World Champions 1983, 1970, 1966

American League Champions 1983, 1979, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1966 American League East Division Champions 2014, 1997, 1983, 1979, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969

American League Wild Card 2012, 1996

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Game stories:

Orioles recap: Angels spoil special night, rock Ubaldo Jimenez as Birds fall, 9-5 The Sun

7/8

O's drop opener despite trio of homers MLB.com 7/9

Did Jimenez make his last start tonight? (O’s lose 9-5) MASNsports.com 7/8

Ubaldo Jimenez struggles again, O’s blasted in series opener MASNsports.com 7/8

Angels cruise past Orioles 9-5 for 4th straight win AP 7/9

Ubaldo Jimenez Leaves In Second As Orioles Lose 9-5 CSN Mid-Atlantic 7/8

Columns:

Need for long relief has left Orioles with unbalanced and depleted bullpen The Sun 7/9

On night of early cheers, struggling Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez exits to boos The Sun

7/9

As 1966 Orioles return for World Series anniversary, players and fans look back and

smile The Sun 7/8

Orioles notes: In recalling Mike Wright, Birds forced to stray from plan on young

pitchers The Sun 7/8

Orioles' pursuit of home run record The Sun 7/8

O's, what a night: 1966 champions reunite MLB.com 7/9

Jimenez's woes continue vs. Angels MLB.com 7/9

Wright struggles in bullpen appearance MLB.com 7/9

Gallardo, O's continue series vs. Angels MLB.com 7/9

Peralta among top prospect performers Friday MLB.com 7/9

All-Star trip a homecoming for Brach MLB.com 7/8

Gallardo trying for better results against Pujols MASNsports.com 7/9

Showalter on Jimenez’s start: “Not very good” (Wright optioned) MASNsports.com 7/8

Wright on return, Showalter on pitching and trade deadline (updated) MASNsports.com

7/8

Quick hits from Camden Yards MASNsports.com 7/8

Wright in Baltimore for tonight’s game MASNsports.com 7/8

Solid bat, improved defense have led Chance Sisco to the Futures Game

MASNsports.com 7/9

Jimenez and Wieters after O’s loss to Angels MASNsports.com 7/8

Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer and Boog Powell on the 1966 World Series

MASNsports.com 7/8

Mark Trumbo talks about the Home Run Derby MASNsports.com 7/8

Members of 1966 team look back on the Orioles’ first championship season

MASNsports.com 7/8

Latest Ubaldo Jimenez clunker makes it official: Orioles need rotation help ESPN.com

7/9

Can You Believe It's Been 50 Years Since 1966 World Series? CSN Mid-Atlantic 7/8

Why Trumbo Says Home Run Derby Isn't A Big Deal To Him CSN Mid-Atlantic 7/8

Wright Comes Back To Orioles For Some Bullpen Length CSN Mid-Atlantic 7/8

A Half Decade Later And Still So Sweet CBS Baltimore 7/8

The rotation’s a mess and the fixes aren’t easy BaltimoreBaseball.com 7/9

Jimenez has dug a hole deeper than the one in 2014 BaltimoreBaseball.com 7/8

Brooks, Boog and Palmer reminisce about the 1966 title BaltimoreBaseball.com 7/8

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-orioles-recap-angels-spoil-special-night-rock-

ubaldo-jimenez-as-birds-fall-9-5-20160708-story.html

Orioles recap: Angels spoil special night, rock Ubaldo

Jimenez as Birds fall, 9-5

By Jake Lourim / The Baltimore Sun

July 8, 2016

When the Orioles' night began, most of the announced 44,317 at Camden Yards gave a standing

ovation to the 1966 World Series champion team, which the club honored on the field before

Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels at Camden Yards.

Within an hour, the crowd turned to booing struggling starter Ubaldo Jimenez. And the energy

was never the same again in a 9-5 loss.

Jimenez and reliever Mike Wright each had control problems, totaling four walks and nine runs

(seven earned) through six innings. The Angels needed just eight hits to take a 9-3 lead, scoring

in six of the first seven innings. Three walks came around to score, as well as another runner who

reached on an error by Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy.

“He was keeping a quick pace going, but some balls just kept leaking back middle on him,”

catcher Matt Wieters said of Jimenez. “It was just kind of a couple innings that he couldn’t quite

hit his spot to get a big out when we needed it. We had some opportunities to score runs. It’s a

team loss all the way around. We didn’t pitch well, we didn’t play defense well and we didn’t hit

some timely hitting tonight.”

Jimenez managed just four outs, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks. The Orioles (49-

36) nearly erased their early 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the first. Adam Jones hammered the first

pitch from Matt Shoemaker over the center-field fence, and two batters later, Manny Machado

hit a towering fly ball to left, but Daniel Nava leapt at the wall and snatched it out of the air.

Through five innings, the Orioles managed only solo home runs by Adam Jones and Jonathan

Schoop. Their best chance to rally came in the sixth, when Manny Machado singled, Chris Davis

walked and Mark Trumbo hit an RBI single to cut the deficit to 9-3 with no outs. But Matt

Wieters, Pedro Alvarez and Hardy each struck out to end the threat.

Trumbo smacked a two-run homer to left with two outs in the ninth, but the Orioles stopped

there.

Jimenez out early again: Jimenez turned in his second straight rough outing since posting two

straight wins in late June. After the Orioles demoted him to the bullpen for one appearance June

17, Jimenez returned to beat the San Diego Padres on June 22 and June 28, pitching 11 total

innings and allowing three runs.

His season ERA is now 7.38, and his record is 5-9.

Errors haunt Hardy: It was a rare off-night for Hardy, the Orioles' three-time Gold Glove-

winning shortstop. He booted back-to-back ground balls with no outs in the fourth inning,

loading the bases with no outs. The Angels (37-50) went on to score two runs in the inning.

Hardy committed errors on back-to-back plays for the first time in his career. Entering Friday, he

had only twice made two errors in a game: June 6, 2007, as a member of the Milwaukee

Brewers against the Chicago Cubs; and June 5, 2014, against the Texas Rangers, when he made

three, including two in one inning.

Wright loses control: In his first big league appearance since June 17, Wright reverted back to

the control issues he had during his first stint with the Orioles. He hit two batters in the third and

another in the sixth, in addition to two walks.

To start the third, he hit C.J. Cron, walked Daniel Nava and hit Johnny Giavotella to load the

bases with no outs but managed to limit the damage to one run. In the sixth, he walked Mike

Trout and hit Cron again before allowing an RBI single to Nava. Cron left the game with a

fractured hand after the second pitch.

He finished with 4.2 innings, serving as a bridge to the seventh inning. But he allowed four runs

(two earned) on three hits.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188709482/early-rallies-aid-angels-in-opener-win-vs-os/

O's drop opener despite trio of homers

By Jeff Seidel and Todd Karpovich / MLB.com

July 9, 2016

BALTIMORE -- Daniel Nava and C.J. Cron both drove in two runs as the Angels scored eight

runs in the first four innings and extended their winning streak to four games with a 9-5 victory

over the Orioles Friday night.

Nava also robbed Manny Machado of a first-inning homer with a leaping catch at the left-field

fence. Starter Matt Shoemaker (4-9) ended a personal four-game losing streak by allowing three

runs in five-plus innings. This was his first victory since May 27, and the Angels (37-50) tied

their season high with their fourth straight victory.

Cron left the game in the sixth inning one batter after Mike Wright hit him in the left hand. X-

rays later revealed a fracture, and Cron will see a specialist Monday.

"I couldn't really take off my batting glove. I couldn't really do anything, so I knew something

was messed up," Cron said.

Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez struggled again, allowing five runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings.

He fell to 5-9 on the season with a 7.38 ERA. Adam Jones, Jonathan Schoop and Mark

Trumbo all homered in the losing effort as the Orioles (49-36) saw their two-game winning

streak end.

"Hoping that Ubaldo could get us deeper in the game, keep us engaged a little more than that,"

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "We had tried to put him in the bullpen and see if we

could work some things out there, but necessity put him back in there. So we'll attack it after the

break."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

More Jimenez problems: Jimenez's woes continued when he lasted just 1 1/3 innings and gave up

five runs on five hits. The right-hander now has allowed 11 runs on 11 hits in his last 5 2/3

innings. Jimenez's spot in the rotation could be in trouble once more as Showalter also removed

him a few weeks ago.

"I have to keep going, keep working hard and hopefully find something that's going to get me out

of this thing," Jimenez said. "It's part of baseball."

Nava's early defense sets tone: Left fielder Nava leaped above the wall and gloves of three fans'

to rob Machado of a game-tying home run in the first. It was the third time in five years Los

Angeles has robbed Baltimore of a first-inning homer with a grab over the outfield fence.

"Off the bat, I thought it was going to be a deeper fly ball, and it kept going and going," Nava

said. "I realized where I was. I just tried to jump up and make some sort of play to keep this ball

in the yard. Fortunately, I kept the ball in the yard."

From there, the Angels took control an inning later with three more runs charged to the

struggling Jimenez for a 5-1 lead. On the opposite end, both Yunel Escobar andJohnny

Giavotella had throwing errors in the third, but the Angels remained unscathed as Shoemaker got

out of the inning. Nava also had a hit and two RBIs.

Shoemaker contains Orioles ... again: While he was not as dominant as his first outing against

the Orioles' powerful lineup, Shoemaker did just enough to help his team earn the victory. In his

first appearance against the Orioles on May 21, Shoemaker gave up just three hits and struck out

a career-high 12 batters over 7 1/3 scoreless innings. This time, he allowed solo homers to Jones

and Schoop, along with an RBI single to Trumbo, but not much else to pick up his first win since

May 27.

"We won, and that's a good thing," Shoemaker said. "Let's get those wins and pitch great from

now on. I don't [think] anything was particularly wrong. Just a little off here and there."

Make no mistake about it: The Orioles made an uncharacteristic number of mistakes in this

game. Wright came on in long relief and hit three batters during his 4 2/3-inning stint. Two came

in the third and led to a run, while one more came in the sixth -- and that helped set up another.

Also, shortstop J.J. Hardy made back-to-back errors in the fourth, and that helped the Angels

score twice more.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Opposing outfielders have taken away seven potential home runs by the Orioles this season, the

most of any team, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

WHAT'S NEXT

Angels: Nick Tropeano (3-2, 3.28 ERA) is looking to give the Angels a spark Saturday in his

first career start against the Orioles at 1:05 p.m. PT. Tropeano is making his second appearance

since missing the past month with right shoulder tightness. In his last outing Monday, he was

effective against the Rays, allowing two runs on four hits over five innings. Angels manager

Mike Scioscia is confident the Angels can rebound with some solid starting pitching.

Orioles: Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 6.10) looks to help the Orioles when he gets the start in the

middle game of this series at 4:05 p.m. ET. This will be Gallardo's fifth start since coming off the

disabled list, and he lasted just four innings in his last start on July 4 versus the Dodgers. The

Orioles are struggling with their starting pitching and need Gallardo to find his form.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/07/did-jimenez-make-his-last-start-

tonight.html

Did Jimenez make his last start tonight? (O’s lose 9-5)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 8, 2016

It’s difficult to imagine another start for Ubaldo Jimenez following the All-Star break. The

greater intrigue surrounds his spot on the 25-man roster.

Jimenez didn’t strengthen his case tonight, lasting only 1 1/3 innings, being charged with five

runs and walking off the mound to a chorus of boos.

How much is Jimenez struggling? Tonight didn’t mark his shortest outing of the season. He

retired only one batter on June 12 in Toronto.

Fans grew restless after Jimenez issued a four-pitch walk to Kole Calhoun, the second batter of

the game. The boos grew louder as Mike Trout singled to right field and Albert Pujols delivered

an RBI single over Mark Trumbo’s head in right field.

Trout scored on C.J. Cron’s ground ball to put the Orioles in a 2-0 hole, a familiar vantage point

in the first inning this season.

Seven of 11 batters reached against Jimenez before he was pulled.

Johnny Giavotella drew a leadoff walk in the second, Jett Bandy flied out, Andrelton Simmons

singled and Yunel Escobar and Calhoun delivered RBI singles.

Brooks Robinson received the loudest ovation tonight during the ceremony honoring the 1966

world championship team. Manager Buck Showalter almost rivaled him by stepping out of the

dugout and signaling for Mike Wright, who retired Trout on a sacrifice fly and struck out Pujols.

Jimenez was charged with five runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings, with two walks, no strikeouts

and wild pitch. He threw 45 pitches, 25 for strikes, and his ERA grew to 7.38 in 79 1/3 innings.

Though it’s the second-shortest outing for Jimenez this season, he retired only five Indians on

May 28. He’s also gone 4 1/3 twice and 4 2/3.

With the Padres no longer on the schedule, there may not be a favorable matchup for Jimenez,

who has allowed 11 runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings in his last two starts. He’s walked five

batters. He’s also continuing to test an organization’s patience.

Jimenez is owed the remainder of his $13 million this season and $13.5 million in 2017. He

signed the richest contract in franchise history for a free agent pitcher, receiving four years and

$50 million.

I’ve been told on numerous occasions that the Orioles are willing to eat what’s left, obviously a

last resort but one that’s becoming a more realistic possibility. Otherwise, he could go back to

the bullpen, though he’d still need to get hitters out and not simply be stashed.

The All-Star break could get interesting. Adjustments to the rotation are coming anyway with

only four starters. How much longer can Jimenez be the fifth?

Wright isn’t helping his own cause by loading the bases with no outs in the third on two hit

batters and a walk. I’ll be updating this entry shortly.

Meanwhile, the Orioles lead the majors with seven home runs robbed this season, according to

ESPN Stats & Info. The White Sox and Phillies are second with two each.

Update: Wright allowed only one run on Bandy’s single. A foul pop up and 1-2-3 double play

bailed him out.

