Saturday Bird Droppings

About Last Night

Jimenez struggles again in Orioles' 9-5 loss to Angels
Ublado Jimenez was rocked by the Los Angeles Angels in another abbreviated start, and the Orioles wasted three home runs in a 9-5 loss Friday night. Thanks, Ubaldo.

Angels lose hot-hitting C.J. Cron in win over Orioles - LA Times
C.J. Cron was hit by a sixth-inning fastball from Mike Wright and it cracked bones in his hand. He's expected to miss a month. Thanks, Ubaldo.

Need for long relief has left Orioles with unbalanced and depleted bullpen - Baltimore Sun
The Orioles need long relief, and long relievers. It is killing their bullpen. That happens when starters get only four outs, Ubaldo Jimenez. Thanks, Ubaldo.

Showalter on Jimenez's start: "Not very good" (Wright optioned) - School of Roch
I'll take "Vast Understatements of the Century" for $200, Alex. Thanks, Ubaldo.

Glory Days...

As 1966 Orioles return for World Series anniversary, players and fans look back and smile - Baltimore Sun
That was about the only thing to smile about Friday night. Thanks, Ubaldo.

Garceau: Past Orioles Star In All-Star History " CBS Baltimore
Scott Garceau recalls past Orioles' All-Star glory.

So, What's Next?

Orioles notes: In recalling Mike Wright, Birds forced to stray from plan on young pitchers - Baltimore Sun
This, of course, assumes there actually was a coherent plan to begin with.

Did Jimenez make his last start tonight? (O's lose 9-5) - School of Roch
If there's a God in heaven, the answer better be yes.

Gallardo trying for better results against Pujols - School of Roch
Albert Pujols is 15-for-32 lifetime against Gallardo, a .469 average that comes with three doubles, four home runs and 13 RBIs. Oh, goody.

Solid bat, improved defense has led Chance Sisco to the Futures Game - Steve Melewski
"I’m throwing a lot better, I’m blocking a lot better. The focus and time I put in behind the plate has really helped. Over time I’ve just gotten more comfortable and confident back there." Chance Sisco thinks he's improving his defense. We might see him in Baltimore next year, so here's hoping he's right.

Birthdays and History

Happy Birthday to former Oriole Steve Luebber. That's it. It's also the birthday of famous folks like  Donald Rumsfeld (1932), he of the "known unknowns"; Mitch Mitchell (1947), drummer for Jimi Hendrix; O.J. Simpson (1947), murderer, um, no, check that, civilly responsible for someone's death; John Tesh (1952), TV host and music composer; Tom Hanks (1956), actor; Kelly McGillis (1957), actress; Tim Kring (1957), American writer and producer (Heroes, too bad it never got a second season); Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash (1959), American professional wrestler; Courtney Love (1964), alleged musician (I think Kurt wrote most of "Live Through This"); and Jack White (1975), American musician (The White Stripes and a million other side projects).

On this day in Baltimore baseball history...

1959 - Two 20-year-old Orioles - Milt Pappas and Jerry Walker - shut out the Senators 8 - 0 and 5 - 0. The Orioles recall young Brooks Robinson from the minors.

1991 - Cal Ripken Jr.'s three-run home run lifts the American League to a 4 - 2 win over the National League in the annual All-Star Game. Andre Dawson homers for the NLers who lose for the 4th straight year. Ripken, who also won the pre-All-Star Game Home Run Derby, is named the game's MVP. Tony LaRussa becomes the first manager with three straight All-Star victories.

1992 - Baltimore's Brady Anderson and Mike Devereaux lead off the game against the Twins' Scott Erickson with back-to-back homers. The Orioles go on to a 4 - 2 victory

1996 - The National League defeats the American League, 6 - 0, in the All-Star Game. Cal Ripken Jr. starts the game, despite suffering a broken nose when he accidentally catches a forearm from Chicago P Roberto Hernández, who slipped on the tarp during the AL team photo shoot.

On this day in world history...

1401 Turko-Mongol ruler Tamerlane (Timur) destroys Baghdad, killing 20,000

1790 Russo-Swedish War: Second Battle of Svensksund - in the Baltic Sea, the Swedish Navy captures one third of the Russian fleet.

1893 Daniel Williams performs 1st successful open heart surgery without anesthesia

1917 British battleship Vanguard explodes at Scapa Flow (the result of an internal explosion of faulty cordite), killing 804

2002 The African Union is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The first chairman is Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa.

Consider this your discussion space for UFC 200. And if you're a Anderson Silva fan, grief counselors will be available. Oof, that fight's gonna be a bad one for him.