Friday Bird Droppings: Where Orioles pitchers could use a mulligan

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

Actually, it’s probably not such a good morning if you’re a member of the Orioles’ pitching staff, particularly Andrew Cashner, who gave up a career-worst 10 runs in his Thursday debacle against the Rangers. The relievers behind him weren’t much better, though. Every O’s pitcher got scored upon in the game, except — of all people — Danny Valencia, who made his first career pitching appearance and struck out the only batter he faced. Check out my game recap for the full story on last night’s craziness.

Anyway, there’s nothing to do but brush it off and try to come back strong tonight behind Kevin Gaus—oh, wait.

Links

Blowing up the roster made sense, but dealing Kevin Gausman feels like a misstep – The Athletic
Dan Connolly was underwhelmed by the Orioles’ Gausman trade. I’m no prospect expert, but I tend to agree with him that the Orioles’ return package was thin. The deal seemed more like a Darren O’Day salary dump.

The Orioles won the trade deadline by finally committing to a real rebuild | NBC Sports Washington
I’m not sure if I’d say they won the trade deadline, but the O’s did what they needed to do, and that’s definitely a good thing.

Villar vying for everyday role with Orioles (MLB.com)
New Oriole Jonathan Villar says that he’s glad to be on the O’s because the Brewers had too many good players in the infield. He certainly doesn’t have to worry about that problem in Baltimore!

Cody Carroll talks about his major league debut at Yankee Stadium - Steve Melewski
In case you missed it, Cody Carroll, one of the prospects acquired in the Zach Britton trade, made his major league debut Wednesday. And it came against his former organization, the Yankees.

Tillman hopes to recapture his stuff with Rangers - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Don’t write Chris Tillman’s epitaph just yet -- he’s found a new home, signing a minor league deal with the Rangers. He happened to be working out there while his former O’s teammates and media came to town. I’m just glad he won’t be on the Rangers’ roster quickly enough to beat the Birds in this series, Yovani Gallardo style.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You share a birthday with “The Sheriff,” Mark Reynolds, who bashed 60 homers for the Orioles from 2011-2012. The now 35-year-old Reynolds is still plugging along and hitting dingers, with 11 of them in 51 games for the Nationals this year. Your other O’s birthday buddy is 1961 reliever Dick Hyde, who turns 90 years old today. A very special happy birthday to him.

On this day in 1969, Dave McNally suffered his first loss of the year after winning his first 15 decisions. McNally finished the year 20-7, his second of four straight 20-win seasons.

In 1977, a switch-hitting rookie named Eddie Murray homered from both sides of the plate to help the Orioles win in extras over the A’s, 8-6. He turned out to be pretty good.

2018 Orioles vs. 1988 Orioles

In their 109th game, the ‘88 Orioles beat the Brewers, 7-2. The previously mentioned Eddie Murray hit his 20th homer of the year, but perhaps more notable, 24-year-old rookie outfielder Brady Anderson — whom the O’s had just acquired from the Red Sox a week earlier — blasted his first major league home run. He would hit 209 more before his career was done.

Orioles starter Oswaldo Peraza had a weird pitching line: seven innings, one hit, two runs (none earned), and 10 strikeouts. Both Brewers runs were driven in by catcher B.J. Surhoff, who would join the O’s eight years later, becoming teammates with both Anderson and Murray. It all ties together! That win improved the ‘88 Orioles to 37-72.

The Orioles and Royals both lost yesterday, with the Royals blowing an eighth-inning lead against the White Sox, so the O’s remain 1.5 games “ahead” for next year’s first overall draft pick. Get...excited, I guess?