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May 31, 2008

With ears still ringing...

If the Orioles go through with plans to put “Baltimore” on the road jerseys, they should wear them whenever the Red Sox come to Camden Yards.

There had to be more noise here for Manny Ramirez’s 500th home run than anything Fenway Park could have generated.

“We block that out,” Jamie Walker said. “You knew coming in what to expect. It’s a lot cheaper for Boston fans to come here and watch a game than go to a game in Boston. You just block it out and try to do your job. It (angers) me. Yeah, it does. But the only way you win your fans back is you beat them. That’s how it goes.”

I assume he means beating the Red Sox and not his fans.

“It’s just part of the game,” Jay Payton said. “It’s Boston, it’s close to home. Boston fans can’t get tickets in Boston for the most part and a lot of fans want to be a part of history. You’ve got Manny hitting his 500th home run. You understand it. The first time we played them here this year, there wasn’t quite the following.”

Twenty-four players are part of the 500 Home Run Club – which I believe includes valet parking. Three Orioles pitchers have served up the milestone homer – Bradford, Stu Miller (Mickey Mantle on May 14, 1967) and Mike Cuellar (Harmon Killebrew on Aug. 10, 1971).

Manager Dave Trembley removed Garrett Olson after 89 pitches because three straight right-handers were coming up – in case anyone was curious.

David Ortiz had X-rays on his strained left wrist that came back negative. He's day-to-day.

To the reader who asked why Jim Johnson has been limited more to one-inning appearances, Trembley doesn’t want to “overextend” him this early, and it’s a new role for him.

 

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:38 PM | | Comments (17)
                    

Game update

Brian Roberts just homered in the fifth to give the Orioles a 3-2 lead. 

Garrett Olson may be on a short leash.

Lance Cormier was warming up in in the top half of the inning, but Olson escaped a jam after walking Jacoby Ellsbury with one out. Ellsbury stole second and third - though catcher Ramon Hernandez can't be faulted entirely. Olson ignored Ellsbury after the first stolen base, and the center field got a huge jump on his way to third.

Didn't Olson used to throw in the low 90s? I keep seeing 87-mph fastballs on the stadium gun, and it's not exactly slow.

Tonight's crowd is overwhelmingly pro-Red Sox. One reporter estimates that it's 80 percent in favor of the road team. That looks and sounds about right.

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:36 PM | | Comments (18)
                    

More on Liz

Turns out, Radhames Liz did start tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, but he only went one inning before Ryan Bukvich replaced him.

Liz didn't allow a run and recorded a strikeout.

Sounds like a side session to me.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 7:44 PM | | Comments (4)
                    

The lineup and more Millar

Brian Roberts - 2B

Nick Markakis - RF

Melvin Mora - 3B

Kevin Millar - 1B

Aubrey Huff - DH

Ramon Hernandez - C

Jay Payton - LF

Adam Jones - CF

Alex Cintron - SS

Garrett Olson - P

Miller was packed in ice today in the trainers room, as he received treatment for a sore right hamstring and left shin. Millar said he strained the hamstring about 10 days ago and has been running with a choppy stride to compensate for it. He fouled an Andy Pettitte pitch off his shin during Wednesday's game, leaving a pop tart-sized bruise.

I assumed it would be more round.

Millar won't concede that the hamstring caused him to slow up as he approached first base last night in the 12th inning, after Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo bobbled his ground ball. Millar said he stopped as he hit the bag, rather than running through it, and it appeared that he slowed up. He also reminded us that he's painfully slow to begin with and put himself in exclusive speed-challenged company - Paul Konerko and Charles Johnson.

Bottom line: Millar doesn't want out of the lineup and said he knows his body well enough to tell that the hamstring will improve without rest. But manager Dave Trembley indicated that he'll soon rest Millar for a game, which sounds like a good idea to me.

Trembley was going to sit Millar Tuesday, decided against it and watched him hit two home runs.

Here are the Twins' starters for the series in Minnesota that begins Tuesday: Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins and Boof Bonser.

