There's trouble in Trembley-town.
The O's were shut out for just the second time this season on Thursday night, falling 4-0 to the Yankees.
The Birds collected just three hits (all for singles), another season low.
Brian Matusz was impressive, lasting six innings and allowing three runs off nine hits.
Once again, the invisible offense cost the O's the game.
The Orioles are now 4-18 on the season.
I've been through some rough stretches before, but I've never said, "There's always next year," during the month of April.
Something has to be done.
I like Dave Trembley. I met him once and shook his hand after an extra-inning win two years ago. Nice guy.
But if this season is based on wins and losses, there's no one else to take the blame. The O's are the worst team in all of baseball, and the upcoming schedule leaves little room for any hope or improvement. After nearly losing 100 games last year, this vastly improved team holds the second-worst start in team history.
You can't fire the team...
There's trouble in Trembley-town.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Streak is Over
The O's couldn't make it three straight, falling to the Yankees 8-3 on Wednesday night.
Jeremy Guthrie's streak of allowing no runs in the first inning came to an abrupt halt as well, as the Yankees took a 2-0 lead before the Birds came up to bat. Guthrie was horrendous last season, with an ERA of nearly 8.00 in the first inning, but had yet to allow a run in the first frame in his previous four starts.
The offense continued to show signs of life, even though the O's managed just three runs. The Birds mashed out 11 hits (all coming against starter CC Sabathia), and Nick Markakis drilled his first homer of the season in the seventh inning.
Like I said, the winning streak is over...but a new one could begin Thursday night.
Brian Matusz (2-0) takes the mound against A.J. Burnett, and I've got to say I like the O's chances anytime this kid takes the mound. Matusz could easily be 4-0 this season, and he seems ready to face the challenge of taking on the Yankees for just the second time in his brief career.
A win on Thursday would give the team its first series win all season long.
And that's a streak I'd like to see continue...
Jeremy Guthrie's streak of allowing no runs in the first inning came to an abrupt halt as well, as the Yankees took a 2-0 lead before the Birds came up to bat. Guthrie was horrendous last season, with an ERA of nearly 8.00 in the first inning, but had yet to allow a run in the first frame in his previous four starts.
The offense continued to show signs of life, even though the O's managed just three runs. The Birds mashed out 11 hits (all coming against starter CC Sabathia), and Nick Markakis drilled his first homer of the season in the seventh inning.
Like I said, the winning streak is over...but a new one could begin Thursday night.
Brian Matusz (2-0) takes the mound against A.J. Burnett, and I've got to say I like the O's chances anytime this kid takes the mound. Matusz could easily be 4-0 this season, and he seems ready to face the challenge of taking on the Yankees for just the second time in his brief career.
A win on Thursday would give the team its first series win all season long.
And that's a streak I'd like to see continue...
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
O's on a Win Streak
I'm still wearing my Cesar Izturis T-shirt.
The Orioles survived a ninth inning rally and beat the Yankees 5-4 on Tuesday night.
The O's became the last team in the majors to win a game at home...
But what a sweet win it was. Down 2-1, the Birds rallied for three runs in the sixth inning, all coming with two outs. They added an insurance run in the eighth inning, again with two outs.
Cesar Izturis, not known for his bat, went 2-for-3 with a (bases loaded) walk. His three RBIs brought his season total to four...
I was watching the game in my bedroom, getting dressed for work...
After Izturis' RBI single put the O's up 5-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning, I decided to honor the man by putting on my Izturis T-shirt. I got it during a T-shirt Tuesday, and honestly can't remember ever wearing it before.
But hey, the man was my player of the game, and he deserved some recognition. The O's were up three runs heading into the ninth inning...what could possibly go wrong?
With two on and two out, Izturis misplayed a routine grounder that would have ended the game. One run scored, and another crossed the plate after Mark Teixeira singled.
Do I take off my shirt? Cut it up? Burn it? What have I done?
With the tying run on third, A-Rod grounded out to end the game.
The Birds have now won two straight for the first time this season, against the toughest teams in the AL East.
And, I'm still wearing my Cesar Izturis T-shirt...
The Orioles survived a ninth inning rally and beat the Yankees 5-4 on Tuesday night.
The O's became the last team in the majors to win a game at home...
But what a sweet win it was. Down 2-1, the Birds rallied for three runs in the sixth inning, all coming with two outs. They added an insurance run in the eighth inning, again with two outs.
Cesar Izturis, not known for his bat, went 2-for-3 with a (bases loaded) walk. His three RBIs brought his season total to four...
I was watching the game in my bedroom, getting dressed for work...
After Izturis' RBI single put the O's up 5-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning, I decided to honor the man by putting on my Izturis T-shirt. I got it during a T-shirt Tuesday, and honestly can't remember ever wearing it before.
But hey, the man was my player of the game, and he deserved some recognition. The O's were up three runs heading into the ninth inning...what could possibly go wrong?
With two on and two out, Izturis misplayed a routine grounder that would have ended the game. One run scored, and another crossed the plate after Mark Teixeira singled.
Do I take off my shirt? Cut it up? Burn it? What have I done?
With the tying run on third, A-Rod grounded out to end the game.
The Birds have now won two straight for the first time this season, against the toughest teams in the AL East.
And, I'm still wearing my Cesar Izturis T-shirt...
Sunday, April 25, 2010
O's Sneak Away with a "W"
It wasn't pretty. But in the end, it was well worth it.
The Orioles beat the Red Sox 7-6 in ten innings Sunday afternoon.
A one-run game victory? Check.
A win in Fenway Park after 10 straight losses? Check.
Another white-knuckled, hold your breath this might be it finale to a game? Double check.
The Birds put an end to their five game losing streak, and in the process recorded just the third win of the season.
As always, though, it wasn't easy. The Orioles tied the game at four after Miguel Tejada launched a 2-run bomb in the seventh inning. The game stayed knotted at four runs a piece until the O's offense exploded in the top of the tenth inning.
The Birds scored three runs and went into the bottom of the inning up 7-4. Easy win, right?
Not so much.
Jim Johnson, who had been brilliant in relief in the earlier two frames, came undone. The O's allowed the Sox to put the tying run on second base and the winning run on first before Cla Meredith came in to record his first save.
Still, a nail-biter that never should have been.
The Birds are off today before hosting the Yankees and Red Sox for six games. Although this was one of the worst road trips I've witnessed in a long time, it was nice to see the bats heat up in the last two outings...
The O's lost 7-6 on Saturday night, but recorded a season-high 17 hits. On Sunday, they won with the exact same score, and recorded 14 hits in the victory.
After a dismal first couple of weeks, averaging less than three runs per game, the O's have scored 13 runs on 31 hits over the last two contests. If the team can keep it up at home, and the starting pitchers continue to impress, the Birds may just surprise the big-wigs in the AL East.
I know that's asking a lot...but Let's Go O's!
The Orioles beat the Red Sox 7-6 in ten innings Sunday afternoon.
A one-run game victory? Check.
A win in Fenway Park after 10 straight losses? Check.
Another white-knuckled, hold your breath this might be it finale to a game? Double check.
The Birds put an end to their five game losing streak, and in the process recorded just the third win of the season.
As always, though, it wasn't easy. The Orioles tied the game at four after Miguel Tejada launched a 2-run bomb in the seventh inning. The game stayed knotted at four runs a piece until the O's offense exploded in the top of the tenth inning.
The Birds scored three runs and went into the bottom of the inning up 7-4. Easy win, right?
Not so much.
Jim Johnson, who had been brilliant in relief in the earlier two frames, came undone. The O's allowed the Sox to put the tying run on second base and the winning run on first before Cla Meredith came in to record his first save.
Still, a nail-biter that never should have been.
The Birds are off today before hosting the Yankees and Red Sox for six games. Although this was one of the worst road trips I've witnessed in a long time, it was nice to see the bats heat up in the last two outings...
The O's lost 7-6 on Saturday night, but recorded a season-high 17 hits. On Sunday, they won with the exact same score, and recorded 14 hits in the victory.
After a dismal first couple of weeks, averaging less than three runs per game, the O's have scored 13 runs on 31 hits over the last two contests. If the team can keep it up at home, and the starting pitchers continue to impress, the Birds may just surprise the big-wigs in the AL East.
I know that's asking a lot...but Let's Go O's!
Fenway Failures
The Orioles just can't win.
Back-to-back one run losses to the Boston Red Sox over the weekend have sunk the O's even deeper into last place in the majors. The O's are just 2-16 so far this season...no other MLB team has fewer than six wins this year.
On Friday night, Jeremy Guthrie pitched well enough to win, but the offense stalled yet again, and the bullpen walked in the go-ahead run late in the game. The O's lost 4-3.
On Saturday night, with Brian Matusz on the mound, the Birds had a good chance to break the losing streak and finally win one at Fenway. Leading 3-1, Matusz was pulled with two on and none out in the seventh inning, and the 'pen promptly gave up not one, but two 3-run blasts that gave the Sox a 7-3 lead.
As has become typical when Matusz is on the mound, the O's actually scored some runs, but even a season high in hits (17) wasn't enough. Despite rallying for three runs in the ninth, the Orioles dropped their fifth straight game. Ty Wigginton smacked his team-leading sixth home run in the sixth inning, and Adam Jones went deep for the second consecutive game.
The Birds wrap-up the 10-game road trip later this afternoon, and a victory would allow the team to slink home with two wins over that span. Next up: a 6-game homestand against the New York Yankees and the Red Sox...it may get even worse before it gets better.
Back-to-back one run losses to the Boston Red Sox over the weekend have sunk the O's even deeper into last place in the majors. The O's are just 2-16 so far this season...no other MLB team has fewer than six wins this year.
On Friday night, Jeremy Guthrie pitched well enough to win, but the offense stalled yet again, and the bullpen walked in the go-ahead run late in the game. The O's lost 4-3.
On Saturday night, with Brian Matusz on the mound, the Birds had a good chance to break the losing streak and finally win one at Fenway. Leading 3-1, Matusz was pulled with two on and none out in the seventh inning, and the 'pen promptly gave up not one, but two 3-run blasts that gave the Sox a 7-3 lead.
As has become typical when Matusz is on the mound, the O's actually scored some runs, but even a season high in hits (17) wasn't enough. Despite rallying for three runs in the ninth, the Orioles dropped their fifth straight game. Ty Wigginton smacked his team-leading sixth home run in the sixth inning, and Adam Jones went deep for the second consecutive game.
The Birds wrap-up the 10-game road trip later this afternoon, and a victory would allow the team to slink home with two wins over that span. Next up: a 6-game homestand against the New York Yankees and the Red Sox...it may get even worse before it gets better.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Completely Losing It
I know I am.
Both starters in Wednesday night's contest pitched complete games, but only one came away with the win...
Take a wild guess.
O's ace Kevin Millwood (0-3) took yet another hard loss, after a 4-run fourth inning proved too much for the Birds to handle.
Once again, the O's struck first, scoring an unearned run against "King" Felix Hernandez in the first inning. And once again, the offense stalled out. The O's lost 4-1, and were swept out of Seattle.
The lack of offense is almost unreal. I can't remember the last time I've seen a slump like this extending not just through a single series, but through the entire season.
The O's are 2-14 so far, and are averaging less than three runs per game. The starters are pitching well, but no team can win consistently if they only score one or two runs a game.
The team has Thursday off before taking on the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. Maybe Dave Trembley can fire them up...before it's too late.
Both starters in Wednesday night's contest pitched complete games, but only one came away with the win...
Take a wild guess.
O's ace Kevin Millwood (0-3) took yet another hard loss, after a 4-run fourth inning proved too much for the Birds to handle.
Once again, the O's struck first, scoring an unearned run against "King" Felix Hernandez in the first inning. And once again, the offense stalled out. The O's lost 4-1, and were swept out of Seattle.
The lack of offense is almost unreal. I can't remember the last time I've seen a slump like this extending not just through a single series, but through the entire season.
The O's are 2-14 so far, and are averaging less than three runs per game. The starters are pitching well, but no team can win consistently if they only score one or two runs a game.
The team has Thursday off before taking on the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. Maybe Dave Trembley can fire them up...before it's too late.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
"A Wasted Effort"
O's skipper Dave Trembley said it best.
Starter David Hernandez pitched a good game, but once again the Birds' bats went cold.
Nolan Reimold knocked in a run in the first inning, but after that it was all zeroes on the scoreboard. The O's finished with a season-low four hits on Tuesday night, falling to the Seattle Mariners 3-1.
The stats are alarming. In the past six games (five losses) the O's have scored just 18 runs, with eight of them coming in the lone victory. Not including the victory, the Birds are averaging just two runs a game on this current road trip (and hey, if you count the win, they average three runs a game). Add it up...the O's have scored just 45 runs this season in 15 games. Five games have been decided by just one run.
Not pretty. If anyone is still wondering why the O's are 2-13 to start the season, the lack of run support should be high up on the list...
Miguel Tejada is expected to start Wednesday night. Here's hoping the bats heat up with Miggy back in the lineup...
Starter David Hernandez pitched a good game, but once again the Birds' bats went cold.
Nolan Reimold knocked in a run in the first inning, but after that it was all zeroes on the scoreboard. The O's finished with a season-low four hits on Tuesday night, falling to the Seattle Mariners 3-1.
The stats are alarming. In the past six games (five losses) the O's have scored just 18 runs, with eight of them coming in the lone victory. Not including the victory, the Birds are averaging just two runs a game on this current road trip (and hey, if you count the win, they average three runs a game). Add it up...the O's have scored just 45 runs this season in 15 games. Five games have been decided by just one run.
Not pretty. If anyone is still wondering why the O's are 2-13 to start the season, the lack of run support should be high up on the list...
Miguel Tejada is expected to start Wednesday night. Here's hoping the bats heat up with Miggy back in the lineup...
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Honeymoon is Over...
Ok. So I'm back from Jamaica. I have to say I was a little shocked when I finally turned my phone back on at BWI and saw that the O's were in the midst of a nine-game losing streak.
Brian Roberts on the DL.
Miguel Tejada injured.
Felix Pie out for three months (just saw that today).
The closer position up for grabs, with no one apparently ready to grab it.
Just what happened while I was away?!
I felt confident that with me and the new wife back in MD, the O's would sense the world was right again and play up to par...
On Sunday afternoon, we had every TV in the house tuned in to the game (we were wandering around, unpacking, doing loads upon loads of laundry, etc.). It seemed to work...the O's won just their second game of the season (you're welcome).
Brian Matusz was incredible, and now owns both of the O's wins this season. After the game, it was announced that his 23 strikeouts leads the American League.
On Monday night, though, things fell apart (again). Brad Bergesen was roughed-up (again), and the O's were down 7-0 after the third inning. To make matters worse, the Birds were no-hit through six innings until Nick Markakis slapped a single in the seventh to break it up.
It looks bleak right now, but I still have high hopes that the O's will turn things around. I'd much rather the team struggle early in the season, compared to the late-season swoons that we've all become accustomed to...
Either way, I'll be blogging after every game (or nearly every game) from now on. The wedding was great, the vacation enjoyable. But the honeymoon is over...
Brian Roberts on the DL.
Miguel Tejada injured.
Felix Pie out for three months (just saw that today).
The closer position up for grabs, with no one apparently ready to grab it.
Just what happened while I was away?!
I felt confident that with me and the new wife back in MD, the O's would sense the world was right again and play up to par...
On Sunday afternoon, we had every TV in the house tuned in to the game (we were wandering around, unpacking, doing loads upon loads of laundry, etc.). It seemed to work...the O's won just their second game of the season (you're welcome).
Brian Matusz was incredible, and now owns both of the O's wins this season. After the game, it was announced that his 23 strikeouts leads the American League.
On Monday night, though, things fell apart (again). Brad Bergesen was roughed-up (again), and the O's were down 7-0 after the third inning. To make matters worse, the Birds were no-hit through six innings until Nick Markakis slapped a single in the seventh to break it up.
It looks bleak right now, but I still have high hopes that the O's will turn things around. I'd much rather the team struggle early in the season, compared to the late-season swoons that we've all become accustomed to...
Either way, I'll be blogging after every game (or nearly every game) from now on. The wedding was great, the vacation enjoyable. But the honeymoon is over...
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Opening Day is right around the corner...who's ready?
I know I am! And for the most part, it looks as if the O's will be ready to go on Tuesday night against Tampa Bay.
So now that Spring Training is over, what have we learned? A few opinions:
So now that Spring Training is over, what have we learned? A few opinions:
- Thank goodness...Brian Roberts is back in the lineup. The O's need him leading-off, as well as his range and experience in the field. Here's hoping his back is alright...
- Surprise??? Koji Uehara begins the season on the DL...that hamstring has become a serious issue!
- Shocked...that the O's let backup catcher Chad Moeller go. I really thought we'd hang onto him to mentor Matt Weiters. Keep your fingers crossed he doesn't wind up on the Yankees roster; he's got some good info. on the young hurlers...
- Excited...to see Brian Matusz dominate the league this season...
- Happy...to see Tejada back in an O's uniform...
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