O's Drop Third Straight

The Orioles ended their homestand on Wednesday afternoon with yet another loss, falling to the Angels 3-2.

Starter Koji Uehara was solid yet again, going 6 1/3 innings and allowing three runs. Uehara gave up back-to-back solo shots in the seventh before being hit in the chest by a line-drive, forcing his departure. It appears as if he is only bruised (X-rays were negative) and should be back in time for his next scheduled start. Uehara (2-2) struck out five and walked none in the loss.

The O's couldn't get anything going offensively...Aubrey Huff drove in a run in the first inning but the Birds were kept scoreless until the eighth, when Nick Markakis' RBI single plated the second, and final, run.

The Birds wrapped-up the homestand with a 3-6 record, and have now dropped 11 of the past 14 games...the team is off on Thursday before beginning a five-game road trip that starts in Toronto on Friday night. Blue Jays' ace Roy Halladay opposes Mark Hendrickson...good luck. Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• Nick Markakis' single in the eighth inning extended his hitting streak to 16 games, one shy of his career mark
• The Birds are now 0-9 when scoring four runs or less

O' No! Controversial Call Costs O's

I'm sick to my stomach just posting this sentence...the Orioles lost to the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 Tuesday night.

Two runs...that was the difference. And because of a blown call in the seventh inning, the Angels scored...two runs. Home-plate ump ANGEL Hernandez (probably a coincidence but what the heck!) called a balk on Jamie Walker after he picked-off a runner at first with one out. The game changed on the call...the Angels scored two instead of none, Dave Trembley was ejected, and the O's eventually lost...a few quotes...

"I know what the rules are. The rules are distance and direction," said Trembley. "I don't like it when somebody is wrong and they try to tell me they're right. ... If I'm wrong, I admit it. Move on. I don't like people thinking they are right all the time. They are umpires, they do a great job, but they are not always right. Boom, case closed." (Dave Trembley, courtesy of MLB.com).

"I don't know if the guy has something against me or what, but no way ... did I balk," said Walker, referring to Hernandez. "It changed the whole ... game. I may get screwed in the long run, but that's just unacceptable." (Jamie Walker, courtesy of MLB.com).

Adam Eaton was spotted a lead twice but kept letting it get away from him...he allowed five runs off six hits in six innings...Eaton walked four and struck out two.

The Birds conclude the homestand tomorrow afternoon..Koji Uehara takes the mound...Go O's!!!

O' Yeah...

• Melvin Mora returned from the DL early and went 3-for-5 with two RBIs
• Nick Markakis went 2-for-5 and extended his hitting streak to 15 games
• After starting the season 6-2, the O's (9-12) have now lost 10 of their last 13 games

Birds Blow Early Lead, Fall in Finale

The Birds blew an early lead and eventually fell to the Texas Rangers on Monday, 6-4.

Jeremy Guthrie was spotted a 4-0 lead but couldn't keep the Rangers' bats at bay, and left after five innings with a 4-3 lead. Matt Albers came on to start the sixth and stunk it up...in 2/3 of an inning Albers gave up three runs off three hits and a walk...that pretty much sealed the deal.

Honestly, I'm getting tired of blaming the pitching for these losses...the O's offense scored four runs in the first two innings and then couldn't do a thing over the final seven frames. This isn't the first time...or the second...if the bats can't produce then the Birds have no chance to contend this season.

That's it...I said it.

With that said, let's drop Gregg Zaun and bring up Matt Wieters. I'm guessing Wieters can bat .100...

Pretty disgusted right now, if you can't tell...let's hope Adam Eaton can perform another miracle tomorrow night...

Bats, Bullpen back Bergesen

Deja Vu all over again? Not this time...the O's rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Rangers 8-5 Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards.

It seemed so eerily familiar...starter Brad Bergesen made it through four innings and gave up three home runs...he left with the O's trailing 5-1. Just yesterday, Mark Hendrickson left the game in the fifth inning with the Birds down 6-1....Hendrickson allowed four home runs...

Today, Danys Baez came on in relief...he pitched three innings of shutout ball, allowing no hits and striking out three. Yesterday, it was Brian Bass that gave the O's offense a chance to get back in the game...

