Orioles....part 2?

[vansmack]

That was an interesting strike zone last night, to say the least.

This.  Kudos to Norris for taking advantage of it.  Anaheim never adjusted (on the mound or at the plate).

Those seats right behind the plate can't be very good can they?  Sajak's head was practically even with field level.  Not the best vantage point I wouldn't think.

That Scott Boras' box.  It pains me to have to look at his face all the time....

[James Ford]

Is your device inadvertently placing unnecessary apostrophes? Or is that your new thing, like walkie's commas? 

[vansmack]

Is your device inadvertently placing unnecessary apostrophes? Or is that your new thing, like walkie's commas? 

Haha, yes, I swyped that on the way in.  Then edited when I got to the office to add the photo and paid no attention to the writing.

[vansmack]

Impressive.  Anaheim hasn't lost 2 in a row in over a month and hasn't lost a series at home since the beginning of May.

Two guys who have enjoyed a lot of success against the Halo's continued that.  Miguel should be a little more considerate of the team that gave him a chance back in the day.... 

[shemptiness]

Impressive.  Anaheim hasn't lost 2 in a row in over a month and hasn't lost a series at home since the beginning of May.

Two guys who have enjoyed a lot of success against the Halo's continued that.  Miguel should be a little more considerate of the team that gave him a chance back in the day.... 

He's an LA guy, so maybe he feels comfortable out there.  Sure seems to do well against the Angels.  And Tillman is from Anaheim, so......   Just sayin'.  Will be a difficult matchup vs. Weaver though.

Oh, and what was that thing about HR Derby participation and swing mechanics?

[vansmack]

He's an LA guy, so maybe he feels comfortable out there.  Sure seems to do well against the Angels.  And Tillman is from Anaheim, so......   Just sayin'.  Will be a difficult matchup vs. Weaver though.

I'm just hoping Weaver's back holds up.

Oh, and what was that thing about HR Derby participation and swing mechanics?

Yeah, I've got no idea what that's about.  None at all.

[vansmack]

I can't tell you how far I threw my hat when Ianetta got picked off with 2 on,  2 out and Trout in the batters box,  but I can assure you I had to go down 5 floors to retrieve it.

Mistakes like that,  from a professional athlete,  are simply inexcusable.

[vansmack]

I have a lot of questions about how Buck handled that eighth inning,  but the Angels went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position and won a baseball game today, so Hooray for my team!

[vansmack]

Music to my ears in Anaheim....

"Jim Johnson warming up in the A's bullpen. "

This strange triangle of closers hasn't worked out for any team,  but at least the O's saved a little money,  I suppose.

Johnson was designated for assignment by the A's.  If memory serves, they've got 10 days to trade him or give him his out right release.

[shemptiness]

I have a lot of questions about how Buck handled that eighth inning,  but the Angels went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position and won a baseball game today, so Hooray for my team!

I know he wasn't going to use Britton.  Probably didn't want to have Matusz start the inning, then not have him later.  Ironic that after all the opportunities the Angels had they get the run on a bases loaded walk. 

[vansmack]

I know he wasn't going to use Britton.  Probably didn't want to have Matusz start the inning, then not have him later.  Ironic that after all the opportunities the Angels had they get the run on a bases loaded walk. 

What was confusing to me was the intentional pass to a rookie who was just brought up (lefty Efren Navarro) to instead face righty Ianetta with two on, two outs. 

I can only assume that he felt Hunter vs Ianetta was a better option than bringing in Matusz to face Navarro, which is dumbfounding given Ianetta's OBP - nearly .120 higher than his AVG.  Only Trout has more walks on the team than Ianetta.

So what he ended up with was Matusz vs Calhoun, which, given Calhoun's numbers in the last 45 days, was easily the worst of all three scenarios.

In the end Buck blamed the strike zone (even tough FoxTrak showed all of the calls correct, and Buck wasn't exactly thanking the strike zone on Monday....) when it really came down to either you trust Matusz or you don't, and it was clear that Buck doesn't, and waiting two batters to bring him in with the bases loaded rather than earlier with first base open so he can maybe get the rookie to swing at some bad pitches was all on Buck. 

[shemptiness]

One out of three might get it done in the AL East,  but not in the AL West.  You need to win 2 out of 3 just to keep up...

6-4 West Coast trip when all is said and done.  The plane ride back should be a happy one.   

O's and Dodgers are the only two teams who don't have a losing road trip this year.

The Orioles are 17-10 against the AL West this season.

[stevewizzle]

@jonmorosi: Orioles among the teams that have contacted Red Sox on Jon Lester, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me. @FOXSports1

 https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/493870153361530880

[K8teebug]

Going tomorrow and Saturday.  Orioles have been freaking great about switching our tickets to handicapped accessible seats.  Granted, we have a season ticket plan, but it's nice. 

[vansmack]

Going tomorrow

Jealous.