B-ROB IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gotta feel for the Phils a little bit. Brad Lidge is a mess and it doesnt look like Madson is the answer at closer. How 'bout Bastardo for Sherrill straight up?

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Pete's reply: I'd take Bastardo for his last name alone. It would get me off the hook.

I hope I don't get fooled once again, but I'm starting to think this team is finally realizing that they can play wth the big boys. This is two consecutive series wins against quality teams, one of them on the road and a 9th inning comeback in each.
The Orioles do have enough talent to at least make the other teams in the league and in the division not take them for granted and perhaps they are discovering that themselves. They aren't quitting when down late anymore.
I hope this is not just another flash in the pan, and we won't see the standard collapse after the AS break.

If the O's were not in the AL East, they could make a run at the wild card. Regardless, this team is coming together and is FUN to watch!

Did you give them a lecture on hustle Pete? The O's had a lot of it today and it was great to see.

Sorry about the double postings, guess my computer is being dumb.

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Pete's reply: Chuck, probably not your computer. We're having some technical difficulties.

You can forgive him Pete - but I don't. there's no exuse for dogging it and that is exactly what he's been doing. Maybe he is pouting or something - his talent I have never question - but the sight of him loafing is tough to take. The HR is awesome - but it's a different animal for me...he has to start playing with more energy and one big HR doesn't mean anything to me. He needs to set an example for the younger players and his lack of hustle reflects poorly on his manager...I hope he's better the rest of the way

Pete-Your right about Roberts. At
times we fans are to be taken with
a grain of salt.

how many posters do you think check in on your blog from work and post complaining about how Roberts etc go about THEIR job? Ironic? Or just amusing? Now I can't wait to see the deluge of posts saying how much harder they would work if they made millions. grain of salt? How about a gallon of Pepto?

Gary,thank you for proving my point,tell me why he should hustle and how it reflects badly on his manager,who does nothing about it.I guarantee you he wouldn't do that to Weaver,Pinella,LaRussa,Bobby Cox,Frank Robinson,Joe Torre,etc,because a)they wouldn't allow it and b)they are winners.Trembley is not a winner and he allows it so you're right it is a direct reflection on the manager.You proved my point.

I hate bad managing.

Who thinks it's a good idea to bunt in the second inning with first and third and no outs? What is the best you gain from that? The lead runner is already on third. Even a double play ball scores a run as does a fly ball. You only get 27 of them. That doesn't make any sense on a number of levels.

How come Markakis can never have the day off?

How come your hottest hitter who is righthanded can't crack the lineup and a lefty who has gone a little cold can?

How come a young pitcher can't get a little more room to get out of an inning?

How come a manager has to continually get his players O.K. before making out a lineup card?

I liked Trembley before this year. I still like him. But I think we now need someone new at the helm who does not go over his lineup with the players and seek their approval. One who will sit the regulars when necessary without blinking an eye. I'm not saying you fire Trembley now. I hope he gets better as the year moves on, but so much of managing is instincts and using the pitchers at the right times.....knowing when to leave them in and when to pull them. Of course hindsight is always perfect, but much of what Trembley does is just too mechanical.

I objectively get on trembley for something like that - in fact I suggested Roberts lack of hustle will cost trembley his job next year...and that bothers me because he doesn't make 10 mil. a year..and I wrote that Tremebley should have benched Roberts the next game - so I do not agree with everything he does - I am not his apologist. But I do not jump on him for every single situation that goes against the o's...the point I am making is you're wrong to say he should have walked the go ahead run in scoring position, or taken their best pitcher out after 6 innings with a 2-0 lead - that makes my case that you'll blame him when it rains tomorrow...it's ridiculous.

My only two issues with brob this season is him dogging it at times after signing that large contract and his plate music at the Yard is terrible. BR if you are reading this for the love of god please change that song.

PS

I hope Guthrie can get his groove back and get a W Sunday but if not can we finally DL him like the tigers just did the D Train with a anxiety disorder or something? We got guys in the minors ready to roll.

Pete; I read your column about Guthrie and your suggestion that the Orioles sign a top of the rotation guy in the offseason. While a lot can happen between then and now to change things, I could not disagree more at present.

