Sweet music from Viola?
Sweet music from Viola?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I don't know when Pedro Viola will pitch for the Orioles or how he'll fare, but he won't be making his major league debut. Viola appeared in nine games with the Cincinnati Reds last year, allowing four runs and seven hits in seven innings, with three walks and five strikeouts. He surrendered two home runs, including the first for Colorado's Eric Young Jr. You can read more about him right here. It's his bio, which must be accurate if it ran in Wikipedia. The Orioles claimed Viola off...
Fan Appreciation Month and New Season Ticket Plans
Fan Appreciation Month and New Season Ticket Plans
Josh Land
Nationals
This September, the Nationals will honor their fans with a month full of special giveaways, prizes and more. During the final home games, fans will be surprised with Nationals merchandise, autographed items from Nationals players including baseballs and lineup cards, tickets to the 2011 Dream Gala, tickets to upcoming home games, sets of Lexus Presidents Club tickets and the use of a suite for the final game of the season. One lucky fan will receive the ultimate prize: an opportunity to...
Mahoney wraps up a big year; awaits busy October
Mahoney wraps up a big year; awaits busy October
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When Joe Mahoney looks back on his 2010 season, bet he will fondly remember that month of July. Not only did he get promoted from Frederick to Double-A Bowie on July 9th, but Mahoney took the Eastern League by storm and, for a few weeks, became the talk of the entire Orioles organization. He went 3 for 3 with a homer in his first Bowie game, and, 14 games later was batting .453-6-14. "It seemed like they were throwing everything down the middle and I wasn't missing pitches. Sometimes when...
Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Josh Land
Orioles
We've reached that point on the calendar that seems to mark the unofficial end of summer with the passing of Labor Day weekend, but there's still another month of regular season baseball to enjoy. With that comes another month of the weekly O's Buzz photo contest, 'Where in the yard?' So shake off the disappointment of the long weekend gone by, and take a look at the photo below. As always, let us know what the item is and where it's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards. ...
Subtle moment shows D.C. is becoming a baseball town again
Subtle moment shows D.C. is becoming a baseball town again
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Labor Day was fun for the Nationals again this year. The Nats steamrolled their division rival Mets 13-3 behind a spectacular performance from rookie Danny Espinosa. He hit two homers, including a grand slam and a career-high 6 RBI. Washington is now 5-0 on Labor Day since the team's first year in D.C. Espinosa had an incredible day at the plate. But the at bat that I remember very well was an out. In his second at bat, Espinosa smacked a long flyout to center field in the Nats'...
Because You Asked - Judgment Day
Because You Asked - Judgment Day
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
You ask and I answer. And you ask again. It's our little dance here at School of Roch, and it's the only cardio I get, so I'm not complaining. My responses often get lost in the comments section, so better to post them here. "Why do the Orioles keep pitching Kevin Millwood when he isn't part of the future?" They couldn't trade him and aren't willing to cut him loose unceremoniously. They're more likely to shut down a young starter or two that reaches his pitch limit while working...
Viola joining Orioles
Viola joining Orioles
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Pedro Viola will join the Orioles in New York as an extra bullpen arm, further expanding their September roster. Viola is on the 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary. Double-A Bowie's season ended today with a loss to Richmond. Viola was notified after the game that the Orioles had recalled him. Viola went 0-2 with a 17.65 ERA, 10 walks and eight strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings at Triple-A Norfolk before moving down to Bowie. He was 3-4 with a 3.59 ERA, 19 walks and 64...
These Orioles have come a long way
These Orioles have come a long way
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Sweeping Los Angeles was nice. Winning games from the White Sox and Texas was a good accomplishment. Winning versus AL East teams is most impressive of all. The Orioles have now won three in a row from Tampa and New York, maybe the two best teams in the game, and are now 4-3 in a nine-game run versus Boston, Tampa and New York. The Yankees have lost just four of 23 home series this year. That will become five if the O's win one of the next two games. It wasn't just winning at New...
Koji closes out another one
Koji closes out another one
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
0-2. 0-2. 0-2. Koji Uehara got ahead of all three batters he faced in the ninth inning today. Throw strikes, work quickly, go out to dinner. Uehara recorded his seventh save in pretty routine fashion, getting a fly ball and two strikeouts to complete a 4-3 victory over the Yankees. Pinch-hitter Colin Curtis saw three pitches and froze on the last one to end the game. We're still not calling Uehara the closer. No labels here. Just saves. He's converted all seven opportunities since...
Roberts, Matusz and the pen come up big as O's top the Yankees, 4-3
Roberts, Matusz and the pen come up big as O's top the Yankees, 4-3
Steve Melewski
Orioles
On a day when he appeared in discomfort several times throughout the game, Brian Roberts still went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI as the Orioles, behind Brian Matusz, beat the Yankees 4-3 in New York. The O's got several clutch performances on a day where they knocked off the AL East leaders and the team with baseball's best record. After a Roberts single gave the O's a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh, the Baltimore pen kept New York off the board in the final three frames. Matt Albers pitched a...