Saturday Bird Droppings

About Last Night

Tigers Edge Orioles 4-3, Pull Even for Postseason Spot - The New York Times
Victor Martinez hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth, and the Tigers beat Baltimore 4-3 on Friday night, pulling even with the Orioles for the American League's second wild card. It was another tight, tense victory for Detroit, which has won five consecutive one-run games since late August.

Today is the greatest day I've ever known

Orioles' Chris Tillman says shoulder 'pretty good,' recovering well ahead of Sunday's start - Baltimore Sun
Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman said Friday that he’s feeling "pretty good," and is ready to make his return from the disabled list Sunday for the series finale against the Detroit Tigers.

Baltimore Orioles vs. Detroit Tigers -- Who has a better shot at October?
The Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers are neck and neck in the American League playoff chase. With the teams facing off this weekend, beat writers Eddie Matz (O's) and Katie Strang (Tigers) debate which one has the edge.

Baltimore Orioles Brian Duensing's month-long campaign aims to raise awareness of pediatric cancer - Omaha Sports Insider
Brian Duensing’s career started at Millard South High and is currently pitching for the Baltimore Orioles. He says he's using his platform to help children battling pediatric cancer.

Birthdays and History

Happy Birthday to former Orioles Matt "I didn't win a gold medal in wrestling with a broken bone in my neck" Angle and Danys Baez, subject of one of the most epic memes in Camden Chat history.  They share this birthday with famous people including 1638 Maria Theresa of Spain, Queen of Louis XIV of France; 1929 Arnold Palmer, PGA golfer and multiple major champion; 1934 Roger Maris, American baseball player and HR champion; 1941 Stephen Jay Gould, American paleontologist and popular science writer; 1960 Colin Firth, English actor who's the only one allowed to play Mr. Darcy; and 1968 Guy Ritchie, British film director.

On this day in Baltimore baseball history...

1902 - In a doubleheader with the Orioles, the A's bring Rube Waddell in for eight innings of relief in the opening win. Rube comes back to pitch another two innings of relief in the nitecap to pick up his second win for the day. It won't happen again until 1915.

1964 - Baltimore tops the Senators, 12 - 5, despite Brooks Robinson hitting into his second triple play. Brooks will hit into a record four triple killings by the time he hangs up his glove.

1965 - The Orioles sweep a pair from Kansas City, 5 - 2 and 10 - 5. In game 2, the O's get consecutive home runs by in 8th from Brooks Robinson, Curt Blefary, and Jerry Adair.

On this day in world history...

1776 George Washington asks for a spy volunteer, Nathan Hale volunteers

1894 London taxi driver George Smith is the first to be fined for drunk driving

1977 Hamida Djandoubi, convicted of torture and murder, is the last person to be executed by Guillotine in France

1993 Israel & PLO sign joint recognition statements

2008 The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, described as the biggest scientific experiment in the history of mankind is powered up in Geneva, Switzerland

Consider this your discussion space for the sure-to-be ill-fated MMA debut of CM Punk at UFC 203. This is not going to end well for him.