3/10 O's vs. Red Sox

[baseballnelie]

Here's our lineup today from Roch (http://masnsports.com/2009/03/the-lineup-10.html):

Felix Pie - CF
Donnie Murphy - 2B
Nick Markakis - RF
Matt Wieters - C
Scott Moore - 3B
Luke Scott - LF
Lou Montanez - DH
Oscar Salazar - 1B
Blake Davis - SS
Brian Bass - P

Other pitchers who made the trip: Radhames Liz, Kam Mickolio, Bob McCrory and Brian Matusz.

[baseballnelie]

I'm watching the game on mlb.tv and it is using the MASN broadcast, so I assume the game is on MASN as well.

[lovetoaster]

That kid in the No. 4 hole...I think we may see him there quite a bit in the future.

[baseballnelie]

Pie leads off the game with a softly hit line drive to center.

[Hank Scorpio]

Pie leads off the game with a softly hit line drive to center.

For an out?

[CharmCityHokie]

Thanks for starting the gamethread, I have no way of watching the game and the "live" boxscore on mlb.com doesnt tell you too much

[adamwolff11]

For an out?

yes

and Nick grounds out on the first pitch, 3 up 3 down.

[baseballnelie]

Murphy hits a grounder down the line to 3rd for the 2nd out.

[baseballnelie]

For an out?

My bad yes that was the first out. Now time for Brian Bass to start the game for us.

[Marcus]

I'm watching the game on mlb.tv and it is using the MASN broadcast, so I assume the game is on MASN as well.

Correct. I'm watching the game on TV. It's weird because I just logged into MLB.TV and I could also watch the game online. Shouldn't it be blacked out?

[baseballnelie]

Correct. I'm watching the game on TV. It's weird because I just logged into MLB.TV and I could also watch the game online. Shouldn't it be blacked out?

I guess it should be blacked out if you're Maryland in the area. I don't get MASN down here.

Brian Bass fell behind 3-0 to the first batter and walked him in a 3-1 count.

[baseballnelie]

Bass' pitch goes off Wieters glove to his left and he had to get to it quickly, but the runner did not advance. It was followed by a softly hit grounder to Davis at SS too slow for the double play, so they only got the 1 out at 1st.

[baseballnelie]

Bass takes the count again to 3-0 on J.D. Drew and Wieters goes to mound to talk to him. He's making a lot of pitches and rarely for strikes.

[CharmCityHokie]

Off topic: Does anyone know if any Orioles games are going to be shown on the MLB Network this spring? I dont get MASN and I'm too damn poor to pay 100 bucks for MLB TV, so I was hoping to see at least one of our spring games on MLB Network

Also, thanks for the updates baseballnelie, they're much appreciated

[Bleed Orange]

is anyone else having trouble with the MASN broadcast skipping? maybe i just need to reset the directv box....

[baseballnelie]

Drew walked on the next pitch. Bass is now battling Baldelli with a 1-2 count.

[baseballnelie]

is anyone else having trouble with the MASN broadcast skipping? maybe i just need to reset the directv box....

Is the MASN broadcast also skipping? I thought it my internet being slow, so I just switched to wired instead of wireless haha.

[Bleed Orange]

Bass is garbage. He is behind every hitter and they just wait for him to throw them a juicy fastball.

[baseballnelie]

Baldelli ripped one to deep center for a 2 rbi double, still just 1 out.

[Austin]

MASN's audio is skipping like every other second, and every once in a while it looks like they lose their video feed too. Ah, the familiar old quality of MASN.

[baseballnelie]

Bass just had a nice strikeout of Lowell.

[Bleed Orange]

MASN's audio is skipping like every other second, and every once in a while it looks like they lose their video feed too. Ah, the familiar old quality of MASN.

Haha it really is a pathetic excuse for a RSN. We only get 4 spring training games on TV and this is the quality.

[baseballnelie]

Bass ends the inning getting Varitek to ground out to 2nd leaving Baldelli at 2nd.

