Sure glad that Jake Fox pinch-hit for Adam Jones. Where would we be in this ballgame without that clutch GIDP?

No worries, I still like the character of this team since Buck showed up.

Hendrickson - Not a Nugget
Simon - Not a Nugget
Fox - Not a Nugget

quite flawed with a better manager

maybe importing some better players is on the agenda

if they don't pitch great. they get their butts kicked.

after watching the two clowns destroy the 6th, one might be tempted to call albers 'much maligned'. he's not so bad when used the right way. 8 times a week was a bit much.

Alfredo Simon has got to go! The dude is consistently blowing late leads or making bad situations worse. It feels like he is always giving up a devastating homerun. Or is that just me?

i'm sure it'd be nice to go out there and bring in a Bard, but the Os seem averse to drafting or developing hard throwers who can strike people out by throwing the ball by the hitter

The Redsox are still dangerous. They may be hurt, they may be down, but they're winners. They know what it takes to put teams away.

I usually know the game is over when Mark Hendrickson comes in. That's when I change the channel.

Alfredo Simon = Armando Benitez

Jake Fox - please don't get me started. I'll just say, you suck MacPhail!

Unfortunately, Buck will have to sacrifice some games in order to see how bad some players suck. Better now than next year.

how do you throw 100 pitches in 5 innings. and not walk anyone?that's difficult to do.
If you have the stuff to get 5 Ks, why is it taking you so many pitches to get guys out?
That 11 pitch at bat to Kalish was insane.
You gotta punch guys out.

When Jake answers that , the Os will have something.

It appears the organization knows Simon is not a real closer. He was the luckiest SOB on this team for a long time this summer, walking a thin line by walking batters and giving up hits, yet still getting saves. Simon, the Grand Illusion.

Curious to see how this team responds in tomorrow's game.

How weird is it that the web page has a picture right now of Arrieta without his mustache?

Has the Sun resorted to file photos like a monthly high school newspaper?

Though I must say my Franklin Gazette in 1968-1971 was really good.

Jim66,

I'm willing to bet, if Jake doesn't elevate his game and show consistency in the final stretch, he won't have a spot as a starter on this team next year. Buck doesn't mess around. Watching Jake from start to start I get the feeling he is way too relaxed. I think he needs to have some sense of urgency, like the one you see other guys pitch with. He doesn't pitch with conviction from what I've seen.

Worst start to a September in club history.

I can't believe Buck hasn't been fired. After all, everyone knows that Rick Dempsey was the guy for the job. I imagine with him, the team would be off to its best Sept in club history.

Arrieta doesn't pitch with conviction? How about when Jake fanned Thames with the bases loaded to get out of a jam and beat the Yankees in his Major League debut? He then followed that up with a win over the Rangers in Texas. He pitched well in August. He left tonight with a 5-3 lead over the Red Sox.

Arrieta is a bulldog. He is a competitor. If he looks too relaxed to you on the mound that's because he is loose and knows how to let it loose.

Arrieta has a promising future with the Orioles. Buck has seen his talent and grit.

I'll take that Bet Mes. Jake is going to be a Starter next year unless his arm falls off.

"buck doesn't mess around"...I mean, do you know the guy enough to really make that statement?

Jake's pitched 90 inning's, and you're prepared to make generalizations about him and Buck. What to back that up with something other than a bad start tonight?

Not even a full year in the majors, with a reasonable ERA for a young starter, and you trying to sell "Buck doesn't mess around."

Every indication from Buck's history suggests that he works with guys and develops them...not yells at them and sans excellence, guys are gone.

but i got ur bet...what's the wager, a cold one?

Paulie,

I'm saying what I've heard from the horse's mouth. He has said that guys who are up with the big league team are supposed to deliver and perform. He said it when asked directly about Bell and repeatedly said about pitchers as well. He won't keep guys up who are not performing. If you're going to make the ball club there won't be any question as to why you are on the roster. I'm not saying that Arrietta is a bust. I'm saying that his job next year is not guarantied as you believe it is. He is going to have to earn it this year. And from watching him pitch this year, I don't think he has earned it. I don't even think Matusz job is safe. Guys will have to prove from now 'til next season that they are worthy of getting it done at the big league level.

