It is sure nice to spend a Sunday night away from a ballpark.  The 5:05 PM game got us back to the hotel in Kannapolis around 9:00 o’clock.

A lot of the guys are really paying close attention to the NCAA baseball regionals.  Here is a look at how our players alma maters are doing.

East Carolina (Shane Mathews) - The Pirates are the #1 seed in the Greenville Region.  ECU will play South Carolina on Monday at 6 PM, with the winner taking on #4 UNC in the Super Regionals.

Virginia (Greg Miclat) - The Cavaliers are the #2 seed in the UC-Irvine Region.  UVA defeated San Diego State and UC Irvine.  UVA is playing for the Region Championship right now (game started at 11:00 PM). 

Arkansas (Jacob Julius) – The Razorbacks are the #2 seed in the Norman Region.  They beat Washington State and top seed Oklahoma.  Arrkansas won the region with an 11-0 win over Oklahoma to advance to the Super Regionals.

Missouri (Rick Zagone) – The Tigers lost their opening round game to Western Kentucky, but beat Monmouth to stay alive.  Missouri then fell to Western Kentucky again today, 11-6.

Ohio State (Jedidiah Stephen) – The Buckeyes are the #3 seed in the Tallahasse Region.  Ohio State was knocked out today by Florida State 37-6.  Yes, the final was really 37-6, wow! Ohio State did knock out Georgia earlier in the day 13-6.

Geogia (Nathan Moreau) - The Bulldogs were eliminated by the Buckeyes today 11-6.

Switching gears, the Lakewood BlueClaws lost tonight, so the Shorebirds are now a 1.5 games out of first place.   Going to a fun final three weeks as the ‘Birds go for the first half title. 

Until next time, Go Shorebirds!

Pat Egan pitched very well for the Bowie BaySox last night against the Harrisburg Senators.  Egan replaced starter Ryan Keefer, who allowed six hits and four runs in just two innings.

Egan then silenced the Senators bats in the next four innings.  He allowed just four hits and no runs.  He also struck out two and did not allow a walk. 

If Egan continues to pitch like he did last night, he should stick up in Double-A.  Right now, the Shorebirds have the maximum of 25 players, so there is no room for him to return.

Until next time, Go Shorebirds!

We left Salisbury just before 10:00 o’clock last night and arrived at our hotel in Kannapolis at about 6:00 in the morning.  Bus ride was pretty smooth (one stop somewhere in Emporia).  I went straight to bed and woke back up at 8:30. 

The Orioles made another transaction late last night.  RHP Colin Allen was sent back to extended spring training and RHP Travis Keating has been added to the Shorebirds roster.  He is en route for Kannapolis.  It was tough to watch as Colin Allen cleaned out his locker room and packed his car last night, while the rest of the team loaded up the bus.  Just from being around the team this season, I can tell you that Colin was well liked by all the guys.  You never know, hopefully Colin pitches well in Aberdeen and maybe he’ll return to Delmarva towards the end of the season.

Not a bad location for this hotel here in Kannapolis.  CiCi’s Pizza, Buffet Hibatchi, IHOP (perfect for the players because it is open 24-hours) and several other places like Dollar General (great place for finding essentials that you forgot when packing). 

Due to our early morning arrival today, there is only one bus and it isn’t departing until 4:00 PM.  Show and Go day.

Couple other things going on.  All of the coaches and yours truly recently finished filling out our all-star ballots.  They were sent into the league yesterday.  It’s a little early with the game not until June 23rd but obviously they need to make all the arrangements (travel, etc.).  West Virginia is hosting the event this year. 

Today, Ryan Minor is going to nominate two Shorebirds for the Topps South Atlantic League Player of the Month. 

Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium, home of the Intimidators, was constructed in 1995.  The team in Kannapolis was the Piedmont Phillies when the stadium was built.  Fieldcrest Cannon is a textile company in case you were wondering.

Have a couple things to take care of before we depart today.

Until next time, Go Shorebirds!

The series finale between Delmarva and Hickory has been postponed due to ungodly rain.  I have never seen stronger rain and wind in my life.  I can’t even begin to properly describe the intensity of the rain tonight.  The players did some tarp slides which entertained the fans that had to stick out the nasty storm.

Not exactly sure how this game will be made up since we don’t play the Crawdads again in the first half.  I’ll you know when I find out.

Anyway, bus doesn’t leave until 10 PM so everybody has a little bit of time to relax and get ready for the seven hour or so trip.

Luke Scott has hit two more home runs tonight.  Wow.

Not a lot to report tonight.  Just watching the debut of Matt Wieters. 

I’ll check in when we arrive in Kannapolis.

Until next time, Go Shorebirds!

Pat Egan was promoted from the Shorebirds to the Bowie Baysox (AA) yesterday.  He left this morning to join the club as they take on the Harrisburg Senators tonight at 7:05 PM.