Wieters coming up to lead off the 2nd

[baseballnelie]

I was really hoping to get some homework done early today, but when I saw this game was on MLB.tv today that idea just went out the window.

[baseballnelie]

Intervew with Matusz. He says it's an honor to be here. His locker is next to Guthrie's and that he's a great guy. He says Wieters is a great guy and they have worked real well together, and hopefully they'll be working together for a long time.

[baseballnelie]

Wieters is tied for the lead in hits this spring training with 8 with Montanez and rbi's with 5 with Scott.

Wieters strikes out swinging on a 2-2 off-speed pitch

[baseballnelie]

Scott Moore strikes out looking for the 2nd out on a good looking breaking ball.

[CharmCityHokie]

Intervew with Matusz. He says it's an honor to be here. His locker is next to Guthrie's and that he's a great guy. He says Wieters is a great guy and they have worked real well together, and hopefully they'll be working together for a long time.

The last bit of optomism inside me that the last 10 seasons has not brutally crushed hopes that all these young guys come up together and all become real good buds as they start winning and want to resign with Baltimore due to friendships as well as being competitive...dont crush my dreams Scott Boras! (yes its a bit early to be worrying about free agency but as an Orioles fan, I prepare for the car wreck before I even start the engine)

[baseballnelie]

Scott grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.

[wickedwitch]

MASN is skipping for me too.

[baseballnelie]

MASN is saying the score is 1-0 Red Sox. MLB.tv and the box score says 2-0, but the box score only credits Baldelli with 1 rbi.

They ruled it a ground rule double, so Drew was sent back to 3rd and did not score.

[Austin]

Somehow the Red Sox lost run(s) during the half inning?

[CharmCityHokie]

Wieters is tied for the lead in hits this spring training with 8 with Montanez and rbi's with 5 with Scott.

Wieters strikes out swinging on a 2-2 off-speed pitch

I believe thats Wieters first K of the spring

[Coker]

Bah. I hate not being able to listen online.

I'm a college student, and can't really afford to shell out the $100 for MLB.TV

[baseballnelie]

Bass gets the first batter to ground out to 2nd.

[baseballnelie]

Lowrie hits a grounder that goes between 1st and 2nd for a single with 1 out.

[baseballnelie]

Bah. I hate not being able to listen online.

I'm a college student, and can't really afford to shell out the $100 for MLB.TV

I only get it for the 2 months that I need it before I come home again for the summer. I definitely could not go without it.

[baseballnelie]

Matt Wieters throws out Lowrie trying to steal 2nd on a one hopper to Murphy.

[baseballnelie]

Bass gets the last out on a grounder to Scott Moore at 3rd.

Through 2 innings Bass is now at 38 pitches.

[CharmCityHokie]

Matt Wieters throws out Lowrie trying to steal 2nd on a one hopper to Murphy.

does anyone have Wieters CS/SB ratio behind the plate for the spring?

[baseballnelie]

Interview with Brandon Snyder. He talks about his transition from catcher to 1st and 3rd, it has helped him focus on the offensive side, and makes the season seem shorter. He benefited from getting more time in the cage and great hitting coaches. He definitely sees himself as part of an exciting future, and they all really want to play together in Baltimore.

[baseballnelie]

During the interview, Montanez bounced out to SS for the first out. Salazar does the same thing for the 2nd out.

[baseballnelie]

Davis grounds out to Wilkerson with the pitcher covering 1st for the last out of the inning.

[Coker]

Didn't know that I could pay on a month-by-month basis.

[Fan4Life]

Thanks for the updates

[baseballnelie]

Didn't know that I could pay on a month-by-month basis.

Yeah it's just $15 a month for regular and then $20 if you want an HD feed, but there is no HD feed during spring training.

[baseballnelie]

A single leads off the inning and then a double play ball to clear the bases and make it 2 outs.

[baseballnelie]

There was in interview with John Shelby. He was talking about Adam Jones mostly and how he does not worry about him defensively in the OF and that he should get some pitches to hit in the lineup with the other good hitters around him.

Pitching change now with 2 outs. I assume Bass' pitch count limit was set to 40.

