Well, if you take away the home runs... (updated)
Well, if you take away the home runs... (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Ichiro Suzuki, Mike Sweeney and Michael Saunders had combined for one home run in 185 at-bats before today's game. They each took Kevin Millwood deep in the right-hander's 6 2/3 innings. That'll leave a mark. Saunders raised his season's total to two and knocked out Millwood, who has been replaced by Mark Hendrickson with the Orioles trailing, 5-1. Suzuki was a lifetime .394 hitter vs. Millwood before today, including one home run in 71 at-bats. Millwood has surrendered 10 homers this...
A lost lead and reliever
A lost lead and reliever
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Kevin Millwood just fumbled a 1-0 lead in the fifth on Michael Saunders' two-out single that scored Ryan Langerhans and Ichiro Suzuki's first home run of the season. Seattle 3, Orioles 1. Langerhans led off with a double and took third on Josh Wilson's fly ball to right. Rob Johnson sent a bouncer up the middle against the Orioles drawn-in infield, and shortstop Cesar Izturis made a clean pick-up and throw for the out as Langerhans held at third. I thought the ball might sneak through or...
Moore is less
Moore is less
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Triple-A Norfolk infielder Scott Moore left today's game in Syracuse after one at-bat because of a strained hamstring. He's expected to be sidelined for about a week. Paco Figueroa, just promoted from Double-A Bowie, replaced Moore at second base. Ty Wigginton has the game's only hit as we enter the bottom of the third inning. He lined a single to left field. He's my favorite player today, in case you didn't notice. Here are a few more pre-game comments from manager Dave Trembley, who...
Give Griffin some credit for Bergesen's turnaround
Give Griffin some credit for Bergesen's turnaround
Steve Melewski
Orioles
For Brad Bergesen the results have been different and the numbers jump out at you. In three starts before he was optioned to Norfolk his ERA was 12.19. In three starts since returning, his ERA is 2.33. Give Bergy credit for putting the time in to find his sinker and maybe even regain some confidence. But how big a role did Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin play? He talked with Bergy and watched him throw some bullpen sessions while he was with the Tides. Here's manager Dave Trembley...
The perfect present
The perfect present
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Happy Birthday, David Hernandez. And what better way to celebrate your 25th than having manager Dave Trembley tell reporters this morning that the organization hasn't discussed replacing you in the rotation. Hernandez's 11 consecutive losses are two shy of Mike Boddicker's club record. He was charged with five runs (four earned) and five hits in 5 2/3 innings, with four walks, four strikeouts and two wild pitches, in Tuesday's start against the Mariners. Trembley mentioned how Hernandez...
Playing for a Ty
Playing for a Ty
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Dave Trembley wrote Ty Wigginton's name in the lineup - and we're talking marker, not pencil - before the club's second baseman arrived at Camden Yards. Wigginton insisted last night that he'd be fine. Forget that his hand and wrist were wrapped to prevent more swelling after Seattle shortstop Josh Wilson nailed him with a throw in the second inning. Not a problem. Sure enough, Wigginton showed up this morning without the wrap, and with every intention of starting against...
Orioles lineup
Orioles lineup
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
True to his word, Ty Wigginton is playing again today after being hit on his right wrist last night while breaking up a double play. Next, he'll tear a phone book in half and tow an 18-wheeler with his teeth. Here's the lineup: Corey Patterson LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Ty Wigginton 2B Luke Scott DH Rhyne Hughes 1B Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Kevin Millwood RHP
I walk alone
I walk alone
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me. Players aren't required to report today until 11 a.m. after last night's late finish. The clubhouse opens to the media at 9 a.m., the usual 3 1/2 hours before first pitch. The smart reporters wait until players start to show up. I got here at 8:50 a.m. My mother didn't raise any stupid children, but my judgment has been questioned on multiple occasions. The lineup hasn't been posted yet. The clubhouse is completely empty. So is the...
More notes from Wednesday's win and today's pitchers
More notes from Wednesday's win and today's pitchers
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles improved to 10-24 with Wednesday's 5-2 win over Seattle. The O's are the last team in the Majors to get to 10 victories. The O's went 4 for 10 with runners in scoring position and are batting .394 with RISP in their ten wins and .123 with RISP in the 24 losses. O's record when scoring four or more: 8-4 O's record when scoring less than four: 2-20 It was the Orioles first win this year vs. the Mariners and they are now 1-4 in the season series. Runs scored in 2010 vs....
More clubhouse quotes after a win over Seattle
More clubhouse quotes after a win over Seattle
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Here are more comments from the O's clubhouse after tonight's 5-2 win over the Mariners. Here are some quotes from winning pitcher Brad Bergesen and Luke Scott, who had a double and homer. Bergesen on his good outing: "Tonight felt good, all the pitches felt comfortable and the defense played great behind me. As a starting pitcher you always want to stay in the game but it was the right call to bring the bullpen in. The sinker is my best pitch and I felt comfortable throwing it...