Saturday Bird Droppings: The Orioles went a full day without losing

Good morning, Birdland!

Yesterday marked the first day that the Orioles did not lose since May 17th. Something else that yesterday and May 17th have in common is that the Orioles did not actually play a game on either day. May 17th was an off day and yesterday was a rainout. The last time the Orioles actually won a game was May 16th, the final game of the Yankees series.

Yeah. It’s been a while.

The rainout on Friday means the O’s have two chances to break the losing streak today. Unlike Baltimore, it should be a clear day in Chicago. Matt Harvey takes the hill against Dallas Keuchel at 2:10. After the conclusion of that game, it will be premier match-up between John Means and Lance Lynn in Game 2.

Eventually, pure probability takes over, right? I would have to run the numbers, but I’m willing to bet that the odds of the Orioles losing every remaining game on the schedule is close to impossible provided that they continue to trot out a roster close to major league ability. So, that’s something?

That said, the White Sox are really good. The pitching matchup in Game 1 would not seem ideal for the Orioles, and it is within the realm of possibility that Lynn completely shuts down the O’s hitters in Game 2, making whatever Means does less important.

Who is ready for (at least) 14 innings of Orioles baseball?

Links

Mancini ‘feeling a lot better’ after HBP | MLB.com
This is tremendous news. Trey Mancini is the best hitter on the Orioles roster, and for the last couple of weeks he has been performing like one of the better hitters in all of baseball. Losing him for any amount of time would have been a huge blow.

Holmes on Valdez’s adjustments and more
It’s nice to see that the coaches are looking to retool César Valdez’s approach on the mound. He had a nice offering in the dead fish, but he needs to keep hitters off balance. Hopefully a tweak of how often he throws each pitch does the job.

Orioles had few healthy options on 40-man roster when they brought up Nevin | Baltimore Baseball
I was having this same thought when the move to call up Tyler Nevin was announced. The Orioles 40-man roster is a bit of a mess. Add in the lack of a third catcher, and it makes it appear even thinner.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

• Jerry Hairston celebrates his 45th birthday. The former utility man had a seven-season run with the Orioles from 1998 through 2004. During that time he posted an 88 OPS+ and played steady defense all over the field, although most of his time was spent at second base. He would eventually be part of the package sent to the Cubs for Sammy Sosa.
• Eric Davis turns 59. From 1997 through 1998, Davis played in 173 games and hit .321/.380/.567 with 36 home runs.
• Fred Holdsworth is 69 today. The right-handed pitcher appeared in 28 games with the Orioles from 1976 through 1977. He produced a 3.17 ERA across 54 innings.
• Dyar Miller is 75 years old. His run in Baltimore lasted from 1975 through 1977. Over 157.1 innings the righty had a 106 ERA+.

This day in history

1965 - Orioles club president Joe Inglehart sells his 32% stake in the club to National Brewing Company president Jerry Hoffberger and team treasurer Zanvyl Krieger.

1967 - The O’s acquire pitcher Pete Richert from the Washington Senators in exchange for first baseman Mike Epstein and pitcher Frank Bertaina.

1970 - Mike Cuellar strikes out four straight batters in the same inning. The first batter of the fourth inning reaches base on a passed ball third strike, and the rest go down in order as the O’s beat the Angels 2-0