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February 29, 2008

Bring on the Yankees and Red Sox

Oscar Salazar hit a two-run homer off Tim Corcoran in the eighth inning, and the Orioles held on for a 7-5 win.

Ryan Bukvich got the last three outs for his first save.

Here's part of Brian Roberts' response to Mark Hendrickson:

"That's what you do in a spring training game, the last time I checked. He's trying to work on his arm, right?"

 

 

Tied in the seventh

The Marlins scored two runs off Matt Albers in the fifth and two more off Randor Bierd in the sixth to lead, 5-4, but the Orioles have tied the game in the seventh on a throwing error. It's getting pretty sloppy here.

The Orioles' bullpen hasn't been impressive in the first two games, to say the least.

The Marlins tallied a run on a passed ball in the third inning, and they scored in the fifth on Albers' balk.

Marlins starter Mark Hendrickson wasn't happy that Brian Roberts stole two more bases today.

"I wanted to yell at him, 'What are you trying to do, get your legs in shape?'" Hendrickson said.

Forget that Hanley Ramirez stole second and third base in yesterday's game. Hendrickson apparently did.

Eider Torres delivered two runs in the sixth with a single that momentarily gave the Orioles a 4-3 lead. Scott Moore scored the go-ahead run by ignoring third base coach Juan Samuel, who raised both arms in the air - baseball's equivalent of a stop sign.

Samuel stared at Moore with his hands on his hips the entire time that Moore walked to the dugout after crossing the plate.

Steve Trachsel

Brian Roberts just singled in the third inning, moved up on a ground ball, stole third base and scored on a bloop single by Nick Markakis. The guy's on fire.

Steve Trachsel threw two scoreless innings. Nineteen of his 29 pitches were strikes. Trachsel allowed one hit and struck out one.

The Orioles lead, 2-0, in the third. They threatened in the second inning, with Ramon Hernandez singling and Freddie Bynum reaching on an error with no outs. But Ben Davis bounced into a double play and Brandon Fahey grounded out.

 

 

The life of Brian

Ramon Hernandez is wearing No. 18 today because he left his No. 55 jersey in his locker.

At least he didn't drive back to Fort Lauderdale to pick it up.

A Cubs scout is here to watch Brian Roberts, who doubled, stole third base and scored on Melvin Mora's single in the first inning.

Roberts has two hits, a walk, two runs scored, an RBI and three stolen bases in the first two games.

Meanwhile, the Cubs are down to Alex Cintron and Mike Fontenot in their quest to find a starting second baseman. An almost Oriole and a former Oriole, both hoping that a current Oriole doesn't enter the fray.

Steve Trachsel threw nine pitches, including five strikes, in the first inning.

 

And for the Marlins...

Hanley Ramirez - SS

Dan Uggla - 2B

Jorge Cantu - 3B

Luis Gonzalez - LF

Cody Ross - CF

Jason Wood - 1B

Mike Rabelo - DH

Alexis Gomez - RF

Brad Davis - C

Mark Hendrickson - P

Tike Redman is ill today and won't play.

Matt Wieters will be the designated hitter tomorrow and replace Ramon Hernandez behind the plate on Sunday.

Troy Patton will throw another bullpen session tomorrow.

George Sherrill threw a simulated game this morning. Aubrey Huff took some swings against Sherrill - his second straight day of facing live pitching.

Huff could appear in an exhibition game early next week. Sherrill should pitch on Monday.

 

Today's lineup

Brian Roberts - 2B

Melvin Mora - 3B

Nick Markakis - RF

Jay Gibbons - LF

Kevin Millar - 1B

Ramon Hernandez - DH

Freddie Bynum - CF

Ben Davis - C

Brandon Fahey - SS

Steve Trachsel - P

Jay Payton returned to camp today, but he's still feeling weak from having bronchitis. He played catch this morning and said he was out of breath. He also offered to infect the entire media group, but we politely declined his offer. 

I'm heading to Jupiter. I'll post another entry after I get through the rush-hour traffic in West Palm, if I haven't completely lost my mind. Or if I'm not in a holding cell with no wireless.