That's where the similarities end...the Orioles lost on Saturday night; they won today. The top of the O's order came to life, and the Birds snapped a two-game losing streak.

Brian Roberts, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis combined to go 9-for-12 with two walks and six RBIs. Roberts hit his second homer of the season, a solo shot in the fifth, and Jones' 3-run blast in the sixth gave the O's a lead they would never relinquish. Markakis extended his hitting streak to 13 games...

The Birds look to even the four-game series Monday night...Jeremy Guthrie takes the mound...Go O's!!!!

O' Yeah...

• Dave Trembley expects Melvin Mora back in the lineup on Friday

O's Late Rally Not Enough

The Orioles scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough as the Birds fell to Texas 6-5 on Saturday night.

O's starter Mark Hendrickson put the team in an early hole...Hendrickson gave up a leadoff homer to Ian Kinsler in the first inning and allowed four home runs in just 4 1/3 innings. Hendrickson (1-3) allowed all six runs off eight hits while walking one and striking out four.

Brian Bass pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two hits while walking one and striking out four...Bass has been looking good lately...Matt Albers pitched the final frame: no hits and one strikeout. Now, if only the starters and relievers could get on the same page...

Brad Bergesen makes his second MLB start Sunday afternoon...here's hoping he can snap the losing streak...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• Rich Hill is progressing in his rehab stint...hopefully he'll be in the starting rotation soon
• Ty Wigginton hit his first home run as an Oriole Saturday, a solo shot in the sixth
• Nick Markakis' double in the fourth inning was his ninth of the season, tied for the MLB lead

Sherrill Blows it as O's Fall

O's closer George Sherrill blew his first save of the season Friday night, and the Birds fell to the Texas Rangers 5-4.

Starter Koji Uehara lasted 6 2/3 innings and was set for the win...Uehara allowed just two runs on four hits while striking out six and walking none.

The Birds struck for three runs in the fourth (Aubrey Huff had a 2-run double) and scored again in the fifth on Brian Roberts first home run of the season.

Holding a one-run lead, Sherrill was brought in with two outs and the bases jammed in the eighth...he struck out Chris Davis to end the threat. Sherrill recorded two quick outs in the ninth, and then ran into some trouble...a single and a 2-run homer later and the Birds were in a hole, one that they were unable to dig themselves out of.

This was a real tough loss...I was set to blog about a stellar win...just needed one more out...or a different closer...(let's see some votes on that subject!).

The Birds go at it again Saturday night...Mark Hendrickson is scheduled to start...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• O's pitchers haven't surrendered a walk in the past 22 2/3 innings...
• The Birds are now 2-2 in 1-run games
• Catcher Gregg Zaun is now the only player on the Opening Day roster without a home run this season
• Roch Kubatko reports that Sherrill fired 12 straight fastballs...the last deposited over the right field fence
• VOTE FOR THE O'S!!! (at least B-Rob, Markakis and Jones...)
  

Third Time's the Charm for Eaton

Adam Eaton was dominant, and the O's cruised to a 6-2 victory over the visiting Chicago White Sox.

Did I just type that? I'm still in a state of shock..Adam Eaton became the first O's starter to pitch into the eighth inning this season, and set a record for the most strikeouts...pinch me; I'm dreaming.

In a game that (sadly) most O's fans had written off as a "no way we're winning, this is a loss for sure," Eaton pitched brilliantly, going 7 1/3 innings and striking out nine (Jim Thome three times). Eaton allowed just six hits and two runs, and didn't walk a batter...he needed just 103 pitches.

Eaton left in the eighth inning (to a standing ovation) with runners on the corners and one out...Jim Johnson gave up one hit in relief that plated both runners...otherwise Eaton could've had a shutout.

Maybe Dave Trembley was right to back Eaton up; only time will tell. For one night, though, Adam Eaton showed what he's capable of...now we just need him to do it about 20 more times!

The Birds start a four-game series against the Texas Rangers later tonight...Koji Uehara takes the mound for the O's...

O' Yeah...

