One thing is for sure this season, if the O's make a mistake, they pay dearly for it.

OK. Now that my blood pressure is normal, I can perhaps put a paragraph or two together.

Reimold showed everyone what we will become accustomed to in the next few years. This guy is a gamer.

I wish Luke had started the game tonight, instead of pinch running. He would have been much sharper against Jenks. Luke does not miss belt-high fastballs but tonight he did.

Markakis will have to learn to hit better with the game on the line. He is becoming almost an automatic out with men on. Of course there are exceptions.

Overall, I'm proud of the way the played today. I don't care that they lost. It was a well fought battle.

Final note: The Orioles must start being vocal with MLB against the treatment they have received from the umpires this year. That pitch to Wiggie was a robbery.

Go O's!

Pete,

Moral victories are great, but we've been hearing about these kinds of victories for a few years now.

I am glad to see some improvement, but not catching a ball thrown right at your is inexcusable. This is professional baseball.

We need to get past these moral victories and start winning. I keep hearing how this year we could be closing in on .500.

I heard that we would get off the a hot start in the second half of the season. That didn't happen - two games into the second half of the season.

You can't 'come back' every time, and that's where we are now. During the heart of the game, we struggle with runners in scoring postions. Good teams get 2 runs in with the bases loaded. How many times over the last three weeks have we had the bases loaded and we've walked away with no runs.

Again, this can't happen if you want to win games.

Sure, the pitching needs to improve, but we need to start addressing the clutch hitting, too.

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Pete's reply: I didn't expect them to get off to a fast start. They're on the road against the White Sox and Yankees. But I still think they'll show improvement in the second half. I agree with you on moral victories. Didn't think yesterday qualified.

Don't worry Pete, no where near a national audience, I live in NY we will got Atl-NY. m sure the entire West Coast got the Oakland game as well.

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Pete's reply: That's good. Maybe more people will try to run on the outfield.

Ryan Braun, Evan Longoria, Joe Mauer.........all phenoms who hit right away when called up....... Wieters=BUST!!!!!!!!!!!! Same old sad Orioles song!!!! Poor Ol' Tillman and Matusz they don't have a prayer!!!!!!!!!

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Pete's reply: You know what. I wouldn't normally say this, but you need to go root for the Yankees if you're going to declare a guy a bust because he hasn't emerged as a superstar in six freaking weeks. I'll cut you some slack here if you send me proof that you're 12.

Heard a funny rumor today....Sherrill to Colorado for Garrett Atkins. C'mon, why would Colorado do that? But if we can pluck a good corner IF prospect or two and/or a AA starting pitcher then go for it.

Pete,

What does Luke Scott have to do to get in the line-up everyday? Get Huff on first and let Wigginton spot him and Mora, but if Huff can DH he can play first and Luke needs to be in every game until he proves he can't hit LHP's!

So glad to hear the surgery went well... the folks at Hopkins are awesome. If watching the Birds gets too tough tomorrow....at least there'll be Tom Watson to follow and I hope he makes this old fogy proud and wins that Claret Jug!! I think some of my fellow posters are a little premature in their determinations that Wieters is a bust. Longoria struggled the first month or so last year before coming on like gangbusters in the second half. It's way too early to write Wieters off yet.

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Pete's reply: Agreed.

ChrisC
Cal Sr. was an icon in the Orioles organization long before Cal Jr. was even born. Thats why they haven't given out his no.7. He didn't always have that number because Mark Belanger wore it for almost 20 years. I don't remember Cal's number before 7.

This is how we play under Dave Trembley. Bad baseball. Errors for which we always pay. Everyone happy with it? I'm not; give me a real manager.

I believe Cal Sr.'s number before #7 was 47.

First Pete, glad to hear you came through the surgery in good shape or as good as you can be. Not to harp on Trembley, but why did a 1-6 pitcher open the second half? It was Bergesen's regularly scheduled start on Friday. Second, any chance the Orioles would consider offering Guthrie, Sherrill and a minor league stud for Halliday? Would the Blue Jays even consider?

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Pete's reply: I don't think that would even be close. They'd want Arrieta, Tillman and Riemold, plus.

"because they did so many position things even in defeat"

pete, i think you meant positive.

i guess its good i never checked the start time of the game today and missed most of it. caught the last couple of innings when we almost came back. frustrating losses for sure.

