Red Sox are winners...Orioles are losers...simple game...no mystery about it...

I'm a moron. I apologize for posting.

Melvin Mora is a HUGE problem! i don't care if he is a good guy, nor do I care how many kids he has, please release this guy!

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Pete's reply: I hope you're not basing it on his last at-bat. He had a much better at-bat than Luke Scott.

Hmmm...Sox on a five game losing streak...O's in town..."honey, book that table at the Ritz, we're celebrating tonight; we got the O's number...
Pete...we were, what, one pitch, one hit, one hot dog w/mustard away from (another) win....
Trade Peter before the deadline...please!

Mr Pete,
You kind of know being here as long as you have, but you really cannot feel the pain. We were blessed around here for 25 years. We had a few decent teams since 1983 albeit not many. But seriously it simply seems hopeless at times. Money. Talent. AL East.
So many holes to fill that it will not happen thru the farm.
3rd, 1st, ss soon if not now, our 2nd base fellow is gtoing thru the motions and not nearly the same player. The star catcher is in over his head with that long slow swing.
Holes. More than a free agent signing(and heck we don't ever get the talented free agents either) I will hang in this year. I will watch closely. But it may be time to simply turn the page after being a fan for 50 years. We did not grow up suffering cub fans. We want ,deserve and demand talent,smart baseball and a return to high expectations.

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Pete's reply: Having grown up as an Angels fan and never seeing the team in the World Series while I lived in Southern California, I think I know how it feels to root for a futile team. But I'm well aware of the great success the O's had during those years, so I understand how frustrating this is. But the only way to shake that frustration is to build a winner brick by brick.

Bergesen continues to show his ability to pitch. Two on. no outs in the 1st inning and strikes out Youkilis on a 2-2 pitch. The gets Ortiz to strikeout on 3 pitches.

The stat they showed on MLB was that in 18 starts Bergesen has given up only 3 runs. I'm guessing that easily is the best on the team.

Too bad we still have to put up with Berken and Hill.

That's fine, save the luck until the team is good enough to take advantage of it.

I meant: trade Peter Angelos...
Peter Smuck doesn't know better...
Dave

If Dave's job depends on how this team performs in the second half, it doesn't look good for him. How many games can this team possibly win the rest of the way against the Red Sox, Yanks and Rays? Not many I think.

The close ones probably do not even out if the other teams are just better than you. Like the old axiom the best team will win out in a multiple game series (baseball or basketball).

In addition to being better teams--probably directly related to it, Boston and New York do the little things that make them winners while the Orioles make the mistakes which make them losers. I just want to get the next two defeats out of the way (Have we ever beaten Lester?) , so we can move start playing somebody we might be able to beat in Kansas City. Its gotten to that point. I hope this changes in the next couple of years as the young pitchers come up.

Pete,

What is the status of Luke Scott's contract? What are the chances the O's extend his contract?

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Pete's reply: Luke has, I think, three arbitration years before he comes up for free agency.

Huff allowed his hitting struggles to affect his defense tonight and it hurt the team. At the plate, Huff looks cramped and tight. He's gotten away from his loose, upright stance.

Scott went to the plate against Papelbon with bad body language. He looked mentally lost, befuddled before he even got in the box and then got out of the way on 3 pitches.

Bergesen, like Hernandez in the series opener against NY, deserved better support. Brad Penny, for God's sake, is no world beater.

Obvious that Trembley's lack of teaching the fundamentals is causing all of these inch-foul line drives. Fire him immediately and bring in Davey or Bobby V. Or both. And trade Huff for Anquan Boldin already.

With a little run support Bergesen could be 8-3 or better!

Seems that we run into that pitcher for the Red Sox all the time -- he keeps showing up like a Brad Penny. Argh!

How do I say this without sounding like a pompous @#$?
The O's, I mean the players, cannot feel optimistic. They cannot feel they're gonna rally, pull out the game. It shows. The pitching is not aggressive, the offense does not have that killer instinct. Individually, the team has talent...collectively they are duds. I can't say it enough...management, management, management. Peter Angelos does not care if the team wins enough to vie for the playoffs.
Com' on...it shows....

its a shame, because Mora looked locked in all night. As did Markakis. Nick hit two ropes to rightfield on fastballs, a good sign.
His hands were a bit closer to his back shoulder, and he got to the ball quicker. Now if only Huff widens his stance and stops drifting forward before the pitch is even thrown.

