Tuesday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles losing streak is over for now

Hello, friends.

The Orioles wake up this morning in third place in the American League East, 3.5 games back of division-leading New York. That follows their 3-2 victory against those same Yankees on Monday afternoon. If you missed it because you were traveling or barbecuing or something else, check out my recap of the game, and make sure to vote for the Most Birdland Player poll.

The last two weeks and then some have been quite a brutal stretch for the Orioles. Even counting yesterday’s game, they have lost thirteen of their last seventeen games. That still sucks. One win doesn’t solve any problems. But if - if! - other starting pitchers can put together decent games, I would like the O’s chances of getting the ship turned around.

It’s nice to say that, but there’s still problems for the team outside of the rotation, of course. There have been some big slumps for the offense over this tough month, headlined by Manny Machado and his sub-.300 OBP. The many looking strikeouts of Chris Davis aren’t particularly helpful either.

Around the blogO’sphere

Early-season formula helps Orioles end seven-game losing streak by beating Yankees, 3-2 (Baltimore Sun)
The Sun’s Jon Meoli noticed that the way the Orioles won yesterday resembled the way that they were winning earlier in the season. Maybe they can do that some more?

Orioles’ Dylan Bundy Shows His Best Stuff in Beating the Yankees (New York Times)
The Times was impressed by Bundy’s outing enough to write an article about him. I suppose it’s only a matter of time before they start talking about how the Yankees will sign him as a free agent prior to the 2022 season.

For the Orioles, a fall to third place has been a team effort - Steve Melewski
When even Steve Melewski articles have headlines like this, things are in a bad place for the Orioles.

Asher and Jiménez candidates to start Friday (plus other notes) - School of Roch
If you thought that we were definitely rid of Ubaldo Jimenez in the Orioles rotation for good, I do not have great news for you.

Multiple Ejections After Massive Brawl Between Giants And Nationals (Deadspin)
One of the regular beats of Camden Chat is chronicling all of the times that Bryce Harper does something where he looks stupid. His attempt to throw a helmet as he responded to a plunking by charging the mound definitely made him look stupid.

Bridwell called up by Angels | amarillo.com
The Orioles decided last month that they had no further use for Parker Bridwell, although he had options remaining. After being traded to the Angels, he posted a 0.69 ERA in four starts for Triple-A Salt Lake and now he’s getting a big league start.

This last one is a downer, especially if you haven’t heard about it already. Sorry.

Melvin Mora’s sister-in-law murdered in NYC; family, police reaching out to find suspect (Baltimore Baseball)
Sometimes, the world really sucks. I hope that the justice system catches up to any perpetrators.

Birthdays and anniversaries

On this day in 1982, Cal Ripken Jr. started a game at third base against the Toronto Blue Jays after having been off the day before. So began The Streak, which would continue uninterrupted for a total of 2,632 consecutive games played.

There are a few former Orioles with birthdays today. They are: 2013 short-timer Jairo Asencio, 1993-95 reliever Mike Oquist, and 1962-67 pitcher John Miller.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Your birthday buddies for today include: Looney Tunes voice actor Mel Blanc (1908), clarinetist and bandleader Benny “The King of Swing” Goodman (1909), Bob Evans Restaurants founder Bob Evans (1918), Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello (1964), Broadway and TV/film actress Idina Menzel (1971), and singer-songwriter CeeLo Green (1974).

On this day in history...

In 1431, during the Hundred Years’ War (which actually went 116 years), Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy under the auspices of an English-dominated tribunal.

In 1814, the War of the Sixth Coalition concluded with the Treaty of Paris, resulting in a short-lived exile for Napoleon, restoration of Bourbon rule, and France returning to its 1792 borders.

In 1868, Decoration Day - recognized as a precursor to our modern Memorial Day - was first observed in the United States of America.

In 1911, the first Indianapolis 500 was contested at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Ray Harroun, who came out of retirement for the race, won the inaugural edition.

**

And that’s the way it is in May 30 - or at least, until something happens later, which it certainly should since the Orioles are playing the Yankees later. Maybe what happens will end up being good. Have a safe Tuesday. Go Orioles!