Update II: The Angels scored two unearned runs off Wright in the fourth after back-to-back

errors on J.J. Hardy. It’s that kind of night.

Jonathan Schoop hit his 14th home run with two outs in the bottom of the fourth to reduce the

lead to 8-2.

Update III: The Angels lead 9-2 in the sixth after Nava’s two-out RBI single.

Wright has hit three batters, including Cron twice. Cron left the game for a pinch-runner after

being nailed on the hand.

Update IV: Mark Trumbo’s RBI single reduced the lead to 9-3. He has 65 RBIs this season.

Update V: The Orioles lose to the Angels 9-5 and their lead in the American League East is

down to one game. The Blue Jays have won seven in a row.

Trumbo hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth and the count full. He has 27 home runs

and 67 RBIs.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/07/ubaldo-jimenez-struggles-again-os-blasted-

in-series-opener.html

Ubaldo Jimenez struggles again, O’s blasted in series opener

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 8, 2016

It got even worse tonight for struggling Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. He had another short

outing, put his team behind four runs early in the game and didn’t survive the second inning.

Jimenez allowed five runs and five hits over 1 2/3 innings as the Los Angeles Angels beat the

Orioles 9-5 in front of 44,317 at Camden Yards.

On the night the Orioles honored the 50th anniversary of the 1966 world champions, the Orioles

pitched nothing like that club did that October. And with Toronto’s win tonight, the Orioles’ lead

atop the American League East is down to one game.

Jimenez, who went 12-10 with an ERA of 4.11 last season, falls to 5-9 with an ERA of 7.38.

Over his past two starts, he has allowed 11 runs in 5 2/3 innings. This was the third time in his

past six starts and fourth time on the year he lasted 2 1/3 or fewer innings.

Jimenez walked two without a strikeout and threw 45 pitches. After allowing two in the first, he

gave up three straight singles with two runners on and one out in the second, and Mike Wright

came on to replace him. Wright would allow four runs (two earned) over 4 2/3 innings.

Over the past 20 games, Orioles starting pitchers have just six quality starts and the rotation ERA

is 6.84 in that time. The Orioles have somehow managed to go 11-9 over those 20 games.

The O’s trailed 5-1 after two innings, 6-1 after three and 8-2 after four.

Adam Jones hit the first pitch of the last of the first for a home run to make it a 2-1 game. Jones’

429-foot blast to center was his 17th homer of the year. It was also the 210th homer of his O’s

career, moving him past Brady Anderson for sixth on the club’s all-time list.Jonathan Schoop hit

his 14th homer in the fourth inning and Mark Trumbo added an RBI single in the sixth for his

65th RBI. In the ninth, Trumbo pulled the Orioles within four runs with a two-out, two-run

homer. He hit his major league-leading 27th.

Wright hit three batters, including C.J. Cron twice, while he was in the game. In the O’s sixth,

Schoop was hit on the top of the helmet by Cam Bedrosian. Both benches were warned as

Schoop stayed in the game.

With this loss - the Orioles’ sixth in eight games - they fall to 49-36 overall and to 31-14 at

home. The Orioles are 6-15 versus AL West teams. Los Angeles has won four in a row to

improve to 37-50.

On Saturday afternoon at 4:05 p.m., Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 6.10 ERA) pitches against Angels

right-hander Nick Tropeano (3-2, 3.28 ERA).

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=360708101

Angels cruise past Orioles 9-5 for 4th straight win

Associated Press / ESPN.com

July 9, 2016

BALTIMORE -- The Los Angeles Angels had just matched their longest winning streak of the

season, yet the mood in the clubhouse was somber.

Their 9-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night came at a cost: First baseman C.J.

Cron fractured his left hand when struck by a pitch from Mike Wright in the sixth inning.

He was placed on the 15-day disabled list after the game and will see a specialist on Monday.

Cron had 17 RBI over his last eight games, including two in this one. Since May 30, he hit six

home runs and raised his batting average from .237 to .278.

"It's a blow to us and to C.J., who really picked it up," manager Mike Scioscia said. "But we're

going to have to keep going. Get some other bats in the lineup and hopefully they'll be

productive."

Standing in front of his locker and wearing a soft cast, Cron said softly, "You never want to get

hurt, especially under these circumstances. We're finally starting to get some wins. It's bad

timing for sure."

Daniel Nava had two RBI and Mike Trout scored three runs for the Angels, who have won four

straight. Los Angeles built an 8-1 lead in the fourth inning and coasted to the finish.

Matt Shoemaker (4-9) allowed three runs and five hits in five-plus innings to earn his first win

since May 27. The right-hander was 0-4 in his previous eight starts despite owning a respectable

3.08 ERA over that span.

"The bottom line is we're pitching better," Scioscia said. "Shoe went through a tough lineup and

gave us a chance. That's where it has to start.'

Los Angeles did most of its damage against Ubaldo Jimenez (5-9), who gave up five runs, five

hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings. Many in the crowd of 44,317 began booing the right-hander

in the first inning, and they cheered when manager Buck Showalter finally walked to the mound

to summon help from the bullpen.

"There's no doubt about it, this is the toughest thing that I have had to face," said Jimenez, whose

ERA rose to 7.38. "I have to keep going, keep working hard and hopefully find something that's

going to get me out of this thing."

Adam Jones homered on Shoemaker's first pitch, and the Orioles also got long balls

from Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo.

Jones' shot got Baltimore to 2-1, and two batters later Manny Machado sent a drive toward the

seats in left. Nava gauged the flight of the ball while backing up, shifted to his right at the last

second and reached into the front row to rob Machado of his 20th home run.

Baltimore's rocky night was personified by consecutive errors committed by three-time Gold

Glove shortstop J.J. Hardy in the fourth inning. The miscues doubled his error total for the

season.

After Jimenez departed, Wright hit three batters over the course of his 4 2/3-inning stint.

Schoop was plunked in the helmet by Cam Bedrosian in the sixth, prompting home plate umpire

Mike Everitt to issue a warning to both clubs.

ROSTER MOVES

The Angels put Cron on the DL, optioned C Carlos Perez to Triple-A Salt Lake, activated

C Geovany Soto from the DL and recalled 1B Ji-Man Choi.

50 YEARS LATER

The Orioles paid tribute to the 1966 World Series champions with a pregame ceremony and by

wearing replica uniforms of that team. Informed that the '66 Orioles used only four pitchers in a

sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Showalter exclaimed, "C'mon man, we use four (by) the

third inning!"

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: LHP Tyler Skaggs (shoulder) threw 75 pitches in a rehab assignment on Thursday night.

"We definitely are hoping he's going to be with us and maybe part of our rotation at some point,"

Scioscia said.

Orioles: LHP T.J. McFarland (left knee inflammation) will see Dr. James Andrews on Monday

for a second opinion.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Nick Tropeano (3-2, 3.28 ERA) makes his 12th start of the season and first of his

career against the Orioles on Saturday.

Orioles: RHP Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 6.10) has been in the league since 2007, yet he has only

faced the Angels once. He allowed five runs in four innings last year.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/ubaldo-jimenez-leaves-second-orioles-lose-9-5

Ubaldo Jimenez Leaves In Second As Orioles Lose 9-5

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic

July 8, 2016

BALTIMORE—It wasn’t until Friday morning that the Orioles finally made their choice for a

starting pitcher official. Ubaldo Jimenez got the start, and he delivered an awful one.

Jimenez faced 11 batters and seven of them reached. After the seventh got on, Jimenez was out

of the game, and the questions will begin about his future with the club.

Will he put in the bullpen once again? Will the club eat the approximately $20 million left on his

four-year, $50 million contract.

Jimenez allowed five runs in 1 1/3 innings as the Orioles lost to the Los Angeles Angels 9-3

before 44,317 unhappy fans at Oriole Park on Friday night.

The large crowd gathered to honor the 1966 World Series champions, and not an hour after they

cheered loudly for Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer and Boog Powell, they booed nearly as loud

when Jimenez teetered.

Jimenez has had a horrible stretch where he’s failed to complete even two innings in three of his

last eight starts.

“There’s no doubt about it, this is the toughest thing that I have had to face,” Jimenez said. “I

have to keep going, keep working hard and hopefully find something that’s going to get me out

of this thing.”

The Angels (37-50), who have won four straight, didn’t have an extra-base hit off Jimenez (5-9),

who gave up five singles and walked two.

“We had tried to put him in the bullpen, see if we could work some things out there. But

necessity put him back in there, so we'll attack it after the break,” manager Buck Showalter said.

With the loss, the Orioles (49-36) saw their AL East cut to one game over Toronto.

Mike Wright, who was another option to start, was called up on Friday from Norfolk and

struggled as well, filling the bases in the third with none out when he hit two batters and walked

one.

A run scored, and Chaz Roe began warming up. Wright got out of the inning when Yunel

Escobar hit a grounder back to the mound, and he began a double play.

Wright soldiered through the sixth. His 4 2/3 innings were the second longest by an Orioles

reliever this season. In the fourth, two runs scored on a pair of errors from the normally sure

handed J.J. Hardy. It was the first time he’d made multiple errors in a game since June 5, 2014

when he made three. In his first 39 games this season, Hardy made just two miscues.

A third hit batter, C.J. Cron, who was hit for the second time, led to a ninth run. Cron suffered a

fracture in his left hand and will be reevaluated on Monday.

“Mike had some struggles too. That's why we were trying to leave him alone down there if we

could, but it's necessary to have somebody who could provide some length,” Showalter said.

Matt Shoemaker (4-9), allowed three runs in five-plus innings, and after Cam Bedrosian relieved

him, he hit Jonathan Schoop on the batting helmet, earning a warning to both benches by home

plate umpire Mike Everitt.

Adam Jones led off the first with his 17th home run of the year and Manny Machado nearly had

one, but Daniel Nava in left leaped high and robbed him of one. According to ESPN, the Orioles

have had seven home runs taken away. No other team has more than two.

Jonathan Schoop hit his 13th home run in the fourth, and Mark Trumbo’s RBI single in the sixth

made it 9-3. Mark Trumbo’s two run, two out homer in the ninth, his 27th, made the final score

9-5.

Jimenez remains popular for his work ethic.

“He’s a professional, and that’s the thing. He knows. Every day he shows up here, he’s going to

do what he can to help the team win, he’s going to do what he can to get himself better. He

knows that he wants to pitch better. He wants to pitch better for the team, and we want him to

pitch better,” Matt Wieters said.

“He comes here, works every day, and like I said, we’re all rooting for him to get it turned

around and go out there and pitch like we know he can.”

NOTES: Darren O’Day threw on flat ground and will do so again on Sunday. He’ll head to

Sarasota, Fla. during the break and meet the team in Tampa Bay when it resumes play on July

15. … Jones’ leadoff home run was the Orioles first on a first pitch since Brian Roberts did it on

July 31, 2007. … Jones has 210 home runs with the Orioles, passing Brady Anderson for sixth

on the all-time home run list. … Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 6.10) faces Nick Tropecano (3-2, 3.28)

on Saturday at 4:05 p.m.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-need-for-long-relief-has-left-orioles-with-

unbalanced-and-depleted-bullpen-20160708-story.html

Need for long relief has left Orioles with unbalanced and

depleted bullpen

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun

July 9, 2016

When six solid innings from a starting pitcher are as rare and valuable as they have been for

these Orioles, there’s no such thing as having a bullpen with too much length.

Yet there was manager Buck Showalter after Friday’s demoralizing 9-5 loss to the Los Angeles

Angels at Camden Yards, in which he had to accommodate another short start byUbaldo

Jimenez with 4 1/3 innings of Mike Wright, yet still needed to burn another of their reliable long

relievers, Odrisamer Despaigne, to get through the ninth inning.

In carrying four stretched-out relievers, the Orioles are without a middle class of relievers to use

in the situations between long relief and the high-leverage situations that back-of-the-'pen

relievers like Zach Britton and Brad Brach are typically reserved for.

“Really didn’t want to pitch Despaigne tonight if I could help it,” Showalter said, lamenting that

even finishing games that are out of reach is a challenge with the way the Orioles’ pitching staff

is constructed.

The loss of Darren O’Day (hamstring strain), whom Showalter said had a successful game of

catch Friday and would work out again Sunday before heading to Sarasota, Fla., to continue to

rehabilitate during the All-Star break, has magnified that fact.

Britton, the American League’s most effective closer, is saved for those situations, and rightfully

so. But without O’Day, who has been out for five weeks, Showalter seems extra cautious about

when to deploy All-Star right-hander Brad Brach. Where Brach was a bridge to O’Day before,

he’s since become a replacement. Three of Brach’s 14 appearances since O’Day’s injury have

come in the seventh inning or earlier, after 13 in 24 appearances before.

Chaz Roe seems to occupy that bottom-of-the-'pen mop-up role, though he pitched well in his

two shutout innings Friday and could be in line for more. The only other pitcher who is stuck in

between is Mychal Givens. The Orioles entered the season with late-inning aspirations for him,

and he pitched well early, but his role now appears to be more that of a right-handed specialist.

He’s been used sparingly of late, and kept away from left-handed hitters whenever possible.

That leaves Despaigne, Vance Worley, Dylan Bundy and a fourth spot seemingly reserved for a

short-timer summoned from a minor league rotation who will soon be sent back to it. In just the

past 10 days, that has been T.J. McFarland (who went on the disabled list with a knee injury),

Ariel Miranda, Jayson Aquino and Wright. Each had their turn to bridge the gap after short starts

recently.

But with Bundy needing three or four days' rest between appearances and Worley a solid multi-

inning option, their roles seem set. That eliminates them from all but the most dire situations for

short relief, leaving the Orioles with few options.

