You know it's spring training when... (quotes added)
You know it's spring training when... (quotes added)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
...Paco Figueroa doubles to score his twin brother in a major league game. Figueroa's double with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning plated Brandon Snyder and Danny Figueroa to extend the Orioles' lead to 5-2. Frank Mata replaced Alberto Castillo with two outs in the top of the ninth and got the final out to strand two runners and make the Orioles .500 on the day. They lost, 6-0, to the Boston Red Sox in a split-squad game in Fort Myers. Jake Arrieta gave up a run on three hits...
Clearing up some confusion
Clearing up some confusion
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
When I posted the pitchers for tomorrow, I specified that they were appearing in the minor league game. That's why you didn't see Kevin Millwood's name. Millwood is starting against the Phillies in Clearwater, followed by Will Ohman, Jim Johnson and Mike Gonzalez. He isn't being skipped. There's nothing wrong with him. The Phillies will counter with former Oriole Jamie Moyer and Antonio Bastardo. I really want a Bastardo jersey for my birthday. Extra medium. Speaking of confusion,...
Orioles lineup
Orioles lineup
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Nolan Reimold DH Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott LF Matt Wieters C Garrett Atkins 1B Ty Wigginton 2B Cesar Izturis SS Kevin Millwood RHP
Joseph's last day
Joseph's last day
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Catcher Caleb Joseph is walking around the clubhouse collecting signatures on his "2010 spring training ball," as he calls it. This is Joseph's last day in the major league camp. He'll move to the other side of the building and join the Triple-A and Double-A players. "It's almost indescribable because you gain so much experience," he said. "It's hard to put into words exactly what you learn. You know things, but it's reiterated different ways. And to be able to hang around older...
Roster cuts
Roster cuts
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Caleb Joseph, Miguel Abreu, Blake Davis, Matt Angle, Luis Bernardo and Michel Hernandez have been assigned to the minor league camp. They'll report on Tuesday, which means they'll simply walk to the opposite clubhouse. You don't get sent down anymore. You get sent over. Hernandez can't play anyway because of a fractured right index finger. Brian Roberts took regular batting practice from the left and right side today "with no problems," manager Dave Trembley said. Asked if there's a...
Phillies lineup
Phillies lineup
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It's raining hard and the tarp's on the field. If this game is cancelled, the Orioles will probably use tomorrow's scheduled day off to play an intrasquad game. And my tears will fall like these raindrops. Here's the Phillies lineup: Jimmy Rollins SS Placido Polanco 3B Chase Utley 2B Ryan Howard 1B Jayson Werth RF Raul Ibanez LF Dewayne Wise CF Paul Hoover C Jamie Moyer LHP
Talking about the rotation
Talking about the rotation
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
We tried to get manager Dave Trembley to reveal his rotation this morning, but he wouldn't bite. He's not ready to confirm whether Kevin Millwood is the Opening Day starter, though you can bet on it, or where the pitchers will be slotted. Trembley didn't look up Millwood's spring stats from past years. He'll take the right-hander's word that the numbers are poor. So what does Trembley look for during Millwood's starts? "Finish on his pitches and location," he said. "Life on his...
More Trembley unplugged
More Trembley unplugged
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
No matter what numbers Kevin Millwood posts this spring, he's made a favorable impression on manager Dave Trembley. "He wants no special privileges," Trembley said. "He rides the bus, he sits in the first seat, he's the first guy in every drill, he stays and watches the game, he's the first guy out for the national anthem. He's worked for everything he's got. Nothing has been given to him. He appreciates every day he's been in the big leagues. "We were talking in the dugout. He told...
Play ball
Play ball
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
We're a few minutes away from the first pitch. Nothing wrong with starting two hours late. I'm told that Cole Hamels was supposed to pitch in a B game today, but the rain forced its cancellation. He'll follow Jamie Moyer to the mound in the regular game. Trembley met with closer Mike Gonzalez last week to make sure he could count on the left-hander for Opening Day. "I said, 'Hey, I need to know that when I go to bed at night, I'm going to sleep a little bit better knowing that...
Millwood on the mound (part 2)
Millwood on the mound (part 2)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Kevin Millwood fell behind 2-0 to leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins and gave up a double to right-center field. He got a strike on Placido Polanco and gave up a single into center field. Polanco took third when Adam Jones' throw deflected off Garrett Atkins' glove. Was it too late for a rainout? Chase Utley struck out on three pitches. Ryan Howard struck out looking with the count full. Jayson Werth flied to center with the count full. It wasn't too late for a rapid recovery. Millwood threw...