Catch Up-August, September, Some October

I figure now it's probably best to combine all three months into one post.

Rangers (8/2-8/4...Home)
GAME 1 WON 5-1
GAME 2 WON 3-2
GAME 3 LOST 3-5
White Sox (8/5-8/7... Away)
GAME 1 WON 7-5
GAME 2 LOST 2-4
GAME 3 WON 10-2
Athletics (8/8-8/11... Away)
GAME 1 LOST 2-3
GAME 2 LOST 1-2
GAME 3 LOST 0-1
GAME 4 WON 9-6
Giants (8/12-8/14... Away)
GAME 1 WON 5-2
GAME 2 LOST 2-6
GAME 3 WON 8-7
Red Sox (8/16-8/17... Home)
GAME 1 LOST 3-5
GAME 2 LOST 1-8
Astros (8/18-8/21... Home)
GAME 1 WON 13-5
GAME 2 LOST 8-15
GAME 3 LOST 2-12
GAME 4 LOST 3-5
Nationals (8/22-8/23... Home, 8/24-8/25... Away)
GAME 1 WON 4-3
GAME 2 WON 8-1
GAME 3 WON 10-8
GAME 4 LOST 0-4
Yankees (8/26-8/28... Away)
GAME 1 LOST 4-14
GAME 2 LOST 5-13
GAME 3 WON 5-0
Blue Jays (8/29-8/31... Home)
GAME 1 LOST 1-5
GAME 2 WON 5-3
GAME 3 LOST 3-5

Yankees (9/2-9/4... Home)
GAME 1 WON 8-0
GAME 2 WON 2-0
GAME 3 LOST 2-5
Rays (9/5-9/7... Away)
GAME 1 WON 7-3
GAME 2 WON 11-2
GAME 3 LOST 6-7
Tigers (9/9-9/11... Away)
GAME 1 LOST 3-4
GAME 2 WON 11-3
GAME 3 WON 3-1
Red Sox (9/12-9/14... Away)
GAME 1 LOST 2-12
GAME 2 WON 6-3
GAME 3 WON 1-0
Rays (9/15-9/18... Home)
GAME 1 LOST 6-7
GAME 2 WON 5-4
GAME 3 LOST 2-5
GAME 4 WON 2-1
Red Sox (9/19-9/22... Home)
GAME 1 LOST 2-5
GAME 2 LOST 2-5
GAME 3 LOST 1-5
GAME 4 LOST 3-5
Diamond-Backs (9/23-9/25... Home)
GAME 1 WON 3-2
GAME 2 WON 6-1
GAME 3 WON 2-1
Blue Jays (9/27-9/29... Away)
GAME 1 LOST 1-5
GAME 2 WON 3-2
GAME 3 WON 4-0
Yankees (9/30-10/2... Away)
GAME 1 WON 8-1
GAME 2 LOST 3-7
GAME 3 WON 5-2
Blue Jays (10/4... Away)
GAME 1 LOST 2-5

Woohoo! Finally caught up. Now there can be discussion between now and Spring Training games.

Catch-Up (again)... July, August, September and October Games Up and Coming

That was a huge hiatus on my behalf. But now it's back to business and there's a lot to discuss.

First, I'll start out posting the July results of the Orioles (and hopefully the rest of this week will be caught up):

Seattle Mariners (Away)
Game 1 LOST 5-2
Game 2 LOST 12-6
Game 3 LOST 9-4

Los Angeles Dodgers (Away)
Game 1 LOST 7-5
Game 2 WON 4-1
Game 3 WON 6-4

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Home)
Game 1 LOST 9-5
Game 2 WON 3-2
Game 3 WON 4-2

Tampa Bay Rays (Away)
Game 1 WON 4-3
Game 2 WON 2-1
Game 3 LOST 5-2

New York Yankees (Away)
Game 1 LOST 2-1
Game 2 LOST 7-1
Game 3 LOST 5-0
Game 4 WON 4-1

Cleveland Indians (Home)
Game 1 WON 5-1
Game 2 WON 5-2
Game 3 WON 5-3
(the very fact that the Orioles didn't make it far into the pennant championship, but they were able to sweep the very team that made it into the final round says a lot. Although the Indians lost.)