O’Day’s return will help, as will a return to early-season form for Givens. Until then — or at

least the All-Star break, when the bullpen can reset — Showalter will be left to lament a bullpen

ill-suited for the short starts the Orioles are enduring.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-angels-0709-20160708-story.html

On night of early cheers, struggling Orioles starter Ubaldo

Jimenez exits to boos

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

July 9, 2016

For the fourth straight turn through the starting rotation, the Orioles sent right-hander Ubaldo

Jimenez to the mound Friday night, a decision made more out of necessity —manager Buck

Showalter made it clear that there were no better starting options — and less because of any

newfound confidence that Jimenez could turn the corner on his season-long struggles.

Jimenez walked off the mound to a chorus of boos, unable to get out of the second inning for the

third time in his past eight starts, replaced by right-hander Mike Wright, whose own struggles led

to a demotion Friday to Triple-A Norfolk.

Somehow, both had pitched in a first-place team's third-to-last game before the All-Star break,

another painful reminder that while the Orioles are playing well overall, they have not only holes

in their starting rotation but also a lack of organizational depth that must be addressed.

Another former member of the rotation, right-hander Tyler Wilson, hasn't thrown a pitch since

Saturday, when his season-worst three-inning start in Seattle led to his demotion to Triple-A and

subsequent shutdown, so that he could receive a midseason rest.

At front and center of the Orioles’ rotation woes is Jimenez, who is still owed roughly half of his

$13 million salary for this season and an additional $13.5 million next year.

“Not very good,” Showalter said. “We were hoping that Ubaldo could get us a little deeper into

the game, keep us engaged a little bit more than that, but he wasn't able to.”

Over his past eight starts, Jimenez is averaging less than 3 2/3 innings per outing, and has just

one quality start over that span. But given his struggles, the Orioles are, surprisingly, 8-9 in

games he's pitched. His Fielding Independent Pitching — a statistic that measures ERA,

assuming average outcomes on balls in play — is more than two runs lower than his ERA of

7.38.

“There’s no doubt about it, this is the toughest thing that I have had to face,” Jimenez said. “But

like I said before, I’m never going to put my head down. I know I let the team down and I didn’t

do what I’m supposed to do, helping the team. But it’s part of baseball. It’s part of baseball. I

have to keep going, keep working hard and hopefully find something that’s going to get me out

of this thing.”

This time last year, Jimenez was the Orioles’ best starter going into the All-Star break. Now, he’s

uncertain of where he stands in the rotation.

“We had tried to put him in the bullpen, see if we could work some things out there,” Showalter

said. “But necessity put him back in there, so we'll attack it after the break. … If you go down to

the bullpen, then you've got to be able to do the job those guys are doing. We're a little

challenged there, but we have been all year.”

Had other options been available, Jimenez might not have started Friday's game, especially after

allowing six runs over 4 1/3 innings Sunday in Seattle. But Showalter was forced to use Vance

Worley, Dylan Bundy and Odrisamer Despaigne to win a 14-inning game against the Los

Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

The Orioles didn't announce Jimenez as their starting pitcher Friday until nine hours before the

game's first pitch. And Jimenez — whose place in the Orioles rotation has been awarded on a

start-by-start basis since he was jettisoned to the bullpen in mid-June – couldn't take advantage

of his latest mulligan.

Seven of the 11 batters Jimenez faced Friday reached base, and the boos grew louder as his

second inning wore on. He was charged with five runs on five hits over 1 1/3 innings, adding to a

1/3-inning start June 12 against Toronto and a 1 2/3-inning outing May 28 in Cleveland.

Jimenez entered the night averaging a career-high 5.4 walks per nine innings, and both walks he

issued Friday not only ended with the player scoring but seemed to fuel big innings as well.

He walked Kole Calhoun, the second batter of the game, then allowed back-to-back singles to

Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, followed by an RBI groundout by C.J. Cron to set up a 2-0 first-

inning deficit. In the second inning, Jimenez issued a leadoff walk to No. 7 hitter Johnny

Giavotella, then allowed three consecutive one-out singles before he was chased from the game.

Jimenez’s sinker, his most dependable pitch, often has failed him. On Friday, his sinkers were

too low in the zone, leading to the early-inning walks that hurt him, and his four-seam fastball

found too much of the plate. Even his few good pitches were hit — he jammed Trout with a

well-placed inside fastball, but Trout slapped it the other way for a bloop single.

“He was keeping a quick pace going, but some balls just kept leaking back middle on him,”

catcher Matt Wieters said. “It was just kind of a couple innings that he couldn’t quite hit his spot

to get a big out when we needed it. We had some opportunities to score runs. It’s a team loss all

the way around. We didn’t pitch well, we didn’t play defense well and we didn’t hit some timely

hitting tonight.”

After Friday’s game, Jimenez said the most frustrating part of his struggles is that he believes

he’s made progress in his work between starts, only it hasn’t translated to results in games. Still,

Jimenez has been through these challenges before, and he said that he will do whatever it takes

— even going to the bullpen again — to get out of his funk.

“You know what?” Jimenez said. “The only thing I can control is work. Work hard every day

and get prepared for whatever I have to do to help the team. I can’t control anything else.”

Still, if Jimenez was selected to start Friday's game over Wright — as Showalter indicated after

the Orioles' extra-inning win over the Dodgers — it's not as if Wright did much better.

Wright, who was recalled from Triple-A before Friday's game to give the Orioles some bullpen

length, provided 4 2/3 innings of relief but also allowed four runs. Even though two runs off

Wright were unearned because of two fielding errors by Gold Glove-winning shortstop J.J.

Hardy, Wright's wildness didn't help his cause. He hit three batters — including Cron twice —

and walked two, with two coming around to score.

The Orioles' greatest weakness once again came into the spotlight, and as the nonwaiver trade

deadline at the end of this month approaches, the team must not only scour baseball for rotation

upgrades but also add a fifth starter. And that's not counting Jimenez's shaky spot in the rotation.

“We're going to do some other things we're thinking about,” Showalter said. “We'll keep

searching for that. Through it all, we've figured out a way to be better than the rest of the guys in

our division so far. But we're not going to look at it with blinders on. We realize it's a challenge.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-remember-1966-0709-20160708-

story.html

As 1966 Orioles return for World Series anniversary, players

and fans look back and smile

By Mike Klingaman and Jake Lourim / The Baltimore Sun

July 8, 2016

They walk slower, squint more and often don't hear too well. But there's nothing wrong with the

recollections of those 1966 Orioles who gathered at Camden Yards on Friday night in tribute to

the team's first championship season.

Pitcher Dick Hall, 85, spoke of "the lesson we learned while celebrating having won the pennant:

Drink the champagne and use the beer to squirt guys with, not the other way around." Jim

Palmer, 70, recapped his 6-0 victory in Game 2 of the World Series over Sandy Koufax and

the Los Angeles Dodgers, calling it "a big-boy moment" for a 20-year-old pitcher. And second

baseman Dave Johnson, 73, remembered the monstrous check he received after the Orioles

swept the Dodgers in four games.

"With that $11,700, I bought half of Florida," Johnson said.

Before their game Friday against the Los Angeles Angels, the Orioles honored their golden-

anniversary team as 13 members of the 1966 club stepped onto the field to the cheers of the

announced 44,317, who stood for the duration of the ceremony.

Before the players came out, a 40-minute commemorative video played on the big screen at

Camden Yards. Many fans were already in their seats an hour before the first pitch to hear the

voice of broadcaster Chuck Thompson over the highlights of the 1966 World Series.

"It's making me feel like a kid again," Ted Rukowicz, 71, said. "Walking in and hearing that

announcer's voice, you feel like you're at the game."

Rukowicz and Barry Fitzpatrick, 66, sat together on the third base side Friday. They reminisced

about the 1966 World Series, how the Orioles beat Don Drysdale and Koufax in Los Angeles,

then came home and finished the sweep. Rukowicz and Fitzpatrick met years ago as teachers at

Mount Saint Joseph, after Fitzpatrick grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., rooting for the hometown

Dodgers.

Rukowicz was a student at then-Loyola College in 1966 and listened to the games on the radio.

Fitzpatrick was studying theology at a school in southern Maryland, and a teacher pulled the

students out of class to watch the afternoon World Series games. In the ninth inning of Game 4,

when the Orioles' Paul Blair caught Lou Johnson's fly ball to end the game and series, Fitzpatrick

turned around to see his teacher grinning from ear to ear.

"I never saw that guy that happy in my life," Fitzpatrick said. "He was beside himself."

Memories of Memorial Stadium were deep in the minds of many fans Friday night. Growing up

in Pikesville, Stuart Moffett went to seven or eight games with his father in 1966. One was on a

Saturday, Oct. 8, when Wally Bunker shut out the Dodgers to win Game 3 of the World Series.

Moffett, then 11, saved his scorecard and ticket and remembers everything about that day — the

pitcher, the weather, his seats in the upper deck. He once saw Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle

play, but even that doesn't resonate as much as the World Series game. Moffett watched on TV

as the Orioles clinched a championship the next day.

"Going back to school that Monday, I don't think anybody wanted to go back," he recalled.

That win gave Baltimore its first World Series title, a landmark in the history of baseball in the

city.

"All day I've been hearing, 'Thanks for the memories,' " first baseman Boog Powell said. "I told

fans: 'Thanks for remembering, because if you didn't remember, it wouldn't count.' "

The players cling to their own reminiscences. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs in spring

training, catcher Vic Roznovsky sidled up to Johnson in the Orioles clubhouse. "I told him, 'I'm

new here and haven't been following this team. What kind of club do we have?' " said

Roznovsky, 77. "Davey looked at me kind of funny and said, 'We're going to win it all.' I was so

amazed, I couldn't speak."

Eddie Watt, 74, flashed back to that year's Opening Day. A rookie pitcher, Watt never had set

foot in a big league stadium before that day in Fenway Park.

"I arrived early and, being in awe, I stood at home plate and walked to the left-field fence,

measuring how many steps it was," he said.

The Orioles won, 5-4, in 13 innings. Watt retired the side in order in the last frame to earn a save,

and the team was on its way.

"Saying you're invincible after one game is a very deep stretch, but we had a tremendous blend

of players," Watt said. "And while the coaching staff didn't have the flair of an Earl Weaver,

they'd been through the wars. [Manager] Hank Bauer and coaches Gene Woodling and Billy

Hunter had all been world champion New York Yankees."

Watt and Eddie Fisher, whom the Orioles pried midseason from the Chicago White Sox, manned

the bullpen, along with Hall, prankster Moe Drabowsky and Stu Miller. They met the challenge,

Fisher said, because the club's 23 complete games ranked ninth in the 10-team American League.

"Bauer could hardly make a mistake as to who he brought in, and Miller was the closer," said

Fisher, 79. "Stu stayed in the clubhouse and worked crossword puzzles until the seventh inning,

when he'd come out to the 'pen."

All, it seemed, had a Frank Robinson story to tell. In his first year in Baltimore, Robinson won

the Triple Crown and was named Most Valuable Player of both the AL and World Series.

"Frank arrived in training camp during an intrasquad game," Johnson said. "Hank asked, 'Do you

want to bat?' Frank said, 'Sure,' put on a uniform and, without any batting practice, hit a home

run off Dick Hall."

Did those Orioles realize how good they were?

"I think so," Brooks Robinson said. "Remember, this was a football town. The Colts had won

world championships in 1958 and '59. But in 1966, I think we made inroads."

Now 79, Robinson concedes that the past gets fuzzy at times. When watching Orioles games, the

Hall of Fame third baseman said, he'll see Manny Machado make a great play and think: 'Did I

ever make plays like that?' "

"All the time," Powell assured him.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-in-recalling-mike-wright-orioles-forced-to-

stray-from-plan-on-young-pitchers-20160708-story.html

Orioles notes: In recalling Mike Wright, Birds forced to

stray from plan on young pitchers

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun

July 8, 2016

The common refrain for the Orioles this season is that they’re trying to develop starting pitchers

at the major league level — with Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson, and to an extent, Dylan Bundy.

Days like Friday, coming off road trips like the nine-game trek the Orioles ended this week,

throw that out the window. The Orioles recalled Wright from Triple-A Norfolk to pitch out of

the bullpen this weekend, removing him from what the team hoped would be a lengthy but

productive stay in the minors to correct what ailed him at the major league level.

“In a perfect world, we’d have left Mike alone to keep down the path he is down there, pitching,”

manager Buck Showalter said. “He’s here to pitch out of the bullpen, period. Length — short,

long, whatever. We had a very challenging road trip. One day is not going to get you back on

your feet. We had a lot of people pitch multiple innings that last day and a half, two days. It

came after a short turnaround, too.”

Wright, who had a 6.12 ERA before he was optioned to the minors to regroup, has pitched well

statistically in Norfolk. He has allowed two runs in 20 2/3 innings with 13 strikeouts and five

walks over three starts.

He said the difference was “executing pitches,” though Wright wasn’t chatty upon his arrival in

Baltimore on Friday.

“Eventually, if you’re trying and you’re trying and you’re trying, it’s going to happen,” Wright

said. “It just clicked when I was down there for whatever reason.”

He’d still be there were it not for the team’s spent bullpen and the fact that reliever Mychal

Givens could be placed on paternity leave any day now.

“That was the option that we had,” Showalter said. “He was the best — better than not needing

anybody. We knew we were going to need somebody.”

The Orioles find themselves in an interesting position with the young pitchers who somewhat

surprisingly broke camp with the team and pitched ably early in the season before June and July

slowed them.

Wright, by Showalter’s assessments, isn’t ready to start again in the majors. If he was, it would

have been him instead of Ubaldo Jimenez starting Friday’s game. But Showalter again shot

down the idea that Wright would be better suited as a reliever, indicating the team still views him

as a starter going forward.

