Rays post 5-3 win as the streak reaches 13

Rays post 5-3 win as the streak reaches 13
The Orioles rally from a five-run deficit came up short Wednesday night as they lost 5-3 to Tampa at Tropicana Field. The O's remain winless on this road trip and their losing streak, the longest in the Majors this year, has reached 13 games. That's the O's longest since a 14-game streak in August of 1954 and the 1988 team began 0-14 on its way to an 0-21 start. Down 5-0, the O's scored three in the 8th vs. James Shields on Chad Moeller's sac fly and a pinch hit, two-run homer from Ty...

Post-game Notes: O's come up short again

Post-game Notes:  O's come up short again
Not his night - O's starting and losing pitcher, David Hernandez, had another poor outing. Coming off his last two starts, he had pitched pretty well, with an ERA of 3.75. But tonight he gave up five runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. Over his last nine starts, Hernandez is 0-6, 7.65. The Orioles are 5-14 when he starts, losing the last nine in a row. Hernandez has lost two starts this season vs. Tampa, pitching a combined 7 1/3 innings and giving up 16 hits and 10ER. Winning...

Bordick school - Part II

Bordick school - Part II
Here are a few leftovers from Friday night's interview with new minor league offensive coordinator Mike Bordick: On how the Orioles look to him: "They're looking good, in my opinion. And obviously, after the season they had last year, there's really only one way to go and that's up. I know the competition in the East is tough. The other teams aren't getting any worse, but I think the talent's there, I think the pieces are in place. I think (Kevin) Millwood's a huge help. (Add) maybe a...

A few spring training tidbits

A few spring training tidbits
The Orioles' pitchers and catchers report to their new spring training home in Sarasota on Feb. 17, with the first workout being held the following day. The first full-squad workout, including position players, takes places on Feb. 23. Four teams in the American League (Royals, Angels, Yankees, Mariners) and seven in the National League (Cubs, Reds, Rockies, Phillies, Pirates, Cardinals, Giants) have the same report dates as the Orioles. No team will arrive earlier. Individual tickets for...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Carlos Delgado went 1-for-4 last night and is batting .304. He started at first base and didn't break a hip. Delgado was removed for a pinch-runner in the seventh inning, which could explain the hip thing. The Blue Jays reportedly are keeping close watch on Delgado, and it would be interesting to have him back in Toronto with new play-by-play announcer Buck Martinez, his former manager. One of the more popular questions here centers on the FanFest lineup. I addressed it three or four times...

Quick Hill update

Quick Hill update
Left-hander Rich Hill expects to sign a contract today or tomorrow, and he hasn't formally eliminated the Orioles from consideration after they offered him a minor league deal. "Not yet," he said. However, Hill indicated that one team might be willing to give him a major league contract. If that's the case, you can cross the Orioles off his list. "I've talked with a number of teams," he said, "and I think there are some good opportunities out there. That's where it's at right...

Random thoughts

Random thoughts
Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson doesn't receive a single MVP vote, but he's named AP's Offensive Player of the Year? Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is named MVP, but he's not the AP's Offensive Player of the Year? A little help, please. Your daily Carlos Delgado update: He went 0-for-2 with a run scored as the designated hitter before being removed for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning. A pinch-hitter? Catcher Bengie Molina reportedly is close to signing a...

LaRoche off the board?

LaRoche off the board?
The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached agreement on a one-year deal with free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, according to this tweet from Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Does this make sense? LaRoche reportedly turned down a two-year, $17 million offer from the Giants to sign for one year with the Diamondbacks. Maybe he's banking on a big season so he can test the market again next winter. The Orioles weren't going to offer more than one year, which seemed to take them...

FanFest update (with an update)

FanFest update (with an update)
More than 60 current, former and future (hopefully) Orioles players and coaches will participate in FanFest on Jan. 23 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with 10 a.m. entry for season-plan holders. Players expected to attend include MATT ALBERS, ROBERT ANDINO, GARRETT ATKINS, MICHAEL AUBREY, JOSH BELL, BRAD BERGESEN, JASON BERKEN, ALBERTO CASTILLO, BRANDON ERBE, MIKE GONZALEZ, JEREMY GUTHRIE, DAVID HERNANDEZ, RHYNE HUGHES, JIM JOHNSON, ADAM JONES, NICK...

Orioles scouting Delgado

Orioles scouting Delgado
It isn't much, but this will have to pass as news: The Orioles sent a representative to Puerto Rico this week to scout first baseman Carlos Delgado. I knew that was the plan, but I still wanted to get confirmation that they're monitoring Delgado, who's batting .280 with one homer and two RBIs in eight games and 25 at-bats with Gigantes de Carolina. He's walked four times and struck out four times. Delgado mostly has served as the designated hitter, but he's also played a little first...

