A little this, a little that
When Melvin Mora was hit on the hand by a pitch last night, manager Dave Trembley had one thought running through his mind:
"Who the hell am I going to put at third base?"
Mora spared him any further angst by staying in the game.
It was nice to see Dennis Sarfate commanding his fastball. And as a reliever, he can rely a little more on that pitch.
Trembley noted that Sarfate "didn't try to trick anybody" out there. We certainly weren't fooled into thinking he should be starting.
Sarfate, Kam Mickolio and Jim Johnson formed an impressive power trio out of the bullpen. And Sarfate was a nice contrast to the softer-tossing, left-handed Chris Waters.
The first inning remains the worst for the Orioles. They've allowed 106 runs in the opening frame. They're 23-32 in 55 games when permitting at least one run in the first.
Nick Markakis recorded his 13th outfield assist last night. He began the night ranked second in the league, trailing Alex Rios by only one.
When Melvin Mora went from first to third on Luke Scott's walk, it wasn't as freakish a play as it might have appeared. It actually was done somewhat by design - and by borrowing a page from the Red Sox.
"We learned that last year because we were the recipient of them doing that to us," Trembley said. "When we went over our reports, we saw how they were aligning themselves against a couple of our left-handed hitters, so what's good for the goose is good for the gander."
Down on the farm, Oscar Salazar reached base in all five plate appearances last night, but Triple-A Norfolk lost to Toledo, 8-5. Salazar had three singles and two walks, leaving his average at .312.
Chris Roberson added two hits and an RBI, and Cory Doyne turned in 2 1/3 hitless innings in his Tides debut. But Ryan Bukvich allowed five earned runs (six total) and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. Most disturbing, he walked six batters and threw 106 pitches (49 for strikes).
This is the third straight start where Bukvich has issued at least six walks.
Dontrelle Willis (3-1) started for Toledo and got the win, though he allowed three earned runs and eight hits in five innings. He also walked five, struck out four and threw 98 pitches.
How much is this guy being paid?
Radhames Liz is scheduled to start tonight for Norfolk, but I have a funny feeling that he'll be scratched.
Brandon Snyder didn't take batting practice or play last night for Single-A Frederick, and he remains day-to-day after injuring his left shoulder in a collision at first base during Tuesday's game.
Snyder grabbed his surgically repaired shoulder after Jose De Los Santos ran into him as Snyder reached for a throw on a bunt play. I'm told that Snyder was all smiles after the game, and again yesterday at the ballpark, and said that he's sore but it's nothing serious.
The collision was violent enough to send Snyder's glove flying toward the outfield grass. It was a scary scene that immediately reminds us of Brian Roberts' grotesque injury in New York a few years ago.
Early speculation has Snyder getting another day off before possibly returning to the lineup on Friday, when the Keys are in Salem.
Double-A Bowie's magic number is down to three.
Chris Tillman has gone six innings in his last four starts, allowing five runs and striking out 35.
Zach Clark starts tonight for Bowie. I mention this only because he's opposing Reading's Antonio Bastardo, one of my favorite names in baseball.
It certainly conjures up a tougher image than Terry Tiffee.
Any Bruce Springsteen fans out there?
Anybody have an idea of what Antonio Bastardo's name derived from?
Roch
Who is HE-MAN?
When I was looking up our record from last year to see how we compare this year, I was really stunned to look at the history of the O's record. Although I think I generally knew there was a dramatic downturn in the performance of the franchise, seeing it all on one page was hard to take.
After moving from St. Louis and starting here with six losing seasons, the O's went on to have only two losing seasons in the 25 years between 1960-1985. Those years obviously also included three World Series Championships out of six such appearances. By contrast, in the 22 seasons since 1985, we've have four winning seasons, two of which involved playoff appearances, but no World Series appearances (thank you Armando Benitez).
I wonder if there is a franchise in sports that has had two more diametrically different quarters (or nearly) of a century.
Roch--As to your question concerning Dontrelle Willis, 'How much is this guy being paid?', the correct answer, I believe, is WAY TOO MUCH. (Compared to Willis, Daniel Cabrera or Radhames Liz has textbook mechanics.)
Ben and Ray--Regarding Ramon, I'm largely in agreement with you guys. He's really struggled behind the plate, even after he started lighting it up offensively since the All-Star break. When the Orioles signed him, wasn't one of the things said to made him attractive was his prowess both at the plate and behind it? Yet this year I've heard continual criticisms of his defense from both the tv and radio broadcasters, especially the poor form he uses in blocking balls in the dirt.
