Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Josh Land
Orioles
We've reached that point on the calendar that seems to mark the unofficial end of summer with the passing of Labor Day weekend, but there's still another month of regular season baseball to enjoy. With that comes another month of the weekly O's Buzz photo contest, 'Where in the yard?' So shake off the disappointment of the long weekend gone by, and take a look at the photo below. As always, let us know what the item is and where it's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards. ...
Subtle moment shows D.C. is becoming a baseball town again
Subtle moment shows D.C. is becoming a baseball town again
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Labor Day was fun for the Nationals again this year. The Nats steamrolled their division rival Mets 13-3 behind a spectacular performance from rookie Danny Espinosa. He hit two homers, including a grand slam and a career-high 6 RBI. Washington is now 5-0 on Labor Day since the team's first year in D.C. Espinosa had an incredible day at the plate. But the at bat that I remember very well was an out. In his second at bat, Espinosa smacked a long flyout to center field in the Nats'...
Because You Asked - Judgment Day
Because You Asked - Judgment Day
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
You ask and I answer. And you ask again. It's our little dance here at School of Roch, and it's the only cardio I get, so I'm not complaining. My responses often get lost in the comments section, so better to post them here. "Why do the Orioles keep pitching Kevin Millwood when he isn't part of the future?" They couldn't trade him and aren't willing to cut him loose unceremoniously. They're more likely to shut down a young starter or two that reaches his pitch limit while working...
Viola joining Orioles
Viola joining Orioles
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Pedro Viola will join the Orioles in New York as an extra bullpen arm, further expanding their September roster. Viola is on the 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary. Double-A Bowie's season ended today with a loss to Richmond. Viola was notified after the game that the Orioles had recalled him. Viola went 0-2 with a 17.65 ERA, 10 walks and eight strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings at Triple-A Norfolk before moving down to Bowie. He was 3-4 with a 3.59 ERA, 19 walks and 64...
These Orioles have come a long way
These Orioles have come a long way
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Sweeping Los Angeles was nice. Winning games from the White Sox and Texas was a good accomplishment. Winning versus AL East teams is most impressive of all. The Orioles have now won three in a row from Tampa and New York, maybe the two best teams in the game, and are now 4-3 in a nine-game run versus Boston, Tampa and New York. The Yankees have lost just four of 23 home series this year. That will become five if the O's win one of the next two games. It wasn't just winning at New...
Koji closes out another one
Koji closes out another one
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
0-2. 0-2. 0-2. Koji Uehara got ahead of all three batters he faced in the ninth inning today. Throw strikes, work quickly, go out to dinner. Uehara recorded his seventh save in pretty routine fashion, getting a fly ball and two strikeouts to complete a 4-3 victory over the Yankees. Pinch-hitter Colin Curtis saw three pitches and froze on the last one to end the game. We're still not calling Uehara the closer. No labels here. Just saves. He's converted all seven opportunities since...
Roberts, Matusz and the pen come up big as O's top the Yankees, 4-3
Roberts, Matusz and the pen come up big as O's top the Yankees, 4-3
Steve Melewski
Orioles
On a day when he appeared in discomfort several times throughout the game, Brian Roberts still went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI as the Orioles, behind Brian Matusz, beat the Yankees 4-3 in New York. The O's got several clutch performances on a day where they knocked off the AL East leaders and the team with baseball's best record. After a Roberts single gave the O's a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh, the Baltimore pen kept New York off the board in the final three frames. Matt Albers pitched a...
50 ways to lose a lead (updated)
50 ways to lose a lead (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I won't detail all 50, but the Orioles covered a few of them in the sixth inning. They didn't slip out the back, but they definitely should have made a new plan. A leadoff walk. A wild pitch. The catcher's failure to block a ball in the dirt. The failure to catch a fly ball in shallow left field. That'll do it. Brian Matusz walked Nick Swisher to begin the sixth, putting his 3-1 lead in immediate jeopardy. Mark Teixeira singled and a wild pitch move up both runners. Matt Wieters...
B-Rob: A hurting hero (updated)
B-Rob: A hurting hero (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Roberts just gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead with a two-out single in the fifth that scored Cesar Izturis from second base. I thought we'd have a close play at the plate, but Alex Rodriguez cut off Marcus Thames' throw from left field and gunned down Roberts at second for the final out. Roberts is clearly in pain, wincing and staying bent over as a teammate brought his glove. He made a cautious slide into second, as if trying to lessen the impact of slamming into the bag. The back might...
Three outs to go for Bowie (updated with loss)
Three outs to go for Bowie (updated with loss)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
A funny thing happened to the Bowie Baysox on the way to the playoffs. They may not make it. Trailing Harrisburg by one game for a playoff berth, they are trailing Richmond 4-3 in the last of the 8th in their final game of the regular season. With three more outs left, if they lose, they are eliminated from the race. Mr. clutch, Joel Guzman is 3 for 4 today with 2 RBI and Brandon Waring has a solo homer, his 22nd. Caleb Joseph has two doubles. Richmond scored four in the 4th. Now I'm ...