Colorado Rockies (Home)
Game 1 WON 3-2
Game 2 LOST 6-3
Game 3 LOST 3-1

Minnesota Twins (Make up of 5/9/16 postponed game // Away)
LOST 6-2

Toronto Blue Jays (Away)
Game 1 LOST 6-5
Game 2 LOST 9-1
Game 3 WON 6-2

Ah, baseball never seizes to amaze me with scheduling. Going from Minnesota to Canada within one day? Impressive.

Major congratulations to the Chicago Cubs on winning the World Series! Gotta give it to the under dog. Taking a look at where the Orioles stand now, they stand at number nine on the list of longest world series droughts. In front of are the Indians, Rangers, Astros, Brewers, Padres, Nationals, Mariners and Pirates. It's a shame because some have had World Series appearances since the year they last won, but are still waiting to get the win.

The 2016 Home Run Derby and All-Star Game

Okay, all of these events went down Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.

I would like to give some kudos to whoever decides how the Home Run Derby gets organized, it has improved a lot since when I started blogging in 2013.

HOME RUN DERBY
July 11th



(taken from www.sbnation.com)

ROUND 1

Mark Trumbo (16)  vs. Corey Seager (15)

Let me tell you, at first it looked like Seager had it in the bag but then Trumbo started going at it... at least eight in a row.

Robinson Cano (7)  vs. Giancarlo Stanton (24)

Cano won the home run derby a few years back, but it appears he hasn't been hitting well after that.

Adam Duvall (11)  vs. Wil Myers (10)

Todd Frazier (13) vs. Carlos Gonzalez (12)

ROUND 2

Mark Trumbo (14) vs. Giancarlo Stanton (17)

Adam Duvall (15) vs. Todd Frazier (16)

ROUND 3

Giancarlo Stanton (20) vs. Todd Frazier (13)

GIANCARLO STANTON IS THE 2016 WINNER OF THE HOME RUN DERBY!!


ALL-STAR GAME
July 12th

National League (2) vs. American League (4)

I was holding my breath, considering Britton was delivering the pitches at the top of the ninth and the game was already pretty close. Fortunately he didn't blow it but someone could teach him how to do that when he's playing with the Orioles. Better yet teach Jimenez how to pitch in that fashion and not blow up in the first inning.

Until now, I haven't really done much looking at the starting line-up for the All-Star Game so here's the list:

American League
Catcher     Salvador Perez (Royals)
First Base  Eric Hosmer (Royals)
Second Base Jose Altuve (Astros)
Third Base Manny Machado (Orioles)
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox)
Outfield Mike Trout (Angels)
Outfield Jackie Bradley Jr. (Red Sox)
Outfield Mookie Betts (Red Sox)
Designated Hitter David Ortiz (Red Sox)

Reserves (limited to just the Orioles): Matt Wieters (C), Mark Trumbo (OF), Brad Brach (P), Zach Britton (P)

National League
Catcher Buster Posey (Giants)
First Base Anthony Rizzo (Cubs)
Second Base Ben Zobrist (Cubs)
Third Base Kris Bryant (Cubs)
Shortstop Addison Russell (Cubs)
Outfield Yoenis Cespedes (Mets)
Outfield Dexter Fowler (Cubs)
Outfield Bryce Harper (Nationals)

Lots of players on the National League are from the Cubs.

Eric Hosmer won for Most Valuable Player.


Apparently the Orioles were a candidate to host the 2016 All-Star Game but ultimately they decided on the San Diego Padres. So I guess they don't stick with the alternating American and National League hosting spots?

Orioles Promotional Offers and Dealings

Alright, let me say some of these don't need much explain but are really wacky promotional items including an Orioles newsboy cap, a barbecue tool set, an scarf, and tote bags. Let me just tell you in terms of promotional deals that were given to me, it isn't very nice to have four figurines of a yankees player when you're not even a fan.

