Tides notes: : The Tides (30-14) have won 17 of their last 21 games and lead the International League South. ... Right-hander Chris Tillman left Saturday's start after two innings with a tight groin. He is tentatively scheduled to make his next start. Tillman, the organization's top pitching prospect, is 5-0 with a 2.13 ERA. The Tides are 8-0 when he starts. ... Right-hander David Hernandez has struck out 60 and walked 13 in 43 1/3 innings pitched. ... Right-hander Jason Berken is 2-0 with a 1.05 ERA in five Tides' starts, and made his major league debut Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. ... Left-hander Chris Waters is 5-2 with a 4.53 ERA overall, but 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his last three starts. ... Infielder Oscar Salazar, the International League hits leader, is batting .380 while pacing the club with 35 RBIs ... The Tides are 12-2 since outfielder Joey Gathright joined the club. He has scored 13 runs in those 14 games.
His Time Is Now
Wieters Set To Make Major League Debut Friday Vs. Tigers
Wieters buzz
The Orioles wait for top prospect Matt Wieters ends Friday. And those who know him are expecting the 23-year-old to fit in well in the major leagues.
"He is very good. He is really polished," said Orioles left-hander Rich Hill, who pitched to Wieters this month at Triple-A Norfolk. "He calls a great game back there; he is a nice big target to throw to."
Hill was impressed as much with Wieters' demeanor as he was with his ability.
"If he has a bad at-bat it doesn't affect his next at-bat," Hill said. "You might see a pitch where he looks bad and strikes out, and in his very next at-bat against the same pitcher he hits a double. He is very disciplined at the plate, he's very disciplined behind the plate and he is very disciplined off the field. ... It seems to me he's got a very good head on his shoulders."
Orioles manager Trembley agrees, saying he has no concerns about Wieters being overwhelmed by the inevitable attention he will get Friday.
"Never, I think that is probably the least of my concerns with him," Trembley said. "I think he has already exhibited his ability not to get caught up in all of that. He won't get caught up in all of that."
- Dan Connolly
Matt Wieters
Height: 6-5 Weight: 230
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
Age: 23
Drafted: Fifth overall in 2007
Minor league statistics
Year G Avg. R HR RBI
*2008 130 .355 89 27 91
#2009 38 .285 24 5 26
* Single-A Frederick, Double-A Bowie
# Triple-A Norfolk
