The Maryland Sports Blog

Chris Davis blast this ball the opposite field.

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.