Tuesday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are no longer winning on the road

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

Another day, another defeat for the Orioles. A change of venue didn’t help the O’s halt their slide, as they followed up their ugly sweep in Minnesota with a 5-3 loss to the White Sox in the first of three games in the Windy City. Tyler Young’s recap has all the details.

The Orioles, in the early goings of the season, were quite the scrappy road team. They won or split each of their first three series away from Baltimore, compiling a 6-4 record. Since then, they’re 1-6 on the road, and fading fast.

The Birds’ loss last night also assured that they won’t win 10 games in April, continuing a rather depressing streak of ineptitude. The Orioles haven’t won 10 games in a calendar month since August 2017. Now, if you wanted to play fast and loose with the rules and include their two March victories as part of April’s totals, then yes, the Orioles have won 10 this month. But that just seems like fudging the numbers.

The O’s will finish up their April slate tonight with their second game against the White Sox, but they’ve already assured that they’ll finish the month in last place in the AL East. That, of course, is not surprising for a rebuilding club that was never expected to be good this season. The standings are basically irrelevant. Still, that doesn’t mean they’re pleasant to look at.

Links

Two more homers off Orioles make difference in 5-3 loss - School of Roch
Even the normally reliable John Means fell victim to the gopherball-itis plaguing the O’s pitching staff, serving up two homers last night. The Birds have given up 73 homers in 30 games and are on pace to allow 394 this year.

Mancini out Monday, but ‘feeling a lot better’ - Orioles.com
There may be some good news on the horizon for the Orioles, as their best hitter expects to be back in the lineup tomorrow. Can he pitch, too?

Ever-changing Orioles roster likely to remain in flux - BaltimoreBaseball.com
The Orioles have already used 36 players since the season began, and there are plenty more roster changes to come. So if you’re thinking of buying anyone’s jersey, maybe hold off a bit.

An inside look at the Orioles’ improved infield defense: Flores on each O’s infielder – The Athletic
2019 might not end up much better than 2018, record-wise, but the Orioles’ defense has at least been improved over last year’s dumpster fire. Here, infield coach Jose Flores offers his in-depth takes on the Birds’ infielders.

Baltimore Orioles: Mychal Givens Could Be On His Way Out - Birds Watcher
Ken Rosenthal recently reported that the O’s are listening to trade offers for Mychal Givens, and Nick Stevens gives his assessment of Givens' trade value. It is an unfortunate but necessary part of the rebuilding process that the Orioles’ best players may not be long for the club.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You share your big day with...Jesus Sucre?! Aw, man, I didn’t realize the O’s DFA’d the guy two days before his birthday. Way harsh. The erstwhile catcher, who’s currently in roster limbo awaiting his fate, turns 31 today. Your other O’s birthday buddy is 1997-99 utility infielder and Randy Johnson destroyer Jeff Reboulet (55).

On this date in 1967, the Orioles threw a no-hitter...but lost the game. Starter Steve Barber carried a 1-0 lead into the ninth against the Tigers, but walked the first two batters — two of his 10 free passes of the game — and later uncorked a wild pitch that played the tying run. Reliever Stu Miller faced two batters and kept the no-hitter intact, but the go-ahead run scored on an error.

Rough way to lose. It was one of only two games in MLB history in which a team has thrown a no-hitter and lost.