Pitchers repeating history (updated)
Pitchers repeating history (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Is it really going to take five pitchers to wrap up a 2-0 victory? If the Orioles hold on, it will be the first time they've allowed one run or fewer in back-to-back games since Aug. 8-9, 2008. They defeated the Texas Rangers 9-1 and 9-0. Alfredo Simon will need to get the last three outs and record the save to make it happen. Unfortunately for the Orioles, they'll turn over the Indians lineup after Cleveland sent five batters to the plate in the eighth. Simon will face the ninth, first...
Why? I mean...why? (updated twice)
Why? I mean...why? (updated twice)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, and Corey Patterson's at the plate. A fly ball delivers their second run and gives left-hander Brian Matusz a little more room to breathe. So why is Cesar Izturis trying to steal second? Indians catcher is Lou Marson is 2-for-2 in these challenges tonight after cutting down Izturis with a perfect throw. Naturally, Patterson lifted a fly ball to center field, but it resulted in the third out. Were the...
Matusz and O's lead at the halfway mark (w-updates)
Matusz and O's lead at the halfway mark (w-updates)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Ty Wigginton's 11th homer of the year, which came on a 414-foot shot to left in the second inning, has the O's up on Cleveland 1-0 through four and a half innings. Brian Matusz, touched for six runs in just 3 2/3 Sunday at Minnesota, has not been scored on through five tonight. Matusz has pitched out of the stretch in each frame and Cleveland has left seven on base through five. Matusz has thrown 79 pitches and stranded two runners each in the third and fourth. The O's tonight are...
Nats swept in Denver, fall 4-3 to Rockies
Nats swept in Denver, fall 4-3 to Rockies
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Colorado Rockies swept a day-night doubleheader from the Washington Nationals on Saturday, 4-3. The Rockies got to Luis Atilano with a pair of homers in the third inning, and a costly error by Ian Desmond (that could have been charged to Adam Dunn for not handling the throw) in the seventh gave Colorado the 4-3 lead that would hold. Manager Jim Riggleman on Atilano's outing: "Luis did a good job. A couple of times he walked some guys. He was behind a lot of guys, whether he walked them...
Two updates (w/update)
Two updates (w/update)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Matusz has a shutout through four innings. He's allowed five hits, which means he's scattered them. Matusz's six strikeouts match his total over his last three starts. He fanned Travis Hafner to open the fourth on a knee-buckling curveball, and Jhonny Peralta swung through a 92 mph fastball. The Orioles aren't giving him much support. The game's only run came on Ty Wigginton's 414-foot homer. Down on the farm, St. Paul's grad Steve Johnson is pitching for Double-A Bowie against...
Tying last year's home run total
Tying last year's home run total
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Ty Wigginton hit 11 home runs in 410 at-bats last season. He just belted No. 11 this year in his 116th at-bat. I don't want to jinx the guy, but I like his chances of surpassing last year's total. Wigginton gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the second inning by crushing a 78 mph changeup from Cleveland starter Mitch Talbot. Wigginton swung at the first pitch and launched it 414 feet to left field. Adam Jones has the other hit off Talbot, a single in the first inning. He was cut down trying...
Saturday's Nats vs. Rockies in-game thread
Saturday's Nats vs. Rockies in-game thread
Josh Land
Orioles
Welcome to MASN's live thread for tonight's Nationals-Rockies game. We'll have updates and analysis throughout the game, and whether you're just watching the game on TV or following online, you can participate by commenting in this thread. Or, if you're on Twitter, you can tag tweets with #masnnats, and they'll be included in the chat. Nats vs. Rockies 5/15 in-game thread
Ohman remains "O-man" in ERA
Ohman remains "O-man" in ERA
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The O's bullpen has been pitching much better lately with an ERA of 1.65 over the last 12 games. Several pitchers are throwing well out of the pen right now. A list that includes first-year Oriole Will Ohman. Turns out he is more than a funny guy. He is also turning out to be more than a left-handed specialist. In fact this year, lefties bat .231 vs. Ohman and right-handers hit .200 vs. him. "The one difficulty with carrying that label (of lefty specialist) is the splits are so glaring...
A Matusz matter
A Matusz matter
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As good as Brian Matusz has been for most of this year, there is one trend when he pitches that needs some improving on his part. With each succeeding plate appearance during the game, opponent batters hit Matusz better according to stats posted at baseball-reference.com That can and does happen to many pitchers, but it is something worth noting about Matusz and Dave Trembley has taken note of it, too. "I think his curveball could get better. He relies on his changeup a lot. If he...
Trying times for Rhyne
Trying times for Rhyne
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
When I posted earlier that Rhyne Hughes hit outdoors before batting practice, you probably thought, "Good idea." Hughes isn't in the lineup tonight against a right-hander, which tells you how much he's struggling. He's 5-for-31 with one RBI and 14 strikeouts in his last 10 games, lowering his average to .213 after a scorching start with the Orioles. Welcome to The Show. What is manager Dave Trembley seeing from Hughes? "Swinging and missing too much," he replied. Fortunately, he...