Today's pitchers:  Tillman vs. Huff
Today's pitchers: Tillman vs. Huff
Steve Melewski
Orioles
RHP Chris Tillman (2-4, 4.71) today makes his 12th start of the season, his 7th on the road and his 2nd this year vs. Cleveland. Two starts ago, Tillman gave up just one run over 6 2/3 vs. Tampa. In his last start he gave up four runs and six hits in five innings Monday, in taking the loss at Toronto. In four September starts, Tillman is 1-2, 5.56. Right-handed batters are hitting .336 against him while lefties bat just .242. The Orioles are 4-7 when Tillman starts, 2-2 this...
Not Tillman's time
Not Tillman's time
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Chris Tillman gave up six runs in the first inning today at Cleveland and lasted just two innings. His previous shortest start this year was his first start, July 29 vs. KC, when he went 4 2/3 innings. Tillman may have tired here at the end of the year. His ERA in September is 7.30 after it was 5.79 in July and 4.04 in August. Tillman today: 2IP, 6H, 6R-ER, 1B, 2K, 1HR......53 pitches. Brian Bass came on in the third. Meanwhile, David Huff has sailed through four innings for Cleveland on...
Tribe blanks O's to complete three-game sweep
Tribe blanks O's to complete three-game sweep
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Cleveland Indians scored six runs in the first inning Sunday off Chris Tillman, on their way to 9-0 win over the Orioles and a sweep of the three-game series. The Orioles have lost ten in a row, matching their longest losing stretch since September of 2008. Asdrubal Cabrera had a two-run double in the 1st and Kelly Shoppach's three-run homer capped the inning. Cabrera went 4 for 5 with three RBI. Tillman lasted just two innings, allowing six runs and six hits. He falls to 2-5,...
Post-game Notes:  The losing skid reaches ten
Post-game Notes: The losing skid reaches ten
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Tough time for Tillman - Chris Tillman took the loss Sunday, pitching just two innings, in his shortest start of the year. His previous shortest start was 4 2/3 vs. Kansas City in his Major League debut July 29th. Today he allowed six runs in the first inning and threw just 53 pitches in falling to 2-5, 5.40. Tillman has allowed 10ER in seven innings over his last two starts. In five September starts, he is 1-3, 7.30. Dave Trembley talks with the media after the O's 9-0 loss to the...
Taking a guess at the minor league rotations
Taking a guess at the minor league rotations
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have not yet announced their pitching rotations for three of their four full-season minor league clubs. But at this point, it's worth taking an educated guess at what we might see on the mound starting next Thursday. A few days ago, O's skipper Dave Trembley told reporters that Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, Brandon Erbe, Troy Patton and Alfredo Simon would begin the year in the Norfolk Triple-A rotation. The order of the rotation has not been announced. Here are some guesses at...
Will there be another change for Rowell?
Will there be another change for Rowell?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles are not confirming anything yet, but it appears there have been internal discussions about moving Billy Rowell from outfield back to the infield. Rowell, who played third base his first three seasons in the organization, played right field last year for the Class-A Frederick Keys. The 21-year-old Rowell struggled at bat the last two years with Frederick, but also had a tough time last season adjusting to right field. The O's 2006 first-round draft pick, he made 15 errors with a...
The passing of a great Oriole
The passing of a great Oriole
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Mike Cuellar, one of the greatest pitchers in Orioles history, died today in Orlando, Florida. The Cuba-born Cuellar, who won 143 games with the Birds, was 72. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Cuellar had been in failing health since January and was dealing with the effects of a brain aneurism and stomach cancer. Cuellar was a mainstay in the Orioles rotation during some of the club's glory years and pitched in three straight World Series from 1969 to 1971. He was nicknamed "Crazy...
Pie's OK
Pie's OK
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
X-rays taken on Felix Pie's right ankle came back negative. Pie was nailed by a Mariano Rivera pitch in the sixth inning and limped off the field. He returned to Sarasota for the X-rays. Rivera was off his game today, walking the leadoff batter and lacking his usual pinpoint control. I doubt that he targeted Pie with two outs and a runner on first base as retaliation for Jeremy Guthrie hitting Mark Teixeira earlier this week, though it spiced up an otherwise nondescript Grapefruit League...
What's next for Atkins and team?
What's next for Atkins and team?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As the Orioles introduced Garrett Atkins to the media earlier today, they still couldn't commit to him as a first or third baseman. His position will depend on what moves follow before spring training opens in two months. Andy MacPhail, Orioles president of baseball operations, noted that the club has "internal options we could live with based on what position Garrett plays." He mentioned Michael Aubrey, Rhyne Hughes and Brandon Snyder and first base, and Ty Wigginton and Scott Moore at...
Still waiting on Atkins (updated again)
Still waiting on Atkins (updated again)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Garrett Atkins is undergoing his physical exam in Baltimore, and his signing should become official later today. The only real news would come if he failed it, which would be an upset of major proportions. The only drama for me - and this is purely for selfish reasons - is whether I'm driving to the warehouse for another media gathering in the Jay Payton Room, as I refer to it, or introducing myself to Atkins via conference call. A trip to the warehouse would occur later this afternoon. The...