• The O's (8-8) have now won four of their first five series
• It took closer George Sherrill just six pitches to retire the side in the ninth
• VOTE FOR THE O'S!!!!

Danks, White Sox Silence O's

John Danks kept the Birds' bats in check, Jeremy Guthrie had a disappointing evening, and the O's fell to Chicago 8-2 Wednesday night.

Danks (2-0) controlled the game from the first pitch...he went seven innings and allowed just four hits. Luke Scott's solo shot in the fifth was the only run the O's could manage off him.

Guthrie (2-1) got hit hard for the second straight game...the Orioles' staff ace lasted six innings and was charged with five runs off eight hits and three walks.

The Birds are now 7-8 on the season, and need a win later this evening to win the series...don't hold your breath, as Adam Eaton is scheduled to start. Eaton (0-2) has lasted just four innings in both of his previous starts...Go O's!!!

O' Yeah...

• Received an email from the O's regarding voting for the All-Star Game... if you list the O's as your favorite team you receive a promo code for $5 off any non-prime game after the break...AND, if you vote 25 times for an O's player, you receive a promo code for a FREE upper reserve ticket to any non-prime game after the break! So don't just sit there, VOTE FOR THE O'S!!! We deserve to see our team represented in the Mid-Summer Classic...
• Alfredo Simon will undergo surgery and is out for the season...looks like Bergesen is here to stay...

After Rain Delay, the O's Pour it On

Welcome to the Big Leagues, Brad Bergesen! In his MLB debut, Bergesen led the O's to a 10-3 win over the Chicago White Sox Tuesday night at Camden Yards.

For the first "T-shirt Tuesday" promotion of the season, fans came for their Koji Uehara shirt, but endured an hour and thirty-eight minute rain delay to see Brad Bergesen: the future of the Orioles. Bergesen didn't disappoint, taking a no-hitter into the fourth inning and allowing just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings of work.

I'll be honest: Bergesen was the only reason I stayed...it was pouring and it didn't look like there would be baseball in Baltimore tonight. But an hour after the game was scheduled to start, the tarp was finally pulled off the infield and the crowds cheered...the O's would go on!

Bergesen's (1-0) final line: 5 2/3 innings, four hits, three runs (one earned), two walks and four strikeouts...magnificent.

Offensively, you could tell the O's were happy to be back home...Nick Markakis went 4-for-4 with a walk, three runs and two RBIs. Aubrey Huff went 2-for-4 with two 2-run blasts. But the day belonged to Brad Bergesen...

The bullpen held up their end of the deal as well and preserved the win...Danys Baez, Chris Ray, Jim Johnson and Brian Bass allowed just one hit in the final 3 1/3 innings...Johnson even struck out the side in the eighth.

All-in-all, it was a great day to be an O's fan...and a great way for the Birds to snap their losing streak and start the 9-game homestand. Jeremy Guthrie is scheduled to start tomorrow night...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• This was Huff's 9th career multi-home run game
• Nick Markakis' 18 RBIs leads the Majors
• Lou Montanez was called up to replace Ryan Freel, on the DL...Montanez went 1-for-5 with an RBI

BoSox Complete the Sweep

The Birds finally got the elusive sweep they'd been looking for...unfortunately, they were on the wrong side of it. Boston completed the four-game sweep of the O's this afternoon, crushing the Orioles 12-1.

It wasn't as bad as it looks...starter Mark Hendrickson (1-2) took the loss, but allowed just three runs off five hits in five innings. Reliever Dennis Sarfate looked rusty, but this was his first appearance in a week due to an ear infection...so for today he has an excuse. Radhames Liz gave up six runs on three hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning, but he's being sent back down to the minors. Liz tallied up an ERA of 67.50 in his two relief appearances with the O's...Matt Albers relieved him and allowed no runs off three hits in 1 2/3 innings.

The problem was offense. For the second straight game, the Birds were able to score JUST ONE RUN. That won't win many ballgames, especially with the O's pitching staff. The offense is slumping right now, and you have to hope that once they get out of Boston and return home that the bats will heat up again...otherwise things could get even uglier.

