Happy Thursday, Camden Chatters! Welcome to the off day. Even in a lost season like this one, off days are always better after a win. And the Orioles got a nice one yesterday, a 5-1 victory over the Phillies. Trevor Rogers kept a tough offense in check, and Coby Mayo hit his fourth home run of the year. You can check out all the details in Andrea SK’s game recap.

It was a rough road trip for the Orioles, who went 2-4 between the Cubs and Phillies. One player that looked good on the dismal trip was starting pitcher Trevor Rogers, who started the first game against the Cubs and the last game against the Phillies. In 14 total innings, Rogers allowed two runs and struck out 14. He now has an ERA of just 1.44 on the season. He’s made 10 starts and has five wins and I’m starting to wonder…is Trevor Rogers the best pitcher in baseball?

I kid, of course. But in a season full of disappointments, how nice it is to look forward to every start from Rogers. In a season like this, I take what I can get. At least until they call up some prospects. I think we all feel that way. Speaking of, let’s check in with Dylan Beavers and Samuel Basallo. Last night, Beavers doubled and walked. Basallo one-upped him with a walk and a three-run homer.

After today’s off day, the Orioles welcome the Athletics to Baltimore. They are the second-worst team in the American League, but only 2.5 games behind the Orioles. So maybe it’ll be a good series. In California earlier this season the Orioles lost two out of three to the A’s.

Birth of the Oriole Bird – Baltimore Baseball
Start your day with the history of your favorite team’s mascot.

Latest on O’Neill, Machín makes it back to majors (sort of), promising news on Mateo and Sánchez – MASN Sports
Tyler O’Neill can’t catch a break. He injured his wrist on a catch at the wall. X-Rays are negative.

To finally reach the majors, Orioles utility man Jeremiah Jackson had to embrace being present – The Baltimore Banner
I love the story of a longtime minor leaguer getting a chance. Jeremiah Jackson played four seasons in Double-A! The odds are stacked against him, but maybe he’ll be a success story after all.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have five Orioles birthday buddies. I’ll be honest, though, the quantity is more impressive than the quality. Ryan Lavernway (38) appeared in 10 games for the Orioles in 2015. Wade LeBlanc (41) pitched 12 games in 2020-21 with an 8.38 ERA. Jason Grimsley (58) pitched in relief for the Orioles in 2004 and 2005, but is best known to me for his part in the 1994 Corked Bat Incident. Tex Wilson (b.1936, d. 2011) played in 79 games with the Orioles from 1955-57.

The longest tenured former Oriole born on this day is catcher Gerónimo Gil. Gil was a backup catcher first to Brook Fordyce, then to Javy López. He played with the Orioles from 2001-05 and his biggest chance was 2002 when he appeared in 125 games. Altogether, he appeared in 272 games for the Orioles. Gil turns 50 years old today.

On this day in 1964, the Orioles beat the Yankees, 2-0. Steve Barber pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, Jerry Adair homered, and Brooks Robinson had an RBI single. The win gave the Orioles sole possession of first place in the American League.

In 1998, the Orioles beat the Twins 16-9. Brady Anderson led the way with five hits, including two home runs. Cal Ripken and Harold Baines also homered to bail out Scott Erickson, who gave up seven runs in four innings to his former team.

In 2016, Manny Machado hit three home runs in his first three at-bats against the White Sox and 0-for-3 over his final three at-bats. The Orioles defeated the White Sox, 10-6.

In 2023, the Orioles selected Jacob Webb off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Webb went on to pitch in 85 games for the Orioles in 2023 and 2024. Let’s not talk about the 2023 postseason.

And on this day last year, the Orioles defeated the Blue Jays by a score of 7-3. The Blue Jays led 3-2 until the seventh inning when Jackson Holliday hit his fourth home run. Anthony Santander had two homers in the game, and Eloy Jiménez hit a two-RBI double. Trevor Rogers allowed three runs in five innings.