Friday, May 2nd @ Angels

[Palmer Esque]

Baltimore
AB R H RBI BB K LOB Season Avg
B. Roberts 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282
N. Markakis rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .276
M. Mora 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230
A. Huff dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .257
R. Hernandez c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
K. Millar 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .215
A. Jones cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .265
J. Payton lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231
L. Hernandez ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

LA Angels
AB R H RBI BB K LOB Season Avg
C. Figgins 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .310
R. Willits lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000
V. Guerrero rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .266
C. Kotchman 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .340
T. Hunter cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
G. Anderson dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .223
E. Aybar ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .326
B. Wood 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
J. Mathis c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .298
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Little Lineup Shakeup tonight what do you guys think?

[mdterps4life25]

:eek::eek::eek: Jones protecting Millar? I think i need to go get my vision checked!

[Oriole4Life]

Thank god Millar is not batting cleanup. We are definitley winning *no jinx*

MASN on the MLB package is blacked out so I have to listen to Rex Hudler the Idiot.

Nick got some good wood on that!

[Crazysilver03]

Homerun MARKAKIS.

[8istheman]

Cakes! Let's go O's!

[vatech1994]

The announcers are talking abot how our terrible hitting coach adjusted Nick's stance in the last two days.

[Crazysilver03]

The announcers are talking abot how our terrible hitting coach adjusted Nick's stance in the last two days.

Crowley has always done wonders with Markakis.

[longflyball]

Yanking Millar from cleanup paid quick dividends. Markakis clearly benefitted from not having a worthless, pull-happy bum hitting behind him.

[JimDH]

I like the idea of having a left handed batter in the #2.

[Crazysilver03]

Yanking Millar from cleanup paid quick dividends. Markakis clearly benefitted from not having a worthless, pull-happy bum hitting behind him.

What does pulling Millar from the 4 spot have to do with Markakis benefitting.

1st) Crowley worked with Markakis to change his stance.

2nd) Markakis was moved to the 2nd spot so he wasnt even ahead of the cleanup hitter.

3rd) He has hit 4 homeruns with Millar behind him.

[Crazysilver03]

Wow. The Orioles actually got Vlad out.

[ilovetheos]

man, that was a quick lead... :(

[RShack]

Say what you want about Palmer, but he's a legitimate know-it-all.
I appreciate that even more when he's replaced by a guy who works way too hard every AB to try to sound like he is.

[Crazysilver03]

Andy MacPhail in house. Nice to see he went with the team to Anaheim.

Shuffling of the roster. Most of it is injury opposed to talent changes.

Not sure what is up with Loewen. He will go see Andrews on Monday.

Most pleased that the Orioles are 2nd in come behind wins.

Bullpen: Like the arms in the bullpen. Like Johnson and Albers in the bullpen.

Really encouraged by Olson.

13 pitchers isnt unusual anymore because you want to keep as many arms fresh as possible. Likes expanded pitching. Not using a pitcher on a day is nice to give them more rest, but not using a position player is of no use.

[RShack]

Well, the Dynamic Duo asked AM a lot of nothing questions... let's see if they do any better after the commercial...

[Crazysilver03]

Well, the Dynamic Duo asked AM a lot of nothing questions... let's see if they do any better after the commercial...

I thought the response to 13 pitchers was interesting.

[longflyball]

Say what you want about Palmer, but he's a legitimate know-it-all.
I appreciate that even more when he's replaced by a guy who works way too hard every AB to try to sound like he is.

Speak for yourself. I need an analyst to remind me that the home team bats in the bottom of the inning. Without Buck I might lose track of which infielder is the second baseman and which is the shortstop.

Doesn't baseball a need a John Madden?

[RShack]

Well, the Dynamic Duo asked AM a lot of nothing questions... let's see if they do any better after the commercial...
Nope, they managed to do worse...
How about expanded rosters in Apr instead of Sept?
How about the crazy schedule?
This weekend in CHI, neither team is at home, what's up with that?
With Olson up, are there any other P's at AAA who you're watching?
That may be the lamest so-called interview of a GM I ever heard...

[mdterps4life25]

Say what you want about Palmer, but he's a legitimate know-it-all.
I appreciate that even more when he's replaced by a guy who works way too hard every AB to try to sound like he is.


I understand what you mean about Buck, but I'd rather have him or even OldFan#5 calling the game instead of Hunter...he hasnt called many games lately has he?

[RShack]

I thought the response to 13 pitchers was interesting.
I agree that AM did fine in spite of the dumb questions.

[Crazysilver03]

Luis with a hit.

[fdfcosta]

Wow, Payton works the count and walks!!!!:confused::confused:

[backwardsk]

Way to pick up the RBI, Nick.