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Pete's reply: I'm going to blame the pain medication for that mistake -- because I won't be able to use that excuse in a day or so.

Kevin,

Once Wieters starts hitting don't start jumping on his bandwagon. No room for any fair weather fans on this wagon.

Ty Wigginton makes key errors. He hits early in the count. He hits into double plays. He has a below average OBA (.303) and SLG (.390)...he is that rare blend of sloth and weakness. The more he plays, the less odds you have of winning.

He is a body.

I thought he was a UTILITY player? He played in 64 games before the allstar break, on pace for the most in his illustrious career. Whats wrong with grabbing a little pine for the guy? What does Luke Scott have to do to stay in the lineup everyday?

Steve from Eldersburg,

Garrett Atkins numbers have been going down since they peaked in 2006. This year after Jim Tracy took over Atkins got benched in favor of Ian Stewart. That coupled with Atkins +$7 million salary and looming free agency makes him very expendable.

P.S Luke Scott is hitting .316 versus lefties this year. I guess since Trembley doesn't watch TV or read the Sports Blogs, he should spend his time on the internet here:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=scottlu01&year=Career&t=b

If Dave Trembley really believes that Wigginton is a better 1st baseman than I don't blame him for the lineup decision. But to learn from one's mistakes is a sign of intelligence, so I think the lesson learned is that your regular infield is often the best option due to the amount of reps they get and to insert someone for defense they should be clearly superior.

I also feel Salazar is a better fit for the current team because his presence doesn't "demand" playing time the way Wigginton's does. I say Huff or Wigginton (or both) should be moved by the deadline so Scott & Salazar can be evaluated as potential future 1st basemen.

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Pete's reply: Obviously, the Wigginton play was ridiculous, but it didn't have anything to do with whether he can play first base. You would have caught that ball. This was about focus.

Weiters looks very soft to me at the plate. NO determination, takes his strikeouts and weak grounders and eases back to the bench! SIGHHHH! We need to keep a running tally of the endless weak two hoppers to second base Markakis hits esp when it is crunch time! I bet 1/2 his outs are weak ass 2 hoppers to second. I have noticed this from the start. MAYBE HE needs to bunt a time or two just to break up the groundouts to second! SIGGGHHH!!

Pete,
Why should the Orioles rush Tillman to the majors this year to replace Berken or Hill? Chris Waters could be be brought up. When Sarfate is ready then Bass could start. Waters and Bass ended last year as starters. Uehara will be available in a month.

Anyone else out there fed up with the performances of Hill and Baez lately. Baez has given up two grand slams and a three run homer in his last 4 or 5 appearances. Some relief pitcher. Wieters it is obvious is in over his head right now against major league pitching and tomorrow I am sure he will be back on the bench again as Trembley tries to keep Zaun "fresh" but for what I don't know.

Pete, I wish you a speedy recovery.

No question the error by Wiggy was costly, but his final AB, is driving me nuts. Other than if Ichiro was at the plate, that is strike three and Wiggy, sure as hell isn't Ichiro so why he didn't swing is beyond me. You don't take that pitch in that situation.

I just want to know what Luke Scott has to do at the plate, to be allowed to start every day? The guy is on fire, but Dave doesn't play him. If this was Dave's philosophy in that every bench player is going to get at least one start in a week, I get it, but Oscar and Felix, rarely play at all so why should ABs be taken away from Luke and given to a guy like Wiggy? Luke should be in there everyday, no excuses because he is killing lefties and the fact that he isn't playing in the OF, means he's 100% healthy. If he is slumping, I get it, but too often his ABs are being given out to guys that don't deserve them.

Pete, I disagree with placing some of the meltdown responsibility on Bergesen. Ty, the veteran, owns that loss and Bergesen should have taken the opportunity to voice his displeasure directly at Ty, using his rookie status as a license to tune-up Ty and the whole team. We need leaders, especially from the pitching staff and on competitive teams frontline pitchers don't tolerate such lapses. A lot to ask of a rookie pitcher but the apathetic culture needs to change. Ty is clearly going through the motions and should be a spot starter until his trade or release. We will see what the O's have as we play teams driving toward the playoffs.

