Win streak ends as second half begins
Win streak ends as second half begins
Steve Melewski
Orioles
This time there was not a well pitched game by an O's starter and this time there was not a comeback win. The O's opened their longest home stand of the season, a ten gamer, with a 4-2 loss to Toronto on Friday night at the Yard. Losing pitcher Brad Bergesen, now 3-7, 6.37, gave up single runs over the first three frames and gave up four runs in six innings on the night. Brad Bergesen talks with the media about his start in the O's 4-2 loss to the Jays Winning pitcher Ricky Romero...
The decision
The decision
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles put runners on the corners with two outs in the bottom of the seventh after Felix Pie doubled and Julio Lugo extended the inning with an infield hit. Cesar Izturis stepped to the plate as the potential go-ahead run against Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero. Should a pinch-hitter step out of the dugout? Izturis was 0-for-2, but he began the night batting .310 in his last 18 games, with four doubles (half of his season total) and a homer (his only one of 2010). Interim manager...
An impressive minor league stat
An impressive minor league stat
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Delmarva Shorebirds are at home tonight vs. West Virginia and the score is 0-0 after five innings. That is not the impressive stat, but here it is. Counting five scoreless innings pitched tonight by Pat Kantakevich, Delmarva starting pitchers have now allowed just three earned runs over their last ten games. That's in 59 2/3 innings. That works out to an ERA of 0.45 for the Shorebird starting pitchers over that stretch. Over the 59 2/3, through the fifth of that game tonight at Perdue...
Bergy's night
Bergy's night
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brad Bergesen was lifted after six innings tonight. He allowed four runs and nine hits, walked two and struck out three. He threw 92 pitches, 55 for strikes. Unless the Orioles rally, Bergesen will lose his career-worst fifth straight decision. Bergesen has given up four earned runs or more in six of his last seven starts. He's allowed 20 hits in the last two starts covering 12 innings. Toronto scored in four of Bergesen's six innings tonight. The leadoff hitter reached base in five...
Romero reversal
Romero reversal
Steve Melewski
Orioles
No, that is not a wrestling move. But Ricky Romero has retired the first nine O's in order tonight on just 31 pitches. Shouldn't the O's have been swinging and not taking pitches like this during the last game before the break and not the first one after. Romero, who held the O's to just one run in a complete-game win on May 30th, threw 10 pitches tonight in the first and second innings and needed just 11 to complete a quick bottom of the third. The reversal for him is how well he is...
Disturbing patterns (updated)
Disturbing patterns (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brad Bergesen has allowed a run in the first, second and third innings to fall behind, 3-0. They've come in different forms. Fred Lewis led off the top of the first with a double, Yunel Escobar reached on a bunt single and Vernon Wells hit a sacrifice fly with one out. Aaron Hill led off the second with his 13th home run. Lewis led off the third with a single to right field, took second on a passed ball and scored with two outs on Adam Lind's single to right. Bergesen also walked a batter...
Matchups, Montanez and assorted notes
Matchups, Montanez and assorted notes
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Tonight's game could begin with only three umpires. The fourth is heading to Camden Yards, but he might arrive a little late. However, it won't affect the starting time. Since we were kicking around lineup ideas earlier today, and I failed miserably with my assumption that Jake Fox would start at first base, I wanted to pass along some career numbers against Toronto left-hander Ricky Romero: Fox is 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Corey Patterson is 2-for-4 with two strikeouts. Ty...
First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama to Visit Camden Yards on Tuesday
First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama to Visit Camden Yards on Tuesday
Lindsay Rykiel
Orioles
First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama will visit Camden Yards next Tuesday, July 20 for the announcement of a new joint initiative between Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association and the White House. Following the announcement, Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays players will conduct a clinic on the field for 50 young baseball players from local RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) leagues and Boys & Girls Clubs. Please note that these events are not open to the...
Wiggy talks about the All-Star game
Wiggy talks about the All-Star game
Steve Melewski
Orioles
He did get to take part in his first Major League All-Star game, even if his appearance was brief. Ty Wigginton of the Orioles entered the game at third base, but never got to bat for the American League on Tuesday night at Anaheim. That did not diminish his experience at all, he said. "It was fun. It's a hectic couple days, but I tried to enjoy it as much as I possibly could. It's definitely a cool honor, a unique experience and I'll treasure it forever. "The game was actually the...
Gonzo, Scott nearing returns
Gonzo, Scott nearing returns
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Interim manager Juan Samuel said he expects reliever Michael Gonzalez and outfielder/DH Luke Scott to be activated from the disabled list next week. Gonzalez is pitching tonight at Triple-A Norfolk. Scott started in left field today for the GCL Orioles. Kevin Millwood played catch yesterday, but he's "probably a week or so away," according to Samuel. Brian Roberts is still aiming for an Aug. 1 return. Samuel estimated that catcher Matt Wieters could have played early next week, but the...