Gonzo won't push for closer role, at least not now
Gonzo won't push for closer role, at least not now
Steve Melewski
Orioles
He is back and pitching well, but Mike Gonzalez has not had a save chance since April 9 and that didn't go well on Opening Day here in Baltimore vs. Toronto. But now that Gonzalez is pitching like the O's hoped he would, he is beginning to look ready for another save chance. He says he would surely welcome that, but won't push for it right now and that manager Buck Showalter has let him know he is not anointing anyone his closer at this point. "Buck pretty much told me straight up what...
The Birds pose with pets for 2011 Orioles Pet Calendar
The Birds pose with pets for 2011 Orioles Pet Calendar
Josh Land
Orioles
The OriolesREACH 2011 Pet Calendars are officially out. It's the second year in a row that O's players have posed with either their own pets or a loaner canine from the Maryland SPCA for a 12-month calendar shot at Camden Yards. The Orioles, Orioles Wives and OriolesREACH teamed up again to produce the calendar, which benefits the Maryland SPCA. Just like last year, each month features a different Oriole and a different dog - No, last year's photo of Rich Hill and his cats wasn't...
Reimold: Gone but not forgotten
Reimold: Gone but not forgotten
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Manager Buck Showalter and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail have discussed bringing up outfielder Nolan Reimold when rosters expand next month. Reimold is batting .247 with 11 doubles, 10 homers, 34 RBIs and a .750 OPS in 83 games at Triple-A Norfolk. As I noted last night, he's reached base in 30 of his last 31 games, batting .321 with four homers, 15 RBIs and 29 walks. "I can't say I know him well," Showalter said. "I do know he's playing well there consistently. I've...
Lugo on his start in left
Lugo on his start in left
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Partially due to an effort to stack his lineup with right-handed bats vs. Rangers lefty C.J Wilson, Buck Showalter is starting Julio Lugo in left field tonight vs. Texas. "It's been a while since I've been out there," Lugo said. He played as a reserve in the outfield in 2008 with Boston, but you have to go back to 2006 when he was a Dodger for a Lugo start in the outfield. Tonight will be just his 7th career outfield start. "He's the boss. I'll do whatever he says. I'm open to it....
Lugo in left
Lugo in left
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
How much does manager Buck Showalter want to avoid putting left-handed hitters in his lineup tonight? Julio Lugo's starting in left field. It's not a huge reach. Lugo has played 18 games in the outfield, most recently patrolling left for one game with the Red Sox in 2008. He played six games in the outfield with the Astros in 2000 and eight more in 2001. He played three in the outfield with the Dodgers in 2006. "He's actually played more in the outfield than third base," Showalter said....
MASN Programming Note
MASN Programming Note
Josh Land
Orioles
Between August 25 and August 26 there is a possibility of satellite interference with MASN's satellite transmission.  A "rogue satellite" which may have been hit by a solar flare in April, is scheduled to cross the orbit of the satellite used by MASN - and dozens of other cable networks - and may create interference with our signal. MASN has taken every possible preemptive precaution, including re-routing its uplink signal to a 19 meter antenna in West Virginia which may...
Orioles lineup
Orioles lineup
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Roberts 2B Julio Lugo LF Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Adam Jones CF Jake Fox DH Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Josh Bell 3B Jake Arrieta RHP The last time the Orioles went four straight starts with eight innings or more from their starter was July 20-23, 1999 (Sidney Ponson, Mike Mussina, Scott Erickson and Juan Guzman.) The longest streak of consecutive starts with eight or more innings in franchise history was a 12-game run from Aug. 15-28, 1970.
Looking back at the '05 streak
Looking back at the '05 streak
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As you probably know by now, the Orioles' last three starters have each gone eight innings, which hasn't happened in this organization since May 2005. Yes, it's been a long time. And it's only occurred twice in the 2000s. On May 3, Daniel Cabrera was outdueled by former Oriole Josh Towers in a 1-0 loss to Toronto. He allowed one run and four hits, walked four and struck out eight while throwing 119 pitches. Sammy Sosa went 0-for-3 as the cleanup hitter. Javy Lopez, serving as the...
Wigginton brings attitude to otherwise easy-going O's
Wigginton brings attitude to otherwise easy-going O's
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I've been checking out various reports on last night's game, and one of them mentions how it was "marred" by a sixth-inning confrontation between Ty Wigginton and Andres Blanco. Funny, but it made my night. I had wandered to the far end of the press box to chat up Dave Johnson when the play occurred. I was watching a replay on one of the big screens when he tapped me on the shoulder to redirect my attention to the field, where players were coming out of the dugout and bullpen. At that...
Storen Bobbleheads and Other Upcoming Events
Storen Bobbleheads and Other Upcoming Events
Josh Land
Nationals
If you're not busy tonight, head down to Woodbridge to pick up your one of a kind Drew Storen bobblehead, courtesy of Geico. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive the signature collectible. Stay after the game and enjoy a classic family friendly movie on the new scoreboard. Also, reminders about two upcoming events: The final Ladies Night of the 2010 season will be on Thursday, August 26th before the Nationals face the Cardinals. The theme is Vegas, and as always, the...