Heck, Pie has been playing well, and Buck still said that he hasn't done enough to earn the starting outfielder job. But according to your thinking he should probably be penciled in for next year. I speak with facts. You speak with hot air.

Pie could have caught Beltre's HR. I am sick of "Mel" Lester. Lurch hendrickson and Simon need to go!

Barry,

Lay off the coolaid and don't get so defensive. Nobody is calling him a bust. I was just pointing out some personal observations. Nobody here is an authority on talent discovery. It's not exactly pitching with conviction when you throw 100 pitches by the 5th inning as Jake repeatedly does. No problem there. He is inexperienced. He will learn. But you calling him a bulldog is just ridiculous. The Rocket was a bulldog. Randy Johnson was a bulldog. Strasburg is a bulldog. Jake doesn't even have the stuff to be a bulldog. But this doesn't mean he won't be a very good pitcher.

Mes,

Facts, huh. Good to credit your sources I suppose. Jake is in next year as a starter because he just started his major league career this year. He's done nothing that indicates he should not be in the Majors, given his 90 innings pitched. We agree on the standards, not the time-line, nor the likely-hood of Jake's removal from the 25.

btw, if you can't tell when you are speculating or when not...oh never mind...

Paulie,

You never get tired of losing an argument. I admire your perseverance.

I'm venturing to say that the only players whose jobs are safe are the ones who are proven and/or are getting paid a ton of money.

There is no indication that Buck will just hand the job to these young starters. I bet he doesn't even know yet. That's why he is going through the evaluation process.

You act like you know, but you don't know jack. Arrietta is up in the bigs to be evaluated. So is Matusz, Bergeson and others. The Dave Trembley ERA of safe jobs is over.

It's safe to say Guthrie will remain a starter. A couple of young pitchers might be the odd men out if Tillman and Britton push the issue or if a veteran or two are acquired in the off-season. It's fair to say that there will be a competition and starting pitching jobs won't be handed to people. Wouldn't you agree?

Your logic of "Jake is in next year as a starter because he just started his major league career this year", is just dumb to say the least. Tillman is living proof of a counter-argument on your flawed logic.

Jake wasn't at fault for this game, it was the dynamic duo of Hendrickson and Simon. The BP is fresh so no excuses anymore. I will say that I hope to God that Hendrickson isn't brought back. I do think Simon might be out of gas. He had a remarkable recovery from TJ surgery so the rehab, switch to the BP and 1st time bog league closer, is quite a year! I am not ready to write him off, but Buck might want someone hairier.

This is the type of game that would have had an interesting ending with David Hernandez and Jason Berken pitching those middle innings. The bullpen is not at the top of its potential. There is talent that is on the DL. Simon is done for this year. And Hendrickson is hit or miss.

Good to see Reimold back. It should be interesting to see how he does the rest of the year.

Wow, so now a single loss to Boston and the rest of the season is shot. I guess that re-enforces your argument that Buck wouldn't make us a .500 team, of course it also undercuts your argument that Pie and Roberts are what has saved us recently since they are still healthy but nice try setting up a win/ win situation Pete. If they do lousy down the stretch you are proven right that Buck didn't help much, and if the do well down the stretch then you're right again because BRob and Pie have saved us. You should teach a course in logic.

Mes,

Safe jobs for guys that are getting paid a ton? Is Gonzo closing? Thought so.

Tillman proves your argument? Did Buck send Tillman down? Again, thought so.

Yes, I don't know if Jake is or isn't going to be in the rotation, but I'm making the bet with you that he will, since you think otherwise. (just like you don't know jack about if he Won't make the Rotation...do you really need to have "betting" explained to you?)

Not taking the bet? Put up or shut up. You said it, now back it up like a man.

