It's the most anticipated Oriole pitching prospect debut since... last week. And, of course. that means I'll be live blogging. Check back right here once the game gets underway in about 20 minutes.
Top 1: Roberts starts the O's off right again tonight, this time doubling to right center field. For those who have been critical of Brian's effort at times this year, please note his hustle tonight. With a full count on Nolan Reimold, Brian broke for third. He nearly reached the bag, but Reimold lofted a fly ball to deep center. Brian retreated all the way to the second base bag, tagged up and advanced 90 feet. That's heads up baserunning and impressive hustle. Now, the Tigers are bringing the infield in with one out and Nick Markakis due up. This seems like a bad idea. Sure enough, Nick grounds one through the hole on the right side. The run would have scored either way, but it is possible that's the second out if the infield is at normal depth. Finally, Adam Jones grounds into a double play to end this inning. I have to say, I really like this lineup configuration. I hope that Reimold can continue to post a high enough OBP (.367 coming into tonight) to warrant batting at the top of the lineup. Coming up... Brian Matusz's debut!
Bottom 1: It's hard to believe that a year ago, Brian Matusz wasn't even a member of the Orioles organization. So far, so good: a soft pop to center for the first out of the inning.
Fastball: 92-93 mph
Change-up: 81 mph
Looking good... 1, 2, 3 inning!
Top 2: Here's a sentence I hope to write many times in the future: Matt Wieters gives Brian Matusz a 2-0 lead.
Bottom 2: Matusz is clearly comfortable pitching backwards (fastballs in breaking ball counts; breaking balls in fastball counts), and he has excellent command of his breaking balls. That's a recipe for success.
Good camera work from the MASN guys gives a nice view the circle change grip on the pitch Matusz used to strike out Miguel Cabrera. That's a pretty good hitter to get for your first career strike out.
A 3-1 change-up to Raburn with a runner on second. I like it. The batter is going to be looking fastball, and Matusz was hoping to roll him over.
The first curve ball from Matusz comes in at 77 mph, on a 1-1 pitch to Inge with runners on first and second. Buck Martinez just got done telling a story regarding the pre-game pitching meeting; Matusz indicated his curve was his weakest pitch. He sure had confidence in throwing that one.
As a former catcher, Buck should know what he's talking about in evaluating pitch selection. He's on his game tonight, doing an excellent job evaluating the game being called by Wieters.
And that's why the O's signed Cesar Izturis: an excellent diving snag and flip to Roberts ends the inning.
Bottom 3: More excellent defense from Izturis; solid defense behind a young pitching staff was exactly what the Orioles were hoping for.
And now Buck makes the same point. Like I said, he's on his game tonight.
After getting ahead 1-2 to Miguel Cabrera, Matusz loses him for his third walk of the evening. Needless to say, we don't like walks. Martinez makes the point that Matusz is becoming a bit too "change-up reliant" as Kranitz comes to the mound for a conference. Matusz has tried to establish his fastball, especially inside to righties, but he's just missed on numerous occassions. I don't know if he's trying to be too fine, or if he's getting squeezed, but a few more fastball strikes would greatly improve his outing.
Top 4: Jones showed bunt on the first pitch of the inning, but Inge (who was playing deep) apparently indicated that he would not be moving up to take the bunt away. Jones has done this a bit in recent weeks, and I like it. It didn't work this time, but if he can get the third baseman a few feet closer, he's more likely to sneak one by every once in a while. I used the tactic during my career to keep teams from employing a full-fledged shift and I know it helped my batting average. I like Adam Jones more with each passing day.
Bottom 4: A pair of doubles plates the first runs for the Tigers and pushes Matusz past the 80 pitch mark. Given his bouts of mini-wildness in the 2nd and 3rd, it looks like he'll be unable to throw more than 5.0 innings tonight. Orioles lead 2-1.
Top 5: Cesar Izturis is definitely the early leader for tonight's player of the game. His homer gives Matusz and the O's a 3-1 lead.
Bottom 5: MASN just showed the graphic that 18 years ago tonight Mike Mussina made his debut against the White Sox. Let's hope another Orioles top prospect is beginning a Hall of Fame career on August 4.
After a Miguel Cabrera double to put runners at second and third, Matusz bears down and strikes out Thames and Raburn to end the inning. Through 5.0, the O's lead 3-1.
Assuming we've seen the last of Matusz, here's my summary of his outing: great change-up, but he was missing his fastball command tonight. He also didn't throw many sliders or curveballs. I'm guessing that adrenaline had a big impact on both of these; he may have been overthrowing a touch. In all, while he didn't pitch great, he's given the O's a chance to win and I'm incredibly excited for the Brian Matusz era. He clearly has the stuff, command and mound presence to justify his high selection and advancement to the Majors after just four professional months. He's going to be a good one.
