The Future Is Here!
           

  Beginning     Tiger Select       Ch 2: Pro Ball      The Move South    The Trade     Daytona Cubs Chapter    Futures  

Update: According to sources, Scott unfortunately fractured his thumb on his right throwing hand in July on a first base play.  He tried to play through it by taking a couple of days off twice, but reinjured the hand. Scott came out of the lineup for the remainder of the AAA season as of July 31st and currently has a cast above his elbow down to his thumb and has gone home to California to heal. No determination as to whether he will be able to return to the parent club for the 40 man roster call-up. GET WELL SCOTT!

04/12/2008 Needing pitcher, O's send down Moore

Blocked by regulars, infielder sent where he can play every day   By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
ST. PETERSBURG -- Scott Moore was in the wrong place at the wrong time on Friday night when he had the misfortune of being an extra position player on a team that needed another pitcher. Baltimore optioned Moore down to Triple-A Norfolk in order to recall Jim Johnson, but manager Dave Trembley said it wasn't a reflection on how he's played.

"I honestly believe, and I told Scott this, that he'll be a regular in the big leagues. But it's not happening right now," he said. "It's almost the same situation we had to do with sending [Garrett] Olson out, [Hayden] Penn out, [Radhames] Liz out, [Bob] McCrory out. We had to do what was right -- not what was easy. I told him he needed to go and get some at-bats."

Moore, a natural third baseman, has been blocked by veteran Melvin Mora. He's also shown the ability to play first base, where he's blocked by Kevin Millar and Aubrey Huff. Moore put in countless hours this spring to learn second base and get more chances to play, but Trembley has had problems playing him as often as he'd like.

That message was communicated Friday night, when Trembley provided Moore some encouragement.

"I said, 'Hey, listen, you didn't do anything wrong,'" he said. "The doubleheader put us in the situation where we needed a starter for Monday, so we're going to give [long reliever Matt] Albers that opportunity.

"When we do that, we need to make sure somebody goes to the bullpen to take Albers' spot."

Barring an injury, Moore will have to stay with Norfolk for 10 days before he can be recalled. Trembley said he'll be able to get regular playing time down there and that his future is back in a big league uniform, and, to Moore's credit, he appeared to grasp that logic at face value. Now, the former first-round pick has to hit his way back to Baltimore.

"He was great about it," Trembley said of the closed-door conversation. "I said, 'You're not at the point in your career right now where you want to be a utility guy, an extra guy in the big leagues. I know you want to be here but you want to be here and be in a situation where you're going to play every day.' So he was OK with that."

Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Click here to learn more about "Options" Some Basics: A player optioned down to the minors from a 25-man major league roster is required to spend at least 10 days in the minors before he can be recalled, unless another player is put on the disabled list before the 10 days are up. If that occurs, the demoted player can be recalled sooner, then could be sent down again (a new 10-day minimum) when the injured player is reactivated.

Orioles recall RHP Jim Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk; option infielder Scott Moore to Norfolk Tides AAA    April 11, 2008

The Orioles tonight announced that they have recalled RHP Jim Johnson from AAA Norfolk. To make room for Johnson on the 25-man roster, the team has optioned INF Scott Moore to the Tides.

Johnson, 24, allowed one earned run in 4.0 innings against Rochester in his only start for Norfolk on April 7. The Orioles' 5th round choice in the 2001 First Year Player Draft, Johnson has made two career starts for the Orioles, one in 2006 and 2007. He is 46-40 with a 3.84 ERA (707.0IP, 302ER) in 132 career minor league games.

Moore, 24, acquired by the Orioles from the Chicago Cubs along with RHP Rock Cherry in exchange for RHP Steve Trachsel on August 31, 2007, was 1-for-8 (.125) in four games for the Orioles this season. [And it was a Home Run!]