The Birds have now lost five straight and have a losing record (6-7) for the first time this season. The team will turn to Brad Bergesen (called up when Liz was sent down) to produce on Tuesday. I'll be there to cheer the O's on (and claim my Uehara T-shirt)! Maybe this time I'll have some photos and maybe even some videos to post as well...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• The Birds were outscored 30-14 at Fenway; 14-2 in the final two games
• Looks like Adam Jones is ok and will play tomorrow night
• Ryan Freel took a ball to the head in a pickoff attempt...no further news available

O's Drop Fourth Straight

Despite a strong performance from starter Koji Uehara, the Birds fell to Boston 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Uehara (2-1) became the first Orioles starter to last seven innings this season, and allowed just two runs on five hits. George Sherrill pitched the eighth, allowing just one hit.

Both teams managed just six hits in the game; the Sox were able to score one more than the O's...

The Birds have one more shot against Boston before returning home; Mark Hendrickson is slated to start Monday morning...

O' Yeah...

• Adam Jones was pulled from the game with "hamstring soreness"...hope he returns soon!

O's Woes Continue at Fenway

The Birds dropped their third straight game Saturday night, falling to the Red Sox 6-4.

Starter Adam Eaton was unimpressive yet again...he lasted just four innings and was charged with the loss. Eaton gave up six runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out four. The bullpen looked strong, though...Brian Bass, Chris Ray and Jim Johnson combined for four innings of shutout relief and allowed just three hits.

The 'pen kept putting up zeroes but the offense only managed to break through against Boston's ace Josh Beckett in the fifth inning, scoring four runs...Aubrey Huff had a 2-run double. That was all the O's could manage against the Sox...

Game three of the four-game series starts later this afternoon...Koji Uehara looks for his third win of the season...the Birds need to win the next two games to avoid losing the series...go O's!

O'Yeah...

• Don't worry...Matt Wieters is ok!
• It's taken Adam Eaton 193 pitches to get through eight innings in his first two starts
• Nick Markakis leads the majors with 16 RBIs
• It looks like Brad Bergesen will be promoted and start Tuesday for the O's

O's Fall to Sox Despite Early Offensive Outburst

The Orioles scored early against Boston but couldn't hold on to a big lead, eventually falling 10-8 to the Red Sox.

The Birds batted around in the second inning and scored seven runs off Boston starter Brad Penny. Penny walked in two runs and Nick Markakis hit a grand slam to cap the inning off.

Things were looking good...a 7-0 lead and staff ace Jeremy Guthrie on the mound...but everything unraveled... Guthrie lasted just 4 2/3 innings, and was charged with eight runs (five earned) on eight hits...four of the hits were for extra bases (a double, a triple and two homers). He walked four and struck out five, and it was apparent he didn't have his best stuff tonight...

Again, the O's struck early but the offense went quietly after the initial onslaught...the Birds scored just once more in the fourth inning; meanwhile, the Sox were slowly piling on the runs...

Danys Baez took the loss for the O's...he was charged with two runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief...

On the O's message boards, fans are already grumbling about the pitching staff...the Birds have given up nine or more runs in four of the last five games, and some say that the team's best pitchers are in the minors...Bring Em' Up! There is a chance that pitching prospect Brad Bergesen will start Tuesday's game against the White Sox...

Next up: Adam Eaton takes on Boston's ace Josh Beckett Saturday night...here's hoping...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• Markakis' slam was the second of his career; he tied a career high with 5 RBIs
• Bad news: Matt Wieters was injured in Triple-A; hopefully it's nothing serious

O's Roughed-up in Texas

Wow. It's finally over. The O's lost to the Rangers 19-6.

This was a hard game to watch, and an even harder one to write about, but I've put it off long enough, so here goes...

O's starter Mark Hendrickson lasted just 3 2/3 innings and was tagged with the loss. He was charged with nine runs (only two earned), walked four and struck out two. He left the game with the bases loaded in the fourth...

