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Orioles

The beginning of the end for Markakis in Baltimore?

Luke Jones

Just to be clear, the Orioles have no intention of trading Nick Markakis. And Markakis—despite his comments earlier this week questioning both his teammates’ approach and the direction of an organization in the midst of its 13th straight losing season—doesn’t want to leave Baltimore, at least not beyond the general sense of wishing to be anywhere else but on a team that is 31 games below .500 in the middle of June. Even so, it’s hard to imagine Markakis’ outspokenness sat very well with Andy MacPhail as he opened the paper Friday morning to see the comments questioning his vision for the organization after three years in charge. “At this point, yeah. Where are we going?” the right fielder said when asked about the current state of the franchise by Jeff Zrebiec. “I know we have a lot of injured guys. We’re in the toughest division in baseball, and we’re a last-place team. But at this point, it’s mind-boggling. You don’t even know what to think, but you still have to be professional and go out and play every day.” While most have focused on his statements about his teammates’ lack of an approach at the plate and his defense

Dear Peter Angelos: When will you fix this disgrace?

Nestor Aparicio

At the risk of “piling on,” I’ve decided to throw my two cents into the blogosphere today to briefly (insert joke here) discuss the situation regarding the Orioles as they continue their West Coast horror tour where no doubt Adam Jones will be tweeting about how great it is to be in San Diego and how pretty the girls are. Yeah, well I was almost in San Diego, too this week. When I saw the schedule come out last year I looked to do a baseball trip to my favorite city in the U.S. and watch the Orioles play and needless to say I made a great decision avoiding the So Cal and the Bay Areas this June of 2010, especially considering the U2 show on Wednesday night in Oakland was cancelled. I also thought for a while I was headed to the World Cup in South Africa, but alas, duty calls here in Baltimore in the way of running WNST.net. I’m much happier to be headed to Harford County for the day to support soccer and my country, than to be watching this dreadful 18-48 baseball team in sunny San Diego over 7 a.m. eggs and bacon. I built

O-mazin’ Orioles swept by Mets as chase of history is on

Luke Jones

It’s fitting the Orioles concluded a forgettable 2-7 homestand against the New York Mets this weekend. For it was this same Mets franchise that set the modern record for futility with a 40-120 record as an expansion team in 1962, and the Orioles’ biggest—if not only—storyline is quickly becoming where they might land among the worst teams in the history of major league baseball. With the Orioles falling 11-4 on Sunday and now holding an appalling 17-46 record (on pace to lose 119 games), it’s getting harder and harder to ignore a potential date with history, though not the kind anyone wanted to see in Baltimore this season—or any season for that matter. Those “Amazin’ Mets” lost their 63rd game of the season, giving Casey Stengel and the feeble Metropolitans a 17-46 record, the same mark the Orioles hold as they embark on a West Coast trip to San Francisco and San Diego this week. But unlike the Mets, expectations were far higher for an Orioles club many hoped would be far more intriguing—and successful—than any Baltimore has witnessed in 13 years. The decision to fire manager Dave Trembley was made in order to ignite a spark for a baseball

Live from Camden Yards: “Calm” Arrieta set to make MLB debut tonight

Luke Jones

***Join us in the Orange Crush chat right now!*** BALTIMORE — It lacks the hoopla of the “Strasburg-mania” we saw in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday night, but pitching prospect Jake Arrieta will make his major league debut this evening against the New York Yankees (37-22) as the Orioles (16-43) hope to salvage the finale of a three-game series. Arrieta was leading the International League in opponents batting average (.189), second in innings pitched, and tied for third with six wins. The 24-year-old was 6-2 with a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts for the Norfolk Tides. He will wear the No. 57, joining the likes of Juan Guzman, Karim Garcia, Erik Bedard (briefly), Julio Manon, and Garrett Olson as players to wear the number for the Orioles. Needless to say, Arrieta has little pressure living up to the history of that number. If one weakness reared its ugly head in Arrieta’s minor league career, it was his propensity for surrendering walks. The right-hander was tied for second in the International League with walks allowed (34), which may cost him dearly against the patient Yankees lineup. Arrieta appeared calm in his preparation for tonight’s start, casually walking into the office of interim

