Post-game notes:  O's fall to 1 and 7
Post-game notes: O's fall to 1 and 7
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Going the wrong way: With their latest loss, 8-6 in 10 innings to Tampa, the Orioles fall to 1-7 with five losses in a row. They are off to the worst start since the 0 and 21 season of 1988. The Orioles are winless, 0 and 5, on this opening homestand which ends this afternoon. The O's allowed a season-high eight runs tonight. They allowed five runs in the 8th and three in the 10th. They have been scored on in the 8th or later of every game this year. That's one poor stat: From the...
In the quiet of the Orioles clubhouse...(with Matusz video)
In the quiet of the Orioles clubhouse...(with Matusz video)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
A few players talked about the O's latest loss, 8-6 to Tampa in 10 innings. Matt Albers on what happened in the 10th inning: "I think my mechanics are a little bit off. I walked the first two guys and put myself in a hole. I knew I had to throw a strike 2-1 and 2-2 to Pena. I need to work on a few things to get my sinkerball down. "All the losses sting, but this one, we were up 3-0. Come back and lose it is tough. The game's over so I have to come back and be ready...
A night recap before bed
A night recap before bed
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Ty Wigginton has 10 career two-homer games. A four-homer game would have worked a little better tonight. Manager Dave Trembley spoke for about three minutes following an 8-6 loss to the Rays. Dave Trembley discusses the O's 8-6 10-inning loss with the media "(Brian) Matusz pitched about as good a game as you're going to get," he said. "Had location, had a feel for all his pitches, worked ahead, worked quick, pitched down. Tremendous game. "Tonight was similar to what we've been...
O's lose lead and game vs. Tampa
O's lose lead and game vs. Tampa
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have lost twice this year when leading after eight innings. Tonight they led 3-0 after seven and lost 8-6 to Tampa in ten innings to fall to 1-7 with five losses in a row. They have lost four games this year when leading after seven innings. Last year the Orioles went 52-5 when leading after seven. Brian Matusz was dominant with a two-hitter and 3-0 lead after seven. But Tampa took the lead with a five-run 8th only to see Luke Scott's pinch, two-run homer in the last of the...
A change in your program
A change in your program
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Playing the part of Jamie Walker tonight, right-handed reliever Matt Albers. It only makes sense if you know that Walker imploded a few times against Carlos Pena last season. Forgive me. I'm cold, tired and really sick of this homestand. Matt Albers faced three batters tonight and retired no one. Two walks and Pena's three-run blast have given the Rays an 8-5 lead in the 10th inning. Albers has issued five walks in five appearances covering 4 1/3 innings. He's also allowed six hits and...
Great Scott
Great Scott
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Luke Scott just tied the game in the eighth with the Orioles' first pinch-hit home run since Ty Wigginton took James Shields deep on Sept. 30, 2009 at The Trop. Scott, batting for Cesar Izturis, lined a 1-0 pitch from Randy Choate onto the flag court in right. Scott slapped his hands together as he reached first base. He tapped his chest and pointed to the heavens as he touched home plate, then delivered a high-five to Garrett Atkins that might have drawn blood. He's pumped up - or just...
Different pitcher, similar result (Luke tied it)
Different pitcher, similar result (Luke tied it)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It is not Mike Gonzalez's fault this time. Amazing. Unbelievable, Incredible. Are these guys just cursed? The O's took a 3-0 lead behind a dominant Brian Matusz to the 8th tonight only to give up five runs and fall behind 5-3. This unraveled quickly and a small but boisterous crowd at the Yard dropped the boos on the home team's bullpen. With one out in the 8th, the next two batters reached vs. Matusz on a ground single and bloop. Two hard-hit singles followed as Matusz tried to get...
You had to see it coming (updated twice)
You had to see it coming (updated twice)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Rays start stringing together singles and you know the Orioles are going to cough up the lead. As one observer noted in the press box, there was too much time left on the clock. Evan Longoria's two-run single off Jim Johnson with two outs in the top of the eighth inning has tied the game, 3-3, and denied left-hander Brian Matusz a much-deserved victory. Life just isn't fair sometimes. Matusz gave up four straight singles after striking out Willy Aybar to open the eighth. Manager Dave...
An unwritten rule? (updated)
An unwritten rule? (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
So is it wrong to break up a no-hitter by laying down a bunt in the fourth inning? Too soon? Ben Zobrist is guilty of doing it, and that's the only hit for the Rays through the sixth. Brian Matusz is dealing tonight. It's cold, it's damp, it's far from perfect baseball weather, and he either hasn't noticed or is just ignoring it. Matusz struck out the first two batters in the fifth on changeups. Dioner Navarro swung at a slider and hit a weak bouncer to the mound. Everything is...
Matusz on the mound (with updates)
Matusz on the mound (with updates)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It sure is a joy to watch Brian Matusz pitch. He is making just his 10th Major League start tonight but has the look of someone with much more experience. He works fast, changes speeds and throws strikes. Somewhere, Ray Miller is smiling. He has held the Rays scoreless with just one baserunner (a walk) through three innings. He threw 10 pitches in the first, 19 in the second and just eight, getting three pop ups, in the third. He struck out Evan Longoria on a great changeup in the second....