The one particular event I would like to discuss is, Alumni Autograph Series

It appears that it's a day offered two times a month where for a hour and half Orioles alumni meets with fans and sign baseballs, jerseys, hats, whatever you've got. What I want to investigate though is which players show up to these events. Now looking at list, you basically get what you give. They're not legends, but I mean alumni so you can really argue. The only name I recognize from the list is Paul Blair, but I mean most of these players came before my time. Other alumni include: Joe Durnham, Tim Nordbrook, Dave Johnson, Tippy Martinez, Scott McGregor. Still pretty cool to see that the Orioles organization offers this and it's not something that every single team offers, as far as I know.

Since this is pretty short, might as well add some breadth to this post by checking in on the disabled list:

Brian Deunsing (I didn't know the Orioles have this player, but his name does sound familiar so I'll have to do some further research)
60 Day Disabled List... Left Elbow Inflammation
Hyun Soo Kim
Any day (assuming the All-Star break is included in this time)... Right hamstring strain
T.J. McFarland 
15 Day Disabled List... Left Knee Inflammation
Darren O'Day
15 Day Disabled List... Right hamstring strain

Upcoming:

2016 Home Run Derby and All Star Game

A check in with the whole Orioles roster, there are many players I'm not necessarily familiar with and to do more research behind them.

May/June Games

Okay, so I promised to post the May and June games in their own separate posts on July 1st and July 2nd but I had so minor mishaps (aka procrastination). Well, here they are now!


MAY GAMES
vs. White Sox (this must of gotten carried over from the April games.) LOST 1-7
vs. Yankees WON 4-1
vs. Yankees LOST 0-7
vs. Yankees WON 1-0
vs. Athletics postponed... but made up 5/7- LOST 4-8
vs. Athletics WON 5-2
vs. Athletics WON 11-3
vs. Twins      postponed (okay, looking at this very interesting transition... Orioles went from playing at home to Target Field? I mean Minnesota isn't necessarily the closest to Maryland.)
@ Twins     WON 5-3
@ Twins     WON 9-2
vs. Tigers    WON 7-5
vs. Tigers    WON 1-0
vs. Tigers    WON 9-3
vs. Tigers    LOST 5-6 (What a shame they had quite a streak going for them but oh well.)
vs. Mariners LOST 0-10
vs. Mariners WON 5-2
vs. Mariners LOST 2-7
@Angels     WON 9-4
@Angels     WON 3-1
@Angels     LOST 2-10
@Astros     LOST 2-3
@Astros     LOST 3-4
@Astros    LOST 2-4
@Indians   WON 6-4
@Indians  LOST 4-11
@Indians  WON 6-4
vs Red Sox LOST 2-7
vs Red Sox LOST 2-6

JUNE GAMES
vs. Red Sox WON 13-9
vs. Red Sox WON 12-7
vs. Yankees WON 6-5
vs. Yankees LOST 6-8
vs. Yankees WON 3-1
vs. Royals   WON 4-1
vs. Royals   WON 9-1
vs. Royals   WON 4-0
@ Blue Jays WON 6-5
@ Blue Jays LOST 3-4
@ Blue Jays LOST 6-11
@ Blue Jays LOST 9-10
@ Red Sox WON 3-2
@ Red Sox LOST 4-6
@ Red Sox WON 5-1
vs. Blue Jays LOST 3-13
vs. Blue Jays WON 4-2
vs. Blue Jays WON 11-6
@ Rangers- make up of 4/17 LOST 3-4 (I'm laughing that they played a series at home, then flew out to Texas then flew back home... couldn't there have been a more convenient time?)
vs. Padres LOST 7-10
vs. Padres WON 7-2
vs. Rays   WON 6-3
vs. Rays- make up of 4/9 WON 5-0
vs. Rays WON 8-6
vs. Rays WON 12-5
@ Padres WON 11-7
@ Padres WON 12-6
@ Mariners LOST 3-5

Sometimes I really wonder how MLB figures it out, in terms of scheduling and figuring out when postponed games will be made up.

ORIOLES RECORD (as of July 4th): 47-35, 1st place.

on Manny Machado's suspension (I know this is old news, but the wound is still fresh):
I thought it was awesome, I mean the Royals pitchers are known for that kind of thing which is really no match for Machado's Miami-bred personality (Miami is a pretty crazy city isn't it?). Interesting enough, Yordano Vertura actually got suspended for more games than Machado. But that is because he threw a 99 mile per hour fast ball. That's pretty dangerous.

