Wednesday Bird Droppings: The losing streak might just go on forever

Good morning Birdland,

That Orioles’ pitching staff is pretty bad, eh? Spenser Watkins has gone from fun story to flounder in a matter of months. It’s tough to imagine they will keep giving him starts sporting an ERA over 7. It’s a similar story for reliever Konner Wade, who just got knocked around again, serving up five runs on six hits in just 1.1 innings.

There are no saviors coming. Maybe someone like Alexander Wells or Mike Baumann can earn a call-up and pull off a string of interesting starts to wrap up the season. That feels more palatable than handing the ball to a long-time quadruple-A guy and praying for the best against a lineup that includes Shohei Ohtani.

But at least we all know that the pitching is bad. It’s almost not worth talking about. What is more interesting, though, is the offense. Ryan Mountcastle continued his hot August with two more home runs, and Anthony Santander got even hotter with a 4-for-5 night that included a round-tripper of his own. The former is looking like a mid-lineup force for years to come, while the latter might actually be playing himself back into an intriguing trade chip after all.

If you would like more in-depth analysis of last night’s misery, Harrison has got you covered with the recap. Or you can just read through the box score, let out a little scream, and carry on with your day.

Links & Notes

Angels’ Joe Maddon offers support for Orioles’ Brandon Hyde amid historic losing streak | The Baltimore Sun
There are some kind words here from Joe Maddon, but what else is he supposed to say? He and Hyde go back a while, and it’s tough to heap much blame on Hyde anyway considering just how bad the talent (specifically the pitching) has been for much of the manager’s tenure.

Jones on promotion, popularity, playing Angels and more | School of Roch
It was not the finest of team debuts for Jahmai Jones (0-for-4, 3 K’s), but it was time to see what he can do in an extended period of time on the big league squad. There is no reason, other than injury, that he shouldn’t start most games from here through the end of the season. If we could stomach Maikel Franco and Pat Valaika through a healthy portion of the summer, we can watch Jones learn in real time.

‘Huge gut-check’ as O’s drop 19th straight | Orioles.com
If things go according to plan, there will be members of this current Orioles team that will be on the next good Orioles team. It won’t be many, mind you, but some. Specifically, Ryan Mountcastle and potentially Cedric Mullins, John Means, and Austin Hays. Does going through something like this now make them hungrier for a brighter future? I’m not sure of the science there, but you can be sure they never want to repeat this summer of losing.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

• Chandler Shepherd turns 29. The righty pitched in five games for the 2019 O’s.
• Gary Matthews Jr. is 47 today. The outfielder spent parts of two seasons with the Orioles from 2002 through 2003, compiling 1.9 bWAR in that time.
• Albert Belle celebrates his 55th. The slugging outfielder concluded his career with a two-season stint in Baltimore from 1999 through 2000. He owned a 127 OPS+ as an Oriole.
• The late Darrell Johnson (d. 2004) was born on this day in 1928. He played in six games for the O’s in 1962.

Orioles history

1961 - O’s bench player Dave Philley sets a major-league record for pinch hits in a season, registering his 23rd base knock in such scenarios.

2014 - For the first time in team history, the Orioles record two instances of consecutive home runs within the same game. Nick Markakis and Steve Pearce go back-to-back in the third inning, and then Delmon Young, J.J. Hardy, and Chris Davis hit three in-a-row in the fifth inning. The O’s beat the Rays 9-1.