Pete,
I know what you mean about the breaks always seeming to go against the bad team, but I actually thought the O's caught two huge breaks tonight. First, Varitek airmailed a throw into center field on the Reimold stolen base, setting up the Mora sac fly for the O's only run. Then, the Ellsbury drive into the triangle bounced into the front row for a ground-rule double. If it stays in play, it's at least a triple ... and the Markakis throw never happens.

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Pete's reply: That's true, but I was sort of making the point that it doesn't seem that way when you're losing. I wasn't being 100 percent serious,

Oh here we go again. Bashing the rookie catcher because of his long slow swing. Gosh lets see he has only been up what two months? And already he is a bust! I seem to recall Adam Jones in the first couple of months of this past year he seemed to be a bit overwhelmed and bit by bit he adapted and got better. I think before we are ready to throw the catcher under the bus as one particular long time fan seems to have already decided to do. Why don't we wait till say mid May of next year when he has had time to learn. That is by that time one of the rookie pitchers is struggling and needs to be sent back to the minors. Say like Bergensen earlier this year.

Yea, it'll seem like things even out when you get better players. Teams that are 13 games under 500, are near last in the league in pitching and hitting, are not unlucky. They're bad..They just seem unlucky because they need everything every game to go their way for them to win a game. That's why their record just stinks in close games. Because bad teams,losing teams, get what they deserve over the course of the season. It's not so complicated.

As good as the offense was in the beginning, they are that bad now. What did we learn?
That if the first 3 guys in the lineup aren't hitting 340, this team stinks. That Aubrey Huff is not a cleanup hitter. That Melvin Mora hurts this team whenever he plays. That these 2 corner infielders may be the worst tandem in the majors. Huff has 11 home runs! 11. He might as well have none.
That if AM has a chance to get himself a bona fide cleanup hitter, he oughta seriously consider the offer. Because as the pitching seems to be moving in the right direction as the minors move to the majors, the minor leagues have no position player answers. It's amazing Markakis has done anything this year. Why pitch to him when The Human Slump is behind him?
Mora won't get traded because who needs a mediocre fielding 3b who can't hit? Mora's offense is indefensible, as come to think of it, might be his defense.
Jeez, I beat on him almost as much as I used to beat on Flanagan.

I'm not following the team real closely anymore, but it seems like the corner infield positions lack of power are killing the O's. Put anything out there with a glove who jack some balls deep and you will come out ahead. A typical ML fielder's ability to affect a game with his glove is truly very limited, but their ability to hit with power can be tremendously impactful.

The executive of the year is not Andy, it's the director of marketing. When did all of these O's fans actually believe the team was different this year? They are not!!! Hope Springs eternal in the beginning of the year, but the team is on pace to go through their typical August swoon and their record at the end of the season will reflect very little change. I believe Trembley is a nice guy, but he clearly does not expect this team to win. There are numerous reasons to expect this team not to compete, but there is only one reason they should. The expectation has to be win now. Jimmy Leyland refuses to accept losing and he's had several teams with less talent than the O's. Win Now!!! Sounds like it could be a great t-shirt!!

Bergesen, Reimold, Markakis and Wieters, all were very, very good tonight and these guys are the future, plus the young guns down on the farm. This season is awful, but change is coming.

I don't get the P.A. bashing, as I really want to knew what he has done since Andy was brought in, to piss people off. I am not talking before AM, I am talking after AM was brought in. The extensions, signings of highly touted rookies, a home in Florida and no meddling with the club. We can blame P.A. for everything bad before Andy, but when someone hasn't done anything wrong, give him a break.

The problem is the emotionless vets. I am a huge Brian Roberts fan, but #s aside, this is the 1st time that I am tired of watching him play. He used to be the guy that would get on, cause pitchers to hurry up their delivery and lead the double steals, but this year, he mops. Brian could've walked away, he knew he wouldn't get the money that the O's gave him so if he is pissed, I suggest he buy a mirror and look in it. You know how everyone says getting rid of Miggy was addition buy subtraction? I am feeling the same about Brian.

