Tuesday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are giving us plenty to talk about - Camden Chat

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

What an Orioles season this has been so far, huh?

I must say, I really didn’t expect the O’s to be so interesting already. The general consensus was that 2019 was basically going to be a placeholder season, with the club destined to rack up another 100+ loss season with a threadbare roster. The Orioles’ decision to send several of their more promising prospects to the minors to start the year seemed to confirm the belief that the club was just killing time until better days could arrive.

And the season may well play out that way. It’s only been four games. But what a four games they’ve been. After their nondescript Opening Day loss, the Orioles have showed surprising life, squeaking out three consecutive nail-biter wins against AL East foes on the road, all of which have ended with an O’s reliever striking out a batter who represented the winning run. Alex Church recapped their latest heart-stopper, a 6-5 victory over the Blue Jays.

The story line that everyone is still talking about, of course, is Brandon Hyde’s decision to pull David Hess with one out in the seventh while Hess was throwing a no-hitter.

Hess, at the time, had allowed just one baserunner — a fourth-inning walk — and had racked up a career-high eight strikeouts. His pitch count was 82. The Orioles held a 6-0 lead. Hyde’s decision faced plenty of criticism in the moment, especially when he replaced Hess with the Orioles’ worst reliever, Pedro Araujo, who promptly allowed a walk and a two-run homer. The Blue Jays ultimately scored five runs off the O’s bullpen and left the tying run at third base in the ninth.

Hyde said he wanted to protect Hess’s arm after he had thrown 42 pitches in relief four days earlier. Hess likely wouldn’t have been able to stay in for the entire game anyway. Either way, it was a heck of a decision for a rookie manager to face.

What say you, Camden Chatters?

Poll

Would you have pulled Hess when Brandon Hyde did?

• 56%

  Yes! There’s no need to take any chances with his arm.

  (157 votes)
• 43%

  No! The guy had a no-hitter going, let him keep pitching.

  (120 votes)

277 votes total Vote Now

Links

Orioles’ David Hess pulled in seventh inning with no-hit bid intact in 6-5 win over Blue Jays - Baltimore Sun
Brandon Hyde explains the reasoning behind his move, and David Hess reacts like a true professional.

Orioles’ revamped roster is a sign of many more changes to come - BaltimoreBaseball.com
If you hadn’t noticed, the Orioles’ opening roster this year looks way different from last year. Let’s see what this handsome writer has to say about that!

For Orioles’ John Means, a lot of work went into the changeup that tore through the Yankees - Baltimore Sun
Analytics are already paying huge dividends for John Means, who has improved his changeup with the help of new minor league pitching coordinator Chris Holt. Means was so nasty on Sunday that he sent Giancarlo Stanton to the injured list after an awkward swing.

The 30: In the first power rankings of the MLB season, the Phillies are on top of the world – The Athletic
The Orioles’ hot start hasn’t helped them move out of last place in Jonah Keri’s team rankings. Next you’re going to tell me that it’s a small sample size or something.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have four Orioles birthday buddies, three of whom are no longer with us: lefty Art Ceccarelli (b. 1930, d. 2012); righty Gordon Jones (b. 1930, d. 1994); and infielder Bobby Avila (b. 1924, d. 2004). Your one living O’s birthday buddy is 1996-97 outfielder Pete Incaviglia, who turns 55 today.

On this day in 1976, the Orioles acquired future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson from the A’s in a blockbuster trade. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for Jackson in Baltimore. He started the season late because of a contract holdout, and he was unpopular in the clubhouse once he joined the team. Jackson bolted in free agency after the season and joined the Yankees, where he had his most memorable years.

And on this day in 2001, the Orioles beat the Red Sox in a walkoff on Opening Day, with Brady Anderson singling home the winning run in the 11th.

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https://www.camdenchat.com/2019/4/2/18291124/orioles-news-links

2019-04-02 11:00:00Z
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Mattingly calls on MLB to look into calls from loss - ESPN

3:15 AM ET

• ESPN News Services

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly has called on MLB to look into several calls by the umpires in Monday night's 7-3 loss to the visiting New York Mets.

