Omar Quintanilla has provided a spark for the Orioles

Omar Quintanilla has started the last seven games for the Orioles. He has provided a bit of a spark for the team since his trade from the Mets. After a three-hit game that included a solo homer Sunday, Quintanilla is 7-for-13 over his past three games and 10-for-20 over his last five after going 1-for-6 to start his O's tenure. After the Mets designated him for assignment, he was traded to the Orioles for cash considerations on July 20 and is batting .423 in nine games so far wearing the orange and black. By the way, Quintanilla, a career .175 hitter against left-handed pitching is 6-for-9 versus lefties with the Orioles after going just 2-for-16 against southpaws this year with the Mets. "When I got designated, I didn't know what was going to happen. All I could do was go home and wait for a phone call. I got blessed with this opportunity and I want to take advantage of it," the 30-year-old Quintanilla said. "It could have been bad or good. Fortunately I got the good side that they work a trade to get me here. I feel good to be here. A great group of guys that are in contention. Hopefully I'm in a good spot." At Triple-A Buffalo this season, Quintanilla hit .282 with six homers, 27 RBIs and an OPS of .839. He batted .257 in 29 games with the Mets. For now he is getting a shot to start every day at second base for the Orioles. "Just try to take it day by day," he said. "I don't know what will happen in the future. I know these guys have had terrific second basemen in (Brian) Roberts and (Robert) Andino. All I can do is take it day by day and bring everything I can every day." One thing he may be able to bring is the ability to play small ball, something lacking in this Orioles lineup. "I definitely can bring the small game. I have not stolen a lot of bases in my career, but I consider myself a good contact hitter and can bunt. You know, also hit and run," he said. "I take a lot of pride in my defense and I work hard it. On offense, I try to have good at-bats and help the team any way I can." Quintanilla has played in 256 major league games for the Rockies, Rangers, Mets and now Orioles. He has a .993 career fielding percentage in 106 games at second base and a .984 percentage in 119 games at shortstop.