Only 4 innings? Was Trembley managing that game as well?

It may be inconsequential due to rainouts and different off days,but can we infer whom the orioles will call up first when eaton or hendrinkson falter based on the way the orioles have there Norfolk pitchers slotted?

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Pete's reply: I doubt that. I think Bergesen is first up and he's a day ahead of Hendrickson and a couple of days behind Eaton.

What about Matt Wieter's AAA debut?

Norfolk lost their opener in Durham, 2-1. Norfolk pitching (Bergesen, Liz, Castiillo) only gave up 4 hits, but Matt Wieter's stats didn't look so good - 0 for 3 with 2 Ks.

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Pete's reply: I was kind of focused on the pitching, and I was pretty superficial with that. We've got a minor league blog (O's On Deck) that recaps the games.

Pete:
I was at the game..Matusz only pitched into the fifth...the two runs were unearned- Tyler Henson at third for the Keys had three errors tonight including throwing one into the stands with two out in the fifth- Matusz should have got out of that inning with no runs.
He was a bit shaky in the first- gave up leadoff hit, then hit the next guy with the first pitch and walked a guy but got out of the first with no runs.
He really looked sharp in the second, third and fourth innings with good mix of pitches.
The Keys were ahead 6-3 in the ninth and then gave up three runs in the ninth to the Red Sox and the game went to the twelth inning before the Keys scored two to take the game 8-6.
Matt Angle was 3 for 5 with a triple and looked sharp.

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Pete's reply: I actually listened to Matusz's performance and originally had his line correct in the blog. I logged off the Salem radio site when he was coming out of the game. When I came back later, the boxscore on the Salem site had him pitching six innings, so I thought I had turned off the game too soon. I updated the blog to reflect what was in the box score, but somebody apparently didn't notice that a reliever pitched the next 1 1/3 innings. My bad, but our online crew fixed it this morning. I'll be more careful in the future.

True its early in the season but your 2 big aces need to go deeper real soon. Old man here sick of this management style.

According to MILB.com, Matusz only went 4 2/3 innings. Do you know why Arrieta only pitched 4?

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Pete's reply: I explained my mistake on Matusz already. I believe Arrieta was on a pitch count his first time out.

Pete,

I know the young pitchers in the minors have lots of potential and that we don't want to rush them to the next level. I agree but wonder why Andy M. won't go out and sign a Pedro Martinez type pitcher to a one year contract. That would give the Orioles three quality starters and you never know what could happen. The defense and hitting already seems to be in place. With another quality starter this team could surprise the "experts".

According to Komminsk, Arrieta was on a 75 pitch count limit, which would explain the number of innings.

No sense in blowing out a top pitching prospect's arm during the first game of the season.

Just like the old Everly brothers song"All I have we do is dream, dream, dream, dream" about prospects down on the farm, because this years pitching staff is going to be just awful. It will be bombs away when Hendrickson, Eaton and Simon take the ball.

Whether they are getting their brains beat in or not, Trembley is going to have to close his eyes and leave them in for at least 6 innings, or most of the existing bullpen will be on the DL by June.

As a former football coach used to say" It is what it is",and what it is will not be pretty. This is the best that's left from the 37 man pitching tryout camp Trembley held this Spring.

Wake me up when September ends.

Pete, what's your estimation on when Bergeson is called up?

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Pete's reply: I would guess about May 1.

Could we have Scott post his major league coaching experience? Thanks. I'm just curious because he sure sounds like he knows more than anyone currently in the O's organization. Perhaps MacPhail would like his contact info?