Same goes for Wilson, who was optioned Sunday and only just reported to Norfolk as he gets a

midseason break. More consistent mound time was required for Wright’s development, the team

believes, while Wilson has gotten a bit of time off to regroup and refresh his arm after a taxing

first half that saw his ERA rise to 5.22.

“I think he starts throwing on the day after the break,” Showalter said. “He’s taking a little time

to try and freshen, crisp up his arm. A lot of innings. He’s been going at it. Talking to him, in his

situation, he felt like every outing he was trying to make the club, stay on the club. You think

about the stress since the first day of spring training. … I think that’s where some of his

overdoing it sometimes might have gotten in his way a little bit. But that’s Tyler. That’s why

he’s here.”

This midseason crossroads has left the Orioles wanting for pitching this week. They’ve used left-

handers Ariel Miranda and Jayson Aquino in the bullpen on essentially emergency call-ups, and

were forced to start Jimenez for lack of a better option Friday.

O’Day off flat ground: Reliever Darren O’Day’s slow return from a high hamstring strain took

a step in the right direction Friday when he played catch in the outfield, Showalter said.

O’Day’s progress stalled two weeks ago when he still felt the injury while going through his

delivery in bullpen sessions, and Showalter said he could be back soon after the All-Star break.

O’Day went on the disabled list on June 3 — five weeks ago Friday.

Second opinion for McFarland: Showalter said left-hander T.J. McFarland (left knee

inflammation) will get a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews on Monday, though he didn’t

know if that meant bad news.

“He’s just doing his treatment, what have you,” Showalter said. “I knew it’d be three to four

weeks, and I think while he’s got this downtime where he’s not throwing and doing things —

most all the guys get a second opinion. Maybe there’s something else there that I’m just not

aware of. Maybe he’s not seeing the advancement of the feeling better. I don’t know.”

Around the horn: Left-hander Ashur Tolliver, who is currently on the Norfolk roster, and his

wife Kelli welcomed their first son, Maverick Drake, on Thursday. … Givens’ wife is due on

Monday, the first day of the All-Star break, but Showalter said the birth might happen sooner.

Givens can miss up to three days on paternity leave, and lives in Tampa, Fla., where the Orioles

go for their first series after the All-Star break.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-orioles-home-runs-20160706-htmlstory.html

Orioles' pursuit of home run record

The Baltimore Sun

July 8, 2016

In re-signing Chris Davis on top of adding sluggers Mark Trumbo and Pedro Alvarez this past

offseason, the Orioles built a team that had a chance to challenge the major league’s single-

season home run record.

And so far, the Orioles have done just that. The Seattle Mariners hit 264 homers in 1997 to

surpass a mark set just a year earlier by the Orioles. In 1996, the Birds hit 257 to smash the New

York Yankees’ 35-year-old record total of 240 homers.

This season, the Orioles have spent most of the year leading the majors in long balls and have

stayed within range of the pace set by the 1997 Mariners and 1996 Orioles. This graphic traces

where this year’s club stands game by game in comparison to the two previous record-setters. So

follow along here the rest of the season as the Orioles look to reclaim the mantle from the

Mariners.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188728354/orioles-1966-world-series-champs-have-

reunion/

O's, what a night: 1966 champions reunite Thirteen players, coaches from World Series team celebrate 50th anniversary with fans

By Jeff Seidel / Special to MLB.com

July 9, 2016

BALTIMORE -- The players are older now, moving slower than they did during their glory days

of the mid-1960s. That did not matter to the crowd at Oriole Park before the Orioles' series

opener with the Angels on Friday night. They wanted to once more see their heroes who pulled

off one of the greatest surprises in baseball history 50 years ago.

In 1966, the Orioles stunned the Dodgers and the baseball world by sweeping Los Angeles in

four games when they met in the World Series. That shocker put Baltimore on the map for

baseball and started a stretch where the Orioles made it to the World Series four times in six

years -- winning twice -- and became one of the sport's top franchises.

But even though the Orioles won at least 100 games in three straight years (1969-71) plus a

World Series title ('70), that first team holds a special meaning for the players and fans. Thirteen

players and coaches from the '66 squad returned to Baltimore on Friday to mark the special 50-

year anniversary.

There were events earlier in the day, and then more before the game. The Orioles showed an

approximately 40-minute video about the '66 World Series on the video board, with fans in the

stands often cheering at the big plays. They gave the entire group a standing ovation after a

pregame ceremony to recognize them.

"In '66, we just had the best team -- that's all," said Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks

Robinson. "So that was big. That was a dream come true for me. It's hard to win. It's not easy. It's

so many players who never get a chance to experience that. To me, that's what it was all about."

Former coach Billy Hunter and some of the other players talked about how the original scouting

report on the Dodgers said to be careful about throwing them fastballs. But manager Hank Bauer

found out giving them fastballs actually might be the right way to go.

Moe Drabowsky backed up that theory when he came on in relief of Game 1 starter Dave

McNally in the third inning and struck out 11 in 6 2/3 innings of shutout relief en route to a 5-2

victory. The Orioles pitchers stuck with feeding the Dodgers a steady diet of fastballs after that, a

big reason 20-year-old Jim Palmer pitched well the next day en route to a 6-0 victory over Hall

of Famer Sandy Koufax.

"That was a big-boy moment," said Palmer, also a Hall of Famer. "It was the big stage. It's pretty

surreal to go into a World Series for the first time. I don't care if you're young or old."

Boog Powell, the Orioles' first baseman, said Koufax didn't intimidate the team. They just tried

to battle him, and Powell had a plan -- which worked as he posted two hits and drove in a run.

"The rule of thumb when you were facing Koufax was make him start the ball at your knees,"

Powell said. "If the ball started at your knees, it was probably going to be chest-high when it got

to you. If he started at your waist ... it was going to be eye-high. So just make it be down when

he started it, and then you've got to go."

The Orioles then went back to Baltimore and won the final two games by the same 1-0 score.

Wally Bunker took Game 3, and McNally finished it off in Game 4. The Orioles used just four

pitchers in the whole Series, a fact that made current manager Buck Showalter shake his head.

"Come on, man, we used four in the third inning," Showalter said with a smile. "That's amazing."

Even 50 years later.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188774140/ubaldo-jimenezs-struggles-continue-vs-angels/

Jimenez's woes continue vs. Angels Starter lasts just 1 1/3 frames; status in rotation is questionable

By Jeff Seidel / Special to MLB.com

July 9, 2016

BALTIMORE -- Ubaldo Jimenez can't explain it. The Orioles aren't sure about it. But no matter

what's happening, one thing's for certain: The lanky right-hander continues having problems

getting batters out and lasting long in starts.

He made it just 1 1/3 innings on Friday, giving up five runs on five hits as the Angels rolled to

a 9-5 victory on the night the Orioles celebrated the 50th anniversary of their 1966 World Series

title. Seven of the 11 batters who faced Jimenez reached, and he left the field to a chorus of boos.

He'd love to find the answer to this mystery. But so far, no dice.

"There's no doubt about it, this is the toughest thing that I have had to face," Jimenez said. "But

like I said before, I'm never going to put my head down. I know I let the team down, and I didn't

do what I'm supposed to do, helping the team."

He may not get many more chances to help the team out of the starting rotation. Jimenez now

has a 5-9 record with a 7.38 ERA. He's walked 50 in 81 2/3 innings, often falling behind in the

count.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter pulled him from the starting rotation once before. Jimenez

pitched one time out of the bullpen before Baltimore needed to put him back in the rotation

again.

He beat San Diego in consecutive starts on June 22 and 28, allowing just three runs on seven hits

in 11 innings. Jimenez struck out 12 and walked four during those two starts against the Padres,

and it looked like he might be turning things around.

That changed in his last two starts. Jimenez surrendered six runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings in a

6-3 loss against Seattle on July 3. Then came this game, where the right-hander could not make it

out of the second inning.

He's now given up 11 runs on 11 hits in just 5 2/3 innings and has taken the loss in the last two

games.

"He's a professional, and that's the thing," catcher Matt Wieters said. "He knows. Every day he

shows up here, he's going to do what he can to help the team win, he's going to do what he can to

get himself better. He knows that he wants to pitch better."

The question now is what happens next with Jimenez. He may have made his last start for a

while. Showalter said he did not think Jimenez was injured, and the pitcher confirmed afterward

that everything felt fine.

The Blue Jays won their seventh straight game and cut the Orioles' lead to one game in the

American League East, so good starting pitching is crucial to Baltimore at this time.

"[He was] not very good," Showalter said. "[I was] hoping that Ubaldo could get us deeper in the

game. We had tried to put him in the bullpen and see if we could work some things out there, but

necessity put him back in there. So we'll attack it after the break."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188715270/mike-wright-struggles-from-pen-after-recall/

Wright struggles in bullpen appearance

By Jeff Seidel / Special to MLB.com

July 9, 2016

BALTIMORE-- The Orioles optioned pitcher Mike Wright back to Triple-A Norfolk following

Friday's 9-5 loss to the Angels after they called him up earlier in the day for bullpen help.

Manager Buck Showalter said before the game that they'd be ready to use him in any kind of

bullpen role, long or short, depending upon their needs.

Wright came in during the second inning of Friday's game when starter Ubaldo Jimenez lasted

just 1 1/3 innings and allowed five runs on five hits. But Wright again struggled. Wright gave up

four runs on three hits in 4 2/3 innings -- hitting three batters and walking two.

"I thought it was a really good situation for him, nothing to lose coming in. You saw some of the

things that he needs to be working on down in Norfolk," Showalter said. "He never just was

consistent."

Wright now is 3-4 with a 5.97 ERA in 14 games, 12 of which are starts. He's also hit nine batters

in 69 1/3 innings.

The Orioles are a bit taxed in the bullpen for various reasons. Darren O'Day remains on the

disabled list but played catch on flat ground on Friday. T.J. McFarland, also on the DL, will be

going to Dr. James Andrews on Monday for a second opinion on his left knee inflammation.

Mychal Givens could be leaving at any minute as his wife is due to give birth on Sunday.

Showalter said she might be induced.

"That's imminent, so we want to make sure we cover ourselves," he said.

After the game, Showalter said that Givens also is dealing with conjunctivitis.

In addition, Showalter said that starter Kevin Gausman could come out of the bullpen on Sunday

if needed. Starter Tyler Wilson, recently sent down to Norfolk to take a bit of a break and refresh

his arm, will start throwing the day after the break, according to Showalter.

The skipper also said starters Chris Tillman and Yovani Gallardo will be given an extra day of

rest after the break, but Showalter would not confirm that Gausman would start the first game of

the second half on Friday. He did not want to name a starter just yet.

Pedro Alvarez also returns to the team Friday. He's been on bereavement list since July 4.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188699572/brad-brach-will-enjoy-all-star-trip-to-sd/

Gallardo, O's continue series vs. Angels

By Todd Karpovich / Special to MLB.com

July 9, 2016

The Orioles' Yovani Gallardo is looking to get into sync after spending almost two months on

the disabled list with right shoulder biceps tendinitis. Since returning to the rotation June 18,

Gallardo has a 5.31 ERA in four appearances. He will be making his second career start against

the Angels on Saturday after getting a no-decision on July 25, 2015, when he allowed five runs

eight hits in four innings.

The Angels' Nick Tropeano (3-2, 3.28 ERA) will make his second start since missing the past

month with right shoulder tightness.

Three things to know about this game

• The Orioles' Mark Trumbo has already surpassed his home run total from last season (25),

earning the No. 1 seed in Monday night's Home Run Derby at Petco Park. There has been

speculation Baltimore might try to trade Trumbo to add another starting pitcher or left-handed

reliever. However, that scenario seems unlikely because of Trumbo's value to the lineup, in

addition to being a pending free agent.

• Los Angeles catcher Geovany Soto caught back-to-back games for Triple-A Salt Lake City this

week and could be activated Saturday. He has been on the DL since May 18 with a right lateral

meniscus injury. To make room, the Angels will likely have to option either Jett Bandy or Carlos

Perez.

• Baltimore's Manny Machado has continued to torment opposing pitching and will enter

Tuesday's All-Star Game as one of the league's hottest hitters. Machado is batting .395 over his

last seven games and narrowly missed his 20th homer of the season Friday night.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188839632/ofelky-peralta-among-top-prospect-

performers/

Peralta among top prospect performers Friday

By Mike Rosenbaum / MLB.com

July 9, 2016

Only the rain could stop Ofelky Peralta on Friday night.

The Orioles' No. 14 prospect fired a rain-shortened, five-inning no-hitter as Class A Delmarva

defeated Hagerstown, 5-0. It was the third no-hitter in Shorebirds history and the first since John

Means fired a seven-inning no-no on July 31, 2015.

Peralta fanned eight of the 17 hitters he faced in the outing, throwing 42 of his 64 pitches for

strikes. More importantly, the 19-year-old right-hander, who entered the day having allowed 41

walks in 70 2/3 innings, issued just one walk for a second straight start. The only other

Hagerstown hitter to reach base against Peralta did so on an error in the first inning.

"He's starting to pitch more with his fastball early in games and establish it a bit more and then

going to his changeup late the second or third time going through the lineup to give himself a

chance to keep guys off his fastball," Delmarva manager Ryan Minor told MiLB.com. "But

fastball command has been a key for him. When he's been able to locate his fastball early in

games, he's had a lot more success.

"What he's been able to do in his last couple games is maintain his delivery and fastball

command, get ahead of hitters and use his changeup, which is a plus pitch for him."

Though his starts have been inconsistent this season, Peralta has flashed plenty of promise by

posting a 3.45 ERA with two home runs allowed and 75 strikeouts in 75 2/3 innings.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188699572/brad-brach-will-enjoy-all-star-trip-to-sd/

All-Star trip a homecoming for Brach Orioles reliever began his career with San Diego in 2011

By Joe Trezza / MLB.com

July 8, 2016

Buck Showalter made sure Brad Brach's first All-Star appearance would be a family affair.