That would give us a rotation of the mystery ace, Guthrie, Uehara, Hill and Bergeson as things presently stand. What is left for the kids we have in the minors to compete for.

Now if you are saying that none of either, Matusz, Arrieta, Patton or Tillman will be ready before 2011, then fair enough. Is that what you are saying.

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Pete's reply: Frankly, I'm not banking on Uehara.

The Orioles have now won all four series against the pathetic National League. Here is my two part plan for getting the Orioles into contention:
1. Make Peter Angelos the new commissioner of baseball.
2. Like Bud Selig moved the Brewers to the NL, Angelos could move the Orioles to the NL. Does anyone doubt the Orioles would be a winning team in the NL East?

I too questioned Trembley's lineup when I heard about it today. Why would you put in another left hander in your lineup to face a left hander? I questioned his decision making. Why take away your young pitcher instead of allowing him to work out of a jam (would Howard have come up if Bergesen was still in the game?)? Why pinch hit for Andino and lose his defense (especially the game he had defensively) for the next inning if you manage to extend the game? But I think as fans we have to realize what we're questioning should be reserved for managers whose teams have visions past the end of September. With a rebuilding club other scenario's start creeping in, like allowing certain pitchers to audition themselves for a possible trade, not wearing out your youngsters who have never played a 162 game season, maintaining the confindence of the rookies, etc. We can't see the motives behind every move. It's impossible. I think judgements on Trembley need to reserved until this team has enough talent and experience to win more than it loses. Besides who wants to see our, what is it like, eighth manager in 12 years?

Let me preface my comments with 1) I'm glad they won and 2) I still like Trembley, but...

He's got to get better in using his pitchers, especially with the influx of young talent.

When a young pitcher who shows promise pitches as well as Bergesen did thru 6 innings tonight and he gets in a jam in the 7th, you've got to do one of two things...either take him out before he can be the losing pitcher (like after the 3rd straight hit) or leave him in to get out himself (and thereby show confidence in him).

What you NEVER want to do is leave him there just long enough to allow someone else to come, not do the job and have the starter charged with the loss...and if not for the 9th inning heroics, that's what would have happened.

In addition, if you don't use your left-handed relief pitchers to try and get out tough left-handed hitters, why exactly do you have them on roster...you don't need them to get out right-handed hitters.

I really like what Trembley gets out of his position players, but I've seen tonight's scenario (minus the 9th inning) repeated too many times and much like players have to elevate their games to reach the 'next level', so do managers.

I just watched the game on DVR and if I still don't believe the O's won. 14 men left on base, but they come back to win it with 2 outs in the 9th. Wow! If this comeback doesn't make it onto those MASN defining moments, I would be shocked.

Like most of the posters on here, I was more than a little shocked that Nolan and Matt, weren't starting. Luke has been in a slump and Nolan is hitting . 350 or . 360 against lefties, but at least our A lineup will be out to try to extend the Sunday streak.

Andino was mighty impressive with the glove tonight, as he made some sick throws. This is one of those players that if you watched play a few games, you would go he's ok, but watching him on a daily basis, he looks real good.

Pete, I would've pitched to Howard as well, but the one decision that I wasn't that crazy about was in the second inning when they had Brad bunting with a man on 3rd and 1st with no outs. I don't get it? Even if Brad hits into a double play, a run scores.

Here's hoping that Guthrie has a good outing on Sunday.

Great win O's!!

Phillies fans were bummed, did you see all that head-hangin'

i didn't see it,

but maybe he had Bergeson bunt was b/c he thought he might strike out.

Pete- I read many of my fellow bloggers calling for Trembley's head and knocking you for being his apologist . Granted , Trembley is no LaRussa or Torre and he is going make questionable calls ( especially when Os lost ) . You were stating along the lines that we should be more patient with Trembley . If we have the right to state our opinions , then you have the right to state yours . After all , your name is not Angelos or MacPhail , right ? Maybe my main point is that let Andy evaluate Trembley first and see if he can adapt or adjust his job performance ?

Great win by Os tonight , I was asleep but when I saw highlights of Phillie fans looking dejected and Luke celebrating , that told me the story =)

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Pete's reply: You were asleep? That's too bad. It really was one of the truly great Orioles comeback innings.

