SB Nation User Blog: duck

Angels 9, Orioles 6: New day, same ending

duck — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:21:42 -0000

More photos » by Keith Birmingham - AP

Aubrey Huff watches as two runs are walked home with the bases loaded in the seventh inning. We know, Aubrey, we know. (AP Photo/Keith Birmingham)

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I didn’t see most of last night’s Orioles - Angels game, at least not coherently. But I watched enough at my local watering hole to see the O’s cruise out to a 4-run lead, then go back into the clubhouse and watch "Matlock." I was a bit surprised at how completely the game got away from the Orioles and Jason Berken specifically, and quite frankly, I got a little depressed about whether this team will ever have enough pitching in the rotation and the bullpen simultaneously to win on a consistent basis. Maybe it was just the vodka.

Nope, it wasn’t the vodka. Today didn’t elevate my mood at all. Again, the O’s staked a 4-run lead, and again, the starter, in this case Rich "Why the" Hill "am I still here?", faltered early, and the game was lost in the later innings as the Orioles again failed to score after the first few innings.

There were a few bright spots today. Adam Jones, son! was named to his first All-Star Game, meaning so far the Erik Bedard trade has yielded 2 All-Stars. Also in that deal was Chris Tillman, whom we may see as soon as Tuesday, given the news concerning Chris Ray’s departure after today's game back to Baltimore to have his shoulder examined. Matt Wieters had his first 3-hit day – and don’t look now, but his average is creeping up to .280 rather quickly. Brian Roberts had a home run, and an apology for Dave Trembley about his recent play. Apparently, Brian reads the blogs and knows we are not pleased.

But again, the bullpen was brutal. Matt Albers gave up 3 runs in his 0.2 of an inning, with 4 walks doing most of the damage. Yes, 1 was intentional, but 4 walks are 4 free baserunners, no matter how you explain it away. Chris Ray looked like he had no idea where his release point was, and there may be a problem with his shoulder. Mark Hendrickson came on and looked like he’s found a role in the bullpen, again quenching the flames of his predecessors with 2.0 IP of scoreless and hitless pitching with 2 strike-outs. He may have found his home in the ‘pen, and it’s not as a lefty specialists, it’s as a 2 inning pitcher. Good teams need those, too.

I’ll offer some choices for Most Birdland Player, but honestly, even with The Deity’s offensive outburst, I’m not feeling too happy about this team right now. Three lefty starters in Seattle aren’t about to improve my mood this week, I’m guessing.

Orioles vs Angels coverage | Orioles vs Angels recap | Halos Heaven | Orioles vs Angels boxscore

Poll

Who was the Most Birdland Player of July 5, 2009?

(W)hen the opportunity to play for my hometown team came up, I couldn't turn it down.

duck — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:39:14 -0000

(W)hen the opportunity to play for my hometown team came up, I couldn't turn it down.

Hoes thrives in the dirt of Perdue Stadium | delmarvanow.com

Orioles 6, Angels 4: Yup, we needed that.

duck — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:29:27 -0000

More photos » by Francis Specker - AP

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We needed that.

The Orioles won a game against the Angels tonight they could have lost. David Hernandez could have lost his composure. Jim Johnson doesn’t always channel the fielding prowess of Greg Maddux. And George Sherrill has been known to walk a batter or two, or three... But they didn’t. The bad stuff didn’t happen. And the O’s won, 6-4.

The offense, as per usual this year, got hot early than forgot how to hit. Luke Scott sent a pitch to the RF wall in the first to put the O’s up 2-0. Aubrey Huff smacked the hell out of a ball to RF in the 3rd with two men on to put the O’s up 5-0, and then Nick Markakis drove in the 6th and final run in the 4th. Then the O’s went back to watching "Matlock" or whatever the hell they do for the last 5 innings of a game and forgot they could actually keep scoring after the 4th inning, even though it was clear Ervin Santana was hittable.

David Hernandez threw 6.2 IP of pretty good (OK, Stacey, GREAT) pitching for a rookie, and showed signs of being the pitcher we’d all been led to believe he could be back in Spring Training. It’s not exaggerating to say David Hernandez needed this start as bad as we Orioles fans needed to see a win, if not more so. The spot is his for the foreseeable future, but Chris Tillman is on the horizon. Someone’s gonna lose a rotation spot sooner rather than later. And David Hernandez did a pretty good job of making a case for "Not me." Jason Berken, you’re on notice.