Live from Camden Yards: Arrieta to make MLB debut Thursday

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Good evening from a dreary, damp Oriole Park at Camden Yards as the Orioles (16-42) prepare to battle the New York Yankees (36-22) in the second of a three-game series tonight at 7:05 p.m. Chris Tillman will make his third start of the season, but another young pitcher grabbed the headlines this afternoon when the Orioles announced Jake Arrieta will make his major league debut Thursday night instead of the speculated Saturday game against the New York Mets. Jeremy Guthrie’s scheduled start will be moved to Friday night, giving the right-hander an extra day of rest. Arrieta is 6-2 with a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts with the Norfolk Tides this season, striking out 64 while walking 34. Arrieta’s biggest struggle in the minor leagues has been limiting walks, which will present a challenge against the patient New York lineup. However, interim manager Juan Samuel showed no hesitation in sending Arrieta to the hill against the 2009 world champions. “Hey, we don’t get to pick who we play,” said Samuel, citing how well the 24-year-old as pitched at Triple A and the need for Arrieta to gain experience. With Arrieta’s promotion, it likely means Brad Bergesen will remain

Live from Camden Yards: Roberts’ back “not really good,” more tests coming

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Good afternoon from Oriole Park at Camden Yards as the Orioles (16-41) prepare to welcome the New York Yankees (35-22) for the first of a three-game set this evening at 7:05 p.m. The biggest piece of news from Juan Samuel in his pre-game meeting with the media was an update on Brian Roberts described as “not really good.” After previously being scheduled to play in an extended spring training game last Friday, Roberts continues to experience lower back pain and will undergo a battery of tests over the next few days. While all parties have downplayed the possibility of surgery ever since Roberts missed most of spring training with a herniated disc, Samuel did not seem optimistic over the second baseman’s prognosis and whether he might have to undergo surgery. “We don’t know,” Samuel said. “Like I said, they’re going to run more tests here in the next two or three days, and we’ll see once the doctors evaluate his situation, we will know more on that.” Roberts is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday, but his status for the remainder of the season remains very much in doubt at this point. Mike Gonzalez

Sunday Orioles Notes: Simon on schedule to return soon

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — The woes continue for the Orioles (15-41) as they’ll try to snap a season-high 10-game losing streak and salvage a game in the series against the Red Sox (33-24) this afternoon at Camden Yards. The Baltimore lineup has produced just 10 runs in its last eight games and 16 runs in the current 10-game skid. In comparison, the Red Sox scored 11 runs in Friday night’s game alone. Trying to inject any kind of offense he can possibly find, interim manager Juan Samuel will rest the struggling Corey Patterson, replacing him with Julio Lugo in the leadoff spot and Luke Scott taking his spot in left field this afternoon. Here are this afternoon’s lineups: Boston SS Marco Scutaro 2B Dustin Pedroia DH David Ortiz 1B Kevin Youkilis C Victor Martinez 3B Adrian Beltre LF Bill Hall CF Mike Cameron RF Darnell McDonald SP John Lackey (6-3, 4.95 ERA) Baltimore 2B Julio Lugo DH Miguel Tejada RF Nick Markakis 1B Ty Wigginton LF Luke Scott CF Adam Jones 3B Scott Moore C Craig Tatum SS Cesar Izturis SP Brian Matusz (2-6, 5.28 ERA) Don’t forget to join us in the Orange Crush chat this afternoon at 1:30 p.m., as

Saturday Orioles Notes: Bergesen to bullpen (at least temporarily)

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — It’s another hot day at Camden Yards accompanied by little good news as the Orioles (15-40) prepare to face the Red Sox (32-24) in the second of a three-game set after Boston battered the Baltimore pitching staff in an 11-0 rout on Friday night. Brad Bergesen has been moved to the bullpen—at least temporarily—to add another arm with the luxury of an off day on Monday. The rest of the staff will work on regular rest with the 24-year-old working in a relief role. Interim manager Juan Samuel said there are no defined plans to keep Bergesen in the bullpen long-term, but that could change as Jake Arrieta continues to dominate Triple-A batters. “We don’t know how long he’s going to be down there,” the manager said. Bergesen gave up six runs in 2 1/3 innings in a 9-1 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday. His earned run average now stands at 6.75 after pitching to a 3.43 clip in his rookie season a year ago. The club continues to point to an inconsistent arm slot as the main reason for Bergesen’s struggles in his sophomore campaign. The pitcher’s sinker continues to miss up in the strike zone,

