masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe run that left-hander Tanner Scott allowed Wednesday in Game 2 of the doubleheader in Boston marked the third time in 11 outings that he was scored upon and the fourth in 15. He didn’t surrendered more than one run in those games spanning 16 innings.
Chipping away at the ERA has been a tedious process, but he’s lowered it from 6.57 on Aug. 15 to 5.26. Scott has registered a 6.67 ERA and 1.778 WHIP in 27 games in the first half and a 3.81 ERA and 1.192 WHIP after the break. His September…

The run that left-hander Tanner Scott allowed Wednesday in Game 2 of the doubleheader in Boston marked the third time in 11 outings that he was scored upon and the fourth in 15. He didn’t surrendered more than one run in those games spanning 16 innings.

Scott-Orange-Sidebar-0511.jpgChipping away at the ERA has been a tedious process, but he’s lowered it from 6.57 on Aug. 15 to 5.26. Scott has registered a 6.67 ERA and 1.778 WHIP in 27 games in the first half and a 3.81 ERA and 1.192 WHIP after the break. His September ERA of 2.61 with four walks and 15 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings is the lowest of any month.

Scott earned the win in Game 2 after replacing Jimmy Yacabonis and working 2 2/3 innings in his longest appearance in the majors.

“Tanner very quietly, I know I’m going to jinx him the last four days, he seems to have gotten a real feel for his delivery,” said manager Buck Showalter. “When he tried to hump up and threw the ball 98, those were the balls that got away from him. When he was 96 …

“He threw a fastball in to (Rafael) Devers yesterday, trying to go in, got it in there for a strike and (Devers) had no chance. He looked like a pitcher who didn’t have control issues the last few times out. Not necessarily control, just more consistent around the zone. And I know I completely jinxed him for his next outing.

“It’s been fun to watch. He’s gotten a little better every year he’s pitched in professional baseball, so I hope that’s going to be good down the road.”

Scott is averaging 4.4 walks and 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He’s surrendered six home runs in 52 appearances over 53 innings.

The development of a second pitch to complement an upper-90s fastball could bring greater responsibility in future years. He’s viewed within the organization as having closer potential.

“Because of the slider,” Showalter said.

It’s becoming quite a weapon.

* Showalter hasn’t been told whether he’s part of the rebuild, but he still can field questions about it.

Asked yesterday whether the process could quicken and take fewer than three seasons, Showalter replied, “You don’t put a timetable on it.”

“You think Philadelphia, they got away ahead of their supposed … Atlanta,” Showalter said. “I have good friends in both places and it surprised them a little bit.

“I think in today’s game a lot depends on how quick the young pitching comes. You look at what separates the Houstons. You talk about all the things they do on the field and the good position players, but you’ve got three guys throwing 200 innings, it lets you do a lot of things with your bullpen that other people can’t do.

“You try to do it as fast as you can, but you’ve got to do it with your nose down and grind each day and you might be surprised where you stand when those days are behind you.”

* The most recent update on Cuban brothers Victor Victor Mesa, 22, and Victor Mesa Jr., 17, includes how they’re set to work out for teams on Oct. 5 in Miami.

I’m told that the Orioles will have “several” representatives at Marlins Park for the showcase event.

Victor Victor Mesa is regarded as an elite defensive center fielder with a plus-arm and plus-speed. The Orioles see his younger brother, a standout on Cuba’s 18U national team, as more of a fit in left field.

The Mesas left Cuba in May and are living in the Dominican Republic. They were declared free agents by Major League Baseball earlier this month, allowing them to sign with any team.

The Marlins are viewed as the stiffest competition for the Orioles, who are interested in both players and intend to make an aggressive push for them.

The Orioles have around $6.7 million in bonus pool money to spend internationally, compared to the Marlins’ $4.3 million.

* The Orioles committed only two errors in six games on the road trip, but there’s two sides to every defensive story.

There were more breakdowns that eliminated outs from being recorded, including a potential double play on a comebacker to Ryan Meisinger in Game 1 of the doubleheader. A poor throw – described as a “changeup” by Showalter – produced only a force out at second base and the Red Sox scored five runs in the inning.

Second baseman Steve Wilkerson deflected a couple of balls without fielding them cleanly. A Red Sox runner broke early for second base and was able to get back to first.

Two errors in six games is encouraging, but they come with an asterisk.