Waters does not appear to have much speed. Maybe they do not know what to do with 73 MPH curve balls (according to Gameday on mbl.com)

Do not know if that is accurate, but that is what it says.

Of course speed is not everything. So far so good. Wish I could watch.

Lets "see" how the 3rd time through the lineup goes.

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Pete's reply: I'm guessing the so-so velocity (fastball is mostly 85-87) is an advantage the first time against a team with no advance scouting reports. Might explain why the O's went with Waters instead of more predictable choices.

How is the patch job on the wall going?

Dry wall sucks!

You should get one of those stair elevator deals, and ride up and down......

Waters fastballs are at 88and 89 MPH according to the Gameday chart. Still pretty quick! But he will not get confused with Nolan Ryan.

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Pete's reply: Funny, my wife asked me the same thing about the wall. I think the hole is a nice reminder to everyone to hold on to the rail.

Obviously Waters didn't get the memo on how to pitch as an Oriole starter. 57 pitches through 4 innings. He might make it through the 5th with less than 100 pitches (yes that was sarcasm).
I doubt Penn would have done as well.

Rich

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Pete's reply: I doubt anyone other than Guthrie would have done as well.

this kid looks good so far.the best team in bb has 1 hit thru 5 ins

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Pete's reply: Very, very nice so far.

Pete

I realize I'm a Johnny come lately here but I was wondering if this would happen tonight. Penn pitches well but Waters also pitches not just well but enough to stick around in the rotation.

In other words, whose bad luck would win out, Penn's or the Orioles?

Looks like for now, Penn loses out again.

He's now been bypassed by Loewen, Maine, Olson, Johnson, Liz and Waters. Struck down by appendicitis, lost gloves, flying bats, etc. I don't think Harry Potter had it this rough!

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Pete's reply: I agree. It's pretty messed up.

Waters is very good tonight, but I agree with you Pete - its all in the scouting report.

But.....

Good defense by the Orioles, and perfect defense by Waters is also helping to win the game.

What is his long term viability without velocity? I'm thinking this might be the highlight of his professional career.

It's getting amazing how Penn always has an absurd fluke way of missing opportunities when they come his way (e.g. appendicitus, forgot his gym bag, tripped on dugout steps, now it's a bat shard in his calf...). It's not really his fault. I wouldn't be surprised if he has to go to the hospital to get his stomach pumped for swallowing a feather 5 days from now. Or maybe in 10 days he is stranded in a Water Taxi floating out of the Harbour. Or 15 days from now he is stuck in a tree. Not that I am suggesting that it's deliberate at all, but at least his reasons are original. Just seems like the "Acts of God" clause in his contract is getting so much play, it's wearing a hole on the paper it's printed on.

Even without a scouting report, any set of respectable hitters like the first six guys in the Angels' lineup should be able to catch onto a pitcher with slow, unremarkable stuff by the third AB, all other things being equal: meaning his ability to spot his pitches and mix things up is closer to Chen than Moyer and he's not a holy terror to lefthanded hitters. Knock on wood, but with Quinlan's last AB, no one's caught onto the pattern, if there be one, yet.

Waters is LIGHTS OUT tonight.

It's amazing what a difference throwing strikes can be. Camden must be flooding tonight because it's all Waters tonight!

Oops! Forgot about all the dudes who swing both ways in LA's lineup, so in effect there are no LH bats, making Waters' performance even more mystifying.

I'm most impressed by Waters' fielding of his position. He has helped himself with his plays at first and fielding of tough grounders. We haven't seen that from a pitcher since Mussina left.

I'm most impressed by Waters' fielding of his position. He has helped himself with his plays at first and fielding of tough grounders. We haven't seen that from a pitcher since Mussina left.

Jamie Moyers did pretty well without velocity.

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Pete's reply: Jamie's still doing that. He has given up three earned runs or fewer his last 10 starts.

If Waters sticks around I bet we start hearing the "Jamie Moyer" mentions of inspiration. Moyer seems to have become the latest Patron Saint of Guys-Who-Don't-Throw-Hard-But-Might-Turn-Out-Pretty-Good.

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Pete's reply: Already happening.

Wow this kid sure looked good in his major league debut. Good on you Waters. Doubt it will last, but stranger things have happened. Now lets hope Sherrill doesn't blow two straight again.

i cant believe trembly that idiot took the kid out after throwing a shut out thru 8 ins

What a pitching performance by Chris Waters. I did not see this kind of a game coming. Peter, even Steve Physioc (Angels' announcer) was quoting you during the game. He used your quote "throwing Sarfate, Waters, and Olson against the Angels is like taking a poodle to Michael Vick's house." Then he said (and I quote) "the poodle is tearing up the pit bull right now".

Here's to Chris "Poodle" Waters, who just took down the best team in baseball on 1 hit over 8 innings. Great game Chris!

Go O's !!!!!!!

Go Waters !!!!!!!! Great job !!!!!!!

Go Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuukkkke!!!!!!!!!!

Eddie in NYC -

Your post on all of Penn's mishaps was a hoot! That was really good stuff!! Especailly the line about swallowing a feather!!! Well done!!!!!!

I am still pinching myself . Is that Waters putting out red hot Angels' fires ?
What a nice surprise !

Well done Waters and Luke

On the unusual sports names, and as a bit of compu-nerd, I'll put in a vote for the aforementioned farmhand Ryan Oullette. His email address is probably "roullette"... which may also apply to the results when he pitches.