[Coker]

Yeah it's just $15 a month for regular and then $20 if you want an HD feed, but there is no HD feed during spring training.

Thanks. Just bought it.

:beerchug1:

[baseballnelie]

Bass is replaced by the lefty Wilfredo Perez

[baseballnelie]

Perez on 2 pitches gets Drew to ground out to 2nd to end the inning.

[baseballnelie]

Thanks. Just bought it.

:beerchug1:

Anytime, definitely a wise choice.

:beerchug1:

[CharmCityHokie]

thanks again baseballnelie for all the updates, I've gotta spread the love before I can give you more rep however:)

[Aglets]

I hope the Orioles have better fortune against Buccholz this time than they did that one other time........

[Coker]

Happy birthday Donnie Murphy!

[baseballnelie]

I took a break to play a rock band song haha. 2 outs now with Markakis up and 2-2 count

[baseballnelie]

Markakis crushed one just short of the wall to left over Drew's head for a 2 out triple.

[baseballnelie]

Wieters up now and swings through a first pitch fastball.

[PaulFolk]

I took a break to play a rock band song haha. 2 outs now with Markakis up and 2-2 count
Which song?

[baseballnelie]

Wieters grounds out to end the inning on a slow roller to 1st.

[RedDevil00]

Looks like Nick Markakis finally got a haircut.

See what I pay attention to when baseball comes on? I'm such a girl...

[baseballnelie]

I just played Alice in Chains song Man in the Box and during that time Liz came in for a quick 3 up 3 down inning.

[PaulFolk]

I just played Alice in Chains song Man in the Box and during that time Liz came in for a quick 3 up 3 down inning.
Quality song-- that one's fun to play.

Good to see a quick outing by Liz. Anyone who's watching-- was he throwing strikes?

[baseballnelie]

I saw his last pitch that struck out Varitek to end the inning.

[baseballnelie]

Scott called out on strikes on a curveball on the outside corner for the 2nd out.

[CharmCityHokie]

Quality song-- that one's fun to play.

Good to see a quick outing by Liz. Anyone who's watching-- was he throwing strikes?

Radhames Liz was very impressive in the fourth. He retired Rocco Baldelli on a ground ball and Mike Lowell on a pop up, and struck out Jason Varitek looking.

Liz threw 11 pitches, seven for strikes.


from Roch

[Shellax]

I just played Alice in Chains song Man in the Box and during that time Liz came in for a quick 3 up 3 down inning.

Thank you, Liz for feeding my eyes with your effective pitching. :) AIC is my all time favorite band!

[baseballnelie]

Montanez walks with 2 outs and Salazar rips the 1st pitch to center for a single. Runners on 1st and 2nd 2 outs. 1st time today we've had 2 men on in an inning.

[baseballnelie]

My roommate started the endless set list and did some of the songs and left for class. I was trying to help him out a little by doing some of them. I want to be able to use the TV for something else sometime today haha.

Blake Davis strikes out to end the inning.

[baseballnelie]

Liz starts off the inning looking really good. 3 pitches 3 strikes for the swinging strike out of Wilkerson.

[Marcus]

Wieters is a stud!

Pie you suck!

[GnatsFan]

Could Pie have played that flyball any worse?

Edit: Semi-redemption.

[baseballnelie]

Liz starts off Lowrie with a strike, before an outside fastball and 2 breaking balls that missed. Lowrie knocks it to the wall in center the Pie is not able to get as he crashes into the wall on his leap (he could have had it cause he was a good 2 feet from the wall) and Lowrie is thrown out at home.

[Elon Os Fan]

Could Pie have played that flyball any worse?

Edit: Semi-redemption.

details people details!

[baseballnelie]

Pie makes up for it on the next pitch for the last out of the inning.

[RedDevil00]

You see that smile that Wieters had on his face? Even HE knows that he's awesome.

[GnatsFan]

details people details!

High flyball to center field. Pie there in plenty of time, but came down with a case of the Abreu's (i.e. Phobia of walls) and leaped well short of the wall. Should have simply caught the ball (no jump required) instead fell down and nearly an inside the park homerun.