Hoping for a spark, Orioles implode again in Samuel’s managerial debut

Luke Jones

It only took the Orioles a few hours to prove what everyone already knew despite the announcement of Dave Trembley being fired on Friday morning. Trembley wasn’t the one who threw 38 pitches in a three-run first inning that sealed the Orioles’ fate against the Red Sox in an 11-0 loss in front of 30,070 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, many of them Boston fans as has become the custom. He also wasn’t a member of a lineup that managed just five hits against Clay Buchholz, all singles. And while his bullpen management constantly came under scrutiny during his tenure in Baltimore, Trembley had no hand in a bullpen that surrendered seven runs when starter Chris Tillman was lifted in the second inning after giving up four runs in 1 1/3 innings. Who could blame Trembley if he checked the score of the ballgame at some point on Friday evening and breathed a sigh of relief knowing he no longer has to deal with this mess? Despite Andy MacPhail’s desire for Juan Samuel to ignite a spark—on an interim basis—for a pitiful baseball team, a plethora of grave problems remain regardless of who’s filling out the lineup card and

Trembley, Orioles point to bad breaks instead of making own luck

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — As the Orioles fall further into the abyss of the 2010 season, Thursday night’s loss ranks near the top of the most painful defeats. A 5-2 lead that appeared to be an almost certain victory transformed into an excruciating sequence of questionable decisions and bad luck in the eight inning. The final result was a 7-5 defeat and another sleepless night of asking how it went wrong for manager Dave Trembley and the Orioles (15-33). The win-loss record plainly reflects how poorly the club has played over the first two months of the season, but the bad breaks once again manifested in the eighth inning on Thursday night. A grounder deflecting off the leg of Mark Hendrickson led to an infield single and then a bad hop to Cesar Izturis kept the eventual five-run inning alive on two occasions. Later, a three-run double by Kevin Kouzmanoff sealed the Orioles’ fate as the club snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, a common theme as we approach the 50-game mark of the season. “You hate to get a game taken away from a guy who has pitched as well as [Brad] Bergesen did and lose it under those conditions,”

Live from Camden Yards: Matusz looks to rebound from recent struggles

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Good evening from Oriole Park at Camden Yards as the Orioles (15-31) look to make it two in a row against the Oakland Athletics (23-23) as Brian Matusz takes the hill against left-handed starter Trevor Cahill at 7:05 this evening. Matusz hopes to bounce back from the shortest outing of his career, a 2 1/3-inning effort against Texas last Thursday in which the young lefty gave up seven runs and picked up his fourth loss of the season. After winning two of his first three starts in 2010, Matusz has not registered a win in his last six starts. His last victory came against these same Athletics in Oakland on April 18. Here are tonight’s starting lineups: Oakland CF Rajai Davis 1B Daric Barton C Kurt Suzuki 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff RF Ryan Sweeney LF Adam Rosales DH Jake Fox 2B Mark Ellis SS Cliff Pennington SP Trevor Cahill (2-2, 3.68 ERA) Baltimore LF Corey Patterson 1B Ty Wigginton RF Nick Markakis 3B Miguel Tejada C Matt Wieters CF Adam Jones 2B Scott Moore DH Garrett Atkins SS Cesar Izturis SP Brian Matusz (2-4, 5.26 ERA) Don’t forget to join us in the Orange Crush chat tonight at 7:00

Orioles use small ball to top Oakland, 5-1

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — When an offense struggles as much as the Orioles have to score runs this season, playing small-ball becomes an absolute necessity to have a realistic chance to win on a nightly basis. As their record reflects, it’s a style of play in which the Orioles have failed miserably in playing through the first quarter of the season, but it worked Tuesday night as they defeated the Oakland Athletics, 5-1. The Orioles (15-31) went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position but scored their first three runs of the contest without the aid of a hit. The club also drew six walks, one short of its season-high of seven in 2010. The deciding factor of the game was the sixth when the club plated two runs without registering a hit in the entire inning. “Four at-bats were key,” manager Dave Trembley said. “Two walks [to Nick Markakis and Miguel Tejada], a wild pitch, and two sac-flies [by Ty Wigginton and Adam Jones]. That was the key to the game.” Winning 3-1 in the eighth, the Orioles added two insurance runs with Markakis’ third home run of the season and an RBI-double by Matt Wieters to put the game out of