 

February 28, 2008

At least it's over

Not everything went right for the Marlins today. They did miss an extra point at the end and had to settle for a 16-3 win.

Reserve outfielder Alejandro De Aza hit a grand slam off Esteban Yan in the ninth to complete the scoring. The game took more than 3 1/2 hours. It wasn't worth it.

Lance Cormier gave up three runs. You already know about Jamie Walker surrendering five.

For all you Tike Redman fans, he had an RBI single in the eighth.

Jay Payton has bronchitis and didn't report to the ballpark today. He's on antibiotics and must be cleared by doctors before he can play.

Brandon Fahey had fluid drained from his thigh, but he's expected to play tomorrow.

 

Tough day for Walker, too

The Marlins lead, 9-2, in the sixth inning, but at least the pace of the game has quickened.

They scored five runs off Jamie Walker in the fourth, the last three coming on a Cody Ross home run. Walker struck out two of the first three batters he faced, but he couldn't get another out and was replaced by Jon Leicester.

The Marlins had a home run, two doubles and two singles off Walker, who also hit a batter.

Adam Jones has walked twice, but he got caught leaning in the second and was caught stealing. That's how the play is scored, though he got caught in a rundown and was retreating to first base when tagged out.

The wild side

Adam Loewen couldn't get an out in the second inning and was removed with the bases loaded and the score tied, 1-1.

Loewen only threw 16 strikes among his 39 pitches. Ten of his last 11 pitches were balls. He was missing by a lot.

Loewen didn't allow a hit, but he walked four - including all three batters he faced in the second - and struck out two. He was charged with three runs, the last two scoring on Brett Carroll's single off reliever Craig Anderson, who inherited the bases-loaded jam.

Center fielder Adam Jones almost threw out Jorge Cantu, but catcher Ramon Hernandez didn't block the plate. The ball arrived early, but Hernandez couldn't apply the tag in time.

Marlins starter Sergio Mitre faced only three batters, retiring none, before leaving with a sore elbow.

Rough start for Loewen

"Hey Adam, what's up?"

"Everything."

Adam Loewen had trouble keeping the ball down and throwing strikes in the first inning, and the Marlins took a 1-0 lead.

Loewen threw 23 pitches, 12 for strikes. He walked the leadoff hitter, Hanley Ramirez, who stole second and third, and sprinted home on catcher Ramon Hernandez's throwing error.

Ramirez got a huge jump and almost reached third base before Loewen released the ball, but Hernandez fired from his knees and nearly wiped out the third base coach. It was a poor decision that he regretted immediately.

Brian Roberts walked and stole second. The tying run is halfway around with no outs.  

And for your Florida Marlins...

Hanley Ramirez - SS

Dan Uggla - 2B

Jeremy Hermida - RF

Gabriel Sanchez - 1B

Cody Ross - CF

Jorge Cantu - 3B

Mike Rabelo - C

Brett Carroll - LF

Cameron Maybin - DH

Sergio Mitre - P

You want the plate umpire? I've got the plate umpire: Mike Estabrook.

You want the rest of the crew? I've got the rest of the crew: Bruce Dreckman, Scott Barry and Todd Tichenor.

C.B. Bucknor is selling programs outside.

 

 

Opening lineup

Brian Roberts - 2B

Melvin Mora - 3B

Nick Markakis - RF

Kevin Millar - 1B

Luke Scott - LF

Ramon Hernandez - C

Jay Gibbons - DH

Adam Jones - CF

Luis Hernandez - SS

Adam Loewen - P

Substitute Aubrey Huff for Gibbons and you probably have your Opening Day lineup - though the second baseman could change, too.

Jones and Scott are the only regulars who won't make the trip to Jupiter tomorrow.

 

February 27, 2008

Adam Jones, Part II

Gary Allenson's team defeated Brad Komminsk's team, 5-0.

Scott Moore drew a bases-loaded walk off Fredy Deza in the fourth inning to break the scoreless tie, and Adam Jones followed with a grand slam. 

