Bad Things Continue as O's Lose To Royals

It looks like Rich Hill's day's are numbered, though it sounds like an easy solution at this point is to put him on the DL with shoulder tendinitis. At least that would buy the O's some time and they can deal with a roster move later, if necessary. If he's been hurt for awhile, let us know, so we can cut the guy some slack. If not, I have no problem letting him go. Aside from pitching poorly, Hill's been a complete professional and even apologized to the front office and his teammates after the game. I'm quite certain he's more disappointed than anyone, so I wish him good luck, in particular, if he's still playing in an O's uniform again.

The game itself was a horrendous way to start a homestand after the brutal road trip that was, and losing to a team that started the night at 38-59. Just brutal. This was a game that the O's have to find a way to win, and yet that flailed away at Soria in the 9th and went quietly, very quietly. Though I wasn't glued to the TV for the entire game, the two things that stick out in my mind are: Juan Samuel may be the worst 3rd base coach in the history of baseball. I'm sure he's a great guy and I remember him as a player, but when Reimold got thrown out at the plate to end the 5th, then saw the replay showing where Reimold was when Freel picked up the ball in LF, I wanted to scream. Reimold was still 5 feet from touching 3rd base, much less rounding it, when Freel fielded a hard hit ball in relatively shallow LF. What was Samuel thinking? Then I read this quote from Trembley from the Sun and think, "what is he thinking?" Maybe he doesn't want to call out Samuel in the media, fair enough, but since I don't know what Trembley said to him after the game, I can only be outraged at Trembley's comment about the play:

"Reimold has been a very good base runner," Trembley said. "It's still early enough in the game, and I think that's the right call right there."

Had Trembley seen the replay? Either way, it was a horrible decision to send him and it seems like Samuel has gotten more runners thrown out at the plate than in any year I can recall. My other question is why Trembley didn't PH for Izturis in the 9th. With Andino, Zaun and Pie on the bench, and Izturis struggling since coming back from the DL, I don't get it. Granted these aren't great options, but both Pie and zaun have been hitting the ball rpetty well in their last efw appearances, so how does it hurt you?

Finally, and I can't take credit for this as I read it from a poster on another blog, but why did Trembley even pitch to Billy Butler in the 8th? He's killed the O's, and it was a huge run to give up at that time in the game. As the season continues to spiral downward, I become less and less convinced that Trembley is the right man for this job. What makes it an even more difficult decision for the FO though, is that many of the young players who have come up could potentially be playing for an entirely new staff next season, and I am a firm believer in continuity. But, to continue the way things are going, would be a huge mistake in and of itself, and a betrayal to us, the fans, so McPhail may have no other choice but to make a change.

Well, at least we have Berken going tonight and Tillman facing Greinke tomorrow night. Things are looking up. Go O's