Orioles, Yankees Both Experience Second Rain-Out In A Week

The Orioles were set to defend their first place standing in their series-opener against the Yankees, until rain spoiled the opener. The Orioles had already been rained out on Saturday in their opener against the Rangers, and the Yanks had been rained out in the Bronx as well. 

                  Orioles get off the field to escape the rain. 


The Orioles will kick off their series tonight instead, with Chris Tillman leading the Orioles against Phil Hughes. Hopefully Tillman can keep the runs down, and the Orioles can hit some runs in. Go O's!

Duchscherer Hopes to Debut April 21

Looks like I won't be going to an Orioles game for my birthday. Frequently-injured, inconsistent Justin Duchscherer hopes to make his Orioles debut on April 21 in the series finale against the Minnesota Twins.

Duchscherer joined Baltimore to try and jump-start his career after serveral injury-plagued seasons in Oakland.

Roberts Three Run Homer Powers Orioles Past Tigers

Jake Arrieta pitched a solid 6 innings today, giving up 6 hits hits in 6 innings, allowing an unearned run and no earned runs. But, the real story was Brian Roberts.  Roberts continued to prove critics wrong, jacking a three-run shot in the bottom of the 5th, putting the O's up 4-1. The clutch bomb proved to be the game winning hit, as the Orioles went on to win 5-1. Keep it up Birds, the light at the end of the tunnel is closer than you think. Keep it up.

 

Roberts celebrating after his home run.

For God's Sake, Give The O's a Break

Jeremy Guthrie was hospitalized early Wednesday because of a viral infection... God's latest sign that he does not want the O's to win. Need I go through the list?

1. In 1997 Robbie Alomar had a homerun taken out of his glove by some stupid 13-year-old that probably still has not hit puberty. If I ever meet him, I vow to punch him in the face.
2. When St. Cal Ripken retired, his replacement-plan (aka Miguel Tejada) did not work out as planned. Turned out Miggy juiced and could only hit homeruns in the homerun derby.
3. Enter 2011. Brian Matuz is put on the DL on Opening Day. Justin Duchscherer is recieving pain treatment on his back (again). Now Jeremy Guthrie will most likely miss his next start, scheduled for Wednesday, against the Tigers.

I hope the O's keep winning and if for some odd reason Buck Showalter gets struck by lightning because of it, I volunteer to be eletricuted next.

Justin Duchscherer Receiving Pain Treatment

Orioles starting pitcher Justin Duchscherer is receiving pain management treatment procedure for his lower back. The Orioles gamble has not paid off thus far with the frequently injured Duchscherer. However, you can't blame Andy McPhail for signing Duchscherer. The starting pitcher market was thin, and we needed another arm. Fear not O's fans, Britton, Tillman, and Arrieta have all pitched well, with Bergesen in line to put up good numbers next. One can assume Jason Berken will take the 5th rotation spot until Guthrie, Matusz, or Duchscherer returns, as he is, sadly, the best (and I use that term loosely) remaining option on our roster. Hopefully a Spring Training under Buck Showalter has improved Berken.

Roberts Homer Plus Markakis Catch Lift O's Past Rays

Game Recap

Pitching

The Orioles saw 6 strong no-hit innings from Chris Tillman. He may have gone longer had his pitch count not been at 101. Jeremy Accardo came in to pitch a lights out 7th inning. Mike Gonzalez, however, was less than stellar. He allowed 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks, pitching only 1/3 of an inning. Koji Uehara came in to relieve him, holding the Rays to no runs on 1 hit through the remaining 2/3 of the 8th. As always, the last inning was a bit of a scare. After recording the first two outs, Kevin Gregg gave up 1 hit and 1 walk, leaving runners on first and second. Then Ben Zobrist hit what appeared to be a game-tying double, but Nick Markakis made a fantastic leaping catch, ending the game, and saving the win for the Orioles. Markakis' catch was later recognized as the #1 play of the night on Sportscenter's "Top 10 Plays."

Hitting

Not an explosive night, but the Orioles managed 3 runs, which proved to be enough. Brian Roberts continued putting up numbers, hitting a bomb and driving in all 3 runs of the night. Luke Scott and Adam Jones were both hitless for the second straight game, leaving a combined 4 runners on base. Hopefully they pick up the pace soon.

Defense

Nick Markakis' phenomenal catch put this game on the map. His catch saved 2 runs (if not 3) from scoring, and put him on Sportscenter's "Top 10" as the #1 play of the night!
Preview

Today at 1:40 PM EST, Orioles top prospect Zach Britton will be taking the mound at the Trop. Britton was originally scheduled to be a late April call up (to push back his service time), but due to Brian Matusz's injury, the Orioles had no choice but to call up their top prospect. Britton was lights-out in Spring Training, posting a 3-0 record and a flashy 1.35 ERA in 20 innings pitched. Hopefully Britton brings those numbers to the mound with him today, and gets us a road sweep to kick off the season.

Britton to Make Debut Sunday

Top prospect Zach Britton will make his first career major league start tomorrow against the Tampa Bay Rays. Britton was originally expected to be a late April call-up, but his clock has been pushed up due to the injury of Brian Matusz. Britton was lights-out this spring, posting a 3-0 record with a 1.35 ERA in 20 innings.