Pre-game Trembley

Pre-game Trembley
Orioles manager Dave Trembley couldn't confirm the Julio Lugo trade, so we'll continue to wait for the commissioner's office to make it official. Isn't this fun? "I'm sure if something like that happens, I'll be informed, but I haven't been informed about it yet," Trembley said. Robert Andino, who committed two more errors yesterday and has looked bad tracking popups at second base this spring, remains in the starting lineup and is taking batting practice. "I don't think it's...
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Moeller update

Moeller update
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail confirmed that the Orioles have granted catcher Chad Moeller his release. The Orioles hoped that Moeller would accept an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, and they would have released him later if another team expressed interest in adding him to its 25-man roster. However, the veteran wanted to seek a job on his own. The Orioles were willing to let Moeller go because they expect Michel Hernandez [fractured right index finger] to be ready in a few...

Rays lineup (and news)

Rays lineup (and news)
Jason Bartlett SS Carl Crawford LF Ben Zobrist 2B Evan Longoria 3B Carlos Pena 1B B.J. Upton CF Pat Burrell RF Hank Blalock DH Kelly Shoppach C Mike Ekstrom RHP I joined the debate team this morning, and it was me vs. me. I couldn't decide whether to make the trip to Port Charlotte or stay back and watch Kevin Millwood and Chris Tillman pitch in minor league games. Chad Moeller was waiting to meet with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail when I finally left the clubhouse and...

The O's between innings: Palmer Edition

The O's between innings: Palmer Edition

Back on St. Patrick's Day, I posted two of the many Orioles commercials I came across on YouTube. The first was a look back to 1994, and the second involved a look ahead with the "This is Where" commercial highlighting the promise of the O's cache of young talent. This time around, I'll point you to a pair of endorsements from former Oriole, Hall of Famer and current MASN broadcaster Jim Palmer. I'll never forget my dad asking me once when I was a kid, "You know who Jim Palmer is, right?" Of course I did, but for fun, I replied, "The Money Store guy, right?" My dad looked mildly crushed and launched into an account of Palmer's accomplishments on the mound for the Orioles, flatly refusing to let me get away with fruitless attempts to tell him it was only a lame joke. But maybe you remember Palmer's Money Store endorsement as well...

And since we're looking back at Palmer's days on TV outside of MASN and the O's, check out this Brylcream ad he starred in as well...

Orioles lineup

Orioles lineup
Felix Pie CF Ty Wigginton 2B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott LF Nolan Reimold DH Scott Moore 1B Brandon Waring 3B Craig Tatum C Robert Andino SS Jake Arrieta RHP

Red Sox 14, Orioles 6

Red Sox 14, Orioles 6
Today's attendance: 7,659. Ryan Adams' sacrifice fly scored Ty Wigginton in the eighth, Caleb Joseph had an RBI bloop single in the ninth and Wigginton followed with a three-run shot to left, but the Orioles fell eight runs short. Manager Dave Trembley met with the media on the field after the last out. "Pitched behind, walks, some miscues in the field," he said. "I liked the way (Brian) Roberts played. It's good to see him bouncing around the way he did in the field and on the bases....

Quick game update (updated)

Quick game update (updated)
Not much to say about this one. Mark Hendrickson allowed a hit and walked a batter, but he kept the Red Sox scoreless in the fifth inning. Mike Gonzalez turned in a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, but the Red Sox scored a run off Dennis Sarfate in the seventh. Boston 10, Orioles 1 Update: I hit the "save" button and Kevin Frandsen hits a grand slam off Dennis Sarfate in the eighth. That's two for the Red Sox today. Boston 14, Orioles 1 The Orioles have three hits today. Special thanks to...

'Penned up emotions (updated)

'Penned up emotions (updated)
The Red Sox are mistreating two pitchers who are projected members of the Orioles' bullpen this season. Jim Johnson followed Jason Berken to the mound. He should have turned right and kept walking. Single, hit-by-pitch, single, grand slam. Boston 9, Orioles 1. Victor Martinez followed his two-run shot off Berken in the third with a bases-clearing blast off Johnson in the fourth, the ball sailing over the center field fence with none out. Johnson hadn't allowed a run in his last four...

Berken up the wrong tree

Berken up the wrong tree
The Red Sox didn't go easy on Jason Berken today. Victor Martinez followed Dustin Pedroia's leadoff single in the third inning with a two-run homer. Kevin Youkilis doubled off the fence in left-center field and scored on J.D. Drew's sharp single to right. Boston 5, Orioles 0. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz went to the mound and removed Berken, who allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out the first two batters of the game. Berken, who's ticketed for long relief in the Orioles'...

