Orioles Beat Red Sox, Roberts to Return Soon

Brian Matusz pitched perhaps his best game of the season as the Orioles beat the Red Sox 4-1 last night. Matusz improved to (4-4) behind another quality start. The guy had 9 strikeouts yesterday. When was the last time you remember Matusz having 9 strikeouts? I sure don't remember it. He only gave up 2 hits and one run over 6 1/3 innings, lowering his ERA to 4.86. The Orioles can win with this guy pitching this well.

 The bullpen was once again spectacular. Darren O'Day followed Matusz and pitched 2/3 of an inning. In that 2/3 of an inning, O'Day struck out both batters he faced. O'Day lowered his ERA to 1.23. Following Darren, was Pedro Strop. Strop lowered his ERA to 1.09 in a scoreless outing. The flamethrower picked up his 8th hold and got a strikeout in the process. Then, came the great Jim Johnson. Johnson recorded his 16th save with another amazing outing. The closer lowered his ERA to 0.87. He has been the leader of an absolutely amazing bullpen.

Nick Markakis was the only Oriole with multiple hits last night. The right fielder went 2 for 4 and raised his average to .264. Wilson Betemit hit a clutch 2 run home run. The homer came off of Matt Albers, and was Betemit's 7th on the year. Betemit doesn't play that often so the fact that he has 7 home runs is quite impressive. Very solid role player for the Orioles this season. Youngster Steve Tolleson had a big game himself. Tolleson was 1-3 with a homer, raising his average to .313. He also has one of the best on base percentages on the team at .353. Given it is a small sample size, but Tolleson has done a great job thus far. Speaking of high on base percentages, what about Bill Hall? Hall, entered the game as a pinch runner for Chris Davis and managed to get a hit in his only at bat. He now has an on base percentage of .545. Again, small sample size, but impressive.

More good news: B-Rob is almost back. The second baseman will begin his rehab assignment with Bowie tonight. He hasn't played since May 16, 2011 and is anxiously waiting a return. Position players get a maximum 20 days on a rehab assignment, and B-Rob is expected to take the full 20 days. After 20 days, the Orioles will have to make a decision on their roster. The clock on those 20 days starts today with Roberts first game. Roberts will play 2nd base at Bowie. I really wish Roberts all of the best.

-Noland

It Is Finally Good To Be An O's Fan

This team is just awesome. I just love to watch them right now. So much effort. Love the guys they are bringing in, especially the baby birds. Bill Hall comes up and in his first Orioles game goes yard. If you know anything about Bill Hall's track record, he is an animal on Mother's Day. Baltimore took down the Rays again tonight increasing their AL East lead to 2 games.

The Orioles had two more players get extra base hits in this game as well. My new favorite Oriole, Robert Andino, hit a double and so did Steve Tolleson. These roster moves that the Orioles have made lately have all turned to gold. This stuff is insane. The other Oriole that was a stud again was...Adam Jones. This is not really surprising as Adam Jones continues to tear the cover off of the ball. This guy needs to be an all-star starter. Absolute stud right now.

Brian Matusz solidified his role on this team with a solid performance tonight. Matusz went 5 2/3 innings and left with a 4-3 Oriole lead. He picked up the win, improving to 2-4 on the season. He appears to be in Baltimore for the time being. The biggest reason for his victory was the continued dominance by the bullpen tonight.

Luis Ayala took over for Matusz and got his third hold. Ayala pitched a scoreless inning plus and now has an ERA of 1.04. Following Ayala was the brilliant Pedro Strop. Strop got his ERA down to 1.35 while picking up his 4th hold. Finally, was the great Jim Johnson. Johnson finished off the scoreless bullpen effort with his 11th save. Great job by the Orioles pen.

To make room on the 40 man roster for Bill Hall, the Orioles designated Brad Bergesen for assignment. This would make it pretty clear that Bergesen is down the Oriole pecking order. The Orioles also need to make room for Xavier Avery on the 25 and 40 man rosters as Avery will be up for tomorrow's game. That move will not be officially announced until tomorrow, but I welcome Avery to Baltimore. I have said it makes little sense that he is not the guy up so they call up him and Bill Hall, which are both great moves. Mark Reynolds being on the DL does not bother me too much. I mean I hate to see the guy hurt, but this is a solid 25 man roster while Reimold is out. My wife and I are big Xavier Avery fans. Love having Bill Hall on board as well as I said earlier in this post. Should be a fun ride the rest of this year.

-Noland

So Much Going On In Birdland Today

Dontrelle Willis was placed on the restricted list. He went AWOL. Now he tries to blame the O's. Dontrelle Willis's career is over. This whole story is crazy. You are under contract Willis, go back to Norfolk. Try to resurrect your career, or you are done.

On a brighter note, the Orioles today signed Bill Hall to a minor league contract. Hall was brought in to replace Josh Bell who was traded over the weekend. Bill Hall is someone that I have always liked so it is good to see the Orioles add him from my standpoint. It can never hurt to have extra depth and this is a depth move. It also gives the Orioles one more option if Nick Johnson continues to go 0 for the century. Hall is best known for his time with the Brewers. His best season was 2006 where he hit 35 homers. He also seems to always homer on Mother's Day with the pink bat.

Down on the farm, Ronnie Welty was named Carolina League Player of the Week. Welty is hitting .415 in 13 games this season for the Frederick Keys. He leads the Carolina League with 13 extra base hits. Shortly after the announcement Welty was  promoted to AA Bowie.

Ross Wolf was also released from AA Bowie. Capping off a crazy day in birdland.

-Noland