The real Huff is back, as that play when Big Papi, hit the ball, should have been fielded properly, it wasn't and a run was scored that inning, but to not be able to lift the ball out of the infield in the 9th for power hitter, is a joke. I don't know who is available next year, but I would chance it if we don't trade him.

Anyone know why DT, didn't want to know what was going on in the 9th when the 2 Umps were talking to Tito? I think if I were the manager, I might show interest, but that's just a crazy thought.

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Pete's reply: Did it cross your mind that the Orioles might have been the ones who asked the umpires to do something about the flashbulbs in centerfield?

I would rather have seen Greg Zaun up there tonight in the ninth then Aubrey Huff.He is so lost right now,he needs three or 4 4days off to even get his head together.And the "Genius"Dave Trembley used Wigginton with nobody on and then put him in at SS.Luke Scott is in just as bad a funk as Huff,2 for 22 coming into this game,and looked totally overmatched against papelbon.C'mon Dave,show a little imagination or fire.Shake the lineup up,set some people down that are struggling.Move Huff out of the number 4 hole.Do you have any idea how many runners he has stranded this road trip?Or how many Luke Scott has stranded?Weiters will be fine in about another 100 at bats,guaranteed.Reimold is definitely the real deal.Sorry we will never win with Trembley as mamnager.Terry Francona said earlier in the game,my job is not to keep players happy,it is to win games.That's the difference between DT and Francona.Dave's job is to pacify his veterans.He doesn't mind getting into Pie or another bench players face,but not the vets.He is what we thought he was,a career minor league manager.But next year when he'ssitting home or managing some minor league team somewhere,he can count the money he got for being a yes man and masquerading as a major league manager.Can't blame him for taking the job,but I can blame him for his lack of enthusiasm,discipline and fundamentals.Jim Palmer said it best last night,this team has no killer instinct and no fire.Amen,brother,amen.Another quality start wasted by Bergeson.Huff should have caught that ground ball,and should have tagged first and went to second or even home.Get rid of the me first players before it affects the rookies any more than it already has.Enough already.

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Pete's reply: I agree it was a crappy last few innings for Huff, but I'll take his overall production right now. Don't think anybody is out there available that would do better.

So now it's bad luck. What BS. This team is lacklustre because of low expectations from AM (THE PLAN) and an adoring media who makes excuses for mediocre performance. Imagine how things would be different if the front office was Steinbrenner-like demanding and the media was New York-like critical. The O's have as much talent as anybody else. They're indifferent and lazy because it's tolerated.

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Pete's reply: Well, we used to have an owner like that, but everybody asked him to shut up and he did.

Clearly the O's have as much talent as the Yankees. Bergesen, Hill, Berkin, Hernandez = CC, Petitte, Burnett, and Jaba now apparently.

On another note another solid start for Bergesen I just hope we can get him enough runs to pick up a few more wins to get serious consideration for RoY.

Well at the moment Huff and Scott combine can't hit Felix Pie's weight. With two automatic outs in the middle of the lineup the O's have no chance to win.

Sometimes luck does not go your way. As far as fundamentals go, these guys are major league players, you do not teach basic fundamentals at this level. They are where they are because they surpassed that level. They have excellent coaches to work with players in slumps, but sometimes it is the mental approach and that is an individual issue. Right now they are in a team slump that includes Huff, Scott, Mora and a few that are in mini slumps. The manager cannot get them out of the funk they are in, the manager does not have anything better to run out there, so they have to hit out of their issues. Interesting that these guys are playing for a contract for next year. I just hope there slumps do not cost Dave Trembley his job. But when your big guns do not hit, what are you going to do. You would think that someone like Penny would be just what the doctor ordered for these guys to break out, but they made him look like a Cy Young contender.

1 or 2 won since the All Star break, and everybody panics. The Os are following the same path as the Rays when they were the cellar tennants in the AL east. So were the Tigers when they lost 100 some odd games. Both teams were a pitching staff away from being a contender in their respective divisions. They combined some good young arms with some good veteran arms, some good young bats with some good veteran bats and wah-la! Contenders in their divisions! Why can't the Os do the same thing?? Hopefully (and thats a huge HOPEFULLY), thats what Andy has in mind. Folks are just going to have to show patience as frustrating as it is to see them lose,