[Crazysilver03]

That bunt was awesome.

[backwardsk]

That bunt was awesome.

Was Hernandez running on contact? Ahh, I can't watch the game until the Nats are done. Good job by Roberts to get those guys in scoring position, and way to go to the 2-3 hitters to bring 'em home.

[Crazysilver03]

Mora steals 2nd base with a delayed steal on a ball in the dirt. Mathis throws into CF, Mora goes to 3B.

[Crazysilver03]

Was Hernandez running on contact? Ahh, I can't watch the game until the Nats are done. Good job by Roberts to get those guys in scoring position, and way to go to the 2-3 hitters to bring 'em home.

Hernandez was running on contact, because it was 2 out.

Weaver nearly drills Huff.

[RShack]

Speak for yourself. I need an analyst to remind me that the home team bats in the bottom of the inning. Without Buck I might lose track of which infielder is the second baseman and which is the shortstop.

Doesn't baseball a need a John Madden?


I understand what you mean about Buck, but I'd rather have him or even OldFan#5 calling the game instead of Hunter...he hasnt called many games lately has he?
Different jobs:
Thorne or Hunter are the play-by-play guys. Their job is to describe what's going on.
Palmer and ole Buckaroo are color guys. Their job is to explain what it means, tell you what to look for, etc.
Thorne is better than Hunter, except for goofing up names.
Palmer is way, way, way better than Buck.
Both of these just my opinion, of course...

I predict with certainty that, with DCab pitching tomorrow, Buck will say that DCab has "more moving parts" just because he's tall. He says it every time, usually more than once. And it's not true. DCab has exactly the same number of moving parts. But I guarantee he'll say it anyway. Anybody wanna bet?

[RShack]

That bunt was awesome.
Mora read the situation perfectly.
What he did is the same thing that people crucify him for when it doesn't work.

[mdterps4life25]

Thanks for the clarification.: Thats what happens when you have a few too many and try to make witty posts on a message board.:) But what I meant to say was, I would rather have Thorne and Martinez as opposed to Hunter drowning out whatever analysis Palmer has to give.

[Crazysilver03]

That pick by Aybar was wicked sic. That is so #1 web gem of the night.

[tanner88]

Is anyone else tired of the Masn commercials? I wake up in a cold sweat sometimes hearing "Guys! Souvenir shop is upstairs".

[RShack]

That pick by Aybar was wicked sic. That is so #1 web gem of the night.
Maybe.

But it was not so much a good play as it was a needlessly dramatic-looking play. The ball was right where he was, he didn't have to go get it, it was just a matter of short-hopping it. The big drama was from him falling down and then spinning around to compensate for falling down. Then, he made a bad throw to 1B for absolutely no reason, which Kotchman had to dig out.

A good SS would have made that look boring and ordinary by just short-hopping it without falling over, and then making an easy throw to 1B. It was 100% needless excitement about nothing.

[RShack]

Buck just misrepresented what happened in Erik's start vs. the MFY's....

[backwardsk]

Guthrie was such a great pick up...

[The Rick]

Wow, 3 pages in the 5th inning? I know it's Friday night, but my goodness.

[wickedwitch]

Gold Glove for Jeremy!

[JTrea81]

Roberts with another salute to Captain Popup...

[The Rick]

Buck just misrepresented what happened in Erik's start vs. the MFY's....

What'd he say?

[JTrea81]

Looks like Nick is out of his slump - nice double!

[The Rick]

Hell yeah MelMo... 4-1 O's... against Jered Weaver, who woulda thunk it?

[JTrea81]

And Mora cashes him in, nice!

[RShack]

What'd he say?
Said the MFY's beat him 5-1... which isn't exactly what happned... he went 7 and gave up 1 ER... the SEA-D blew up the game...

[backwardsk]

Way to deliver Melvin. 2 two out RBI. Great job tonight.

[RShack]

Wow, 3 pages in the 5th inning? I know it's Friday night, but my goodness.
Nobody here but us losers ;-)

[The Rick]

Nobody here but us losers ;-)

I just got back from the bar with the girl but had been checking my phone since 10:00. :D

[RShack]

Aybar was in the right place again... but he fell down again for no reason ;-)

[JTrea81]

Boy Wood is really working Guthrie...

Nice job by Guts to get him to pop out!

[J.D.]

Ladies and gentlemen, every OH member's favorite SS that doesn't play for the Baltimore Orioles... BRANDON WOOD!

[RShack]

Ladies and gentlemen, every OH member's favorite SS that doesn't play for the Baltimore Orioles... BRANDON WOOD!
Doesn't play SS for anybody else either...

[JTrea81]

Hmm that curve looked like strike 3 in Gameday...

