Hello, friends.
Another day has dawned with the Orioles in third place in the American League East. They remain eight games behind the division-leading Red Sox, with Boston having won their game on Friday night.
More importantly to the Orioles chances, both the Twins and Yankees were losers on Friday night. This means that the Orioles have gotten back to 1.5 games behind for the second wild card spot, and they now are 2.5 games back of the first wild card spot.
It wasn’t a pretty one last night, that’s for sure. The Orioles blew a ton of scoring chances and were only saved by some stellar defensive displays at key moments. In the end, all’s well that ends well. If you missed the game, check out my recap, and don’t forget to vote in the Most Birdland Player poll.
Was it a miraculous win? I don’t know. The Orioles better hope they haven’t used up all of their miracle luck, though, because if they’re going to win again on Saturday, they’re going to have to overcome a game where Wade Miley is the starter for the O’s against Marcus Stroman for the Jays. That’s, uh, just a little bit of a mismatch.
Around the blogO’sphere
Orioles top prospect Chance Sisco begins major league career with September apprenticeship (Baltimore Sun)
Sisco may end up being the catcher of the future for the Orioles, but he’s not very likely to be the catcher of the present.
Analyzing the September schedules for all AL wild card contenders (Baltimore Baseball)
Friend of the blog Paul Folkemer has some bad news for the Orioles attempt to chase down the Twins for a playoff spot.
The Baltimore Orioles are charging towards the second AL wild Card (SI.com)
Although if the way their offense played on Friday night is any indication, they won’t be charging towards it for long.
Notes on Hardy, roster moves, bullpen, Álvarez, Sisco and more - School of Roch
J.J. Hardy has had some lingering soreness after swinging, so it’s a cortisone injection for him. No need for him to rush back.
Dan Duquette on trade deadline and today's additions - Steve Melewski
“Well, I have been expecting the veteran pitchers on this staff to step up and pitch the way they are capable of all year,” Duquette said. Yeah, about that...
SportsNation -- Baltimore Orioles sign Make-A-Wish Foundation member to honorary one-day contract
This kind of story is always as happy as such a situation can be.
Birthdays and anniversaries
There are a bunch of former Orioles with birthdays today. They are: 2012-13 rotation member Jason Hammel, 1986 infielder Rex Hudler, 1980 short-timer Drungo Hazewood, 1978, 79, and 82 bullpen guy John Flinn, 1984-86 reliever Nate Snell, 1977 seven-gamer Dave Criscione, and 1961-62 Oriole Marv Throneberry.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Along with those former Orioles, your birthday buddies for today include: fire engine innovator Lysander Button (1810), Spalding Sporting Goods Company co-founder Albert Spalding (1850), educator/astronaut Christa McAuliffe (1948), NCIS actor Mark Harmon (1951), Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte (1959), actor Keanu Reaves (1964), actress Salma Hayek (1966), and nerdcore rapper MC Chris (1975).
On this day in history...
In 1192, Richard I (the Lionheart) of England signed the Treaty of Jaffa with Saladin, marking the end of the Third Crusade. Although the safety of both Christian and Muslim pilgrims to Jerusalem was guaranteed, the failure to capture the city led to further crusades.
In 1666, the Great Fire of London began, leading to a three day long fire that saw 10,000 buildings burned, including St. Paul’s Cathedral.
In 1901, then-Vice President Theodore Roosevelt, appearing at the Minnesota State Fair, spoke these famous words: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”
In 1945, fighting in the Pacific Theater in World War II officially came to an end with the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on board the USS Missouri.
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And that’s the way it is in Birdland on September 2 - or at least, until something happens later, which it is certainly supposed to. Maybe it will even be something good. Have a safe Saturday. Go Orioles!