored in the Tides' 12-3 victory over Durham at Harbor Park.

Norfolk shortstop Robert Andino was 2-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored, while third baseman Josh Bell contributed three hits, an RBI and a run scored.

Starting pitcher Alfredo Simon gave up three hits in three scoreless innings for Norfolk, and relief pitcher Chris George (1-0) picked up the victory after allowing three runs (two earned) and three hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Tides left fielder Lou Montanez had two hits and two RBIs, and center fielder Joey Gathright was 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Score: Bowie Baysox 5, Richmond Flying Squirrels 4 (Box score)

Recap: Right fielder Joel Guzman was 2-for-4, including a three-run home run in the eighth inning that gave the Baysox a 5-4 win over the Flying Squirrels at Prince George's Stadium.

Bowie catcher Caleb Joseph added three hits, including two doubles, and an RBI, and shortstop Blake Davis contributed a double.

Baysox relief pitcher Chad Thall (1-0) picked up the victory, while left-hander Wilfrido Perez recorded three strikeouts en route to his first save of the season.

Starting pitcher Chorye Spoone allowed two runs and six hits in four innings for Bowie. The 24-year-old right-hander struck out two batters and issued two walks.

Frederick Keys (A)

Game 1 score: Lynchburg Hillcats 4, Frederick Keys 3, 7 innings (Box score)

Game 1 recap: Second baseman L.J. Hoes was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, but the Keys fell short in a 4-3 loss to Lynchburg.

Frederick center fielder Xavier Avery was 2-for-4 with a run scored, and designated hitter Wally Crancer also collected two hits.

Keys starting pitcher Ryan O'Shea (0-1) gave up four runs and seven hits in three innings. He picked up three strikeouts and issued two walks.

Game 2 score: Frederick Keys 9, Lynchburg Hillcats 1, 8 innings (Box score)

Game 2 recap: The Keys sent 14 batters to the plate in the top of the eighth inning, scoring eight runs to break open the game and cruise to a 9-1 victory.

Frederick first baseman Joe Mahoney collected a double, three RBIs and a run scored, and catcher Brian Ward added a double, two RBIs and a run scored.

Avery was 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored for the Keys, while right fielder Kyle Hudson and shortstop Greg Miclat each contributed a double.

Keys relief pitcher Brandon Cooney (1-0) allowed one out of two inherited runners to score, but he picked up the victory after 1 1/3 innings of work.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 6, Greenville Drive 4 (Box score)

Recap: Starting pitcher Matt Hobgood allowed three runs and three hits in four innings, but he didn't factor in the decision in the Shorebirds' 6-4 win over Greenville.

The 19-year-old right-hander walked five batters and threw a wild pitch, but he also had four strikeouts.

Shorebirds third baseman Tyler Kolodny was 3-for-4 with a triple, a solo home run and three runs scored, while left fielder T.J. Baxter added three hits, including two doubles, and two runs scored.

Relief pitcher Nicholas Haughian (1-0) picked up the win after tossing two scoreless innings for the Shorebirds, and right-hander Josh Dowdy earned his second save of the season, despite allowing one unearned run and three hits in one inning.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Dana Eveland has now pitched 13 consecutive scoreless innings against the Orioles. No, I'm not joking.

Eveland allowed just three hits in seven scoreless against the Orioles last season when he was a member of the Oakland Athletics. They traded him to Toronto about two weeks before the start of spring training for cash considerations and apparently he still has the Orioles' number.

Or maybe it's just that he's left-handed, and most left-handers seem to give the Orioles problems. Last year, they hit just .255 against left-handed pitching, which was the third worst in the American League. They batted .276 against righties, which was third best in A.L.

That's one of the reasons Andy MacPhail went out and added right-handed hitters Garrett Atkins and Miguel Tejada.

It hasn't helped yet, but Tejada does have another hit tonight.

2-0 Jays in the top of the seventh with David Hernandez turning in a solid start. The Blue Jays' lineup, especially with Aaron Hill out, isn't going to draw any comparisons to the '27 Yankees, but you take two runs over six innings from your fifth starter any day of the week.

But not scoring in six innings against Eveland obviously is unacceptable.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 8:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Orioles manager Dave Trembley just met with reporters and said the club still isn't sure about the status of second baseman Brian Roberts, who strained an abdominal muscle while sliding into second base in yesterday's home opener.

Roberts is not in the lineup tonight - Julio Lugo is playing second base - but Trembley said that the club still hasn't decided if it will put Roberts on the disabled list. A decision could come by tomorrow.

"I'll be able to answer that question better for you tomorrow, but right now, the good news is it's not as severe as what we first thought. It is improved."

