Happy Tuesday, Camden Chatters! And it’s always a happy morning the day after the Orioles beat the Yankees. It’s been a rough go of things so far this year, and I don’t expect that to magically change after one win. But last night sure felt good.
Tomoyuki Sugano looked great and finally got those strikeouts going. He fanned eight in five innings before his pitch count got him. Ryan O’Hearn hit a three-run homer and the newest best player on the Orioles, Ramón Laureano, doubled twice. For all of the details of a satisfying 4-3 win, check out Alex Church’s game recap.
Tonight, the Orioles will welcome back starting pitcher Kyle Gibson. He was a late signing this year and has been working his way back to being ready. Gibson is 37 years old and has already had back soreness this spring. If I’m doing my math right, that makes the average age of the starting rotation 847 years old.
When Gibson was with the Orioles in 2023, he wasn’t great on the mound. His 4.73 ERA was below league average and his 188 hits allowed were the most in the league. And now he’s two years older! He was slightly better last year with the Cardinals, but not so good that any other team signed him before March 22nd.
The Orioles have decidedly had a vibe issue lately, and you have to think that the Orioles are hoping that the return of Gibson will bring a return of the vibes that surrounded the ballclub in 2023. There is a lot of talk about the leadership he brings to the team, his veteranosity, etc. I don’t know how to quantify any of that, but I sure hope he brings it back. Because this team needs something.
Links
Orioles injuries keep piling up with Jordan Westburg, Gary Sánchez on injured list – Camden Chat
In case you missed it yesterday, the Orioles have called up Emmanuel Rivera and Maverick Handley to replace Westburg and Sánchez. Sánchez has an inflamed wrist, Westburg has a hamstring strain. Grayson Rodriguez and Colton Cowser were moved to the 60-day IL.
Are the Orioles’ offensive struggles the same as last year’s? – The Baltimore Banner
Jon Meoli compares this year’s struggles to last year’s struggles. They’re worse this year. You’re shocked, I know.
Gibson starting Tuesday night, injury updates, Pennington claimed and more – Blog
Hyde looks forward to having an adult in the room with Gibson. That doesn’t make me feel as reassured as maybe I’m supposed to.
Is this the Orioles’ rock bottom? Or just who they are? – The Baltimore Sun
Can’t it be both?
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have four Orioles birthday buddies, including Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio. Aparicio is best known for his time with the Chicago White Sox, where he spent 10 of his 18 big league seasons. He was with the Orioles from 1963-67, which was a pretty good time to be an Oriole. He turns 91 years old today.
Also born on this day in history are 2008 11-gamer Omir Santos (44), Ron Washington (73 – tell ‘em, Wash), and 1987 infielder Rick Burleson.
On this day in 1988, the Orioles won their first game of the season after starting 0-21. They won in a big way, too, a 9-0 victory over the White Sox. Mark Williamson and Dave Schmidt held the opposing team to just four hits. Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken homered, with Ripken having a four-hit day.
In 2015, the Orioles again played the White Sox but under much different circumstances. Due to civil unrest in the city over the death of Freddie Gray, the game was played with no fans in the stands. It became a regular thing during COVID, but was a strange sight in a sad and scary time.
One year ago today, the Orioles defeated the New York Yankees, 2-0. Grayson Rodriguez pitched 5.2 innings with five hits, and the bullpen trio of Yennier Cano, Cionel Pérez, and Danny Coulombe finished things off. Gunnar Henderson hit his 10th home run of the season. The win gave the Orioles a record of 18-10 and moved them into a tie for first place with the Yankees.