Showalter knew that San Diego was where Brach first broke into the Majors in 2011, where his

family first saw him pitch, and where they would congregate again when Brach suits up for the

2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard on Tuesday.

So Showalter made sure Brach heard of his selection from family. The Orioles manager first

went to Brach's wife, who alerted the reliever of the news.

"Its one of those things I'll never forget," Brach said on MLB Network Radio on Friday. "It's a

dream come true. To be able to experience all that with her -- the ups and the downs -- it's a lot.

"It was great she was able to give me the news, because she's been there for the whole journey as

well."

On the heels of solid seasons in each of his first two years in Baltimore, Brach is enjoying a

breakout campaign in 2016. The 30-year-old righty is 5-1 with a 0.95 ERA in 47 1/3 innings,

striking out 10.6 batters per nine. He's holding right-handed hitters to a remarkable .081 batting

average against -- the best mark in baseball. Brach has been integral to the Orioles' bullpen,

helping to make up for the loss of Darren O'Day, who has twice been hampered by hamstring

injuries.

Brach set a personal goal of becoming an All-Star before the season started, in part because the

game is being held in San Diego. Brach was a 42nd-round selection of the Padres in 2008, and he

made 109 appearances for them from '11-13. The Orioles acquired Brach for Minor League

pitcher Devin Jones after the Padres had designated him for assignment in 2013.

"Now to kind of go back to where it all started and where my family got to watch me pitch first, I

don't think it's sunk in yet, and I don't think it will until next week," Brach said. "I couldn't have

scripted it any better, and I'm really looking forward to it."

The journey adds up to Brach being one of the most unlikely All-Stars.

"My family members, deep down, they probably didn't think this could happen either," Brach

said. "It's one of those things we're all just kind of taking in stride. It's been an unbelievable

experience."

On Tuesday, watch the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, and during

the game, visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player

Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2016 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 87th All-Star

Game, in San Diego, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and

RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's

independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage

of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive

All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/07/gallardo-trying-for-better-results-against-

pujols.html

Gallardo trying for better results against Pujols

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 9, 2016

Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols has slowed down considerably, as evidenced by his RBI

single last night that cleared Mark Trumbo’s head in right field and ricocheted off the fence. He

settled for one base despite the distance on his fly ball. Past knee and foot injuries didn’t increase

his 40 time.

Pujols has been known to reach base with regularity against Orioles right-hander Yovani

Gallardo, who starts this afternoon against the Angels at Camden Yards.

Pujols is 15-for-32 lifetime against Gallardo, a .469 average that comes with three doubles, four

home runs and 13 RBIs.

“I used to face him a lot when he was in St. Louis and I was in Milwaukee in the same division,”

Gallardo said yesterday while sitting at his locker. “It just seemed to go back and forth in certain

situations. It’s just one of those things.

“I know the kind of hitter that he is. He’s a really good hitter, especially when he was in St.

Louis. He has a pretty good idea at the plate. It’s just one of those things that you’ve got to make

adjustments pitch by pitch and it seems like he always would hit the ball where nobody was at.

That’s how this game is.

“I faced him quite a bit, so he’s got a pretty good idea of the way that I pitch and I’ve got a pretty

good idea of what his approach is. Obviously, things have changed over the years and I haven’t

faced him quite as much, but just having to face him all those years, he’s a pretty good hitter.”

Gallardo has made only one career start against the Angels, allowing five runs and eight hits in

four innings on July 25, 2015 with the Rangers. Andrelton Simmons is 4-for-4 with a home run.

Yunel Escobar is 1-for-10.

Left-handers are batting .329 against Gallardo in eight starts this season and right-handers are

hitting .263. He’s allowed 12 runs and 21 hits and walked 12 batters in 20 1/3 innings in his four

starts since coming off the disabled list.

“I just haven’t been consistent, to be honest,” he said. “It’s frustrating, obviously. It’s not easy

spending that much time on the DL. When you come back you’ve got to find that rhythm as

quickly as you can and I think I’ve been able to have it one game and then the next game it just

kind of gets away from me. It’s been going back and forth. But I’m doing everything I can just to

get in that groove and get in a good rhythm and get everything working together to go out there

every fifth day and do the most I can.

“When you’re out there on the mound, it’s definitely frustrating when you feel great and you’re

not quite getting the results that you want. But the only positive thing is I’ve been feeling really

good and hopefully it’s one of those things that’s right around the corner and I’ll be on my way.”

Angels right-hander Nick Tropeano has never faced the Orioles. Trumbo is 0-for-2 with a

strikeout against Tropeano. He’ll need to contribute to the scouting report.

Tropeano is 3-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 11 starts, and he’s registered a 1.508 WHIP over 60 1/3

innings. He’s failed to complete six innings in nine of his starts.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/07/showalter-on-jimenezs-start-not-very-

good.html

Showalter on Jimenez’s start: “Not very good” (Wright

optioned)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 8, 2016

The Orioles’ lead in the American League East is down to one game following tonight’s 9-5 loss

to the Angels before 44,317 at Camden Yards.

The Blue Jays have won seven in a row. The Orioles are fighting to stay in front of them while

their rotation continues to raise concerns.

Ubaldo Jimenez lasted only 1 1/3 innings and left to a chorus of boos. He was charged with five

runs and five hits, walked two, struck out none and threw a wild pitch. Twenty-five of his 45

pitches were strikes.

Angels first baseman C.J. Cron suffered a fractured left hand after being hit by a Mike Wright

pitch in the sixth inning. Wright hit Cron twice and Johnny Giavotella once in 4 2/3 innings.

Wright allowed four runs (two earned) and three hits, walked two and struck out two. He threw

72 pitches, 45 for strikes.

What’s the solution?

Jimenez may be moved to the bullpen again, assuming the Orioles don’t do anything more

drastic.

“Not very good,” Showalter said. “Mike had some struggles, too. That’s why we were trying to

leave him alone down there (Norfolk) if we could, but it’s necessary to have somebody provide

some length. Really didn’t want to pitch (Odrisamer) Despaigne tonight if I could help it.”

He couldn’t. Despaigne pitched a scoreless ninth.

Wright could be optioned since he won’t be available the next two days before the break. The

Orioles will discuss it later tonight.

“I’m not going to announce it here,” Showalter said. “We’re going to talk about it. We talked a

little about it before the game, what we were going to do. We were hoping Ubaldo could get us

deeper in the game and keep us engaged a little more than that, but he wasn’t able to.”

So what can the Orioles do with Jimenez?

“We had tried to put him in the bullpen and see if we could work some things out there, but

necessity put him back (the rotation),” Showalter said. “We’ll attack it after the break.”Putting

Jimenez in the bullpen wouldn’t solve all the problems, of course.

“If you go down to the bullpen, then you’ve got to be able to do the job those guys are doing,”

Showalter said.

The rotation needs to be fixed. It’s just a question of how to do it.

“We’re a little challenged there, but we have been all year,” Showalter said. “Tyler Wilson gets

some of the arm strength back and the command he had, and Yovani (Gallardo) is going to have

a good post All-Star break, hopefully, and we’re going to do some other things we’re thinking

about. We’ll keep searching for that.

“Through it all we’ve figured out a way to be better than the rest of the guys in our division so

far, but we’re not going to look at it with blinders on. We realize it’s a challenge.”

Jimenez hasn’t indicated that he’s injured.

“You look at everything, but that hasn’t been the case,” Showalter said. “He’s one of the

healthiest guys we have. I may go down there today or tomorrow and he might say something

different, but he feels good. That’s one thing he’s always brought is taking the ball every fifth

day and being a healthy pitcher.”

Wright replaced Jimenez and retired the next two batters to end the second inning, but he loaded

the bases with no outs in the third on two hit batters and a walk. Back-to-back errors byJ.J.

Hardy in the fourth led to two unearned runs. Daniel Nava had an RBI single of Wright with two

outs in the sixth after Cron was hit for a second time.

“Mike was in a good spot, I thought,” Showalter said. “He came in, got two quick outs, brought

some pace back to the game. I thought it was set up pretty good for him to give us a good, solid

outing. But what did he hit, three people? First baseman broke his hand. That’s not good. I think

Jon (Schoop) has been hit three times in the last two games. I know he’s not happy. I’m sure

Mike’s not happy.

“That’s a reminder just how fragile the whole thing is. One pitch gets away from somebody and

you’re in a whole different situation. That’s why health is so important.

“(Wright) would go through some sequences where you thought he was going to dial it in and

never was just consistent. I thought it was a really good situation for him. Nothing to lose,

coming in and he got out of that first inning. I was expecting him to really give us a good outing

there, but he didn’t. You saw some of the things that he needs to be working on down there in

Norfolk.”

Wright’s 4 2/3 innings were a career high in relief. He owns a 2.08 ERA in five career relief

appearances over 8 2/3 innings and a 6.32 ERA in 21 starts over 105 1/3 innings.

The sluggish pace would provide a convenient excuse for defensive miscues, but Showalter

pointed out the spectacular plays made tonight.

“We’ve had some challenges some nights when we’re behind and they grind through it,”

Showalter said. “I think it’s as much a challenge defensively as it is anything. There were some

great plays tonight. Chris Davis made a pick on a ball, that hard, short, long hop. It’s not a long

hop where you can back up and you can’t go get it. He works on that play every day. That’s as

good a play as you’ll ever see.

“Matt (Wieters) made a great play by the dugout, Manny (Machado) and Jon turned a great

double play, Adam (Jones) ran a ball down in center field. Not many guys do. I watch with great

admiration every night with some of the pace and things that we kind of put on ourselves that

they work their way through. But it’s a challenge.”

Jones hit a leadoff home run tonight, his second this season. His 210 home runs as an Oriole

move him past Brady Anderson into sixth place on the club’s all-time list. Rafael Palmeiro is

next with 223.

Mark Trumbo hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth and finished with three RBIs. He’s

batting .346/.382/.750 (18-for-52) in his last 12 games, with three doubles, six home runs, 15

RBIs, three walks and 12 runs scored.

Schoop homered tonight while going 2-for-4 and is batting .345/.406/.517 (10-for-29) during a

seven-game hitting streak. He’s hit safely in 18 of his last 19 games, batting .418/.465/.684 (33-

for-79).

Meanwhile, Darren O’Day’s flat ground session went well today and he’ll repeat it on Sunday

before heading to Sarasota and joining the Orioles in Tampa after the break.

Mychal Givens remains with the club. His wife hasn’t given birth. She’s due on Monday.

Update: The Orioles have optioned Wright to Triple-A Norfolk. A corresponding move will be

announced on Saturday.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/07/wright-on-return-showalter-on-pitching-

and-trade-deadline.html

Wright on return, Showalter on pitching and trade deadline

(updated)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 8, 2016

The Orioles were able to take batting practice today before the grounds crew put the tarp on the

field. The Angels were denied.

The rain finally let up and the sky’s clearing. The tarp has been removed while a video of the

1966 World Series plays on the big screen.

Mike Wright made it back to the majors today and was placed in the bullpen. He learned of his

promotion on Wednesday.

“They said they didn’t know if I was going to start today or relieve, so that’s where I’m at,”

Wright said. “It’s good to be back.”

Wright is 3-4 with a 6.12 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) with the Orioles. However, he allowed

just two runs in 20 2/3 innings in his three starts with Triple-A Norfolk.

“Just the fact that I started the year here and when I went down it was a little foreign and I knew

I didn’t like it. I wanted to come back here,” Wright said.

“I was executing pitches way better. That was the main thing. Eventually, if you’re trying and

trying and trying, it’s going to happen. It just clicked when I was down there for whatever

reason.”

The Orioles pretty much knew after Wednesday’s 14-inning game in Los Angeles that Ubaldo

Jimenez would start tonight.

“Obviously, the last day in Los Angeles had a lot to do with it,” Showalter said. “We left the

clubhouse like we do every day, that we’ll do everything possible to win this game and when the

smoke clears we’ll see where we are.

“(Odrisamer) Despaigne and (Vance) Worley and (Dylan) Bundy all pitched that game. Mychal

Givens’ situation had something to do with the Wright move. In a perfect world, we would have

left Mike alone to keep down the path he is down there pitching, but put our best foot forward.

“Very challenging road trip and one day isn’t going to get you back on your feet. We had a lot of

people pitch multiple innings that last day and a half, two days. Came after a short turnaround,

too.”

Showalter said Wright has been pitching “OK” in Norfolk.

“Maybe statistically,” he added.

“Looking at the construction of Anaheim’s roster, they only have one left-handed hitter. That had

something to do with it. Of the options we had, he was the best. It was better than not doing

anybody. We knew we were going to need somebody. They’re swinging the bat real well right

now.”

Tyler Wilson wasn’t an option after being sent down to Norfolk. He hadn’t reached the minimum

10 days and the Orioles didn’t want to pitch him again anyway.

“I think he starts throwing the day after the break,” Showalter said. “We’re trying to freshen or

crisp up his arm, whatever. A lot of innings. He’s been going at it.

“Talking to him, in his situation he felt like every outing he was trying to make the club, stay on

the club. You think about the stress since the first day of spring training. I think that’s where

some of his maybe overdoing it sometimes might have gotten in his way a little bit, but that’s

Tyler. That’s why he’s here.

“Inexperienced pitchers, the length of the season is what gets them here. You’re trying to get

through the next month and the season’s over. There’s another one (in the majors) and hopefully

another one. That’s why we’re so cautious about the timing of when to turn guys loose a little

bit.”

I wrote in the last entry that Dr. James Andrews will examine T.J. McFarland’s left knee on

Monday.

“I think that was expected,” Showalter said. “I see the reports every day and he’s just doing his

treatment. I knew it was going to be three or four weeks before and I think while he’s got this

downtime where he’s not throwing and doing things ... Just about all the guys get a second

opinion.

