I hope you’re feeling warmer already because today the Orioles took the field for the first Spring Training game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Sarasota, Florida.
It was homerun derby for the O’s. They ended up with six, but here’s how the game played out.
Baltimore took an early 1-0 lead in the third when Josh Bell drove a solo homer over the right-center field fence off Matt Garza. It’s fitting that the prospect got the Orioles first run of the spring with such a shot. Andy MacPhail was in the radio booth with Joe Angel and Fred Manfra and his excitement for Bell’s at bat was heard over the airwaves. Bell hit another homer in the sixth inning, there was no question about his second one.
In the fourth inning the Orioles increased their lead to 3-0 after Nick Markakis led off with a double, followed by a Miguel Tejada single. After a Matt Wieters‘ fielder’s choice, Luke Scott drove in Tejada and Josh Bell got his second RBI on a sacrifice fly.
Cla Meredith recorded a one, two, three inning when he retired three straight on ground ball outs. Then in the sixth David Hernandez sat three down in a row as well, but he gave up a solo homer in the seventh.
The Rays put one on the board in the fifth inning when Dennis Sarfate gave up two hits and a walk.
Then the airhorn sounded again in the fifth inning when Nick Markakis hit a solo homerun to center field giving the Orioles a 4-1 lead.
Rhyne Hughes got the Orioles third homerun of the day in the sixth inning, giving Baltimore a 5-1 lead, he hit another one in the seventh to secure an 11-2 lead.
Baltimore finished the day with 12 runs scored, topping the Rays 12-2. Their next scheduled broadcast is March 5th at 7 PM against the Pirates.
Hey, I don't care if it's tiddly winks, this team has to develop a winning attitude. I'd rather them jump out of the gates and win in a wind blown effort than go out and lose. Also, it sure is nice for the club to finally have a spring home.
How right you are…winning no matter the elements is good. Love to see Bell come up BIG just in case Miggy fails. Admittedly I had to Goggle Hughes- a throw in guy for Zaun, but he put up some decent AAA numbers and has some size. All in all, a nice start. Lets see what tomorrow brings.
No radio coverage tomorrow. It was awesome listening today.
And the clowns have exited the 1970 VW Beetle! Its a spring training game and you guys are making like its the World Series. Can't wait for all the Josh Bell/Babe Ruth comparisons from you Oriole fools…
This Willo bozo is hoping a career minor leaguer comes up big incase the 36 year old, on the downside of his career, never played 3rd in his life but is being converted to a 3rd sacker, Tejada fails. You can't make this stuff up folks. I've never laughed at comedians as much as I do with these orange laxative drinking people.
Here's a good quote from Willo's reply. "He put up some decent AAA numbers and has some size". So did/was Jim Traber, Walter Young, Sam Horn, Larry Bigbie, Darnell McDonald…
This just in, all you O's fans, you know the one's who buy into the over-hyped minor leaguers of the O's…
Baseball America listed the top 100 Minor Leaguers in baseball and guess what? Your great Oriole minor leaguers only amounted to having 4, count them 4, players listed! Only 1 player in the Top 10, 2 players in the Top 50 and the last one is ranked #99 just making the list!
Matusz #5
Bell #37
Britton #63
Arrieta #99
What gets me is not that the O's only have 4 because with how the fans talk I would have guessed at least 9… But the intriguing aspect is that the Red Sox, the team that signs big name good players, has the same amount (4) as the O's! So does garbage team Royals! The Devil Rays have 7!
Hey Zach, there's you "major publications" listing of the minor leaguers and its not looking too good…
Just 1 in the top 36! And you know what? All those players were purchased from other teams! No homegrown player!
Case Amundo Closed!!!
I'm sure if Bell went 0 for 4 Ravens2488 would be all over him.
I love Raven2488 coming strong but at least be correct when you do. 3 of the 4 in the top 100 are home grown. And having 4 in the top 100 is above average, which puts them int he top half of the league (top 10 according to some "major publications") as far as ranking the farm system. And it looks even better when you consider that Wieters and Tillman were on that list last year.
Pilson BURN!
Rave,
You must be one of the reasons Cardinal Gibbons is closing down. Only 10 people can be in the top ten and we have one. So that means at least 21 other teams WON'T have a guy in the top 10. Are you the product of no child left behind?
Nails BURN!
Nails,
2488 went to Brooklyn Park, a school so bad that it doesn't even exist anymore.
Also, when he points out that Boston, NY, and Tampa have as many (or more in Tampa's case) top prospects as the Orioles do, he seems to point at this as a negative?!?!
2488 drinks Orioles Hater Aid.