[J.D.]

Doesn't play SS for anybody else either...

Details. He was playing SS when everyone wanted him back in a trade. I realize that he's playing 3rd tonight. ;)

[J.D.]

Hmm that curve looked like strike 3 in Gameday...

That swing and a miss certainly was, though.

[RShack]

That 0-2 pitch got called a ball... because Ramon was set up a foot outside (!!!), and the ball was over the inside corner... but because Ramon was *so* far outside, he had to reach way over for it, so the ump called it a ball, even though it was over the plate.... I don't think I ever saw that happen before...

[JTrea81]

Details. He was playing SS when everyone wanted him back in a trade. I realize that he's playing 3rd tonight. ;)

Not to mention Aybar is playing great at SS.

[The Rick]

Guts making it look routine here against the Angels... geez he's good.

[J.D.]

What happened to my Orioles, and who are these people that get Chone Figgins out?

[J.D.]

Not to mention Aybar is playing great at SS.

I agree with Shack's assessment of the fact that he's making routine grounders look exceptional. ;) But yes, he's solid right now.

[JTrea81]

I think the guys are happy to be playing in some decent weather conditions for a change...

[The Rick]

Meh, Aybar blows. Playing over his head right now.

[J.D.]

I think the guys are finally happy to be playing in some decent weather conditions for a change...

Either that or they're wondering when it's going to drop to about 30 and start raining. ;)

Hey, look. It's Kevin Millar getting into an 0-2 hole. Following the patented Ramon Hernandez pop out. Fun times. Fun times. ;)

[J.D.]

Jones Ks. Quick inning... we probably could've knocked Weaver out with a few hits.

[JTrea81]

Yikes, Weaver went right after Jones...

[J.D.]

My... that bat certainly is bright red.

[The Rick]

Willits blows... my goodness.

What a freakin' catch by AJo. That's amazing!

[JTrea81]

C'mon Guts get the DP...

[tanner88]

What a catch by Jones!

[J.D.]

Wow. ADAM JONES!!!

I hope he's okay, but that was fantastic.

[J.D.]

And as nice as that play was... Guts drops the come backer and has to settle for the out at first. Oh well. 2 down. Get the last out, Guthrie.

[RShack]

AJ is the first CF we've had who I felt really good about since... um... since I don't know when...

[RShack]

And as nice as that play was... Guts drops the come backer and has to settle for the out at first. Oh well. 2 down. Get the last out, Guthrie.
Silver lining: As soon as he goofed, he immediately knew to get the out at 1B. No confusion at all.

But, ooops, now it's a run... oh, well...

[J.D.]

Ugh... I hate those rollers up the middle. Always feel like someone should get to them.

Willits scores. Can't walk lead off guys with speed. :( 4-2 O's.

Did they just say that Lance Cormier was warming up? I just got nauseous.

[JTrea81]

AJ is the first CF we've had who I felt really good about since... um... since I don't know when...

Mike Deveraux. Devo was the last good defensive CFer we had I think. CPat was the flashiest, but Devo was something else.

[J.D.]

Silver lining: As soon as he goofed, he immediately knew to get the out at 1B. No confusion at all.

But, ooops, now it's a run... oh, well...

This is true. Cabrera would've stared at the ball, cried, picked the ball up, and immediately thrown it into the bench.

[J.D.]

Well, Hunter just stole with absolutely no one making a move towards second to cover. That's umm... special.

At least it didn't hurt them.

[RShack]

Time for Guts to end this inning so they can all run to the dugout and have DT yell at them about Torii's heads-up SB...

[PaulFolk]

Well, Hunter just stole with absolutely no one making a move towards second to cover. That's umm... special.

At least it didn't hurt them.
Even if someone had been covering, Guthrie wasn't paying attention. He couldn't have thrown him out.

Half the Orioles fell asleep on that play.

[RShack]

Well, Hunter just stole with absolutely no one making a move towards second to cover. That's umm... special.

At least it didn't hurt them.
Neither BRob, nor LH, nor Guts, nor Ramon was paying attention.
Millar was the only guy who wasn't asleep at the switch...

[JTrea81]

Just saw that catch by Jonesy - man this guy is something with the glove!

[J.D.]

Even if someone had been covering, Guthrie wasn't paying attention. He couldn't have thrown him out.

Half the Orioles fell asleep on that play.

Except for Millar, who started yelling. I thought his mouth was loud enough to wake people up. ;)

It's not like Hunter has NO speed. That was just a mental lapse by Guthrie. And Roberts. And Hernandez.

[VivianDarkbloom]

The Angels broadcast was supremely impressed by that Hunter steal. They replayed it about 8 times.