“Maybe there’s something else there and I’m just not aware of it. Maybe he’s not seeing the

advancement of feeling better. I don’t know. Usually, a lot of guys like to get a second opinion.”

Executive vice president Dan Duquette sat in Showalter’s office before batting practice and

figures to stay close as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches. Showalter, as usual, won’t

become consumed by it.

“They’ve got it covered,” he said. “I think he appreciates where my focus is. You haven’t heard

me say, ‘We need this and we’ve got to have that.’ I think all the things are right here. When Dan

thinks something is pertinent or he needs my thought, usually when it gets down to where we

have a chance to acquire somebody, about how it would fit, how I’d use them, we talk about it. I

don’t want every single phone call, every single opinion, every little rumor. I don’t need that. He

knows that.

“We’re focused on what’s going on in Bowie and Norfolk. If there’s a need there we’ve got to be

on top of that. As you all know, we’re a starter short going into the second half. Fourth and fifth

day potentially out of the break, we have to decide which way we’re going. I want them all to

know before they leave here what we’re doing.”

Update: Ubaldo Jimenez gave up two runs and threw 22 pitches in the top of the first inning,

with Albert Pujols producing an RBI single and C.J. Cron driving in a run with a ground ball, but

Adam Jones homered on Matt Shoemaker’s first pitch to reduce the Angels’ lead to 2-1.

Jones has two of the Orioles’ three leadoff home runs this season.

Left fielder Daniel Nava robbed Manny Machado of a home run with a leaping catch at the

fence.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/07/quick-hits-from-camden-yards-5.html

Quick hits from Camden Yards

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 8, 2016

Reliever Darren O’Day threw in the outfield today as he continues his recovery from a strained

right hamstring.

O’Day is expected to head down to Sarasota during the All-Star break and meet the Orioles in

Tampa. They’re going to work out at Tropicana Field on Thursday.

Dr. James Andrews will offer a second opinion Monday on reliever T.J. McFarland’s left knee.

McFarland has been in Sarasota.

“I think that was expected,” said manager Buck Showalter. “Almost all guys get a second

opinion.”

Showalter was going to check with head athletic trainer Richie Bancells to make sure the Orioles

were seeing advancement in McFarland’s recovery.

Tyler Wilson will throw with Triple-A Norfolk the first day after the break.

“We’re trying to freshen or crisp up his arm. Whatever,” Showalter said.

Mike Wright is available out of the bullpen tonight in any role, whether it’s long or short relief.

Wright is also here because Mychal Givens could go on paternity leave at any time. His wife is

due on Monday, but doctors may induce labor.

“In a perfect world, we would have left Mike alone to continue down the path he’s on right

now,” Showalter said.

Showalter said he’s going to giveYovani Gallardo and Chris Tillman an extra days’ rest coming

out of the break. Gallardo is starting Saturday, followed by Tillman on Sunday.

Kevin Gausman is available out of the bullpen for Sunday’s finale.

Showalter expressed his amazement that the Orioles used only four pitchers while sweeping the

Dodgers in the 1966 World Series.

“Come on, man,” he said. “We use four in the third inning.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/07/wright-in-baltimore-for-tonights-game.html

Wright in Baltimore for tonight’s game

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 8, 2016

Mike Wright arrived at Camden Yards this afternoon and officially will be recalled from Triple-

A Norfolk for tonight’s game against the Angels - unless he’s here to visit the Inner Harbor.

The Orioles still need to announce the corresponding roster move after optioning left-

hander Jayson Aquino to Double-A Bowie. They confirmed yesterday that Pedro Alvarez came

off the bereavement list to take the spot vacated by Dariel Alvarez, who was optioned to Norfolk.

Ubaldo Jimenez is starting tonight in the series opener, which puts Wright in a long relief role.

He figures to be the first man up if Jimenez runs into early trouble.

The Orioles scratched Wright from last night’s start at Norfolk and summoned him to Baltimore.

Dylan Bundy probably isn’t available tonight after throwing 56 pitches Wednesday in 2 1/3

scoreless innings at Dodger Stadium. Odrisamer Despaigne threw 15 pitches and Vance Worley

threw 21, which likely would make them available if needed.

The off-day yesterday came in handy.

Orioles relievers combined Wednesday for nine scoreless innings in a 6-4, 14-inning win.

According to STATS, it marked the second time this season that a bullpen has logged at least

nine scoreless innings. The Indians totaled 13 in a 2-1 19-inning win over the Blue Jays on July

1.

The last time that the Orioles bullpen tossed at least nine scoreless was Sept. 18, 2012, when it

shut out the Mariners over 12 2/3 innings in a 4-2 18-inning win at Safeco Field.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/07/solid-bat-improved-defense-have-led-

chance-sisco-to-the-futures-game.html

Solid bat, improved defense have led Chance Sisco to the

Futures Game

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 9, 2016

He is one of the Orioles’ top prospects. While he has never been ranked in an end-of-season top

100 list by Baseball America, catcher Chance Sisco was rated No. 85 yesterday when it released

its mid-season top 100 prospects report.

The Orioles’ 21-year-old Double-A catcher is trending up.

The kid the Orioles drafted out of a California high school in the second round in 2013 has

always hit well for average. But this year, his defense seems to be taking some steps forward,

too. All of this is leading Sisco tomorrow to San Diego’s Petco Park where he will represent the

Orioles in the All-Star Futures Game and catch for Team USA.

Players like Zach Britton, Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris

Tillman, Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey have played in this game for the Orioles. Now Sisco

gets his shot.

No doubt the lefty swinger can hit for average. He batted .371 in his pro debut in the Gulf Coast

League in 2013. A year later, he won the South Atlantic League batting title, hitting .340 for

Single-A Delmarva. This year at Bowie, Sisco is batting .307/.397/.398 in 71 Baysox games with

18 doubles, one triple, one homer and 28 RBIs. He ranks fourth in the Eastern League in batting

average and third in OBP. He’ll play in the Eastern League All-Star Game Wednesday night in

Akron. But first comes the national showcase of the Futures Game.

All that offense is fine, but Sisco’s defense, questioned often by scouts, has gotten better. When I

asked him recently at Bowie how his game has grown from last year to this year, he cited

defense first.

“Tremendously. Definitely defensively,” he said. “I’m throwing a lot better, I’m blocking a lot

better. The focus and time I put in behind the plate has really helped. Over time, I’ve just gotten

more comfortable and confident back there.

“Have improved on my footwork (throwing out runners) and getting a good transfer and good

throw. Have really gotten help from the pitchers to have them give me some good set times.

We’re doing what we can do to shut down the running game.”

For the first time, Sisco was a spring training non-roster invitee with the Orioles in Sarasota

before this season. He worked alongside and learned from Orioles catchers and coaches.

“That was one of the big focuses I had in spring training working with (coach) John Russell,

Caleb (Joseph) and Matt (Wieters),” Sisco said. “Getting footwork squared away, so I could

make a good throw. Defense comes first. Being in big league camp this year, it opened my eyes a

bit to how much focus we need to put behind the plate.”

Sisco said spending time in major league camp was so important for him and provided him with

the confidence that he could one day play at that level.

“Big league camp gave me a ton of confidence, being able to work with the guys,” he said.

“Pretty much caught everyone that was up there. Working with Caleb, Matt, JR (John Russell),

definitely gave me confidence.”

At the plate, scouts have rated Sisco’s hit tool well ahead of his power tool. His career minor

league slash line is .321/.400/.426 with an OPS of .826. The on-base percentage is all the more

impressive in that Sisco has below average speed and doesn’t get the benefit of help in that stat

with many infield hits. But with his smooth lefty swing, he uses the entire field well and his solid

plate discipline seems to have also improved this year.

“I’m just trying to see the ball and hit the ball,” he said. “There is not much else to it for me

approach-wise. I’m just trying to make good contact, drive in some runs and get on base as much

as possible.”

What has been the key to that high OBP?

“Patience. Not always going up there to hit the first pitch,” he said. “Look for your pitch and get

something in my zone. I don’t know what my walk ratio or whatever it is has been in the past,

but I feel like what it’s at right now, it is definitely showing that my patience and my eye for the

zone has grown a lot.”

Delmarva no-hitter: The game was shortened to five innings by rain, but right-hander Ofelky

Peralta did not allow a hit over those five innings, so it was officially a no-hitter last night for

Single-A Delmarva as the Shorebirds beat Hagerstown 5-0 at Perdue Stadium.

A 19-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic, Peralta walked one with eight

strikeouts. He one-hit Hagerstown over six innings in his previous start. So over those two

games, he has thrown 11 scoreless innings, allowing one hit with two walks and 15 strikeouts.

On the year, Peralta is 5-4 with a 3.45 ERA. Before this season, he was rated the Orioles’ No. 17

prospect by Baseball America.

Peralta got through five innings on 64 pitches and just two runners reached base - one on a walk,

one on an error. The only other no-hitter in Shorebirds history came last year. Left-hander John

Means threw a seven-inning no-hitter against the Charleston RiverDogs on July 31.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/07/jimenez-and-wieters-after-the-os-loss-to-

the.html

Jimenez and Wieters after O’s loss to Angels

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 8, 2016

After his latest poor outing - one in which he gave up five runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings -

Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez said this is the toughest stretch of his career.

“There is no doubt about it,” he said. “This is the toughest thing I’ve had to face, but like I’ve

said before, I’m never going to put my head down. I know I let the team down. I didn’t do what

I’m supposed to do, helping the team. But it’s part of baseball. It’s part of baseball. I have to

keep going, keep working hard and hopefully find something that is going to get me out of this

thing.”

Jimenez took the loss tonight to the Angels’ 9-5 victory at Camden Yards as his record falls to 5-

9 with a 7.38 ERA. He has had four starts this year of 2 1/3 or fewer innings and three have

come over his past six starts.

One thing is certain: This is not a physical issue.

“Yeah, I’m good, no problems. I have nothing to complain (about),” Jimenez said.

Tonight, he got the first out of the game before a walk, two singles, a wild pitch and two runs

followed. He allowed three more runs in the second and was out of the game after just 45

pitches.

“The sinker was too short,” he said. “I couldn’t get it to the strike zone. It was too low. And then

I didn’t have the breaking balls.”

I asked Jimenez if he is concerned he might be running out of chances.

“You know what? The only thing I can control is to work hard every day,” he said. “And get

prepared for whatever I have to do to help the team. I can’t control what they are going to do.”

Catcher Matt Wieters was behind the plate trying to help Jimenez get his act together tonight, but

it didn’t happen.

“He was keeping a quick pace going, but some balls just kept leaking back (over the) middle on

him,” Wieters said. “Couple innings, just couldn’t quite hit his spot to get a big out when we

needed it. But we had some opportunities to score runs. It’s a team loss all around. We didn’t

pitch, we didn’t play defense and we didn’t have some timely hitting tonight.”

Last season, Jimenez went 12-10 with a 4.11 ERA. Now his ERA is more than three runs higher

than that. What is the difference?

“I think command,” Wieters said. “The fastball command is a lot more middle than it’s been.

That is always the first place to start. He’ll put in the time and work, it’s just a matter of grinding

it out.In baseball, it is just like hitting. You don’t know when it is going to click. You just keep

working and you have to know confidently it is going to turn at some point.

“He’s a professional. He knows, every day he shows up here, he is going to do what he can to

help the team. He is going to do what he can to get himself better. He knows he wants to pitch

better for the team and we want him to pitch better. He comes here and works every day. We are

all rooting for him to get turned around and pitch like we know he can.”

With their sixth loss in eight games, the Orioles fall to 49-36 and their American League East

lead is down to one game over Toronto. Adam Jones hit the second leadoff homer of his career

tonight. It was also the 210th of his O’s career, moving him past Brady Anderson into sixth on

the club’s all-time list. Jones trails Rafael Palmeiro with 223 homers. Jonathan Schoop had two

hits, including a home run, and is batting .418 with 11 multi-hit games his last 19 contests.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/07/brooks-robinson-jim-palmer-and-boog-

powell-on-the-1966.html

Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer and Boog Powell on the 1966

World Series

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 8, 2016

This figures to be a special night at Camden Yards. The Orioles will celebrate the 50th

anniversary of the 1966 World Series four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the

first of three World Series wins for the Orioles.

There will be a pregame video tribute to that team that will begin at approximately 6 p.m..

Following the video, the Orioles will welcome back National Baseball Hall of Famers and

Orioles legends Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson, as well as Eddie Fisher, Dick Hall, Larry

Haney, Bill Hunter, Bob Johnson, Davey Johnson, John Miller, Boog Powell, Vic Roznovsky,

Russ Snyder and Eddie Watt.

At a luncheon today the players got to interact with some fans. What did they say to the players?

“Thanks for being here,” Robinson said. “That was nice. You know in 1960 and ‘64 we had a

chance, but didn’t quite get there. Then we were the best team and we won. It was a dream come

true.

“It is hard to win and there are so many players that never get a chance to experience that. To me

that is what it was all about. You dream of it. You sign a contact, play in pro ball, play in the

major leagues, get on a winner and then win.”

“It was a pretty special time for all of us, the fans, the whole community,” Palmer said.

The Orioles won Game 1 5-2 as Moe Drabowsky pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings with 11

strikeouts in relief of Dave McNally, and Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson hit back-to-back

homers in the first inning. The makings of an upset was underway.

Then, in Game 2, Palmer, just 20, pitched against the great Sandy Koufax. The Orioles won 6-0

and Palmer became the youngest to ever pitch a World Series shutout. A few players were asked

how they felt going into that game with such a young pitcher facing such a great pitcher.

“I didn’t have any reservations at all about Jimmy going out there,” first baseman Powell said.

