Monday Thoughts: Orioles Edition
Welcome to Monday Thoughts: Orioles Edition! In this new series posted every Monday, we will go over the latest news, events, and upcoming games for the Baltimore Orioles. So without further ado, here is your Monday Thoughts!
A Rainy Day in Birdland:
When it looked like the Baltimore Orioles were going to start heating up, Mother Nature unfortunately had other plans.
After coming off a 3-0 victory against the American League East division-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, storms around the Baltimore area forced the finale game on Sunday to be postponed.
The game will be made up as a part of a split-admission doubleheader Saturday, July 13. Game one is scheduled for 1:05 PM, and game two will follow at 7:05 PM.
Bundy is Back:
Dylan Bundy looked like he was back to his old self again in Saturday night’s victory against the Ray.
Bundy threw 7.1 innings of scoreless ball, giving up just three hits with four strikeouts. This victory is Bundy’s first of the season, after he lost four of his first seven starts.
Orioles manager, Brandon Hyde, said that Bundy’s performance was “a Major League start.”
The Red Sox are Coming:
The Orioles start a three-game series against the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox tonight.
Tonight’s scheduled starters are John Means, who was supposed to start in yesterday’s postponed game, and Josh Smith.
Means is coming off a loss against the Chicago White Sox, in which he went five innings, giving up four runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
Orioles Patient with Martin:
Rule-5 pick, Richie Martin, has certainly struggled offensively in his first big league season.
So far this season, Martin has batted just .183/.266/.268 in 79 plate appearances with the club.
Due to Martin’s Rule-5 status, he must stay on the 25-man roster, or he must be offered back to the Oakland Athletics. Martin is mostly known for his stellar defense, but his bat woke up last season in Double-A.
The Orioles are being patient with Martin, giving him time to adjust to the major leagues. He will not play every game, but he will be used in critical defensive situations when they occur.