nothing has changed from the beginning of the season in regards to what kind of won-loss record the orioles were probably going to have. a losing season. only a schmuck would think otherwise. yes they are bringing in young guys who are going to be the foundation of the team in the future but they aren't going to turn it around that fast. you still have 3-4 potential starters for the pitching staff in the minors. by the middle of next year it will be time to start thinking that the team should be competitive with the rest of the league. until that time don't be a schmuck and get all upset about the orioles losing. o.k. trembley should be upset because his job is going down the drain. but when he didn't go out and argue the play where pedroia tagged jones with his glove and had the ball in his bare hand and said on tv he saw the play and didn't think arguing would do any good....well that was it for me having respect for trembley as a manager. you know darn good and well weaver would have been out of the dugout in a heartbeat to fight for his team. only a schmuck sits on his butt and does nothing.

Markakis and Wieters combined for one of the best, most exciting defensive plays I've ever seen. A tremendous job at both ends: Nick's quick pickup and amazing throw and Matt's block, scoop and tag that combined smooth athleticism with raw strength. A highpoint in another down season. When did Huff become a zombie. More important: Why did Huff become a zombie?

Pete now it's luck that hasn't evened out that is costing the orioles. Everyday you come up with something else to justify how bad this team really is. Yesterday you stated that you liked this version better then last years version. When you finish 30 games out in last place does it matter if you watch the game live, on hi definition or buy a converter box from baynesville eletronics. Huff and melvin have already mailed the season in and there will be many more in the days to come.Luke scott couldn't hit a ball of the batting tee right now> This team has absolutely given up on Davt t and even if that is not bad enough we have to watch birken and hill start again next week. So tell me how this version is any better then the previous versions that we have had to endure over the last 11 years.

Bob L., are you serious? Why is this version any better than the previous eleven?

Reimold, Jones, Markakis, Wieters, Bergesen.....those 5 guys alone make it better and more helpis on the way. It's sour saps like you and Burt that can't see past your own nose.

Pete,
I'm ashamed that you don't even so much as mention the enormous sporting event in this city last night. You can write an entry about car racing in Baltimore but not a peep about the world's sport. Keep writing those tired articles about the Orioles losing. 70,203 fans pack Ravens stadium for an exhibition match but you act like it didn't happen?

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Pete's reply: We gave the game great coverage. It just didn't fit into the conversation here with me out of the picture. If I was healthy, I would have been covering the game and was looking forward to it.

.You keep telling yourself that help is on the way and that this team will be better. If everything goes 100% as planned and i mean 100% the best that this team can ever be is a 3rd place team in the best division in all of sports. If you are going to be statisfied with that then your expectations are very good. See by my count this team will still be 30 games out at the end of the year.Tell me do those 5 guys equate to any more wins. Do those 5 guys manke us run the bases any better, do thos e5 guys make us throw the ball to the cut off man,do those 5 guys help us score a man from 3rd base with no outs, do those 5 guys keep us from making the same mental mistakes that the previous 11 years teams made. Your a pipe dreamer and will continue to be one until they get a manager that has won and a manager that will get the players respect to play hard every inning of every game

Sorry for another posting but my last one is intended for that Kool Aid drinker Rob K.

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Pete's reply: So he's the guy I need to see to get some more Kool-Aid?

Yes those guys make us better. The plan is good. You have to remember how many pitchers that are down in the farm system right now that will make a difference. You have to be patient. When the time is right, if they stick to the plan they will buy hitting. If I remember right, the deal was grow your pitching and then buy your hitting. The outfield is solid, now we need to look at corner infielders that can hit in the clutch.

Please - no "woe is me" and "the balls that land fair are theirs and the ones we hit are fouls!" stuff. It's like blaming your phone because your boss calls on your day off. We're losing close games because we're not executing as well as good teams. We're close, but not there yet.

Did you see that 96mph heater that Papelbon threw to Melvin last night in the 9th? That's execution - heat right down the middle, challenging a hitter with the game on the line. When O's relievers are ready to do that, we'll win more games.

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Pete's reply: I think you've got to get the ball to the guy in the ninth inning first.