“We watched him all year long. He could change speeds with his fastball, throwing it 97 (mph)

or 94 or 93. He’d throw 160 or 170 pitches, until we could win it for him.”

How did Palmer feel heading into that game?

“I went to Dodger Stadium as a kid,” he said. “That was Sandy Koufax. I didn’t want to

embarrass myself for the club. You try not to change anything in the postseason. If you are

prepared, you just go out and compete. As kids, you play with the big boys growing up. That was

a big boy moment.”

The Orioles allowed two runs in the first three innings of Game 1 of that World Series and then

pitched three straight shutouts and 33 consecutive scoreless innings from that point on in a

stunning display of pitching.

“I think (catcher Andy) Etchebarren was the one keyed in that the Dodgers weren’t hitting

fastballs,” Powell said. “Moe (in Game 1), everything he threw was a fastball on the outer edge.

Etch said we should just keep throwing fastballs.”

The Orioles had a few winning seasons before that year, but Baltimore got to celebrate in 1966.

That season would set the tone for a run of winning where the Orioles would play in four World

Series over six years from 1966-1971.

“The disappointing thing was losing two of them,” Brooks Robinson said. “If we had won all

four, we would have gone down as the greatest ever, that is the way I feel. Winning 109, 100 and

something and 100 and something games (from 1969-71). You have to win in this game, you

can’t be second-best. We didn’t do it but we won a lot of games.”

But that stunning World Series upset really got Baltimore excited about its baseball team and

some of that excitement clearly exists to this day.

“We could go to any bar or restaurant in town and they would buy you dinner,” Powell said.

More on the ‘66 Birds: Check out this story published by Brian Eller with some video from

today’s press conference.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/07/mark-trumbo-talks-about-the-home-run-

derby.html

Mark Trumbo talks about the Home Run Derby

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 8, 2016

The Orioles’ Mark Trumbo is the major league leader with 26 home runs and the top seed for

Monday’s eight-player Home Run Derby competition at the All-Star game.

It is an event that he looks forward to and said he will enjoy. But just how important is this event

to Trumbo?

“Not very,” he said this afternoon in the Orioles clubhouse. “It is a lot of fun, but is not

something I’m going to lose too much sleep over. I’m going to give the best effort I can.

Hopefully it works out, but if it doesn’t, it’s a fun event. It is really for the fan enjoyment.”

Will he practice?

“I feel like it’s something I do already,” he said. “It’s something that, I’m not going to change

any of my ...I mean these games are far more important than the Home Run Derby, so I’ll keep

my routine pretty consistent.”

Trumbo was in the competition in 2012 and finished third. The format has changed since then

and now he will face the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager in the first round in a one-on-one

matchup. Should he advance, Trumbo would face the winner between Seattle’s Robinson Cano

and Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton in the semifinals.

“It can be extremely tiring,” Trumbo said. “I don’t think there is any way around that. I think

maybe the first year, I warmed up a tad too much. I did do fine in the competition itself, but it’s

grueling. You’re obviously going to swing hard, the big thing is to take things down a tick.

Because your adrenaline (will be going), there is no way around it. There’s a lot people there and

a lot of people watching. You have to control it as best you can.”

Manny Machado competed in the derby last year and lost in round one to the Dodgers’ Joc

Pederson. Machado feels Trumbo could become the third Oriole to win the Home Run Derby,

joining Cal Ripken Jr. (1991) and Miguel Tejada (2004).

“It’s going to be fun,” Machado said. “I see it every day. I think he has a good chance of

winning. He doesn’t have to change his swing at all. Going to be excited to see him on the big

stage and I’m grateful that I’ll have a front row seat to be watching.”

Does Machado have any advice for Trumbo? Will he be there with a towel or drink if he needs it

Monday?

“I think the big guy’s got it,” Machado said. “Maybe give him some water or a banana. He has a

good chance, but most important, I think he’ll enjoy himself and have a good time with his

family and friends.”

Trumbo said Jeff Ruiz, the Orioles’ batting practice pitcher and bullpen catcher, will throw to

him on Monday night in San Diego.

http://www.masnsports.com/orioles-buzz/2016/07/fifty-years-ago-the-average.html

Members of 1966 team look back on the Orioles’ first

championship season

By Brian Eller / MASNsports.com

July 8, 2016

Fifty years ago, the average cost of a new home was $23,300. Gas averaged around 32 cents per

gallon, a dozen eggs cost 60 cents and a gallon of milk was a steep 99 cents. Lyndon Johnson

was the president of the United States and, in Baltimore, the city was home to the world

champions of baseball.

It’s hard to believe it’s been five decades since the Orioles captured their inaugural

championship. The 1966 Orioles entered the World Series as heavy underdogs to the Los

Angeles Dodgers and their ferocious pitching staff, which featured all-time greats Sandy Koufax

and Don Drysdale. As fate would have it, the Orioles had a few good arms of their own, and they

were on display in the Fall Classic as the Orioles swept the Dodgers in four games to win the

team’s first ever World Series title.

“It was one of the loosest ballclubs that I ever played on,” former Orioles pitcher Eddie Fisher

said. “Nobody was uptight and we had no fear going into the World Series, (even) knowing we

were going to be facing two of the best pitchers in baseball.”

It was one of the greatest moments in Orioles history. Older fans who grew up watching the

Birds in the 1960s and ’70s always talk about how that team was the definition of greatness and

will always be remembered. Tonight, younger Orioles fans will get a chance to witness one of

the greatest baseball teams ever assembled, while those more seasoned fans will get a chance to

look back on their childhood idols.

Prior to tonight’s game against the Angels, the Orioles will honor the 1966 World Champions in

a special ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the team’s achievements.

The reunion will feature several players from the 1966 squad, including Jim Palmer, Brooks

Robinson, Dick Hall, Larry Haney, Davey Johnson, John Miller, Boog Powell, Russ Snyder,

Eddie Watt, Bill Hunter, Vic Roznovsky and Fisher. A pregame video will be played at 6 p.m.,

followed by an on-field ceremony to celebrate the legacy of the team. As a tribute, the current

Orioles will wear 1966 replica throwback uniforms featuring a patch celebrating the 50th

anniversary of the 1966 World Series victory.

For a number of the 1966 Orioles players, 50 years ago seemed like just yesterday. But as

members of the team met with the media Friday afternoon, they all seemed to share a common

theme on the memories of wining the championship, eloquently put by Powell.

“People will come up to me and say ‘thanks for the memories,’” Powell said. “And I always tell

them, ‘Thanks for remembering.’ “

http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-orioles/post/_/id/1072/latest-ubaldo-jimenez-clunker-makes-

it-official-orioles-need-rotation-help-and-stat

Latest Ubaldo Jimenez clunker makes it official: Orioles

need rotation help

By Eddie Matz / ESPN.com

July 9, 2016

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Orioles fans are a pretty forgiving bunch. So when they start booing

-- as they did after Ubaldo Jimenez was yanked in the second inning Friday -- it speaks volumes.

The translation? We might have seen the last of Jimenez in an Orioles uniform. At the very least,

we likely won’t be seeing him on the mound anytime soon. Not as a starter. Not after what

happened in the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels.

Five batters in, before the euphoria from a pregame ceremony honoring Baltimore’s 1966

championship team had even worn off, Jimenez had already allowed two hits, walked one,

thrown a wild pitch and staked the Halos to a 2-0 lead. The good news? There wasn’t any

booing. Not yet, anyway.

That changed in the second inning. The first round of jeers came when Jimenez issued a four-

pitch leadoff walk to Johnny Giavotella. Another chorus rained down after the O’s starter

surrendered a run-scoring single to Yunel Escobar. But the most boisterous boos came as

Jimenez walked off the mound after getting pulled one batter (and one single) later with just one

out in the second and his team trailing 4-1. The awful outing was a harsh dose of reality for

Orioles fans.

Heading into Friday, when 44,000-plus packed Camden Yards for the 50th-anniversary

celebration, Birds boosters had spent the past couple of weeks allowing themselves to believe

that perhaps Ubaldo had magically become U-better; even though the 32-year-old righty got lit

up by Seattle in his most recent outing, his two previous starts before that were passable. In fact,

the Orioles won both games. Even better, Jimenez picked up the W both times. (Spoiler alert:

Both wins came against the 2016 Padres, who are seldom, if ever, confused with the 1927

Yankees.)

But after Baltimore’s 9-5 loss to Los Angeles, it’d be hard for anyone in Charm City -- manager

Buck Showalter included -- to believe in Jimenez again. Here’s why (with an assist from ESPN

Stats & Information):

He lasted just 1⅓ innings. It’s the second time in the past month he has lasted 1⅓ innings or

fewer. Those two outings are his shortest starts in nearly five years.

He now sports a 7.38 ERA. Among pitchers who’ve worked at least 80 innings, that’s the highest

in the majors by almost a run and a half (Clay Buchholz, 5.91).

Friday marked the eighth time this season that Jimenez allowed more runs than the number of

innings he pitched. No other starter in baseball has done that more than five times.

By the time the smoke had cleared -- it was hard to tell if it was from Jimenez’s dumpster fire of

an outing or from fireworks night at Camden Yards -- Showalter sounded a whole lot like a man

who was running thin on patience. Or ideas. Or both.

“Not very good,” Showalter said of Jimenez while simultaneously doing his best Captain

Obvious impression. “We had tried to put him in the bullpen, see if we could work some things

out there. But necessity put him back in there, so we'll attack it after the break.”

Exactly how Showalter will solve the Jimenez dilemma remains to be seen. On the one hand, the

O’s are paying him $13 million this season and another $13.5 million next. So simply giving up

on him doesn’t make a whole lot of fiscal sense. On the flip side, the Birds’ rotation clearly isn’t

working as it’s presently constructed.

After Friday’s debacle, O’s starters now have a 5.23 ERA on the season, the second-highest in

the American League. Over the past two weeks, the rotation is averaging fewer than five innings

per start while posting a 7.03 ERA. In related news, their lead in the AL East has shrunk from a

season-high of 5½ games on June 29 to just one after Friday night.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that if Baltimore’s starters keep pitching the way they have

been lately, the Orioles are toast, no matter how many home runs their prolific hits. Just as it

doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the O’s need to add a starting pitcher prior to the Aug. 1

deadline. If there were any doubts about that, they were officially erased Friday. The question is,

what to do with Jimenez?

“If you go down to the bullpen, then you've got to be able to do the job those guys are doing,”

Showalter said. “We're a little challenged there, but we have been all year. Through it all we've

figured out a way to be better than the rest of the guys in our division so far. But we're not going

to look at it with blinders on.”

They can’t anymore. And based on the boos, neither can their fans.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/can-you-believe-its-been-50-years-1966-

world-series

Can You Believe It's Been 50 Years Since 1966 World Series?

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic

July 8, 2016

BALTIMORE—It’s been 50 years since the Orioles won their first World Series, and on Friday

night, the 1966 champions were honored at Oriole Park.

Many of the key players from the team were honored. There were big names: Brooks Robinson,

Jim Palmer and Boog Powell, and some lesser known ones, too. Twelve players and a coach

were introduced.

“It was a special time for all of us,” Palmer said on Friday.

“In ’66 we had the best team, that’s all,” Robinson said. “It was big. It was the dream come true

for me, and for these guys, too.”

Frank Robinson, who was not present, was considered the missing piece of a potential World

Series team. The Orioles beat the heavily favored Los Angeles Dodgers in four straight games.

“As soon as you saw Frank, you knew this was a team that could win,” pitcher John Miller said.

Miller, who was a native Baltimorean, is truly a lifelong Orioles fan. He was 12 years old when

the Orioles moved from St. Louis to Baltimore, and still lives in the area.

“I was lucky to be on that team,” Miller said.

An injury to Miller, who played parts of five seasons with the Orioles, opened the way for

Palmer to make the starting rotation.

Palmer won the second game of the 1966 World Series, becoming the youngest pitcher to throw

a shutout in the World Series.

He beat the great Sandy Koufax in his final game.

Koufax started the second game of the World Series instead of the first game because he was

observing Yom Kippur, longtime third base coach Billy Hunter remembered.

The 87-year-old Hunter said if the Orioles had faced Koufax in the first game instead of Don

Drysdale, the Series might have turned out differently.

In the four game sweep, the Orioles used just 13 of their 25 players and got three complete

games.

Some key members of the team have died: Paul Blair, Curt Blefary, Moe Drabowsky and Dave

McNally. Catcher Andy Etchebarren recently had back surgery and couldn't attend. Pitcher

Wally Bunker, who pitched a complete game six-hit shutout in Game 3, has health issues, too

and couldn’t be there, either.

Infielder Bob Johnson was in a nursing home recently for neurological issues, and he used the

reunion as an incentive.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to come out of the home,” Johnson said.

Davey Johnson was back, too. Johnson, who played six seasons for the Orioles, and later

managed them for two, thinks of himself as an Oriole even though he managed four other teams,

including the Nationals.

“I thought I might stay a little longer, but it didn’t pan out,” Johnson said of his time in

Baltimore.

Palmer, Powell and Robinson have all stayed in the area. Powell gets to interact with fans each

game when he sells his “Boog’s Barbecue” on Eutaw Street.

Of course, they received the biggest ovations when they were introduced to the crowd and threw

out first balls to Chris Davis, Manny Machado and Chris Tillman.

Palmer, Powell and Robinson all played in four World Series—winning in 1966 and 1970, but

losing in 1969 and 1971.

“You’ve got to win in this game. You can’t second best. We won a lot of games,” Robinson

said.

It’s been a long time for Robinson.

“Sometimes, honest to God, I don’t remember playing,” Robinson said.

“When I see Machado make a great play, I say, ‘man did I ever do that?’ I know I did, but I just

don’t think about it. It just goes by like that.”

As an Orioles broadcaster, Palmer knows that comparisons between his time and today are part

of the fun.