Radhames Liz, recalled today from Triple-A, came on in relief...and gave up a grand slam on his very first pitch. Welcome back to the Bigs, Liz! In one inning of work, Liz gave up five hits and four runs. Brian Bass actually had the best outing of any Oriole pitcher, giving up just two runs in two innings of work. Matt Albers returned to the team today as well, and gave up four runs on four hits in just 1 1/3 innings of work.

The O's were a part of Texas history, as second baseman Ian Kinsler went 6-for-6 and hit for the cycle...

The Birds still won the series, but yet again missed out on the series sweep. Here's where it gets strange...in all three of the O's losses, they've been rocked...11-2 against the Yankees, 11-3 against the Rays and now 19-6 against Texas. Not only have all three losses been series finales, they share one other common thread...back-up catcher Chad Moeller behind the plate. Could it be possible that Moeller is calling the wrong pitches, or is this just a crazy coincidence? Here are the facts: in six wins the O's have scored 45 runs, but allowed only 28. In the three losses they've scored just 11 runs while allowing 41! At first I thought it might just be a lack of focus, but now I'm seriously wondering...

The O's are off Thursday before starting a four-game series at Boston. Jeremy Guthrie is slated to take the mound for the Birds Friday night...Go O's!

O Yeah...

• The O's allowed 19 hits and 19 runs...both season highs
• The Birds allowed 8 runs in the fourth inning, another season high
• Chad Moeller hit his first home run as an Oriole, a solo shot in the 6th
• Adam Jones went deep for the second consecutive game, a 2-run blast in the 9th

O's Win a Thriller in Extra Innings

The Orioles sent nine men to the plate in the tenth inning, scoring four times, and George Sherrill held on as the Birds defeated the Rangers 7-5.

O's starter Alfredo Simon allowed three solo homers in 1 1/3 innings before being pulled due to "elbow discomfort"...his status is uncertain. The O's bullpen then went the distance, allowing no runs through the next seven frames. Dennis Sarfate, Chris Ray, Jamie Walker and Jim Johnson combined to pitch 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball, allowing just five hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Meanwhile, the O's had tied the game at three thanks to an RBI single from Adam Jones and solo shots from Aubrey Huff (his first of the season) and Luke Scott. The game stayed knotted at three from the fifth inning until the top of the tenth...

With one out and Brian Roberts on first, Adam Jones hit his first home run of the season, a monster shot to center field. Three batters later, Luke Scott's 2-run double put the O's ahead 7-3. Could the bullpen hold on?

George Sherrill came on in the non-save situation (he was pretty much the only reliever left; it was his game to win or lose) and again kept O's fans hoping they wouldn't suffer a heart attack before the game was over...Sherrill allowed singles to the first four batters he faced before recording an out, and the final two outs came on towering fly balls to the warning track...scary stuff!

The O's have now won their first three series of the season, and once again have a chance to sweep...Mark Hendrickson takes the mound tomorrow night, and he needs to pitch deep into the game, as Danys Baez and Brian Bass are the only two relievers who didn't see action tonight...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• The Birds are now 1-0 in extra innings, and 2-0 in the new road jerseys
• With Toronto's loss, the O's (6-2) are in first place in the A.L. East
• Adam Jones and Luke Scott both had 3 RBIs in the game
• Brian Roberts went 3-for-5 and leads the team with a .441 average

O's Win a Nail-Biter in Texas

In what had to be the most thrilling game so far this season, the Orioles defeated the Texas Rangers in Arlington 10-9.

The game went back-and-forth throughout the evening; the O's took a 2-0 lead in the first inning only to be down 4-2 in the third. The Birds batted around in the fourth, scoring five runs, and then scored another three in the fifth to take a commanding 10-4 lead.

Texas came right back in the sixth, scoring three times, and added two more runs in the seventh to make it a one-run ballgame.

The ninth inning: with the Birds ahead by one run, closer George Sherrill took the mound...and promptly gave up a leadoff double. The next batter hit it deep to right, but Nick Markakis made the defensive play of the season (so far) and snared the ball at the warning track before crashing into the wall. One away. Sherrill induced another fly ball before walking the next batter, and then a double steal put the tying run at third and the winning run at second with two outs. Sherrill then struck out Marlon Byrd on three pitches to escape with his third save in as many opportunities.