[The Rick]

102 pitches now for Weaver following the Payton base hit. Nice AB there by Payton.

[J.D.]

Even if someone had been covering, Guthrie wasn't paying attention. He couldn't have thrown him out.

Half the Orioles fell asleep on that play.

Paul, I can't believe that I went to the game yesterday, but you didn't. I'm not sure what to think about this information.

[Miller192]

"Beauty" huh Thorne?

[J.D.]

The Angels broadcast was supremely impressed by that Hunter steal. They replayed it about 8 times.

It's really hard to steal when the pitcher doesn't care about you, no one moves to cover, and you have a little bit of speed. They should absolutely be impressed.

[JTrea81]

I wonder if Guthrie comes back out. Trembley's been burned twice by leaving a starter in too long so we'll see...

[JohnLockesGhost]

I hate bunting.

[J.D.]

"Beauty" huh Thorne?

So beautiful that the lead runner got cut down. ;)

Thorne's on the wagon again!

[RShack]

Aybar just fell over again! On what amounted to a 1B-man stretch.
That's 3 fall-overs so far, and it's only the 7th...

[Birds08]

Who is the big bald dude in the Orioles dugout?

[RShack]

The Angels broadcast was supremely impressed by that Hunter steal.
Me too. He created it out of nothing, just paying attention and acting on what he saw.

[JTrea81]

Who is the big bald dude in the Orioles dugout?

I think that's Brian Ebel, the assistant athletic trainer that you are referring to...

[J.D.]

Could really use this run, especially if Guts is done....

Well, crap. There's that.

[JTrea81]

Could really use this run, especially if Guts is done....

Well, crap. There's that.

Aybar's been busy over there...

[The Rick]

Could really use this run, especially if Guts is done....

Well, crap. There's that.

I think they'll try to get Guts through the 7th given the part of the lineup due up for the Angels.

[J.D.]

I think they'll try to get Guts through the 7th given the part of the lineup due up for the Angels.

That's fine. As long as I don't have to see Bob McCrory or Lance Cormier, I'm happy tonight.

[The Rick]

Sit down Aybar... You suck!

[J.D.]

Great play there by Mora. Absolutely. He's having a fantastic defensive season so far at third. I don't think that can be overstated.

[RShack]

Good play by Melvin, good job by Guts of getting the hell out of the way at the last sec...

Too bad people don't notice very much when Mora does excellent things...

[J.D.]

I do like what I've seen out of Wood so far. He fights a lot of pitches off.

[The Rick]

Good play by Melvin, good job by Guts of getting the hell out of the way at the last sec...

Too bad people don't notice very much when Mora does excellent things...

I notice. He can be a flashy player. He just need to be better at charging balls and stop trying to bunt for base hits.

[J.D.]

Good play by Melvin, good job by Guts of getting the hell out of the way at the last sec...

Too bad people don't notice very much when Mora does excellent things...

I just did. :(

He's not hitting too well yet, but defensively he's been phenomenal so far.

[JTrea81]

Guthrie gets Wood...

to strikeout... :)

[RShack]

He just need to be better at charging balls and stop trying to bunt for base hits.
You forgot the smiley face.... right?

[J.D.]

If Guthrie stays out of trouble, any complaints with Guthrie finishing the game?

Wow. He's pitched really well tonight.

[The Rick]

Hell of a night by Guthrie. He's definitely our ace! I love seeing this guy pitch.

[Why Not?]

Guthrie seems as strong right now as he's been throughout the game.

[The Rick]

You forgot the smiley face.... right?

Sure, let's go with that. ;)

[JTrea81]

Now that's how to finish an inning! Another great outing by Guthrie...

[Birds08]

I think that's Brian Ebel, the assistant athletic trainer that you are referring to...

Ahh thank you sir. Seems he's always one of the first to congratulate a player when they return to the dugout.

[wickedwitch]

So how does the BP blow this one?

[RShack]

If Guthrie stays out of trouble, any complaints with Guthrie finishing the game?
Depends on whether he's showing signs of being tired.
I don't see it, but I'm not good at that...

Sooner or later, you want your top P to get some CG's, just on general principle...

[Miller192]

Guts has these guys afraid of the breaking ball. He disguises it well, they're late on 89 mph fastballs and they really haven't found an answer for his breaking ball.

[JTrea81]

My guess is that we see Walker for Figgins and Willits and then Bradford will face Vlad.

[Why Not?]

If Guthrie stays out of trouble, any complaints with Guthrie finishing the game?

Wow. He's pitched really well tonight.

I vote no. He's at 109 now. No need to get abusive.

[Why Not?]

So how does the BP blow this one?

Several batters reach on catcher's interference and move around the basepaths on balks?

