Orioles, 5/22
May 22, 2003
4th Place in AL East, 20-25
Latest Team News
The Orioles continue to struggle and have only won 4 of their last 16 games. The haven't taken a series in the month of May and the future is not bright. Injuries continue to play a major role in the Orioles downward slide. Second baseman, Jerry Hairston broke a bone in his right foot and will be sidelined through at least mid June and possibly well into July. Hairston was hitting .287 with a .387 OBP and 14 steals, which led the American League. He joins Rodrigo Lopez, BJ Surhoff, Marty Cordova, Eric Bedard and Scott Erickson on the DL. Rodrigo Lopez threw off the mound Tuesday for the first time since staining his oblique muscle. The O's were hoping he would be ready to begin a rehab assignment around May 16 but his recovery has been slowed and he will be out longer than expected.
Who's Hot
Sidney Ponson: After getting rocked in his first start of the season, Ponson posted his fifth win on Tuesday. Plagued by the long ball in his past five seasons, he has only allowed four homers this year. He has a respectable 4.11 ERA and has K'd 44 in 57 innings. A free agent at the end of the season, he looks to be on the verge of a breakout year.
Jeff Conine: In the last seven games, Conine is hitting .346 with 3 doubles, 5 RBI's and 4 runs.
Tony Batista: In the last seven games, Batista is hitting
.409 with a .636 SLG. He leads the team in RBI (30), and is near the top in HR (7) and R (23).
Local Spin
Brian Roberts has been recalled from AAA Ottawa. He will be the everyday second baseman and will hit leadoff while Hairston is out. Roberts actually beat out Hairston last May as the starting 2B but later lost the job. He seems to have regained his confidence in the minors and was hitting .315 at AAA with 13 doubles and 19 steals before his call-up. Keep an eye on him, he may be a great pickup in deep and AL only leagues.
Team Leaders
Batting:
BA: Melvin Mora, .310
HR: Jay Gibbons, 8
RBI: Tony Batista, 30
R: Jeff Conine, 26
SB: Jerry Hairston, 14
Pitching:
W: Sidney Ponson, 5
ERA: Jason Johnson, 3.00
K: Sidney Ponson, 44
IP: Sidney Ponson, 57
SV: Jorge Julio, 11