Top 6: Sure enough, that's it for Matusz. He's in line to become the fifth different Orioles pitcher to win his Major League debut this season. This would be the first Major League team since 1890 to achieve that feat. We're still waiting on Jake Arietta, too.
Markakis just crushed a homer to right center with Reimold on first base. Have I mentioned that I like this line-up configuration?
A two-run single from Izturis ups the lead to 7-1. Let's hope the bullpen can hold this lead. And, with that, the live blog is done for the evening.
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This is the moment O's fans have been waiting for since... 1991 when Mike Mussina debuted? When was the last time the O's had a pitching prospect this touted? Regardless, I'll be live blogging Chris Tillman's debut tonight. We're finally getting our first glimpse at the pitching talent that has me so excited, and I wish I could be at the ballpark. Alas, I'll be sitting on the couch and bringing you my thoughts live! Check back frequently for updates.
7:07 PM: I'm sipping my Clipper City Heavy Seas Loose Cannon from my Sports Legends glass, reflecting on the symbolism in Chris Tillman wearing #54 and anxiously awaiting the first pitch... and here comes the tarp. Let's hope this isn't symbolic, too.
7:48 PM: And we're back! First pitch strike. 92 mph fastball.
7:49 PM: DeJesus gave one a ride to center, but Adam Jones ran it down and makes a fantastic catch over his shoulder in deep center. I like watching him play center field.
7:53 PM: That was a great change-up to Butler to put Tillman ahead 0-2. Tillman then induces a sinking liner to shortstop, and Tillman's first inning is in the books. He threw nearly all fastballs between 92 and 95 mph, and that one devastating change-up at 82 mph. So far, so good.
8:02 PM: Adam Jones just turned in a great at-bat, making a nice adjustment to Greinke's slider early in the at-bat and then fouling off some impressive offerings before driving a homer into the seats in left center. I don't know how he got the barrel on that pitch, much less hit it for a homer. Did I mention I like watching him hit, too?
8:04 PM: Markakis follows up with a double off the left-field wall. If Matt Wieters and Nolan Reimold followed, my head might explode.
8:09 PM: Reimold just turned in a high quality at-bat, drawing a full count walk. He's not going to be a star, but Reimold's emergence is one of most important developments of this season. He is exactly the type of hitter good organizations produce on a regular basis.
8:12 PM: Ty Wiggington lofted a soft fly ball to right field for the second out of the inning, but Nick Markakis shows some heads up baserunning (shocking for the O's, I know). Bloomquist held the ball just a bit too long, and Markakis moved up to third base. This first inning has featured a nice catch in center field from Adam Jones, a 1-2-3 inning from Tillman, a lead-off single from Brian Roberts, a home run from Adam Jones, and double from Nick Markakis, a quality at-bat from Nolan Reimold and now heads up baserunning from Markakis. Yeah, the future is bright.
8:17 PM: Unfortunately, Greg Zaun strikes out with the bases loaded to end the inning. Not gonna lie, I would have liked to see the full youth movement tonight with Matt Wieters behind the plate. Still, the O's made Greinke throw 34 pitches in the first.
8:33 PM: I'm a bit late here (love DVR), but Tillman just gave up his first major league hit, run and home run. His fastball to Callaspo caught a whole lot of the plate and ended up on Eutaw Street. He bounces back with an easy strike out of Mike Jacobs. Unfortunately, I know he'll give a home run next, too.
8:37 PM: Some quick fast forwarding catches right back up to live TV. DeJesus hit one to the wall in left that Nolan Reimold tracked down for the first out in the top of the third. It looks like the ball is really carrying tonight; that's twice DeJesus has hit one that carried much farther than it looks like it should have.
8:43 PM: Tillman's change-up has some serious fade to it. He's thrown a few nice ones to Butler tonight, and now another to Teahen. With the 10+ mph separation between his fastball and change-up, it can be a real weapon for him. So can a high fastball you blow by hitters, just like the one Teahen just waved at on which Bloomquist was caught stealing.
9:09 PM: Tillman gave up another homer, this time to Mike Jacobs on a hanging breaking ball. He's basically made three bad pitches tonight, each of which was smacked for a long ball. Welcome to the Big Leagues.
9:30 PM: Trembley tried to get Tillman through five innings, but instead pulls him with runners on the corners and two outs in the 5th. Not a great outing, but he definitely flashed the ability that makes him a top prospect: a fastball that sits in the low- to mid-90s, an impressive change-up and the makings of a good curveball. I'm already looking forward to his next start. And, with that, I'm signing off the blog for tonight.
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Since my golf plans were thwarted by rain, fog and wet today, I'm home to watch the Orioles take on the Blue Jays. Roy Halladay is pitching for the Jays and Rich Hill for the O's. Stay tuned for live updates with thoughts about the game!
Update, 1:36 pm: Wow, the stands are empty, which is hardly surprising given that this is a day game against the Blue Jays and the weather is yucky (that's a technical term). I wonder if there will be a smaller announced crowd than yesterday's record low of 10,130.
