I don't understand why the O's didn't PR for Huff in the 9th. It didn't end up mattering. But isn't the "no brainer" move to PR Izturus for Huff. If we would have scored: Wiggington plays 1B, Andino plays 3rd and Izturis goes to short. Seems like baseball 101

Pete,

Sounds like Koji pitched a great game. I was in Frederick today to see Brian Matusz. After a shakey first inning he looked pretty good. He didn't throw too many breaking balls in the first inning and they set on his fastball and change. One note, he (nor any of the Keys pitchers) hold runners on second very well and Salen had 3-4 stolen bases all on the Key's pitchers. Matusz had 8 strike outs. Billy Rowell looked horrible in Right Field and at the plate. He's quite fast and has plus size but his swing is slow and lethargic and he looks very uncomfortable in the outfield!

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Pete's reply: I was actually listening to the Salem broadcast on the internet when Rowell looked bad on a ball, but in fairness to him, it's pretty early in his outfield education. Matusz isn't going to be lights out every time, but even in a so-so outing, he struck out eight. Not bad.

Pete, is it too early to talk about the Birds losing their first two Sunday games. An ominous start considering last year's menacing trend.

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Pete's reply: It's not entirely a coincidence, since Trembley uses the day games to rest regulars.

I think the O's wil look and play better once they get back home.They caught the Red Sox at the wrong time. Still something has to be done to adress the Freel situation and Pie has to start producing within the next month. The OF play has been pretty sloppy on this road trip. It's time for Trembley to put his foot down on people not keeping thier heads in the game.

This has been a rough series for pitching and injuries. We need to take this last one to send the team back to Baltimore. On a side note Mr. Schmuck, did you know AACS plays their home games at Joe Cannon this year? You used to have to make it to a championship to play there. How the times have changed.

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Pete's reply: I believe in your days on the team they played one game a year there.

A perfect example today. We will not win against any lefties, unless we have some "Decent" right hand hitters, and with Mora on the DL it is ridiculous Montanez was not up here.

This game was lost in the FO, as much as on the field.

For a team which appears to verbally honor "fundamentals", the Orioles by and large suck at executing them right now. What a wasted opportunity this game was.

Peter,

I know you cover the Orioles and not the Nationals but do you have any idea what is going on with the Nationals and their organization?
I'm not a fan but I thought the ownership was suppose to be a pretty decent person, however it seems like the product, both on and off field, is a disaster.
A number of players with very poor attitudes, no pitching, GM, manager issues, etc. Horrible attendance. Just one mistake after another.
Just curious if you've heard anything.

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Pete's reply: So far, the ownership has been erratic and the organization has regressed. I don't really know what to tell you other than that, and you can see that with your own eyes.

If this series doesn't confirm to Trembley and McPhail just what wastes of space Freel and Pie are, then they badly need a wake-up call.
Freel complains about not getting enough starts and then gets over-matched in every at-bat. Pie not only gets over-matched at bat, but can't seem to cleanly field any ball hit in his direction.... or throw for that matter.
Meanwhile, Montanez is percolating at Norfolk.... just crying out to be called up.
Eaton should be released as well.... he is basically a batting practice pitcher.
I think it's time to bring up some of the youngsters.

Stop crapping around--the Os need to promote Bergeson, and follow the advice of Al Davis--

Just Win Baby!

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Pete's reply: Bergesen will be there tomorrow.

It was fun while it lasted. Uehara looked great tonight but the remainder of the season should be painful given the pitchers on the 25 man roster.

Pete,

You got an early one tomorrow, maybe that will change our luck! Hang in there, it's a long season!

How long do you realistically expect this rediculous Felix Pie experiment to drag out? I know it's only been two weeks but in all honesty, what more would a player have to do to prove that he's not major league ready. Hit slightly less than .175? Strike out 3/4 of the time as opposed to 2/3? Fall down and sprain his ankle while fruitlessly attempting a sacrifice bunt? Or maybe look slightly more awkward in the outfield (I really don't think that's possible, but let's just say for arguements sake).
As a side note. How much more futile does Freel have to be as well, before he is shown the door?
Also, what more will Montanez and Rienmold have to do at triple A to prove they are major league ready? Look, I know as a passionate fan, I may be over-reacting a bit, as we are only 12 games into the season, but I honestly don't feel like the situation will change much if the O's let it ride out for another 6 weeks or however long they are committed to these guys. If you can read through the sarcasm, I would appreciate your honesy evaluation of how much more rope Pie and Freel will receive before we see some of the triple A studs in the big leagues. Thanks Pete.

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Pete's reply: I'm not impressed, but it is only two weeks in and the team has painted itself into a corner with Pie, projecting he'll play a half season. I don't think they'll be that stubborn, but they won't pull the plug on this for awhile.

Can't get the sacrifice bunt down in the 9th. Nothing new there! The O's just can't bunt. They couldn't last year either, or the year before. Why? You got to blame it on the manager. They don't work on it enough in spring training, and that's squarely on Trembley's shoulders. How, after 12 games, you cannot have at least one successful sacrifice bunt? Zilch! Most of the players don't even know how to square up properly when trying to bunt. Ridiculous! It's not that the runners are being forced at 2nd or 3rd on a bad bunt, they can't even get the bunt down! They should devote a whole damn week next year in spring training on the basics of how to execute a bunt. Nothing but bunting. They'll learn quick from that bunting marathon.

GREAT start! Luke sux in LF!

Hey Peter,

Surprised you haven't written a column about how much you hate the new septic tank law yet...

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Pete's reply: That's Friday show fodder, but I've made it pretty clear that I don't think it passes the smell test.

Ryan: That bugged me, also. Where wa the pinch runner for Huff in the 9th? Trembley sleeping again, I suppose. He sure is awake when he's wired on Wednesday's.