Here’s a weekly look at players making an impact, for good and bad, for the Orioles this week:
BIRDS UP
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Juan Samuel (MGR) - He's parlayed 11 years of MLB coaching into an interim manager gig, and has been promised he will be considered to be kept on permanently. It may not last long, but he's reached the ultimate in his profession. Good luck, Juan. You're going to need it. |
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David Hernandez (RHP) - The best player, regardless of position, the Orioles had all week. Counting Sunday's game, he had 4.1 IP, allowed one run, and although he allowed two of three inherited runners to score over the three appearances, he absolutely shut the door on the Red Sox Sunday in a game the Oriole simply had to win to maintain any semblance of sanity. We wanted him on that mound today. We needed him on that mound today. |
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Scott Moore (IF) - The namesake of Elvis' guitar player had a pretty good week, earning a .375/.375/.375/.750 slash line and going 3-for-8 before Sunday's theatrics and 2-for-5 performance. Considering b2b's slash line, the O's may finally have enough reason to push him off the roster. Never mind that Scott went hitless his first seven games. Doesn't matter. Irrelevant. We can be rid of b2b! |
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Brian Matusz (LHP) - Brian gutted his way through 6.2 IP, left his team in a position to come back, and watched the bullpen implode. His day was much uglier than the 6.2 IP, 3 R, 1 ER line would suggest, and that's credit to Matusz. It could have been a lot worse. |
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Mark Hendrickson (LHP) - This won't be a popular choice, since he gave up that ill-timed run on Saturday, but consider: Hendrickson threw 6.1 IP in three games going into Sunday, faced 26 batters, gave up just three runs, none earned, and let just one of five inherited runners score. Batters had a .230 OBP for the week against him. I'll take it. |
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Nick Markakis (RF) - No way he deserves an "Up" arrow for the whole week, as he went 3-for- |
O'S DOWN
b2b (2B) - Before Sunday's two SAC bunts, he went 2-for-12 with one walk on the week, and had an OPS under .400. There's really no need to keep him at this point. Even Scott Moore can do that. Brad Bergesen (RHP) - He earned himself a demotion to the bullpen, with Monday's day off looming and no need for a fifth starter for a week. He deserved it with 2.1 IP, seven hits, six runs, and left the bullpen to pick up the pieces for 6.2 IP. Jake Arrieta's nameplate is already engraved, Brad. Don't make your locker the one he takes. That's what Matt Albers is for. Corey Patterson (LF) - Corey, we want to like you. But a .190/.190/.333/.524 slash line for this week? Not going to cut it Corey. You may be getting a plane ticket the same day Lou Montanez does when Felix Pie gets healthy. There's OFers in AAA that can do what you're doing right now. Miguel Tejada (3B) - The defense is as bad as we feared, and the hitting, even excusing the lack of power, just isn't there. Miggi went .200 for the week, and is on track for 12 HR for the year. Ty Wigginton had that in two months. Chris Tillman (RHP) - There's days you don't have your stuff, days you can't hit the broad side of a barn, and then there's Tillman's June 4 start. He lasted just 1.1 IP, gave up four runs on five hits as Juan Samuel got him the hell out of there early, and increased his small sample size ERA to 7.77. If it wasn't for Samuel's quick hook, it would have been over 10. Yuck. Matt Wieters (C) - Ugly, ugly week. Matt went just 1-for-17, although the extra rest he's due may help. Juan Samuel's pledged to get him more days off behind the plate. With summer coming, it only makes sense.
Dishonorable mention: Lou Montanez (OF) - Hitless in two games, including Sunday; Cesar Izturis (SS) - Managed a meager .222 OBP going into Sunday for the past five games; Garrett Atkins (1B/bench) - Appeared in just two games and managed to get just one hit, although he drew three walks, went from Dave Trembley's to Juan Samuel's doghouse; Alberto Castillo (LHP) - He had a Albert Castillo week - 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB and 0 Ks. And yes, I left off several deserving candidates.
Thanks to Japer's Rink for the inspiration for this weekly series.