nice job by Simon tonite, excellent command, wonderful pitch selection.
Win one for the gipper!

Nice to see Jake work on his command against major league hitters. Good for him. So he'd probably be in AAA for 25 other teams. Good for the Os that they bring guys up to pitch who get guys 0-2 and take 13 pitches to end the at bat.
That is some of the silliest stuff you'll ever see.

Buck can keep all of the coaches he wants, it's gonna be getting 15 new and better players in here that might present the most difficulty. Then we'll see the coaches get really smart really fast.

Simon is done; Royal sstage comeback

Really, how can you keep Rick Kranitz as the pitching coach on principle alone. These young guys are having their confidence destroyed by Kranitz and this team. Please can Kranitz now before we waste another young prospect.

Watching the last inning on the computer, I just caught the single to right out of the corner of my eye.

Question: Does a better, more experienced 1B get that ball, or was that just a clean single? Was Luke positioned properly?

Just wondering...

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Jeff Z's reply: I thought that play may should have been made, but it wasn't an easy one by any means, especially when you consider Scott's inexperience at the position.

It is very perplexing how so many of O's pitchers can be the best pitcher in their respect leagues in the minors and be so terrible at the major league level. These are leagues that Boston, Yanks, etc. have teams and our pitchers have rated among the best. Many of these pitchers were ranked highly in the top 100 prospects, which validates their talent level. However, nearly every one of O's pitchers struggle to transition to competent major leaguers. Their command leaves them and they are nothing like the pitchers they were in the minor leagues. The consensus in baseball seems to indicate these pitchers have talent, but something happens when they take a major league mound. It may be mental, confidence, nerves, etc.

Perhaps that the O's should try both Berken and Hernandez as starters next year; replace them with two out of Bergensen, Matusz, Tillman, Arietta, etc (as long relievers); and send the others back to the minors. Although it may seem like a waste to have potential starters pitch out of the bullpen, it is the method used by the O's to develop pitchers in the past and it generally worked. Pitchers were able to gain confidence in less stressful situations and then earn the right to be starters. Both Berken and Hernandez seemed to have found their confidence by pitching out of the bullpen. Perhaps the same can happen for Arietta, Matusz, Bergensen, and Tillman. Not everyone handles the stress of the Major League same, but easing them in to a starting role may help both the O’s and their young pitching. Bottom line - we need to get to the bottom of the problem and fix it; otherwise the arms that we based our return to respectability on are worthless.

Just one fan's observations...

Jeff, please don't tell me Wieters calls the pitches. That more than likely being the case would explain the stupidity being exhibited game in, game out, with this current crop of youthful pitchers and one catcher's calls. Flanagan nailed it last nite when he spoke time and again of the staff's oft- misguided pitch selections.

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Jeff Z's reply: Yes Mark, Wieters calls the pitches.

If Showalter retains either or both Kranitz and Crowley , he'll be starting with strikes against him with the fans. The continued poor command of pitches with the young pitchers, and swinging at bad pitches by many in the lineup should be enough to convince him the O's need a complete "cleaning houe."

Maybe now L. Montanez & Mike Aubrey will get a real opportunity to show what they can do. Both seem to be able to wait on pitches and do not swing at low and away sliders when they have two strikes on the.
Also, I'll bet that Jones will be stopped from swinging at that low and away pitch. At least Buck will make him know that no AL pitcher will throw him a strike when he has two strikes on him. He may be in LF next year. How many times has Markakis taken a 3rd strike when the pitch is border line outside. Guess what, all will be required to be able to bunt!!