Programming Note for Saturday, September 4th
Programming Note for Saturday, September 4th
Josh Land
Orioles
On Saturday, MASN will televise the Coastal Carolina vs. West Virginia football game live at 3:30 p.m. from Morgantown. The Mountaineers are in the top 25 teams in preseason AP and USA Today polls. If the Division I college football game runs beyond its 3.5 hour television window, it would conflict with the 7:05 p.m. start of the Orioles vs. Rays game. If the football game is close, MASN may continue televising it until the game's conclusion, and then join the Orioles game in progress. ...
Hanrahan finds success in Pittsburgh
Hanrahan finds success in Pittsburgh
Josh Land
Nationals
On Friday evening, former Nationals closer Joel Hanrahan collected his third save of the season by striking out his former teammate and friend, Ryan Zimmerman. "All I was thinking was that I didn't want to face Adam," Hanrahan joked on Saturday, but admitted that it's strange facing some of his good friends and former teammates on the mound. "Between the lines, it's all about business and it was nice to get the job done for our team." Hanrahan is cruising through an impressive year...
Eastern League pennant race
Eastern League pennant race
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Bowie Baysox and Harrisburg are now tied for the final Eastern League playoff spot with identical 75-64 records with three games to go. Bowie is playing at Richmond tonight while Harrisburg is at Binghamton. Should the teams finish tied for second place and that last playoff spot, they will play a one-game playoff contest on Tuesday at Bowie. Eddie Gamboa (7-5, 3.70) is tonight's Baysox starter. He is coming off 6 1/3 scoreless innings in his last outing and is 1-1, 2.45 vs. Richmond...
Talking Tillman and Hendrickson
Talking Tillman and Hendrickson
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Chris Tillman hasn't been promised a specific number of starts over these final weeks of the season. He takes the ball tomorrow for the first time in the majors since July 19. That's the only guarantee. "He's going to get an opportunity to pitch tomorrow," manager Buck Showalter said. "I haven't seen him pitch other than on tape and everybody here has, so I'm kind of the last guy. We'll see after tomorrow's start where we go." It's Tillman's turn to be evaluated. "You've just...
Not many chances yet for Snyder
Not many chances yet for Snyder
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Brandon Snyder has been here for three games now without an at bat. It's becoming apparent that, despite his callup, he will likely not get too many starts. I asked Buck Showalter today if Snyder can gain something here, even if not playing much and if he can evaluate some things about Snyder without seeing him play much. "I know there's never any substitute for actual game participation, but as we get into a couple of clubs that won't be involved in the playoffs, we'll get some looks...
Tillman time again
Tillman time again
Steve Melewski
Orioles
On July 19, Chris Tillman gave up eight runs in just 2 2/3 vs. Tampa Bay. For him, the rematch and the resumption of his Major League career comes tomorrow here at Camden Yards. Tillman will make his 7th big league start of this season Sunday vs. the Rays. This is his third stint with the Orioles after going 11-7, 3.34 in 21 starts with Norfolk. "I have to just go out and do what I know I can do. I've been pretty consistent down in Norfolk. That's been the thing I wanted to work on...
Jones update
Jones update
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Still no Adam Jones, who continues to receive treatment on his sore upper back. He's also allowing the cortisone injection that he received Thursday night to work its magic. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells is upbeat about the progress that Jones has made, according to manager Buck Showalter, but don't look for the center fielder in tomorrow's lineup. He probably won't be there. "He's a little better today, but I don't think him playing is imminent," Showalter said. "I think it...
Orioles lineup (and Rays)
Orioles lineup (and Rays)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Julio Lugo 3B Corey Patterson CF Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP Here's Tampa Bay's lineup: Jaso C Zobrist 2B Crawford LF Longoria 3B Pena 1B Joyce RF Hawpe DH Upton CF Bartlett SS Shields RHP
Admiring Millwood
Admiring Millwood
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It's probably going to be an unpopular opinion, but I admire Kevin Millwood. Yes, I admire a pitcher with a 3-15 record, a new career high in losses and ERA of 5.38. The pitcher that leads the American League in losses. I remember that he pitched the first two months of this season without a win, despite a 3.89 ERA. That was the lowest ERA for a starter who opened the season with 11 straight winless decisions since Rick Langford had a 2.62 to open the 1978 season with Oakland. He...
Buck's seeing it all
Buck's seeing it all
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I've got a busy morning ahead of me, which includes a three-hour stint on "Wall to Wall Baseball" with Tom Davis and Dave Johnson. The first hour, beginning at 11 a.m., will air on MASN. You can catch the entire show on ESPN Radio 1300. Or you can sleep late. Depends what you did last night. Do you get the feeling that Orioles manager Buck Showalter is looking at life from both sides now (see if that song sticks in your head for a while.) Showalter has seen the good. A lot more than he...