He was credited with being good at calling a game and an excellent handler of pitchers, too, and was said to have really helped the quality Oakland and San Diego staffs excel. But now that's frequently disputed as well, though I think he's not as bad in this area as his mechanics.
As for lazy, I think a case can be made that that may be so in his cavalier play of 55 foot sliders, but in fairness he's turned it up a notch on the bases, to where I don't think the "lack of hustle" charge sticks (epecially since after the break, where he's been quite an offense force for the Birds).
As for the O's having a winning season, it's going to be very tough with the schedule they have remaining, which is probably as difficult a stretch as any during the year. There are no teams that can be considered pushovers, as even the weakest (the A's and Indians) have played Baltimore tough.
For the Orioles to finish 82-80 is going to require them to play their best baseball of the season for a sustained stretch. Now, there's no doubt that they can hit with anyone, but the bottom line is going to be how the starting rotation fares. There isn't much reason for optimism there, but with that lineup the team doesn't need great starts; with just decent outings from them it can be in every game.
Whether they can do that remains to be seen, but given the remaining schedule one thing is certain: If the O's have a winning season, it's something they will have earned, a really great achievement, and a huge step in the right direction for the future.
Roch,
Were you or anyone else thinking that some retaliation was warranted after both Mora and Castro were plunked last night? Is it me or do the Red Sox seem to do this alot?
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I was bracing for it. - Roch
We should all be eagerly anticipating how the Orioles farm system chalks up with end of the year rankings by BA.
Hitting-wise: Wieters will be the cornerstone but we also have a lot of very nice yearlong performances from folks from the Bedard trade and depth coming from the Tejada trade. Reimold and Snyder has had a nice bounceback years from injuries. Rowell needs some more time. A little thin in spots on the infield but the OF looks to be set at the majors for a while.
Pitching-wise: Tillman, Arrieta, Erbe, D. Hernandez, Kam have all had strong seasons with strong component ratios. Matusz will probably go right near the top of that list probably behind Tillman. Throw in high potential guys who have had health issues like Butler, Spoone, Patton, Hoey, Albers. Guys who may not qualify as prospects anymore like Liz and Olson still have high potential but needs to work out their adjustment to the majors. Surprise solid guys with strong performances like Bergesen bring up the rear. Guys who took a step back or still needs to work out some things are McCrory, Beato (Looking like a bust right now), and Bascom (Ditto). Overall this system has one of the strongest collections of arms in baseball.
put huff at third and millar at first
20-16 is certainly something to root for, but will be tough. 19-17 would still get us our best record since 1997, the last year we made the playoffs. TWA is right, this year's club is to be congratulated. They certainly have exceeded expectations. Now we have to stay the course. Build around Markakis, Jones and Guthrie.
Liz has gotten more chances here than that old comedians third wife...
???? He's 24 and he's pitched just over 71 innings in the majors. 14 starts is enough chances to write the guy off? I think not. I guess the Red Sox should give up on Buckholtz and the Yankees should give up on Phil Hughes too. They've both had more of a chance than Liz has.
So if Crisp had actually caught the ball while jumping over and landing on the other side of the wall it would have been an out? Thought he would have had to stay in the field of play? If not, then why dont we keep Olson and Burress in the rotation and station Payton in the stands? He can move from left to right depending on who's at bat.
It's time for us to enjoy some end of the year excitement - the first in ten years at this point. 20-16 in the last 36 games would get us to .500. I'd have never believed we'd have a chance at this point with the squad we had in April. I salute the Birds, their management, and their ownership for giving us an interesting year. Next year we have to keep going -- but for now let's root for 20 wins!!
2009 lineup
Roberts-2b
Jones-cf
Markakis-rf
Huff-1b
Mora-3b
Wieters-c
Scott-dh
Montanez-lf
Castro-ss
Help me out somebody...
I watched the play where Mora swiped third several times on Tivo last night. And I never saw the third baseman. Where was he? Was he standing around second base for some reason? Was their shift so great, that at the time of the pitch, the 3b was almost over to 2nd base? I thought Youkalis was at third, but the announcers never mentioned his name during the replays.
It was fun to watch, but Mora was a dead duck if the catcher had woken up a half second earlier.
By the way... Tivo is a Godsend for a rebuilding team. Just watch the game on 2x or 3x speed while our team is in the field. Much easier to take the walks and the poor starts.