Let's see,where do I start.Why was Luke Scott not in the lineup ,and coming off three days rest why was Huff not playing first?Why do you not pinch hit Salazar for Weiters in the late innings,with Weiters obviously struggling?What does Salazar have to do to get any at bats.For those of you who thought the second half was going to be better,I counted at least 7 boneheaded plays by Trembley just in the last 2 games.Another quality start wasted.I've decided not to watch any more live Orioles games anymore this year,it kills my blood pressure.Just TIVO it and then replay it if they win.When they win it is seldom or never that Trembley makes a difference.When they lose,especially on the road,it is often that he is the difference.What did Huff tell him he needed a day off?Then put Salazar at first and have Luke Scott DH.Oh,sorry that makes too much sense.No excuse for not catching that ball.And good teams take advantage of those mistakes.We are not a good team,and will never be under Trembley.Been saying it for 2 years.

A manager's job is to put his team into the best position to win games. Wiggington at first instead of Huff? Red hot Scott not in the lineup? A continual lack of clutch hitting and Salazar continually sitting on the bench? What the hell's going on here? I haven't been on the "fire Dave" band wagon so far, but I'm starting to wonder now.

You know - he dropped the ball. Please just say "I dropped the ball" - do not make it worse by describing how a moderately tossed throw from short "tailed"...how embarrassing is that as an explanation? You dropped a routine ball Ty - it happens...but just like your sorry explanation for getting thrown out at second with the go ahead run already at 3rd with one out. He can't be gone soon enough...I don't care how flexible he is...he's a seat warmer.

My man Wig!!! Does anyone have stats on this guy's RBI's? I recall only one clutch hit all year. Every other RBI is early in the game or late in a one sided affair. Oh, and his versatility!!! Mediocre, at best, at multiple positions!! What a waste of a roster spot. And when is Nick going to start earning those HOF $ he demanded?

Hey somebody please, tell me WHY Luke Scott is not starting EVERY GAME, EVERY DAY ??

Play Scott at 1B if he doesn't DH ... O's can't afford NOT to have HIS bat in the lineup

Seems to be a clear case of the road jitters with Bergeson.

The guy is 6-0 with a miniscule ERA (7 ER in 45.2 IP) in his last 7 home starts...and should be 7-0, but Johnson and Sherrill blew that four run lead in the ninth.

On the road...not so much. Any talk of what might be causing his poor road performances, Pete?

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Pete's reply: Chris, I really can't call yesterday a poor performance. The guy gave up three earned runs. I think his youth factored into the change in performance after Wigginton's error, but he'll learn from that. Should have won yesterday.

Pete - I am glad to hear your surgery went well , now comes the hard part , physical therapy and inflammation . I know what you going through , six years ago , I had two broken ankles , leg compound fractures and seperated shoulder from motorcycle crash . At least my nurses allowed me to watch World Series on tv. Get Well soon!
Pete- On my Long Beach stay , the Spruce Goose plane was not next to Queen Mary Ship. They told me it was moved to Washington state.

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Pete's reply: Yep. They moved the Goose. It didn't draw all that well after awhile in Long Beach. I think the Queen Mary is much more interesting. If you're a Howard Hughes buff, the Goose might we worth seeing in you're in the vicinity, but I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be when I went through it. The historical tour of the Mary, however, is pretty cool.

Well, at least they've ended the suspense. Looks like the second half collapse is getting started right on schedule. The O's yet again pull a defeat from the jaws of victory with sloppy play. Oh well KC is coming up in a week or so. Maybe they can win a couple games then.

Whoever- Markakis is hitting 350 RISP.
So, I mean.

Pete i couldn't wait for the day to come when the orioles called up Matt weiters, but after watching him he looks completley overmatch so far. He has a really long swing and gets jamed a awful lot. I know he is playing a very tough position and has the added responsibilities that other position players don't but i am really afraid that he might lose all his confidence and be a disappointment. He real;ly looks bad right now. It just seems that things don't ever really work out for this organization, when other teams bring up there young can't miss prospects they contribute and take off right from the start. Tb, longoria, boston, Dustin P minn, joe mauer.ETC Etc Nothing is ever easy for this organization.

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Pete's reply: Remember, Nick started out really slow and so did Cal. He'll be okay.

Saw the line on Matt Hobgood's debut: 1IP, 1R, 2H, 1K, 1WP and 1E. So, in keeping with the tradition of 95% of the posters to you blog I say "Fire Trembley!, Fire MacPhail!, Fire Joe Jordan and the entire scouting department!