Radhames Liz isn't scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Norfolk through Tuesday (Wednesday's starter is listed as TBA). The Tides are starting Ryan Bukvich tonight, Chris Waters Sunday, Jon Leicester Monday and Andy Mitchell Tuesday.

I'm predicting that Liz starts Tuesday in Minnesota. If I'm wrong, it won't be the first time.

Trembley said Matt Albers is still a consideration despite throwing three innings last night.

Meanwhile, Steve Trachsel will be in the bullpen tonight as the second long man, joining Lance Cormier in that role.  

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 5:08 PM | | Comments (13)
                    

In need of a short memory

This is one of those games you want to forget about as soon as the final out is recorded.

In fact, I'm not even sure there was a game tonight.

“Anytime you lose it doesn’t sit with you very well,” said manager Dave Trembley, confirming that there was a game tonight. “But obviously, if you’re going to get beat in this game, you’d rather have them beat you and not have it happen the way it did.”

Kevin Millar is pretty banged up right now and could use some rest, though I’m sure he doesn’t want it. Plus, the Red Sox are starting a left-hander (Jon Lester) tomorrow night, which is an added temptation to keep him in the lineup. But Millar’s battling hamstring and shin injuries, and a slow man has gotten slower. I’m not sure if he was running with 100 percent effort in the 12th, but it would be hard to tell right now. He did appear to pull up before reaching the bag, which doesn't look good when the shortstop bobbles the ball, checks his e-mails on his BlackBerry and still gets the out.

It might be wise to put Aubrey Huff at first base and Jay Payton in left tomorrow, and use Luke Scott as the designated hitter, though that arrangement gives you an extra left-handed batter.

Speaking of bad nights, Melvin Mora was 0-for-6 with three strikeouts, he stranded five runners and he committed two errors. I’m guessing he’d rather baby-sit five infants than go through that again.

Adam Jones was 0-for-6 and didn’t get a ball out of the infield.

Ramon Hernandez was 0-for-5, stranded six runners and dropped a foul pop.

The Orioles were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. The Red Sox were 2-for-15.

Yeah, we’ll forget it ever happened.

 

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 12:18 AM | | Comments (55)
                    

May 30, 2008

Losing Lauderdale?

Sorry I've been mostly absent tonight, but I had to write a piece for The Sun updating the spring training situation, and it's bad news for anyone who wants to club to stay in Fort Lauderdale.

Long story short: The FAA wants to increase the annual payments made to the airport fund, provided by the Orioles and the city of Fort Lauderdale, to $1.3 million. They normally run in the $70,000 to $120,000 range, depending on attendance figures.

Fort Lauderdale mayor Jim Naugle takes the FAA's decision as an indication that it wants to rezone the land from recreational to industrial and expand the airport. And it's hard to imagine the city and the Orioles agreeing to pony up that much money.

An FAA spokeswoman said the figure is fair market value, which is supposed to be acquired for any non-aeronautical use of airport property. She disputes the notion that the FAA suddenly changed its policy.

So how do you feel about Vero Beach?

As for tonight's game, Daniel Cabrera made a nice recovery from his rocky first inning, when he allowed two runs. That was it. He blanked the Red Sox over the next six.

Matt Albers is warming in the bullpen. He still could throw an inning and make Tuesday's start.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:02 PM | | Comments (29)
                    

If you need a positive sign...

The Orioles are 4-0 when Daniel Cabrera gives up a run in the first inning.

There's still hope.

As long as we're speculating about Tuesday's starter in Minnesota, it's worth noting that Radhames Liz was scheduled to pitch tonight for Triple-A Norfolk. Now it's Zach Clark (UMBC).

Could the Orioles be holding Liz out of the game in case they need him in Minnesota?

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 7:29 PM | | Comments (7)
                    

The lineup and Tuesday's starter

Brian Roberts - 2B

Melvin Mora - 3B

Nick Markakis - RF

Aubrey Huff - DH

Kevin Millar - 1B

Luke Scott - LF

Ramon Hernandez - C

Adam Jones - CF

Freddie Bynum - SS

Daniel Cabrera - P

The Orioles are listing Tuesday's starter in Minnesota as TBA, so let the speculation begin.

