Wednesday Bird Droppings: The Orioles are undefeated in June

Good morning Birdland,

The Orioles achieved the unthinkable at Camden Yards on Tuesday night. They won a baseball game. OK, sure, that doesn’t seem too impressive on its face, but you have to admit that—for at least a minute during their 14-game losing streak—you thought it might be possible that they wouldn’t win another game this summer. It would have been embarrassing and enraging, but it also would have been historic, and perhaps that is worth something.

Alas, we don’t have to worry about that unless the Orioles start up another ridiculously long streak of losing, which is...ya know what, let’s not even think about it.

Bruce Zimmermann turned in a real nice start, striking out seven in 5.1 innings. The lefty has established himself as one of the team’s few reliable starting options. He should continue to get chances.

The bullpen was an adventure once again. César Valdez got hit around again and Dillon Tate looks rusty. It’s gotten to the point where when anyone besides Paul Fry or Cole Sulser is pitching, I get nervous. What a weird season!

Really the only thing that has been continually fun about this team is the top of the lineup, where Cedric Mullins and Trey Mancini continue to produce at a level that warrants All Star Game consideration. Slowly, but surely, guys like Ryan Mountcastle and Anthony Santander are gaining traction around them. And if Austin Hays can ever stay healthy, there are the makings of a deep, competitive offense.

The Orioles will lose more games, and they will win more games. But hopefully this team does not experience any other stretches as difficult that ended the month of May.

Links & Notes

Ripken: Gehrig a great player and ‘great man’ | MLB.com
This is the very first Lou Gehrig Day in baseball, marking the 80th anniversary of his death from ALS in 1941 at the age of 37. The Orioles and all other home teams will have “4-ALS” logos in their ballparks, a commemorative video will play prior to the game, and players will have the option to wear red “4-ALS” wristbands.

Another big week for Rutschman as top prospects shine in Bowie | The Baltimore Sun
The big-name prospects still have a bit of climbing the minor league ladder to do, but boy is it fun to look at the minor league box scores (or read the recaps right here on Camden Chat) each morning and dream a little bit.

Orioles’ losing wearing on Hyde: ‘I take it home’; Hunter Harvey pitches tonight for Norfolk | BaltimoreBaseball.com
Brandon Hyde mentions here that while Matt Harvey will start today’s game, he will only be throwing an inning or two. The righty will be working on three days of rest, and the Orioles will treat it like a side day. So, prepare yourself for the always fun “bullpen day.”

Streak ends as Zimmermann is solid and clutch hits arrive | Steve Melewski
It’s amazing what happens when both the pitching and hitting get on the same page for a night. I wouldn’t mind that happening a little more often, in fact.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

• Jack O’Connor turns 63. The right-handed pitcher wrapped up his big league career with 29 appearances out of the bullpen for the 1987 Orioles.
• The late Roger Freed (d. 1996) was born on this day in 1946. The first baseman/corner outfielder began his eight-season MLB career began with a four-game stint on the 1970 O’s.
• Bob Saverine celebrates his 80th birthday. From 1959 through 1964, the utility man made it into 170 total games and posted a 67 OPS+.

Orioles history

1932 - Buzz Arlet, a first baseman for the minor Orioles, hits four straight home runs as the Birds beat the Reading Keystones.

1958 - Brooks Robinson hits into the first triple play of his career. The O’s third baseman would go on to hit into three more triple plays during his playing a days, an MLB record.

1959 - Gnats at Comiskey Park delay the Orioles/White Sox game by about 30 minutes until the Chicago grounds crew can clear the gnats with a smoke bomb. The Orioles would win the game 3-2.