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.
Comments
Good stuff Roch,
I am not too worried about Kam, because I doubt he'll make the roster anyways. He can use a bit of minor seasoning before he starts using that nasty sinker of his at Camden.
Is it just me or do others want to see Ben Davis win the backup spot? I just do not know about this Quiroz guy, and Davis has big-league experience. I guess the one who impresses most during spring will win the job, but I am just sayin :)
My prediction is that Deza gives up a 3-run home run. Watch for it.
Posted by: blowrioles fan | February 27, 2008 12:22 PM
I sure hope Wieters vs. Tillman isn't a glimpse of the future. That means that at least one of those players would have to leave the Os.
Posted by: Jon | February 27, 2008 12:23 PM
Thanks for the updates. Sounds like Mickolio was a little nervous....
Posted by: Sam | February 27, 2008 12:25 PM
We can just save Mickolio to pitch to Jeter or A-rod when we want to start a brawl. He can bean them and we can say it's just his bad control.
Posted by: Mike | February 27, 2008 12:33 PM
It's nice to see the future is actually coming into view. I think having all these young guys in the lineup this year is going to speed the rebuilding process. Just look at last years Rockies or the Tigers from the year before.
Posted by: Thomas Brodkin | February 27, 2008 12:41 PM
Roch, any more thoughts on Hayden Penn so far?
Posted by: Jeff K | February 27, 2008 1:06 PM
How long before someone tags Mickolio as "Wild Thing?" Oh wait, I guess I already did.
Posted by: Baron | February 27, 2008 1:12 PM
Nuke LaLouche has appeared!
Posted by: Brian | February 27, 2008 1:19 PM
Please tell me that glimpse of the future doesn't include Terrero and his blog mancrusher.
Posted by: lefty | February 27, 2008 2:17 PM
Just imagine, if you will, a game where Kam Mickolio relieves Daniel Cabrera. Major League record for walks/wild pitches/hit batters/hit mascots in a game gets shattered; if the game ever comes to an end, a new record for longest game too. So, Orioles' fans, we do have something to look forward to. Memo to the O's front office: if both players make the squad, it might behoove you to have 5 catchers included on the list.
Posted by: Jan | February 27, 2008 6:51 PM