Hello, friends.
Let us never speak of last night again. That probably goes doubly so if you are one of the hardy souls who is both an Orioles fan and a Capitals fan. I guess it's rougher for the local hockey fans among us being as they're in the playoffs. The Orioles are just playing some regular season games in May - admittedly, games against a team they need to be beating.
What's on tap for tonight? I suppose dread, for the Capitals fans among us, but as for those who are only interested in the Orioles, well, it's Masahiro Tanaka against Kevin Gausman for the starting pitchers. That might be a good one, assuming Gausman pitches well and the Orioles offense actually like, hits or whatever.
It's tempting to say that the Orioles can hardly do worse than last night's 1-10 with RISP - except that's not true at all, because they could get even fewer chances and go zero for those. On that cheerful thought, let's hit the links.
Around the blogO'sphere
Did the Orioles intentionally keep the Yankees from taking batting practice? | NJ.com
Are we really actually talking about this? Yes, we are.
Showalter on injuries, Janish and a tarp controversy - School of Roch
Buck Showalter, in his very Buck way, was not amused by the whole suggestion of the tarp as gamesmanship. But let's just say that he was involved in such a conspiracy - I'd be proud of him.
Imperfect weather adds to perfect storm that has diminished Orioles attendance - Baltimore Sun
Orioles attendance still isn't great and it's probably because the weather has sucked and they haven't played the Red Sox or Yankees on a weekend. As anyone who was paying attention would know - but that doesn't stop some who weren't paying attention from spouting off.
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis a top defender - ESPN
Orioles teammates are impressed with Chris Davis' defense. Get this man a Gold Glove or something. I mean, if he's actually good.
Chris Davis on CC Sabathia; Tyler Wilson on his outing tonight - Steve Melewski
Davis on not hitting last night and Wilson on his sixth inning mistakes.
Birthdays and anniversaries
Of all of the players to ever suit up for the Orioles, only one has ever had a birthday on this day: the late Chuck Locke, who pitched in all of two games for the 1955 Orioles. But he never gave up any hits or runs, so it could be worse.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Your birthday buddies for today include: philosopher Soren Kierkegaard (1813), The Communist Manifesto scribe Karl Marx (1818), longtime Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie (1963), Mad Men actor Vincent Kartheiser (1979), current Superman actor Henry Cavill (1983), and singer-songwriter Adele (1988).
On this day in history...
In 1215, in England, rebel barons renounced allegiance to King John - setting in motion the eventual passage of the Magna Carta.
In 1821, deposed Emperor Napoleon died in exile on Saint Helena.
In 1862, Mexican forces led by Ignacio Zaragoza defeated French invaders in the Battle of Puebla. This victory is still celebrated simply as the name of today's date: Cinco de Mayo.
In 1904, Cy Young, pitching for the Boston Americans, threw the first perfect game in modern baseball history. Young faced the Philadelphia Athletics on that day.
In 1965, The Warlocks, who later went by the name The Grateful Dead, appeared in public for the first time in Menlo Park, California.
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And that's the way it is in Birdland on May 5 - at least, until something happens later. Have a safe Thursday. Go Orioles!