Jones launched a fastball over the fence in right-center field for his second hit of the day.

Manager Dave Trembley said he was more impressed with the big turn Jones made at first base after singling to left field in the first inning. He liked the aggressive approach.

Jones misplayed another ball in center field - it dropped in front of him after he called for it - but the grand slam easily made up for it.

Bob McCrory had good velocity and a lot of movement on his pitches. He's a power pitcher with sink. He definitely looks like he has a future in the big leagues.

George Sherrill will throw another bullpen session on Friday and hopes to pitch in Monday's exhibition game. But the news isn't as good concerning Troy Patton, who sounds pretty discouraged at his lack of progress from the shoulder stiffness that's kept him from competiting for the fifth starter's job.

Patton described his bullpen session as "nothing real great" and said he still doesn't have the same arm strength and action that he possessed before the injury.

"I'm not coming back as easily as I thought I would," he said. "It's a little frustrating when you're used to throwing the ball a certain way."

 

Heading into the fourth

Neither team has scored through three innings.

Hayden Penn allowed two-out singles to Adam Jones and Luis Terrero in the first inning, but Chris Heintz bounced into a force. Penn threw nine of his 12 pitches for strikes.

Luis Hernandez has two hits from the leadoff spot.

Matt Wieters threw out Chris Roberson trying to steal. Ben Davis threw out Freddie Bynum.

Chris Tillman was impressive in the second inning. He allowed a two-out hit to Hernandez, but didn't permit another ball out of the infield. Seven of his 11 pitches were strikes.

It was nice to see Tillman throwing to Wieters. I felt like I was getting a glimpse of the future.

Kam Mickolio had serious control issues. He walked the first three batters he faced, but Davis bailed him out by gunning down Bynum with a perfect throw. He struck out Terrero and retired Heintz on a grounder to escape the jam.

Mickolio threw 25 pitches in the third inning, including eight straight balls. Thirteen of his first 15 offerings missed the strike zone. 

One of Mickolio's warmup tosses hit the backstop, which was an omen.

Intrasquad notes

The lineups for today's intrasquad game are a bit unconventional.

Gary Allenson's team doesn't have a designated hitter. Brad Komminsk's team doesn't have a left fielder.

Otherwise, it's business as usual.

Jay Payton was sent home today because of flu-like symptoms, and manager Dave Trembley wants to rest the other veterans who played yesterday. That's why we have these lineups:

Freddie Bynum - 2B

Scott Moore - 3B

Adam Jones - CF

Luis Terrero - RF

Chris Heintz - 1B

Matt Wieters - C

Oscar Salazar - SS

Zach Dillon - LF

Brian Burres - P

And on the other side:

Luis Hernandez - SS

Tike Redman - RF

Chris Roberson - CF

Mike Costanzo - 3B

Guillermo Quiroz - DH

Ben Davis - C

Omir Santos - 1B

Eider Torres - 2B

Hayden Penn - P

One of the camp instructors will play left field for Komminski's team, but he won't hit.

Also scheduled to pitch today: Chris Tillman, Bob McCrory, Radhames Liz, Ryan Keefer, Roberto Novoa, Kam Mickolio and Fredy Deza.

Burres and Penn are each slated to go one inning because they'll pitch again over the weekend.

Heintz, Dillon and Santos are listed as catchers, but nobody plays their normal position in this camp. I'm waiting to have my press credential changed to "photographer."

Moore played first and second base yesterday, but he's starting at third today. He also continues to take fly balls in left.

Moore began his professional career as a shortstop, so he's familiar with the middle infield. He switched to third base in his second season.

George Sherrill and Troy Patton are supposed to throw on the side today.

It rained for most of the night, and it's still sprinkling this morning, but the groundskeepers put the tarp on the main field after yesterday's game in anticipation of the sloppy conditions. The two back fields can't be used, however.

Rick Dempsey and Scott McGregor will report to camp on Saturday and begin working as instructors.

I think that's everything for now. I'll send a few entries off the game if the weather cooperates.