Pete, Nice article on Guthrie. He obviously has enough talent to be successful in the majors. But once the season gets rolling, is there a real #1 any longer? Maybe a "stopper" pressure but the rotation dictates the matchups and rarely do they come out like today's.

As for signing a vet pitcher, when was the last 5 years deal for "an ace" that really was worth it? Mussina? Most "aces" tend to be home grown, so why not go with the young studs and let one of them take over that spot naturally. Like Oswalt, Peavy, Verlander, Halliday, etal. One of them will take Guthrie's place soon enough.

Finally, can't Guthrie get moved for the right return? He may not even be around next year.

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Pete's reply: The Catch-22 with someone like Guthrie is that you don't get any value for him when he's got these numbers. Better to keep him and fix him.

Pete, just read your article about Guthrie. As of now, I would have to disagree about signing a top dollar pitcher this offseason. Especially if Lackey, injury proned Harden and Bedard are the top candidates. Granted it may be an unusual situation to try to find the best combination of 5 starting pitchers at any given time, when you'll have 10 or more major league ready or mlb experienced arms to choose from. I like the idea of telling these guys to stay in shape over the offseason and then truly having an open competition in the spring next year......instead of the farse that Trembley gave us this past spring. You don't have to have a designated staff ace, the guy who starts opening day can be simply known as the guy who has the best stuff leading up to that day. Leadership can come from coaches, manager, and whatever veterans are still there (there will be some). As for the money, re-sign Huff, get a 3rd baseman, and a left hander for the back end of the bullpen and you'll have everything you need. (well maybe a few dollars for a decent manger wouldn't hurt either)

Nobody has mentioned it but it sure looked like in that seventh inning Phils rally Luke Scott did not get any kind of a jump on the two balls that were hit is way in a row. Luke is not exactly a liability in left field but Reimnold, who doesn't show me much quickness to the ball himself, more than likely would have made at least one of those catches and Pie would have made them both. During the game, Buick Martinez mentioned there had been a steady stream of players coming to Trembley's door wanting to know the "why" of yesterday's lineup. This is what you get when you manage to try and keep everyone happy instead of going with what got you there--the hot hands. Now today when he goes back to regular lineup, the guys who filled in yesterday and did good will be demanding why they aren't playing. I mean who is really in charge here?

The O's won last night in spite of Trembley. I mean come on...why in God's name did he pitch to Ryan Howard? Seriously, I hope someone asks him that question. In that situation, you never let him beat you because sick or not he's head & shoulders better than the 3 guys left on the Phillies bench. Walk him & have ol' Charlie waste his at bat & bring someone else in & say here it is & I'm pretty sure you don't get a 3 run home run from any of them.
His ability to handle pitchers is just not getting any better. Brad busted his butt to make sure he was safe at 1st. in the 7th. inning which probably sucked the last gas out of his legs. Instead of getting someone up right then, he had nobody even stirring until the second double & by then Brad was finished & Baez was not totally ready.
This isn't second guessing...these are questions everyone is asking during the game. I don't care if you managed 20 years in the minors or 20 years in the show the game's the same...you don't let certain people who can beat you do so late & you always have your bullpen ready so you can make a change at a moments notice when your sinker ball pitcher is now leaving everything middle/up. Trembley seriously needs to improve his in-game decisions. I suggest numerous meetings with Earl Weaver during the remaining off days to get a perspective from one of the best ever at knowing what to do when & how to manage his bullpen.
If Trembley wants to manage this team when they turn the corner in the next year or so...and they will, he needs to improve his in game ability as much as every player needs to continually make adjustments to remain on the squad. The one constant in baseball...there is always someone ready, willing & perhaps more able to do the job standing in line...goes for managers too!

Pete,
While some or many may have ripped B-Rob, he is the one guy on this team I would NEVER take a barb at. He may not be the straw that stirs the drink, he's the main ingredient to our offense. We go as he goes! His steals may be down, but his on base percentage and his doubles make this team go. It's no coincidence that when he is struggling, so is our offense. B-Rob in my eyes is the epidomy of the O's and as a switchhitting lead-off hitter, brings more to the plate than most give him credit for!

If the O's had a Captain, I would vote B-Rob!

