Impact of Casilla on roster (Jones homers, O's lose 4-2)
By Roch Kubatko
Alexi Casilla was a career .500 hitter against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ as he stepped to the plate today at Rogers Centre for his first at-bat with the Orioles in 2014.
No wonder they added him to the expanded roster. It all makes sense.
OK, it was one hit in two at-bats. A small sample size.
Casilla joined the Orioles due to concerns over the poor defense at third base. It's not his natural position, but someone else may as well try to handle the hot corner without getting burned.
Orioles third basemen have committed five errors in the past eight games.
Casilla grounded out on Happ's first pitch, a 92 mph fastball. Time to grab a glove and make a favorable impression.
Oh, and no pressure.
For everyone asking about Casilla's eligibility for the Division Series, he was in the organization on Aug. 31. It's not an issue.
Manager Buck Showalter is leaning toward carrying an extra position player in the first round of the playoffs. It appeared that Jimmy Paredes and Kelly Johnson were safe. However, Casilla's presence could have the biggest impact on Paredes, who's more productive at the plate but has been shaky at third.
Defense counts the most in Showalter's world.
Paredes has two hits in his last 17 at-bats and has struck out eight times.
Another strike against him.
Update: Nelson Cruz tripled in the second inning and scored on Delmon Young's single to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead.
Young has nine hits in his last 18 at-bats. Cruz is batting .374 this month, with eight doubles, two triples, five home runs, 19 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
Update II: The Blue Jays scored twice in the third inning on RBI doubles by former Oriole Steve Tolleson and Jose Reyes.
The Orioles wasted a leadoff double by Steve Pearce in the fourth.
Update III: The Orioles committed two more errors in the fifth inning and the Blue Jays expanded their lead to 3-1.
Casilla made a nice diving stop along the line, but threw past first baseman Christian Walker. Walker dropped J.J. Hardy's throw with two outs, allowing Jose Reyes to score.
Update IV: Adam Jones homered in the sixth to reduce Toronto's lead to 3-2.
Jones has 29 home runs and 96 RBIs.
Update V: Wei-Yin Chen allowed three runs (two earned) and five hits in six innings, with one walk and three strikeouts. He was removed after 79 pitches.
Brad Brach replaced Chen and committed a throwing error in the seventh inning, raising the Orioles' total to three today.
Jones appeared to throw out Kevin Pillar at the plate to end the seventh, but the call was overturned. The Orioles trail 4-2.
Caleb Joseph is hitless in his last 30 at-bats.
Orioles third basemen have committed five errors in the past eight games.
Casilla grounded out on Happ's first pitch, a 92 mph fastball. Time to grab a glove and make a favorable impression.
Oh, and no pressure.
For everyone asking about Casilla's eligibility for the Division Series, he was in the organization on Aug. 31. It's not an issue.
Manager Buck Showalter is leaning toward carrying an extra position player in the first round of the playoffs. It appeared that Jimmy Paredes and Kelly Johnson were safe. However, Casilla's presence could have the biggest impact on Paredes, who's more productive at the plate but has been shaky at third.
Defense counts the most in Showalter's world.
Paredes has two hits in his last 17 at-bats and has struck out eight times.
Another strike against him.
Update: Nelson Cruz tripled in the second inning and scored on Delmon Young's single to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead.
Young has nine hits in his last 18 at-bats. Cruz is batting .374 this month, with eight doubles, two triples, five home runs, 19 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
Update II: The Blue Jays scored twice in the third inning on RBI doubles by former Oriole Steve Tolleson and Jose Reyes.
The Orioles wasted a leadoff double by Steve Pearce in the fourth.
Update III: The Orioles committed two more errors in the fifth inning and the Blue Jays expanded their lead to 3-1.
Casilla made a nice diving stop along the line, but threw past first baseman Christian Walker. Walker dropped J.J. Hardy's throw with two outs, allowing Jose Reyes to score.
Update IV: Adam Jones homered in the sixth to reduce Toronto's lead to 3-2.
Jones has 29 home runs and 96 RBIs.
Update V: Wei-Yin Chen allowed three runs (two earned) and five hits in six innings, with one walk and three strikeouts. He was removed after 79 pitches.
Brad Brach replaced Chen and committed a throwing error in the seventh inning, raising the Orioles' total to three today.
Jones appeared to throw out Kevin Pillar at the plate to end the seventh, but the call was overturned. The Orioles trail 4-2.
Caleb Joseph is hitless in his last 30 at-bats.
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