Saturday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are on another long losing streak

Morning, Birdland!

Hitters are going to have slumps. It’s the nature of the game. Even the best players are going to stink sometimes. But the way in which these Orioles hitters all struggle at the same time is pretty incredible.

Check this out: Since Mother’s Day, when they scored 17 runs against the Rays, this team has played 16 games. In those games, the O’s have score more than three runs just twice. TWICE! The first time was back on May 18 when they beat the Red Sox 7-4, and the other was on the 24th in a 9-3 victory against the White Sox.

Links

Colby Rasmus begins rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie - Baltimore Sun
Don’t worry, this link doesn’t just contain information on Colby Rasmus’ highly anticipated return from the disabled list. You can also get an an update on Zach Britton’s progress, Tim Beckham’s rehab and a couple of other quick notes.

The offense is a disaster, but O’s defense isn’t turning hits into outs - Baltimore Baseball
In other words: this team is really, really bad in just about every facet of the game. They deserve the record that they have.

Machado mashing in bid for ASG selection - MLB.com
This is basically just a reminder that the fan voting for this season’s All-Star Game is now open. You really shouldn’t be voting for too many Orioles. Manny Machado is the only hitter deserving, and fans don’t get to pick the pitchers.

More dots connecting Phillies to Orioles’ Manny Machado - NJ.com
Both Bob Nightengale and Jon Heyman think the Phillies have a good shot at landing Machado. That would be cool with me provided they have the best offer. Heyman’s idea would return three prospects: shortstop Arquimedes Gamboa (Philly’s eighth-best prospect, according to MLB Pipeline), right-handed pitcher Enyel De Los Santos (12) and right-handed pitcher Jose Taveras (not ranked). None of them are top 100 players. Lovely.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday!

Jack O’Connor is 60 today. The left-handed pitcher appeared in 29 games for the 1987 Birds to the tune of a 4.30 ERA, 103 ERA+ and 4.35 FIP. Roger Freed got his first taste of the big leagues for the 1970 Orioles, but went just 2-for-13 in limited opportunities. Freed passed away in 1996, but would have been 72. Bob Saverine turns 77 today. He was an Oriole from 1959-1964 and compiled a .221/.310/.270 batting line with one run and four doubles in 170 games.

Other famous birthdays: comedian Dana Carvey (1955), game show host Wayne Brady (1972), soccer player Abby Wambach (1980) and soccer player Freddy Adu (1989)

1835 - P.T. Barnum begins the first U.S. tour with his circus.

1958 - 21-year-old Brooks Robinson hits into the first triple play of his career. He would hit into three more during his time in the game, a major league record.

1959 - Playing the White Sox at Comiskey Park, the Orioles game is delayed for 30 minutes due to a swarm of gnats. The grounds crew eventually got rid of the insects by using a smoke bomb. The O’s won 3-2.

1967 - The Beatles release their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in the United States.

2003 - Europe makes its first attempt to reach Mars when the European Space Agency’s Mars Express launched a probe from Kazakhstan.