25 May 2011

Game Wrap and Morning Links: May 25, 2011

Baltimore 5, Kansas City 3
Box Score / Play-By-Play / AP Recap

Color me surprised.  Joakim Soria is one of the best closers in the game.  The Royals, for all their faults, were 14-1 in games in which they led after eight innings.  None of that matter when Adam Jones dropped a 0-2 pitch 409 feet and into the stands.  That shocking moment cap a night that was largely an underwhelming performance.  The Orioles' best pitcher had one of his worst games of the year and somehow he still eeked out a quality start from it.  The hitters were unable to do much damage to an erratic Danny Duffy.  It was not exactly the amazing matchup between heralded pitching prospects that I was expecting.  It was a comforting return for Alfredo Simon, who managed to pitch effectively and notch his first win.  Regardless, it ended quite well and that is all we can ask for.

Stat of the game

1-21

The Orioles record this season in games where they trail after eight innings.

Orioles Game ball

Adam Jones (2-5, 2B (9), HR (6))

MiLB game balls

Norfolk (Box) - Josh Bell, 3B (3-5, HR (7))
Bowie (Box) - LJ Hoes, RF (3-4)
Frederick (Box) - Miguel Abreu, CF (2-4, 2B (4))
Delmarva (NA) - No Games Scheduled

Three Morning Links

The team does not expect Brian Roberts to be able to play for at least three weeks.  He has been suffering concussion-like symptoms and has seen specialists.  He gave himself a concussion last year when he hit himself with a bat, but it is also likely he has suffered minor ones in collisions at second base.

MASN's Steve Melewski reports that Kipp Schutz has been promoted from Delmarva to Frederick.  He has batted near .400 for the Shorebirds.  He was part of the lackluster 2009 draft class that is slowly beginning to shimmer.

The Orioles old spring training facilities will likely be turned into a water park now.

Up Next

Jake Arrieta (121 ERA-, 110 FIP-, 3.95 xFIP) will try to keep things rolling as he faces off against the Royals Luke Hochevar (111 ERA-, 135 FIP-, 4.04 xFIP).

No comments: