O's 4, Jays 3: First place remains Birdland

by SC on Apr 14, 2008 10:21 PM EDT

Matt Albers got the job done in a spot start and George Sherrill picked up a shaky sixth save on the season as the Birds remained in first place with a 4-3 win over Toronto.

The O's are now 6-1 at Camden Yards this season, quite a turnaround from last year's dismal 35-46 home record. Trembley went bullpen crazy as usual, giving Jim Johnson two and a third before calling in Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford to get one out apiece. With a 4-1 lead, Sherrill came in to pitch the ninth and allowed a two-run, pinch-hit home run to Alex Rios, but he survived the brush with crap and got us out of there with one more in the win column.

Pretty good game at the plate, too. Kevin Millar was 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, and Brian Roberts, Melvin Mora and Luke Scott all had two hits apiece. Adam Jones was 3-for-3 with a walk, and looked really good at the plate, even though his first hit was sort of an off-balance hack at a breaking ball. After that, he appeared to be dialed in. And this after Dave Trembley went around telling everyone he could find that he really thought about pulling the struggling Jones today.

I still wonder what purpose that serves. Is it motivation? Doesn't it seem like that would make the kid press even harder? And if he had pulled him, then why is he on the team anyway? He's here to learn on the Major League level.

The other O's RBI came from a Ramon Hernandez sac fly. He was 0-for-3 to push his average down to a sparkling .179.

With 13 hits, the O's should have scored more runs, which is a pretty familiar feeling. They grounded into three double plays and made two outs at the plate. The first was Luis Hernandez hesitating to run anywhere on a Nick Markakis chopper where he absolutely should have scored or at least not run at all, but them's the breaks. The second came in the eighth, when Juan Samuel sent Jay Payton on a medium-depth fly ball to left field with one out and Brian Roberts coming up with two men in scoring position.

Let's think about this. Payton runs fine, but he's not fast. Shannon Stewart can't throw, but he wasn't throwing very far. There is another out to go and the insurance run(s) would certainly help. So Samuel sends him?

You're on notice, Juan. You're Trebelhorn II.

But a win is a win is a win. I'm also worried about the fact that in eight wins, Sherrill has six saves. We're not exactly whomping on the competition, and close games can turn against you very fast. But a win is a win is a win. This is Birdland.

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Trembley

should call Adam Jones in and tell him, "Son, I don't care if you go 0-50. You are our starting CF so go out there and relax."

I've got two nickels and a paradigm. - RWH

by BPinOK on Apr 14, 2008 10:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Good all around game

They got a good game from Albers & the pen.
The hitting finally came around.

by hagers on Apr 14, 2008 11:22 PM EDT 0 recs

well, yes and no on the hitting

yeah, we scored 4 runs, but we left a small village worth of runners on base.

by KenDixonFanClub on Apr 15, 2008 12:03 AM EDT up 0 recs

Birdland: It Takes a Village

13 hits. THIRTEEN HITS. For 4 [four] Fore! runs. Lemme see, if that ratio persists, when we finally get all fahred up and have our revenge 30 run game against the Rangers, our hit total will be...oops, my calculator apparently doesn't work beyond the realm of real numbers. L'il help, somebody?

Rah Rah Rasputin / Lover of the Russian queen
There was a cat that / Really loved Birds. -- Boney M

by Titov on Apr 15, 2008 12:27 AM EDT up 0 recs

What's this hating on Trembly for?

"'I think I've got to put him right back in there, and I think that's the best thing to do," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "And not draw a whole lot of attention to it.'" -- Sun

Trembly clearly was NOT trying to draw attention to it, just answering reporters' questions.

I think he's a big part of the reason we're doing so well. Let's not rip on the man.

by crippz on Apr 15, 2008 12:06 AM EDT 0 recs

I agree with the Trembley defense

He seems to be getting the most out of team that isn't supposed to be that talented. Who the heck cares if Bradford and Walker each pitched an out today? Bradford faced one batter? I. Dont. Care. He did his job, and I sincerely doubt throwing a handful of pitches makes him unprepared tomorrow.