It seems pretty obvious that Steve Trachsel is being skipped again. Manager Dave Trembley said the rest of the rotation is undisturbed, meaning Daniel Cabrera pitches Wednesday and Garrett Olson goes Thursday.

Trembley said the team considered calling up Hayden Penn from Triple-A Norfolk, but he's been placed on the seven-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder. He's expected to miss only one start. The Orioles appear to be keeping Tuesday open until finding out whether Matt Albers is needed over the next two games.

So what does this mean for Trachsel? Trembley won't use him in relief because he's made only one appearance out of the bullpen in his entire major league career. And he's not in the rotation.

An 11-man staff without the extra bench player. How much longer can that arrangement hold up?

Norfolk is starting Zach Clark tonight. He began the year at low Single-A Delmarva before moving up to Frederick.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:48 PM | | Comments (9)
                    

This and that

A moment of silence, please, for comedic actor Harvey Korman, who died yesterday at age 81.  I spent most of last night on YouTube, checking out old clips of his appearances with Tim Conway on The Carol Burnett Show. When I was a kid, it didn’t get much better than that.

This YouTube clip does more to highlight Conway, but it’s such a classic that it’s worth watching if you have 7 minutes and 20 seconds to spare. Check out some of the others, too, (Tim Conway telling the elephant story is the all-timer among outtakes, but it includes a profanity at the end that would ruin the G-rating of this blog. As if I care...but there might be a few editors at The Sun who do).

You heard it here first: Michael Jordan will never win another NBA title with Doug Collins coaching the Bulls.

Check back with me in a few years and see if I’m right.

The Ravens worked out Freddie Mitchell yesterday. When I read in The Sun that he hasn’t caught a pass in the NFL since 2004, my first thought was, “He must have dropped 12 in ’05.”

Ben Hyman from mlbdraftsource.wordpress.com has the Orioles taking San Diego left-hander Brian Matusz with the fourth overall pick in his mock draft. Check out his site.

Baseball America’s Jim Callis also projects the Orioles taking Matusz, who will bring comparisons to Erik Bedard if scouting director Joe Jordan selects him – mostly because he’s left-handed and he’d be pitching for the Orioles. Baseball America ranks Matusz first in the Best Secondary Pitch and Best Command categories among college hurlers, and second in Closest to Majors behind Georgia right-hander Joshua Fields.

Is everyone ready for another invasion from Red Sox Nation? Don’t forget, it’s a four-game series, with the finale coming on Monday. Then the Orioles hit the road for a nine-game, 10-day trek through Minnesota, Toronto and Boston.

I’ll be heading to the ballpark later today, of course. I’ll pass along the lineup, and perhaps word on whether Steve Trachsel is making his next start.

Down on the farm, Nolan Reimold homered for Double-A Bowie last night after entering the game in the third inning. He was supposed to take the night off, but left fielder Sebastien Boucher was hit by an errant throw.

Single-A Frederick has lost seven in a row, including yesterday’s doubleheader sweep by Kinston. Billy Rowell had an RBI single in the nightcap.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:18 AM | | Comments (36)
                    

May 29, 2008

Today at Norfolk...

Fernando Cabrera made his first appearance with the Tides on an injury rehab assignment and walked three batters in two scoreless innings against the Durham Bulls.

Greg Aquino gave up four runs in the ninth inning in a 10-7 loss. Those were the first runs off Aquino in 10 games.

Scott Moore had two hits and two RBIs, but he's batting just .195.

Mike Costanzo and Tike Redman each had two hits and an RBI. Costanzo's average is up to .240, but he's struck out 62 times in 179 at-bats.

Radhames Liz starts tomorrow's game against Syracuse. He'll be opposed by former Oriole John Parrish (6-0, 3.55 ERA).

Parrish will always be one of my favorite players on the beat. I don't think I ever caught him in a bad mood. And if he was struggling, he never took it out on the media. He talked before and after games. It's just unfortunate that he never became the power lefty coming out of the bullpen that the Orioles envisioned. He was too wild.

