I have no idea why I labeled this Saturday Bird Droppings the first time.Sorry about that, Twitter people!
Recaps of last night's loss can be found at baltimoresun.com, MASNsports (with post-game Juan), and Bluebird Banter.
Wieters' two blasts can't carry Orioles | orioles.com: News
"The young guys have to step it up, because they know what our needs are, and take it from there," said Juan Samuel. Remember when the starters were doing well in April and May and we wondered how bad things would get if the team continued to not hit AND the pitching fell off? Ladies and gentlemen, your 2010 Baltimore Orioles.
Orioles notebook: Ty Wigginton's suspension reduced from three games to two
Orioles first baseman Ty Wigginton began serving his suspension Monday night after Major League Baseball agreed to shorten his ban from three games to two.
Wigginton ruling forces lineup shuffle | orioles.com: News
"Minutes before Monday night's contest against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel sat in the dugout with two lineups in his hand: The original, and a contingency lineup." Because there's no way the Commissioner's Office could have handled this at say, 5:00 instead of 6:30.
Luke Scott of the Baltimore Orioles named American League Player of the Week | MLB.com: Official Info
I'm not using the official name of the award because it's stupid. Congrats, Luke.
Orioles' Johnson close to rehab assignment | pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin
Jim Johnson is just about ready to begin a rehab assignment after being out two months with a strained ulnar collateral ligament.
Orioles Insider: Random O's news, notes and numbers
"If Britton, who will likely be on an innings limit and shut down before season’s end, either is scratched or has an abbreviated outing, I think that’s a good sign that he’ll be pitching on Saturday in Kansas City opposite Zack Greinke." Yeah, let's rush yet another minor league pitcher!
Orioles Insider: Orioles manager won't change through trade deadline (with Showalter quote)
The Orioles will continue without a permanent manager until at least after the non-waiver trade deadline passes on Saturday, no matter how the team fares on its current road trip.
The Orioles continue to not hire Buck Showalter. Is it by design? | HardballTalk
So, maybe all this is a ruse to let Buck do his prep work?
Arrieta’s Early Struggles | FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball
Jake Arrieta is having a hard time getting batters to swing and miss.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Matt Garza's no-hit gem worth celebrating -- not overanalyzing - Cliff Corcoran - SI.com
If anyone on the Rays was going to throw a no-no, you'd figure it had to be Matt Garza.
Pie gone awry: Marlins' Coghlin tears up knee creaming teammate - Big League Stew
"We have our first injury caused by someone giving a shaving cream pie to the face. Florida Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan tore meniscus in his left knee, and is headed for the disabled list, after he face-pied teammate Wes Helms during a TV interview Sunday." Can't believe it didn't happen to an O's outfielder first. But then again, they don't get as much practice.
Nats ratings heading north
Nats ratings are up 139 percent on MASN and MASN2, and the team’s 1.34 rating so far this season is higher than both the Angels (1.23 on FS West) and A’s (1.23 on CSN California).
Nationals' Dunn visits Brewers broadcaster Uecker in 2nd inning - Yahoo! Sports
Sure, he forgot to tell his manager he was leaving the dugout to go to the radio booth to visit friend Bob Uecker, but really, he just wanted to say hello to his friend. Is that so bad?
IN THE MINORS
Orioles Insider: Hoes heading to Bowie
L.J. Hoes, the Bowie native and St. John’s (D.C.) product whom the Orioles selected in the third round in 2008, has been promoted to Double-A Bowie for a little homecoming
Orioles Insider: Minor league game recaps -- July 26
Norfolk won in 15 even though Josh Bell went 0-for-7, Bowie won as L.J. Hoes went 2-for-5 in his AA debut, Frederick lost as Keys starter Nathan Moreau gave up seven runs in 3.2 IP, Delmarva lost in 10 in Game 1 and lost 5-0 in Game 2, Aberdeen won 5-3 as Austin Knight went 4-for-5, Bluefield won 11-1 as Cameron Roth got his first pro win, and the GCL Orioles lost 2-1.