Had the Orioles LOST 12-2 yesterday and given up 6 homers, he would be all over them.
Being in the Top 10 in BA's list is nothing to sneeze at, nor is it a guarantee of future success, but it is marked improvement from where they were just a few years ago.
I went in on the 13 ticket deal on Sunday so I'll take Ravens2488 out for a game or two this season, shove a couple dogs down his pie hole, sing "Take me out to the Ballgame", and have a great day.
I can't relate with you guys on this whole 12 year things because I didn't grow up in this area, actually I grew up in the cow pastures without MLB so I'm just glad to have a team to root for, go to some games and enjoy the sport. I want them to compete at this point, hovering around .500 would be nice, but they have to show improvement or they will lose those of you that are hanging on hoping for a comeback. I understand everyones angst, I just don't share it.
I'm in a wait and see mode, they have made some decent moves the last couple years but the time to pay dividends on those move needs to happen sooner rather than later. Here's hoping for sooner.
Yup, I'm thinking sooner Pole. Even the spring is looking good. Two homers by Josh Bell yesterday!
Pole,
You grew up in cow pastures with no MLB? Are you from Pasadena, Glen Burnie or Iowa? Don't take 2488 to any games, you should take take a guy like me.
Pilson, my facts are off by 1… You are off by 3! You are clueless… And Zach, nice "Burn" comeback, Its 2010 not 1990 so get better comebacks…
For Pilson who is clueless..
Matusz – Received from SEATTLE for Bedard
Bell – Received from DODGERS
Britton – Received from YANKEES for Wright
Arrieta – HOMEGROWN
And you write for this great site (which it is as I am not being funny)? You better get your facts correct before you write because your articles are going to be incorrect.
As the Great Zach would say "BURN"
9InchTongue – And you must have grown up in a small midwest town running errands for the local High School team while being tagged with the moniker "Radio".
Ravens2488,
You do a good job burying yourself. Matusz was the Orioles 1st round draft pick in 2008 and Britton was a 3rd rounder in 2006. You are thinking of Chris Britton who the Orioles traded TO the Yankees for Jaret Wright and Tillman was acquired from Seattle.
I'll accept your silence on the matter as an apology.
9inchtongue…thanks for the compliment. Are you female or have we dated before?
Only my close friends call me Radio.
At least I use facts with my bluster………
Yikes.
The Great Pilson writes "And it looks even better when you consider that Wieters and Tillman were on that list last year"…
True, true, the O's had 4, same as this year, dropped Wieters & Tillman, picked up Bell & Britton, two players that were picked up from other teams, not homegrown…
Infact Arrieta DROPPED from #67 to #99! 32 freaking spots! I will give that Matusz moved up 20 spots from #25 to #5…
My work here is done, its like giving alcohol to a drunk, its too easy….
Pilson, you been great, go back to licking the windows…
Yikes is right…
I've been dealing with 2488 for years!
Newsflash:
Oriloes talk put on hold…
Ravens trade for Boldin.
I think 2488 has bi poplar disorder- no matter, this exchange is better than any Office episode. Ravens apper set at WR- Stallworth, Boldin and bring back Clayton. Let concentrate on a TE in the draft. Go Ravens and take the 2488 with you.
I hope they don't go TE in first round. Gotta sure up the secondary first Was hoping they pick up Samari's brutha, Antrel. Dansby would not be abad pick up either. Pass defense was like atrocious.
Those BSR guys slow on the Ravenns news. Maybe Will-o and I should become reporters.
Blame my daughters ballet class for our tardiness. We have a post up about Boldin now. Give us your thoughts there.
Pilson – I do owe you an apology on Britton, I did have the wrong one… However, Matusz was drafted by the Angels in the 4th round of the 2005 MLB June Amateur Draft…
I leave with my head held low and Radio's woman by my side…
I appreciate the apology. I hate to gie it to you again, but Matusz never signed with the Angels when he was drafted out o high school in '05. He went on to play 3 years of college ball at the U of San Diego and was drafted again by the Orioles in the first round of the '08 draft. This time he did sign with the team that drafted him This happens a lot with the baseball draft. I am 100% sure the Matusz is a home grown O's prospect.
Not trying to bust your chops, just want to set the record straight. And I do appreciate the lively give and take.
Bust his chops Pilsner.
Leave Mrs Garrett out of this…
Actually I knew Matusz didn't sign with the Angels but I was trying to save face, unlike Radio (9inchnails) who couldn't save his face from that ax incident a few years ago…
You can bust my chops because I wouldn't ease up if it was me…
Radio, do they still give you free helmets on the short bus over there? I remember you saying that they still make you put the seat belt on when your on the short bus…