Tuesday Bird Droppings: Let’s just end this losing streak already

Happy Tuesday, Camden Chatters. It has finally happened! Jahmai Jones has been called up! Orioles fans have been clamoring for this day and it has finally arrived. I say this partially tongue in cheek because Jones, ranked as the #18 prospect in the Orioles system by MLB Pipeline, hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire at Triple-A Norfolk.

Some fans HAVE been clamoring, though, especially if you are a part of Orioles Twitter. People on that particular website have been particularly vocal about Jones being called up so now they have gotten their wish. I hope Jones lives up to it.

I don’t mean to be salty and pessimistic. I do wish for Jahmai Jones to be fantastic out there. I wish that for every Oriole. And having Jones on the team is better than having Maikel Franco, who was DFA’d. And it’s probably better than having Richie Martin, who was optioned. How much better remains to be seen. I hope it’s a LOT better. I always hope.

Of course the pressing matter at hand is the losing streak. Yesterday was a sweet off day but today we are back to reality. Losers of 18 in a row, the Orioles tonight will try to keep things from spiraling further. To do so, they will have to defeat old friend Dylan Bundy.

Like many Orioles fans, I imagine, I expected Bundy to turn into an incredible pitcher after he was traded away in 2019. He did put up a good showing in the shortened 2020 season, but 2021 has been something of a disaster for him. In 18 starts and four relief appearances, he has put up an ERA of 6.04. (Yes, that disastrous ERA would be right at home in the Orioles’ rotation). So maybe he is just the guy the Orioles need to face to finally get a win.

And they really need a win. I need a win. Not just because of the fact that it’s miserable for the fans and miserable for the players. But because I can’t read another self-righteous tweet or story about how the Orioles losing is all that is wrong in the baseball world.

Links

Amid scrutiny of rebuilding plan, losing streak also warrants examination of underperforming players - Baltimore Sun
Jon Meoli takes a look at some of the players who were supposed to step up, but haven't.

Keegan Akin, Kolby Allard, and Jharel Cotton on Learning and Developing Their Changeups | FanGraphs Baseball
Everything thing you never knew you needed to know about Keegan Akin's changeup.

Leftovers for breakfast - School of Roch
Roch's leftovers focus mainly on why the Orioles can't take a dang walk.

Birthdays and History

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have just one Orioles birthday buddy, but it’s a big one. So big in fact, that if you are an Orioles fan and today is your birthday, I’m sure you already know. Today is the 61st birthday of the Iron Man, Cal Ripken Jr. The Hall of Famer was born on this day in 1960. Happy birthday, Cal!

On this day in 1970, Dave McNally won his 20th game of the year, the third straight year he reached the mark.

In 1983, Tippy Martinez famously picked off three runners at first in one inning. Back in May, when it was his birthday, we shared this story about the game in question. It’s worth sharing again.

In 2002, the Orioles lost both games of a doubleheader, but Mike Bordick set a record with 428 chances without an error. The record he beat is today’s birthday boy, Ripken.

In 2012, the now retired Chris Davis hit three home runs in a single day in a game against the Blue Jays. It was the first of two three-homer games for Davis, the second coming in 2014 against the Pirates.