Upcoming Posts, hopefully for this week:
The fall and setback of major teams: Yankees, and others
Orioles Merchandise/Giveaways-what you get and what they are
More Where Are They Now?, checking in with former Oriole players

Upcoming Events:
Home Run Derby / All-Star Game
Monday, July 11th / Tuesday, July 12th

Petco Park
San Diego, California

Interesting enough they already know where the All-Star Games will be played in 2017 (Miami Marlins // Marlins Park) and 2018 (Washington Nationals // Nationals Park). So this must be some pretty serious business.

Remember to Vote Orange for the 2016 All-Star Game! 

Major Catch-Up and Plans

Another major hiatus and hopefully the last one for now. Some how I'm going to manage to blog about all the April, May, and June games over the next three days. These posts won't have much commentary to them unfortunately because I don't remember what exactly happened during these games nor can I remember what I had for breakfast a week ago. Updates will be attempted to be done weekly with opinions and random posts. At the end of the month will feature a brief summary of the month's games.

 APRIL GAMES: 

@Phillies  WON 8-7 

vs. Twins WON 3-2

DAY OFF (I have never seen 

vs. Twins WON 4-2

vs. Twins WON 4-2

vs. Rays WON 6-1

vs. Rays --- Postponed (Made up on 6/25)

vs Rays WON 5-3

@ Red Sox WON 9-7

@Red Sox  WON 9-5

@Red Sox  LOST 2-4 (The streak is over :( )

@Rangers LOST 3-6

@Rangers WON 11-5

@Rangers LOST 4-8

@Rangers --- Postponed (Made up... sometime in June I think)

vs. Blue Jays LOST 3-4

vs. Blue Jays WON 4-3

vs. Blue Jays WON 3-2

@Royals LOST 2-4

@Royals WON 8-3

@Royals LOST 1-6

@Rays LOST 0-2

@Rays LOST 1-3

@Rays WON 3-1

vs. White Sox WON 10-2

vs. White Sox WON 6-3

vs. White Sox LOST 7-8

May Games (Friday-7/1) June Games (Saturday-7/2)

Upcoming Discussions:

Manny Machado's suspension

Orioles promotional offers (there's so many of them, a few I want to research and share)

Finally An Update! Oriole's Spring Training Games

The Orioles spring training season has been rough to say the least...

@Braves : Tied, 4-4
vs. Braves: Lost 4-11
@ Rays: Lost 4-10
@ Blue Jays: Lost 3-4
Split Squad Games:

@Twins: Lost 2-3
vs. Rays: Lost 6-10

@Red Sox: Lost 7-8
vs. Twins: Lost 0-3
vs. Red Sox: Lost 1-5
@ Phillies: Lost 4-8
vs. yankees: Tied (well at least it's not a loss) 4-4
@ yankees: Lost 1-7
vs. Twins: Won (FINALLY) 8-1
@ Twins: Lost 5-14
vs. Phillies: Won 8-7
@ Blue Jays: Tied 6-6
vs. Pirates: Won 9-3
Split Squad Games:

@ Red Sox:  Lost 5-9
vs. Twins: Won 4-1

@yankees: Won 11-2
vs. Rays: --- canceled due to rain ---
vs. Rays: Tied 8-8
@ Twins: Lost 1-5
@ Pirates: Lost 5-6
vs. Pirates: Won 6-5
vs. yankees: Won 11-10
vs. Red Sox: Won 16-8
@ Pirates: Won 5-3
@ Red Sox: Won 5-3
vs. Braves: Tied 4-4
vs. Tigers: Lost 1-2
vs. Braves: Won 6-1
@ Phillies: Won 8-7
(usually I thought the Orioles play some local minor league teams... but I guess not)

Final Spring Training Record: 12-15... not that bad, checking out all of the other teams toward the bottom I'm quite surprised:

Boston: 13-18
Kansas City (after all they won the world series... maybe that was enough?): 14-20
Oakland: 11-17

Not to mention from the

SAVE THE DATE: ORIOLES OPENING DAY, APRIL 4th... 3:05 PM at Camden Yards