O's on Deck

Arizona Fall League recap -- Nov. 11

2009-11-12T05:00:30Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs pounded the Scottsdale Scorpions, 12-3, in the Arizona Fall League tonight to snap a three-game losing streak. With seven games remaining in the regular season, the Desert Dogs are 14-11 and in first place in the AFL East Division. They hold a 1 1/2-game lead over the Mesa Solar Sox. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Phoenix Desert Dogs 12, Scottsdale Scorpions 3 (Box score) Recap: Designated hitter Josh Bell was 2-for-5 with an RBI double in the Desert Dogs' victory. Orioles minor league center fielder Matt Angle added a sacrifice fly, a single and two runs scored for Phoenix. Angle also picked up his seventh stolen base in Arizona. First baseman Brandon Waring was 0-for-4 with a sacrifice fly for the Desert Dogs. In nine games during the fall showcase, Waring is batting .257 (9-for-35) with two home runs, nine RBIs and 13 strikeouts. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played in tonight's game. I'm told that Brandon Snyder isn't in Arizona anymore, but there is no reason to panic. The Orioles just feel he has done enough this season. Snyder hit .354 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 17 games.

Matusz bobblehead available with 2010 Baysox tickets

2009-11-11T15:15:48Z

With the holiday season approaching quickly, the Double-A Bowie Baysox are offering a special ticket package to fans for the 2010 season. If you purchase a package, which is $79.95 plus $5.95 in shipping and handling, you'll receive six lower reserved tickets to be used for any game at Prince George's Stadium in 2010. In addition, the Baysox will also give a Brian Matusz bobblehead doll and your choice between a Baysox home replica hat or $15 worth of Baysox Bucks. In eight starts for the Baysox in 2009, Matusz was 7-0 with a 1.55 ERA. "Matusz was so good when he was here," Baysox director of marketing Brandan Kaiser said in a statement. "Our fans will really enjoy adding his bobblehead to their Baysox memorabilia collections." In order for the packages to be delivered before the holidays, all packages will be shipped on Dec. 14. Fans can also choose to pick up their tickets at the Baysox box office between Dec. 15 and Dec. 23. Check out the Baysox Web site for more information or to buy tickets. You can also make your purchases by calling the Baysox group sales department at (301) 464-4880.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Nov. 10

2009-11-11T04:32:05Z

Two early runs were more than enough for the Scottsdale Scorpions to send the Phoenix Desert Dogs to their third consecutive loss in the Arizona Fall League. The Scorpions scored once in each of the first two innings and blanked Phoenix, 2-0. With the loss, the Desert Dogs dropped to 13-11 this season, but they are still in first place in the AFL East Division. The Mesa Solar Sox (11-12), however, have five straight wins to pull within 1 1/2 games of Phoenix. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Scottsdale Scorpions 2, Phoenix Desert Dogs 0 (Box score) Recap: Third baseman Josh Bell picked up one of the Desert Dogs' four hits in the loss. The 22-year-old infielder was 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Orioles minor league relief pitchers Eddie Gamboa and Josh Perrault each tossed a scoreless inning. Gamboa allowed one hit and threw 11 of his 12 pitches for strikes, while Perrault walked one batter and tossed eight of 14 pitches for strikes. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played in today's game.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Nov. 9

2009-11-10T05:15:39Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs were edged by the Peoria Javelinas, 4-3, in the Arizona Fall League. With their second consecutive defeat, the Desert Dogs' lead in the AFL East Division was shortened to 2 1/2 games over the Mesa Solar Sox. Phoenix is 13-10 this season, while Mesa is 10-12 and currently on a four-game winning streak. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Peoria Javelinas 4, Phoenix Desert Dogs 3 (Box score) Recap: Only two Orioles minor leaguers played in today's game for Phoenix. Desert Dogs designated hitter Brandon Snyder was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. In 17 games in Arizona, the 22-year-old infielder is batting .354 with three home runs and 18 RBIs. Snyder also has five doubles, one triple and 17 runs scored. Snyder is tied for fifth in the league in RBIs, tied for third in runs scored and tied for ninth in hits (23). Right fielder Matt Angle was 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout while batting in the leadoff spot for the Desert Dogs. The 24-year-old outfielder is 1-for-19 in his past five games. Angle is hitting .275 with five RBIs, 11 runs scored and six stolen bases in 12 games.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Rising Stars Showcase

