All Things Bubba

Paul Janish was the hero in Friday's Norfolk Tides game. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth, he hit a blooper over the second baseman to drive in the winning run, sending his former team, the Louisville Bats, to defeat.

They interviewed him yesterday before the game. They asked him if he felt any pressure, coming to bat in the bottom of the 9th with the game on the line. His response was, "Nah, I just didn't want to play extra innings."

The announcers loved that answer, but I guess the baseball gods were not amused. The game after that interview went 16 innings. Both teams ended up using position players as pitchers. (Not Janish, alas.) Hernan Iribarren pitched three shutout innings for Louisville. Jesus Montero (yes, the former Yankees catching prospect) pitched the last inning for the Tides, and took the loss.

Janish did not play in today's day game. He probably wouldn't have anyway, it being a day game after a night game, but after 16 innings, I'd have been really shocked if they started him again.

And it's possible he'll get another call up tomorrow. Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy was hit by a pitch on his wrist in today's Orioles game, and the x-rays are reportedly "not good."

Hardy is likely headed to the DL. They could let Ruben Tejada make most of the starts at SS, or they might move Manny Machado to SS and let Tejada cover 3B. In any case, they'll need another backup infielder. It could be Janish getting the call, or another Norfolk player. Luis Sardinas is another possibility, though Janish has hit better and is better on defense. Johnny Giavotella has hit very well in Norfolk, but his glove is so bad it almost cost him his spot on the Tides during spring training.

Another possibility is that they'll call up Pedro Alvarez to play 3B if Machado moves to SS. Alvarez has been in a deep slump this season, and his glove is so bad the O's are trying to transition him to right field. But El Toro has an opt out clause, and the O's may be reluctant to lose him.

Hoping it's Janish...

Labels: Paul Janish