Every team will have its share of games where they leave too many men on base or they fail to deliver a key hit. That is baseball. What is not forgivable is pitching to a guy that is second in the league in home runs with two out, men on first and third, and the pitcher on deck. Every little league coach knows what to do in that situation.

I liked Trembly going into this year but he has changed. He seems much more defiant and cocky (even with the press) and he is making decisions that seem to want to say "I am smarter than you".

to Jack Lance and David:

AMEN !! No excuse for,the decision to pitch to Howard

wph,

Dont forget selig also moved the brewers from Seattle when they were the pilots lol... hes a scumbag.. used car salesman haha I actually think PA is a lot more cool

Again we have the Trembley headhunters trying to convivt him for not walking Howard. There is no better way to embarrass yourself and let everyone know you've not the first clue about baseball - he's a ,270 hitter with the flu - YOU DO NOT WALK THE WINNING RUN TO SECOND BASE! There's not a manager in baseball who would have done that - unless, as I stated earlier he has the advantage of knowing howard would hit a homerun...there's things to pick at trembley about---just please use common sense and not hindsight.

Great comeback. the one thing i noticed throughout the game was how hard various folks: Markakis, Jones, Riemold in the 9th, and Bergeson in the 7th, hustled down the first base line. So the jury will remain out on BR until he duplicates the effort. I agree with posters that it seems silly to have to get the ok from everyone on a losing team no doubt to post a certain lineup. But it seems Trembley is intentionally the antithesis of Perlozzo in that regard. My advice to Dave would be to act like you've been there before, even if you haven't. Oh, and play Reimold against lefties. always.

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Pete's reply: Agreed, but I kind of liked watching BRob jog to first in the ninth inning last night.

You want him to go talk to Earl Weaver, come on that is just dumb. You can't compare Trembley to other managers that have more talent, such as some of you have with Torre and La Russa. Torre with the Yanks and LaRussa in all of his stops have had more talented rosters than we do currently. If Howard makes the 3rd out then all of you are saying great job. Why do we in Baltimore always look to bash our teams. Just look what we did to Eddie Murray along with the press. You people need to get a life and stop nit picking every move he makes.
I am sure that you will do the same of the Ravens start losing with Harbaugh, enough is enough.

I couldn't agree more with you greg - it is os tiring to have people come on and bash a manger for everything that goes wrong - how about not leaving your "sinking" fastball over the plate Baez? It was his mistake (one of only a few he has made) - bit for some reason his mistake turns into bashing the manager? And it isn't just this situation - everyone is an expert after the fact - had baez gotten howard out, nobody would have said a thing...had he walked him and the next hitter gotten a hit, you'd be all over him for walking the winning run into scoring position. You let your frustrations over the team land in DT's lap - sometimes the o's just aren't a good enough...and thankfully that is changing. Who is the guy managing the team to 6 wins in 7? Who is the guy managing the players who appear to be blossoming before our very eyes? There's more to a manager than what he does on gameday - give the guy a chance already!

So, what's going on in the head of Nick Markakis? I've NEVER seen him go down looking like he has in the past 10 days.

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Pete's reply: He's been struggling. Maybe two days off in a row will help.

Here is my combined response to the article on Guthrie and Roberts. I think you are right about Guthrie he is not staff ace material. If the Orioles were to find an available, bonafide staff ace it would be good move to sign him. That would give them a projected rotation next year of, New pitcher, Bergesen (sp?), Hill, Arietta, and Tillman. They could then trade Guthrie.

The Orioles roster is starting to really shape up. They need a new third baseman, since Mora is clearly on the downside of his career, and they need an outfielder that can back up Markakis.

I have suggested that the Orioles should trade Roberts. What I really want is for Roberts to play better. I want to see Roberts hustle down the first base line every single play, I want to see him make better use of the bunt. (There is no reason for Roberts to go 0 for several games, he can bunt for base hits.) I want to see him pay more attention on the base paths. He may be our best base stealer, but he gets picked off a lot.

As for Trembly. He will finish out the season, but I am convinced he won't be back next year.

Pete,

I notice that Roberts now has some sort of signature on the bill of his batting helmet. I've noticed this on Scott and Huff's helmets also. Do you know anything about this? Does it have to do with a walkoff hit?

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Pete's reply: I don't know. I'll have to check.