[The Rick]

After 109 pitches, I think Guthrie's night is done. Great outing, it's time for the BP to close this baby out.

Some insurance runs sure would be nice.

[RShack]

So how does the BP blow this one?
Negative waves.... negative waves...

<img src=http://www.amachron.com/ODDBALL_SAYS.jpg></img>

[El Gordo]

Depends on whether he's showing signs of being tired.
I don't see it, but I'm not good at that...

Sooner or later, you want your top P to get some CG's, just on general principle...
Guts finishes 7 strong innings with a K. No way he comes back. Now at least he can't lose.

[J.D.]

I vote no. He's at 109 now. No need to get abusive.

I wouldn't mind them bring on Johnson to get to Sherrill. But I'd have no issues with allowing Guthrie to finish.

[The Rick]

My guess is that we see Walker for Figgins and Willits and then Bradford will face Vlad.

You're probably right.

But Bradford against Vlad? :eek:

That sure does sound disastrous. Hopefully no one's on base.

[JTrea81]

C'mon Huff Daddy, jack one!

[EddieO's21]

that is such a stupid call with a 2 run lead

[The Rick]

I wouldn't mind them bring on Johnson to get to Sherrill. But I'd have no issues with allowing Guthrie to finish.

Finish? It'd take 125+ pitches for Guthrie to finish. That's just not happening.

Costly steal by Mora now with the Huff two bagger over Vlad's head.

[J.D.]

And if the runner hadn't gotten thrown out, that would've been a run. How many times have we seen that so far this year?

[JTrea81]

Ugh another aggressive out on the basepaths...

[JTrea81]

Ramon is batting with a RISP, I like these odds...

[J.D.]

Finish? It'd take 125+ pitches for Guthrie to finish. That's just not happening.

Costly steal by Mora now with the Huff two bagger over Vlad's head.

Back in my day, pitchers did this all the time.

*shrugs* I just don't have a warm fuzzy about many guys in the bullpen right now.

[jmehta]

how about a late night fill in the blank:

melvin mora is the worst orioles baserunner since ______

[The Rick]

Back in my day, pitchers did this all the time.

*shrugs* I just don't have a warm fuzzy about many guys in the bullpen right now.

I hear ya, trust me. It's just not how it's done anymore. If he were conditioned and used to this type of pitch count that'd be one thing, but pitchers just aren't used to doing that anymore.

I agree with Buck's point. The lack of offensive prowess for the O's forces us to be aggressive on the basepath's. I don't have a problem there with that decision.

[J.D.]

how about a late night fill in the blank:

melvin mora is the worst orioles baserunner since ______

Jay Gibbons.

[RShack]

how about a late night fill in the blank:

melvin mora is the worst orioles baserunner since ______
earlier in the game, when he did great... jeez, people...

[JTrea81]

Ok Millar here's your chance...

And he can't do it...

[J.D.]

how about a late night fill in the blank:

melvin mora is the worst orioles baserunner since ______

Here's one. How about:

Melvin Mora is the best Orioles defensive third baseman since __________

[EddieO's21]

well that inning was just stupid coaching

[Why Not?]

I agree with Buck's point. The lack of offensive prowess for the O's forces us to be aggressive on the basepath's. I don't have a problem there with that decision.

It's pretty common strategy to try and assure a run at this point. One extra run is very valuable but playing for a big inning is overkill.

[The Rick]

how about a late night fill in the blank:

melvin mora is the worst orioles baserunner since ______

... anyone under Trebelhorn. ;)

[RShack]

Here's one. How about:

Melvin Mora is the best Orioles defensive third baseman since __________
That's a very good question... hmmm....

[The Rick]

It's pretty common strategy to try and assure a run at this point. One extra run is very valuable but playing for a big inning is overkill.

I don't think we were playing for a big inning by any means... I think we were trying to get MelMo in scoring position with 0 outs, to third with 1 out and home with 2 outs. I think Trembley was trying to manufacture a run, the Scioscia way.

[jmehta]

what i find frustrating about mora is that he has speed, but he has absolutely no instincts. i cannot count the number of times he's been thrown out on the bases in the late innings of games over the past few years.

i was going to go with jack cust.

[OnTheBlack]

I checked this thread before even checking the score upon coming home - after reading, I assumed we were losing by 1 or 2, but instead - we are actually winning 4-2.

This basically means you guys needs to bring it down a peg or two when it comes to calling out players and overreacting to plays/calls - you can't live and die inning to inning, you'll give yourselves a heart attack.

[JTrea81]

Bradford facing a LH batter, this should be interesting...