With Nats-Orioles series looming, we get more stupid comments from Peter Angelos

Nestor Aparicio

It’s another interesting spring weekend for the local baseball aficionados in the area who bring their civic report cards as well as a copy of the MLB standings with them to the ballpark. The Baltimore Orioles are once again visiting the Washington Nationals and this time one set of fans finally cares about the vaunted “Beltway Series” that Peter Angelos swore over and over would never happen. And it’s not Baltimore… Angelos, while sitting with me at The Barn in 1997 and then again various times in the ensuing years, opined that the “Baltimore vs. Washington rivalry” would never happen in my lifetime. Today, with the Nationals beginning to flourish in the NL East in their sixth year of existence and Angelos pocketing upward of $40 million per year off of the transaction, the owner of the Orioles finally spoke out. Angelos was asked in a rare appearance in the daily fish wrap this morning about whether the “rivalry” would ever catch on to be local Hatfields and McCoys. His response: “You never know. It’s kind of early to say if that will happen.” Actually, Mr. Angelos, it’s been six years. The Ravens won a Super Bowl for Baltimore in

Notebook: Hard-luck Millwood continues to go about business

Luke Jones

Kevin Millwood was lifted two innings before Nick Markakis’ RBI single gave the Orioles a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals in 10 innings, but it was clear who the winning pitcher was in Dave Trembley’s mind. The veteran pitcher’s first win continues to elude him, but his eight-inning performance kept the club in the game against Royals ace and 2009 Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke as the Orioles battled back to salvage a split of a two-game series. Millwood retired the first 13 batters of the game before scattering 10 hits, allowing three runs (all in the fifth inning), and striking out seven in his third eight-inning outing of the season. “He deserved [the win], he earned it,” Trembley said. “Like I said, he didn’t get it in the book, but I think in everybody else’s eyes, he’s the reason we won the game—or one of the reasons why we won the game—because he doesn’t fold.” His 0-4 record is indicative of the club’s anemic lineup, but the Orioles (13-27) have managed to win four of Millwood’s last five starts after losing his first four to begin the season. He’s pitched into the seventh inning or later

Less than 2,000 “real fans” attend Orioles game last night

Nestor Aparicio

The Orioles announced the crowd at 9,299, which is almost laughable if you were a witness to the scene of about 1,500 who actually came down to Oriole Park at Camden Yards last night to observe the two worst teams in Major League Baseball. Thankfully, a picture taken during the 2nd inning at 7:20 p.m. EST is worth a thousand words so here you go: Somewhere, Claude Brochu and the folks with Montreal Expos swag in Quebec don’t feel so lonely anymore. The Orioles have truly become the embodiment of the Montreal Expos. We literally had more Free The Birds people back in September 2006 than there were “real Orioles fans” last night in ballpark. For the record, I’d estimate the Free The Birds crowd last night at about 75 throughout the evening at Phillips Harborplace. It was alarming for many of the folks who don’t come downtown very often to see how desolate and deserted the downtown streets are before and after the games. There is no traffic. There are no street vendors. There are no traffic cops. It’s like there’s no game being played at all. Here’s a video of my evening at Camden Yards last night: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4120mYH0vY[/youtube]

Same old story as Orioles waste chances, lose 4-3 to Kansas City

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Even after missing countless opportunities throughout the night, the Orioles managed to load the bases in the ninth for Ty Wigginton and Miguel Tejada, the two biggest run producers for an otherwise putrid lineup. There wasn’t much more you could ask for, being down a run with your No. 3 and 4 hitters coming to the plate. They again failed to take advantage as Wigginton struck out and Tejada grounded to second, and the Orioles fell 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. Manager Dave Trembley uttered the same words after the game that we’ve heard countless times this season, but the tone was different. His voice was filled with anger and frustration, far more emotion than we typically hear from the maligned skipper. “There’s nothing for me to say other than the fact that we’re getting the opportunities and not cashing them in,” Trembley said in one of the shortest post-game press conferences you’ll ever hear. What more is there to say? What else can you ask other than the same questions offered night after night? Every time you begin to think this team might begin a run of better baseball—sorry, but 10-11 over their last