Jim Johnson decided to show us Wednesday was no fluke, as he bounced at least four balls to Matt Wieters in the course of his 1.1 IP of work. He looked like a man who wasn’t sure if he’d ever throw another strike that wasn’t waist-high down the middle. George Sherrill thought about making things interesting, and decided against it, as he had a 0-2 count on all batters in the 9th, and the one runner allowed on via a single was wiped out on the the game-ending double play. It is really nice to have an infield defense you can believe in. Thanks again go to Melvin Mora, Robert Andino, Brian Roberts and Aubrey Huff. I think their defense is getting a tad overlooked this season. And Matt Wieters launched a missile of a throw to cut down Chone Figgins. Damn, The Deity has an arm.

The series continues tomorrow with a 6:05 PST start time, so we folks in the East get a 9:05 start instead of 10:05. I’ll be about 5 beers deep into a neighborhood party by then, so keep yourselves safe, folks. And ignore my bad typing if I decide to chime in somewhere around the 6th inning tomorrow. You have been warned.

Orioles vs Angels boxscore | Orioles vs Angels coverage | Halos Heaven

Poll

Who was the Most Birldand Player for July 3, 2009?

David Hernandez (6.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 K, 2 BB)

100 votes

Aubrey Huff (HR, 3 RBI, 2-4)

56 votes

Melvin Mora (2-5, No Stupid Baserunning!)

2 votes

Luke Scott (1-5, 2B, 2 RBI)

2 votes

Nick Markakis (2-4, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1BB)

9 votes

Matt Wieters (1-3, awesome throw for CS)

9 votes

178 votes | Poll has closed

GameDay Thread: Red Sox (47-30) at Orioles (35-42)

duck — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:10:09 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

Brian Roberts slides home to score the go-ahead run on a Nick Markakis double last night. Orioles Magic. Feel it happen.

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A mere 14 hours after the end of last night's historic contest, the Orioles and the Red Sox meet in a series finale featuring arguably the teams' best pitchers. Josh Beckett has been, well, the Josh Beckett the Red Sox hoped he would be this season. He's got nine wins, almost 100 Ks, he's walked only 32 and his WHIP is a fantastic 1.23.

Yet the Orioles counter with one of their two Rookie of the Year candidates in Brad Bergesen. As good as Beckett's WHIP is, Bergesen's is slightly better - 1.22. Sure, the ERA is a little higher, but 3.76 from an Orioles starter is something to celebrate.

Adam Jones is not in the lineup, and anyone who's seen the hit he inflicted on the CF wall last night can understand the need for some rest and a couple extra Advil today. Adam swears he could play today if needed. Gotta love gamers - there's nothing not to like about Adam Jones, son!

More curiously, Melvin Mora finds himself on the bench. Ty Wigginton gets the start. Maybe it's just a case of a 37-year-old getting a day game off. Or maybe not. You tell me.

For Boston, J.D. Drew, who never did get into last night's game, is playing today.

Sunshine hasn't been kind to the O's this year, as they are batting almost 40 points lower, slugging 75 points lower, and have a team OPS that is 90 points lower in the daylight. And they're 6-14 so far this year in day games.

But after last night, you can throw stats out the window. Jonathan Papelbon WAS 20 for 20 in save chances against the O's. Brian Roberts WAS zero for his last, what, 18 before his last at-bat? (Thanks to SidewinderX for the exact number)

I'll leave you with the words of Dave Trembley on Brian Roberts' last at-bat:

"He's 1 for 1 now. And that was a big one 1."

Red Sox vs Orioles coverage | Red Sox vs Orioles preview | Over the Monster

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Brad Bergesen	5-2	13	13	1	0	0	0	83.2	83	37	35	9	19	40	3.76	1.22

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Josh Beckett	9-3	15	15	1	1	0	0	98.1	89	45	38	7	32	94	3.48	1.23

"He's everything you want to see in a pitcher," Beatty said before Tuesday's game against Hickory...

duck — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:20:30 -0000

"He's everything you want to see in a pitcher," Beatty said before Tuesday's game against Hickory at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. "He's very aggressive, has a lot of energy on the mound and he gets it done quickly. The guy goes out there and throws like 30 pitches in three innings. That's a pitching coach's dream right there."

The latest pitching prospect to keep an eye on.

Trembley addressed the series of key base-running mistakes during his pre-game media briefing...

duck — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:50:52 -0000

Trembley addressed the series of key base-running mistakes during his pre-game media briefing Monday, though he didn't really outline any solution to what has become a chronic problem. The Orioles, according to club officials, easily lead the major leagues in making outs on the base paths.

