My bad
I'm surprised by the way today's game ended. Don't the Orioles usually do pretty well on Sundays?
The hand-held fans promotion was timely. Most fans here had to be held down so they wouldn't leave in the fifth inning.
Kids are running the bases after the game. If the little girl in the pink shorts crosses home plate, Randor Bierd's ERA goes up another run.
(Yes, I dusted off that quip again. The name changes, but never the punchline. Consider it a tradition.)
I checked with Lou Montanez and Jay Payton, and I misread the play in left-center field (hold the jokes).
Montanez didn't hear Payton call for the ball until late and kept going for it, knowing the sun was causing problems.
"I just went for it so it wouldn't fall in," he said.
Payton said he was prepared to make the catch, but got tangled up. "Didn't you see my divot?" he said.
Payton added that Montanez "saved my butt."
Manager Dave Trembley praised Nick Markakis last night for being man enough to admit that he made a baserunning mistake. Well, this is me, manning up.
Brian Roberts tied his career high with four hits. Ian Kinsler called him a slacker.
Trembley didn't struggle to figure out why Chris Waters struggled today. His pitches were up. Against the Angels, he kept the ball down. It's that simple.
"The first time he pitched in Anaheim, I dare say there probably weren't four or five pitches that were above the belt," Trembley said. "Today, there probably weren't four or five pitches that were below the knees. His location wasn't good."
Asked how he'd describe Alex Cintron's day at shortstop, Trembley said, "Probably one that he'd want to do over. I think watching it speaks for itself. I'm not a negative person. I'm not going to take a shot at him. I've seen him have better days."
I've got to admit, I'm all blogged out at the moment. And I haven't seen or read about Michael Phelps in three hours, so I'm getting a little antsy. I'm waiting for the next update on him unclogging his left ear. If he adjusts his Speedo, four more blogs will instantly appear.
Enjoy the rest of your day. I'll be signed on later to check on your comments. They were lacking somewhat over the weekend, at least until I accused Montanez of getting in Payton's way.
I sure know how to goose an audience. And thanks for not slapping my face.
I am going to the Keys @ P-Nats game tomorrow, I will provide a report. Does anyone have any idea who's pitching? It looks like Bascom's turn but I'm not sure. I was hoping to see Erbe but he pitched today.
Nice work today, Roch. I'm looking forward to you breaking the news later today or tomorrow that both Cintron and Cormier have been DFA, and that Fahey and Jim Miller are on their way from Norfolk.
I didn't watch the game. thank goodness. So I didn't see the montanez/payton play, but Montanez is hitting. He needs to start for the rest of the season.
What time does Phelps next race start. I can't find it anywhere. Maybe I'm not looking in the right places.
Up above where you were manning up . . . was that Peyton or Eli?
This season the Orioles have been giving the Boomtown Rats more play than they have had since Bob Geldof organized Live Aid.
np I Dont like Sundays
Honeymoon is over. Time for tough questions. Do you believe the Orioles will address SS this offseason with a pickup more substantial than the likes of what we have now (Woods Aybar Brignac qualify)? What do you think of Izturis from the Angels? With Neil Walker coming off a mediocre year and blocked now by LaRoche and Alvarez if he is signed and stays at 3B (questionable), could we make a play for him to replace Mora in a year?
As I get to Bowie and Frederick a lot but Norfolk only once a year if that . . . do you think the pitchers at Bowie will likely move up en masse to Norfolk and Bowie will get Erbe, Beato etc to replace them? Is Patton expected to pitch at all next year? Where do you think Liz starts next year? Status for next year on Spoone's shoulder? Cant tell you how much I look forward to this blog next year with posts ad nauseum alling for the premature callup of Tillman etc.
I have to admit that Castro seems to be a real shortstop, unlike everybody else we ran out there hoping they could play the position.
From NE Indiana & Lake Clear... which should be called Lake Cold... if I didn't know better, I'd swear I was in SF... Windy, big clouds rolling through, temps in the low 70s.... for an hour or two 70s anyway... NICE , peaceful place though. Anyway, Bradford traded to TB for a bag of peanuts??? WHY? I don't get just GIVING away guys for nada.... that was a Freaking salary dump...way to go Potter!
Have the Os forgotten the Rays claiming guys from them in the past, kind of breaking the gentleman's code in doing so? Do the O's feel they owe TB anything???? Is the hate for the Spanks & Suxs that strong?
Trade these spare parts if they must...but not for JUNK. PTBNL...Gimme a break!
Hope Montanez gets used to that OF quickly. I don't think I can stomach another touchy-felly story about Payton & his lust/desire for an everyday starting position!
I'll take Castro for the rest of the season even if he hits negative .100. His exceptional D is really good for the posture of the team, and for the pitchers. I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but botching the first play of the game sets an awfully bad tone.
No sun excuse, I'm sorry. Find the freaking ball.
Horrible Sunday. I'm gonna start betting against these guys - maybe that would help.
Lou will sit the next 3 and come in late. Luke will start. Center field might be tried. Who is the 3rd fat guy in the commercial with Flan and Danny's step dad? Miller time must happen. Remero will nevr given a chance. Would the world end if Wieters is brought up soon? I need a drink.
I think Michael Phelps may end up with more wins on a Sunday than the Orioles this season... that relay was WAY better than the O's game. Just an amazing race. 6 finals to go...
i think its just day games the orioles struggle with. Roch, because I know you are capable of compiling these numbers, how many runs have the orioles scored and given up when the sun is up, compared to when the sun is down? leave it to angelose to sign a bunch of vampires...but there are more night games than day games, i guess it was wise.
Thought Penn was scheduled to pitch for Norfolk last night. Did he get scratched again?
Enough of Cormier and Bierd. Clean out the 'pen and bring up some prospects (McCrory, Miller, Mikolio)to see what they have for next year. Lots of open spots for 09, it would seem, and lots of potential replacements to check out.
Hey Brian, the O's made the move to get Cherry on the roster since they thought he was ready....and the $4M Bradford was owed for next season could be better spent elsewhere. Like...on anything.
This is exactly the type of move rebuilding teams should make.
Besides, it's great to see the O's dropping that 'no trades within the division' nonsense...now if they trade with the Yanks or Red sox, then we'll know they really DO mean rebuilding business.
Brian,
The fact that the O's got a PTNBL for Bradford should be viewed as a GOOD thing, since it probably means they are getting a prospect who would not have cleared waivers. Besides, what's wrong with helping anyone else break the Sox/Yankees stranglehold on the East?
Lucky Horseshoe,
While I agree with the sentiment, he song is "I Don't Like Mondays".
Sir Bob eagerly awaits your explanation.
I am beginning to think that the whole Sunday deal is becoming a self-fulfillign prophecy. We don't win on Sundays, ergo we will not win this Sunday.
It is a Moebius strip of damitall!