[jbock13]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31751_162-5 ... y-college/

(CBS News) Last week the sports world debated whether the talent-laden Kentucky Wildcats could beat the NBA's Washington Wizards. Apparently the hypothetical question should have been: Could the State College of Florida Manatees actually beat the Baltimore Orioles?

Though slightly rigged.

But as we speak, the Orioles are losing to the Norfolk Tides 3-2 in the bottom of the 5'th.

[LUminary]

You just had to post that.

[Cider Jim]

Welcome to my world. And those 1980s ballcaps (with the white background) aren't helping.

[jbock13]

And it gets even better.

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/04/tides-b ... arbor-park

"The Norfolk Tides beat their parent club, the Baltimore Orioles, 6-4, in an exhibition game today at Harbor Park.

Center fielder Xavier Avery went 2 for 4 with two runs, while shortstop Steve Tolleson went 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Second baseman Josh Barfield went 1 for 2 with two RBIs, and catcher John Hester went 2 for 2."

[LUminary]

At least some of the Tides are future Birds. The loss to the JUCO team is embarrassing. But it's baseball. And preseason baseball at that. It happens.

[jbock13]

Welcome to my world. And those 1980s ballcaps (with the white background) aren't helping.

I actually like them.

[Cider Jim]

Orioles are throwing a 4-0 shutout after 8 innings.

[jbock13]

Orioles are throwing a 4-0 shutout after 8 innings.

Nick Markakis has 3 RBI's. Good for my fantasy team.

[Cider Jim]

It got a little hairy in the 9th, but the O's pulled out a 4-2 WIN on their opening day!

[LUminary]

2-0. Fine starting pitching so far, and nice numbers from the heart of the lineup. Just wish this was a 12-game series with the Twins.

[jbock13]

Twins

Not to burst your bubble but that's the only reason why.

But congrats. In all seriousness I'd love to see the Orioles have a decent year for once. But only if you let the Rays beat you all 18 times

[Cider Jim]

2-0. Fine starting pitching so far.

LUminary, I hope you get MASN to watch all the O's games like I do.

Here's a stat I heard yesterday: in the history of the Orioles' franchise (dating back to the 1950s), they have NEVER opened up with back-to-back 7-shutout inning performances from their pitching staff to start a season, like they have this year!

[adam42381]

I think the thread title was supposed to read Red Sox Stink.

[jbock13]

I think the thread title was supposed to read Red Sox Stink.

You're back ahead now. Happy?

[jbock13]

I know this is random but Joe West is a disgrace to the game of baseball. How he is still an umpire is beyond me. His strike zone was inconsistent all day Friday, he overturned a "fan interference" call on Friday when it was inconclusive, then today, same thing happens and he did not even allow the umpires to look at a replay. That's not even counting the other things he does wrong almost nightly.

Joe West should never be on a major league baseball diamond ever again.

[adam42381]

I think the thread title was supposed to read Red Sox Stink.

You're back ahead now. Happy?

And now we're in extra innings after Aceves blew a 3 run lead in the 9th. No, I'm not happy.

EDIT: I agree about Joe West. The same could be said about Angel Hernandez and C.B. Bucknor.

[NotAJerry]

I know this is random but Joe West is a disgrace to the game of baseball. How he is still an umpire is beyond me. His strike zone was inconsistent all day Friday, he overturned a "fan interference" call on Friday when it was inconclusive, then today, same thing happens and he did not even allow the umpires to look at a replay. That's not even counting the other things he does wrong almost nightly.

Joe West should never be on a major league baseball diamond ever again.

Agreed. I saw the most absurd thing I've seen from an umpire at Nats Park 2 years ago and of course it was West. The Nats have runners on 2nd and 3rd with Ian Desmond being the one on 2nd base. Willie Harris hits a sac fly that scores Bernadina and Desmond goes to 3rd. 3rd base ump rules him safe. West, who was on 1st base and had no part in the play, comes across the field without being summoned and overturns a judgment call (I don't think I've seen it before or after). Desmond slams his helmet down and West, who had no business being in on that call in the first place, tosses him without warning.

It's stunning that West, and Angel Hernandez, still have jobs. They both routinely interject themselves where they don't belong, both make a habit of drawing the spotlight to themselves, and both are trigger happy with ejections that occur due to something they did wrong in the first place.

[Cider Jim]

O's are now 3-0. Is that the best record in baseball???

[jbock13]

I know this is random but Joe West is a disgrace to the game of baseball. How he is still an umpire is beyond me. His strike zone was inconsistent all day Friday, he overturned a "fan interference" call on Friday when it was inconclusive, then today, same thing happens and he did not even allow the umpires to look at a replay. That's not even counting the other things he does wrong almost nightly.

Joe West should never be on a major league baseball diamond ever again.

Agreed. I saw the most absurd thing I've seen from an umpire at Nats Park 2 years ago and of course it was West. The Nats have runners on 2nd and 3rd with Ian Desmond being the one on 2nd base. Willie Harris hits a sac fly that scores Bernadina and Desmond goes to 3rd. 3rd base ump rules him safe. West, who was on 1st base and had no part in the play, comes across the field without being summoned and overturns a judgment call (I don't think I've seen it before or after). Desmond slams his helmet down and West, who had no business being in on that call in the first place, tosses him without warning.

It's stunning that West, and Angel Hernandez, still have jobs. They both routinely interject themselves where they don't belong, both make a habit of drawing the spotlight to themselves, and both are trigger happy with ejections that occur due to something they did wrong in the first place.

I was actually at that game, I think. Was it against the Reds? You're correct about West overruling the 3rd baseman, but I was sitting on the 3rd base line and it seemed clear to me his foot popped off the bag, so the basemen tagged him, which was where West called him out. I'm a Rays fan, but my dad is a Reds fan so that's why we were there.

I think he actually got that one right, but your overall point is right and I agree. Joe West couldn't wait to review the HR Longiria hit on Friday, but a borderline fan interference call on Pena's, and West literally runs across the field as Maddon comes out to say that under no circumstances will he review it. That's total

[jbock13]

O's are now 3-0. Is that the best record in baseball???

Rays are 3-0 too.

[thepostman]

tied for the best with 4 other teams..Baltimore swept the Twins and the Rays swept the Yankees. I would say the Rays sweep is a bit more impressive but good showing from the O's this weekend for sure

[LUminary]

LUminary, I hope you get MASN to watch all the O's games like I do.

Yes indeed!

O's are now 3-0.

And, as a bonus, the Yankees and Red Sox are both 0-3.

[LUminary]

Back to earth. So, what is the Yankees' record now against the Orioles over the last few seasons? 147-5?

Matusz looks like he still has problems, and the two extra-inning losses (Reynolds' costly error on Tuesday, too many LOB last night) were particularly frustrating.

[Cider Jim]

PAINFUL series against the da-- Yanks!

[LUminary]

Cider, O's in first in the AL East. For one day at least. This keeps up and we'll have to change the title of this thread!