Sunday Bird Droppings

Balk helps Birds reach 50-win mark with 3-2 comeback victory over Angels - Baltimore Sun
Thee Los Angeles Angels looked like they had the drop on the Orioles on Saturday afternoon, until reliever Joe Smith literally dropped the ball.

Jonathan Schoop on his go-ahead hit, plus other clubhouse quotes - Steve Melewski
“This is a big win,” Jonathan Schoop said. “The more at-bats you get, the more you learn. I wasn’t trying to do too much. My first year, that situation, I would have tried to hit a sac (fly) or something. Now I said let me get a pitch I can hit hard somewhere and find a hole.”

Showalter speaks after 3-2 win - School of Roch
“Obviously, it’s the end game we’re after, but reality, it comes back to you that if the season were to end today three teams from the American League East are in. And two of them are a streak away from being right back in it. Tampa is getting ready to get all their people back before we play them. But we have to be ready tomorrow." - Buck Showalter

Updating the rotation and O'Day (O's win 3-2) - School of Roch
While the Orioles rotation remains a work in progress coming out of the All-Star break, manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Mike Wright will start Thursday for Triple-A Norfolk and Tyler Wilson will take the mound on Friday.

Buck Showalter approves of Jason Garcia working as a starter - Baltimore Sun
"I'm fully supportive that they're letting him go down the starting road. He's got a work day. He's throwing 80, 90, 100 pitches — that only prepares him to come up here and pitch whether it's as a starter and reliever." - Buck Showalter

Orioles minor league report: Conor Bierfeldt named Carolina League Player of the Month - Baltimore Sun
Outfielder Conor Bierfeldt, 25, was named Carolina League Player of the Month for June, a month when he hit .279/.351/.628 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs.

Happy Birthday to former Orioles Marty Cordova, Buddy Groom, and Bob Bailor.

Consider this your discussion space for the U.S. Women's Open.