Anyone remember his first game with the Orioles, when he struck out nine Yankees in seven innings to match Sammy Stewart's club record for pitchers making their debut? He struck out the side in the first inning.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 6:07 PM | | Comments (15)
                    

Thinking about the draft

America's Next Top Model Cycle 10 winner and CoverGirl model Whitney Thompson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch tomorrow night at Camden Yards. And I'll admit, I have no idea what it means to be a Cycle 10 winner.

I believe the last time Jose Canseco made it to Cycle 10, he hit 44 home runs that season.

Ravens running back Willis McGahee will throw out the first pitch Sunday.

If Brian Billick was head coach, the ball would go six yards and the Orioles would have to punt.

I know there's a lot of interest in the upcoming draft. I'll be covering it for The Sun, and we'll run a preview before next Thursday.

The Orioles have chosen position players the past three seasons with Joe Jordan at the controls as scouting director - catcher-turned-first baseman Brandon Snyder, third baseman Billy Rowell and catcher Matt Wieters. They'll take the best player available and not focus on a "need pick," though Wieters fit both profiles. 

San Diego left-hander Brian Matusz and Missouri right-hander Aaron Crow have gotten a lot of attention from Orioles scouts, but it seems unlikely that they'd pass on Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez if he somehow drops to No. 4. He's being "advised" by Scott Boras, which could cause a few teams to pass. The Orioles had positive dealings with Boras last year (Wieters, Jake Arrieta), and aren't likely to shy away.

Given the need for a first baseman - unless you've already got Mark Teixeira coming here - South Carolina's Justin Smoak is intriguing.

I'm rooting for Tulane pitcher Shooter Hunt, just because I want to hear certain people try to pronounce his name on the air.

Unlike last year, there isn't a consensus No. 1 overall pick. Everyone knew the Rays were taking Vanderbilt pitcher David Price, but they're not as predictable in 2008. High school shortstop Tim Beckham, not to be confused with Universitiy of Georgia shortstop Gordon Beckham, is the favorite at the moment. They've also been linked to Alvarez.

I'll dive a little deeper into this topic in the coming days, but if you're Jordan, what direction are you leaning?  

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:13 PM | | Comments (29)
                    

Looking back

After replaying last night’s game in my head – my cable’s out again – I honestly wonder whether Jeremy Guthrie is the best 2-6 pitcher on the planet.

As The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec points out in today’s article, the Orioles have scored eight runs in Guthrie’s six losses. He’s posted a 2.21 ERA in his last three starts, and lost them all.

“All the game are close for him,” manager Dave Trembley said after last night’s game. “He takes you late into every ballgame, but for whatever reason, we’re just not scoring any runs when he’s out there. But he certainly gives you everything he’s got. He pitched well again. It just so happened that (Andy) Pettitte pitched better. They took advantage of the opportunities they had, and we didn’t do enough things that we should have done to win the game, and that’s the way it worked out.”

So unfair. But taking two of three from the Yankees shouldn’t have fans banging their heads against the wall. Wouldn’t you normally settle for that – every single time?

Here’s what Trembley said about Johnny Damon’s infield hit, when Jamie Walker was slow getting to first base and Kevin Millar threw late, that drove in an insurance run:

“I’ll have to look at it, but I just think from what I saw, Jamie wasn’t over there. He got there late, so I don’t know if he just assumed that Millar was going to take it himself. But the play is, any ball hit to the right side, you get over there anyway. The play was just not done correctly.”

I guess we could reopen the debate on whether Andy Pettitte pitches Nick Markakis differently if Brian Roberts doesn’t get caught in a rundown and the Orioles have two runners on base – either first and second or first and third, depending on whether we’re giving Roberts the stolen base in our argument – before Markakis steps to the plate. After Roberts was tagged out, Melvin Mora walked and Markakis doubled, but the Orioles didn’t score.

