Bird Seed: Orioles Prospect Pulse, May 26

Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy freaking birthday to me, happy birthday to me.

If all goes according to plan, on Friday May 29th, at about 7:17 PM, the Orioles will take the field with Nolan Reimold playing left field, Adam Jones playing center, and Nick Markakis stationed in right.

RBI man Aubrey Huff will most likely be set at first, and Brian Roberts will play second. Izturis will play short and Melvin Mora will be over at third. But the real attention, and all eyes, will be on the guy in the mask.

The one behind the plate. The one who began his college career as a switch-hitting masher and has transformed into something else completely over the course of the last five years. 

That's right. If you couldn't pick it up from that sultry soliloquy, Matt Wieters is headed to the show, to do whatever he can to help the ball club, and Lord willing, things will turn out all right. Management announced that Wieters would be making his Major League debut on Friday, taking over full time catching duties from Greg Zaun, who will be relegated to a back-up role.

Wieters will also be reuniting with battery mate Brad Bergesen, whom he caught at both Frederick and Bowie last year. They also teamed up at Norfolk earlier this year. The duo will be taking on the Detroit Tigers, who will be sending the rebounding Dontrelle Willis to the mound.

As a side note, big kudos to Jason Berken, who turned in a rather Orioles-esque performance, tossing five innings of two-run ball to pick up the victory in his Major League debut. 

Now that that's all out of the way...

Wieters Provides Compelling Case For Promotion, And Then Gets It

Matt Wieters continued his hot streak with a 4-4 day at the plate that resulted in four RBI, a double and a walk. He also saw his average jump over .300 for the first time in a good long while. Apparently it was a good enough night to earn him a promotion, but he wasn't the only one doing some damage in Norfolk's 9-5 win over Toledo.

Justin Turner, hitting at the top of the lineup for the first time this season, showed some real pop, notching three hits and a walk, and scoring three runs. Veteran outfielder Jeff Fiorentino also chipped in, going 2-4 and driving in two runs with a triple. Infielder Brandon Pinckney also continued his stellar play, knocking a solo home run in the sixth off of the rehabbing Jeremy Bonderman. Take that Bonderman!

If Wieters hits the Tigers in his debut as well as he hits their minor league affiliates, he should fit in the Majors just fine.

With the departure of Jason Berken for Baltimore, Andy Mitchell got the spot start and was about as effective as he always is in a tight spot, pitching four serviceable innings, and escaping by only giving up three runs on four hits.

Russ Wolf made his first appearance since blowing a game last week, and rebounded by pitching two perfect innings, in which he struck out five. He actually picked up the win in this one, and as such, has redeemed himself for his "Goat of the Night" performance.

Bob McCrory also pitched two decent innings, surrendering one run, and lefty Alberto Castillo closed out the victory, striking out the side in the ninth. 

With the stars departing from Norfolk at such a rapid pace (first Bergesen, then Montanez, then Reimold, then Berken) it seems impossible for them to keep up their current pace, both offensively and defensively, but anything's possible.

Who knows? Maybe we're in line for a Brandon Snyder promotion.

Keys Lacks Punch, Lose 1-0

I guess all the excitement about the arrival of Matt Wieters was just too much to handle for Frederick Keys, who lost a nail biter, amassing only six hits and batting 0-8 with runners in scoring position.

DH Bobby Stevens led the offensive attack, if you can even call it that, with two hits on the night, while Pedro Florimon, Brandon Waring, Tyler Henson and Rodolfo Cardona all notched one apiece. 

The real story of the night was the left handed pitching duel that ensued between Brian Matusz, who went home with a tough luck no decision, and Daniel Duffy, who also left before the game was decided.

But let's face it, Matusz is the one we care about, so let's check him out. He pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing only four hits. He struck out five and walked two, and in the process lowered his ERA to an impressive 2.68. Maybe the O's should start all their first round picks at Frederick.

Jake Stevens came on to pitch the eighth and subsequently blew the game for Keys, surrendering an unearned run that made the difference. Who knows? Maybe Matusz is in line for a promotion.

Delmarva Scratches Out A Win In 11

Close games were in the air last night, and Delmarva squeaked by Hickory 2-1 in eleven innings. Infielder Jedidiah Stephen played the hero, driving in the Birds' first run in the second and driving home Ronnie Welty, the winning run, in the bottom of the 11th.

Outfielder Kyle Hudson got a rare start atop the lineup and notched two hits and Elvin Polanco, swinging a hot bat, scored two of his own. Tyler Kolodny and Welty provided the runs for the Birds, with Kolodny advancing on a stolen base in the second to help manufacture the run.

On the mound, Richard Zagone continued his impressive year. Let me tell you, this kid sure is rising up the O's charts. A lefty who makes his mark with his control rather than overpowering stuff, Zagone has been possibly the best pitcher in the O's system so far this year.

He didn't get the win, but he did pitch seven innings of four hit ball, striking out six, and lowering his ERA to 1.92 on the season. 

His other season stats are as follows: 4-3, 51.2 IP, 34 H, 11 ER, 52 K, 17 BB, 2 HRA.

Not bad for a sixth round pick.

Out of the pen, Pat Egan allowed a run for the second consecutive evening, while Eddie Gamboa earned his second consecutive victory, improving to 4-0, out of the bullpen. His ERA now stands at a lofty 1.05.

Hitter of the Night: C Matt Wieters- 4-4 2B, 4 RBI, 1 BB

Pitcher of the Night: LHP Richard Zagone- ND, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 6 K, 2 BB

Goat of the Night: OF Billy Rowell- 0-3 3 K