Wow. What a game...every O's starter but two had at least one hit, and five had a multi-hit game. Aubrey Huff led the offensive attack, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs.

The Birds have now won the first game of all three series and need just one more victory in the next two games to win their third straight series. The offense is hot, the defense is clicking and the pitching...well, for the most part the pitchers are keeping the O's in every game! Koji Uehara was credited with his second win, though he was charged with seven runs off seven hits in five innings. Danys Baez came on to relieve him in the sixth and allowed all three inherited runners to score before allowing two runs of his own in two innings of work. Jamie Walker struck out the only batter he faced in the eighth, and Jim Johnson got the final two outs to set up Sherrill in the ninth...

Alfredo Simon is slated to take the mound for the Birds tomorrow night...Go O's!

O' Yeah... (this will be a new addition to my post, to include anything I didn't fit into the blog...Bird Bites and O's Extra have already been taken!)

• The Birds had a season high 16 hits, and tied their season high with 10 runs
• Six of the hits were for extra bases (5 doubles and Felix Pie's first home run)
• The O's are now 1-0 in their new "Baltimore" road jerseys
• The Orioles are now 2-0 in 1-run games

Rays Rock O's in Series Finale

The elusive sweep evaded the O's yet again on Sunday, as the Tampa Bay Rays left Baltimore with an 11-3 victory.

Adam Eaton, making his first start as an Oriole, lasted just four innings and was charged with four runs off eight hits. Eaton walked two, struck out six and threw a wild pitch. Brian Bass came on in relief and looked exceptional...in 3 1/3 innings Bass gave up seven runs on eight hits (FOUR of the hits were home runs!). This is what I was afraid of...in my opinion, it should have been Bass, not Matt Albers, demoted to Triple-A. On the bright side, Bass did eat up some innings so the Birds should have a fresh bullpen for the road trip. Dennis Sarfate pitched the final five outs, allowing just one hit and no runs.

The O's bats were held silent by Rays' ace James Shields. Shields pitched seven strong innings, allowing just three hits and striking out three. The Birds finally got on the board in the ninth inning, scoring three runs, but it wasn't enough...at least they avoided the shutout.

All-in-all, this was still an incredible start to the 2009 season The O's won their first two series for the first time in over a decade, and the wins came against division rivals. The Birds haven't had a winning season against the Yankees since 1997, and last year went 3-15 against the Rays, so this was a welcome change...if they can keep this up, the Orioles have a legitimate shot in the A.L. East.

The Birds begin a three-game set in Arlington, Texas tomorrow night...Koji Uehara is slated to start the series off...go O's!

Birds Blank Rays

Jeremy Guthrie picked up his second win of the season and the O's offense struck early as the Birds shutout Tampa Bay 6-0 Saturday night.

The O's batted around in the first inning, highlighted by Melvin Mora's grand slam that put the Birds up 5-0. Guthrie went six innings, allowing just five hits while walking none and striking out two.

Matt Albers, Jamie Walker and Chris Ray combined for three innings of shutout ball. Ray gave up a hit and a walk, but struck out the side to end the game...I know it's still early but after tonight's performance it looks like Ray is back! It looks like this may be a new trend for the bullpen...both Danys Baez and George Sherrill struck out the side last night...keep it up!

This marked the first time the Orioles have won their first two series since 1998 (yes, it's been that long!). The O's are now 4-1 and have a chance to sweep the Rays tomorrow afternoon before heading to Texas.

After the game, Matt Albers was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Adam Eaton, tomorrow's starting pitcher (I'm not so sure about this move, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see if it was the right one to make). I'll be back tomorrow night...have a Happy Easter and Go O's!

O's Take Down Rays

O's starter Mark Hendrickson silenced the Rays for five innings, and the bullpen held on as the Birds defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4.

Melvin Mora put the O's on the board in the first inning, and the Birds never trailed after that. Mora went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and Adam Jones slapped two doubles and scored twice.

