Thursday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles have hit a new season low

Hello, friends.

Another day has dawned with the Orioles in fourth place in the American League East, although if they’re not careful, they’re going to find their way into last place. The Orioles are now just one game ahead of the last place Blue Jays.

After a 4-0 loss to the Brewers yesterday, the O’s are now a season-worst four games below .500. If you missed the game, make sure to check out Tyler’s recap of the not-so-lovely totals.

I’ve got to say that yesterday’s loss may have been one of the most pathetic yet. Brewers starter Matt Garza hadn’t had a game all year in which he allowed no runs. That’s changed now! It was also just the third time all year that Garza had pitched for more than six innings in a game. What a mess.

Are you alarmed about the Orioles yet? If you’re not, I admire your optimism, but I have to say that maybe you should start getting alarmed. I noted yesterday that if it takes 89 wins to get a wild card spot, the Orioles need to go 49-29 the rest of the way. The only thing that could make you believe this team is capable of that run this season is blind faith.

Things are starting to feel rather grim. But hey, don’t worry, because all the Orioles have to do is sweep the Twins to end up at .500 heading into the All-Star Break. And much like Han Solo’s suggestion to Threepio before going in disguise into the Death Star prison block, that isn’t very reassuring.

Around the blogO’sphere

Unfamiliar foe, familiar result: Brewers’ Nelson is the latest first-time opponent to baffle Orioles (Baltimore Sun)
If you’ve been getting the feeling that the Orioles kind of stink against any pitcher they haven’t seen before, you aren’t wrong, as The Sun’s Jon Meoli notes.

Nice rookie season: Trey Mancini has hit for average and power (MASN)
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Trey Mancini has been one of the few bright spots on the Orioles this season.

Would you trade Britton or Brach to the Nationals for prospects? (Baltimore Baseball)
This question probably doesn’t matter because I don’t think that Peter Angelos would ever countenance such a thing, but I am curious to know what others feel about it.

Orioles acquire Milton Ramos from Mets - School of Roch
The Orioles latest trade of international bonus money that they weren’t going to spend anyway has netted them a 21-year-old Low-A shortstop who has a .548 OPS. At this point, I wonder how much Dan Duquette is actively trolling.

Midseason risers and fallers -- How projections for all 30 MLB teams have changed (ESPN)
Make sure you’re sitting down before you read what they have to say about the Orioles’ chances.

Birthdays and anniversaries

On this day in 1966, Boog Powell tied an American League record by driving in 11 runs in a doubleheader, including a grand slam, against the Kansas City Athletics.

One current Oriole has a birthday today: Manny Machado turns 25. Happy birthday to him! It’s also the birthday of a couple of late Orioles from the franchise’s early days: Marylander Barry Shetrone, who scattered some games from 1959-63, and Frank Kellert, who popped into 10 games for the inaugural 1954 Orioles.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Your birthday buddies for today include: Revolutionary War naval commander John Paul Jones (1747), Wheel of Fortune/Jeopardy creator Merv Griffin (1925), Homicide actor Ned Beatty (1937), President George W. Bush (1946), rapper 50 Cent (1975), and sometimes funny man Kevin Hart (1979).

On this day in history...

In 1189, Richard the Lionheart acceded to the throne of England.

In 1535, Sir Thomas More was executed by King Henry VIII for treason, that treason particularly being a refusal to take the Oath of Supremacy which swore allegiance to the monarch as the head of the Church of England.

In 1917, during World War I, a force of Arabian troops accompanied by Lawrence of Arabia captured Aqaba from the Ottoman Empire.

In 1942, Anne Frank and family went into hiding in the annex above her father’s office in an Amsterdam warehouse.

In 1957, John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met, three years before founding The Beatles. They were still just teenagers when they met at Woolton Fete.

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And that’s the way it is in Birdland on July 6 - or at least, until something happens later, which it surely will, because the Orioles are going to play the Twins tonight. However, nobody can promise that what happens will be good. Have a safe Thursday. Go Orioles!