The hitting is a concern, but we weren't supposed to have any in the first place. Luke Scott, as I recall, was an iffy offensive prospect. He's been absolutely stellar. Everyone has been walking Nicky Mark because they know Millar and Huff can't do anything about it, and while they haven't been great, they do get their revenge every once in a while.

Brian Roberts is great, but Jones is raw and we knew he was going to struggle. No-one expected anything out of Razor, Luis, or Mora. We've gotten something from each of them. This should be a terrible lineup, and the fact that they've been getting enough hits to win games is a pleasant surprise.

by math_geek on Apr 15, 2008 12:31 AM EDT up 0 recs

Nicky Mark?

Uh, no. NOT on the approved list of nicknames. :)

"I'd just like to point out that every newspaper in the country has picked us to finish last. The local press seems to think that we'd save everyone the time and trouble if we just went out and shot ourselves." - Major League

by duck on Apr 15, 2008 6:53 AM EDT up 0 recs

I’m petitioning for “Kakes” to be removed as well.
”’Kakis” would be okay.
“Kakes” = “Cakes” & he’s already in the Hall of Fame.
Let’s be a little more original than ESPN.

From the Land of Pleasant Living...

by OEutaw on Apr 15, 2008 10:29 AM EDT up 0 recs

For the record...

I came up with that nickname, and it is in no way related to “Cakes.” I coined that term based on my affection for the Tastykake Peanut Butter Kandy Kake in tandem with my man-crush on Nick Markakis.

And since I’m a member of the Subcommittee and you are not, no offense, it stays onboard as a viable option for nicknameage.

Improving the ballclub: Not one of Peter Angelos' concerns.-SC Wed Jan 30, 2008

by dayzd toe on Apr 15, 2008 10:39 AM EDT up 0 recs

i partially agree

Hating on Trembley at this point is unneccessary, who knows if he actually told people he thought about benching AJ (lets sure hope not). The press could have made something out of nothing there. If he actually does yank AJ I think MacPhail would try and have him fired on the spot. Although i do believe Trembley's bullpen management is iffy.

by Reddrummer9187 on Apr 15, 2008 12:34 AM EDT up 0 recs

great

A whole lot of attention was drawn to it. Maybe he could've phrased the whole thing better. Maybe he could've said, "This guy is our center fielder." It's an answer to the question.

Was Lee Mazzilli a big part of the reason we did so well in early 2005? That team gave right up on him that same season and he's hardly remembered fondly. Let's not congratulate Trembley for starting 8-5 without playing a top team yet.

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Apr 15, 2008 12:46 AM EDT up 0 recs

meh

It's really not that big of a deal how he phrases the Jones thing to the media. It's how he talks to Jones at practice, during warmups and during games that matter. I know we can't determine that, but Adam Jones seemed to be unshaken, so to speak.

Let's not deify Trembley for our fast start, that's fine, but let's not demonize him either when he is making a decent to mediocre team out of often spotty talent.

by math_geek on Apr 15, 2008 12:50 AM EDT up 0 recs

Trembley complaints:

bullpen mismangement, using Fahey at all and batting order (switch Scott and Huff, that would be a good start)

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Apr 15, 2008 12:34 AM EDT 0 recs

my rejoinders

So, Trembley used 5 pitchers today... 3 of those pitchers will be ready tomorrow. Walker and Bradford hardly did anything. Sherrill has been used exactly as he's supposed to be, and that meant that he was up today.

Fahey is terrible, but Trembley obviously does not want to ask Scott Moore to play shortstop, so someone has to be able to play that position if Luis gets hurt. Fahey is the only guy available, what with Cintron still not playing in AAA. I hardly blame the complete lack of position player talent on Trembley. There are a lot of people to blame for that, and most importantly, blame McPhail for focusing on getting decent pitching first, except we love him for it.

I would have Scott batting in Millar's spot, to keep him right next to Markakis. He's the best slugger on this team with all his doubles, anyway. I agree with this criticism.

by math_geek on Apr 15, 2008 12:47 AM EDT up 0 recs

no

Fahey is not able to play that position. He's awful. And there's nothing about his glove that can make him more useful than putting Scott Moore in the position with his bat. Fahey, like Luis, has the bat of a Delmarva Shorebird. Having someone that can hit around wouldn't be the worst thing ever.