February 26, 2008

Fit to be tied

The intrasquad game ended in a 2-2 tie. Randor Bierd pitched out of a second-and-third, one-out jam in the last inning by getting two ground balls. He has good stuff. And the baserunners weren't his fault, unless you want to hold him accountable for an infield hit and error.

Matt Wieters had a game-tying single in the fourth off Jim Hoey.

Adam Jones had a rough debut. He ran into an out by letting a ball hit his leg, got doubled off first  base and misplayed a ball in center field before falling down while trying to make the catch. Ben Davis wound up on third base, and since these games don't include an official scorer, he can tell everybody that he got a triple.

Scott Moore had a legitimate, run-scoring triple, but he probably made the strongest impression by starting the game at first base and moving to second in the last inning.

In this camp, versatility counts.

Millar chatted with Matt Albers after homering off him, the veteran counseling the kid. He asked about the pitch (it was a slider) and told him, "Yeah, well, it didn't really move much."

At least until it reached Millar's bat. Then it moved a lot.  

Albers was impressive. He had good velocity and he kept the ball down. Though he gave up the home run, he was more impressive than Garrett Olson, who tossed two scoreless innings, but still needs to display better command.

George Sherrill played catch again today and is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session tomorrow.

 

 

Hot Hand Luke

Luke Scott is scorching like the sun today. He's 2-for-2 with a single, double and run scored. He was denied an RBI when Chris Roberson threw out Nick Markakis at the plate.

Scott's double came off left-hander Craig Anderson in the fourth inning. Scott Moore followed with a triple, and he scored on Luis Hernandez's sacrifice fly.

Albers vs. Olson

They've completed two innings in the intrasquad game and the only run came on a long home run by Kevin Millar off Matt Albers in the second.

The ball slammed into the scoreboard in left-center field, easily clearing the MASN HD sign.

Albers breezed through the first inning, throwing five of his eight pitches for strikes. He struck out  Freddie Bynum on a high fastball and retired Melvin Mora on a fly ball and Jay Payton on a grounder to third.

Guillermo Quiroz singled in the second inning for the second hit off Albers, but Matt Wieters swung at the first pitch and hit a chopper to shortstop, and Tike Redman grounded out.

Albers threw 26 pitches in two innings, 20 for strikes. His velocity was impressive.

Garrett Olson didn't allow a run in two innings, but he hit two batters - Ramon Hernandez and Scott Moore.

Adam Jones walked in the first inning after Brian Roberts struck out, but Nick Markakis sent a bouncer up the middle and the ball glanced off Jones' leg. Luke Scott lined a single to right field with two outs, but Chris Roberson threw out Markakis at the plate. It wasn't even close.

Olson threw 30 pitches, 14 for strikes. He retired Luis Hernandez on a liner to left field in the second inning after Quiroz went to the mound for a brief chat with the count full.

 

 

February 25, 2008

More names

The following pitchers are scheduled to appear in Thursday's exhibition opener: Adam Loewen, Chad Bradford, Rocky Cherry, Jon Leicester, Lance Cormier, Jim Johnson and Esteban Yan.

For Friday, it's Steve Trachsel, Dennis Sarfate, Greg Aquino, Randor Bierd, Jamie Walker, Jim Hoey and Ryan Bukvich.

The starters will go two innings or throw a maximum of 35 pitches - whichever comes first.

George Sherrill played catch again today for 10 minutes and will attempt a bullpen session by the middle of this week. He'll get two sides - sort of like KFC, but without the gravy - before pitching in an exhibition game. The Orioles are aiming for Sunday or Monday.

Trembley's scouting report on Bierd: Good arm, deceptive delivery, much better when facing live hitters (more carry and life on his ball), better command than expected for a Rule 5 pick.

Trembley will go with 12 pitchers, and he'll wait until late in camp to make a decision on Bierd. Same with the fifth starter.  

Intrasquad lineups

Why wait until tomorrow?