Despite gloomy forecast, Free The Birds set for tonight

Nestor Aparicio

Despite the gloomy forecast for rain, we’re still coming downtown tonight for another Free The Birds gathering to show our displeasure at the current state of the Orioles franchise. I could write tomes here today about all of the reasons the Orioles have been awful for 13 years but all of the folks who are already committed to coming downtown know that the owner, Peter G. Angelos remains the sole existing problem in the organization. To paraphrase: “It’s the owner, dummy…” We’ll be at Phillips Harborplace at 4 p.m. for a pre-game indoor tailgate with free crab balls, chicken tenders, munchies and $3 domestic beers all night. And if the weather holds up — the forecast is a 70% chance of rain tonight — we’ll be among the very few at Oriole Park at Camden Yards tonight to witness a franchise that is almost as dreadful as the Orioles as the Kansas City Royals bring their own brand of Triple-A baseball to Baltimore. We’ll walk up to the game and the only two missions we have tonight are simple to explain: to make our voices and message heard and to have a lot of fun. Pretty simple event. Come to

Bergesen leaving disastrous start to 2010 behind him

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — On the same day the Orioles sent struggling outfielder Nolan Reimold to the minor leagues in hopes of regaining his confidence, the club once again reaped the benefits of Brad Bergesen’s short stint with the Tides. The right-hander coaxed ground ball after ground ball—16 in all—from the Seattle bats as the Orioles defeated the Seattle Mariners, 5-2, and secured their 10th win of the season. Bergesen pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing only one run and striking out three to earn his third win of the season, all coming after returning from a brief demotion to the minor leagues last month. In his three starts since being recalled on May 1, Bergesen has pitched to a 2.33 ERA (19 2/3 innings) while primarily using his sinking fastball in lieu of his breaking pitches, something on which he focused during his stint at Triple A. He has looked far more like the pitcher who went 7-5 with a 3.43 ERA as a rookie in 2009 than the fragile pitcher losing control of his emotions as he sprinted off the Safeco Field mound with a 12.19 ERA on April 19. “He had better sink [on his fastball], excellent poise,” manager Dave

Nolan Reimold sinks lower as Orioles fall 5-1 to Seattle

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — The image of a dejected Nolan Reimold sitting on a clubhouse couch said it all following Tuesday’s loss. The losses continue to mount and the frustration level reaches new heights for a club that’s mustered just one run over its last 22 innings of baseball. As speculation persists regarding imminent changes to the 25-man roster, it’s apparent Reimold finds himself near the top of the list of players in danger of being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The left fielder went 1-for-4 in Tuesday’s night’s 5-1 loss to Seattle—actually raising his average to .205—but more deflating were his defensive lapses. Reimold misjudged a Josh Wilson liner into a single that eventually scored in the fifth and committed a fielding error in the sixth that led to an unearned run. Reimold was visibly shaken following the game as he sat alone, a couple teammates offering encouragement at different times before he spoke to the media. “I’ve been playing pretty bad,” he said. “I know I’m a lot better than this, so [I have to] keep at it everyday and turn it around.” The biggest question now is where Reimold will wind up in the effort to reverse his early-season struggles.

Six days from now we’ll do “Free The Birds”: Where will you be?

Nestor Aparicio

The time has come to be heard. Over the past four years I can’t begin to even estimate how many people have yelled a simple phrase at me on the streets of Baltimore: “FREE THE BIRDS!” It’s nice to know that a movement that I felt was rooted in peace, baseball, community and the future of downtown could take hold and that so many people thought it was a great thing and wanted to participate, even if it’s just buying a shirt and wearing it to the mall or screaming “FREE THE BIRDS” at me out their windows on city streets. Join our Facebook “Free The Birds” fan page here… Join our Facebook “I’m coming to FREE THE BIRDS 2010” event page here… But civic politics are a funny and strange business and it’s taken me into my forties to realize there are two kinds of people in the world when you’re outspoken: those for you and those against you. And most days, you feel like you only hear from those against you. Honestly, four years ago I thought this: “Who in the WORLD could possibly believe that Peter Angelos has done a good job with the Orioles since 1997?