The orioles should not give up on Berken. Keep sending him out to the mound when its his turn to pitch. The defense should take some of the blame. Hill should get a tape of the last game that he pitched and listen to the comments that Jim Palmer was making about his mechanics on the mound it might help him stay with the orioles. Dave Trembley is his own worst enemy if he loses his job its no ones fault but his. I don't care how bad your team is if you show that you can manage the people of Baltimore will back you. Trembley to me is very good when you put a mike in his face, but when its time to get on the field and start managing the team thats when he becomes a lost cause. The orioles must replace trembley. Huff was a dh all of last year he might not be up to playing full time and Scott is a streak hitter when he's hot he is a wonderful hitter and when he's cold we have to learn to live with it. Unless Trembley gives Zaun some ab's as the dh. Give ty some more starts at 1st base. So what is he missed a ball that happens.

I think this game could have been a blowout if the Redsox were not struggling. Bergeson through a lot of pitches right down the middle. The Redsox are not seeing the ball very well because 90mph belt high fastballs (or anything for that matter) are very hittable. I think Bergeson was lucky to escape with minimum damage last night. The Redsox had 9+ hits and only got 3 runs. I like Bergy, but even when he is lucky and good he is not lucky to get run support. Story of the O's. Remember Guthrie's first year. He could not buy a win regardless of how well he pitched due to lack of run support. Go back even further. Do you remember how many low scoring losses Mike Mussina was charged with in his career in Baltimore for the same reason? Yeah, this organization was/is who everyone thought they were/are. LOOSERS!

Sorry I mean to say LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSERS!!!!

Twelve years! Should we even mention patience? The most patient fans in MLB are right here. They will never boo their team (even Huff, and I've had enuff of Huff) and all they ask for is solid baseball. Melvin is a fine player but there comes a time (age 37) when it can't be done anymore and it's no ones fault. Huff and Mora, though, are only a small percentage of the O's troubles this year.

Trembley needs to sit Huff down for a few games. When he came up last night with a chance to get the rally going he took the first strike and you could just see his face fall into that "oh no, not again" look. As soon as I saw him I knew his at bat was a futile formality.
After the tremendous play by Markakis and Weiters I really thought the O's might pull it off, and they came very close, but like all the rest of the fans such moral victories just don't get me very enthused, It was after all, just another loss in the string.

Even with all this talented pitching we have in our farm system, the object of the game is to score more runs than the other team. Tampa Bay develops an Evan Longoria, Milwaukee develops a Prince Fielder, hell if the Nationals can develop a Ryan Zimmerman, why can't we? Time and time again, we can't get hits in the clutch, so unless our pitchers collective ERA falls to 2 runs a game, it won't matter who's on the mound. We need a legitimate cleanup hitter that will take pressure off everyone in the lineup, and if he can make Brian Roberts give a damn, that would be a bonus. And a solid third Baseman would be the icing on the cake.

Pete's reply: Did it cross your mind that the Orioles might have been the ones who asked the umpires to do something about the flashbulbs in centerfield?

Pete, of course it did, but regardless, when there are two Umps, a security guard and the opposing teams manager, all in discussion, I would like the manager for my team, to be in he middle of that discussion, wouldn't you?

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Pete's reply: I suppose, but it was obvious the only move they were going to make was in favor of the O's, who were batting at the time. That might be a nitpick on your part this time.

Blancione- You have the biggest balls in the world if you are actually complaining about Pete writing his artcle every day when you find a different reason to sing the same dirge to us every day. Every day you sing the same old song saying the exact same thing yet you have the gall to complain that Pete, who after all is paid to write here daily unlike you, writes his opinion every day? Please explain the difference . . . other than Pete is doing his job and putting food on his table while you are merely indulging your need to stand up and scream "Look at me"??

Bob L....here's a few more names for ya'......Arrieta, Tillman, Matusz, Patton, Micklio, Snyder....the you fill in with some scrappers like Fiorentino, Joseph, etc.. Honestly, how could you possibly be so pissy towards MacPhail after the misfits before at GM? Syd Thrifty, Rolly-Polly Hemond, Cream & Sugar (Flanagan)......I just had another tall glass of orange Kool-Aid.

hey pete,

what can you tell us about Sano?

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Pete's reply: Here's the latest from Jeff.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-sano0725,0,2488076.story

Many years ago Bill James did an analysis of close games and determined that, over time, they even out, that any team can will or lose a one-run game no matter what their record is. A bloop hit could change the outcome. The best teams win more lopsided games. Losing a one-run game is more bad luck / chance...