Before we jump into tonight's game, here are some notes from around the Twitter:
- Both Nolan Reimold and Buck Showalter are saying that Reimold should be able to avoid the disabled list, but there is still not return date set.
- Robert Andino is now a father for the third time as his first daughter, Amarisé Hazel was born this afternoon.
- Jim Johnson is still in the hospital. His illness is bacterial and they are running more tests to figure out what's going on. And nine Orioles are dealing with some version of upper respiratory troubles.
- Injured catcher Taylor Teagarden is set to receive a third epidural in his back, the last one he is allowed to get. If that doesn't work they'll have to figure something else out.
That's a lot of injuries (and one proud papa)! As for tonight's game, the starter is Jason Hammel. I know it's been just a handful of starts, but Hammel's 2.37 ERA leads the starting rotation and he's averaging 6 1/3 innings per game, also best among starters. He's coming off of a six-inning, ten-strikeout game against the White Sox, but in his start against the Blue Jays about two weeks ago he only lasted five innings.
Facing off against Hammel is Kyle Drabek, spawn of Doug. Drabek pitched a very good game against the Orioles on April 15th, picking into the 8th inning and giving up just two runs. He was less impressive in his next start against the Royals in which he walked six batters in 5 1/3 innings. Let's hope for that Spawn of Drabek rather than the one from the O's series in Toronto.
With Andino out on paternity leave, Ryan Flaherty gets the start tonight at second base. Flaherty is still looking for his first major-league at bat hit. Mark Reynolds is back in the lineup at DH with Wilson Betemit at third.
Let's Go O's!