Showalter speaks after 10-3 win
By Roch Kubatko
The Orioles have scored 10 or more runs in back-to-back games for the second time this season. They also did it on April 23-24 in Toronto.
The club record is three straight games on May 24-27, 2003.
We're just scratching the surface here.
The Orioles hold a six-game lead in the American League East for the first time since Sept. 15, 1997. They're a season-high 18 games above .500.
Is this team sensing that a playoff berth is nearing? Can it smell the finish line?
"No," said manager Buck Showalter following a 10-3 victory over the Cardinals before 40,894 at Camden Yards. "I don't think we think that way. Nothing is given. Every day is another challenge. I know it's cliched about day-to-day, it's pitch-to-pitch, it's what challenge is going to be around the corner.
"What's the old expression? Harmony's not absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them. We've had them. They've got Yadier Molina out. You're just going to have it. And you know there's some reality to how fragile this all is around the corner if you get caught up in the lure of assuming something, and our guys won't do that."
Asked whether he's impressed with the manner in which the Orioles have handled this difficult stretch, Showalter replied, "They don't have to do that for me to be impressed by them. I'm impressed by them every day by the blinders they've got on about what they're trying to do here.
"It's the big leagues. These guys are as volatile each time you go out there, and if you let your guard down, there's somebody there to pop you back to reality. We understand the number of games left and the opportunity we have, and I don't think the guys want to let a day pass without getting closer to their goal."
Ubaldo Jimenez came off the disabled list and turned in a quality start by definition. He allowed three runs and six hits in six innings, and exited the game after 93 pitches.
"You've got to think there's a lot of, I don't want to say 'anxiety,' but there was a lot of emotion for him," Showalter said. "To be off for a while and guys have been pitching well, he wanted to give us a chance to win. I hope it's the start of a good period of pitching like he's capable of. He was competitive and hopefully he can build on it."
Two of the three walks came in the first inning, perhaps a sign of rust.
"I'd say that if he hadn't had a challenge with it this year," Showalter said. "It wasn't something that was kind of new, but nobody knows whether it's the rustiness or the anxiety of just getting back out there for the first time. You don't know, so you sit down and find out by watching the game.
"I think he answered it pretty well. I thought his best inning was the sixth inning. He was crisp. A lot of times, velocities vary according to the fluidity that your brain lets you have, if you know what I mean. I think when he got some outs under his belt, he kind of got back on the saddle again.
"That was pretty deep there."
Issuing one walk after the first inning may have been an indication that Jimenez was settling down. Or he got a whole lot more comfortable with a sizable lead.
"I also think when we score some runs and get ahead, the offensive team gets a little more aggressive, too," Showalter said. "You get them out of that mode. We're guilty of it, too, sometimes. I think he just got more comfortable and I don't know. I'm anxious to hear what he said. He felt good physically. The ankle wasn't a problem."
Caleb Joseph set an Orioles record for catchers by homering in his fifth consecutive game. He's the 15th catcher since 1914 to homer in at least five straight. Devin Mesoraco, Buster Posey, A.J. Pierzynski, Brian McCann and Javy Lopez also accomplished the feat since 2000.
Walker Cooper owns the longest catchers streak since 1914 with six straight games from June 22-28, 1947.
"I'm not talking about it," Showalter said, grinning. "I know he is. No, I think I'm more impressed by the way he and Nick (Hundley) are catching our pitching staff. It's great having Matt (Wieters) here and giving input to the guys. Between John Russell and Matt and these two guys, I feel good where we are with that."
The Orioles have hit hit nine home runs in the past two games to go with their 22 runs.
"We were fortunate to catch a couple pitchers not on top of their game," Showalter said, referring to Justin Masterson and John Lackey. "You've got to make them pay. We've got one of the better pitchers (Lance Lynn) in the National League against us tomorrow. Momentum and things like that are always dictated by the next day's pitcher. We'll see what tomorrow has in store for us."
Eight different batters have accounted for the nine home runs.
"You want to pass the load around," Showalter said. "The more a pitcher has to focus on numerous guys, and not have breathing spots in the lineup... Let's face it, some guys coast a little bit through certain parts and save their bullets. The more you can keep them from doing that, it shortens their outing.
"I don't think Caleb is sneaking up on anybody now. It makes it more impressive that they know and he's still able to do some things. You like to have some length from your potential productivity."
Joseph said he almost retired seven or eight months ago.
"Every day in the big leagues is such a blessing, and especially to be on this team with this group of guys and to be in first place, it's just a great feeling," he said. "Winning's fun. Winning is the cure to everything."
Showalter said Miguel Gonzalez, optioned earlier today to Triple-A Norfolk, will start Tuesday or Wednesday in Buffalo and could accompany the Orioles to Chicago for an Aug. 19 start against the White Sox.
"There's no right decision," he said. "If Miguel had been three or four days from pitching, we probably would have kept him. But we needed length today and tomorrow. We were very close to that a couple times today. He's got now nine days with an off-day before we can bring him back. Start the 12th or 13th in Buffalo, throw four or five innings. Obviously, if we have a physical issue, come back before that. We'll see if he's traveling on the 18th to Chicago.