2009-11-08T05:35:31Z

The AFL East Division team scored seven runs in the top of the first inning of the Rising Stars Showcase in the Arizona Fall League, but it wasn't enough for the victory. After chipping away at the lead, the West Division team scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to take an 8-7 victory in the fourth annual matchup of top prospects. Rising Stars Showcase Score: AFL West 8, AFL East 7 (Box score) Recap: Orioles minor league third baseman Josh Bell hit a sacrifice fly and also walked in the loss for the AFL East Division in the game. First baseman Brandon Snyder played the entire game for the AFL East Division, and he was 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout. Orioles minor league right-hander Brandon Erbe was selected for the East squad, but he didn't play.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Nov. 6

2009-11-07T03:04:51Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs were doubled up by the Scottsdale Scorpions in an 8-4 loss during the Arizona Fall League today. Despite the defeat, the Desert Dogs are 13-9 and still in first place in the AFL East Division. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Scottsdale Scorpions 8, Phoenix Desert Dogs 4 (Box score) Recap: Third baseman Brandon Waring hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning, but he also struck out twice in the Desert Dogs' loss. Waring, who also committed a throwing error in the game, is hitting .290 with two home runs and nine RBIs in eight games for Phoenix this season. Desert Dogs center fielder Matt Angle was 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly. The 24-year-old outfielder also grounded into a double play and picked up an outfield assist. Orioles minor league first baseman Brandon Snyder was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Snyder's four-game hitting streak was snapped in the loss. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played in today's game.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Nov. 5

2009-11-06T04:27:24Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs survived a slugfest today, earning a 12-11 victory over the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League. Phoenix continues to lead the AFL East Division with a 13-8 record. The Mesa Solar Sox and Scottsdale Scorpions are 4 1/2 games behind the Desert Dogs. Both teams are 8-12. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Phoenix Desert Dogs 12, Peoria Saguaros 11 (Box score) Recap: Designated hitter Brandon Snyder was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and two RBIs in the Desert Dogs' victory over the Saguaros. The 22-year-old infielder also walked twice and scored a run. Orioles minor league third baseman Josh Bell was 1-for-5 with a walk and two strikeouts for Phoenix. Starting pitcher Ryohei Tanaka was roughed up for five runs and eight hits in three innings for the Desert Dogs. The 26-year-old right-hander also pitched to four batters in the fourth before being removed. Desert Dogs relief pitchers Eddie Gamboa and Josh Perrault also appeared in today's game. Gamboa struggled in two-thirds of an inning, giving up two runs and three hits, while Perrault recorded the final out to pick up his first save in Arizona.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Nov. 4

2009-11-05T00:20:45Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but their rally fell short in a 3-2 loss to the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League. Despite the loss, Phoenix is still in first place in the AFL East Division with a 12-8 record. The Desert Dogs are 4 1/2 games ahead of the Mesa Solar Sox and Scottsdale Scorpions, who are both 7-12 this season. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Peoria Saguaros 3, Phoenix Desert Dogs 2 (Box score) Recap: Third baseman Brandon Waring was 1-for-4 with a run scored and two strikeouts for Phoenix. Orioles minor league center fielder Matt Angle was hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts for the Desert Dogs, but he picked up an RBI when he was hit by a pitch with two outs in the ninth. Phoenix first baseman Brandon Snyder was 1-for-3 with a walk. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played for the Desert Dogs in the loss.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Nov. 3

