No problem with Arrieta facing the Yankees
No problem with Arrieta facing the Yankees
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If the reports are true - and they likely are - that Jake Arrieta is Baltimore bound to start Thursday's game against the Yankees, I have no real problem with that. We reported in this space yesterday that Tim Bascom was going to join the Norfolk squad and that could lead to Arrieta in Baltimore and that is about to happen. It's about time really. Maybe the O's were holding Arrieta out to avoid Super Two status, although they'll never say that, but he sure has been pitching well. The...
Arrieta tomorrow? (w/more draft updates)
Arrieta tomorrow? (w/more draft updates)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Draft update: The Orioles selected Stanford third baseman Adam Gaylord with the third overall pick in the 31st round. Gaylord, a junior, batted .232 with two doubles, one homer and nine RBIs in 31 games (eight starts). He didn't commit an error. The Orioles chose College of Southern Nevada right-hander Joe Robinson in the 32nd round, Notre Dame right-hander Steven Mazur in the 33rd and British Columbia shortstop Samuel Starr in the 34th. Jake Arrieta apparently has become the latest player...
Nats Fans React to Strasburg
Nats Fans React to Strasburg
Josh Land
Nationals
Before Tuesday's game, Nats Buzz caught up with some Nationals fans to talk about the debut of Stephen Strasburg. As you already know, the crowd was electric, collectively hanging on every pitch and creating a playoff-like atmosphere that gave all of us goosebumps. The crowd met every strike with roars of approval and every strikeout with a standing ovation. The fans were very much a part of the game and the win. "When the fans are into every single pitch, we as players feed off of...
This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
If my math is correct, the Orioles have 20 more rounds to complete on the final day of the first-year player draft. And if that's the highlight of my day, I might cry. A few items to pass along: A club official told me via text message that Nolan Reimold sat out the last two games at Triple-A Norfolk because he needed "a couple days rest, but nothing is wrong." We'll see if he's back in the lineup tonight. If not, then I'll start wondering if something is wrong. I talked to Troy Patton...
More with Joe Jordan as the draft heads into its final day
More with Joe Jordan as the draft heads into its final day
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Scouting directors have turned the corner and are heading home in the First-Year Player Draft. There are thirty rounds now in the books and today the clubs select for rounds 31 through 50 when the draft resumes at Noon. O's scouting director Joe Jordan talks about his goals for today and those final 20 picks. "Obviously the (draft) board has been decimated, but we're going to look for whose got top end. Do we have the ability to chase another guy or two? "If there are rosters that need...
Big bats save Strasburg debut
Big bats save Strasburg debut
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The storybook ending that was almost all for naught. The Pirates had a good shot of ruining the Stephen Strasburg party before it got started, even with an outstanding pitching performance by the much hyped top selection from San Diego State. Pittsburgh led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning of a soldout game at a rocking Nats Park. Strasburg had pitched very well except for one mistake: a changeup that actually was a good pitch, left up for Delwyn Young, who had smacked a...
Some notes and quotes after New York's 12-7 win
Some notes and quotes after New York's 12-7 win
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Unlucky seven: The seven runs the Orioles scored was their most since a 13-7 loss to Texas on May 20. They had scored just 14 runs over their previous nine games. They are now 1-3 on a nine-game homestand, 4-18 over the last 22 games, 7-24 vs. the AL East and 16-42 on the season. Is this good?: The Orioles are 1-9 this year versus New York with nine losses in a row. The Yankees have won 20 of the last 23 and 29 of the last 35 games between the teams. New York is 10-4 over its last 14...
When 7 runs and 15 hits aren't enough
When 7 runs and 15 hits aren't enough
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles' offense has been the subject of ridicule and scorn for much of the season, so it's only fair to point out that it did plenty to deliver a win tonight. Too bad the pitching allowed 12 runs and 15 hits. Matt Wieters notched his first three-hit game of the season, and his first multi-hit game since May 27 against Oakland. "Very positive," interim manager Juan Samuel said. "I think those few days (off) just kind of helped get some things off his mind. It was very nice to see him...
Milledge, Bucs Impressed with Strasburg
Milledge, Bucs Impressed with Strasburg
Josh Land
Nationals
Two outs into Stephen Strasburg's would-be impressive major league debut, the past stepped into the batter's box to meet the future. Lastings Milledge strolled to the plate greeted by a chorus of boos from the sold-out crowd of 40,315. After two called strikes, Milledge swung at strike three and the crowd erupted. Milledge was the first of Strasburg's nine strikeout victims on the night. In fact, every hitter that faced Strasburg struck out at least once and five of them struck out...
When it all went bad (updated)
When it all went bad (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Frank Mata retired the only batter he faced in the sixth inning, getting Alex Rodriguez to bounce out with the bases loaded and the count full. It wasn't tidy, but it was gutsy. Interim manager Juan Samuel played the matchup game in the seventh, bringing in left-hander Mark Hendrickson with two left-handers and a switch-hitter due up. Ah, the percentages. The Yankees just hung six runs on the board, with Matt Albers replacing Hendrickson and giving up a bases-clearing double to Nick Swisher...