Movin' on up

That would be me into a new townhouse, not the Orioles in the AL East standings. I'm listed as questionable for tonight's game because I've got movers arriving this morning and furniture later in the afternoon. I normally report to Camden Yards around 3 p.m., 30 minutes before the clubhouse opens, but I don't like my chances today. Friends and colleagues are saying I'm crazy if I don't take the entire night off, but they've got better examples than that one. Steve Melewski can do the heavy lifting for MASNsports.com, though he's also saddled with pre- and post-game duties on 105.7 The Fan. Matt-Wieters_White-Batting-Tall.jpg Too bad he didn't offer to lift a sofa or boxspring. I won't ignore the blog entirely today, but my focus will be elsewhere for extended periods. Things will get back to normal tomorrow. My head is still spinning from the great bunting controversy last night. It's the lead story on SportsCenter. Or it isn't. Two on, no outs in the eighth inning and the Orioles down by two runs. Matt Wieters is instructed to bunt, something he only does in batting practice and spring training drills. Let's just say it didn't go well. OK, let's say more. Wieters bunted into a force at third base because the ball rolled about three inches from the plate, and the Orioles eventually settled for one run on Corey Patterson's infield hit. Miguel Tejada flied out to end the rally. I admire Wieters' stance - and I'm talking post-game - that he works on bunting every day in the cage and has no excuse for failing to lay one down. He took full responsibility. He throws out runners at second base, but he won't throw his manager under the bus. However, it's a little different in game conditions, a little more challenging. Every player should be able to bunt, but I think it's pretty evident that squaring up isn't one of Wieters' best skills. I understand the logic. Move runners to second and third, and hope to tie the game with a single. But I'm more tempted if Corey Patterson and Cesar Izturis are doing the bunting. Wieters is a candidate to hit into a double play, which also factors into the decision. However, that's no reason to avoid bunting him. He could crawl to first base and it wouldn't matter. The idea was to sacrifice, not reach on a single to load the bases. We'll look back on these 162 games - the same way you keep touching a hot stove - and forget all about the bunt. But it gave us something to debate last night. What will tonight bring? Hopefully, all the boxes that I packed.



Tillman on the hill (updated twice)
O's tell Britton to throw more change-ups
 

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