2009-11-04T01:30:45Z

In case you missed my post earlier, Orioles minor leaguers Brandon Snyder and Brandon Erbe were selected for the Rising Stars Showcase in the Arizona Fall League, which will take place Saturday night. The Phoenix Desert Dogs fell to the Surprise Rafters, 6-5, in 11 innings today. Despite the loss, the Desert Dogs remain in first place in the AFL East Division with a 12-7 record. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Surprise Rafters 6, Phoenix Desert Dogs 5, 11 innings (Box score) Recap: Orioles minor league relief pitcher Josh Perrault (0-1) suffered the loss for the Desert Dogs after surrendering one run, three hits and one walk in one inning. Relief pitcher Eddie Gamboa was more successful in his outing for Phoenix. The 24-year-old right-hander gave up two hits in two innings, but he didn't allow any runs. Gamboa threw 13 of his 18 pitches for strikes. In four games for the Desert Dogs this season, Gamboa has allowed two runs (one earned) in 6 1/3 innings. He has struck out two batters and issued one walk in Arizona. Designated hitter Josh Bell was 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI for the Desert Dogs. The 22-year-old infielder struck out twice. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers appeared in today's game for Phoenix.

Erbe, Snyder picked for AFL Rising Stars Showcase

2009-11-03T20:48:04Z

The fourth annual Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Showcase is scheduled for Saturday night in Surprise, Ariz., and two Orioles minor leaguers will be representing the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the event. Starting pitcher Brandon Erbe and first baseman Brandon Snyder were selected to represent the organization in the fall showcase. Double-A Bowie Baysox coach Moe Hill, who is a coach with the Desert Dogs, is also going to be in attendance. Through Monday, in three starts for Phoenix, Erbe has a 2.00 ERA and nine strikeouts in nine innings. The 21-year-old right-hander has given up three runs (two earned) and eight hits. Erbe was 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA in 18 starts while splitting the regular season between the Baysox and the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds. Snyder ranks among the AFL leaders in several offensive categories through Monday's game. The 22-year-old infielder is ninth in the league with a .365 batting average, third with 16 RBIs and tied for third with 15 runs scored. The Orioles' first-round draft pick in the 2005 MLB draft batted .289 with 12 home runs and 88 RBIs in 131 games while splitting time between the Baysox and Triple-A Norfolk Tides in 2009. Snyder hit .343 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs in 58 games for Bowie before struggling with the Tides. He only batted .248 with two home runs and 43 RBIs in 73 games at the Triple-A level. The Rising Stars Showcase will be broadcast on the MLB Network at 8:15 p.m. EST on Saturday. I'll also provide a recap of the game on the blog later that night.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Nov. 2

2009-11-02T22:03:45Z

Last week, several people asked if any of the games in the Arizona Fall League would be televised, and I wasn't sure about an answer at the time. However, it was announced Friday that MLB Network will broadcast two upcoming games -- the fourth annual Rising Stars Game (Saturday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.) and the AFL championship (Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m.). In today's action, the Phoenix Desert Dogs defeated the Surprise Rafters, 10-2, in the fall showcase for minor leaguers. Phoenix remains in first place in the AFL East Division with a 12-6 record. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Phoenix Desert Dogs 10, Surprise Rafters 2 (Box score) Recap: Orioles minor league first baseman Brandon Snyder displayed a good eye in the Desert Dogs' victory over Surprise. The 22-year-old infielder was 1-for-1 with four walks and two runs scored. Defensively, Snyder helped to turn three double plays for Phoenix. Third baseman Josh Bell was 1-for-4 with a walk for the Desert Dogs, and right fielder Matt Angle was hitless in four at-bats in his return to the lineup. Before today's game, Angle hadn't played since last Monday. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played today for the Desert Dogs.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Oct. 31

