Still waiting on a starter
Orioles manager Dave Trembley said last night's injury to Hayden Penn doesn't eliminate the young right-hander from consideration for Tuesday night's start in Anaheim.
Penn needed only one stitch to close a cut on his left leg after being hit by a piece of broken bat during last night's start for Triple-A Norfolk. Penn faced six more hitters before leaving the game. The Orioles don't seem concerned about it.
Double-A Bowie's Brad Bergesen pitched six innings, so he's no longer a candidate. The choice apparently comes down to Penn or reliever Lance Cormier.
At least the last two starters, from Garrett Olson and Jeremy Guthrie, have spared the bullpen from overuse and made the Angels series a little less troublesome.
The club will need to cover for Dennis Sarfate - he's not likely to go eight or nine innings - and Cormier if he gets the start. And they don't know how much they'll get out of Penn if he's recalled.
hopefully penn gets the call. he's been pretty good in his last two starts (obviously not counting last night's performance).
I just don't know, Roch. I was all set to see Bergeson come up. But now with him pitching 6 (strong) innings, he's not a candidate. And now with Penn giving up 3 runs in the first, and only getting 2 outs, AND throwing 31 pitches all in the first, it doesn't exactly give me a glowing recommendation for him to be recalled.
But, Cormier hasn't exactly been stellar either, being that he gave up 5 runs in the 9th in his last outing, and spoiled Olson's shutout.
So -- I guess it's just 50/50, right? I would rather call up Penn if I had to make the choice.
Can you also tell the webmaster that the "remember personal info" effect does not work?
When I try to do it, and then refresh the blog, my personal info disappears. It's getting quite annoying. Thanks.
You can get to all of Roch's post by hitting the photo of him on the front page (middle of the page with the "School of Roch" title.
Or you can go to this link... http://masnsports.com/masnblogs/roch-kubatko-1/
Roch,
I have a strange feeling that people(masn staff) are getting paid to monitor your blog. Well, I can do the job, too. My 12yr son can also cover me when i am off. And, I only ask half of the salary.
BTW, Guthrie was excellent last night.
Totally agree with you that Penn should not be promoted based upon having two good starts in a row. He's not ready. And, as you mentioned, he's only 23. I would like to see him put a good half season together or at the very least 8-10 games.
When you consider we are playing the Angels, I'm not sure it matters who pitches. Bergeson taking that 5th starter's spot the next time around would be fine.
May also be a good time to get another outfielder up here with Jones and Scott nowhere near 100%.
How about Andy Mitchell? He's gone at least 6 innings in his last 5 starts. (3-1 w/3.55 ERA) Tuesday is his next scheduled start anyway.
This way you don't destroy your bullpen by starting Cormier.
Roch,
When the O's are in the field I often see players making a 'claw' gesture to each other. Do you know what that is supposed to signify? Some type of long-distance hi-five, perhaps?
Also, do Roberts, Mora and the shortstops still do the 'hand-slap happy dance' following wins the way they used to when Tejada was here?
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The gesture is shining a "spotlight" on someone for making a great play. And I haven't seen the hand-slapping ritual since Tejada left. - Roch
Gotta agree with Ray-- Penn's stats in AAA are very pedestrian and not worthy of a call-up just yet. A 5.00+ ERA in the International League? What happened to making pitchers earn a call-up? Reward guys who are doing their jobs. I can virtually guarantee you that Penn will get his a%* handed to him by the Angels if he gets called up. He couldn't handle the Richmond Braves-- how will he do against the best team in baseball??? Are we trying to build his confidence? It seems like a very short-sighted solution to me that will likely backfire and lead to a lot of people wanting him run out of town. I believe he has a chance to be okay someday, but this would not be the way to do it.
Also, because we won on Saturday we all conveniently forgot to mention the continued atrocious baserunning. I have never seen anything like it... little league stuff. Guthrie continues to be sensational!
2 comments for MASN tech support-- please fix the "remember personal info" and reverse the order of entries so that the newer entries occur after the earlier ones in chronilogical order. Love the format overall-- good stuff Roch & co.!
Roch,
You going to get the same seat in the press box or are you going to be closer to the action?