Hendrickson, in his Orioles debut, went 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on six hits. He walked two and struck out two. It looked like trouble in the first inning, when Carl Crawford slapped a double down the right field line. Crawford tried to turn it into a triple, and was gunned down at third courtesy of Nick Markakis' first outfield assist of the season. The next batter, Evan Longoria, hit a solo shot over the wall in center. That was all Hendrickson allowed, and the Rays didn't score again until the eighth inning.

Just curious: was that Danys Baez on the mound tonight? He's been perfect in two relief appearances so far...Baez struck out four of five batters he faced on Friday without allowing a hit...I gotta say I'm impressed so far.

The rest of the bullpen still scares me...Jim Johnson pitched the eighth and allowed two runs on two hits (including Longoria's second dinger of the night). Closer George Sherrill allowed a solo home run in the ninth before striking out the side...

Regardless, the Birds are 3-1 and have a chance to win another series on the homestand. The O's had lost 12 straight to the Rays, so this was an important win...Jeremy Guthrie (1-0) is scheduled to start Saturday's game...Go O's!

Yanks Spank O's

Hey...two out of three ain't bad. The O's fell to the Yankees 11-2 Thursday afternoon, but they still won the series...and that's a good thing.

O's starter Alfredo Simon pitched a good game, and although he took the loss, he should be proud of his effort. Simon allowed four runs off four hits in five innings of work (unfortunately two of those hits were home runs, one off the bat of Mark Teixeira).

The Birds were only down by one run before the bullpen unraveled and let the Yankees run away with the game...

Turning point of the game: O's reliever Brian Bass induced a grounder to the mound with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. Bass was so close to home he probably could have stepped on the plate to get the force-out, but instead hurried a throw to the catcher, wide right, and two runs scored. The Yanks scored four times in the inning, and pretty much had total control from that point on.

The offense never caught on to A.J. Burnett, and the Yankees' pen held the Birds scoreless. Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff combined for no hits and 6 of the O's 12 strikeouts during the game...

Chris Ray started the ninth and gave up two runs on three hits...again, I believe the man is a closer, so bringing him in to start the ninth in a blow-out proves nothing...yet.

The Birds host the reigning A.L champs...the Tampa Bay Rays...later tonight. I'll be back soon...

A Magical MLB Debut for Uehara

Koji Uehara walked the first batter he faced on Wednesday before settling down to earn his first win in the majors. Uehara was dominant in his debut, pitching five innings and allowing just one run on five hits. He didn't have any strikeouts, but the leadoff walk was the only one he surrendered all evening, and the Birds went on to win the game 7-5.

The O's offense struck early to back Uehara up...Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff hit three consecutive doubles in the first inning, giving the O's a 2-0 lead. The Birds used a 5-run fourth to take a 7-1 lead, capped by a monstrous 2-run homer off the bat of Markakis.

The O's bullpen let the Yankees back in the game late, and things got a little scary in the ninth inning. Reliever Dennis Sarfate could manage just two outs and was charged with three runs, before closer George Sherrill was summoned to get the final out of the inning. Sherrill gave up a double to Mark Teixeira before recording the last out, Teixeira's first hit of the series...he's now batting .111 (1-for-9 with a walk and a strikeout). Keep the boos coming, O's fans!

With the win, the O's (2-0) are in sole possession of first place in the division...obviously it's very early in the season but you still have to like seeing the Yankees in dead last!

Alfredo Simon takes the mound for the Birds Thursday afternoon...the Yankees counter with new acquisition A.J Burnett. Here's hoping for a series sweep...go O's!

O's Impressive in Opening Day Victory

The O's came out swinging on Monday afternoon, defeating the New York Yankees 10-5 in front of the largest Opening Day crowd in the history of Camden Yards.

Jeremy Guthrie earned the win, pitching six innings and allowing just three runs off seven hits. Guthrie (1-0) walked three and struck out three in his first-ever Opening Day victory.

The Yankees' CC Sabathia took the loss and never looked comfortable on the mound. Sabathia lasted just 4 and 1/3 innings, and was charged with six runs off eight hits...he walked five, struck out none and threw two wild pitches...and I loved every minute of it!