[baseballnelie]

You see that smile that Wieters had on his face? Even HE knows that he's awesome.

Wieters has known he's awesome for quite some time. One of the guys I know played high school ball against him, and even then he knew how good he was.

[Hank Scorpio]

What'd Wieters do?!?

[baseballnelie]

Wieters blocked the plate, so he could catch the relay from Blake Davis to tag out Lowrie at home. Wieters is saying he's starting to feel more comfortable being behind the plate again for another season. He was able to get the ball out of his glove quick for his throw to 2nd. He says once the game starts he starts to feel comfortable. Some of the better pitchers he's handled from Arrietta and Erbe to Berken, Tillman, Dave Hernandez and how they all the make up and need experience and will get there.

[CharmCityHokie]

what did wieters do that was so awesome?

Edit:Got it thanks baseballnelie

[wickedwitch]

What'd Wieters do?!?

Got Liz to throw strikes? Because I know that I'd be pretty impressed myself too if that were true.

[baseballnelie]

3 straight pop ups for the O's in the 6th. They mentioned Chad Moeller was in the on deck circle for Wieters. I wonder if Wieters will still come out for the bottom of the inning since Moeller didn't get to bat or if they'll just put him in.

[Austin]

Wieters blocked the plate, so he could catch the relay from Blake Davis to tag out Lowrie at home. Wieters is saying he's starting to feel more comfortable being behind the plate again for another season. He was able to get the ball out of his glove quick for his throw to 2nd. He says once the game starts he starts to feel comfortable. Some of the better pitchers he's handled from Arrietta and Erbe to Berken, Tillman, Dave Hernandez and how they all the make up and need experience and will get there.


Not to mention it was a potential inside the park homer.

[RedDevil00]

Hehe..I like that picture they just showed...8 of the top pitching prospects, referred to as the Orioles' "Young Guns".

[baseballnelie]

Justin Turner now at SS, Brandon Snyder at 1st, Salazar moves to RF, and Chad Moeller replaces Wieters at catcher.

[baseballnelie]

Liz starts off the inning again with back to back strikes. On a 1-2 pitch a grounder back to Liz and he is able to field is nicely for the 1st out.

[baseballnelie]

Lugo swings at the 1st pitch for a hard hit grounder to Moore at 3rd for the 2nd out.

[El Gordo]

Great answer by Wieters during his interview. Asked how does he deal with all the high expectations for him he said, "I set pretty high expectations for myself, if I can live up to my own expectations then I can sleep at nights."

[baseballnelie]

Drew flies out to Luke Scott for the last out of the inning for another 3 up 3 down inning for Liz.

[Hank Scorpio]

Who does Radhames Liz think he is?!??!!

[Fan4Life]

Great answer by Wieters during his interview. Asked how does he deal with all the high expectations for him he said, "I set pretty high expectations for myself, if I can live up to my own expectations then I can sleep at nights."

That has Cal Ripken written all over it.

[baseballnelie]

Moeller grounds out to 3rd to lead off the inning.

Using Roch's report of 20 pitches and 13 strikes for Liz through 2 innings, if I remember right he should now have 28 pitches and 19 strikes.

[baseballnelie]

Scott Moore gets a base hit up the middle for his 8th of the spring to tie him with Wieters and Montanez for the lead this spring.

[baseballnelie]

Scott hits a liner to right for back to back singles.

[Coker]

Reimold in to pinch-run for Scott.

[baseballnelie]

Reimold comes in to pitch run for Scott.

Montanez takes the count to 3-0.

[RedDevil00]

Bases loaded, one out.

[baseballnelie]

Double steal attempt on the 3-1 pitch, and it's ball 4 to load the bases with Salazar coming up with 1 out.

[Fan4Life]

who's pitching?

[baseballnelie]

I'm pretty sure the Red Sox still have Kris Johnson in from the previous inning.

