Sunday Bird Droppings

Saunders hits 2 HRs as Mariners beat Orioles 8-4 - Yahoo! Sports
"Michael Saunders homered twice and drove in five runs, Erasmo Ramirez retired 18 of the first 20 batters he faced and the Mariners beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-4 Saturday night to end a four-game losing streak." And it felt even more depressing in person.

Steve Melewski: Feldman and Wieters talk after Seattle's win over the Orioles
"It was pretty basic. Just falling behind on everybody, walking guys," Scott Feldman said after he gave up five runs over 4 2/3 innings. "Just no command of the baseball. Got a few days to get that ironed out for my next one and just go from there. When you are pitching from behind and not hitting your spots, that makes pitching a lot tougher." It doesn't demand the precision of brain surgery, Mr. Feldman, but we would like you to be more accurate than a weatherman.

School of Roch: Showalter ejected in seventh
"Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't have to leave the dugout tonight to be ejected from the game. He apparently said enough from the railing." And props to the stadium P.A. guys for playing Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up" while Buck argued. Stand Up For Your Rights!

Orioles option RHP Steve Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk - baltimoresun.com
"The Orioles optioned right-hander Steve Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday night following the team’s 8-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners. A corresponding roster move will be announced before Sunday’s series finale." Because Honey Badger General Manager don't care.

School of Roch: Hammel: "Definitely some good news"
"Definitely some good news," Jason Hammel said. "Came back real good. No structural damage, but definitely inflammation around the ulnar nerve. We just have to calm that area down. The forearm's a little stiff. I wouldn't call it tendinitis or anything, but it came back about as good as it could have been." Well, good news, I suppose. Now we have a reason for why he pitched so badly, perhaps?

What’s with all the home runs, K-Rod? | Eutaw Street Report
"Unfortunately, since coming to the O’s, KRod is more like HRod in that, he’s allowing HRs at an alarming rate – 4 in 4.0 IP." A look at why Francisco Rodriguez has given up four home runs in four appearances.

Orioles Buzz: Delmarva's Marin keeps his focus on the present
"I wanted to hit better every month, that was my goal," Adrian Marin said. "Fielding-wise, same thing - make less errors each month. Just improve each month." Seems like a pretty reasonable goal.

Orioles Q&A: Rill Talk with ... Jim Johnson - Carroll County Times
"Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was Rill?" Well, dream no more! This week's interview is Jim Johnson.

Today's birthdays include Jon Knott and Orioles Hall of Fame member B.J. Surhoff. On this date in baseball history, in 1998 - "The Orioles' Mike Mussina carries a no-hitter into the 8th before allowing a double to Frank Catalanotto. Broadcasting the game is the long-time voice of the Detroit Tigers, Ernie Harwell. Ernie is celebrating his golden anniversary, starting as an announcer for the Brooklyn Dodgers on this date in 1948." And in 2005 - "After the team goes into a free fall from first place, the Orioles fire manager Lee Mazzilli (129-140) and replace him with bench coach Sam Perlozzo on an interim basis. Currently suffering an eight-game losing streak, the Birds have dropped 16 of their last 18 games."