The offense remains the biggest problem (updated)
The offense remains the biggest problem (updated)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
You can make stats do a lot of things and you can twist them a lot of ways. But if you look at the stats from the Orioles 9-22 start, here's a simple one that tells the biggest story of this season. O's record when scoring four or more: 7-4 O's record when scoring less than four: 2-18 Asking a Major League team to score four runs per game is not a lot, in fact an average offense scores more than that. No one feels the O's offense was great last year. But the 2009 Orioles averaged 4.6...
J.J. update
J.J. update
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Dave Trembley confirmed today that reliever Jim Johnson will have his right elbow examined this week by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. Johnson told The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec that team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens referred to the injury as a "strained ulnar collateral ligament." The Orioles are hoping that Andrews confirms that diagnosis and ligament-reconstructive surgery won't be necessary. Johnson pitched once for Triple-A Norfolk before going on the disabled...
Dream Foundation Hosts 5th Annual Gala
Dream Foundation Hosts 5th Annual Gala
Josh Land
Nationals
For the fifth time since baseball returned to the nation's capital, Nationals players and coaches put on their tuxedos to raise money for the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation at the organization's annual gala. Held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the gala is the biggest fundraising event of the year for the foundation. "It really helps when they win because people are so much more enthusiastic about the team, so it's been nice," said Marla Lerner Tanenbaum,...
Today's lineups
Today's lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
For the Orioles: Cesar Izturis SS Ty Wigginton 2B Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Matt Wieters C Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Garrett Atkins 1B Nolan Reimold LF Brian Matusz LHP For the Twins: Denard Span CF Nick Punto 3B Joe Mauer DH Justin Morneau 1B Michael Cuddyer RF Delmon Young LF Wilson Ramos C Brendan Harris SS Alexi Casilla 2B Nick Blackburn RHP
A few early notes (w/Rowell update)
A few early notes (w/Rowell update)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Rookie left-hander Brian Matusz has made four consecutive quality starts and leads AL rookies in strikeouts (31) and innings pitched (36.2), is third in wins (two) and fourth in ERA (3.93). Matusz has allowed just two extra-base hits to left-handed batters this year in 30 at-bats (homer and double by Robinson Cano on April 29). Opponents are batting .262 against him with eight extra-base hits (five doubles, a triple and two home runs). In his 14 major league starts, left-handed batters are...
Reverse split
Reverse split
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I'm not sure if it's a distant relative of the famed reverse lock, but I'd qualify what happened yesterday as a "reverse split." I assumed the Twins would take Game 1 behind Francisco Liriano, and the Orioles would win Game 2 behind Kevin Millwood. Then I was reminded that the Orioles don't score runs for Millwood and his latest quality start would be wasted along with all the others. But it sure beats a sweep. Millwood allowed three earned runs in seven innings and Luke Scott showed...
O's bats silenced Saturday night at Minnesota
O's bats silenced Saturday night at Minnesota
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Well, every time you think maybe the O's offense is coming to life, it doesn't happen. They could not follow up the seven run, 12-hit win over the Twins and Francisco Liriano on Saturday night. Scott Baker, who had pitched to an ERA of 7.56 over his previous three starts, shut down the O's in Minnesota's 6-1 win that split the doubleheader. Tonight he gave up just three hits over eight innings. Luke Scott's solo homer to right in the fifth snapped his 1 for 20 drought, providing the...
Norfolk roster moves (Jim Johnson to the DL)
Norfolk roster moves (Jim Johnson to the DL)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Reliever Jim Johnson has been placed on Triple-A Norfolk's disabled list due to right elbow inflammation. The move took place before last night's game. Pitcher Alberto Castillo, who was optioned to Triple-A from Baltimore, took Johnson's roster spot. Johnson was 1-1. 6.52 in ten games with the Orioles and had allowed 15 hits in 9 2/3 before being sent to Norfolk. He pitched one scoreless inning for the Tides, on May 4 vs. Scranton. That was his only Norfolk appearance before the DL...
Orioles lineup for Game 2
Orioles lineup for Game 2
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Julio Lugo SS Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters DH Miguel Tejada 3B Ty Wigginton 2B Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Rhyne Hughes 1B Craig Tatum C Kevin Millwood RHP
Notes from the O's 7-3 win in game one at Minnesota
Notes from the O's 7-3 win in game one at Minnesota
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles are now 7-5 over the last 12 games after beating Minnesota 7-3 today in game one of a day/night doubleheader. They improve to 9-21 on the year, 2-3 on this road trip and 5-13 in road games on the season. A win tonight or tomorrow would give the Orioles just their second series victory of 2010. The O's overcame their 2-0, first-inning deficit to win and won for the first time this year (now 1-11) when their opponent scored first in the game. Gary and Eddie talk with Dave...