Adam Jones, Orioles hit brick wall on path to success

Luke Jones

In the bottom of the eighth inning Saturday night, Twins outfielder Delmon Young hit a deep fly to center with two men on base. Instead of sprinting to the warning track and making the catch, Adam Jones mistakenly broke in on the ball and never recovered as it bounced on the warning track for an automatic double. The misplay eventually led to three runs, giving Minnesota an insurmountable 6-1 lead as the Twins took the second game of a doubleheader. It was just the latest misstep in a miserable season for both the 24-year-old center fielder and the Orioles (9-22). Jones’ immense struggles epitomize how badly 2010 has gone for a club supposedly climbing toward respectability and contention. And while the club has played a little better of late, winning five of its last nine, Jones continues to scuffle through early-season misery. A Gold Glove winner and member of the 2009 All-Star team, Jones was supposed to continue his path to superstardom in 2010 and be the player around which the Orioles could build a contending club. It’s clear the Orioles agreed. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X24YzoJ04zg[/youtube] But instead of improving upon his 2009 campaign, the outfielder has regressed dramatically, hitting just .227 with

Free The Birds event is set for May 17th…

Nestor Aparicio

The official “Free The Birds 2010 — The Reunion” is underway now with planning and events scheduled for Monday, May 17th. To make us aware of your attendance, please sign up for the event via Facebook and our events page here. The event will begin at 4 p.m. at Phillip’s Harborplace where we’ll have some happy hour specials and fun. Feel free to buy the cheapest tickets possible and come downtown to make your voice heard regarding the state of the Baltimore Orioles, circa 2010.

Orioles climb small hill against Red Sox this weekend

Luke Jones

As the Orioles travel to New York Sunday evening, Dave Trembley will take a deep breath, smile, and maybe even light up a cigar in a brief celebration. After an exciting weekend at Camden Yards and taking a broom out of the closet to finish off the Red Sox, the Orioles (7-18) will enjoy their first three-game home sweep against Boston since 1974 (a stat that’s a bit misleading as they had a four-game sweep over Boston in 1998, but surprising nonetheless). “It’s just great for the team, individuals who have gone through a lot of pain and mimicry for 30 days,” Trembley said. “I believe we’ve gotten through the worst. The good days are ahead.” Maybe so, but reality will set in again Monday morning. After outplaying a team they went 2-16 against in 2009, the club still finds itself 11 games below .500 and 11 games behind first-place Tampa Bay. As satisfying as the weekend was at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, it was merely a small climb after the Orioles threw themselves off a cliff in the first month of the season. Make no mistake, it feels good—especially sending the thousands of Boston fans who once again

Orange Crush Chat: Orioles going for rare sweep of Red Sox

Luke Jones

Join us right now in the Orange Crush chat! BALTIMORE — Good afternoon and happy Sunday from Oriole Park at Camden Yards as the Orioles (6-18) find themselves in an extremely rare position against the Boston Red Sox (11-13) this afternoon. After taking the first two games of the series, Baltimore can complete its first three-game sweep of the Red Sox in Baltimore since Sept. 1974. This happened nine years before I was born to put it in perspective. The stat is a bit misleading considering the Orioles completed a four-game sweep of the Sox in July 1998, but nonetheless, it’s an impressive feat for a franchise that is just 30-67 at home against the Red Sox since 1999. Here are this afternoon’s lineups: Boston SS Marco Scutaro 2B Dustin Pedroia RF J.D. Drew 1B Mike Lowell DH David Ortiz 3B Adrian Beltre C Jason Varitek LF Darnell McDonald CF Jonathan Van Every SP Josh Beckett (1-0, 7.22 ERA) Baltimore CF Adam Jones RF Nick Markakis 2B Ty Wigginton 3B Miguel Tejada DH Luke Scott LF Nolan Reimold 1B Rhyne Hughes C Craig Tatum SS Julio Lugo SP Kevin Millwood (0-3, 3.38 ERA) As we do for every Orioles game,

Notebook: Home runs lead Orioles past Red Sox, 12-9

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — With two pitchers returning to the starting rotation for their respective teams, it was clear Saturday night’s game had the potential to become an offensive explosion, especially with the temperature soaring to the mid-80s in downtown Baltimore. Twenty-one runs, 24 hits, and nine home runs later, the Orioles (6-18) bested the Boston Red Sox, 12-9, in a game filled with offense and short on pitching. Baltimore’s 12 runs was a season high, besting their eight-run effort against the Oakland Athletics on April 18. As he has for the entire 2010 season, Ty Wigginton led the offense with two home runs, including a solo blast in the fifth inning that ignited a six-run explosion that put the Orioles in front for good. Wigginton leads the club in nearly every run-producing category imaginable including home runs (8), runs batted in (14), average (.324), slugging percentage (.721), and on-base percentage (.413). “I’m just executing my plan,” he said. “I try to come up with the best approach [at the plate] and stick with it. I’m executing it more times than I’m not.” Manager Dave Trembley believes there’s a far simpler explanation, especially with Brian Roberts being on the disabled list for

