Game Wrap and Morning Links: May 27, 2011

Baltimore 6, Kansas City 5
Box Score / Play-By-Play / AP Recap

The Orioles swept the Royals and now find themselves at 24-24.  They have now escaped last place in the AL East, giving that honor to the 24-26 Toronto Blue Jays.  They are now three games off of first in a very tight division.  One thing that sets this team apart from the rest is run differential.  The Yankees (+51), Red Sox (+31), Rays (+21), and Jays (+5) all have positive run differentials.  The Orioles sit at -31 runs.  This is not a good sign for the future success of the team.  However, there are things to be delighted about today.  For one, Nolan Reimold finding himself for a game.

Stat of the game


1.324

Reimold's game wOBA.

Orioles Game ball

Nolan Reimold (4-4, 2B (1), 2 HR (3), BB)

MiLB game balls

Norfolk (Box) - Chris Jakubausus, SP (7 IP, 6H, 1 RA, 1 HR, 6 K, 1 BB)
Bowie (Box) - Steve Johnson, SP (6 IP, 5 H, 1 RA, 1 HR, 7 K)
Frederick (NA) - No gam
Delmarva (Box) - Jonathan Schoop, SS (1-3, HR (6), BB)

Three Morning Links

A government committee in Frederick recommended the Frederick Keys' proposal to stay at Harry Grove Stadium.  The city had been leveraging for a more expensive lease.  Another interesting item is that as I suggested a few months back, Kinston (who loses the Indians Hi A affiliate this year) has been eager to see the outcome of this process.  They would look to court the Orioles if anything fell through.

Austin Urban, a 27th round pick for the Orioles last year, is in the Junior College World Series.  It is widely expected that he will be drafted much higher this year.

Dixon Anderson is looking on Saturday to start for 23rd ranked Cal.  He was the Orioles' 6th round selection last year.  This is what we wrote about him last year.

Up Next

Baltimore starts its West Coast swing against the As.  Chris Tillman (126 ERA-, 86 FIP-, 4.61 xFIP) will try to keep the fire going against Gio Gonzalez (55 ERA-, 84 FIP-, 3.33 xFIP).  Tillman's flyball tendencies should be not as devastating at the Oakland Coliseum as it severely dampens home runs.