Update, 1:45 pm: With a 3-1 count to Vernon Wells and runners on first and second, Rich Hill needs to throw a strike. His go-to pitch? His big, sweeping curveball. Same thing on full count. And that's why you don't give up on an arm like his.
Update, 1:47 pm: On a related note, Felix Pie threw a strike from left field to nail Alex Rios, who tried to score from second on a ground single through the hole. And that's why you don't give up on talent like his.
Update, 1:51 pm: Adam Jones: .354, 11 HR, 34 RBI. Any day now, Dave, feel free to move this guy to the cleanup slot.
Update, 2:06 pm: Welcome back, Luke Scott! And just like that, the O's have a 2-1 lead. A Luke Scott/Nolan Reimold/Felix Pie combo at DH/leftfield could pay dividends.
Update, 2:13 pm: Well, that was a quick inning. Felix Pie easily tracked two flies to left and Hill induced a pop-up from Rios. Six in a row set-down for the lefty.
Update, 2:25 pm: Buck Martinez: "A lot of the video specialists aren't baseball specialists (excessive laughter)." Hmmmm... I'm thinking that these guys are actually very smart, very talented students of the game that are seeking to move into the front office an MLB team. Those young and entreprenurial people who are capable of teasing valuable insights from Pitch F/X data and the myriad of other technological developments are precisely those people clubs employ to mine video for an advantage. Stick to talking about the game, Buck. It's where you shine; don't let Gary Thorne rub off on you.
Update, 2:29 pm: Gary and Buck get into an interesting discussion about what to expect from Matt Wieters (starting Friday!), particularly where he will hit in the line-up. Based on Dave Trembley's history breaking in young guys, I expect Wieters to hit 6th or 7th most of the time, but that he'll force his way into the middle very quickly. My ideal Orioles line-up for the rest of the season:
Brian Roberts 2B
Melvin Mora 3B
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Matt Wieters CA
Aubrey Huff 1B
Luke Scott/Nolan Reimold DH
Nolan Reimold/Felix Pie LF
Cesar Izturis/Robert Andino SS
Update, 2:34 pm: The free pass caught up with Rich Hill in the top of the 4th, as a pair of walks led to two runs on a single by Kevin Millar. There is still no one out.
Update, 2:39 pm: Doubles from Jose Bautista and Marco Scutaro bring in another three runs and chase Rich Hill. 3.1 IP, 6 hits, 3 BB, 4 K, and he's on the hook for the runner on second. Looks like my blogging won't have a happy ending.
Update, 3:56 pm: I woke up from a nap just in time to see Adam Jones reach on an infield single to load the bases for Nick Markakis. Trailing by five runs in the 7th, this is the key at-bat of the game. In true ace fashion, Halladay induces a foul fly ball from Markakis and quashes the rally. The Jays looked poised to pick up the victory.
Update, 4:15 pm: Back in business! With the bases loaded and a run already in, Robert Andino stroked his fourth hit of the game. Now, with Brian Roberts due up, the O's down by just three, one out and the bases loaded, the Orioles are very much back in the ballgame. Cito Gaston comes out pull Jesse Carlson. On comes Scott Downs to try and get the Jays out of the jam.
Update, 4:21 pm: A Brian Roberts sac fly brings Adam Jones to the plate; he ropes a single to left. And Nick Markakis has a shot at redemption. I think this Adam Jones kid is going to work out ok for the O's.
Update, 4:23 pm: Markakis doubles down the line! Tie game! Jones out at the plate!! (and it wasn't really very close). What an inning from the O's! When the ball was hit, I thought for sure that Jones would score. But Rios fielded the ball cleanly off the wall, made a perfect throw to the cutoff man and the relay hit the catcher in the chest. Text book relay drill from the Jays.
Update, 4:29 pm: Baez retires the side, and the O's go the bottom of the 9th needing just one run for the win. A great job from the bullpen today has kept the O's in the game, and made the comeback possible.
Update,5:01 pm: I realize that this is only the 11th inning of the 3rd game of the series, but Gary, his name is Aaron Hill.
Update, 5:02 pm: I guess that Mr. Hill took exception to being called Adam (repeatedly), and he hits a 2-run homer to put the Jays up 10-8.
Update, 5:16 pm: Nick Markakis singled to lead off the bottom of the 11th, and after Aubrey Huff popped out, Melvin Mora singled to bring the winning run to the plate in the form of Luke Scott.
Update, 5:18 pm: Luke Scott singles to right! Markakis scores from second and Mora makes it all the way to third base. Tying run at 3rd and the winning run at first for Nolan Reimold.
Update, 5:19 pm: Cesar Izturis pinch runs for Luke Scott. Do you steal?
Update, 5:20 pm: Nolan Reimold!!!! Walk-off homer!!! What a ballgame for the Orioles!!! I can't wait to go to the game on Friday night for Matt Wieters' debut.
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