"It's certainly not something you want to put on a highlight film or use as an instructional video," Trembley said Monday. "What you learn from it is, that decision that was made wasn't the right one. They were aggressive mistakes, but they were out-of-control base running decisions. I don't like to give away outs."

Diamond Dave feelin' some heat from upstairs about teh team's horrible baserunning.

The Orioles confirmed today that Koji Uehara has gone on the disabled list, retroactive to June 24,...

duck — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:32:11 -0000

The Orioles confirmed today that Koji Uehara has gone on the disabled list, retroactive to June 24, with right elbow tendinitis.

David Hernandez will make today's start.

Pitching, Defense and a 3-Run Homer (and Ronnie Belliard)

duck — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:28:50 -0000

Nolan Reimold, proving who this team's #5 hitter should be.

View full size photo uploaded June 27, 2009

Dave Trembley said the infield defense was the best tonight that it's been all year, and the Orioles needed every out of it Saturday night.

Sure, the final score was 6-3. But the O's trailed for the first half of this game, and only some defensive gems (and four double playes turned) from 3B Melvin Mora, SS Robert Andino, 2B Brian Roberts and some fine catches by 1B Aubrey Huff kept the O's in the game against the Washington Nationals.

I missed the first inning, but apparently, it was the same as missing the first death from the Black Plague and just waiting for the rest of the village to succumb. Jeremy Guthrie looked bad, 39 pitches bad, and rescue seemed impossible. But Ronnie Belliard, bless his heart, might as well have had a Orioles jersey on while at the plate tonight. To wit:

First inning, bases loaded, 1 out: R. Belliard grounded into double play shortstop to second to first, J. Bard out at second

Fourth inning, man on 2B, 1 out: - R. Belliard grounded out to third (runner does not advance)

Sixth inning, bases loaded, 0 out: - R. Belliard grounded into fielder's choice, A. Dunn out at home, J. Willingham to third, J. Bard to second

Ninth inning, lead-off batter: R. Belliard popped out to third

God bless you, Ronnie Belliard.

Guthrie continued for four more innings, and while never looking impressive with his 2-0 deficit, which soon became 3-0 in the 4th inning, he managed to get through five innings on 95 pitches. Dave Trembley said after the game he told Guthrie as soon as the team took the lead, he was out. But if the team still trailed or was tied going into the 6th, he'd keep Guthrie in. Discuss among yourselves, class.

As far as the rest of the O's, the first 5 runs came on 3 home runs, with Gregg Zaun (?!?!?!?) hitting a solo, as did Aubrey Huff later in the game, and Nolan Reimold giving the O's the lead on a homer that led to the strangest reaction I've ever seen a LF have as Josh Willingham just spread his arms, put his palms in the air and practially screamed "I have no idea where the ball is!" as it traveled 30 feet over his head into the 4th row of the bleachers.

Jeremy Guthrie did indeed recover from his 39-pitch 1st inning to last through 5.0 IP, and while Brian Bass lasted just 3 batters, all of whom reached, Matt Albers was the beneificary of Ronnie Belliard's ineptitude with the bat and further benefited from Austin Kearns' inning-ending double play. The O's tacked on extra runs with Aubrey Huff's solo homer and Brian Roberts' sacrifice fly to drive in Melvin Mora, who seems to be on a mission to reclaim his #5 lineup position. Ain't gonna happen, Memlo. Be happy you're at #7.

We have a plethora of choice for Most Birdland Player, and as tempting as it is to add Ronnie Belliard, I must refrain. But feel free to express your appreciation for his efforts in helping the Orioles win in the comments below.

Nationals vs Orioles recap | Federal Baseball | Nationals vs Orioles boxscore

Poll

Who was the Most Birdland Player for Saturday, June 27, 2009?

Matt Albers (1.0 IP, Hold, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K, two ground balls when needed most)

55 votes

Nolan Reimold (1-3, HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K)

106 votes

Gregg Zaun (3-4, HR)

33 votes

Aubrey Huff (2-3, HR, 2 R)

4 votes

JIm Johnson (2.0 IP, Hold, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K)

8 votes

206 votes | Poll has closed

GameThread: Orioles (31-37) at Phillies (36-30)

duck — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:04:29 -0000

More photos » by H. Rumph Jr - AP

Even Phillies manager Charlie Manuel pales in comparison to the bubble-blowing abilities of Adam Jones. That's a sad, sad bubble. (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr.)

