Orioles: Big day for Hernandez
Rookie pitcher David Hernandez will be making his third start and fourth appearance in the major leagues today against the Nationals, and he needs to reinforce the great first impression he made in his major league debut against the Detroit Tigers a month ago today. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up just one run on five hits, but struggled in his second start against the Mariners in Seattle.
He also made one relief appearance during that first stay in the majors and pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings. All in all, he did a nice job filling in the last time, and needs to build on that to secure his place in the rotation if the Orioles decide to move Koji Uehara to the bullpen when he gets back from the disabled list.
Orioles manager Dave Trembley is going with a whole new version of his popular Sunday lineup, hitting Adam Jones leadoff, with Ty Wigginton hitting second at second and Brian Roberts getting a day off to clear his head after going 0 for 10 with five strikeouts in his last three games. Melvin Mora also is off, so Oscar Salazar is going to get a rare start at third.
> 
Comments
I think this is a great lineup today, vs. Lannan. Good decision to give Roberts & Mora a day off and play Salazar. Go O's
Posted by: Mike | June 28, 2009 1:08 PM
Pete,
Great to give BROB a day off, but why Mora, he's just started to hit? Dave needs to watch a Dodgers game, a Cardinals game or a Tigers game to watch how a good manager handles his bench!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | June 28, 2009 1:15 PM
Pete,
I like the Uehara deal for the obvious Asian market benefits. However I think it's time to say good by to SP Koji and hello to middle relief Koji when he returns from the DL. As long as we have a long term footprint in East Asia, Koji's contract will continue to payoff, even from the pen.
Posted by: Denny | June 28, 2009 1:16 PM
They are going to lose some range at 2nd and 3rd. I would have gone with the defense first line up with the rookie pitching. I only say this to get the reverse jinx started.
Posted by: birdfanman | June 28, 2009 1:17 PM
Denny,
You appear to be stuttering! We read you the first time! Huh?
Posted by: Keith Rowe | June 28, 2009 1:20 PM
Pete,
Really, Dave doesn't know how thin his ice is! Yeah, yeah were beating the Natinals. While it's quite obvious he does little during the game except sit in the dugout in his trance, so his line-ups are about his big contribution and the Sunday line-ups are the biggest reason for our Sunday record, but apparently everyone is happy so that's all that REALLY matters!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | June 28, 2009 1:25 PM
Hey Pete, Any recent trade speculation involving the O's that you'd care to share? I'm kind of hoping for another veteran fire sale and some susequent free agent signings in the off season... See ya, Huff, Baez, Wiggy....
.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I haven't heard much lately, but it's still a little early. It starts to heat up after the 4th and really heats up when everybody gets together at the All-Star Game.
Posted by: C Lo | June 28, 2009 1:26 PM
Keith,
I can't help if the system screws up my post.
............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I'm going to have to stand up for Denny here. The posting mechanism slows down sometimes, which causes some repetition. I'm trying to keep up with it and delete the double posts, but appreciate everyone's patience.
Posted by: Denny | June 28, 2009 1:26 PM
The Orioles play an exciting game, with great relief pitching and a timely three run home run by rookie of the year candidate Nolan Reimold, and what does the Baltimore Sun do? Run a story on the Ravens and Domonique Foxworth as the main lead in Sports, along with a "countdown to training camp" logo. What a joke. Great "work" editors. The most laughable thing of all is the photo below the fold saying "Foxworth defending against Marcus Smith....relishes the challenege of playing in a blitzing defense that will pressure him to cover receivers one-on-one." Here's hoping his defense gets better as the photo shows Smith completely beating Foxworth , who looks like he's lost and looking for some heavenly help. Way too funny. Maybe during the Ravens season the Sun will run a front page article on the Orioles.
.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Lighten up. It's the Sunday paper and you plan the centerpiece long before the start of the Saturday night games. We had the game and my column on Hobgood and the Foxworth story. What's wrong with that?
Posted by: Editor | June 28, 2009 1:28 PM
Hey they benched BROB today!! Hahah jk. Anyone see last night on baseball tonight Buck Showalter ripped the O’s and Nats so called battle of the beltway for both teams clowning around together on the field?
Posted by: Ron | June 28, 2009 1:44 PM
Ron,
Baseball tonight is a long running joke. I think we've spoken on this blog about their Big market slant. If I was president I would order John Kruk off to a desert island.
Posted by: Denny | June 28, 2009 1:48 PM
Editor,
Last place teams don’t get that kind of press. I agree that there are some good stories from the O’s this season like Wieters and Nolan but for the most part it’s the same team we have seen for 11 years.
Until the O's win something the Ravens are the story 24/7
Posted by: David | June 28, 2009 1:49 PM
Denny,
The only bias I see is Gammons and steve berthume's precious Red Sox. Kruk gets mad when they gush about boston constantly but then does the same thing with the phils hahaha
Posted by: Ron | June 28, 2009 1:54 PM
ESPN just broke a story:
Phillies like Wang
hahaha i knew that all along!
Posted by: Ted | June 28, 2009 2:16 PM
Editor
You see its games like today that makes nobody write about the orioles it just makes everyone angry. Now the Sox come to town and sweep us.
Posted by: Robert | June 28, 2009 4:36 PM