O's game blog: Ripken on the 2,131 anniversary, tonight's game and more

Before throwing out the first pitch tonight to celebrate the 20th anniversary of 2,131, Cal Ripken Jr. met with reporters. Here are some of the highlights from that press conference:

"In some ways it feels like it was yesterday. Although when I see my kids - Rachel is 26 and Ryan is 22 and they were two and six then - in some ways it seems like a snap of the fingers that it was yesterday," Ripken said. "But yeah, it is hard to believe it's 20 years.

"The lap (around the stadium) made it much more personal. There were many different celebrations within a celebration. Seeing dad in the skybox and the signals I had back and forth with dad, that has kind of hit me hard the last week or two. Lost dad way too early. It was good to see some of the interviews and see him come to life to me during this process.

"I think that was probably the best human moment I had on the field. The best moment by far was catching the final out of the World Series. Because of what it meant to the history of the Orioles. But if there was a human moment, that lap has to be No. 1.

"I am proud of the fact I could be counted on every day. I look at it as really a series of meeting the challenges of today. Guys like Earl Weaver and Frank Robinson and Joe Altobelli kept writing my name in the lineup and I was willing."

Ironically, just a few minutes before he was scheduled to throw out the first pitch tonight, the Iron Man revealed he is hurting a bit.

"I went over my handlebars (of a bike) at 2:30 this afternoon and I landed on my right shoulder. So I don't know whether I will be able to throw out the first pitch," he said with a laugh. "But I'd like to think that (trainer) Richie Bancells could fix me. And I'd have played no matter what. But my arm is barking a little bit. So if I go halfway out on the grass you'll understand why," Ripken said.

As for the game tonight: The Orioles look to try and turn around a stretch where they have lost five in a row and 11 of 12 games. They host the Tampa Bay Rays tonight in the second game of a three-game series at Camden Yards.

Chris Tillman (9-9, 4.58 ERA) makes his 25th start of the year for the Orioles, pitching against Rays left-hander Drew Smyly (1-2, 3.82). Since going 7-0 over 12 starts from June 5 to Aug. 17, Tillman is 0-2 with an ERA of 4.97 in his last two games. Over his last 10 starts, he is 4-2 with a 2.70 ERA.

Smyly has made six big league starts this year, allowing seven homers in 30 2/3 innings. In six career games against the Orioles, he is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA, allowing three runs over 27 innings.

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides picked up some honors today as Tides skipper Ron Johnson was named the International League Manager of the Year. Also pitcher Oliver Drake and outfielder Dariel Alvarez were named to the IL postseason All-Star team.

Johnson is the fifth Tides skipper to be named the IL Manager of the Year and the first since Toby Harrah in 1995. The Tides are 75-61 and lead their division by three games with eight to play.

Alvarez hit .275 with 16 home runs and 72 RBIs in 130 games for the Tides and is now with the Orioles, as is Drake after being called up today. Drake is 1-2 with 23 saves (second in the IL) and a 0.82 ERA in 42 relief outings.

In other minor league notes today, right-hander David Hess was promoted from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie and will start for the Baysox tonight. Over 26 games (25 starts) with the Keys, Hess went 9-4 with a 3.58 ERA. He is 7-0 with a ERA of 1.34 since the All-Star break, the lowest ERA of any Carolina League starting pitcher.

Delmarva third baseman Jomar Reyes has missed a few games with a mild concusion. He was struck by a batted ball in a recent game. Double-A left-hander Ariel Miranda went on the Bowie disabled list today with left shoulder inflammation. But I have heard there is a chance he may only miss one start.

The Milwaukee Brewers have called up pitcher Zach Davies, who will make his major league debut tomorrow against Pittsburgh. Davies was traded by the Orioles to Milwaukee for Gerardo Parra on July 31. He is 1-2 with an ERA of 5.00 for the Brewers' Triple-A Colorado Springs club.