Sunday Bird Droppings: Where it’s September at last

Happy Sunday, Camden Chatters! And happy September! We made it to the final month of baseball season and we’re all still standing (metaphorically, anyway. I am actually sitting). The Orioles have 27 games remaining in this long season. I think I might actually miss these guys come October 1st.

Last night’s game looked good for the Orioles at one point, but then Hunter Harvey gave up his major league run (via dinger, because he is an Oriole after all) to tie the game, and then some bunting shenanigans gave away the game. It was the O’s 90th loss of the season. You can check out all the details in Paul Folkemer’s recap.

Links

Orioles’ John Means spent week at home with his father after cancer diagnosis. Then, he won dream start in Kansas City - Baltimore Sun
John Means is going through a lot right now and he still went out and pitched a gem in his home town. A very nice story from Jon Meoli.

Orioles calling up three with expanded rosters - Steve Melewski
It's September, which means expanded rosters. Branden Kline, Tanner Scott, and Dwight Smith Jr. will join the team. Not very exciting names, but it's good to see Smith back.

Rays-O’s schedule Tuesday doubleheader to avoid hurricane | WTOP
Hurricane Dorian has changed plans for the Rays and Orioles. Wednesday's game has been moved to Tuesday to make a single admission doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. Stay safe, Floridians!

As Orioles improve under Elias, Duquette may get some credit - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Just as Dan Duquette owed something to Andy MacPhail, Mike Elias owes something to Dan Duquette. But does the bad outweigh the good? Signs point to yes.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You only have one Orioles birthday buddy, and my guess is that you haven’t heard of him. Dean Stone played in eight seasons, most with the Washington Senators. He ended his career with 17 games in relief with the Orioles in 1963. Mr. Stone passed away in 2018 at the age of 87.

On this day in 1996, Mariners manager Lou Piniella demanded that Bobby Bonilla’s bat be examined by the umpires after he homered and singled in the game. In retaliation, Davey Johnson asked the umpires to confiscate Alex Rodriguez’s bat in the fifth inning. A-Rod borrowed a bat from Ken Griffey, Jr. and promptly hit his 34th home run of the year. The Mariners won, 5-1.

In 2000, the Orioles turned a weird triple play against the Indians. With runners on first and second and no outs, Sandy Alomar hit a pop up that wasn’t called to be an infield fly. Melvin Mora dropped the ball on purpose and threw the ball to Jerry Hairston at second base, who was able to tag both base runners. Alomar, meanwhile, thought the infield fly HAD been called, so he left the field and was called out.