masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgAre the Twins going to be the team to revive the Orioles?

They’re sitting in last place in the AL Central. They haven’t won a series this year. They’ve scored only 45 runs, six fewer than the Orioles, who have become allergic to home plate. Catcher Joe Mauer is on the disabled list with a viral infection and first baseman Justin Morneau sat out yesterday’s game with an illness that makes him questionable for tonight. A closer controversy culminated with Matt Capps unseating Joe…Are the Twins going to be the team to revive the Orioles?

They’re sitting in last place in the AL Central. They haven’t won a series this year. They’ve scored only 45 runs, six fewer than the Orioles, who have become allergic to home plate. Catcher Joe Mauer is on the disabled list with a viral infection and first baseman Justin Morneau sat out yesterday’s game with an illness that makes him questionable for tonight. A closer controversy culminated with Matt Capps unseating Joe Nathan.

The Twins are batting .235, ranking 23rd in the majors. The Orioles are 26th with a .228 average.

Anybody know where I can find four low-scoring games this week?

I’m sure Chris Tillman (0-1, 7.30 ERA) and Francisco Liriano (0-3, 9.42 ERA) will gladly take one tonight. They’re quite due.

Clay Rapada will join the bullpen tonight. The Orioles like the idea of having a second left-hander, especially with Michael Gonzalez struggling, and Mark Hendrickson took himself out of the running with a 10.13 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk. He gave up two more runs yesterday, throwing 33 pitches in 1 1/3 innings.

Nick Green hit his first home run, and it must have been a bomb. According to the Tides’ game summary, the ball flew over the left field picnic area.

I’ve never been to Harbor Park, but I assume that’s a long way from home plate.

Double-A Bowie split a doubleheader yesterday. Jeff Fiorentino hit his first home run in Game 1, and the Baysox rallied from a seven-run deficit to win, 11-7.

Billy Rowell started at first base in Game 2 while Joe Mahoney’s on the disabled list. He’s batting .250.

Tim Bascom held Erie to one run in 6 2/3 innings, but he settled for a no-decision.

Single-A Frederick lost both ends of its doubleheader to Salem. Dan Klein (UCLA) took the loss in Game 1 after giving up a run in 2 2/3 innings. L.J. Hoes went 0-for-7 over the two games to leave his average at .115.

Kipp Schutz and Trent Mummey hit their second home runs for Single-A Delmarva. Manny Machado went 3-for-4 and is batting .361.

Let’s get back to the Orioles.

A bunch of students here at SOR are suggesting drastic changes to the lineup, or at least a little tweaking. A few of you passed along suggestions. Feel free to post them again. And I’ll challenge everyone else to give me a lineup for tonight against the left-handed Liriano.

Feel free to give me your right-handed version for other nights.

Who’s moving up? Who’s moving down? Who’s going to the bench?