[baseballnelie]

Salazar fouls out to a sliding right fielder as he goes into the wall and Moore is able to tag up and score to tie the game as Reimold and Montanez also tag and move up to 2nd and 3rd

[GnatsFan]

Almost a Granny.

Edit: Oop, guess it was only 1st and 2nd not bases loaded. I need to pay more attention.

[baseballnelie]

Justin Turner and Blake Davis have known each since high school.

Turner hits it over Baldelli's head to left for a 2 out 2 rbi double. I'm really liking getting Turner in the Ramon trade.

[baseballnelie]

Justin Christian pinch hits for Felix Pie.

Christian flies out to deep right to end the inning. 3-1 O's now at the 7th inning stretch.

[Coker]

I like what I've seen from Justin Turner so far.

[GnatsFan]

First time I seen Pie speak. Seems like a nice fellow.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[baseballnelie]

Interview with Felix Pie right now. He says it's a big opportunity with the O's being able to play everyday. He says he likes the young guys here and hopes to have a lot of them be all-stars soon, and it feels good wearing an Orioles jersey.

[baseballnelie]

Reimold is now in LF and Christian in CF.

Bob McCrory comes in to pitch now and strikes out the first batter of the inning.

[Frobby]

They're really getting every one of the young guys to talk to them today.

[baseballnelie]

They're really getting every one of the young guys to talk to them today.

They really are. It seems like at least 1 interview every inning.

[RedDevil00]

They're really getting every one of the young guys to talk to them today.

And even the old guys...they just talked to Luke Scott.

[baseballnelie]

McCrory had a wild pitch that allowed the runner to advance to 2nd. He gets a swinging strike out on a good sinking fastball for the 2nd out.

[baseballnelie]

McCrory has another wild pitch that Moeller is able to keep in front of him and keep the runner at 2nd.

[baseballnelie]

McCrory gets the last batter to fly out in foul territory to Moore.

[baseballnelie]

Donnie Murphy (played 46 games with the A's last season) leads off the top of the 8th with a single up the middle.

[baseballnelie]

Snyder took a huge swing on the 0-1 pitch to make it 0-2 and the pitcher came back with the same breaking pitch that Snyder reached for and bounced it on the grass for the 1st baseman to toss it to the pitcher for the 1st out as Murphy moves to 2nd.

[baseballnelie]

Moeller bounces out to 3rd base which causes Murphy to stay at 2nd.

[PaulFolk]

BTW, many thanks for the play-by-play, baseballnelie. Much appreciated by those of us without TV/radio access today.

[GnatsFan]

Scott Moore. Good lord man. :eektf:

[RedDevil00]

Congratulations to Scott Moore...nice 2 run homer.

[baseballnelie]

BTW, many thanks for the play-by-play, baseballnelie. Much appreciated by those of us without TV/radio access today.

My pleasure to help yall out. As Scott Moore crushes one down the right field line for a 2 run homerun.

[baseballnelie]

Reimold swings through a nice fastball to end the inning with the Orioles having a 5-1 lead.

[RedDevil00]

Baseballnelie, don't you have exams this week? Nice of you to take time off from your studying to take care of the play-by-play today. :)

[NewMarketSean]

Looks like Moore is going to make it as hard as possible to send him down to Norfolk. And it'll give Jtrea more ammo for his More Moore Campaign

[baseballnelie]

Using Roch's report of 20 pitches and 13 strikes for Liz through 2 innings, if I remember right he should now have 28 pitches and 19 strikes.

My count differs from Roch's (http://masnsports.com/2009/03/orioles-updating-yes-the-oriol.html) "By my unofficial count, he threw 28 pitches (18 strikes)." I guess I didn't pay as close attention as Roch haha.

[baseballnelie]

Baseballnelie, don't you have exams this week? Nice of you to take time off from your studying to take care of the play-by-play today. :)

Haha school comes 2nd. I just have a lot of homework due tomorrow and a test Friday after a test today and yesterday haha. Spring break is next week, so I get to go home and rest.

[baseballnelie]

Mickolio is now in to pitch and strikes out the first batter swinging.

