Recaps of last night's win can be found at Orioles.com, The Sun, LA Times, and MASNsports (with post-game Buck).
School of Roch: Passing the Buck quotes
"Manager Buck Showalter was asked about the Orioles' refusal to become deflated after Torii Hunter's game-tying three-run homer off Jason Berken in the eighth inning. It led to my favorite quote of the night: "I looked for that," he said. "It's part of playing, not only in the big leagues, but in the American League. Big, strong, hairy guys here. They hit it where the grass doesn't grow. And that's part of playing in this division, this league. That's part of it. We've got some big guys, too. Maybe not as hairy."
O's Hernandez placed on 15-day DL | orioles.com: News
"The Orioles' 9-7 win over the Angels on Wednesday wasn't without consequence, as reliever David Hernandez left the home clubhouse on crutches and is headed to the 15-day disabled list with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain."
Showalter stresses holding runners | orioles.com: News
The New Sheriff In Town says the O's starters need to learn how to hold runners, and they'd better do it in the minor leagues, too. Brian Matusz allowing for steals in six innings on Wednesday probably didn't help his mood.
Orioles Insider: Three straight wins: Pitching, luck or Buck?
"Then again, it has been only three games. Anything can happen in three games. It’s too small of a sample size to mean anything. And, really, two of the wins were nearly turned into defeats. So maybe it is just luck shining on the Orioles briefly before they go back to their losing ways." Did Dan Connolly just use the term "small sample size" in a newspaper? Is he going to get fired now?
Ozzie Guillen: Has praise for Buck Showalter - chicagotribune.com
"One thing I know for sure," Guillen said Thursday, one day before the Sox open a four-game series in Baltimore, "those guys are going to play better for him for some reason. Buck is the type of guy who demands players, day-in and day-out, play good baseball." Man, if even Ozzie Guillen is saying nice things about Buck, I'm started to get scared.
Steve Melewski: The Showalter-Wieters dugout conversation
In Wednesday's game, Buck Showalter and Matt Wieters had what appeared to be a pretty one-sided and stern conversation in the dugout. Turns out Buck was explaining why he didn't want Matt to throw down in that situation, and Steve shares all the details. I don't know why, but I found this discussion of strategy to be fascinating.
Orioles to honor Jim Gentile for belated 1961 RBI crown | orioles.com: Official Info
The Orioles have announced that they will honor former Oriole great Jim Gentile in a special on-field ceremony on Friday, August 6, before their 7:05 game against the Chicago White Sox.
Jones, Guthrie live chat on MASN - Orioles, Nationals, Ravens on MASNsports.com
"[S]tarting at noon, MASNsports.com will feature a pair of Orioles live chats with O's outfielder Adam Jones and right-hander Jeremy Guthrie. Jones and Guthrie will sit with O's beat reporter Steve Melewski to talk Orioles baseball, probably some Showalter takeover, and whatever you, the fans, want to know."
Baseball card show: Collectors Convention has it all - baltimoresun.com
"With nearly 1,000 dealer and exhibitor spaces, the National can prove daunting to even seasoned collectors. It's almost impossible to take in the whole thing in a day; anyone used to the church-hall baseball card shows that usually attract a dozen-or-so vendors may faint when they walk inside and see rows of memorabilia collectors stretching as far as the eye can see."
Buck Brings his Broomstick: Baltimore Orioles Sweep the Angels
Camden Chatter Robinson70WS is trying his hand at blogging the O's these days. Speaking from experience, it's tougher than it looks. So give him some love by reading his story on the Angels series and Buck Showalter so far. The first part is mostly recap, but the second half is a pretty good personal perspective. -Stacey
AROUND THE LEAGUE
RealClearSports - Aubrey Huff Finds Home in San Francisco
I am really, really happy for Aubrey Huff. I don't really care about the Giants all that much, but I'm rooting for them for his sake. I don't know how much the guy who wrote this knows about baseball, but he kind of seems to be in love with Huff Daddy. And who can blame him?
Oh, Hanley! Marlins' Ramirez hustles into OF, makes great throw - Big League Stew
Hanley Ramirez figured his new LF might have problems with a ball, so he went to back up the play. What follows is the deepest assist throw from a SS you'll ever see.
Maddon: This is why Rays need "a real baseball field" | St. Petersburg Times
"It just needs to be a real baseball field, where if you were to lose the pennant by one game and look back on a game like that becasue the roof got in the way, you’d be very upset. "
Chasing the Rangers " blog maverick
Mark Cuban gives his take on bidding for the Rangers.
IN THE MINORS
Shorebirds' playlist has more than chin music | delmarvanow.com | The Daily Times
"In a perfect world, Tom Phelps would enter each relief appearance wearing a cape. The Delmarva Shorebirds pitcher envisions himself charging out of the left-field bullpen, an orange and black cloth covering his back, with the World Wrestling Entertainment's New Age Outlaws theme song blasting over the loudspeakers to announce his appearance."
MINOR LEAGUE RESULTS
Bailey Turns Back Tides in Bats' 6-0 Shutout | Louisville Bats News
Homer Bailey had a season-high nine strikeouts and extended his scoreless innings pitched streak to 13.2 innings while Todd Frazier's home run jump started a five-run second in the Bats 6-0 shutout of Norfolk.
Baysox Hound Sea Dogs | Bowie Baysox News
Bowie Baysox closer Pedro Beato protected a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning as Bowie topped the Portland Sea Dogs 4-3 Thursday afternoon in Portland. Beato, pitching in consecutive games for the third time this season, recorded his team-leading 13th save by retiring the Sea Dogs in order. It was the only inning the Baysox retired the Sea Dogs in order.
SERIES OPENER RAINED OUT IN WINSTON-SALEM | Frederick Keys News
The first game of the four-game series in Winston-Salem was postponed due to inclement weather. The Keys and Dash will play a doubleheader on Friday night at BB&T Ballpark.
How Sweep It Is: Power win a pair | West Virginia Power News
The West Virginia Power swept a doubleheader with Delmarva Thursday evening at Appalachian Power Park, winning 4-3 in extra innings in game one and 5-1 game two. The two victories extended the Power winning streak to a season-best five games and gave West Virginia its first series sweep of the season.
Jammers Blow Out IronBirds | Aberdeen IronBirds News
The Jamestown Jammers scored six runs on three triples in the fifth inning on Thursday night at Ripken Stadium, as they pounded the Aberdeen IronBirds 11-1.
Bluefield had the day off
Maybe they can take some hitting practice, because they're eighth out of ten in the Appy League for team average.
The GCL Orioles lost 6-3
Martin Serrata wen 3-for-4, but he was the only Orioles to do much of anything. It did increase his team-leading average to .291. No other Orioles starter finished the game with an average higher than .241, and seven of the nine that started aren't hitting above .218. They don't hit very well.
So, this is my last Bird Droppings until Aug. 16. Try and keep the place clean until I come back, OK?