As for struggling closer Michael Gonzalez, he has pitched on consecutive days and probably wouldn't have been available tonight anyway. But Trembley said he'll definitely be held out of tonight's game and he'll spend significant time before the game working on his mechanics with pitching coach Rick Kranitz. Trembley wouldn't commit to how many days he wants Gonzalez to work with Kranitz before he resumes using him in the ninth inning.

Kranitz and Trembley watched extensive video of Gonzalez last year and noticed several differences in what he has done this season, including the extent to which the left-hander is falling off the mound.

"I would caution everybody to not jump to conclusions about giving up on Gonzalez. We've played four games. This guy has pitched and been good [before]," said Trembley, who met with Gonzalez before the game.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 4:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

I don't know any more about Brian Roberts' condition than I did when I left Camden Yards last night, and I also learned long ago that speculating on injuries and the severity of them is both dangerous and pointless. However, the strained abdominal injury that Roberts sustained in Friday's home opener certainly has sent plenty of other players in the past to the disabled list. Seattle Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee is currently on the DL with a strained abdominal. Of course, certain injuries are tougher on pitchers than position players or vice versa. However, Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton also had that injury last year and he too landed on the DL.

We should know more about Roberts condition in couple of hours when the clubhouse opens, but it's certainly not a good situation for the Orioles, who need their leadoff hitter in the lineup.

If Roberts is out for several weeks, this is how I see the Orioles' options at second.

1. Promote Justin Turner and let him play regularly: The 25-year-old second baseman hit .300 at Triple-A Norfolk last year and also was among the Orioles best hitters this spring. He's currently the Tides' second baseman and he is on the 40-man roster, so promoting him wouldn't cause much shuffling.

2. Purchase contract of utility infielder Robert Andino and rotate him, Julio Lugo and Ty Wigginton at the position depending on who is doing well. Because Andino is not on the 40-man, adding him to the big league roster would require Andy MacPhail to designate somebody on the 40-man.

3. Let Lugo or Wigginton start and use extra 25-man spot to call up another position player or reliever. With closer Michael Gonzalez struggling and the rest of the bullpen being used quite a bit over the first week of the season, another arm down in the 'pen couldn't hurt anything especially with the team in the midst of 16 straight days of games.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides look to build off last night's victory over the Durham Bulls at Harbor Park, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox continue their series with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at Prince George's Stadium.

The Single-A Frederick Keys will play a doubleheader on the road against the Lynchburg Hillcats, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds face the Greenville Drive.

Tonight will be Tides starting pitcher Alfredo Simon's first official start since undergoing Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery last season. The 28-year-old right-hander was 0-1 with a 9.95 ERA in two starts for the Orioles before the injury shut him down in 2009.

All eyes will likely be on Delmarva, however, where 2009 first-round pick Matt Hobgood makes his season debut for the Shorebirds.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (1-1)

Opponent

Durham Bulls (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Alfredo Simon (0-1, 9.95 ERA with Orioles in 2009)
Durham: Jeff Bennett (2-4, 5.01 ERA with Braves and Rays in 2009)

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Record: (1-1)

Opponent

Richmond Flying Squirrels (6:35 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Chorye Spoone (0-3, 6.37 ERA with three minor league teams in 2009)
Richmond: Daryl Maday (6-6, 4.25 ERA with Double-A Connecticut Defenders in 2009)

Frederick Keys (A)

Record: (0-1)

Opponent

Doubleheader at Lynchburg Hillcats (6:05 p.m.)

Game 1: Probable pitchers

Frederick: Ryan O'Shea (8-8, 3.60 ERA with Shorebirds in 2009)
Lynchburg: Curtis Partch (12-9, 4.49 ERA with three minor league teams in 2009)

Game 2: Probable pitchers

Frederick: Nathan Nery (7-5, 4.28 ERA with two minor league teams in 2009)
Lynchburg: TBA

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Record: (1-1)

Opponent

at Greenville Drive (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Matt Hobgood (1-2, 4.73 ERA with Rookie-level Bluefield Orioles in 2009)
Greenville: Manuel Rivera (1-3, 1.19 ERA with Rookie-level GCL Red Sox in 2009)

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides picked up their first victory of the season against the Durham Bulls, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox split a doubleheader with the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The Single-A Frederick Keys struggled offensively in their loss to the Lynchburg Hillcats, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds topped the Greenville Drive.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 6, Durham Bulls 4 (Box score)

Recap: Left fielder Lou Montanez was 3-for-3 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored in the Tides' 6-4 victory over Durham at Harbor Park.

Norfolk first baseman Brandon Snyder added two RBIs, and catcher Adam Donachie was 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Tides starting pitcher Jake Arrieta tossed five scoreless innings, but he didn't factor in the decision. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed three hits, walked four batters and collected two strikeouts.

Relief pitcher Frank Mata (1-0) surrendered one run and two hits in 1 1/3 innings for the Tides, but he picked up the victory. Alberto Castillo earned his first save of the season.