Tejada’s clutch bat leads Orioles past Red Sox, 5-4 in 10

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — To say the Orioles have struggled in the month of April would be comparable to labeling Mount Everest as a “pretty big hill.” Their record entering Friday night made them the 12th team to start a season 4-18 or worse since 1900. Not exactly the type of history you want to make. Only the hapless 1988 club has saved the current Orioles from suffering the worst start in franchise history. The club looked to be well on its way to another disappointing loss after failing to capitalize with runners in scoring position and to protect the lead in the late innings. However, that outlook changed dramatically when Miguel Tejada stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth, connecting for a game-tying home run off Daniel Bard. Tejada’s heroics weren’t finished as the game moved into extra innings, and he knocked in the winning run in the 10th to give the Orioles a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. “I just put in my mind that I had to be able to relax,” said Tejada. “I know they had to throw me a strike, and I was lucky to get one pitch over

Orioles fall back into all-too-familiar pattern in 4-0 loss to Yankees

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — With Brian Matusz taking the hill with an opportunity to secure the club’s first series victory of the season Thursday night, the Orioles had to like their chances—at least as much as a 4-17 team possibly can when facing last season’s World Series champions. That is, until A.J. Burnett took the mound for the New York Yankees. The Monkton resident was masterful over eight innings, allowing just three hits and striking out four as the Yankees won the rubber game of the three-game set, 4-0. After providing 25 runs for Matusz in his first four starts of the season—nearly equaling the amount received by any other two starters combined—the bats fell quiet to the right arm of Burnett, who improved to 3-0 on the season. Matusz didn’t pitch poorly but struggled to keep the ball down in the strike zone, allowing three runs and nine hits over six innings to suffer his first loss of the season. The Orioles were again victimized by second baseman Robinson Cano who homered twice and scored three of the four New York runs. “That guy is swinging the bat so well,” Matusz said. “He’s a tough out. I have to make some

Orioles, Trembley turn to unlikely sources in 5-4 win over Yankees

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Over the first three weeks of the season, the Orioles couldn’t beat anybody en route to the second worst start in franchise history. So, of course, with the world champion New York Yankees coming to town, why not turn to the Norfolk Tides, the team’s Triple-A affiliate, for help? They certainly couldn’t do any worse. Alfredo Simon, Alberto Castillo, and Rhyne Hughes weren’t exactly sure bets to be in Baltimore when the season started three weeks ago, but desperate times—especially for manager Dave Trembley—call for desperate measures when you’re 3-16. With a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth, Trembley turned to Simon to close out the victory despite the right-hander being recalled just a few hours before the game on Tuesday. It was both an incredible vote of confidence for Simon and a sign of indignation for a bullpen having failed countless times over the season’s first 19 games. Some shaky defense made it interesting—to no one’s surprise at this point—but Simon earned his first big-league save and the Orioles their first home victory of the season in a 5-4 final. “I’ve got nothing to lose,” said Trembley, whose seat is as hot as it gets

Let’s check back in on the “State of Baltimore Sports Media” with Orioles sitting at 2-14 on NFL Draft Day

Nestor Aparicio

So this media situation is exactly what I tried to warn everyone about back in February. I spent a week with my “State of Baltimore Sports Media” blogs attempting to take 27 years of my knowledge as a kid from Dundalk who loved sports and journalism and has spent a lifetime trying to build a better platform for integrity and honesty in an effort to enlighten folks about why we think WNST.net is a great way to communicate in 2010. The Orioles are 2-14. It’s almost unthinkable — unimaginable given the “enthusiasm” that was sold by the corporate suits over at CBS Radio and the MASN “partners” of a 13-year running sham known as Peter G. Angelos’ Orioles. Don’t worry, the rest of the local media that takes checks from King Peter and the crew aren’t off the hook here, either, for hiding the truth and burying the story about last week’s Ripken blowup. The Orioles are 2-14 and there’s not a negative word – not anywhere. There’s no call for the manager’s head. The owner – completely unaccountable and in hiding longer than the guy in the cave in the Middle East – never answers questions. The Ripken story

