On another tough night of offense, O's 'pen was good again

On another tough night of offense, O's 'pen was good again
As the Orioles continue to struggle many nights on offense, there is frustration in that. But also frustration in how, with just a few more runs, they could have several more wins. Here are the scores of the last six O's losses dating to the first doubleheader with Seattle: 4-3, 4-2, 2-1, 1-0, 3-0 and 3-1. They have allowed just 17 runs in those six losses, which have come by 10 total runs. I told you it would be frustrating. But as the offense has been exactly that, the O's bullpen has been...

Because You Asked - Saturday Night Cleaver

Because You Asked - Saturday Night Cleaver
If I've been negligent in sorting through my "mailbag," as I like to call it. That's because it was accidentally sent to the alternate blogging site in Bowie. Perhaps there was no need for a fifth mailbag with multiple off-days this week. I don't really know. But what's important here is that I'm ready to tackle more questions. Welcome to the latest sequel to this classic original. You ask 'em, I answer 'em and someone else asks again as if the subject is untapped. We laugh, we cry, we...

César Valdez on his success and chance to close for Orioles

César Valdez on his success and chance to close for Orioles
In his second season with the Orioles, 36-year-old right-hander César Valdez is still confounding American League hitters. And he's doing it in the ninth inning. And not with a 98 mph fastball, but rather a changeup that averages 78 mph. He is the opposite of a flamethrower and he uses his changeup 82 percent of the time. It's been so good that he is off to a 2-0 start with four saves and an ERA of 0.96 in eight games. He's allowed seven hits and one walk over 9 1/3 innings with 10...

Notes on Harvey's start, Fry's good run and chasing pitches

Notes on Harvey's start, Fry's good run and chasing pitches
The Orioles will go for a two-game series sweep this afternoon and will have a 4-1 road trip if they can get another win at Miami. They took an early 6-1 lead last night and held on to win 7-5. They improved to 8-9 overall and to 7-3 in road games. They are 19-18 on the road since the start of the 2020 season. They are now 5-1 when they score first and 7-2 when they score four runs or more. On a night when he didn't have his best stuff or command, right-hander Matt Harvey managed to not walk...

Means shines again on road in Orioles' 1-0 10-inning loss (updated)

Means shines again on road in Orioles' 1-0 10-inning loss (updated)
There's nothing wrong with the mound at Camden Yards, the home clubhouse or the ballpark atmosphere. The routine at home isn't disruptive. John Means just happens to pitch better on the road this month, for reasons that can't be explained beyond the ridiculously small sample size. In Means' lone outing in Baltimore, he faced the Mariners in the first game of a doubleheader and allowed three runs in five innings with two home runs attached to his line. In starts made on three trips, he's...

López completes fifth and bats catch fire in 5-2 win (updated)

López completes fifth and bats catch fire in 5-2 win (updated)
The starting pitcher was dealing early and a leadoff triple in the third inning led to a run and thoughts that the offense might have awakened. Deep in the heart of Texas, the Orioles were trying to bury everything that hurt them back home. What needed to be addressed was whether Jorge López could remain upright while taking another turn through the Rangers order and if settling for one run in that inning would bring regrets. Trying to stay in the rotation with other options available to the...

Hyde on Kremer, Sceroler and celebrating Jackie Robinson Day

Hyde on Kremer, Sceroler and celebrating Jackie Robinson Day
The 54 pitches thrown by Dean Kremer in Tuesday's doubleheader may not preclude him from starting again on short rest in Texas. Manager Brandon Hyde is listing Saturday's starter as TBD, but Kremer is a possibility. Kremer worked three innings in Tuesday's second game. "We're considering Dean, as well as some other options," Hyde said this morning in his Zoom call with the media. "We're going to talk it over a little bit more today and tomorrow, just because he only threw 54 pitches and...

Urías' first career walk-off hit gives Orioles split (updated)

Urías' first career walk-off hit gives Orioles split (updated)
The eight-pitch first inning tonight, the ease in which Dean Kremer handled the Mariners, didn't establish a tone for his start. Didn't offer any hints or clues. Just provided a reminder of how good he can be - and where the Orioles want to get him. Kyle Seager's sacrifice fly and a three-run homer by José Marmolejos in the third set up Kremer for another short outing, but it also didn't define Game 2. Too much happened after he left. There was a comeback, which included Cedric Mullins'...

Frustrating ending had Birdland ornery Saturday night

Frustrating ending had Birdland ornery Saturday night
It was a tough crowd on the blogs and Twitter around Birdland late last night. Blowing a late lead to the Red Sox had fans stirred up. I guess I can understand. But jumping on César Valdez because he suffered a blown save seemed a bit harsh to me. The Orioles have four wins this year. He had two saves and win in those games. His ERA was 0.00 and his WHIP was 0.923 when he took the mound last night. In his first 12 games with the Orioles, dating to last year, he was 5-for-5 in saves with an...

Mancini homer can't cover for lost lead in 6-4 loss

Mancini homer can't cover for lost lead in 6-4 loss
A major league debut played in an empty ballpark last summer felt strange to Orioles left-hander Bruce Zimmermann. An occasion to celebrate, but without a guest list. Tonight's start was like a party with family and friends. Dozens of them. The Orioles could have moved the game to his parents' backyard. Either way, there's good barbeque. The Baltimore native and Loyola Blakefield graduate received a huge ovation upon his introduction and again after striking out Red Sox cleanup hitter...