I never said he'd be handed a job, I said he would be a starter. Because he's a talented pitcher and can help the O's in 2011. That's why you bet...to back up the talk. I'll man up and take the bet...can you? Or did you realize how nuts a comment you made and are trying to wiggle out of it now....

Ahhhh, Nothing like seeing paulie, smitty and SHAM all doing their thing again. The team is back. That sure was a short hiatus smit. No worries though, paulie and SHAM held up your end.

Anyway, I believe Buck will teach the young pitchers how to pitch the way Lester does. The guy is a class act as well as a gamer. Give us 5 Jon Lester's and then we'll be talking.

And to your last thread Pete... Of course Buck made all the difference. It's all about the 'cattle prod'.

In fact, it would be brilliant if the Orioles gave away cattle prods at an upcoming game. Forget Buck T-Shirt night. It should be Buck Prod night.

You think that baseball idiot PA is smiling right about now? Hey, the guy made a good choice. He should get credit where credit is due.

Was in NY this week.... Man is the city amped up about the Jets/Ravens Monday night game. It's just SO GREAT to hear opposing media folk and fans talk about a Baltimore team with big time respect.... especially after the continued (nationwide) bashing our baseball team takes year in and year out.

AM Move Over - Buck's Starting Over

OK, lets face it, Jon Lester's win was a cheap shot win. He was not going to pitch the next inning anyway. It just so happened that Hendrickson and Simon blew the game . Jake should have had that win sewn up. Lester did not pitch that great, even though he chalked up 9 strikeouts in thelater innings. We nailed him in the first 4. So Lets not give him too much credit. Yes, he'g got 13 against us. But keep in mind that this is probably his last year beating us. Next year is the year of the bird. We will be conteneders, I really believe that. Just look what Buck has done in a matter of 4 weeks. Once they get the roster solid for next year, we will be unstoppable. So Red Sox, yanks, and Rays, enjoy your moment of glory while you can. Cause next year is the 'year of the bird'.

"Worst start to a September in club history." - SHAMROCK

Yup. It was the 28th time in modern day Oriole history the Orioles were 0-1 on September 1.

1956 - 4-2 @ BOS - Sullivan > Zuverink - 24.5 GB in 6th @ 57-70

1959 - 5-0 v NYY - Ford > Walker - 18 GB in 5th @ 61-67

1961 - 5-4 v CLE - Latman > Estrada - 11.5 GB in 3rd @ 78-58

1963 - 5-4 v NYY* - Metcalf > Hall - 16.5 GB in 4th @ 73-64 (* - NYY won AL)

1964 - 2-1 @ MIN* - Kaat > Barber - up by 0.5 game @ 79-53 (* - MIN won AL)

1966* - 4-1 @ CLE - Siebert > Palmer - up by 11 games @ 83-50 (* - O's won WS)

1968 - 7-3 @ DET* - McLain > Hardin - 7 GB in 2nd @ 79-58 (* - DET won WS)

1970* - 4-2 @ NYY - Peterson > Hardin - up by 11 games @ 86-48 (* - O's won WS)

1979* - 3-2 v MIN - Hartzell > Palmer - up by 8 games @ 87-46 (* - O's won AL)

1983* - 5-3 @ TOR - Alexander > Palmer - up by 3 games @ 77-53 (* - O's won WS; Alexander pitched for the O's '72 to mid-'76)

1984 - 10-9 @ SEA - Vande Berg > T Martinez - 14GB in 3rd @ 72-62

1985 - 10-2 v SEA - Young > D Martinez - 12.5 GB in 4th @ 67-60

1987 - 5-0 v SEA - Bankhead > Habyan - 19 GB in 6th @ 60-72

1989 - 10-1 @ CWS - King > Milacki - 1 GB in 2nd @ 72-63 (O's dropped out of 1st for the first time since winning 9-3 @ CWS on 5/23 with Milacki > Long)

1990 - 4-3 @ MIL - Higuera > McDonald - 14.5 GB in 5th @ 60-71 (McDonald would eventually go to MIL; MIL would eventually go to NL)

