NEWS
By Susan Reimer | August 29, 2009
The number of bats that have tested positive for rabies in Baltimore has increased this summer, according to city officials, who are also seeing a rise in complaints about bats from homeowners. "This time last year, we had three positives," said Bob Anderson, director of the city's Bureau of Animal Control. "So far this year, we have five and we have another 12 waiting for testing. That could make six. "I don't want to alarm people, but six is a big leap." There have been more than 100 calls to animal control so far this summer, and 60 bats have been captured and tested for rabies, he said.
NEWS
By Dan Connolly | August 16, 2009
Orioles left fielder Felix Pie's cleats are going to Cooperstown. And he hopes to visit them this offseason as part of the Baseball Hall of Fame's exhibit on players hitting for the cycle. "I'm excited, happy. I never knew that anything was going to happen in my life like that," said Pie, who has not stepped foot in the Hall of Fame. "I'll go check it out this year." On Friday night, Pie became the fourth player in franchise history - and the seventh major leaguer this season - to hit for the cycle, joining teammate Aubrey Huff and Orioles Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken Jr. Pie, who has played sparingly this season, doubled in the first, homered in the third and singled and tripled in the seventh.
NEWS
By Dan Connolly | August 5, 2009
DETROIT - - For his first time as a baseball player, professional or otherwise, Adam Jones looked at the lineup card Tuesday and saw his name listed fourth. "I said: 'Oh, sweet. Hitting fourth for the first time,' " Jones said. Orioles manager Dave Trembley was hoping for a specific reaction. "When he came in today and he saw his name in the fourth spot, I [wanted] him to say, 'Darn, I know I can do this.' " Trembley said. "But I want him to know that I know that." Trembley said his main reason for the shake-up was to separate left-handed hitters Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff against lefty Jarrod Washburn.
NEWS
By Dan Connolly | July 12, 2009
Robert Andino was back in the Orioles' lineup Saturday, this time as a fill-in starter at shortstop and not the regular he had been for the past five weeks. That's fine with the 25-year-old, because he knew the situation when the Orioles traded Hayden Penn to the Florida Marlins for him this spring. He came in as Cesar Izturis' backup, and that's his role again now that the veteran has returned from a June 5 appendectomy. "Honestly, to have the opportunity I had, I am just happy to be here," Andino said.
NEWS
By Dan Connolly | June 10, 2009
For the third consecutive game, Orioles manager Dave Trembley shuffled the top of his lineup, swapping No. 2 hitter Adam Jones with No. 3 hitter Nick Markakis. With left-hander Jason Vargas on the mound for the Seattle Mariners, Trembley said he wanted to break up his left-handed and right-handed hitters and try something different against a lefty. Heading into Tuesday, the Orioles were batting .259 against left-handers, 10th of 14 teams in the American League. "We have not hit very well against left-handed pitching.
NEWS
By a Baltimore Sun staff writer | May 7, 2009
Eligible to be activated from the disabled list Wednesday, Orioles outfielder Ryan Freel agreed to extend his rehabilitation assignment two more days to get some more at-bats. Freel, who was put on the disabled list after he was hit in the head by an errant pickoff throw from the Boston Red Sox's Justin Masterson, started the assignment Friday for Double-A Bowie. He has managed to play in three games, going 1-for-9 with two RBIs, because the Baysox were rained out Sunday through Tuesday.
NEWS
By Dan Connolly | May 1, 2009
The Orioles acquired the trio this offseason for vastly different reasons. They wanted shortstop Cesar Izturis for his glove, catcher Gregg Zaun for his leadership and left fielder Felix Pie for his all-around potential. They weren't pursued for what they would do offensively in 2009. Any offensive boost provided would be considered a bonus. A month into the season, the regular bottom three in the Orioles' lineup has produced the worst combined offensive statistics for similar batters in the majors.
NEWS
By Dan Connolly | April 29, 2009
Ryan Freel's seemingly ill-fated Orioles career took another hit when he unhappily returned to Baltimore from the Eastern Shore after club doctors refused to clear him for a rehabilitation assignment at Single-A Delmarva. Freel, who was hit in the head with a pickoff attempt against the Boston Red Sox on April 20 and was placed on the 15-day disabled list against his wishes with a nonconcussed head injury, was supposed to play at least three games with the Shorebirds. But when he arrived, he was directed to take an impact test, a cognitive memory and concentration exam often given in post-concussion cases.
NEWS
By Dan Connolly | April 27, 2009
In an organization that has been burned by rushing prospects, the case of outfielder Nolan Reimold is a study in patience. For him and for the Orioles. Drafted out of Bowling Green in the second round in 2005, Reimold has progressed level by level. Wherever he has been, the 6-foot-4 right-handed swinger has garnered attention with his raw and consistent power. Now 25, Reimold is in his first month at Triple-A, and he's again making noise with his bat. Last week, he was named International League Batter of the Week after going 13-for-28 with a homer, nine RBIs and a .515 on-base percentage.
NEWS
By Dan Connolly | April 24, 2009
Orioles infielder Ty Wigginton isn't worried. He has been in this situation plenty of times before. In his first 50 at-bats of 2009, Wigginton had just 11 hits, all singles, and was batting .220 heading into Thursday. "Am I concerned about the slow start? Not in the least bit," said Wigginton, who has been starting at third base with Melvin Mora on the disabled list. "I know if I get my [at-bats] by the end of the year, the numbers will be there." How slow of a starter is Wigginton? Of the 199 active major leaguers who have had at least 300 at-bats in March/April, Wigginton's .237 average is 182nd.