Birds Up, O's Down: 14-20 June 2010
by Stacey on Jun 21, 2010 8:32 PM EDT
in Birds Up, O's Down
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PrintHere’s a weekly look at players making an impact, for good and bad, for the Orioles this week:
Birds Up
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Nick Markakis (RF) - He hasn't hit a home run yet this month and only has three total, but he added three doubles this week and is on pace to hit over 50 on the year. Overall he went 8-for-21 with 3 walks, which is a cool .440 OBP for the week. And then there was an interview he gave... |
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Jason Berken (RHP) - Berken is the bullpen stud, and he added to his reputation this week. 4 appearances, 5.1 IP, 18 batters faced, 15 batters retired (he gave up 1 single and 2 walks), 6 K, 0 runs. If only Juan Samuel would stop pulling him from the game too soon. |
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Brian Matusz (LHP) - Brian made one start this week, pitching to a line of 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K. After struggling with walks for much of the year, Matusz has allowed just one in his last two outings, a total of 14 IP. His pitch count got a little high in his last start, but he was so nervous to pitch in San Diego, so he gets a pass. You can be nervous in San Diego, Brian, as long as you keep kicking butt in Yankee Stadium. |
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Kevin Millwood (RHP) - His game against the Giants was good but not brilliant (6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K), but it earned him his first win of 2010 so I couldn't leave him off the list. |
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Julio Lugo (2B) - I think you all know how much it pains me to write this. But the truth is Lugo had a good week. He still doesn't belong on this team, but what can I say? He went 6-for-14 with a walk and his double on 19 June was his first XBH of the year. He stole 2 bases but also got picked off twice, which brings me a perverse sense of joy. |
O's down
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Cesar Izturis (SS) - Izzy spent the week hitting 5 singles. That's it. No extra base hits, no walks. His batting line for the week is a very symmetrical .217/.217/.217 and his OPS is in serious danger of dropping below .500. I know the dude can pick it at SS but at some point you have to start wondering how much that matters relative to his woes at the plate. |
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Frank Mata (RHP) - Every time Mata comes in to pitch I think to myself, "Who is this guy?" This week, the answer to that was, "A person who does not belong in the majors." Mata appeared in 2 games for a total of 2.2 IP. In those 2.2 innings he gave up 4 walks, 4 hits (2 2B, 1 HR), and 6 ER. Watching Mata pitch makes me wonder what Brian Bass is up to, for crying out loud. |
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Chris Tillman (RHP) - Two innings pitched, six earned runs allowed, one rotation spot lost. He's not on the bus to Norfolk yet, but if Brad Bergesen gets called up for Saturday's game, that's probably what will happen. Chris, we want to love you. Let us love you! |
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David Hernandez (RHP) - Out of three appearances on the week, David Hernandez did well in two of them. Unfortunately the last one is what everyone remembers, and is the performance that got him yanked prematurely from the closer's spot. 4 hits and a walk in 0.2 IP, leading to walk off by the Padres and the Orioles 12th blown save of the year. That's 12 in 24 chances. Ouch. |
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Matt Wieters (C ) - The good news is that Matt Wieters hit a double and a home run this week. The bad news is that those were the only two hits he recorded. Overall, Matt went 2-for-20 with one walk and four strikeouts. The saddest part to me, though, is that on 15 June his OBP went under .300 for the first time this year. Today it sits at .287. |
Shout out! To duck. I had no idea how long this takes every week. I am now in awe of his dedication to all of us.
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amen...
worthless, though the mention of brian bass makes me wonder why bother w/ albers and hendo. relievers are fungible, but those are amongst the most reliever-y relievers.
"If they pitch to you, make them pay."
--Diamond Dave to the Phenom
by j.q. higgins on Jun 21, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
He pitched for the Pirates earlier this year
but they wanted no part of his 12+ ERA, 2.7 WHIP nonsense, so they put him on a bus to Indianapolis.
by CoachOfEarl on Jun 22, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Anyone else think Markakis could be a great leadoff guy for years to come?
He hits for average, gets on base a ton, takes a lot of pitches, is a good base runner, has some speed, and has great doubles power (plus can still hit 20+ hr any given season). Of course those things make a very good 2 or 3 hitter as well, but he’d be a nice replacement for BriBob if we could get some guys that actually hit. I’m sure they see Pie as more of an answer than Nick, but I wish he was in the 1 hole now while he isn’t hitting hr’s.
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
I've wanted him to bat leadoff since April.
It hasn’t happened yet. But yes, add to the list of qualifications the fact that he takes the most walks of anybody on the team, and walks are most valuable with no outs and no one on. His doubles would also be much better leading off than batting third, because on this team, batting third means batting with two outs, more often than not.
"MONTANEZ: Alas! I cannot hit. Deal with it."
-Eat More Esskay
Then we'd have no one to drive the leadoff in
Better to play odds at the top right? I think he’s great in #3 tbh..
by GeoffreyA on Jun 21, 2010 10:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It is playing the odds to have Markakis at leadoff rather than Corey or, fuck the world, Lugo.
Runner on first or second and no outs, three chances to drive him in. Runner on first or second with two outs . . .
"MONTANEZ: Alas! I cannot hit. Deal with it."
-Eat More Esskay
by flaggthecat on Jun 21, 2010 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd be happy with him as the number 2.
He’s been used there 16 times this season, as compared to 52 times in the 3 hole. (Boy, “the 3 hole” sure sounds dirty.) I’m pretty sure everyone here knows this, but we often bat some of our worst batters 1 and 2, which makes no goddamn sense.
"MONTANEZ: Alas! I cannot hit. Deal with it."
-Eat More Esskay
Honestly I can see him anywhere 1-3
I just think right now he’s the perfect guy for the 1 spot. Then again, he’s the best guy we have, so I guess he’d be better than anyone in any spot.
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
Sad Panda is in your honor
Hopefully soon we’ll have to find a happy panda.
Isn't it almost impossible to believe that none of the perfect games this season have been thrown against us? -O'sFan21
That would be Roethlisberger
If he played baseball
Bringing Baltimore Beatdown "Create a Caption" for 10 weeks and counting.
by Zachary Beard on Jun 21, 2010 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Honorable mention to Garrett Atkins....
…..for hardly playing this week, therefore contributing to the team’s chances.
And when he DID play, Atkins was 1 for 3 with a BB in 4 plate appearances for a whopping .500 OBP! Somebody stop him!
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
I looked at Atkins, Moore, Lou
They had about 10 ABs between them all week.
Isn't it almost impossible to believe that none of the perfect games this season have been thrown against us? -O'sFan21
oh, i know
i was being facetious.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Thanks for the shout-out
And I don’t know if I could do it without B-R.com’s select games function. What did we do before B-R?
"If you go up there clueless, you're going to come back [to the dugout] clueless. It's that simple." - Nick Markakis
by duck on Jun 21, 2010 10:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
dude.
did you download iOS 4.0 yet? Killer. FINALLY delete group emails! Folders! etc.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
that face on jason berken....
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
What's the fucking MATA with you?
Bring back Andino.
by WestcoastO'sFan on Jun 22, 2010 4:32 AM EDT reply actions
Thanks
I really enjoy reading the ups and downs each week. I would, however, enjoy it more if the downs list were not so long.
I would also enjoy that
Isn't it almost impossible to believe that none of the perfect games this season have been thrown against us? -O'sFan21
ups and downs
Every week in the down section, we Oriole fans should be listed for having to endure this shit season.
