The Maryland Sports Blog

The Baltimore Orioles have made another move today by recalling Travis Ishikawa and placing Miguel Gonzalez on paternity-leave.  Ishikawa is in the lineup today as the Orioles DH.

Ishikawa is a career .264 hitter at the major league level and has 19 home runs in parts of five seasons.  At Norfolk Ishikawa’s numbers were impressive, he hit .316 with seven home runs and 16 doubles.

Even if Ishikawa’s stay is expected to be short because paternity-leave only last three days he is a solid choice.

Here is Brittany Ghiroli’s tweet with the Orioles lineup.

#Orioles lineup: McLouth 7, Machado 5, Markakis 7, Jones 8, Davis 3, Wieters 2, Hardy 6, Ishikawa DH, Flaherty 4. Britton SP

— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) June 18, 2013

The Baltimore Orioles need yet another spot start, that is two in a row if counting and this time they are calling on Zach Britton.  Last night the Orioles used Jake Arrieta for the spot start and sent him back to AAA Norfolk soon after the game.

With Jason Hammel being sick and Miguel Gonzalez welcoming his first child early this morning the Orioles have needed two starters.  Britton has had one start this season and did not do well, the Orioles lost the game.  Britton holds a career 4.85 era at the major league level.

Britton has pitched well at Norfolk this season posting a 3.28 era and a 3-2 win loss record.  Injuries have set Britton back the past couple years after having a good rookie campaign and being the Orioles former top pitching prospect.

Britton when healthy and on his game has shown great control and stuff.  If Britton does well he does have a shot at staying with the Orioles, who need starters.

The Baltimore Orioles are giving Jake Arrieta another chance to start while Jason Hammel is recovering from an illness.  The Orioles face the Detroit Tigers powerful lineup and it does not seem ideal for a spot start.

Arrieta has struggled in his career and this year never living up to his true potential.  The mental side of the game seems to get Arrieta and he did not seem that confident in his interview yesterday.

For Arrieta’s career he has a 5.40 era and a 20-24 record, the record is not that bad but the era is not good at all.  This season his era at the MLB level is 6.63 his worst of his career and at AAA Norfolk it is 5.50.  It is a disturbing trend because it looks like Arrieta is getting worse and not better.

Arrieta has great stuff everyone knows that, one inning he can look great and carve up a team then the next inning he does not have command and is all over the place.  Walks hurt Arrieta who looks like he needs to try easier.

One thing about Arrieta that everyone likes is the fact that he is a very hard worker.  His work ethic is the reason he keeps getting chances but he really needs to come up big for the Orioles tonight.

Chris Tillman was able to figure it out after struggling for the Orioles so there should not be any doubt that Arrieta can.  It is not in his arm or stuff but the mental side.

A little late to the party but Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin took home his third Hart Trophy.  Even though the Capitals lost the first series of the playoffs, mostly due to questionable officiating.  Lets take a look at Overchkin’s numbers.

The Great Eight had 32 goals in only 48 games and ended the season on fire.  Ovechkin started the season off slow so scoring 32 goals in a shortened season is amazing.  For that pace he might have scored 50-60 goals in a full season.  Ovechkin lead the NHL in goals and was the only player to break 30 goals.

Ovechkin also had 24 assist bringing his total points to 56.

It was a great season and by the Ovechkin lead the Capitals to the playoffs.  Without Ovechkin the Capitals might have finished last place, he helped carry the team.

The Baltimore Ravens have just released a press release detailing their open training camp practices. As of now there will be one at M&T Bank stadium and one at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, along with one at Mustang Stadium. Here is the press release.

2013 RAVENS TRAINING CAMP PRACTICES

 

The Baltimore Ravens’ 2013 training camp, connected by Verizon, will feature for the second-consecutive year free individual practices to be held at M&T Bank Stadium, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and Stevenson University. Additionally, by entering a lottery on the Ravens’ official website, fans in limited numbers will have the opportunity to win free tickets to training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills.

 

The Ravens can safely host 200 people on the fields of their training center, and fans who are randomly chosen through the drawing will be invited to view one of the team’s 13 open training camp sessions at the Under Armour Performance Center. The first full-team training camp practice is July 25 and the last is Aug. 13.

 

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will be the site for a training camp practice on Sunday, Aug. 4. The Ravens will then practice at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 11. Both of these sessions are free and open to the public.

 

The team will round out its off-site training camp sessions at Mustang Stadium at Stevenson University on Sunday, Aug. 18. While this is a free event, due to limited seating, fans must enter a lottery on the Ravens’ website for an opportunity to win tickets.

 

Each of these practice venues will feature interactive fan events, including player autograph signings for children, fun-filled activities designed specifically for youth and cheerleader/mascot meet-and-greets.

 

Additionally, this year, fans can enter a website lottery to reserve tickets to the premiere of “America’s Game: The Super Bowl Champions.” An annual documentary series created by NFL Films profiling each season’s winning Super Bowl team, the 2012 Ravens’ feature will debut at the Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric in Baltimore on Aug. 27.

 

 

FAN LOTTERY FOR TRAINING CAMP PRACTICES & “AMERICA’S GAME”

 

Beginning today (June 17), fans may enter a lottery at http://www.baltimoreravens.com/ravenstown/training-camp/index.html  to attend one training camp practice at the Under Armour Performance Center or the practice held at Stevenson University. Fans may also enter to win tickets to the premiere of “America’s Game: The Super Bowl Champions.”

 

All lottery submissions must be made by Monday, July 1 at 5 p.m., and the Ravens will contact fans who are chosen for these practices no later than Wednesday, July 17. Details – including parking, practice day/time and procedures – will be communicated to winning recipients upon notification.

 

RAVENS OFF-SITE TRAINING CAMP PRACTICES

 

Location:                             Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, MD) – Free and Open to the Public

When:                                  Sunday, Aug. 4

Practice Start Time:        5 p.m.

Gates Open:                      3:30 p.m.

Parking:                               Lots open at 1 p.m. and are available for cold tailgating.

·     $10 for cars and $25 for buses

·     Parking may be purchased via www.navysports.com

·     If Navy lots become full, nearby off-site locations are available with stadium shuttles.

Other Details:                   Baltimore’s Marching Ravens, cheerleaders, official mascot Poe and live mascots Rise and Conquer will be in attendance. The Ravens Team Store will be on-site, and concession stands will be open.

 

Location:                             M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, MD) – Free and Open to the Public

When:                                  Sunday, Aug. 11

Practice Start Time:        5 p.m.

Gates Open:                      3:30 p.m.

Parking:                               Stadium lots open at 1 p.m. and are available for cold tailgating. The parking fee is $10.

Other Details:                   Baltimore’s Marching Ravens, cheerleaders, official mascot Poe and live mascots Rise and Conquer will be in attendance. The Ravens Team Store and concession stands will be open.

 

Location:                             Mustang Stadium at Stevenson University (Owings Mills, MD) – Free Tickets Via Lottery

When:                                  Sunday, Aug. 18

Practice Start Time:        5 p.m.

Gates Open:                      3:30 p.m.

Tickets:                                Due to limited seating, this is a ticketed event, one for which fans can sign up via lottery at

www.baltimoreravens.com/TCLottery

Parking:                               Parking will be provided when tickets are sent to fans.

·     No tailgating

Other Details:                   The Ravens Team Store will be on-site, and concession stands will be open.