Organizational awards
Organizational awards
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles named left-hander Zach Britton the organization's Pitcher of the Month for June after he went 3-0 with a 0.66 ERA in four starts with the Baysox. He allowed 19 hits and struck out 25 batters in 27 1/3 innings. Britton was promoted to Triple-A Norfolk and stayed on a roll, tossing six shutout innings in his debut on Thursday. Bowie outfielder Tyler Henson was named Player of the Month after batting .350 with nine doubles, four homers and 13 RBIs in 27 games. Corey Patterson...
Random takes on Jones, Britton and more
Random takes on Jones, Britton and more
Steve Melewski
Orioles
*I am pretty sure this is not necessarily true, but the impression out there seems to be that Adam Jones is running the show and not the other way around. We read and hear things like "the O's met with Adam and asked him to play deeper in the field. They asked him to charge the ball more often." First of all you would hope Jones is taking these "suggestions" to heart, because he doesn't want to become known as the first Gold Glove winner to be considered completely mediocre on defense...
Not B-Robbing Brian of an opportunity
Not B-Robbing Brian of an opportunity
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I mentioned yesterday that second baseman Brian Roberts, limited to four games because of a herniated disk and an assortment of setbacks that include pneumonia, back tightness and a stomach ailment, has started to take batting practice again in Sarasota. You can decide whether this is an encouraging development or another cruel tease. "We've gotten him up to these situations before and there's been an episode, but his progressions are picking up," said president of baseball operations...
Close to another minor league no-hitter
Close to another minor league no-hitter
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have had minor league no-hitters pitched this year by Norfolk's Chris Tillman in April and on Wednesday night by Nate Moreau in his Frederick Keys debut. Friday night, the Aberdeen IronBirds took a no-hitter into the last of the eighth of their game at Hudson Valley, but settled for a one-hitter and 5-0 win over the Renegades. Aberdeen starter Justin Moore, a 20-year-old right-hander, pitched six no-hit innings to get it started. He walked three and fanned two. Then Jason Gurka...
Atilano's fourth a game changer
Atilano's fourth a game changer
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals starter Luis Atilano got to the fourth inning Friday pretty much unscathed. He allowed a first inning hit batter and then a single. A ground out by Ike Davis scored the Mets first run and they led 1-0. But in the fourth, trouble brewed as the first three men got on base. David Wright led off the inning with a double and Atilano struggled with control to the next two hitters, walking both Davis and Jason Bay. With the bases loaded and nobody out, it looked as if Atilano might be...
Going, Going, Gonzo (updated)
Going, Going, Gonzo (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Michael Gonzalez gave up a home run in his second straight injury rehab game, this time in Double-A Bowie. Gonzalez retired the first Akron batter he faced to end the fifth inning, but he served up a two-out homer in the sixth and came out of the game. He recorded two outs on fly balls and one on a grounder. Gonzalez surrendered a two-run homer against Brooklyn in his most recent appearance with short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Update: Felix Pie went 1-for-4 with a triple, walk and two...
Tough break for Bergesen as O's lose 3-2 at Fenway
Tough break for Bergesen as O's lose 3-2 at Fenway
Steve Melewski
Orioles
What was it Brad Bergesen said in that article I posted earlier today. Something about Rick Kranitz saying he really liked his arm angle during his last start. Tonight Bergesen had a good arm angle and good results. But moments after he left the game he and the O's suffered a tough break. Bergesen gave up a two-out double to Marco Scutaro in a 2-2 tie game in the last of the eighth. The O's then went to the bullpen for Will Ohman and he faced pinch-hitter Daniel Nava. He lifted a high...
All eyes in San Diego watching Strasburg; Live on FOX 4:10pm
All eyes in San Diego watching Strasburg; Live on FOX 4:10pm
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Just because Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg has switched oceans, that does not prevent fans of his native San Diego from keeping up with the young pitching phenom. Today, Strasburg makes his sixth big league start, first time against the New York Mets, once again before a nationally televised audience. (Programming Note: The game has been selected to be televised by Fox, as part of Major League Baseball's national television agreement with Fox to televise a Saturday afternoon...
Boston's version of Jeffrey Maier (Markakis goes deep)
Boston's version of Jeffrey Maier (Markakis goes deep)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
I hate to even invoke that name in any discussion, ever. But what happened in Boston in the bottom of the second tonight did remind one of that kid who played almost as big a role as Derek Jeter or any Yankee in helping New York beat the O's in the ALCS in 1996. When J.D. Drew homered to left center in the second, a fan seemed to reach over the top of the Green Monster and deflect the ball off the very top of the wall. The umpires ruled home run and Boston leads the game 1-0. Unlike Maier,...
Stammen looks to repeat last start today against Mets
Stammen looks to repeat last start today against Mets
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals starter Craig Stammen is searching for two wins in a row today as he faces the New York Mets in the series finale on the Fourth of July at Nats Park. Stammen (2-2) had a tremendous return to the hill Tuesday in Atlanta, going 7 1/3 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, two walks and striking out four batters. He also allowed only three hits through his first seven innings. In reaching the eighth inning, it marked the longest outing for Stammen since April 19 against the...