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Game 1 score: Bowie Baysox 6, Richmond Flying Squirrels 4 (Box score)

Game 1 recap: In the completion of Thursday night's suspended game, the Baysox edged the Flying Squirrels with a 6-4 victory at Prince George's Stadium.

Bowie third baseman Brandon Waring was 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, while catcher Caleb Joseph and left fielder Tyler Henson each added two RBIs.

Designated hitter Paco Figueroa picked up three hits and two runs scored for the Baysox, while right fielder Miguel Abreu was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.

Bowie relief pitcher Pat Egan (1-0) earned the victory after allowing two hits in 1 2/3 scoreless innings, while Chad Thall recorded the final five outs for his first save of the season.

Baysox second baseman Ryan Adams and first baseman Robbie Widlansky also had two hits each.

Game 2 score: Richmond Flying Squirrels 2, Bowie Baysox 0 (Box score)

Game 2 recap: The Baysox managed only two hits in the nightcap, falling, 2-0, to the Flying Squirrels.

Bowie catcher Phillip Britton hit a double, and center fielder Danny Figueroa added a walk and a single in the loss.

Right-hander Steve Johnson struck out six batters in five scoreless innings. The 22-year-old starting pitcher walked two hitters and gave up five hits.

Baysox relief pitcher Eddie Gamboa (0-1), who was 11-0 at three different levels in 2009, suffered the loss after allowing two runs and three hits in two innings.

Frederick Keys (A)

Score: Lynchburg Hillcats 3, Frederick Keys 1 (Box score)

Recap: Right fielder Ronnie Welty collected two hits and an RBI in the Keys' 3-1 loss to Lynchburg to begin the 2010 season.

Frederick first baseman Joe Mahoney was 2-for-4 in the game, and third baseman Bobby Stevens added a single and a double.

Keys left-hander Rick Zagone (0-1) gave up two runs (one earned) and four hits in four innings. The 23-year-old starting pitcher struck out two batters and issued three walks.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Score: Delmarva Shorebirds 4, Greenville Drive 2 (Box score)

Recap: Third baseman Levi Carolus was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs in the Shorebirds' 4-2 victory over Greenville.

Delmarva center fielder Steve Bumbry added two triples, an RBI and a run scored, while catcher Michael Ohlman also picked up an RBI.

Shorebirds starting pitcher Jake Cowan only surrendered two runs and two hits in four innings, but he also walked five batters.

Relief pitcher Jacob Smith (1-0) earned the win after tossing three scoreless innings for Delmarva, while Josh Dowdy notched his first save of the season with a scoreless frame.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Felix Pie has scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth from first base on a single in the left-center gap by Cesar Izturis,

Third base coach Juan Samuel gave Felix Pie the green light and Pie charged home. It looked like he would be out by several feet, but John McDonald's throw short-hopped catcher John Buck.

And Pie slid in safely.

Gutsy call by Samuel. One that would have been second guessed mightily had it not worked.

But it worked.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

The Orioles set a new Opening Day record for Camden Yards attendance today, bringing in 48,891.

That breaks last year’s Opening Day record crowd of 48,607.

They also may have come close to a record for people arriving after the first inning, zeroing in on the mark achieved by the Los Angeles Dodgers fans every game day from April to September.

It didn’t look like Camden Yards would be jammed at, say, 2:30 or even first pitch at 3:07 p.m. But by about the third, the announced sellout looked legit.

-- Dan Connolly

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 5:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

There have been plenty of loud ovations today, from those for Orioles legends Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell to those for young stars Matt Wieters, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis to the roar that just went up when Miguel Tejada bashed a two-run homer to tie the score at 5.

But a rousing cheer also went up just minutes before Tejada's blast, when Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams was shown ascending one of the aisles.

Williams has always said he likes emotional players -- i.e. Greivis Vasquez -- so I'm sure he enjoyed watching the home run trot by Tejada, who looked pretty pumped up to deliver his first home run of the season and first as an Oriole since 2007.

Posted by Steve Gould at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Between updates on today's game, check out The Sun's newest feature: our Orioles home run database.

You can search for any home run hit by or against the Orioles -- home or away -- since 1992, when Camden Yards opened.

To find the longest long balls, blasts from the past by player, Eutaw Street shots and more, click on the link above or go to baltimoresun.com/homeruns.

Posted by Steve Gould at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Brian Roberts has left the game with a strained abdominal muscle. He played the first inning but was replaced in the second by Julio Lugo.

He stole second in the first inning, and came up looking uncomfortable. He scored the Orioles' first run but didn't return.

Addominal muscle strains linger. This is not good news. There is no word on how bad it is, however.

Stay tuned.

-- Dan Connolly

Posted by Dan Connolly at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Let's get the game specifics out of the way first.