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08-10-2004, 11:45 AM
I really think the reason the pitching is turning around is partly our young pitchers getting more seasoned, but mostly the effects of Ray Miller as pitching coach.
I think he came in and took these young guys and gave them a clear philosopy, and I think we're all seeing the benefits.
08/08/2004 2:21 PM ET
Notes: Pitching keys success
Gibbons could be activated from DL on Monday
By Jeff Seidel / Special to MLB.com
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/2004/06/26/mve9BbEz.jpg
Pitching coach Ray Miller has "a calming effect," says manager Lee Mazzilli. (Roberto Borea/AP)
BALTIMORE -- The Orioles have used that old baseball formula to tie a season high with five straight victories entering play Sunday -- good pitching, good defense and timely hitting.
But there's no question that more consistent starting pitching has been a big reason for the team's five-game streak and why they've played better since the All-Star break. The Orioles now are 51-57, the first time they've drawn to within six games of the .500 mark since June 15, and everyone agrees on the importance of the improved starting pitching.
The Orioles have gone with a young and inexperienced rotation for much of 2004, and found more trouble when No. 1 starter Sidney Ponson went 3-12 in the season's first half.
But Ponson -- Sunday's starter against Texas ace Kenny Rogers (13-4) -- has won three straight and younger teammates like Daniel Cabrera, Erik Bedard, Rodrigo Lopez and Dave Borkowski are finding the consistency the team covets.
"I think they're learning how to pitch in the big leagues," shortstop Miguel Tejada said. "It takes time. You can't be expected to do it in a day or a month."
Bedard and Lopez both held the potent Texas offense to one run in wins on Friday and Saturday, using new pitching coach Ray Miller's mantra of working fast, changing speeds and throwing strikes.
Orioles pitchers have not walked a batter in four of the last 10 games, lowering their average number of walks by nearly one per game since Miller took over from Mark Wiley after 69 games.
"He has a calming effect," Mazzilli said of Miller. "That's his approach. It's how he's always been."
Gibbons returns? Mazzilli said the Orioles may get outfielder Jay Gibbons back from the disabled list on Monday. He's been out since June 29 with a strained left hip flexor.
Gibbons' return will present the Orioles with an overload of left-handed hitting outfielders -- namely Gibbons, Larry Bigbie, B.J. Surhoff, David Newhan and Karim Garcia.
If Gibbons continues to do well on his rehabilitation -- he's in Double-A Bowie on Sunday -- then he'll probably be back Monday.
Garcia's been bothered by a sore heel in recent days, but Mazzilli said he's not a candidate for the disabled list at this point.
Whatever move the Orioles make might involve Garcia or backup catchers Robert Machado and Ken Huckaby. Garcia is batting just.190 since the team acquired him last month, while Huckaby has played in only four games since coming to the O's on July 6.
"I don't see [Garcia] on the DL," Mazzilli said. "We have quite a few left-handed hitters in the same spot. We'll just go with the hot hand."
The new outfielder: With injuries to Gibbons and Garcia, Jerry Hairston has moved into center field on a regular basis in recent days.
Hairston clearly would rather be playing his natural position of second base. However, Mazzilli said Hairston has adjusted nicely to each of the outfield positions. Sunday's start in center field was Hairston's seventh there after 24 starts in right field and eight in left.
Mazzilli said that since Roberts can really only play second base, he's got no choice but to move Hairston. The O's skipper likes how Hairston uses his athletic ability and speed to make plays, and said many good players have switched from middle infield positions to center field -- namely Mickey Mantle, Robin Yount and others.
"He's an athlete who can handle it," Mazzilli said. "We have to do what we have to do right now."
Turn back the clock again: The Orioles continued to celebrate their 50th anniversary Sunday by wearing uniforms from their 1983 World Series championship team.
Texas also wore the throwback uniforms as the Orioles celebrated '80s Day for the second straight day. Several players from the '80s were honored before Saturday's 3-1 win over the Rangers.