"Tough conversation. Let's face it, if he didn't have an option, it wouldn't even have been a conversation. It wasn't a good reason, it was just an honest reason. It's tough, emotional for me. Sometimes you've got to do what's right for the club.
"This guy has been solid for us for 2 1/2 years and will be again. He's one of the reasons we are where we are right now. He'll be back."
Did you miss the 60th anniversary celebration following last night's game? You can watch it here.
"What's the old expression? Harmony's not absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them. We've had them. They've got Yadier Molina out. You're just going to have it. And you know there's some reality to how fragile this all is around the corner if you get caught up in the lure of assuming something, and our guys won't do that."
Asked whether he's impressed with the manner in which the Orioles have handled this difficult stretch, Showalter replied, "They don't have to do that for me to be impressed by them. I'm impressed by them every day by the blinders they've got on about what they're trying to do here.
"It's the big leagues. These guys are as volatile each time you go out there, and if you let your guard down, there's somebody there to pop you back to reality. We understand the number of games left and the opportunity we have, and I don't think the guys want to let a day pass without getting closer to their goal."
Ubaldo Jimenez came off the disabled list and turned in a quality start by definition. He allowed three runs and six hits in six innings, and exited the game after 93 pitches.
"You've got to think there's a lot of, I don't want to say 'anxiety,' but there was a lot of emotion for him," Showalter said. "To be off for a while and guys have been pitching well, he wanted to give us a chance to win. I hope it's the start of a good period of pitching like he's capable of. He was competitive and hopefully he can build on it."
Two of the three walks came in the first inning, perhaps a sign of rust.
"I'd say that if he hadn't had a challenge with it this year," Showalter said. "It wasn't something that was kind of new, but nobody knows whether it's the rustiness or the anxiety of just getting back out there for the first time. You don't know, so you sit down and find out by watching the game.
"I think he answered it pretty well. I thought his best inning was the sixth inning. He was crisp. A lot of times, velocities vary according to the fluidity that your brain lets you have, if you know what I mean. I think when he got some outs under his belt, he kind of got back on the saddle again.
"That was pretty deep there."
Issuing one walk after the first inning may have been an indication that Jimenez was settling down. Or he got a whole lot more comfortable with a sizable lead.
"I also think when we score some runs and get ahead, the offensive team gets a little more aggressive, too," Showalter said. "You get them out of that mode. We're guilty of it, too, sometimes. I think he just got more comfortable and I don't know. I'm anxious to hear what he said. He felt good physically. The ankle wasn't a problem."
Caleb Joseph set an Orioles record for catchers by homering in his fifth consecutive game. He's the 15th catcher since 1914 to homer in at least five straight. Devin Mesoraco, Buster Posey, A.J. Pierzynski, Brian McCann and Javy Lopez also accomplished the feat since 2000.
Walker Cooper owns the longest catchers streak since 1914 with six straight games from June 22-28, 1947.
"I'm not talking about it," Showalter said, grinning. "I know he is. No, I think I'm more impressed by the way he and Nick (Hundley) are catching our pitching staff. It's great having Matt (Wieters) here and giving input to the guys. Between John Russell and Matt and these two guys, I feel good where we are with that."
The Orioles have hit hit nine home runs in the past two games to go with their 22 runs.
"We were fortunate to catch a couple pitchers not on top of their game," Showalter said, referring to Justin Masterson and John Lackey. "You've got to make them pay. We've got one of the better pitchers (Lance Lynn) in the National League against us tomorrow. Momentum and things like that are always dictated by the next day's pitcher. We'll see what tomorrow has in store for us."
Eight different batters have accounted for the nine home runs.
"You want to pass the load around," Showalter said. "The more a pitcher has to focus on numerous guys, and not have breathing spots in the lineup... Let's face it, some guys coast a little bit through certain parts and save their bullets. The more you can keep them from doing that, it shortens their outing.
"I don't think Caleb is sneaking up on anybody now. It makes it more impressive that they know and he's still able to do some things. You like to have some length from your potential productivity."
Joseph said he almost retired seven or eight months ago.
"Every day in the big leagues is such a blessing, and especially to be on this team with this group of guys and to be in first place, it's just a great feeling," he said. "Winning's fun. Winning is the cure to everything."
Showalter said Miguel Gonzalez, optioned earlier today to Triple-A Norfolk, will start Tuesday or Wednesday in Buffalo and could accompany the Orioles to Chicago for an Aug. 19 start against the White Sox.
"There's no right decision," he said. "If Miguel had been three or four days from pitching, we probably would have kept him. But we needed length today and tomorrow. We were very close to that a couple times today. He's got now nine days with an off-day before we can bring him back. Start the 12th or 13th in Buffalo, throw four or five innings. Obviously, if we have a physical issue, come back before that. We'll see if he's traveling on the 18th to Chicago.
"Tough conversation. Let's face it, if he didn't have an option, it wouldn't even have been a conversation. It wasn't a good reason, it was just an honest reason. It's tough, emotional for me. Sometimes you've got to do what's right for the club.
"This guy has been solid for us for 2 1/2 years and will be again. He's one of the reasons we are where we are right now. He'll be back."
Did you miss the 60th anniversary celebration following last night's game? You can watch it here.
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