Hey Orioles fans: If you’re angry, sign up for Free The Birds 2010 now…

Nestor Aparicio

People have been asking me all week, “What’s the problem with the Orioles?” This is a recurring civic question that I’ve known the correct answer to for about a decade. It’s the only “variable” that has remained consistent in Baltimore baseball since 1993. The problem with the Orioles has been, is and will be — until he dies or sells the team – Peter G. Angelos. I didn’t need a 1-11 start and the first sniff of a simmering feud with Cal Ripken to know the gospel truth about the Orioles or any business in America in 2010. It starts at the top. If you’ve watched “Undercover Boss,” you know what I mean. I run a business. I spend all day, every day talking to fellow business owners. Peter Angelos has been very, very consistent in how he’s run not only the Orioles, but his law firm as well. He’s in charge and there’s only one name on the door. Fair enough. He owns the team. He’s allowed (and expected) to be in charge. Anyone who even implies that Andy MacPhail is “in charge” is just stupid and hasn’t been paying attention. But at some point the people who are

Cal Ripken & Ken Rosenthal vs. Peter Angelos: Who do you believe?

Nestor Aparicio

It was only a matter of time. This orange collision course of wills regarding the Orioles and Peter Angelos vs. Cal Ripken finally exploded late last night when Ken Rosenthal leaked a story on FoxSports.com that claimed via several MLB sources that Ripken and Andy MacPhail met earlier this week regarding some kind of employment/partnership within the organization. Rosenthal: “Angelos, however, nixed the idea in a separate conversation with Ripken, telling him, according to three sources, that he did not want Ripken to receive credit once the team returned to prominence.” So, what exactly transpired here this week between Ripken and the current Orioles regime? And how did Ken Rosenthal wind up back in the middle of a Baltimore baseball triangle with the owner of the team and Cal Ripken? As is always the case with Angelos, there’s a “morning after” dispute as to what happened and he has since answered with another one of his famous press releases feigning innocence and an open invitation to Ripken. Having been through the wars of Baltimore sports media since 1984, I’ve lived through the Rosenthal-Angelos wars of the 1990’s. I saw it all first hand and there was a time when I’ll

Fox&Rosenthal: Angelos turned down Ripken for job with Orioles

Nestor Aparicio

Not that this should come as a shock to anyone, but Fox Sports (and Baltimore resident) Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Cal Ripken approached Andy MacPhail and Peter Angelos about becoming involved with the Orioles organization only to be rebuffed. The plot thickens. I’ve been predicting this cauldron of a mess for a few years. It’s only a matter of time before this one boils over in some direction. The Orioles are 1-9. The natives are restless. The place is still clearly a mess as we continue to report. If you want the truth, you’ll keep coming to WNST.net.

Tonight’s Orange Crush Chat: What are your short-term fixes for the Orioles?

Luke Jones

As we do for every televised game, WNST.net will have the Orange Crush chat open tonight at 10:00 p.m. for the second of a four-game set between the Orioles (1-9) and the Athletics (7-4) out in Oakland. As the Orioles ballpark reporter for WNST.net, I was at Camden Yards for the disastrous 0-6 home stand and watched the club continue its struggles Thursday night as David Hernandez took the loss in an all-around listless 6-2 defeat. In an effort to spark some interesting debate in tonight’s chat, I’d like to offer you a hypothetical chance to play general manager and/or manger. If you could make three realistic moves (and sorry, a Luke Scott/Matt Albers/Brandon Snyder for Adrian Gonzalez deal doesn’t qualify as realistic) right now to improve the current state of the baseball team, what would they be? There’s plenty to talk about, so I hope you’ll join us in the Orange Crush at 10:00 p.m., with the first pitch scheduled for 10:05 on MASN2. Kevin Millwood (0-1, 2.13 ERA) will take the hill against the talented Dallas Braden (1-0, 2.77 ERA) in what looks to be an attractive pitching match-up. Grab your laptop—and perhaps a cold beverage or four—and

LIVE CHAT: Orioles try to avoid sweep vs Rays NOW!!!

Nestor Aparicio

All aboard Orioles fans, pessimists and optimists alike, for another adventure in Orange Crush baseball here at WNST.net. The chat room is open. I’m hosting today (almost like radio — but not quite). C’mon into our chat and say hi and don’t turn the MASN broadcast down. Instead, just turn YOUR voice, UP!

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