For Gary Allenson's team:

Freddie Bynum - SS

Melvin Mora - 3B (Mike Costanzo in fourth inning)

Jay Payton - LF

Kevin Millar - 1B (Chris Heintz in fourth)

Chris Roberson - RF

Guillermo Quiroz - C (Ben Davis in fourth)

Matt Wieters - DH

Tike Redman - CF

Brandon Fahey - 2B

Garrett Olson - P (two innings)

For Brad Komminsk's team:

Brian Roberts - 2B (Eider Torres in fourth)

Adam Jones - CF

Nick Markakis - RF (Luis Terrero in fourth)

Ramon Hernandez - C (Omir Santos in fourth)

Luke Scott - LF

Jay Gibbons - DH

Scott Moore - 1B

Luis Hernandez - SS

Oscar Salazar - 3B

Matt Albers - P (one inning)

 

Photo Day

I hear the Coen brothers are beginning work on their next film, about a team that goes into full rebuilding mode and releases all the veterans. It’s called, “No Clubhouse For Old Men.”

This is the one day of spring training that the players dread, especially the veterans.

They’re required to wear their home white uniforms and pose for photos. And not just from one photographer. The team has stations set up outside the side clubhouse entrance, in the dugout, outside the dugout, outside the visiting dugout and in the visiting clubhouse. Still photos, video, the works.

Jaime Walker said he broke four cameras. That seems like a mild exaggeration.

With that task out of the way, the players were instructed to gather in the clubhouse for the annual presentation on proper nutrition.

I’ll never forget the year they served donuts as part of the breakfast spread. I didn’t know glaze was one of the five food groups.

Manager Dave Trembley called a bunch of veterans into his office yesterday to go over the travel schedule, alerting them to which trips they’d make and when they’d stay back at camp. He also has written out lineups for the two intrasquad games and the first four exhibition games. Again, no surprises.

There’s been a lot of focus on the young players in camp, but Trembley is determined to treat the older guys with what he considers the proper respect, and they all seem to appreciate the gesture.

 

February 24, 2008

Exhibition starter

Adam Loewen will start Thursday's exhibition opener against the Florida Marlins. He threw another simulated game today, which puts him on the proper schedule.

Kevin Millar will bat cleanup on Thursday. George Sherrill has been scratched from his one-inning assignment as a precaution.

Aubrey Huff took his first rounds of batting practice today and is full-go. He hit off the coaches, so he still hasn't taken "live" BP. But it's coming.

 

Morning notes

The temperature is supposed to hover near 90 degrees today. Yesterday's humidity reached its highest point since we arrived.

It still beats an ice storm.

Reliever George Sherrill said his right hamstring is feeling better. He'll stretch and play catch today, but still no throwing until tomorrow at the earliest.

It's hard to believe that catcher Ben Davis turns 31 next month. He was drafted in 1995. I assumed he was older, but the Padres made him the second-overall pick out of Malvern (Pa.) Prep School, where he batted .507 with six homers and 37 RBIs as a senior.

Davis hasn't played in the majors since 2004, in part because of a fractured finger and Tommy John surgery. He's a really nice guy, one of the funniest in the clubhouse. And he's ripped.

There are some bad bodies here. I mean, really, really bad bodies, the kind that make you shield your eyes and vow to never touch another carbohydrate or sweet. But Davis needs a second locker to store all the muscle he's carrying.

If I get a flat tire, I'm sure Davis would lend a hand. And that's all he'd need to raise my rental car off the ground - one hand.

Mike Costanzo said he's getting more comfortable behind the plate now that he's caught a few simulated games.

For those of us who looked at his error totals at third base the last two seasons and winced - or made an audible sound that wouldn't have flattered him - we should take into account that he was primarily a first baseman and pitcher at Coastal Carolina. Costanzo said he played 10 games at third base in college, but he was drafted at that position. And now he considers himself a third baseman.

Having been a pitcher - he was 8-1 with 14 saves and a 2.13 ERA as a junior - Costanzo said he shouldn't be totally lost trying to call a game from behind the plate. Triple-A manager Gary Allenson, who's in camp as an instructor, said that will be one of Costanzo's biggest challenges, along with not flinching every time a batter swings at a pitch and not wanting to quit the first time  a foul tip smacks into his groin area.