He was especially upset that plate umpire Sam Holbrook ruled Juan Lagares was hit by a two-strike pitch while trying to bunt, which sparked the Mets' ninth-inning rally.

"I'm not supposed to complain about calls, but the league needs to look at it," Mattingly said. "I don't understand a lot of it tonight. I understand the Marlins are not supposed to be good this year; I guess it's OK to pile on.

• Rookie slugger Pete Alonso hit his first major league homer, a three-run shot to cap a four-run ninth inning, and the New York Mets overcame 16 strikeouts by their hitters to rally past the Miami Marlins 7-3 Monday night.

"It's got to be better than that."

Holbrook said Lagares didn't offer at the pitch, and the ruling was upheld by a replay review.

"That was a shaky call," Mattingly said. "Sam said he was trying to get out of the way. But he never pulled the bat back in any way, shape or form."

Said Mets manager Mickey Callaway: "I saw a guy trying to get out of the way of a fastball that was going to hit him in the face."

Mattingly also complained that Holbrook missed two pitches by the Marlins that should have been strike three, calls that led to a Mets run.

Mattingly's postgame feelings might have been different had the Marlins converted a great opportunity in the ninth inning. Miami loaded the bases with none out against closer Edwin Diaz, who then struck out the next three batters to end the game.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26420792/mattingly-calls-mlb-look-calls-loss

2019-04-02 09:16:19Z
52780256990000

Mattingly calls on MLB to look into calls from loss - ESPN

2:44 AM ET

• ESPN News Services

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly has called on MLB to look into several calls by the umpires in Monday night's 7-3 loss to the visiting New York Mets.

He was especially upset that plate umpire Sam Holbrook ruled Juan Lagares was hit by a two-strike pitch while trying to bunt, which sparked the Mets' ninth-inning rally.

"I'm not supposed to complain about calls, but the league needs to look at it," Mattingly said. "I don't understand a lot of it tonight. I understand the Marlins are not supposed to be good this year; I guess it's OK to pile on.

"It's got to be better than that."

• Rookie slugger Pete Alonso hit his first major league homer, a three-run shot to cap a four-run ninth inning, and the New York Mets overcame 16 strikeouts by their hitters to rally past the Miami Marlins 7-3 Monday night.

Holbrook said Lagares didn't offer at the pitch, and the ruling was upheld by a replay review.

"That was a shaky call," Mattingly said. "Sam said he was trying to get out of the way. But he never pulled the bat back in any way, shape or form."

Said Mets manager Mickey Callaway: "I saw a guy trying to get out of the way of a fastball that was going to hit him in the face."

Mattingly also complained that Holbrook missed two pitches by the Marlins that should have been strike three, calls that led to a Mets run.

Mattingly's postgame feelings might have been different had the Marlins converted a great opportunity in the ninth inning. Miami loaded the bases with none out against closer Edwin Diaz, who then struck out the next three batters to end the game.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26420792/mattingly-calls-mlb-look-calls-loss

2019-04-02 06:42:27Z
52780256990000

Mattingly calls on MLB to look into calls from loss - ESPN

2:44 AM ET

• ESPN News Services

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly has called on MLB to look into several calls by the umpires in Monday night's 7-3 loss to the visiting New York Mets.

He was especially upset that plate umpire Sam Holbrook ruled Juan Lagares was hit by a two-strike pitch while trying to bunt, which sparked the Mets' ninth-inning rally.

"I'm not supposed to complain about calls, but the league needs to look at it," Mattingly said. "I don't understand a lot of it tonight. I understand the Marlins are not supposed to be good this year; I guess it's OK to pile on.

"It's got to be better than that."

• Rookie slugger Pete Alonso hit his first major league homer, a three-run shot to cap a four-run ninth inning, and the New York Mets overcame 16 strikeouts by their hitters to rally past the Miami Marlins 7-3 Monday night.