Shameless plug alert

Shameless plug alert
It wouldn't be Friday without a shamless plug. I'll be joining Steve Melewski tonight for the Hot Stove Show that runs from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on 105.7 The Fan and ESPN 1300. Outfielder Nolan Reimold will join us at the top of the hour, and hitting coach Terry Crowley will follow at 8:30 p.m. You can be sure that Reimold will provide an update on his Achilles and offer his opinion on playing first base, since that's been such a popular subject here. Crowley will head to Camden Yards next...

A few Oriole items

A few Oriole items
I've dug up a few nuggets that might get you through the night. • At this time, the Orioles don't plan on having a scout attend Ben Sheets' throwing session Tuesday in Louisiana. That could change, but it's not likely. Sheets didn't seem interested in signing here when the Orioles met with his agent last month at the winter meetings (which takes us back to their inability to secure his medical records). • Team officials have...

What logjam?

What logjam?
If you're wondering why the Orioles aren't concerned about a logjam in the outfield, I can give you two pretty good reasons. Nolan Reimold isn't certain that he'll be full-go when he reports to spring training next month. He still hasn't done any sprints since undergoing surgery on his left Achilles on Sept. 23. Felix Pie didn't play winter ball because his injured left quadriceps muscle has been slow to heal. Factor in the days that Adam Jones and Lou Montanez spent on the disabled...

Talking baseball...

Talking baseball...
I guess the frustration that's boiling over here hasn't reached Sarasota, because I'm told the lines are incredibly long to purchase tickets at Ed Smith Stadium. The locals say it's similar to the turnout after the Reds traded for Ken Griffey Jr. I wonder how it compares to the lines at the executive airport in Fort Lauderdale. I'm not sure why the Orioles would skip Ben Sheets' throwing session on Tuesday. Even if they're convinced that he won't sign here, I think it's still worth a...

Statement from Brooks

Statement from Brooks
Not many people are aware that Brooks Robinson has been dealing with a serious health issue. I'm thrilled to report that he was released from the hospital late yesterday and is doing fine. Robinson and his family wanted to keep the matter private, which I certainly understand and respect. I'm just thankful that he's home again. The following is a statement from No. 5, which I'm honored (and greatly relieved) to pass along to Oriole fans everywhere: "On December 28, 2009, I had abdominal...

Crow and Reimold

Crow and Reimold
Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley, calling into Friday night's edition of the Hot Stove Show on 105.7 The Fan and ESPN 1300, heaped a lot of praise on the young talent on the roster, including right fielder Nick Markakis. "I feel like Nicky's due for an All-Star season," Crowley said. "Actually, for me, he had four All-Star seasons, but the general public has to recognize that one of these years and he'll be on an All-Star team. And Adam Jones in center - strong defensively. It's too...

Luke at what happened

Luke at what happened
You've seen the splits on Luke Scott. You know he was a viable candidate for first-half team MVP after batting .305 with 18 homers and 51 RBIs. You also know he fell apart in the second half, batting .208 with seven homers and 26 RBIs. He's always been a streaky hitter, but this is extreme. So what happened? "I think Luke put too much pressure on himself," hitting coach Terry Crowley said. "Luke is the guy who wants to hit .400, he wants to hit 50 home runs. Don't get me wrong, I...

Taking inventory

Taking inventory
I don't expect the Orioles to begin the season with Michael Aubrey at first base, but I also didn't expect the Jets to play in the AFC championship game or the snow to finally melt in my yard. If the Orioles decide to sift through their inventory, which isn't their first choice, Aubrey would have to rank as the favorite to emerge with the job. He appeared in 31 games last season after having his contract purchased on Aug. 18, batting .289 with seven doubles, four homers and 14 RBIs in 90...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
I'm predicting that the Colts and Saints meet in the Super Bowl, and we'll be bombarded with stories about Peyton Manning facing his father's old team. That won't get tired. If you want Jose Offerman to be your team's next manager, keep in mind that he's liable to deck the plate umpire during the exchange of lineup cards. This isn't the first time that Offerman has gone down swinging. FOX Sports' Tracy Ringolsby gives his slam-dunk last-place finishers for 2010, and he's got the...

Getting Miggy with it?

Getting Miggy with it?
If I had to wager, I'd put my money on Joe Crede playing third base for the Orioles over former shortstop Miguel Tejada. Just don't refer back to my NFL picks this season. I understand that things change as the market plays out. I also assumed that Tejada would be off the board three weeks into Janauary, but he's still on it. And interest in him is limited. What does that tell you? Each time that I've asked president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail about bringing back Tejada,...