2009-11-01T00:45:22Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs recovered from two consecutive losses to top the Mesa Solar Sox, 4-3, in the Arizona Fall League. Phoenix remains in first place in the AFL East Division with an 11-6 record. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Phoenix Desert Dogs 4, Mesa Solar Sox 3 (Box score) Recap: Orioles minor league relief pitcher Eddie Gamboa retired all three batters he faced in the Desert Dogs' victory. The 24-year-old right-hander threw five of his six pitches for strikes. First baseman Brandon Waring was 0-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly for Phoenix. In six games in Arizona, the 23-year-old infielder is batting .304 (7-for-23) with one home run and eight RBIs. The Desert Dogs' Josh Bell, who served as the designated hitter in tonight's game, was 0-for-4. The 22-year-old infielder is hitting .333 in Arizona, but he is 2-for-22 in his past six games. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played in today's game.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Oct. 30

2009-10-31T02:57:30Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, but their rally came up just short in a 5-4 loss to the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. With the loss, the Desert Dogs dropped to 10-6 this season. They continue to lead the AFL East Division. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Peoria Javelinas 5, Phoenix Desert Dogs 4 (Box score) Recap: Orioles minor league starting pitcher Brandon Erbe turned in a strong performance in the Desert Dogs' loss to the Javelinas. The 21-year-old right-hander allowed one run and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Erbe gave up a solo home run to Javelinas catcher Jonathan Lucroy, a Milwaukee Brewers prospect, with two outs in the top of the second. Erbe struck out five batters and issued one walk, throwing 51 of his 71 pitches for strikes. Relief pitcher Ryohei Tanaka took over for Erbe and gave up one hit in 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the Desert Dogs. The 26-year-old right-hander collected two strikeouts and walked one hitter. First baseman Brandon Snyder was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the Desert Dogs. Orioles minor league relief pitcher Josh Perrault allowed one hit in one scoreless inning for Phoenix. Third baseman Josh Bell, center fielder Matt Angle, infielder Brandon Waring and relief pitcher Eddie Gamboa did not appear in today's game.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Oct. 29

2009-10-30T00:17:37Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs' four-game winning streak was snapped as they were blanked, 4-0, by the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League. Phoenix remains in first place in the AFL East Division with a 10-5 record. The Desert Dogs are four games ahead of the Scottsdale Scorpions (6-9). Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Peoria Saguaros 4, Phoenix Desert Dogs 0 (Box score) Recap: Designated hitter Brandon Snyder struggled in the Desert Dogs' loss to the Saguaros. The 22-year-old infielder was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the game. Snyder is batting .340 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in Arizona, but he is only 3-for-20 in his past five games. Orioles minor league third baseman Josh Bell was hitless in three at-bats for Phoenix. The 22-year-old infielder flied out twice and grounded into a double play. Bell is hitting .368 with one home run and nine RBIs in 10 games in Arizona. Former Orioles starting pitcher Adam Loewen was 1-for-3 with a strikeout for the Desert Dogs. He played left field in the game. The 25-year-old outfielder is hitting .171 with 17 strikeouts in 10 games for Phoenix. Four of his six hits came in one game against Scottsdale on Oct. 15. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers appeared in today's game.

Arizona Fall League recap -- Oct. 28

2009-10-29T01:17:01Z

Phoenix Desert Dogs left fielder Grant Desme, an Oakland Athletics prospect, was 3-for-4 with two home runs, four RBIs and four runs scored in the 11-6 victory over the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. The 23-year-old outfielder leads the league in batting average (.469), home runs (10), RBIs (22) and runs scored (19). Desme has hit two home runs in a game twice this season. With their four-game winning streak, the Desert Dogs remain in first place in the AFL East Division with a 10-4 record. The Scottsdale Scorpions (6-8) are four games behind Phoenix. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Phoenix Desert Dogs 11, Peoria Javelinas 6 (Box score) Recap: Orioles minor league third baseman Brandon Waring was 3-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and two runs scored in the Desert Dogs' victory. First baseman Brandon Snyder was 1-for-4 with a run scored for the Desert Dogs in the win. Relief pitcher Eddie Gamboa returned to the Desert Dogs after being sidelined with a minor back injury. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed two hits in one scoreless inning. Gamboa picked up one strikeout. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played in today's game for Phoenix.