Egan definitely is deserving of this opportunity.  In 11 appearances for Delmarva, he was 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA. 

Last season with Aberdeen, Egan was part of the starting rotation.  He made 15 starts and posted a 5-6 record with a 3.24 ERA. 

Egan is beginning to place himself on the prospect radar screen for the Orioles.  He was drafted in the 36th round of the 2006 First Year Player Draft out.  Egan spent his first two seasons in short-season (Bluefield & Aberdeen).

It is rare for a player to jump a level, in this case Frederick, during the season.  The thing to remember with Egan is that he is 24 years old and turning 25 this year in October.  The time is now to make a move.

I’ll keep you posted on how he does.

Until next time, Go Shorebirds!

2006 Shorebirds pitcher David Hernandez has been called up to the Baltimore Orioles and will make his first start in the big leagues tonight against the Detroit Tigers.

In 2006, Hernandez went 7-8 with a 4.15 ERA.  In 145.1 innings, Hernandez fanned 154 batters.  The following year, Hernandez moved up to Frederick.  In 2008, he advanced to Bowie (AA), where he led the Eastern League in strike outs. 

With Norfolk this season, he was 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA. In 43.1 innings, he allowed just 33 hits and 14 runs.  He also struck out 60 batters, which is second in the International League.

Hernandez is taking the rotation spot of the injured Koji Uehara.

The Sacramento, California native is just 24-years old.  Hernandez is the second pitcher to make his big league debut in the last week (Berken). 

The future of the Orioles has definitely arrived at Camden Yards.  Matt Wieters will make his debut on Friday.

Until next time, Go Shorebirds!

I’m sitting up here writing the post game recap and Luke Scott is coming to the plate for the Baltimore Orioles.  First at-bat in about 15 days in the big leagues following his two day rehab assignment here in Delmarva and what does he do? A line drive home run off Roy Halladay.  I guess the two days in Delmarva really helped him.

Pretty cool stuff there.

Its been about three weeks since Nate Nery was promoted to Frederick.  He has made four starts in the Carolina League.

Here is what he has done so far.

Nery is 0-1 with a 3.91 ERA.  In 23.0 innings, he has given up 28 hits and 10 earned runs.  Nery has 19 strike outs to 7 walks.  The Carolina League is hitting .289 against him.

His best start was against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans when he tossed six innings and scattered five hits.  He did not allow an earned run.

Just thought you all might be curious how Nate is doing at the next level.

Until next time, Go Shorebirds!

Finally, the Wieters era at the big league level has arrived.  He will be called up the Orioles on Friday.  You always wonder what the trickle down effect will be on the catchers in the minors.  No time for speculation.  Way to many possibilities.

Here is what Andy McPhail had to say about the call up.  It’s interesting to note that he made it first public on the Orioles telecast on MASN today. 

Courtesy of Spencer Fordin and the Orioles.com.

“He’s been on quite a streak the last 10 days, and today in Norfolk he’s 4-for-4 with a couple RBIs,” MacPhail said. “He’s made the progress. The power’s starting to come and he’s over .300 as we speak. It’s time. He’s done what he needed to do at that level. We just wanted to make sure we didn’t get into a circumstance where he had to go back. We’re reasonably comfortable that this is a good time for him and we’re going to give it a shot.”

I think Wieters is going to do very well.  I saw him quite a bit last season in Frederick when I was in Myrtle Beach and everybody had nothing but great things to say about him.  I did an interview with him and he really has his head on straight.  Remember, Blaine Beatty (our current Pitching Coach) was the Pitching Coach of that team.  One of the first things that Blaine will mention when you ask him about Wieters is his incredible arm behind the plate. 

One other piece of news to pass along.  Jacob Julius is going to need some time to heal his wrist.  Remember, he crashed into the bullpen en route for a fly ball three nights ago.  He was placed on the disabled list retro-active to 5/24. 

The Shorebirds are now a man short of the maximum 25.  A move is expected later in the week.

Birds are now on a seven game streak and just a half game behind Lakewood.  Brace yourself for an exciting final month of the first half.

Until next time, Go Shorebirds!

For some reason I hadn’t checked the overall organzation standings, which includes all minor league teams, for a quite awhile.  I checked today and guess who has the best farm system (record wise).  Yep, the Baltimore Orioles.

I’m not shocked, but definitely surprised.  I have listed the four in season Orioles affiliates records. 

Norfolk – 29-14

Bowie – 22-20

Frederick – 22-22

Delmarva – 23-18

Entering tonight, Norfolk is tied for the most wins in all of minor league baseball with the Fort Wayne Wizards (Padres) and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees). 

Good sign for the system and good sign for the big club.  Talent is certainly spread across the system.  Thought you all might be interested to know this.

Until next time, Go Shorebirds!