This and that (and other)
Did the Rays really hang seven runs on the Yankees in the bottom of the fifth to wipe out a 6-0 deficit?
I mentioned Jake Arrieta's improved control in my last entry. He's walked two and struck out 13 in his last three starts. That's critical to his development.
Arrieta still needs to improve his tempo, but there's a lot to like about him, including the fact that he's gone six or more innings in six of his last eight starts.
Which No. 9 hitting third baseman with three strikeouts is...
The Orioles signed Michael Gonzalez to a two-year contract this offseason. He got off to a shaky start with his new team because he was injured.
Since his return from the disabled list, Michael has had a change in his role. He was signed to be a closer, but has been in more of a set up role recently.
He doesn't think he's at the point in his career where he needs to be a left-handed specialist and likes pitching a full inning.
For the entire interview, watch the video below.
Jake Fox is the O's super utility player, but has been rarely used since being acquired from the Oakland Athletics.
Jim asked Jake about staying sharp in his part-time role and how he's adjusted to his role.
Jake thinks his versatility is beneficial to the Orioles.
For more of Jake's thoughts, watch the video below.
The Orioles have a chance to win their fourth straight series.
When's the last time that happened?
I'm really asking. I don't feel like looking it up. Wouldn't even know where to start.
I'm sure that information will become available shortly. It requires going through the day-by-days, working backward, until you find four in a row. Nothing to it.
First, the Orioles need to hang onto this 3-0 lead.
Update: The Orioles haven't won four straight series since Aug. 3-15, 2004. They swept...
Josh Bell continues to strike out too much.
He has fanned twice tonight vs. Shawn Hill. He has swung at six pitches and missed them all. He has now fanned 49 times and walked just twice in 141 Major League at bats.
Yes, that is an alarming rate of strikeouts.
This is not to bash Bell because his defense has improved and over the last few weeks he made a few plays to help this team win. And I can still remember sitting in this exact press box seat when he mashed two homers off Cliff...
I'm in a cut-and-paste kind of mood, so here you go:
For the second consecutive year, the Orioles will begin their 2011 season on the road in Tampa Bay. The teams will meet on Friday, April 1 at Tropicana Field, the 18th time in 58 years the Orioles will have opened their schedule away from Baltimore. After two more games in Tampa, the 2011 team will make their debut at Camden Yards on Monday, April 4 against the Detroit Tigers. After an off-day on April 5, the Orioles will play the Tigers...
Do you remember what happened on Sept. 14, 1987?
Did you happen to catch the Orioles-Blue Jays game at the old Exhibition Stadium?
Toronto hit 10 home runs en route to an 18-3 victory over the Orioles. Ernie Witt mashed three of them and drove in five runs. Rance Mulliniks and George Bell each hit two. Fred McGriff, Rob Ducey and Lloyd Moseby also homered.
The game is significant for another reason. Cal Ripken's consecutive-innings streak ended when his father inserted Ron Washington at...
Brian Roberts won't start tonight after receiving treatment on his right knee and hitting in the indoor cage.
We haven't received the lineup, but Robert Andino will start at second base. Ty Wigginton is playing first, Cesar Izturis is the shortstop and Josh Bell is the third baseman.
The outfield consists of Felix Pie, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis. Matt Wieters is catching and Luke Scott is serving as the designated hitter.
We're told that Julio Lugo's headaches are the result of a...
The Orioles will announce their minor league player and pitcher of the year award winners this Friday and the players will be introduced to the crowd that night when the O's host the Yankees.
Barring an upset, it appears that Joe Mahoney is the top candidate for the Brooks Robinson player award and Zach Britton for the Jim Palmer pitcher honor.
The 23-year-old Mahoney, a sixth-round pick in 2007, hit .307-18-78 this year with 30 doubles between Frederick and Bowie.
After his promotion to...
Jake Arrieta is expected to be the first Orioles pitcher shut down this month. Maybe he gets one more start after tonight. Probably two at the most. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't have firm dates to pass along.
Showalter refers to it as "a moving target."
"I think we're getting closer every time he pitches," Showalter said. "We'll see how he pitches and how many innings he pitches, in that order. He's got a tough task there with Toronto."
Brian Matusz's status after being hit on...
Brian Matusz said today he hasn't yet met with Rick Kranitz and/or Buck Showalter to discuss whether he will make his next start.
He and the O's expect that he will after Matusz suffered a left triceps contusion last night vs. Toronto and pitched just one inning vs. the Jays.
"It feels good, still a little bit swollen and bruised up a little bit. We are going to continue to do treatment with ice, stim and go from there. Keep a pressure pad on it to get the swelling down. I am not going...