A take on the rotation so far and moving forward

A take on the rotation so far and moving forward
The Orioles bullpen, which was pretty airtight in the big win Wednesday night at New York, had a few leaks on Thursday afternoon in the home opener in Baltimore. We know the team is heavy on long-relief options, and we're going to find out over time how the late-game relievers hold up and protect leads. So far, right-hander César Valdez had been outstanding in recording two saves and a win. On Wednesday night when the Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman was limited to one inning, the O's...

No sweep: O's win a tense thriller 4-3 at New York (with quotes)

No sweep: O's win a tense thriller 4-3 at New York  (with quotes)
On a night they didn't get much offense or a deep start from their No. 1, John Means, the Orioles did get a big win at Yankee Stadium. It was very, very hard-earned. A win that moved them alone into first-place at 4-2 atop the American League East as they head to Baltimore for the home opener tomorrow. A win that ended on a 9-2 double play when right fielder Anthony Santander threw out the tie run at the plate. With the game tied 3-3 in the 11th inning the Orioles took the lead on a pinch-hit...

Leftovers for Sunday breakfast

Leftovers for Sunday breakfast
A couple of strategies have worked for the Orioles in the season's first two games. Get a deep start from ace John Means, hand the ball to a setup man and the closer of the day, and head back to the team hotel. Call upon a bulk reliever working behind a starter who gets into the fourth or fifth inning, hand the ball to a setup man and the closer of the day, and head back to the team hotel. That's how the Orioles have gone 2-0 and can try to complete the sweep later today at Fenway Park....

Harvey and Plutko debut for Orioles in 4-2 win

Harvey and Plutko debut for Orioles in 4-2 win
The Dark Knight caught his last glimpse of sunlight on the mound this afternoon after failing to grab a ball hit back to him that produced a run and a visit from his manager. Matt Harvey's first game with the Orioles, his first experience at Fenway Park, lasted 4 2/3 innings and was neither a rousing success nor a dud. A middle-of-the-order result from the No. 2 starter. A couple of clutch hits and lockdown relief assured the Orioles of a series win after they defeated the Red Sox...

A look at Matt Harvey's Orioles debut (O's are 2-0)

A look at Matt Harvey's Orioles debut (O's are 2-0)
They will want him to get deeper into the games, but besides that, right-hander Matt Harvey did a lot right in his Orioles debut today. He kept his team in the game, even though he didn't get a decision. Harvey gave up two runs over 4 2/3 innings in his official club debut this afternoon at Fenway Park. The Orioles pulled out a 4-2 win over the Red Sox to win this series and produce a 2-0 start. New Birds pitcher Adam Plutko had a strong relief outing. He kept Boston off the board over 2 1/3...

Hyde on catchers, Ruiz, Rule 5 pitchers, Harvey and more

Hyde on catchers, Ruiz, Rule 5 pitchers, Harvey and more
Pedro Severino is behind the plate again today for the Orioles after catching yesterday's combined two-hit shutout at Fenway Park and collecting two hits. The Red Sox are starting three right-handers in the series, which could get Chance Sisco in the lineup. Or he'll wait until the Orioles resume their road trip in the Bronx. The life of a backup. "I was really impressed with Sevie," manager Brandon Hyde said today in his Zoom call. "I thought we didn't talk enough about what Sevie did...

Reflecting on yesterday's opening day win in Boston

Reflecting on yesterday's opening day win in Boston
Too soon to trend after one game? Manager Brandon Hyde's faith in Rio Ruiz as a second baseman was rewarded yesterday when the infielder ran down two shallow fly balls with over-the-shoulder catches in right and center, then made a diving stop and throw to rob Alex Verdugo in the seventh inning. Two innings at the position before yesterday. More to come as long as it's unsettled and the other options are utility players Pat Valaika and Ramón Urías. "Rio played outstanding at second...

Another look at the sixth opening day shutout in O's history

Another look at the sixth opening day shutout in O's history
As far as opening day games go, this one was hard to beat. John Means was dealing, Trey Mancini officially returned to the sport and young Ryan Mountcastle came up with a clutch two-run double. The Orioles had their first win of the year and first shutout on opening day in 16 years. Means joined a list of five O's starters who took the ball in an opener where the team would go on to win by a shutout. * 1973, O's win 10-0 versus Milwaukee. Dave McNally pitched a three-hitter with no walks and...

Means, Mountcastle and Mancini make opening day memories

Means, Mountcastle and Mancini make opening day memories
The first Orioles game of the 2021 season put John Means back on the mound and Trey Mancini in a lineup. Rio Ruiz at a new position and Major League Baseball closer to its old, familiar self. Take it. All of it. Whatever the final score. Means retired the last 18 batters he faced to complete seven scoreless innings. Mancini grounded into double plays in his first two at-bats and still was the most important player in the game with his inspiring comeback from Stage 3 colon cancer. Ruiz made a...

Orioles and Red Sox opening day lineups and notes

Orioles and Red Sox opening day lineups and notes
The Orioles' first lineup of 2021 today includes Rio Ruiz making his first career major league start at second base and Austin Hays playing left field. Ruiz started at second base in back-to-back exhibition games to close out the Grapefruit League schedule. Cedric Mullins is leading off and playing center field. Trey Mancini is batting second and playing first base and Anthony Santander is slotted behind him in right field. Left-hander John Means is making his first opening day start. His...