Derek Jeter plays shortstop all the time. I'm sure Scott Moore wouldn't ruin our chances at the pennant playing a few innings now and then.

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Apr 15, 2008 12:50 AM EDT up 0 recs

Fahey is awful

Derek Jeter should not be playing shortstop, his mammoth ego demands it nonetheless.

Putting Moore in instead of Fahey, I honestly think you can make arguments for both sides. Certainly, no decent team would ever allow Fahey out of AA, if he could even make it that far. His glove is nothing special, and I wouldn't mind seeing Scott Moore play shortstop more, like he is currently doing in Norfolk.

However, if Trembley sent Moore down to Norfolk specifically because he wanted Moore to get more atbats than he would in the big leagues, more power to him. Playing every third O's game is not nearly as good as playing every day in Norfolk for his development, and Moore is hopefully going to be a starter on this team.

by math_geek on Apr 15, 2008 12:56 AM EDT up 0 recs

the thing is

That's probably a big misjudgment of talent. Scott Moore's future isn't so bright that he has a lot more developing to do, and Fahey has no business being in the Major Leagues. None. Moore as a super sub with lefty sock (making him a useful pinch-hitter, too) beats the crap out of Fahey, and there's really nobody out there that thinks Moore is going to be some superstar. He has pretty decent power, not great. He gets on-base OK, not great. He hits for a passable average. He strikes out a lot. He's a can-do dude with good athleticism and a fair glove.

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Apr 15, 2008 12:59 AM EDT up 0 recs

I don't think Moore is going to be a superstar

It'd be nice, but Moore, like the other pieces of the Tejada trade, are spare parts with either flaws or low ceilings. I do like him though, and he is one of our better hitting prospects right now. As I see it, our future lineup looks like

C: Wieters
1B:Brandon Snyder?
2B:Scott Moore?
3B:Bill Rowell?
SS:??????
LF:Luke Scott
CF:Adam Jones
RF:Nick Markakis
DH:Nolan Reimhold

Assuming Roberts gets traded or leaves, this is just about the best future lineup we have right now, and Moore is certainly a part of it. The truth is, our infield is a big weakness when it comes to prospects, and the fact that Moore has a good bat and can play any of the three bases could easily make him a future starter. We don't need 9 superstars in the lineup, but I hope to one day have 9 solid starters, and I believe Moore can be one of them.

by math_geek on Apr 15, 2008 1:22 AM EDT up 0 recs

oh certainly

But he's not going to be any better playing in Norfolk than he would be seeing major league pitching and getting some spot starts in the bigs.

That lineup would be one hell of a win for our system, too. If Wieters, Snyder, Moore, Rowell and Reimold all end up being legit starters, I'll be pretty surprised. Very pleasantly, too. And I don't think it's IMPOSSIBLE. (The biggest reach is probably Snyder.)

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Apr 15, 2008 1:37 AM EDT up 0 recs

yeah

I think part of my opinion on the subject stems from the realization that our farm is extremely thin at infield positions, so I want the guys we have to get every chance to develop into full starters.

Obviously all our good prospects working out is a dream scenario, but I’m really trying to project into the future. Drafts plus a suspected Roberts trade will probably address our weakness infield.

You may be right that seeing major league pitching would be better for Moore than more at bats in Norfolk. If so, that makes me much more upset about Moore being sent down. If, however, Moore’s future is better off with him in Norfolk now, then I’d rather have him down there even if it means we are stuck with Fahey.

After all, I still don’t expect this team to be going anywhere this season.

by math_geek on Apr 15, 2008 2:01 AM EDT up 0 recs

the one thing I don't mind

about Moore in Norfolk is they’re playing him at shortstop, I assume to see if he can handle it competently. Here’s hoping he can.

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Apr 15, 2008 2:14 AM EDT up 0 recs

amen

by math_geek on Apr 15, 2008 2:35 AM EDT up 0 recs

yup

It’s a good experiment. Nothing to lose. If he can play it, great, if not, then try him at 2nd.