[baseballnelie]

Mickolio gets a fastball in on the hands of the next batter to ground out to Moore at 3rd

[RedDevil00]

Haha school comes 2nd. I just have a lot of homework due tomorrow and a test Friday after a test today and yesterday haha. Spring break is next week, so I get to go home and rest.


Yeah, I know someone who goes to Clemson and I know he's got exams going on this week, so of course he isn't going to be sleeping for the next few days. I'm already on break (as evidenced by the fact that I woke up at noon the past 2 days and I'm still in my pajamas) and have work to do, but ya know, being productive comes 2nd.

[Fan4Life]

Looks like Moore is going to make it as hard as possible to send him down to Norfolk. And it'll give Jtrea more ammo for his More Moore Campaign

If he had hit it off of Clay, maybe, Off some MiL guy late in the game, not so sure.

[baseballnelie]

Looked like Mickolio made a great pitch on the 0-2 pitch that was called a ball, but he made sure to get the strike out on the next pitch to end the inning.

[Lucky Jim]

Moore, Turner and Mickolio all looking good.

[baseballnelie]

Someone pinch hit for Montanez and I'm not sure who it was, but they grounded out.

Salazar hit a sharp grounder just past the SS for a single with 1 out

[baseballnelie]

Turner flies out to shallow center to make it 2 outs with Salazar still at 1st.

[baseballnelie]

Christian pops out to shallow right with the 2nd baseman coming out to the grass to make the grab. Now heading to the bottom of the 9th and from Roch's list of pitchers earlier for today's game it looks like it should be Brian Matusz coming out.

[Peace21]

If its Matusz..mow em down baby.

[baseballnelie]

However it is is not Matusz. It is Ross Wolf that comes in for the bottom of the 9th.

[baseballnelie]

If its Matusz..mow em down baby.

Sorry to get your hopes up Peace. Roch had him listed as a pitcher for today's game, but he never made it in.

Wolf gets the first batter to ground out to SS to start the inning.

[CharmCityHokie]

Sorry to get your hopes up Peace. Roch had him listed as a pitcher for today's game, but he never made it in.

Wolf gets the first batter to ground out to SS to start the inning.

Hows Turner look at SS? i know he was predominately a 2B

[Peace21]

Sorry to get your hopes up Peace. Roch had him listed as a pitcher for today's game, but he never made it in.

Wolf gets the first batter to ground out to SS to start the inning.

cmon let thie kid pitch against the beans.

[baseballnelie]

The next batter flies out to Reimold for 2 outs.

After Bass was replaced after 2 2/3 innings. Our relievers of Wilfredo Perez, Radhames Liz, Bob McCrory, Kam Mickolio, and Ross Wolf combine for 6 1/3 innings 2 hits and 7 ks and 0 walks. Wolf strikes out the last batter of the game.

[Frobby]

However it is is not Matusz. It is Ross Wolf that comes in for the bottom of the 9th.

Where did this guy Wolf come from, anyway?

[baseballnelie]

Where did this guy Wolf come from, anyway?

They said he came up in the Marlins organization and Kranitz knows him from there and made his major league debut with them in 2007. He's only 26 now, so not very old.

[baseballnelie]

Hows Turner look at SS? i know he was predominately a 2B

Turner looked good at SS. I didn't see him get too many chances though except for the one out in the 9th there may have been a couple others for him.

[Sanfran327]

Just read about Weiters blocking the plate when Lowrie was hot dogging trying to score an ITPHR. Was it really that bad arse? Is he truly bizzaro Ramon??

[baseballnelie]

Just read about Weiters blocking the plate when Lowrie was hot dogging trying to score an ITPHR. Was it really that bad arse? Is he truly bizzaro Ramon??

Wieters is a big guy. He was able to take up all the plate and Lowrie had to slide to the side of him to reach back for the plate and that extra time allowed Wieters to get the ball and place the tag on him.

[baseballnelie]

Haha I still have mlb.tv open and they are just playing MASN on it now.

[Scrat1]

First time I seen Pie speak. Seems like a nice fellow.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

How good is his English?