1991 - 14-3 @ MIN* - Morris > Rhodes - 19 GB in 6th @ 53-77 (* - MIN won WS; Rhodes becomes an All Star 19 year later)

1995 - 4-3 v SEA* - Belcher > Mussina - 18 GB in 3rd @ 54-63 (* - SEA won AL West and Divisional Series)

1996* - 5-1 @ SEA - Mulholland > Wells - 4 GB in 2nd @ 72-46 (* - O's were in 2nd since 5/31 and were the Wild Card team 2.5 games ahead of SEA)

1997* - 10-4 @ FLA** - Heredia > Boskie - up by 6.6 games @ 85-49 (* - O's won AL East and Divisional Series; ** - FLA won WS as NL Wild Card)

1998 - 9-5 v CWS - Parque > Drabek - 31 GB in 4th @ 69-69 (loss was 9th of 10 in a row)

2000 - 5-2 @ CLE - Finley > Ponson - 16.5 GB in 4th @ 60-74

2001 - 6-4 v SEA* - Abbott > Mercedes - 24.5 GB in 4th @ 55-80 (* - SEA won AL West and Divisional Series)

2002 - 9-3 @ ANA* - Lackey > Lopez - 21 GB in 3rd @ 63-72 (* - ANA won WS as AL Wild Card)

2006 - 5-4 @ OAK* - Halsey > Williams - 20.5 GB in 4th @ 60-74 (* - OAK won AL West and Divisional Series)

2007 - 10-0 @ BOS* - Buchholz > Olson - 21 GB in 4th @ 59-75 (* - BOS won AL East and WS)

2008 - 7-4 @ BOS* - Byrd > Olson - 22 GB in 5th @ 63-74 (* - BOS won AL East and Divisional Series)

2009 - 9-6 v NYY* - Marte > Ray - 30.5 GB in 5th @ 54-79 (* - NYY won AL East and WS)

2010 - 9-6 v BOS - Lester > Hendrickson - 34 GB in 5th @ 49-84

By the way, the 2002 loss on Sept. 1 was like the 1998 loss in that it, too, was the 9th of 10 losses in a row.

SHAMROCK: "Baltimore sports fans are fickle morons."

So, SHAMROCK, are you a Baltimore sports fan?

Because if you are then you must be a fickle moron.

If you are not then why do you bother to continue writing on this blog?

waspman-

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Ok- technically tied for worst (unless one of that list was a doubleheader)

F'ing Doug Drabek.

Wayne was talking about the Ravens' Wilson trade on another thread.

As usual though, it was only a segue into the embarassing Orioles.

What a fan. What a guy.

ah shucks SHAM...

Thanks!

Brian Matusz - AL Rookie of the Month for August.

Congrats, Brian!

Chris from Hawaii,

I concur on all three NON-NUGGETS!

Buck needs to find out what he has and what he doesn't have so there will be some pain but nothing compared to the pain AM/DT/JS put us through!

Give him a little more talent, a spring training and some of his own coaches and watch out, we may be able to get to .500 next year!

The Truth will set you free!

Why take reimold out and bunt with no out against the one of the best relievers in the game? Isn't that just giving an out away? Say he has a good eye and gets a base on balls? At least that is putting more pressure on Papellbon. And did Buck forget he has Andino and Fox and Snyder on the bench?

There were two Sept. 1 double-headers -- both sweep wins by the O's. One was followed by a Sept. 2 double-header sweep as well. 4-0 in Sept. on Sept. 2. Wow.

Kind of a move back to the old ways. The O's should have won both Wed and Thurs but used the likes of Hendrickson while ahead in a game. Hendrickson is a 10 run rule pitcher. Don't use him unless you are already down by 10 runs. He's an innings eater when you don't have a chance. You never...EVER bring him in to hold a lead. It's time to release him. He's deadwood and does no good. The final game is Wigginton's to wear on his sleeve. His error cost the team the game. Looks like the old crew so we shall see how Showalter handles this. He's certainly seen where Hendrickson and Simon should be.....selling shoes at Sears.