Roch, is baseball's Triple Crown decided on regular season stats only? I would assume so. Despite his call up, Montanez is now looking better and better for that honor in AA. He has held his 4-homer lead and 10-rbi lead and has a huge lead for the batting title (14 points). Meanwhile, I think he's been really impressive at the plate, not just by batting .370, but by showing great patience. He worked from down in the count for two walks last night. He has also looked better in the outfield. I would play him every day, working him into the outfield, at DH and maybe some first base. Millar can sit and Luke needs a day off here and there. It's a shame no one else can play center because playing Payton every day is disappointing.
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Yes, regular season only. - Roch
Roc,
Is there any chance the D. Cabrera will not be back with the team next year? I know that there may not be a great option ready to step in his place right now, but don't you get to the point where enough is enough. Personally, I wouldn't care if he won 30 games next year, as long as its not with that team from NY.
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There's always a chance, but I'm predicting he'll be back - Roch
Just curious...on Ramon's homer, what if Coco Crisp had just grabbed a stray ball in the bullpen, hopped back over and held the ball up in a victorious salute? Without instant replay, how could the umps dispute his claim of "I caught it!"
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We all were thinking the same thing. The TV cameras would have revealed his trickery, but it's not like the umps could have done much about it. - Roch
Bastardo's name demands you say it with a flourish.
Jimmy Johnson continues to be one amazing guy --- pitching in tight situations while simultaneously holding onto third place in Sprint Cup Standings. Whew! But I digress...
Dave Trembley said one thing before last night's game about him that really bothered me. Quoting from your very own blog, he said, “So I don't think there's anything he (Johnson) needs to do differently as far as his makeup is concerned."
Jim Johnson wears makeup? What, the stadium lights make him look pale or something? Does Amber advise him?
Hey Roch... Where's the pizzaz ? This is bland stuff, 1+1=2. Get back to the wit and charm with a bit of sarcasm thrown in to keep us on our toes.
Let's just hope that Melvin's hand is okay today.
Ken - Your comment on Ramon having the skills defensively, but not using them is a major indictment of his play. Personally, and I understand that catching is a draining position, I have never seen anyone be so lazy as he has been this year.
Olson down...good move & no choice. Montanez getting some more time in CF, good idea. Liz getting another chance...priceless.
Liz has gotten more chances here than that old comedians third wife... it just goes to show how weak the upper minors still are to be honest. We still have two years to wait for some pitchers to get here.
Wouldn't it have been easy to move Huff over to third and put Millar in at first?
Oh man, Antonio Bastardo. That just cracked me up.
I watched the game last night. Sarfate really looked better as a reliever just throwing heat and doing a slider. Then, you have Mickolio making his debut. In my eyes, he really gave up a hit (the double) that was hard-hit. Other than that, it was just cheapies. I did like his 2 strikeouts, though. Very nice. No walks from him will endear him to the fans. When I saw Mickolio throw that first pitch, and saw his windup, I was just like, OMG! Because when you're a right handed batter, it looks like he's throwing at you and then you're tentative to hit. Which is what I think happened to a few of the right handed batters. 95-97 mph heat doesn't hurt with a 85 mph slider.
I can see Mickolio being a 8th inning man while JJ is the closer for now. Sarfate and others can be 6th and 7th inning people.
I've been so busy this week that I have to admit to slacking a little on being able to catch all the blog entries but...is there is a reason that Millar couldn't have come in to play 1st and had Huff slide over to 3rd if Melvin had needed to be removed from the game?
Greg Miclat made his professional debut Monday for the Gulf Coast League Orioles. He went 2-4 with a double and a RBI, not bad but he is a little old for that league at 21. That team only plays 8 more games this year so we will get a better feel for Miclat in the fall leagues and next year at Delmarva.
Glad to see the O's win last night! Thank God. I couldn't help but laugh at Melvin trotting around second base like a little kid. The look on the Francona's face.... PRICELESS! Melvin is really tearing it up this month. If only our pitchers could heat up, we could end the season on a good note. Anyways, let's sweep the Yankees. They kinda suck!
i'm confused about that foul ball play? Since when does a ball not have to land in fair territory? Just going over the base, if that was the case there would be A LOT less foul balls?? whiskey tango foxtrot was that all about....
"Chris Tillman has gone six innings in his last four starts, allowing five runs and striking out 35."
Was he pitching both halves of the inning to rack up 6 k's per inning?
Roch,
Although I do not see the Orioles signing Tex or Burnett, what draft picks would they lose for signing one or both of them.
21 more victories to over 500.