“It was a pivotal part of the game,” Trembley said. “We were going to steal third. We felt we could steal third. The game is such that after those things happen, you get the hits. I’ve been in situations before, you put a hit-and-run on and the guy gets thrown out. You know what’s going to happen next. The next pitch, the guy gets a base hit. That’s how the game is.”

I’ll keep the questions coming: Do you agree with the Yankees’ decision to make Joba Chamberlain a starter?

He returned to the bullpen after coming out of last night’s game and continued to throw so he could build up his pitch count, and his arm, for his eventual move into the rotation. The Yankees need help, with Ian Kennedy injured – though some people might have their doubts about that – and ineffective. But is there anything wrong with having Chamberlain in the ‘pen and being able to reduce games to six or seven innings? With Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera at the backend, leads are pretty safe past the sixth. That is, when they can carry a lead that far.

I still can’t believe last night’s game drew an announced crowd of only 24,791. For the Yankees? And with the Orioles going for the sweep?

Ever heard of Jim Miller? He’s the 26-year-old right-handed reliever acquired from the Rockies on Jan. 12, 2007 for Rodrigo Lopez. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last nine appearances with Triple-A Norfolk, with 15 strikeouts in 14 innings. Opponents are batting .108 (5-for-46) during that stretch.

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:28 AM | | Comments (34)
                    

May 28, 2008

Placing the blame

We're in the process of debating whether Kevin Millar could have beaten Johnny Damon to the bag after fielding his ground ball with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning.

Millar hesitated and waited for reliever Jamie Walker to get there so he could flip him the ball. Realizing that Walker wasn't going to make it in time, Millar picked up the pace, then slowed up and made a futile, underhand toss, knowing it was too late but having no other choice.

The replay showed that Walker didn't forget to cover. He falls so far off the mound toward third base, it takes him a few extra strides to get across the infield.

I'm not convinced that Millar beats Damon if he sprints to the bag as soon as he fields the ball, but that certainly was his best chance to record the final out, given how Walker was lagging.

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:47 PM | | Comments (37)
                    

Updating the game

A pigeon flew into the press box and landed in front of Peter Schmuck, and none of us can come up with the appropriate joke. But we know it's there.

Jason Giambi homered onto Eutaw St. for the second time in two nights. They've traveled a combined 825 feet.

Giambi has three of the last four home runs from opposing batters that have landed on Eutaw.

Derek Jeter's sacrifice fly gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the fifth.

Another baserunning mistake: Brian Roberts broke too soon for third base after his one-out double in the fifth inning and got caught in a rundown. Melvin Mora, who stood at the plate, has reached on a bunt single and homered. He also leads the team in batting with runners in scoring position.

Mora walked and Nick Markakis doubled, but the Orioles didn't score.

For the reader who asked about Single-A Delmarva pitcher John Mariotti, he's still rehabbing a leg injury, but has been doing some throwing. The Shorebirds are hoping he returns before the break.

Also, Double-A Bowie pitcher Chorye Spoone had an impressive two-inning stint at extended spring training as he nears a return.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:20 PM | | Comments (16)
                    

The lineup

Brian Roberts - 2B

Melvin Mora - 3B

Nick Markakis - RF

Kevin Millar - 1B

Aubrey Huff - DH

Ramon Hernandez - C

Jay Payton - LF

Adam Jones - CF

Alex Cintron - SS

Jeremy Guthrie - P

Most of the pre-game conversation naturally revolved around last night's game.

Manager Dave Trembley said he inserted Luis Hernandez as a pinch-runner at first base because he wanted more speed in case the Yankees tried to turn a double play. Hernandez figured to get to second base a lot faster than Kevin Millar. Trembley said Aubrey Huff, who stood at third, is just as fast as Hernandez and didn't need to be replaced.

Hernandez apparently forgot that he needed to touch second base on the winning hit. Alex Cintron yelled at him in Spanish to keep running.

Many of us wondered whether Melvin Mora tried to call time before reliever Dennis Sarfate picked off Derek Jeter at second base. MASN cameras caught Mora raising both arms and taking a few steps forward. But Mora was trying to get catcher Ramon Hernandez's sign for a possible double steal - whether Hernandez would throw to second or third.

