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 in the bullpen for the foreseeable future as he tries to work out his mechanics with the sinker. Samuel would not rule out a return to the minor leagues for the struggling Bergesen, and he could even be the one optioned to Norfolk to make room for Arrieta tomorrow.
In other bullpen news, Samuel revealed he and Rick Kranitz have discussed the possibility of using David Hernandez as the closer should game situations call for a left-handed situational reliever, a spot previously held by Will Ohman before he was moved to the closer role since Simon went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained hamstring.
Alfredo Simon threw 25 pitches and completed some light agility drills without any problems today. The right-hander will throw 30 pitches tomorrow, and Samuel hopes it will be against live hitters.
8
Felix Pie took swings off a batting tee and completed some long toss without any pain.
Corey Patteron’s sore groin appears to be close to 100 percent as Samuel declared him ready to go despite the left fielder again being out of the lineup on a rainy night.
Here are tonight’s lineups:
New York
SS Derek Jeter
RF Nick Swisher
1B Mark Teixeira
3B Alex Rodriguez
2B Robinson Cano
DH Jorge Posada
CF Curtis Granderson
C Francisco Cervelli
LF Kevin Russo
SP CC Sabathia (5-3, 4.14 ERA)
Baltimore
2B Julio Lugo
3B Miguel Tejada
RF Nick Markakis
1B Ty Wigginton
LF Luke Scott
CF Adam Jones
C Matt Wieters
DH Garrett Atkins
SS Cesar Izturis
SP Chris Tillman (0-1, 7.71 ERA)
Don’t forget to join us in the Orange Crush chat this evening at 7:30 p.m., as WNST personalities will discuss the action from Camden Yards. As always, remember to follow us on Twitter (@WNST) for the quickest updates and quips about today’s game.
Check back right here for updates (time-stamped below) leading right up to first pitch at 7:05 p.m