Holbrook said Lagares didn't offer at the pitch, and the ruling was upheld by a replay review.

"That was a shaky call," Mattingly said. "Sam said he was trying to get out of the way. But he never pulled the bat back in any way, shape or form."

Said Mets manager Mickey Callaway: "I saw a guy trying to get out of the way of a fastball that was going to hit him in the face."

Mattingly also complained that Holbrook missed two pitches by the Marlins that should have been strike three, calls that led to a Mets run.

Mattingly's postgame feelings might have been different had the Marlins converted a great opportunity in the ninth inning. Miami loaded the bases with none out against closer Edwin Diaz, who then struck out the next three batters to end the game.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26420792/mattingly-calls-mlb-look-calls-loss

2019-04-02 06:57:28Z
52780256990000

Mattingly calls on MLB to look into calls from loss - ESPN

3:15 AM ET

• ESPN News Services

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly has called on MLB to look into several calls by the umpires in Monday night's 7-3 loss to the visiting New York Mets.

He was especially upset that plate umpire Sam Holbrook ruled Juan Lagares was hit by a two-strike pitch while trying to bunt, which sparked the Mets' ninth-inning rally.

"I'm not supposed to complain about calls, but the league needs to look at it," Mattingly said. "I don't understand a lot of it tonight. I understand the Marlins are not supposed to be good this year; I guess it's OK to pile on.

• Rookie slugger Pete Alonso hit his first major league homer, a three-run shot to cap a four-run ninth inning, and the New York Mets overcame 16 strikeouts by their hitters to rally past the Miami Marlins 7-3 Monday night.

"It's got to be better than that."

Holbrook said Lagares didn't offer at the pitch, and the ruling was upheld by a replay review.

"That was a shaky call," Mattingly said. "Sam said he was trying to get out of the way. But he never pulled the bat back in any way, shape or form."

Said Mets manager Mickey Callaway: "I saw a guy trying to get out of the way of a fastball that was going to hit him in the face."

Mattingly also complained that Holbrook missed two pitches by the Marlins that should have been strike three, calls that led to a Mets run.

Mattingly's postgame feelings might have been different had the Marlins converted a great opportunity in the ninth inning. Miami loaded the bases with none out against closer Edwin Diaz, who then struck out the next three batters to end the game.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26420792/mattingly-calls-mlb-look-calls-loss

2019-04-02 07:35:37Z
52780256990000

Mattingly calls on MLB to look into calls from loss - ESPN

3:15 AM ET

• ESPN News Services

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly has called on MLB to look into several calls by the umpires in Monday night's 7-3 loss to the visiting New York Mets.

He was especially upset that plate umpire Sam Holbrook ruled Juan Lagares was hit by a two-strike pitch while trying to bunt, which sparked the Mets' ninth-inning rally.

"I'm not supposed to complain about calls, but the league needs to look at it," Mattingly said. "I don't understand a lot of it tonight. I understand the Marlins are not supposed to be good this year; I guess it's OK to pile on.

• Rookie slugger Pete Alonso hit his first major league homer, a three-run shot to cap a four-run ninth inning, and the New York Mets overcame 16 strikeouts by their hitters to rally past the Miami Marlins 7-3 Monday night.

"It's got to be better than that."

Holbrook said Lagares didn't offer at the pitch, and the ruling was upheld by a replay review.

"That was a shaky call," Mattingly said. "Sam said he was trying to get out of the way. But he never pulled the bat back in any way, shape or form."

Said Mets manager Mickey Callaway: "I saw a guy trying to get out of the way of a fastball that was going to hit him in the face."

Mattingly also complained that Holbrook missed two pitches by the Marlins that should have been strike three, calls that led to a Mets run.

