Saturday Bird Droppings

About Last Night

Saunders' 3 HRs, 8 RBIs Carry Blue Jays Past Orioles 13-3 - ABC News
Michael Saunders made sure the Blue Jays didn't miss Jose Bautista's bat in the lineup. And he sure didn't miss much of what Orioles pitchers threw last night, either.

Showalter speaks after 13-3 loss (Wright optioned) - School of Roch
"We’ve got two moves to make between now and tomorrow’s game for sure. At least two," Buck Showalter said. And one of them was Mike Wright getting optioned back to Norfolk.

The Roster Moves To Come

Orioles' Mike Wright optioned to Triple-A | MLB.com
"I threw some good pitches, threw some bad pitches," Mike Wright said. "They hit them both."

Pending roster moves and today's game - School of Roch
It's looking like either Paul Janish is getting DFA'd or Ryan Flaherty is getting optioned. But chances are, by noon today, one of their nameplates will be missing from the Orioles' locker room.

Orioles notebook: Shortstop J.J. Hardy to return Saturday or Sunday - Baltimore Sun
"We’re leaning on J.J. on this," Buck Showalter said. "He knows he’s real close. There’s one little thing he wants to feel good about. He’s moving real well defensively. I think plus-plus speed has not been his forte … but he wants to be able to score from second on a single and score from first on a double and do the things he needs to do. But we’re looking forward to getting him back. It’s been a long road." Don't be surprised if it's today.

Catastrophic combo reminder that Baltimore Orioles need arm aid - Baltimore Orioles- ESPN
Mike Wright had another rough start and Ubaldo Jimenez was no better out of the bullpen, underscoring the Orioles' need for more pitching.

After injury, Orioles' Caleb Joseph thinks Kevlar cup will give him peace of mind behind plate - Baltimore Sun
When Caleb Joseph steps behind the plate for a first time in a game, he still must overcome a mental hurdle when returning to the catching position — where his body typically takes a beating from wild pitches and foul tips — to gain confidence that his freak injury won't occur again.

Newly signed Orioles first-round pick Cody Sedlock wanted to 'get to it as quick as possible' - Baltimore Sun
"Ever since I heard my name called, I wanted to get right here and sign the papers and get to it as quick as possible." Cody Sedlock is a ball player, y'all.

And The One That Got Away

Jake Arrieta reflects on time with Orioles, believes he could've become an ace in Baltimore - Baltimore Sun
He firmly believes that if he had stayed with the Orioles he would be a premier starting pitcher right now. "I think so," Arrieta said. "Would I have won the Cy Young Award and had a 1.77 ERA? I don't know, but I knew I'd get there. I knew I would."

Birthdays and History

Happy Birthday to Caleb Joseph! It's also the birthday of former Oriole Carlos Mendez. They share this day with famous people including 1910 E G Marshall, American actor; 1924 George Mikan, American NBA center; 1942 Paul McCartney, English musician; 1942 Roger Ebert, film critic; 1976 Blake Shelton, country music singer.

On this day in Baltimore baseball history...

2007 - Sam Perlozzo is fired as manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Coach Dave Trembley replaces him on an interim basis; he will later be confirmed as full-time manager.

On this day in world history...

618 Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries of the Tang Dynasty's rule over China.

1812 War of 1812 begins as US declares war against Britain

1815 Battle of Waterloo; Napoleon and France defeated by British forces under Wellington and Prussian troops under Blucher

1928 American aviator Amelia Earhart becomes the 1st woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean landing at Burry Port, Wales

1940 Winston Churchill's "this was their finest hour" speech urging perseverance during Battle of Britain delivered to British House of Commons

Consider this your discussion space for NCAA Mens' Baseball College World Series.