[Al Pardo]

how about a late night fill in the blank:

melvin mora is the worst orioles baserunner since ______

Alan Wiggins

[RShack]

well that inning was just stupid coaching
No it wasn't.

[Why Not?]

I don't think we were playing for a big inning by any means... I think we were trying to get MelMo in scoring position with 0 outs, to third with 1 out and home with 2 outs. I think Trembley was trying to manufacture a run, the Scioscia way.

Yeah, that's what I mean.

I guess I just didn't express myself very well. :o

[J.D.]

what i find frustrating about mora is that he has speed, but he has absolutely no instincts. i cannot count the number of times he's been thrown out on the bases in the late innings of games over the past few years.

i was going to go with jack cust.

It was a miracle if Gibbons could stay upright. Although Jones has had that problem lately. Hmm...

Considerng what Mora gives us, I'll take it.

And wow... what a stunning play by Roberts. Better than anything Aybar's done all night.

[The Rick]

I checked this thread before even checking the score upon coming home - after reading, I assumed we were losing by 1 or 2, but instead - we are actually winning 4-2.

This basically means you guys needs to bring it down a peg or two when it comes to calling out players and overreacting to plays/calls - you can't live and die inning to inning, you'll give yourselves a heart attack.

Welcome to the game threads...

A BIG WOW there by BRob... Holy ****!

[JTrea81]

Nice 1st out, another LH batter coming up in Willits.

[EddieO's21]

i can't even believe that play....freakin amazing

[The Rick]

Yeah, that's what I mean.

I guess I just didn't express myself very well. :o

Well I thought you might have meant that but I just wanted to make sure. Usually we see eye to eye. ;)

[JTrea81]

Sounds like Roberts got to one of those famous Bradford seeing eye singles...

[The Rick]

Vlad scares the **** out of me in this situation.

[RShack]

It's often entertaining to watch the GameDay graphics arc's of Bradford pitches...

[JTrea81]

A DP would be huge here...

[The Rick]

Sounds like Roberts got to one of those famous Bradford seeing eye singles...

Yes, a sharp hit up the middle... BRob bear hands it and throws out the runner just barely. Amazing play, gotta be a SC top 2 or 3.

[J.D.]

So... who said something about Bradford letting Willits get on to face Vlad?

[baltimoriole]

I'm watching the game on MLB.com and the angels announcers are pretty good guys. Really singing the O's praises.

[Why Not?]

Vlad scares the **** out of me in this situation.

You mean a situation like "playing for the opposing team?" That's when he scares me.

[The Rick]

Man, that's a relief. 2 outs...

In comes Walker to face Kotchman.

[HersheyBird]

Sick play by BRob. :)

[The Rick]

You mean a situation like "playing for the opposing team?" That's when he scares me.

LOL, yup. Seems like he's killed us since he turned us down.

[JTrea81]

Well I got the order wrong, but somehow I figured Bradford and Walker would both get into tonight's game...

[RShack]

Vlad scares the **** out of me in this situation.
I've decided that it's better to just throw him strikes. If you get all tricky with him, you get yourself in a hole and/or he hits a bad ball 9 miles anyway... so I fail to see the downside of just throwing it right smack dab over the plate... it seems like he gets out on those a lot...

[JTrea81]

I've decided that it's better to just throw him strikes. If you get all tricky with him, you get yourself in a hole and/or he hits a bad ball 9 miles anyway... so I fail to see the downside of just throwing it right smack dab over the plate... it seems like he gets out on those a lot...

Not to mention Vlad is aging and he's not the Vlad of old...

[JTrea81]

Settle down Walker...

[The Rick]

LOL, yup. Seems like he's killed us since he turned us down.

Yup...

Well, not just since he's turned us down, but overall.

1.075 OPS, 15 homers, 48 RBI's.

[HersheyBird]

can o corn :)

[The Rick]

Nice 8th there by the BP. To the 9th we go.

Go O's...

[JTrea81]

Walker gets his man. It would be nice to get a couple more runs on the board...

[jmehta]

nicely done.

[J.D.]

Nice double there, Jay. Now, someone drive him in, please!!!

[The Rick]

Nice play there by Figgins for the 2nd out. C'mon BRob... how 'bout an "insurance" run. So easy a cave man could do it.

[RichmondVA Orio]

Cintron is only a tick faster than LH.

[J.D.]

Apparently not that easy. We strand another guy in scoring position. Let's see if Sherrill can close it out. :)

[JTrea81]

They didn't do much at the plate but Roberts and Jones were awesome with the glove tonight.

[RShack]

Seems like Bill Miller is annoying everybody... I don't remember his name much, which is a good sign about umpires... is he usually aggravating and I just don't remember, or is this an off-night for him, or what?

[Scrat1]

OK Sherrill. Number 11, Let's go.