Meanwhile, there were two pickoff plays being relayed at the same time. Millar had one for a certain pitch, and Roberts had one. Sarfate threw to Roberts, who applied the tag on Jeter.

It's fascinating to learn how much goes on that we're not even aware of. It's the game within the game. 

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:36 PM | | Comments (7)
                    

Looking back on a classic

Did the game end yet?

I had a dream that Alex Cintron hit into a 4-7-6-5-2-1-3 double play and we eventually moved on to the 27th inning, after a fourth rain delay lasting slightly longer than Cats’ run on Broadway.

After the game, I asked Cintron if he stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out, and hoped only to lift the ball to the outfield. But his plan was even simpler: See the ball and hit it.

He didn’t care what it was – fastball, curveball, changeup, underhand toss. He was ready to hack at the first pitch, knowing that LaTroy Hawkins was in trouble.

Cintron was thinking ahead, too. Once Huff reached third base after his game-tying hit – and it was heads-up baserunning by Huff that got him to third on the throw after his RBI double – Cintron knew the Yankees would walk Luke Scott and Kevin Millar intentionally to load the bases and go for the double play. They didn’t get it. Cintron hit “a long single,” as Jim Johnson called it while dressing next to Cintron at his locker. Cintron easily cleared a drawn-in outfield, the ball bouncing to the warning track. I’m not sure he can hit it much farther.

It was fun managing the game along with Dave Trembley. When he used Cintron as a pinch-runner for Ramon Hernandez in the 10th, instead of Luis Hernandez – who remains on this team, in part, because he can pinch-run (and because he’s out of minor league options) – we figured that Trembley would pinch-hit for Freddie Bynum two spots later and Cintron would play shortstop if the game continued into the 11th. Sure enough, Jay Payton stepped out of the dugout to hit for Bynum.

We were a bit confused, however, when Hernandez pinch-ran for Millar at first base in the 11th. The winning run stood at third with one out, and Huff won’t win many sprints. But Hernandez trotted out to first base. Did Trembley want more speed going to second on a ground ball, perhaps allowing Hernandez to break up a double play? You make the call.

I’m not sure I’ve seen Trembley so emotional after a game, and he’s an emotional guy. He’s not Dick Vermeil emotional, but they’re in the same neighborhood.

Trembley almost took the MASN microphone with him after meeting with reporters, his shoe getting tangled in a wire and dragging it to the floor. At that point, I fully expected Trembley to free himself by chewing off his foot. He wasn’t going to feel any pain anyway, not after such an uplifting win, and he couldn’t wait to get back to the clubhouse.

As long as we’re playing manager, why would Joe Girardi walk Brian Roberts intentionally in the eighth, with Melvin Mora coming up next? The move worked – Mora hit into a double play – but he began the night leading the American League with a .425 average with runners in scoring position.

A quick check down on the farm reveals that Ben Davis hit a walk-off home run for Triple-A Norfolk last night, the first time he’s gone deep with the Tides since moving up from Double-A Bowie. Bob McCrory allowed one hit over 2 1/3 scoreless innings. And third baseman Scott Moore preserved a 4-4 tie in the ninth inning with a diving stop and throw.

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:02 AM | | Comments (42)
                    

May 27, 2008

Brian Burres

The last time I checked, fireworks night was scheduled for June 13. They weren't supposed to be set off tonight.

The Yankees hit four home runs off Brian Burres, one more than he surrendered all season coming into the game. A few of them have actually landed.

Jason Giambi's blast onto Eutaw St. was measured at 415 feet.

Johnny Damon's three-run shot, a liner that barely cleared the out-of-town scoreboard, was measured at 320 feet.

He's able to throw the ball about 12.

Lance Cormier replaced Burres in the fourth inning.

Is it Steve Trachsel's day to throw?

By the way, the Orioles really did schedule fireworks for after the June 13 game. This is must-see baseball. Throwback uniforms from 1979, Earl Weaver and Doug DeCinces. A chance to welcome back Chris Gomez.