“I watch Manny, and he makes all the plays. What did Brooks do? He made all the plays,”

Palmer said.

For Powell, the memories are vivid.

“It’s like snapping your fingers. It seemed like it happened right now. It’s all still real,” Powell

said. “It was like living in fantasy land. After it went so fast, what do we do now?”

It was a great time. The Baltimore Colts were one of the best teams in the NFL, and people here

loved winners.

“You could go to any restaurant, any bar. You could go anywhere in town. You go to sit down,

somebody will buy you dinner. This is a great town for that,” Powell said.

At 79, Robinson knows this reunion is special.

“This will be the last time I’ll see a lot of these guys,” Robinson said.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/why-trumbo-says-home-run-derby-isnt-big-

deal-him

Why Trumbo Says Home Run Derby Isn't A Big Deal To

Him

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic

July 8, 2016

BALTIMORE—Mark Trumbo is seeded first in Monday’s Home Run Derby in San Diego. It’ll

be Trumbo’s second time in the contest. He finished third in 2012.

How important is it to Trumbo?

“Not very. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s not something I’m going to lose too much sleep over, I think.

I’m going to give the best effort I can. Hopefully it works out. If it doesn’t, it’s a fun event. It’s

for the fan enjoyment,” Trumbo said.

“It’s something I do already. These games are far more important than the Home Run Derby, so

I’ll keep my routine the same.”

Trumbo said he would probably take bullpen catcher Jett Ruiz to pitch to him.

“It can be extremely tiring. There’s no doubt about it. I don’t think there’s anyway around it,

either. I think maybe the first year I warmed up a tad too much. I did fine in the competition

itself,” Trumbo said. “It’s grueling. I think the biggest thing is trying to take down things a tick.

There’s no way around it. There’s a lot of people there and a lot of people watching, and you’ve

to control it as much as you can.”

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/wright-comes-back-orioles-some-bullpen-

length

Wright Comes Back To Orioles For Some Bullpen Length

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic

July 8, 2016

BALTIMORE—With three days to before the All-Star break, the Orioles recalled Mike Wright

from Triple-A Norfolk. Wright, who was optioned to the Tides on June 17 was 3-4 with a 6.12

ERA in 13 games.

With Norfolk, Wright was 1-0 with a 1.87 ERA in three starts.

Manager Buck Showalter gave some consideration to starting Wright for Friday night’s game,

but he opted for Ubaldo Jimenez instead.

“I started the year here. When I went down it was a little foreign, and I knew I didn’t like it. I

wanted to come back here,” Wright said.

Showalter said that because Mychal Givens’ wife could deliver their first child shortly, the

Orioles wanted an extra reliever, especially one who could pitch multiple innings.

NOTES: Darren O’Day, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, was

scheduled to throw on flat ground on Friday. … T.J. McFarland (left knee) will see Dr. James

Andrews on Monday for a second opinion.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/07/08/coleman-a-half-decade-later-and-still-so-sweet/

A Half Decade Later And Still So Sweet

By Jerry Coleman / CBS Baltimore

July 8, 2016

As the Orioles open a three-game home stand against the L.A. Angels, it’s ironic that LA’s other

club, the Dodgers, were the last team they just defeated. After all, it had been 50 years since they

beat the “Boys in Blue” in the 1966 World Series sweep that would deliver Baltimore the first of

three World Series titles.

Tonight, the Birds will reflect and honor the remaining members of that championship squad.

Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer & Boog Powell headline a group of at least a dozen former players

expected to attend.

Boog said the biggest message he gets from fans following the championship is, “Thanks for the

memories.”

Following the introduction of players, Palmer, Powell, and Robinson will throw out

simultaneous ceremonial first pitches. Brooks acknowledged with former teammates like Andy

Etchebarren and Wally Bunker not able to attend due to health reasons, “this could be our last

time together.” While Palmer joked there will be a 1970 reunion in 5 years.

During the game, the Orioles will wear 1966 replica throwback uniforms featuring a patch

celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1966 World Series triumph. Even a half century later

Powell says, “this town doesn’t forget. The party here in Baltimore was second to none. We had

a parade and then we had a party for two weeks.”

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/07/09/rotations-mess-fixes-arent-easy/

The rotation’s a mess and the fixes aren’t easy

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

July 9, 2016

Let’s get this straight. The Orioles are in first place in the American League East by one game

with two to play before the All Star Break.

And they are doing it with a rotation in tatters.

Right now, they have three starters: Chris Tillman, who is having a bounce-back year, and Kevin

Gausman (1-6, 4.15 ERA) and Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 6.10 ERA), who have been uneven at best.

Then pray for rain. Or a strike. Or some other calamity.

The team can’t keep winning if the starting pitching is like Friday’s when Ubaldo Jimenez

recorded four outs and gave up five runs.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn’t say it directly Friday, but Jimenez is out of the rotation.

He shouldn’t have been in it anyway, but the rotation lacked options.

And it still does.

Tyler Wilson, who has a 5.22 ERA, was demoted to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday – he’ll

probably be back up soon enough. Mike Wright was demoted earlier in June. He was called back

Friday – again, Showalter called it a necessity – pitched in relief of Jimenez and gave up four

runs (two earned) and was sent back to Norfolk after the game.

T.J. McFarland (knee) is on the disabled list at Norfolk and is seeking a second opinion Monday

from Dr. James Andrews

No other Tides starters – or Double-A Bowie Baysox starters – appear ready to step into the

Orioles’ rotation.

With Jimenez likely back in the bullpen, which is far from an ideal situation, the Orioles

technically will have four long relievers: Jimenez, Vance Worley, Odrisamer Despaigne and

Dylan Bundy.

Worley has made two starts for the Orioles this season. Despaigne started at Norfolk and has

previously started 34 games in the big leagues for the San Diego Padres.

Then there is Bundy, the 23-year-old, oft-injured top prospect who is pitching well in long relief.

He threw 56 pitches in his last outing, was used every fourth or fifth day in June and clearly is

being stretched out for a rotation stint at some point in the second half – perhaps sooner than

later.

Three months ago, rushing Bundy to the major league rotation after barely pitching in three years

seemed unthinkable. But now it would be surprising if he doesn’t start for the Orioles in the next

few weeks.

There just aren’t many other alternatives. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is going

to have to make a deal for at least one starting pitcher this month. But you wonder what he has to

give, and the quality of what will come back in return. The Orioles aren’t the only team looking

to trade for starting pitching.

Bottom line: This is a mess. The Orioles are still in first. They still have serious – and realistic —

playoff hopes, but they need to do something drastic about this rotation during the All Star

Break.

Everyone knows it. But it’s much easier said than done.

“Tyler Wilson gets some of the arm strength back and the command he had, and Yovani is going

to have a good post-All Star Break, hopefully, and we’re going to do some other things we’re

thinking about,” Showalter said. “We’ll keep searching for that. Through it all, we’ve figured out

a way to be better than the rest of the guys in our division so far. But we’re not going to look at it

with blinders on. We realize it’s a challenge.”

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/07/08/jimenez-dug-hole-deeper-one-2014/

Jimenez has dug a hole deeper than the one in 2014

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

July 8, 2016

Days before the All Star Break in 2014, Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez was placed on the

disabled list after rolling his ankle in a parking lot near his apartment.

He was 3-8 with a 4.52 ERA and was coming off an outing in which he allowed four runs and

picked up only 11 outs.

The good old days.

I kid.

But on Friday night, two days before the 2016 All Star Break, Jimenez gave up five runs while

recording only four outs. He is now 5-9 with a disastrous 7.38 ERA.

He probably doesn’t need a parking lot hole this time. Those 2016 numbers – with someone that

has a solid track record (a 4.18 career ERA in 11 seasons) – can easily make the case that

something is not right with Jimenez physically. Arm fatigue, soreness, whatever.

But Jimenez said after his nightmare outing Friday in the Orioles’ 9-5 loss to the Los Angeles

Angels that he is healthy.

“I’m good. I have no problem. I have nothing to complain (about),” Jimenez said.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked the same question about whether Jimenez’s

struggles could be linked to a physical issue.

“You look at everything, but (health) hasn’t been the case. He’s one of the healthiest guys we

have,” Showalter said. “I may go down there today or tomorrow and he might say something

different, but he feels good. That’s one thing he’s always brought is taking the ball every fifth

day and being a healthy pitcher.”

I’m not suggesting the Orioles should make up an injury – as convenient as that might be. But

Jimenez can’t start again for this team right now, no matter how bleak the other choices may

look. Sending him back to the bullpen isn’t a perfect fit either and he can’t be demoted to the

minors without his consent, which would make little sense for a veteran who could instead

choose free agency and still keep the guaranteed money from his contract.

“We had tried to put him in the bullpen, see if we could work some things out there,” Showalter

said. “But necessity put him back in there, so we’ll attack it after the break.”

Of course, many fans want to cut him and have the Orioles eat $20 million or so owed to him

through next year. Maybe it’s gotten that bad for management and ownership, and they’ll just cut

ties. Maybe it’s reached that point.

But there are a couple dangers there.

First, he’d pass through waivers, the Orioles would be on the hook for his salary and then he’d be

free to go somewhere else for the league minimum this season and in 2017. Given his track

record of being able to have excellent spurts when he figures out his mechanics, plenty of teams

would roll the dice on him. So the Orioles would have to be prepared for the possibility that

Jimenez could morph back into the Good Ubaldo for someone else on their dime.

The only thing worse for Orioles fans than watching Bad Ubaldo pitch is watching Good Ubaldo

pitch for another contender while being paid by the Orioles.

Secondly, if you haven’t noticed, the Orioles aren’t flush with starting pitchers at this moment.

Eating a major salary for one of them – no matter how bad he has been – doesn’t seem prudent if

you can find another solution to hide him for a bit.

And, lastly, the Orioles under owner Peter Angelos had never given a free-agent pitcher a deal

beyond three years before doling out the four-year, $50 million contract to Jimenez in 2014.

Angelos has always believed long-term deals to starting pitchers weren’t worth the risk. Think

that opinion will change any if the club has to eat $20 million for Jimenez?

There is no easy solution here – barring a sudden, out-of-the-blue injury.

That’s what happened in 2014.

But the hole that’s been dug by Jimenez this year is deeper than ever before.

“There’s no doubt about it, this is the toughest thing that I have had to face,” Jimenez said. “I’m

never going to put my head down. I know I let the team down and I didn’t do what I’m supposed

to do, helping the team. But it’s part of baseball. It’s part of baseball. I have to keep going, keep

working hard and hopefully find something that’s going to get me out of this thing.”

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/07/08/brooks-boog-palmer-reminisce-1966-title/

Brooks, Boog and Palmer reminisce about the 1966 title

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

July 8, 2016

The Orioles will host their 50th anniversary celebration of the 1966 World Series team tonight at

Camden Yards.

This afternoon several members of that team were on hand for press conferences at the

warehouse. They talked about beating the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers in four games after being

the underdog, what that season was like and how that club started a run of four Orioles’ World

Series appearances in six years.

Here are some quotes from the conference that featured Boog Powell and Hall of Famers Jim

Palmer and Brooks Robinson:

Powell on what was the coolest thing said to him so far today: “Thanks for the memories. (And I

said), ‘Thanks for remembering.”

Robinson answered the same question: “Thanks for being here,’ mainly. I saw a lot of people I

haven’t seen for some years. That was nice.”

Palmer on the experience of the 1966 World Series: “It’s pretty surreal to go into a World Series

for the first time. I don’t care if you are young or old or older. And four games and you walk out

(with a title), especially the way the games were.”

Powell on the last out of Game 4: “It was like, ‘When is this coming to an end? Is our bubble

going to burst now?’ And then the fly ball goes to Paulie (Blair) and it’s all over.”

Robinson on 20-year-old Palmer’s victory against Sandy Koufax in Game 2 of the World Series:

“I didn’t think much about it really. We thought about Koufax and what a great pitcher he was

…. (But) Palmer just pitched like Palmer pitched.”

Robinson on facing Koufax in the Hall-of-Fame lefty’s last start: “I don’t think hitting off of

Koufax — that wasn’t like Nolan Ryan. When I hit off Nolan, he scared the hell out of me,

because he didn’t know where it was going all the time. Koufax, you knew it was going to be

right on the corners and he just gets it there a little faster than anyone else and you’ve just got to

be ready.”

Palmer on facing Koufax: “I was born in New York, but I went to the Coliseum, I went to

Dodger Stadium, it was Sandy Koufax. … I just didn’t want to really embarrass myself for the

club.”

Palmer on pitching on the biggest of all stages: “I don’t think anything changes. I think that’s the

great thing. If you’re prepared, you just go out and compete. To me that’s the great thing about

the game. We were all good athletes, we played other sports. You played with the big boys when

you grew up. That was a big boy moment when you’re pitching against Koufax.”

Palmer on Moe Drabowsky’s outstanding relief performance in Game 1 (one hit and 11

strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings): “Moe set the tone. Mow came in and Moe could pitch… Everybody

talks about the Frank Robinson trade. We got Moe for $25,000. … I don’t think anybody when

Moe came in felt like we weren’t going to get as good of a performance as we did. The Orioles

were real good at adding players.”

Robinson on the legacy of those four World Series teams: “The disappointing thing was losing

two of them, which we were favored to win. If we would have won those two, I mean our group

would have gone down as one of the greatest ever, that’s the way I feel. … But you’ve got to win

in this game, you can’t be second best and we didn’t do it (all four times).

Robinson on if it seems like 50 years ago: “Sometimes, honest to God, I don’t remember even

playing.”

Palmer interrupted Robinson: “By the way, you were pretty good.”

More Robinson, a 16-time Gold Glover: “I see Machado make a great play, and I said, ‘Man did

I ever do that?’ I know I did, but I just don’t think about it. It just goes by like that.”