Baltimore Orioles Soundoff

Pay close attention to the Orioles Sunday afternoon 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays, and you will see a pattern develop.

I must warn you what you are about to read may be quite disturbing, shocking even, alarming to say the least. The stats I am about to produce are all correct, no need to adjust your computer screen.

Melvin Mora (#3 batter): 1-5, RBI, 7 LOB...(LOB is men that were left on base after the batter made an out)
Miguel Tejada (#4 batter): 0-3, RBI, 5 LOB

Yes, that means that, combined, the Orioles 3, 4 hitters went 1-8 with 2 surprising RBI's, but more importantly 12 runners left on base. Twelve!

That means that almost every other Orioles hitter was doing his job. Almost every other Orioles hitter was getting on base and setting the table for the big hitters, the RBI machines.

And the RBI machines failed. Miserably.

How can the Orioles expect to win a game if their big RBI producers aren't producing RBI's in RBI situations? They can't. And they didn't.

The table setters did their jobs nicely. Brian Roberts, Javy Lopez and Luis Matos combined to go 8-11 with 3 RBI's and only 2 LOB. That means they were getting on, and if anyone else was on, they were hitting them in. It also means that Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejada failed miserably to add to their efforts.

Now, I am not suggesting that Melvin Mora or Miguel Tejada be moved around in the order, but something is wrong. They are not seeing the ball as they have in prior situations. Both need to be rested.

I realize you can not rest Tejada, with his pursuit of Ripken's streak still going strong, but you can DH him. If the O's insist on playing Chris Gomez, why not play him at his natural position of shortstop some days. Give Miggy some time to rest between at bats.

He looks tired. Most of the Orioles do. In fact, the only Orioles that look to be playing with any vigor are Eric Byrnes and Luis Matos. Matos is patiently climbing the batting average ladder and is currently sitting at .296 after a 3-3 game.

If the O's could only put it all together. If they could only get good pitching on the nights they have good hitting. If their middle of the order guys can only produce when their bottom of the order guys are. Then they would be a scary team.

For some time in the beginning of the season, they were playing like champions. I know they have it in them. It won't happen this year. But it's there. The magic is there. Orioles magic is alive and kicking.

Finishing the season above .500 is priority number one for the O's. Priority number two is pitching and defense.

Then, who knows, next year they could go wire-to-wire.


The Return of Rafael Palmeiro...is an ugly one.

Rafael Palmeiro returned to the lineup on Sunday, and instead of looking like he never left, he looked like he had just got off the juice and didn't have much strength left in that over-40 body of his.

Palmeiro batted 6th in the order and was the DH. He finished 0-4 with a walk and 4 LOB. Two of those LOB came in the bottom of the 9th, when he came to bat with two outs and the men on second and third, the game on the line. He popped up softly to end the game.

Soft was the key word for Palmeiro, who looked it all game long. The man couldn't get a ball in the air with any distance, grounding out to the right side on most occassions.

The fans gave him a decidedly mixed reaction, many cheering--some with a standing ovation--others booing and jeering him. But if you ask me, I don't care about all that. If the man is going to be in the order, he better produce, otherwise he can just retire.

On Sunday, he didn't produce. In fact, he failed. He had a chance to be a hero and he blew it. If I am the fans, that isn't the way to get back into my good graces. Alejandro Freire can just as easily pop up to end a game, so can Walter Young. Shoot, so can Sal Fasano for that matter. The Orioles needed a hero, and Palmeiro would have made his return something special. Something to build on. A repuation boost when he needed it most.

Instead, for all I care, he can sit the rest of the season out. Give the young guys a chance to play. We don't need him.

If this is harsh, Raffy. Get a hit next time.


Weekend Game Recaps:

Friday: Blue Jays 12, Orioles 0
Box Score

I am not even going to mention this game. It speaks for itself. Orioles couldn't hit, pitchers couldn't pitch. Enough said.


Saturday: Orioles 1, Blue Jays 0
Box Score

In a game that was the complete opposite for the Blue Jays, the Orioles were impressive with a 1-0 win. John Maine was called up to make his first start of the season and was spectacular for 5 solid innings to get the win. Miguel Tejada got the Orioles lone RBI as the O's only managed 4 hits but got the win. B.J. Ryan struck out the side in the 9th for his 26th save.

I never thought I would see an Orioles 1-0 victory again this year. Congrats O's. You proved me wrong.


Sunday: Blue Jays 7, Orioles 6
Box Score

The Blue Jays took the series from the Orioles, distancing themselves from the O's in the standings. Erik Bedard pitched a rather uninspiring game and the Orioles big hitters couldn't come up with the big hits. The bullpen couldn't get it done either.

Orioles Record: 57-60


Next Game: Baltimore @ Oakland, Monday, August 15 @ 10:05 p.m.






Barry Zito vs. Rodrigo Lopez