Jeff Seidel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
I think he came in and took these young guys and gave them a clear philosopy, and I think we're all seeing the benefits.
08/08/2004 2:21 PM ET
Notes: Pitching keys success
Gibbons could be activated from DL on Monday
By Jeff Seidel / Special to MLB.com
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/2004/06/26/mve9BbEz.jpg
Pitching coach Ray Miller has "a calming effect," says manager Lee Mazzilli. (Roberto Borea/AP)
BALTIMORE -- The Orioles have used that old baseball formula to tie a season high with five straight victories entering play Sunday -- good pitching, good defense and timely hitting.
But there's no question that more consistent starting pitching has been a big reason for the team's five-game streak and why they've played better since the All-Star break. The Orioles now are 51-57, the first time they've drawn to within six games of the .500 mark since June 15, and everyone agrees on the importance of the improved starting pitching.
The Orioles have gone with a young and inexperienced rotation for much of 2004, and found more trouble when No. 1 starter Sidney Ponson went 3-12 in the season's first half.
But Ponson -- Sunday's starter against Texas ace Kenny Rogers (13-4) -- has won three straight and younger teammates like Daniel Cabrera, Erik Bedard, Rodrigo Lopez and Dave Borkowski are finding the consistency the team covets.
"I think they're learning how to pitch in the big leagues," shortstop Miguel Tejada said. "It takes time. You can't be expected to do it in a day or a month."
Bedard and Lopez both held the potent Texas offense to one run in wins on Friday and Saturday, using new pitching coach Ray Miller's mantra of working fast, changing speeds and throwing strikes.
Orioles pitchers have not walked a batter in four of the last 10 games, lowering their average number of walks by nearly one per game since Miller took over from Mark Wiley after 69 games.
"He has a calming effect," Mazzilli said of Miller. "That's his approach. It's how he's always been."
Gibbons returns? Mazzilli said the Orioles may get outfielder Jay Gibbons back from the disabled list on Monday. He's been out since June 29 with a strained left hip flexor.
Gibbons' return will present the Orioles with an overload of left-handed hitting outfielders -- namely Gibbons, Larry Bigbie, B.J. Surhoff, David Newhan and Karim Garcia.
If Gibbons continues to do well on his rehabilitation -- he's in Double-A Bowie on Sunday -- then he'll probably be back Monday.
Garcia's been bothered by a sore heel in recent days, but Mazzilli said he's not a candidate for the disabled list at this point.
Whatever move the Orioles make might involve Garcia or backup catchers Robert Machado and Ken Huckaby. Garcia is batting just.190 since the team acquired him last month, while Huckaby has played in only four games since coming to the O's on July 6.
"I don't see [Garcia] on the DL," Mazzilli said. "We have quite a few left-handed hitters in the same spot. We'll just go with the hot hand."
The new outfielder: With injuries to Gibbons and Garcia, Jerry Hairston has moved into center field on a regular basis in recent days.
Hairston clearly would rather be playing his natural position of second base. However, Mazzilli said Hairston has adjusted nicely to each of the outfield positions. Sunday's start in center field was Hairston's seventh there after 24 starts in right field and eight in left.
Mazzilli said that since Roberts can really only play second base, he's got no choice but to move Hairston. The O's skipper likes how Hairston uses his athletic ability and speed to make plays, and said many good players have switched from middle infield positions to center field -- namely Mickey Mantle, Robin Yount and others.
"He's an athlete who can handle it," Mazzilli said. "We have to do what we have to do right now."
Turn back the clock again: The Orioles continued to celebrate their 50th anniversary Sunday by wearing uniforms from their 1983 World Series championship team.
Texas also wore the throwback uniforms as the Orioles celebrated '80s Day for the second straight day. Several players from the '80s were honored before Saturday's 3-1 win over the Rangers.
Jeff Seidel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.