Saturday Bird Droppings

Red Sox 3, Orioles 2 | Reuters
"Xander Bogaerts delivered the first walk-off hit of his career in the ninth inning, giving the Boston Red Sox a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a four-game series on Friday night." We lost to a dude named Xander. That's just unacceptable.

Ubaldo Jimenez of Baltimore Orioles ejected after hitting Pablo Sandoval- ESPN
"Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez was tossed Friday night for hitting Boston Red Sox slugger Pablo Sandoval in the right shoulder with a pitch, an ejection that Baltimore manager Buck Showalter later called "professionally embarrassing." Buck was much, more professional in his remarks than umpire Jordan Baker was in his handling of the game last night.

Orioles SS J.J. Hardy could start rehab work next week : Fantasy News
"He could begin a minor-league assignment next week, if he makes it out of the weekend in Bowie without any reported setbacks, according to Comcast SportsNet Baltimore." Why does everyone have to report stuff on Twitter? So annoying to link to, and I end up having to do this.

Ratings up at Orioles-controlled TV network, which faces delicate balancing act - Baltimore Sun
"Orioles and Nationals games are watched by nearly identical numbers of fans in their home markets. Each averages about 84,000 viewers per game, said John McGuinness, a MASN senior vice president. He said the Orioles' Baltimore-area viewership is up 95 percent since 2007. The Nationals — who needed to build a fan base after arriving in Washington 10 years ago — have seen viewership increase 321 percent over the same period."

Updates on Orioles prospects Brian Gonzalez, Jomar Reyes at Class-A Delmarva - Baltimore Sun
"Tucker Blair of Baseball Prospectus gives updates from his weekend with the Class-A Delmarva Shorebirds on Orioles prospect Brian Gonzalez, Jomar Reyes, and more."

Happy Birthday to former Orioles Pete Stanicek and Dennis Rasmussen.

On this date in Orioles history, in 1899 - "At age 26, John McGraw makes his managerial debut with the Baltimore Orioles of the National League. McGraw leads them to a 5 - 3 victory over the New York Giants, a team he will later manage for more than 30 years."

1981: "In International League action at McCoy Stadium, the Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings start the longest game in baseball history. The game is suspended at 4:07 AM the next day, after playing to a 2 - 2 tie through 32 innings. The game will be resumed in June with the Red Sox scoring the winning run in the 33rd inning. The 33-inning contest will last a total of 8 hours and 25 minutes." Rochester's third baseman? Cal Ripken, Jr.

2013: "Matt Wieters hits a walk-off grand slam off Brandon Gomes in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Orioles a 10 - 6 win over Tampa Bay. It is Baltimore's 17th consecutive win in extra innings, including 16 last season."

Consider this your discussion space for UFC Fight Night: Machida vs Rockhold.