Machado Man
If you're going to get your first professional hit, make it a home run. Don't fool around.
First-round pick Manny Machado was 0-for-5 as a pro before launching a two-run homer in the sixth inning today for the Gulf Coast League Orioles. He had flied out to center field twice this morning after going 0-for-3 yesterday in his debut. He grounded to the pitcher in his last at-bat today.
If you're going to start out 1-for-7 as a pro, make that one hit a home run.
Machado will work out with...
After this year, the Orioles will end their long relationship with the Bluefield Orioles of the Appalachian League.
Here is a statement from Andy MacPhail:
"On behalf of the Orioles, I wish to express our deepest appreciation to the town and residents of Bluefield for their support of the Orioles organization and over a thousand players who have worn the Bluefield Orioles uniform in the last 53 seasons. While extremely difficult, we believe the decision to end our affiliation with Bluefield...
So, is Josh Bell a nugget or not?
Too early to know.
He really needed a hit and got two big ones on Friday in the O's win over the Angels. He didn't start, but came on when Brian Roberts left with a hip strain.
I thought Bell would take off a bit after his two-homer game a week ago today vs. Cliff Lee.
But he was 1 for 14 with seven strikeouts after that, before Friday's game.
On the plus side, Bell looks more comfortable now in the field. He made a real nice backhand stop last night....
I couldn't fall asleep last night, so I tried counting Brian Roberts' injuries.
Man, it's been a tough year for the Orioles' second baseman and leadoff hitter. I'm afraid to ask what's next.
Roberts is day-to-day with a strained left hip. He told reporters that it began bothering him about a week ago and has gotten worse. It's doubtful that he'll play tonight, so look for Julio Lugo at second base against Angels left-hander Scott Kazmir.
Roberts showed up at spring training with a...
Brad Bergesen has been pitching well in many of his recent starts and tonight was one of his best.
He held Los Angeles to one run and four hits over eight innings, throwing 102 pitches, as the Orioles beat the Angels 3-1 in the weekend series opener. Bergesen is now 6-9, 5.55 in 22 starts.
Over his last six starts, the right-hander is 3-0, 2.70.
The O's played solid defense behind Bergesen with Cesar Izturis making several solid stops.
Jim Hunter asks Buck Showalter his thoughts on the...
Brian Roberts was forced out of tonight's game with a strained left hip.
Let's hope his day-to-day is shorter than Adam Jones' day-to-day.
Josh Bell entered the game in the fourth and batted for Roberts in the sixth. He singled leading off the inning and scored with two outs on Luke Scott's infield hit, giving the Orioles a 2-1 lead.
Bell was supposed to get the night off. He's been in a terrible slump since his two-homer game, striking out seven times in 14 at-bats.
Julio Lugo, a...
With his 29th blast this season, Potomac Nationals first baseman Tyler Moore broke the franchise record for homers in a season, set by Hensley Meulens and Nate Dishington, in an 11-4 rout at Frederick Friday from Harry Grove Stadium.
With the victory, the P-Nats maintain a hold on first place in the Carolina League's Northern division.
Moore now has 104 RBI, which is nine shy of Tyler Farnsworth's franchise record of 113 RBI in 2000 when he won the team's only Player of the Year honors in...
Shortstop Ian Desmond hit second in the lineup again for the Nationals Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, a spot that he has relished since his first days in D.C.
Desmond went 3-for-5 with a double, a bunt single and a run scored. He recorded all three outs on defense in the eighth and started a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Albert Pujols in the third.
He had a run scored or an RBI in the Nats last at bat for the second straight game, but this night the rally fell short in a 4-2 loss...
When the Orioles took the field for the last of the fourth tonight at Anaheim, Brian Roberts was not at second base.
He was replaced by Julio Lugo, who moved from third to second as Josh Bell entered the game, batting first and playing at third base.
We are awaiting word why Roberts left the game.
He doubled leading off the contest, stole third and later scored on a Nick Markakis single. He struck out in the third inning.
The O's and Angels are tied 1-1 as the O's now bat in the top of...
Lou Montanez hit his second home run tonight for Triple-A Norfolk.
Tim Bascom held Charlotte to one run and five hits over seven innings. He threw 89 pitches, 59 for strikes.
Ryan Adams is 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored for Double-A Bowie, raising his average to .305.
Left Fielder Tyler Henson was 2-for-2 with a double and RBI before coming out of the game, causing a lot of position shuffling.
Adams moved from second to third. Brandon Waring moved from third to first. Joe...
When he first found out he was in disbelief. He thought his career might be over. He broke down and cried. Just the unknown of it all.
Tommy John surgery.
This was December of 1993. He was back and ready to pitch in August of 1994, but the strike ended that opportunity. By April of 1995 he had made the Toronto Blue Jays out of spring training.
Former major leaguer Paul Menhart, currently the pitching coach for the Potomac Nationals, played parts of three seasons with the Blue Jays,...