The Yankees took an early 1-0 lead in the 3rd inning, but the O's answered right back, scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning and adding another three in the fifth. The Birds finished with 14 hits on the day.

Beside the win, the highlight of the day had to be Yankees' first baseman Mark Teixeira's "homecoming" debut. Each time Teixeira came to the plate he was greeted with a monstrous "BOO!" from the sellout crowd (which had to be at least 90 percent Orange and Black). Honestly, I'm surprised I still have a voice left...but it was worth it! Teixeira went hitless in his first game as a Yankee (0-for-4 with a walk), and the crowd let him know just how much they appreciated his decision to sign with the hated division rival. I hope he's ready for another eight years of this, because it was apparent that the boos won't be stopping anytime soon...good career decision, Mark...

The Birds were in complete control until the seventh inning, when Chris Ray came on to relieve Guthrie. Ray managed to get just one out, and allowed two runs on two hits (one a homer) while walking a batter. No worries, though...as I said before Ray should be our closer, not a middle-relief pitcher, and I believe he'll be the man in the ninth soon enough. The Yankees made it a 1-run game in the seventh, but the Birds used a 4-run eighth to seal the deal. New O's shortstop Cesar Izturis (I'll be calling him Izzy from now on) smashed a 2-run shot to left field, giving the Birds an 8-5 lead. Izzy was signed for his defensive abilities, but he was the only Oriole to homer on Monday.

The rest of the lineup had a pretty good day as well...leadoff man Brian Roberts went 3-for-4, Adam Jones had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two walks and two RBIs, Nick Markakis went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Aubrey Huff had just one hit but leads the team with three RBIs.

Closer (for now) George Sherrill faced just four batters in the ninth and didn't allow a hit. In the non-save situation, he walked one and struck out one...

The O's were off today but resume the series tomorrow evening...Koji Uehara makes his Major League debut for the Birds...he opposes Chien-Ming Wang. I'll be back after the game with the news...Go O's!

It's that time of the year again...

Thank God. Spring Training is officially over. Now the stats count...Opening Day 2009 is finally here! The O's begin the season on Monday at Camden Yards, as they host the division-rival New York Yankees.

Let's be honest...the Birds didn't look great this offseason, particularly the starting pitching (no big surprise there). The O's finished the spring with a 13-21 record, second-worst in the American League (the Yankees were second-best with a 24-10 record).

But none of that matters now...the regular season is just a day away and both teams start with identical records. If you've been following the Birds this offseason, you are well aware that the team has improved over last years' version (check out my 2008 Year in Review post to see what I mean). The O's shed some aging players and added a host of fresh young talent. Unfortunately we won't be seeing some of these young players until next season, but Andy MacPhail, Baltimore's president of baseball operations, has a master plan. The Birds WILL BE contenders sometime in the very near future. The Yankees spent $400 million over the offseason to improve their club for the present...let's see if it worked.

I'm not ruling out the playoffs this year...far from it. The O's should surprise a lot of skeptics; no one picked the Tampa Rays to make it to the World Series last year, so it's definitely a possibility. You gotta believe...

Although the starting rotation is questionable, the bullpen looked pretty solid over the past few weeks. George Sherrill may still be the closer, but it looks like Chris Ray has recovered from his surgery and rightly deserves the role. Ray pitched 13 scoreless innings in 13 relief appearances this spring, and recorded 11 strikeouts to only 4 walks. Give that man the ball in the 9th...

The offense was solid last season and it looks like that will carry over into 2009. Nick Markakis leads the team with a .407 batting average, and designated hitter Luke Scott slapped five homers during Spring Training. Expect the rest of the Birds' bats to heat up with the weather...

So that's about it for now. I had considered blogging during Spring Training but decided against it...I was WAY too busy these past few weeks buying and moving into my new house, and I figure the 162 game regular season will keep me plenty busy over the next few months!

I'll be at the Home Opener (section 65 if you're going to be there too...look for me in my Roberts jersey) and hope to have some good news for my next post! Just like last season, I'll upload some of my own pictures on the site, and this year I may even add some video...GO O'S!!!!!!