[JTrea81]

Sherrill doesn't want anything to do with Hunter. All up and away...

[J.D.]

Ugh. Hunter's been on fire all game.

C'mon Sherrill. Get some outs. Get this game done.

[JTrea81]

Get the DP here George...

[Scrat1]

OK there's your mulligan. Let's finish this thing.

[JTrea81]

Starting to get dicey, c'mon Sherrill a DP gets you some breathing room...

[J.D.]

Oh hell.

Get the ground ball DP and ignore that run...

Wait... HOW IS HE SAFE THERE?!?!?!

[Why Not?]

I think Ramon got lazy on the tag.

[blueberryale77]

They didn't do much at the plate but Roberts and Jones were awesome with the glove tonight.

Glove? What glove?! Brian don't need no stinkin' glove! :D

Actually with all the problems he's been having with his actual glove lately, I think he should just play the field without one from now on. ;)

Oh shoot, apparently me coming home and getting online is bad luck. Better go back to the bar and get more drunk. :o

[J.D.]

Oh hell.

Get the ground ball DP and ignore that run...

Wait... HOW IS HE SAFE THERE?!?!?!

Never mind. He's safe. Ugh.

[Miller192]

Damn

Good call blue

[baseballnelie]

What kind of tag was that on someone going into home plate come on Ramon

[fansince71]

This is where we find out what Sherril is made of.

[JTrea81]

Shake it off George, you've still got the lead...

[Miller192]

Walk em here

[baseballnelie]

So now we have the #9 batter Mathis up and then Figgins to start the lineup again

[J.D.]

Ugh... This is a tough spot. It'll make me sick to see Guthrie's outing wasted.

Sherrill needs a strike out. Right now.

[fansince71]

Angels putting on a clinic here in the ninth

[jmehta]

Anyone still want to defend Mora's baseball iq? It's a 2 run game -- gotta get an out and keep the tying run from moving into scoring position.

[Marvin]

I cannot believe they are going to blow this game for Guthrie.

[Why Not?]

It'll be tough to double-up Figgins.

[baseballnelie]

Nevermind looks like a pinch hitter Riviera. Did I just hear Buck Martinez wrong? I think I just heard him say this first run doesn't mean a thing, what the hell

[wickedwitch]

I cannot believe they are going to blow this game for Guthrie.

If they blow this, I hope Guthrie murders all of them in their sleep.

[JTrea81]

Gotta get a K in this situation...

[J.D.]

Anyone still want to defend Mora's baseball iq? It's a 2 run game -- gotta get an out and keep the tying run from moving into scoring position.

Agreed. Let's ignore everything else he's done defensively this year. He's terrible. That play's all the evidence we need. :rolleyes:

[baseballnelie]

Anyone still want to defend Mora's baseball iq? It's a 2 run game -- gotta get an out and keep the tying run from moving into scoring position.

I think he could've thrown to first for the easy out, but he thought he could get him out at home and really should have with a better tag.

[vatech1994]

I so hate that "guard the line" strategy. That was the big thing in this inning. Mora has a DP if he is playing normal position. Every team does it, but I just hate it. He was playing a left hand hitter, 1 step off the 3rd base line. Just very low percentage positioning.

I wasn't a big fan of what Mora did initially, but I actually think it was the right play in retrospect. He has no chance to get the guy at second and it would have been tough to get Aybar at first. He runs very well.

[RShack]

Walk em here
Nah... you get this guy...

[ChaosLex]

I cannot believe they are going to blow this game for Guthrie.

Yep. Absolutely disgusting.

[J.D.]

Gotta get a K in this situation...

Nah, that pop-up worked. ;)

[JTrea81]

HUUUUGE out there...

[jmehta]

yes! two down.

[Why Not?]

Anyone still want to defend Mora's baseball iq? It's a 2 run game -- gotta get an out and keep the tying run from moving into scoring position.

He had Hunter DOA.

[Marvin]

Optimistic me is now thinking "I cannot believe they are not going to blow this for Guthrie".

[baseballnelie]

Here we go, let's see what Sherrill can do

[jmehta]

risky. very risky.

[RShack]

I so hate that "guard the line" strategy. That was the big thing in this inning. Mora has a DP if he is playing normal position. Every team does it, but I just hate it. He was playing a left hand hitter, 1 step off the 3rd base line. Just very low percentage positioning.

I wasn't a big fan of what Mora did initially, but I actually think it was the right play in retrospect. He has no chance to get the guy at second and it would have been tough to get Aybar at first. He runs very well.
Mora did the right thing, it just didn't work.

I agree with you about the way he was guarding the line... nothing wrong with standing so you can get over to it, but standing just 3 feet off the line is nuts...

