After a day off, the Orioles continue their West Coast interleague road trip with a visit to the stomping grounds of the San Diego Padres. The Padres are entering the series tied for first place in the NL West and I'm sure that we're a good team for them to see coming into town. But hey, it's Brian Matusz Day, so that's something!
San Diego has a couple of familiar faces for Orioles fans. On the Padres bench is Oscar Salazar, who we will all love forever for his role in the epic comeback last June 30th against the Boston Red Sox (which, for the uninitiated, is known in these parts as Birdland Day). As well, in tonight's starting lineup is Jerry Hairston Jr., who now has one more World Series ring than Brian Roberts. There is no justice in the world. None. Also on the Padres is some guy named Gonzalez. Maybe you've heard of him.
Petco Park is known as a pitcher-friendly enclave, which is probably a poor omen for the offensively-challenged Orioles. We Orioles fans can wonder if, with the off-day for the Nick Markakis comments to sink in, things might actually go a little better.
Padres fans on SBN keep it real at Gaslamp Ball, which apparently has at least one person who has chosen to tattoo his body with art proclaiming allegiance to that site. More power to him, I guess. Go O's!