Next up for Bowie - the playoffs
Double-A Bowie ended its regular season today with a 13-7 loss to Harrisburg that brought little importance besides producing Nolan Reimold's 25th home run.
I don't see Reimold being part of the Orioles' expanded roster, though I haven't heard anything official. The No. 1 goal this year was to keep him healthy and on the field, rather than on the disabled list. He appeared in 139 games and had 507 at-bats. Mission accomplished.
Reimold has been assigned to the Arizona Fall League, so the Orioles likely will go the Matt Wieters route and rest him until he heads west. He'll probably begin the 2009 season at Triple-A Norfolk, unless he blows up in spring training and forces his way onto the 25-man roster.
Reimold didn't get that chance last spring - not that he was going to make the club. The Orioles didn't extend an invitation, much to his disappointment. But again, their focus was getting him lots of at-bats at Bowie and making sure he wasn't felled again by another oblique injury.
The Baysox finish the regular season with an 84-58 record, winning the Southern Division title and tying a franchise record for wins in a season. Their best-of-five playoff series against Akron begins Wednesday at Prince Georges Stadium, with Jason Berken (12-4, 3.58 ERA) opposing left-hander Scott Lewis (6-2, 2.33 ERA).
Bowie has home-field advantage in the series. You can purchase tickets at www.baysox.com.
Single-A Frederick also lost today, but the Keys aren't going to the playoffs. They finish with a 63-76 record in a season that included a shocking managerial switch, with Tommy Thompson taking a leave of absence and Richie Hebner replacing him.
Brandon Erbe was a late scratch today, though apparently not for health reasons, so the bullpen worked nine innings in a 6-4 loss to Winston-Salem. Jeff Moore started for the Keys and turned in two scoreless innings.
Billy Rowell had an RBI single and Brandon Snyder contributed a sacrifice fly.
Roch, where are the callups?
Granted there aren't any saviors in the minors, but would having additional options be helpful today?
Are they trying to save money by waiting until Friday?
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The rest will start arriving tomorrow. Norfolk and Bowie ended their regular seasons today. - Roch
So who are the next line of reinforcements?
We know today is Jones, Miller, and Sherrill.
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Kam Mickolio tomorrow, and perhaps Bob McCrory and Brandon Fahey. A third catcher - Chris Heintz is my guess, but they could choose Omir Santos instead. An outfielder - Tike Redman, perhaps? All we know for sure is Mickolio. Otherwise, I'm guessing along with everyone else. The team was discussing Brad Bergesen. - Roch
I was at the game in Frederick today and I talked to Brandon Erbe, he's heading to Bowie tomorrow.
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Nice reporting! Thanks much. - Roch
The question everyone's waiting to hear is whether Lou Montanez won the triple crown. It looks like HE DID, although someone tied him for the RBI lead. Any comment, Roch?
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If being tied for RBI lead still gives you the Triple Crown, then he won it. - Roch
You sure that wasn't Joey Harrington on the plane with Jim Hunter?
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Ha. No, definitely Simms. But he wasn't the only QB working out for the Ravens today. - Roch
Roch,
Do you see Jones as a power bat in the future?
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Absolutely. Power is usually the last tool to develop. He'll get there. - Roch
Since you won't I will. After 2 months of trying. Welcome Jim Miller.
In the first two innings tonight Olson threw six pitches that were at the knees or lower. 80-85% of his pitches are waist high or better. It's why he walks the bases loaded and it's also why he gives up back to back homeruns. He is a AAA pitcher until he figures out how to bring the ball down on a consistent basis. You can't get by in the big leagues, above the waist, when you only throw 90 mph. You can do that in the minors. Hence the difference in his numbers. Buck Martinez says that their is no doubt he has the stuff to pitch in the majors. He is sadly mistaken at the present.
Along with Jay(never saw a first-pitch I didn't like)Payton and Kevin (DP) Millar let's hope that Gary Thorne's contract isn't renewed for next year. This guy is awful. In telling fans about the Raven's T-Shirt give away this Saturday night he forgot who the O's were playing. He still hasn't figured it out and has yet to tell us. Duh Gary, it's Oakland. He also gets more excited when a Yankee or Red Sox hits a homerun. Did it again tonight with Varitek's homerun. That's inexcusable. The Orioles are tough enough to watch this time of year without having to listen to an announcer who is rooting for the O's opponent.
On a positive note: Welcome Back Adam Jones!
Agreed completely about Gary Thorne. I'm sick of it. He does that and I turn off the TV and turn on Joe and Fred on the radio. I would honestly do without TV coverage than listen to him. It's just that simple. I hope MASN is listening.
I agree, don't resign Thorne and send Buck Martinez packing. I would love to see Mel Proctor back, but doubt that will happen. Proctor, Palmer and how about Dempsey in the TV booth?