[vatech1994]

Anyone still want to defend Mora's baseball iq? It's a 2 run game -- gotta get an out and keep the tying run from moving into scoring position.

I'll defend him. I don't think he threw home to cut off the run. I think he threw home because he thought that was his best chance at an out. After watching the replay several times, I think he was right. Aybar can run and that ball was right on the line and not hit too hard.

[morris]

If they blow this, I hope Guthrie murders all of them in their sleep.

That's not close to being funny.

[baseballnelie]

Put this one in the win column haha. Wow what a stressful finish

[vatech1994]

Ball game boys and girls. Man, Sherill is definitely a calm guy. Nice job.

[JTrea81]

Wow congrats to Guts, he deserved that victory. Sherrill made the pitches he had to.

[J.D.]

GREAT JOB, GEORGE!!!

That was amazing poise by Sherrill to get out of that. Hard earned win. That's a win a contending club gets right there.

[Marvin]

Yay!

I nearly had a heart attack there.

[8istheman]

I hate when I stay up late (West coast games) and then the O's lose. I can't get to sleep for hours.:mad:

It works everytime. LOL:D

[jmehta]

never a doubt :)

[RShack]

See, wasn't that easy?

Good decisions by DT about who to pitch to and who not to...

[Why Not?]

Huzzah!

I feel like Sherrill got five outs there in the ninth.

[ChaosLex]

If they blow this, I hope Guthrie murders all of them in their sleep.

If they had, he would've had my blessing. :D

[Scrat1]

YES! Good game gents. This one feels extra good.

[baseballnelie]

YES! Good game gents. This one feels extra good.

Yes it does. Great way to start off the road trip tonight

[backwardsk]

That's how you debate!

[vatech1994]

See, wasn't that easy?

Good decisions by DT about who to pitch to and who not to...

Yeh, he made some excellent choices there IMO, no matter what happened. No way you don't regret loading the bases for Figgins.

[Keith SIO]

phew...heart still beating. We got lucky with the matchups tonight. Walker had me nervous. We really played our cards right at the end though.

[morris]

If they had, he would've had my blessing. :D

Your smiley doesn't make it funny either.

[ChaosLex]

Your smiley doesn't make it funny either.

Oh, lighten up.

[ccbird]

I so hate that "guard the line" strategy. That was the big thing in this inning. Mora has a DP if he is playing normal position. Every team does it, but I just hate it. He was playing a left hand hitter, 1 step off the 3rd base line. Just very low percentage positioning.I wasn't a big fan of what Mora did initially, but I actually think it was the right play in retrospect. He has no chance to get the guy at second and it would have been tough to get Aybar at first. He runs very well.

Absolutely correct. Guarding the lines is the equivelant of the prevent defense in football. It's playing scared, to prevent the least likeliest thing to happen. Especially true in the this case with the lefty at the plate.



Excellant job by Sherill to get the job done though. Good tough win.

[J.D.]

Your smiley doesn't make it funny either.

A sense of humor does, though.

Gotta love Rick Dempsey calling the Angels the "California Angels."

[morris]

A sense of humor does, though.

Gotta love Rick Dempsey calling the Angels the "California Angels."

I have a sense of humor, but some things are just wrong.

[orayole]

I have a sense of humor, but some things are just wrong.

It was obviously a joke about MDM.

And yay O's!

[Boy Howdy]

A sense of humor does, though.

Gotta love Rick Dempsey calling the Angels the "California Angels."

Dempsey played parts of four decades in the majors (1969-1992), and they were the "California Angels" all along.

I'm with The Dipper. They'll always be the California Angels to me.

[J.D.]

Dempsey played parts of four decades in the majors (1969-1992), and they were the "California Angels" all along.

I'm with The Dipper. They'll always be the California Angels to me.

He's a journalist. Call them what they are. ;)

[J.D.]

I have a sense of humor, but some things are just wrong.

Apparently not a broad one. People make jokes like that all the time. They're jokes. *shrugs*

[RShack]

Dempsey played parts of four decades in the majors (1969-1992), and they were the "California Angels" all along.

I'm with The Dipper. They'll always be the California Angels to me.
When I was a kid, I kinda liked their 1st hat... the one with the halo on it:

<img src=http://www.mickeysplace.com/images/hclaa62.jpg></img>

[morris]

Apparently not a broad one. People make jokes like that all the time. They're jokes. *shrugs*

Please explain the joke to me. (In all seriousness)

[orayole]

Please explain the joke to me. (In all seriousness)

So you've never had someone break something of yours or mess something of yours up real bad and then said "Oh my god! I'm going to kill you!" ? Or anything like that?

It's the same thing.