It's all good. 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:19 PM | | Comments (36)
                    

Roberts and promotions

Brian Roberts is the only Oriole in the top four in All-Star voting. None of the outfielders made the top 15.

Roberts has received 113,774 votes. Boston's Dustin Pedroia is first with 384,648.

Before the season, a bunch of reporters who cover the team took turns predicting which Oriole would represent the team. Nick Markakis was an obvious pick for some, but I eliminated him because there are too many outfielders who get consideration ahead of him. It's a crowded position.

Trying to think outside the box a little, I went with Ramon Hernandez, figuring there weren't as many worthy candidates behind the plate, and he'd have a big comeback season.

Is it too late to change my vote?

The Orioles won't let the three-game series against the Pirates pass without recognizing the 1979 team that lost to them in the World Series.

They'll turn back the clock for the June 13 game by having players wear throwback uniforms. Earl Weaver and Doug DeCinces will participate in a pre-game ceremony.

On June 15, for Father's Day, the first 10,000 men 21-and-over attending the game will receive an Orioles golf umbrella.

And on June 17, the first 10,000 fans 15-and-over attending the game against the Astros will receive a Wild Bill Hagy T-shirt to help celebrate the date of his birth.

 

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 6:08 PM | | Comments (26)
                    

The lineup

Brian Roberts - 2B

Melvin Mora - 3B

Nick Markakis - RF

Aubrey Huff - DH

Luke Scott - LF

Kevin Millar - 1B

Ramon Hernandez - C

Adam Jones - CF

Freddie Bynum - SS

Brian Burres - P

Hernandez and Guillermo Quiroz were on the field early for catching drills. Opponents are 9-for-10 in stolen base attempts over the last six games, though some of the blame goes to the pitchers who aren't holding runners. Manager Dave Trembley implemented a drill in spring training specifically designed to improve in that area. He noted that Daniel Cabrera is quicker to home plate this season.

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:46 PM | | Comments (5)
                    

Trachsel, Olson and the others

I’m going to pretend that it’s not overcast today. I’m going to keep telling myself that I didn’t feel a drop of rain while I was taking out the trash.

Don’t make me start missing The Trop!

Maybe this is an outrageous suggestion, but if Steve Trachsel is having his turn skipped again, he needs to face live batters before returning to the mound. And I don’t mean in a simulated game with Luis Hernandez and Guillermo Quiroz taking their hacks.

The other way didn’t work. Throwing on the side or “pitching” against teammates isn’t the same. He needs to get in at least one game if there’s a situation that fits.

Don’t bring him into a tie game with the bases loaded and no outs. But if there’s mop-up duty out there, hand him the bucket. Otherwise, why is he still on the team? To sit him for 14 days again, fall behind by eight or nine runs and debate whether he’s tipping his pitches or just unable to locate them?

It wasn’t long ago that the Orioles had a 13-man pitching staff. Now they’re basically down to 11, without the additional bench player as a perk. Use him or lose him.

Wasn’t it nice to see Garrett Olson bounce back against the Yankees yesterday? I give him a lot of credit. Olson didn’t let them get inside his head. He also trusted his fastball more and flashed an impressive slider. It was night and day from his start at Yankee Stadium – literally.

I figured that Tommy Thompson would be taking a leave of absence as Single-A Frederick’s manager, but I was floored by Richie Hebner’s hiring. Have to admit, I didn’t see that one coming.

Hebner was the hitting coach with the Nashua Pride before the Orioles called him. Now he’s a manager in their farm system, taking over a team that’s loaded with top prospects. It’s quite a responsibility.

I hear his name and I automatically think of the 1971 World Series. I need to get over that.

Matt Wieters doesn’t seem to be distracted by the change. He hit a long, two-run homer to center field yesterday, giving him 12 this season. And he’s back behind the plate after serving as the designated hitter for two games because of a jammed left thumb.

Jake Arrieta surrendered two home runs and lost for the first time in 11 starts. He’s human after all. Who knew?