Wolf, wolf, wolf.

by birdman on Apr 15, 2008 2:59 AM EDT up 0 recs

Albers, I like your ERA, son. Keep it.

Not a great night (57' F, windy) and not a big draw opponent, so 10 K attendance isn't exactly a surprise. What I'm waiting for is the night when, I dunno, KC is in town, say, it's been raining on and off all day, the forecast is for steady showers after sunset-- but in an unlikely turn of events, the weather holds off long enough to start the game (which can't be postponed in any event because of scheduling problems).

So something like 1,312 paying customers show up-- a number exceeded by the 1,436 comments on the game on CC. All right, the latter included several music polls during rain delays, a flame-throwing match between some interloping idiot from, well, a popular east coast fan site which shall remain nameless and the patient, logical, not-legally-actionable likes of us, plus several people's imitations of John Miller's imitations of other announcers, one of the most beloved features of the classic episodes of the much-lamented John Miller-Joe Angel Rain Delay Theater, whose sign ("Not for everyone") remains magical to Steppenwolf fans everywhere.

We can do this, people. Or we can do 10 cent Beer Nite. You make the call.

Rah Rah Rasputin / Lover of the Russian queen
There was a cat that / Really loved Birds. -- Boney M

by Titov on Apr 15, 2008 12:42 AM EDT 0 recs

i dont understand the complaining..

lets fuckin hear it for the o's.. trembley has got the team playin hard . were 3 games about 500 and who cares if its early and if a couple months down the road were well under the 500 mark...jones, moore, scott, tillman, albers, markakis, wieters...good times coming

Some people ask me what I do during winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do, I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Roger Hornsby

by dulak8 on Apr 15, 2008 1:01 AM EDT 0 recs

well...

I don't understand the willingness to unconditionally adore Trembley. He's shown serious flaws as a manager. Perlozzo and Mazzilli got the team to play hard for moments, too. So did Ray Miller. So did Mike Hargrove. They all got ran out pretty quick and nobody remembers their managerial stints positively. (Actually, I liked Hargrove a lot.)

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Apr 15, 2008 1:39 AM EDT up 0 recs

Loved Grover

But the only problem I have with Diamond Dave is his BP management. Other than that, he seems fine.

Wolf, wolf, wolf.

by birdman on Apr 15, 2008 3:00 AM EDT up 0 recs

I should also say this

I like Dave the DUDE. He is an upbeat SOB and he finds the good things, and it doesn’t come off as tired, blatant lying like it did with Perlozzo and Mazzone.

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Apr 15, 2008 3:56 AM EDT up 0 recs

don't take offense to this

but the bullpen management criticisms are a little excessive. It’s the easiest thing to criticize a manager on, but it’s difficult to quantitatively – hell, qualitatively determine the bullpen usage of a team. There are too many variables, just to name a few:

a) quality of the pitchers (our bullpen is probably average, pitching above average for the moment)
b) endurance and stamina of the pitchers
c) situational, 1IPers, or long relievers?
d) pitching style: delivery, LHP/RHP, pitch repetoire, control or power pitcher?
e) pitcher history versus teams, players, RH/LH hitters

When a manager does or doesn’t make a move that leads to runs scored – it’s easy to criticize and spew out statistics proving that the decision was a poor one. And it’s tough to compare one manager’s use of a bullpen versus another team’s for the reason that the pitchers are all different – but it’s done a lot anyway.

That being said, there are some managers who make terrible decisions with the bullpen. (Please don’t leave Baez in. Shit. Please don’t bring in Baez. Shit.)

by Y Not on Apr 15, 2008 9:45 AM EDT 0 recs

what is a "LONG" reliever these days

1 2/3 innings?

And I don’t take offense to people disagreeing with me, bro. I’ve been wrong man times. I was wrong about Jim Johnson last night. I said, “shut up, me.”

I was also one of those that bought into the Mazzilli -> Perlozzo change whole-heartedly. That’s probably a big factor in why I’m not so gung ho about Dave Trembley.

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Apr 15, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up 0 recs