Saturday Bird Droppings: The Orioles struggles at Camden Yards continue

Good morning, Birdland!

For the third time in their last four games, the Orioles scored one or fewer runs in a nine-inning game. That won’t get a team many wins, especially against a streaking club like the Athletics.

The struggles on Friday didn’t come from a lack of baserunners. The O’s had 10 hits and a walk. But only one of the hits was for extra bases. And they repeatedly squandered opportunities, like leaving the bases loaded in the sixth inning.

It’s not hard to figure out where the Orioles problems exist. Ryan Mountcastle is still hitting just .174, Anthony Santander is hurt, and there is a black hole of offense at second base, where Rio Ruiz and Ramon Urias have both struggled at the plate.

But time marches on, and the Orioles play another game today. Their struggling lineup will have to face righty Chris Bassitt, who turned in his best start of the year last time out, lasting six innings while allowing two runs on five hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts. It’s anyone’s guess as to who will be pitching for the O’s.

Links

Adrienne Roberson first woman named as PA announcer for Orioles | ESPN
Congratulations to Adrienne! Her voice is not completely new around Camden Yards, but now the job is permanent.

Orioles Minor League Spring Training report | MLB Pipeline
It’s always interesting to read about the less-heralded players in the Orioles minor league system. Kyle Bradish and Joey Ortiz get some love in this piece. That doesn’t mean they will be studs this year, but they could see their stock rise significantly if they put together a good summer.

Updating rotation plans and more | School of Roch
The update is that Saturday is probably going to be a “bullpen day.” Of course, the O’s could pull a fast one and bring up someone like Keegan Akin for a spot start, but that would require someone else to be optioned and prevent them from returning for 10 days.

Road Wins & Lineup Woes (Ep. 65) | The Warehouse Podcast
Your favorite podcast (surprise!) is back with a brand new episode. In this one we talk injuries, offensive issues, and potential trades. Plus, it comes in under an hour long, and everyone can appreciate that.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

• John Means turns 28 today. The current Orioles ace made his big league debut as a late-season addition in 2018 and has slowly worked his way to the front of the club’s rotation. He boasts a 3.71 ERA over 225.2 total innings in the black and orange duds.
• Former O’s backstop Welington Castillo turns 34 today. He spent a solid 2017 season in Baltimore, slashing .282/.323/.490 with 20 home runs.

This day in history

Baseball Reference comes up empty for Orioles-related factoids on this day. So, we head to Wikipedia for a few non-baseball anniversaries.

1800 - President John Adams signs legislation that forms the United States Library of Congress.

1895 - Joshua Slocum sets sail from Boston aboard a boat called “spray” in an effort to become the first person to single-handedly sail around the world.

1913 - New York City’s Woolworth Building opens.

1914 - The Franck-Hertz experiment, considered a landmark demonstration of quantum mechanics, is presented to the German Physical Society.