Orioles Notable Quotables – June 19th

Let’s check in on some of the news & notes from around the Baltimore Orioles in this month’s notable quotables.

Congratulations to starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez and his wife, Lucia, who welcomed their first child, daughter Leah, on Monday night in California. According to the Baltimore Sun, Leah arrived a couple of days early at 6 lbs. 11 oz. and 19 inches long.

Jun 16, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher

(50) throws in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Red Sox 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

No word from Camp Gonzalez as to whether she’s right-handed like her dad, but she does have good timing as she made her entrance the day after Gonzalez’s strong performance (3 runs, 5 hits in 6 1/3 innings) in the series clinching game against Boston.

With less than one month remaining until the All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York City, a total of 7 Orioles are in contention for All-Star invites. Currently slotted as starters (based on # of votes) are Chris Davis (1st base), J.J. Hardy (shortstop), Adam Jones & Nick Markakis (outfield). Additionally, Manny Machado (3rd base), Matt Wieters (catcher) & Nate McLouth (outfield) are good bets to land spots on the team. If he knows what’s good for him, AL Home Run Derby captain Robinson Cano will be giving a call to current MLB home run leader Davis as well.

Jun 13, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman

(19) is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game winning one-run rbi single in the thirteenth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Red Sox 5-4 in thirteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The possibility of an AL HR Derby team of Cano, Davis, Nelson Cruz and Miguel Cabrera is a pretty scary thought.

The 2010 MLB Draft has 4 1st rounders already in the Major Leagues, all 4 of whom may end up as All-Stars this year: Bryce Harper, Matt Harvey, Chris Sale, and Manny Machado. Machado, who doesn’t turn 21 until next month, has tied Ty Cobb & Alex Rodriguez for the 3rd fewest number of games to get to 100 hits (71). Machado has also played in every inning of every game he has started since arriving in the big leagues last year, that’s over 11,000 consecutive innings. Machado is also on pace to break the record for doubles in a season, which stands at 74.

Jun 13, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) throws over to first base to get out Boston Red Sox right fielder

(not shown ) in the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Red Sox 5-4 in 13 innings. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

With his 14 home runs, J.J. Hardy has the most by a shortstop since the start of 2011.

Through 71 games, Baltimore leads the majors with the fewest errors committed, 24. However, the Orioles rank only 14th out of 15 AL teams with a team ERA of 4.45.

Last night’s win against former Cy Young winner Justin Verlander was significant in more ways than one. Not only did the team come back after being stymied on Monday night, but they had never beaten Verlander. In 12 starts against Baltimore, Verlander had an 8-0 record.

Lost in the shuffle of recent roster moves might be the strong start from Zach Britton. Called up to start in place of the ailing Jason Hammel (not an injury, he has the flu), Britton shut down the AL’s top hitting lineup.

Jun 16, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) hits a one-run rbi single in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Red Sox 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Jacoby Ellsbury has opened a bit of a lead in the stolen bases race over Nate McLouth. Currently, Ellsbury has 31 swipes in 66 games while McLouth has 23 steals in 71 games. Head to head, Ellsbury leads McLouth 2 steals to 1 when the two teams have played each other. The two speedy outfielders will have plenty more chances to add to their season totals.

In case you missed it, here’s a great writeup by ESPN.com writer Eddie Matz on Chris Davis.