Mattingly's postgame feelings might have been different had the Marlins converted a great opportunity in the ninth inning. Miami loaded the bases with none out against closer Edwin Diaz, who then struck out the next three batters to end the game.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26420792/mattingly-calls-mlb-look-calls-loss

2019-04-02 07:31:28Z
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After Michigan State exposed Duke, NCAA selection committee must apologize - Detroit Free Press

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press

Published 4:31 PM EDT Apr 1, 2019

I want an apology.

I want an apology from the NCAA selection committee and I want one now.

Even though the committee members did as much as they could to get an All-ACC Final Four by awarding No. 1 seeds to three Atlantic Coast Conference teams — probably while humming “Fight Blue Devils” as they drooled over the ACC tournament bracket — they failed.

They failed because they were wrong.

The ACC’s basketball teams were overrated and over-seeded this year.

No. 2 seed Michigan State proved that Sunday when it beat mighty No. 1 overall — OVERALL — seed Duke, 68-67, in the Elite Eight.

More on MSU:

Matt McQuaid avoids Final Four scarlet letter

MSU vs. Texas Tech in Final Four: Scouting report, prediction

This wasn’t only sweet proof that MSU was robbed of a No. 1 seed by, you know, merely winning a share of the Big Ten regular season title and winning the Big Ten tournament over a fellow No. 2 seed in Michigan. It also was proof that the NCAA’s selection committee is deeply flawed and biased toward the ACC.

MSU’s victory over Duke also represented something else. Something we already know about ourselves in the Midwest and how the world works.

Because while the ACC darlings dance their way down the gilded path of Tobacco Road every March, teams like Michigan State are left having to swerve through their tournament pothole hell we know all too well in our state.

Nick Ward goes down? Get out, fix the flat, move on. Kyle Ahrens takes a gruesome spill? Move to the shoulder and move on. Joshua Langford is lost early in the season? Wait for help to arrive and move on.

Because if there’s something else we learned about No. 2 MSU’s victory over No. 1 Duke, it’s that no matter how many one-and-done stars like Zion Williamson and Kyrie Irving a star-studded program trots out, basketball is a game that is played at its best and highest levels through cooperation and complement, and not through the conspicuous achievement of one or two people.

Duke has been the poster child for the committee’s favoritism and seeding inflation. At one point in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Blue Devils received a No. 1 seed eight out of nine years. The only year the Blue Devils weren’t canonized by the committee they were given a lowly No. 3 seed. For shame!

On Sunday, MSU exposed Duke and the selection committee by putting together a wonderful, complete, holistic team victory. When Matt McQuaid posterizes your program, you’ve been exposed.

Just like North Carolina was exposed. The No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region got dumped like a bad habit by No. 5 seed Auburn in the Sweet 16, 97-80.

Exposed!

I even have serious doubts about the selection committee’s third ACC darling, Virginia, the No. 1 seed in the South. It almost feels like the selection committee gave the Cavaliers a top seed mulligan after they were embarrassed last year by becoming the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed, Maryland Baltimore-County. And exactly not by a little: 74-54.

The selection committee’s reaction?

“Meh. Here’s another No. 1, boys! Get 'er done, Cavs! Ahem, we mean good luck, you fine student-athletes.”

Virginia responded by narrowly avoiding an upset in a 53-49 win over No. 12 seed Oregon in the Sweet 16.

More:

Tom Izzo's Final Four bonuses not as much as others

MSU in Final Four: What you'll pay for tickets, hotels, travel to Minneapolis

Virginia survived by beating No. 3 seed Purdue (Big Ten co-champs, by the way) in overtime in the Elite Eight. But I’m convinced Purdue would have won if it hadn’t had to play its second straight overtime game after beating No. 2 Tennessee in the Sweet 16.

Is "survive and advance" really supposed to be a rallying cry of a No. 1 seed?

So I want an apology. Even if I have to wait until next year’s selection committee emerges from its ACC man cave with No. 1 seeds for Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and Louisville to get it.

Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.

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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2019/04/01/ncaa-selection-committee-apology-acc-michigan-state/3334365002/

2019-04-01 20:15:00Z
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