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Happy Sunday, Camden Chatters! I hope you are staying cool during this heat wave. I originally had tickets to today’s game, but had to trade them in. I was willing to withstand the Red Sox fans, a likely loss, and seeing Andrew Cashner shut down the team he was a member of a week ago. But heat index up to 111? I’m out. If any of you are going to the game, please take care of yourself! Lots of water, kids.
Last night’s game was during the miserable heat as well, and the outcome was just as gross. After scoring five runs in the third inning to tie the game, the Orioles fell apart and ended up losing 16-6. Tyler Young has all of the details in his game recap.
A good indoor activity today is the Hall of Fame ceremony! Former Orioles Mike Mussina, Harold Baines, and Lee Smith are being inducted along with Mariano Rivera, Edgar Martinez, and Roy Halladay. Halladay will be represented by his widow, Brandy. Coverage begins at 11 a.m. but the ceremony isn’t until 1:30. You can watch it on MLB Network or stream it at MLB.com.
Links
Orioles' Rutschman homers in pro debut; Tanner Scott returns; Karns feels improvement - BaltimoreBaseball.com
How long until Adley Rustchman is playing somewhere I can go see him? And we might see Nate Karns again soon-ish. Yay?
One year after replacing Manny Machado, Renato Núñez still having an impact on Orioles at plate - Baltimore Sun
Núñez can be exciting at the plate, but he's basically relegated to DH. Brandon Hyde says he's been working on his defense and might be seen back in the field more soon.
Baltimore Orioles: Statcast Standouts and Shockers In 2019 - Birds Watcher
It's really too bad Keon Broxton can't hit at all.
San Francisco Giants trade deadline target: Jonathan Villar - Around the Foghorn
This Giants blog suggests a trade with the Orioles for Jonathan Villar. Sure, why not? But let's not center it around at 24-year-old minor leaguer and Joe Panik. We want those youngsters!
Mike Mussina gets inducted into Cooperstown today | Williamsport Sun-Gazette
A write up from his local paper.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have a plethora of Orioles birthday buddies. First up is Orioles Hall of Famer and MASN broadcaster Mike Bordick. Bordick was never much of a hitter but his defense and reputation made him the choice to replace Cal Ripken at shortstop when Cal moved over to third base. Bordick spent six seasons with the Orioles and turns 54 years old today. Happy birthday, Bordy!
It’s also the birthday of recent Oriole Wei-Yin Chen, who turns 34 today. Chen had a very good four-year stretch with the Orioles from 2012-15. He made 117 starts for the Birds with a 3.72 ERA. His time in Miami has been rough in comparison.
The other former Orioles with birthdays today are all relief picthers. Willie Eyre (41) appeared in 19 games in relief for the 2011 team; Mark Williamson (60), spent his entire eight-year MLB career (1987-94) with the O’s; and Moe Drabowsky spent four of his 17 major league seasons with the Orioles (1966-68; 1970). Drabowsky passed away in 2006.
On this day in 1990, Ben McDonald made his first major league start. The #1 overall pick in 1989 had 12 relief appearances under his belt (six in 9/89, six in 7/90) before making the start. This starting debut was a good one, as McDonald pitched a complete game shutout! That’s impressive. Big Ben gave up four hits, with one walk and five strikeouts. Per Baseball-Reference.com, it’s the first shutout in an AL starting debut in 15 years.
In 1996, the Orioles traded for Eddie Murray, bringing him home to Baltimore. Murray appeared in 64 games for the Orioles and hit 10 home runs, including the 500th of his career.