B-Rob's first inning (updated twice)

B-Rob's first inning (updated twice)
I usually focus on the starting pitcher, but Brian Roberts is stealing Jason Berken's thunder. We have plenty of witnesses. Ed Smith Stadium is packed again. Roberts ranged far to his left to glove Victor Martinez's grounder and throw to first for the second out of the inning, but that wasn't his finest play. He made a diving stop and throw to rob Kevin Youkilis of a hit and send Berken back to the dugout.. Most important, Roberts quickly rose to his feet without a trace of discomfort in...
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Montanez gone (w/lineup change and Jones update)

Montanez gone (w/lineup change and Jones update)
The Orioles optioned Lou Montanez to Triple-A Norfolk before today's game. If you're counting, that's 32 players left in camp. Montanez never had a chance to make the club without an injury opening up a spot in the outfield. He hit .319 with three doubles, one triple and eight RBIs. His 20 at-bats ranked second to Robert Andino's 21. Meanwhile, Adam Jones has been scratched from the lineup. Felix Pie will bat second and play center field. Nolan Reimold moves down to fifth. No word on...
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Will Guzman play shortstop or second base?

Will Guzman play shortstop or second base?
With spring training a little over a month away, a lot of offseason talk on the defensive side has centered around the shortstop and second base positions. A lot of rumors had the Nats interested in Orlando Hudson last year and that talk continues now as the team prepares for the 2010 campaign. Shortstop Ian Desmond did a great job on an interim basis and he has told me how he will go all out, leave everything on the table to secure the position this season. So where will Cristian Guzman...

Next stop HOF for Big Unit

Next stop HOF for Big Unit
Five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson announced his retirement today. The 46-year old pitcher won his 300th game with the Giants last season and finished with 303 for his career. He is second all-time to Nolan Ryan in career strikeouts. Johnson pitched for the Expos, Mariners, Astros, Diamondbacks, Yankees and Giants in 22 seasons. Looking back on his time with the Expos, it was abbreviated compared to the 22 overall seasons, but he went 3-4 in 11 starts with a 4.69 ERA and 51...

It's official: Let's Go Capps!

It's official: Let's Go Capps!
The Nationals made it official today with the announcement that closer Matt Capps has signed with the team. The 26-year-old brings impressive experience to Nats Park. With the Pirates, Capps had 67 saves, 29 holds, 3.61 ERA and a 19-19 record in five seasons. Pitching Coach Steve McCatty says Capps "wants the ball. He is a tremendous competitor. We all like him. He seems to love to have the opportunity every game." Manager Jim Riggleman told me Capps will be a "huge help for our...

After illness Marrero feeling confident about 2010

After illness Marrero feeling confident about 2010
I had a nice talk with Nationals minor league first baseman Chris Marrero today as he gets ready for this season. Marrero was a busy man this past season with stops in Potomac, Harrisburg and Phoenix, spanning over 150 games. Chris feels better this week after getting over a bout of food poisioning (possibly from some undercooked chicken) that landed him in the hospital for a night. I talked to him about his season with Potomac and Harrisburg and Arizona winter ball: "My number one goal...

Nats Winter Caravan Schedule breakdown

Nats Winter Caravan Schedule breakdown
The Nationals announced the winter caravan schedule which comes up this year January 27th through the 31st, 2010. Several big name Nats will make appearances including Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn, Pudge Rodriguez and John Lannan. Several of the events are open to the public in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. including stops at Ben's Chili Bowl, P-Nats complex in Woodbridge, a Capitals hockey game and Hard Times Cafe. There is also the ticketed events with the popular second annual Hot Stove...

Could Dukes have a breakout season for Nats?

Could Dukes have a breakout season for Nats?
Manager Jim Riggleman is excited about the prospects in the Nats outfield this upcoming season, especially the chances of Elijah Dukes having a season to remember. I asked Jim about Dukes recently and he told me, "I think Elijah can have a big year. He did well for himself in right field (last season). He had a lot of assists and is getting to be a finished product at his position." Do you think Elijah can have a big year at the plate? "Offensively, we are just scratching the...

Clippard has a clear view of success in 2010

Clippard has a clear view of success in 2010
I caught up with Nats reliever Tyler Clippard as he continues to work out in Tampa, Florida in preparation for the 2010 spring training. Clippard finished the season strong with a 4-2 record in 60 plus innings and a 2.69 ERA. He had 7 straight appearances to end the season not allowing any earned runs and only once during that stretch did he allow multiple hits in an outing. Clippard told me he was proud of the way he ended the season: "I was. That was a big thing for me to end on...

Nationals in 2011 and Winter Caravan Update

Nationals in 2011 and Winter Caravan Update
In my mind (that's scary), I sometimes draw parallels between recruiting in college basketball to free agent shopping in Major League baseball. A good example of this is a collegiate team that has a great recruiting class one season of say five outstanding freshmen. The team improves and plays better that season after two miserable seasons. Then in 2011, the team only has a pair of scholarships available. But they go out and get two pieces that are more precise to what they need, and they...

Could Ian Desmond start at 2B?

Could Ian Desmond start at 2B?
The Nationals have been linked to Orlando Hudson and even Adam Kennedy as possible answers at second base for 2010, but could it be possible the Nats begin the season with Ian Desmond as the starter at second base? Ian told me "I can play second base and did so last year (with the Nats)." He says he has been taking groundballs at short and second base in his off season preparations. "I have worked out a lot in the infield and have also taken a lot of fly balls in the outfield, pretty...