Things that irk me

Watching Bergesen having a meltdown in the fifth inning afte the Wiggington error really bothered me. It didn't bother me, because Bergesen got rattled. I understood why he was upset. What bothered me was the fact that he was so obviously rattled and NOONE, not even Trembly, or Kranitz went to the mound to give Bergesen a moment to gather himself. I see coaches do this all the time. They wait until the wheels completely come off the cart before they do anything when everyone else can see that they need to call a timeout,or talk to their pitcher, or do something to break the mometum. Maybe they ought to talk to some tennis players on the timing of the bathroom break. I mean come on. The fact that Bergesen needed a minute was so obvious that missing this as a manger was tragically pathetic.

Some other things that bother me:

Continuing to jerk Adam Jones around in the lineup and killing his production in an effort to get other less productive hitters going. Here's a hint. If your lineup isn't producing don't change the one thing that's working. DUH!

Taking Luke Scott out of the lineup just to get at bats for Wiggington. HUH?

Not getting at bats for Salazar, especially in the late innings when there are men on base and you are trying to stage a comeback.

Continuing to play Mora. His days as a productive player are over. Let's get on with finding productive third baseman to replace him. This is inevitable, so let's get it started.

Nick Markakis not producing with RISP. This is not a new problem with Markakis. I am a bit worried about him. He has actually only been productive for a season and a half with the Orioles. The other season and a half has been pretty bad offensively. I hope his contract doesn't end up being another Gibbons situation.

Swinging at the first pitch consistently. This does nothing but help the pitcher. The illogic that the pitcher is tough and starts you with a strike is idiotic. If you don't swing your one strike down, but the pitcher still has to throw two more. If you do swing you're out, and the pitcher has an easy inning assuring he'll be around for the rest of the game terrorizing the lineup. DUH!

Not swinging 3-0. Talk about your best chance to belt one. The pitcher has to lay one in there, or walk the batter. I'm not saying batters should always swing, but if they want a fat pitch to hit. Is there a better opportunity?

I have a lot more. But this is good for a start.

2 things with which to credit Trembley. He doesn't waste outs with sacrifice bunts, and whatever his strategy was in calling out Sherrill, it worked.

That being said, DT is incapable of handling a 25 man roster. Perhaps thats why he lobbied so hard for 13 pitchers out of spring training; he knows he can't find playing time for role players. Just saying "i keep everybody fresh, thats how we do things around here" doesn't make it so. Its amazing, for a team that hasn't played .500 in 11 or 12 years they have an inordinate amount of "stars" that have to be in the lineup.

I was not a Scott fan after last year, but at this point 90 games into the season he's the only guy who deserves to play each and every day. Playing time should be allotted on merit and who is red hot - thats why most managers don't determine a lineup three and four days in advance.

DT has had over two years now and is clearly in over his head. Nice guy though

Pete,

Hope your feeling better, though our O's aren't going to help you much during the next week! You should be commended for valar under fire for producing blogs while laid up!

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Pete's reply: Well, it's a perfect blogging injury. It's not like I've got anything else to do. The biggest downside is that I'll be unable to go to any sporting events for a couple of weeks at least, which limits my level of insight.

Think he will sit Wiggy and put Scott in today. Might light a fire and I am VERYtired of the Sunday bs. Think guthrie still a good pitcher and would love a strong line up to spark him today.

Getting back to Halliday, what team is going to make the kind of offer you indicated it would take to get him: their 2 top pitching prospects and top outfield prospect? Are you saying the Blue Jays are not serious about trading Halliday? Are the O's going to wait until 2011 to get a #1 starter by trying to grow their own? This team needs a veteran starting pitcher who can lead a young staff. Such a player may have helped Bergesen yesterday.

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Pete's reply: I don't know who will make that kind of offer. But I know who won't.

I was hoping to see Salazar hit for Huff in the eighth with the bases loaded, but I don't think Trembley has the nerve to possibly upset a veteran like Huff, even if the move would make a positive result more likely. Salazar has only played a key role in coming from behind lately, so let's avoid using him and trade him. It's not like this team that's 10th in runs scored needs offensive help.

But we must keep Andino in the majors, with his sub-.240 average, lousy OBP, and no power, because he played good defense AS AN EVERYDAY PLAYER, which he isn't with Izturis back. Does he have an option?

Oh well KC is coming up in a week or so. Maybe they can win a couple games then.

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don't you think in KC they are saying, "we are playing the Orioles, maybe we can get some wins."?