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So, the big bad NL East, huh? I've been saying since the beginning of the season: Put the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Central, the NL Central or the NL West, and they're a .500 team. Maybe we can add the NL East to that list. Coming into today's game with a chance to sweep the Defending World Series Champions Philadelphia Phillies, the O's are 6-2 against the NL East in its last 8 games against the division. Yes, I purposefully left out the Nats' series. So sue me.

Point is, the O's, it can be argued, are a better team than their record would suggest. But maybe they're not. Maybe they are who they are, but who they are may be better than a substantial chunk of the NL.

Or maybe we've just gotten lucky in 3 series, and we hope it continues today. Whatever. Give give me a win, and I won't ask how. I am encouraged to see Nick Markakis finally get a day off (and coming before a day off, so that's a mini-vacation in MLB terms), and not thrilled that Aubrey Huff is getting a day off on the SAME day, and guess who's batting fifth? One hint, it ain't Nolan Reimold, since he's batting behind Brian Roberts today. And your second logical guess, Luke Scott, is batting cleanup. The O's l ineup can be found here. It's not quite a forfeit lineup, since zaun isn't catching, but it's not optimal, either. Here's hoping Adam Jones breaks out of his slump and Robert Andino keeps giving Cesar Izturis something to worry about concerning job security.

And yes, I also avoided mentioning how bad Jeremy Guthrie has looked lately and the fact he's matched against Cole Hamels, who can be really, really good. Work with me, people.

Orioles vs Phillies coverage | Orioles vs Phillies preview | The Good Phight

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Jeremy Guthrie	4-7	14	14	1	0	0	0	79.2	91	54	48	16	23	51	5.42	1.43

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Cole Hamels	4-2	12	12	1	1	0	0	68.1	81	35	34	11	14	62	4.48	1.39

Lineup

Baltimore Orioles @ Philadelphia Phillies

06/21/09 1:35 PM EDT

Baltimore Orioles	Philadelphia Phillies
Brian Roberts - 2B	Jimmy Rollins - SS
Nolan Reimold - RF	Shane Victorino - CF
Adam Jones - CF	Chase Utley - 2B
Luke Scott - LF	Matt Stairs - LF
Melvin Mora - 3B	Jayson Werth - RF
Ty Wigginton - 1B	Greg Dobbs - 1B
Matt Wieters - C	Pedro Feliz - 3B
Robert Andino - SS	Carlos Ruiz - C
Jeremy Guthrie - P	Cole Hamels - P

Third baseman Melvin Mora has seen plenty of prospects come and go during his nine years with the...

duck — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:53:53 -0000

Third baseman Melvin Mora has seen plenty of prospects come and go during his nine years with the Orioles, but the latest two young position players to come up - Nolan Reimold and Matt Wieters - have made quite an impression on the veteran.

"For me those two guys, they can never be out of the lineup - no matter what," said Mora. "Just throw them in there. You have nothing to lose. Those guys need to be hot and when you get two hits, three hits, just let them keep going. That's not my decision, but those guys need to play."

Even Melvin Mora gets it - Reimold and Wieters need to play every day.

SB Nation User Blog: duck

Angels 9, Orioles 6: New day, same ending

Who was the Most Birdland Player of July 5, 2009?

(W)hen the opportunity to play for my hometown team came up, I couldn't turn it down.

Orioles 6, Angels 4: Yup, we needed that.

Who was the Most Birldand Player for July 3, 2009?

David Hernandez (6.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 K, 2 BB)

Aubrey Huff (HR, 3 RBI, 2-4)

Melvin Mora (2-5, No Stupid Baserunning!)

Luke Scott (1-5, 2B, 2 RBI)

Nick Markakis (2-4, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1BB)

Matt Wieters (1-3, awesome throw for CS)

GameDay Thread: Red Sox (47-30) at Orioles (35-42)

"He's everything you want to see in a pitcher," Beatty said before Tuesday's game against Hickory...

Trembley addressed the series of key base-running mistakes during his pre-game media briefing...

The Orioles confirmed today that Koji Uehara has gone on the disabled list, retroactive to June 24,...

Pitching, Defense and a 3-Run Homer (and Ronnie Belliard)

Who was the Most Birdland Player for Saturday, June 27, 2009?

Matt Albers (1.0 IP, Hold, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K, two ground balls when needed most)

Nolan Reimold (1-3, HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K)

Gregg Zaun (3-4, HR)

Aubrey Huff (2-3, HR, 2 R)

JIm Johnson (2.0 IP, Hold, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K)

GameThread: Orioles (31-37) at Phillies (36-30)

Lineup

GAMETHREAD SPONSOR

Third baseman Melvin Mora has seen plenty of prospects come and go during his nine years with the...