 Editor's Note: This move was made because of the unscheduled double header this Sunday to make up for the                rainout. Long reliever Albers will come out of the bullpen Monday and they need another reliever. Trembley has been thinking of the 13 man pitching rotation since last year. This should only be for 10 days since the O's have to pay him his Major's salary. The O's need to bolster their relief corps after the dismal showing in not supporting Guthrie's lead in the Ray's game Friday night. Scott has busted his a** in  gaining a spot on the 25 man roster and is probably none to happy to go down to AAA. Good news is, he will get a LOT more at bats and sharpen his game, so when he gets back....WATCH OUT!   Personally, I pity the AAA pitchers . . . . .                                   

Click Here for the Norfolk Tides Schedule
 

 

April 10, 2008   Scott Moore with first career start at second base

Roberts sits out first game; By Jeff Zrebiec | Sun reporter 

Trembley held All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts out of the starting lineup in Game 1 today, prompting two players to be thrust into roles that they weren't used to.

 Scott Moore made the first start of his career at second base and center fielder Adam Jones, who hasn't batted anywhere but in the eighth spot this year, hit leadoff in place of Roberts.

"The first at-bat is for the team. You try to see as many pitches as you can. But after that, I'm a regular hitter," said Jones, who flied out to lead off the game on the fifth pitch he saw from Kevin Millwood. "I don't care where I'm at in the lineup as long as I'm in the lineup. I know all the reports say that, in the future, I might be a 3 or 4 hitter. But I don't really care about those things."

Trembley said he was looking forward to see how Jones would react. "I think it's a good opportunity for him," Trembley said. "It gives me something to look back on later on in the season, because Roberts isn't going to play 162 games. Obviously, there's going to be somebody else to lead off. I want to see how Jones handles it."

The same held true for Moore, who started working at second base this spring in an effort to improve his versatility for the club.

 "I can't say I'm worried, but I think the biggest change is definitely being on the opposite side of the double play," said Moore, who is a third baseman by trade. "That's what I've concentrated on most, turning the double plays and making sure I'm in the right spot on relays.”

 

April 10, 2008 Versatile Moore Stays Patient       By Pete Kerzel
(Editor's note: The following article by Mr. Kerzel is one of the best articles to describe the heart and playing soul of Scott Moore)

If the 25th man on the Baltimore Orioles’ roster is supposed to be a forgotten man, someone neglected to inform Scott Moore. Trying to keep tabs on Moore before a game is like taking an impromptu tour around Camden Yards.

Four hours before first pitch, he’s getting in some early work, taking throws at first base as shortstops Brandon Fahey and Luis Hernandez field fungos from coach Juan Samuel. After a brief respite in the clubhouse, Moore hits the field for his non-traditional workout.

Moore starts out at third base, alternating grounders with Melvin Mora and concentrating on his footwork. A few minutes later, he’s grouped with the shortstops, and then it’s over to second base, where he briefly spells Brian Roberts. Moore finishes his trip around the horn by changing mitts and planting himself at first.

When batting practice commences, Moore retreats to the outfield, where he shags fly balls and takes some fungo pops. He’s learning to make good reads off the bat and not be fooled by the swing. Then it’s his turn at the plate, usually in the final batting group reserved for non-starters.

The routine may seem cumbersome to the casual observer. To Moore, a 24-year-old trying to carve out his niche on a rebuilding Orioles team, it’s an opportunity to make any number of positive impressions in a game he adores.

“There’s not a whole lot of guys who get to play in the big leagues, let alone stay in the big leagues,” said Moore, who came to Baltimore Aug. 31 with right-handed reliever Rocky Cherry in the trade that sent right-hander Steve Trachsel to the Chicago Cubs. “Whatever it takes for me to be here is what I’m going to do. It’s not like it’s work, it’s fun. I mean, it is work, but it’s fun, too.”

Lest you not understand how much he enjoys his job, Moore will be quick to expound.

“Just playing the game is fun. Taking [batting practice] is fun. It only adds to it, playing different positions. Even though I try to get into a routine every day, preparing myself to be ready, it’s still so many different things. It’s not the same routine at third base every day, or the same routine at first base every day. It’s short, second, third, first, left, right -- it’s fun because I’m always doing something.”

Which is exactly how manager Dave Trembley wants it.

“We’ve got to have guys who can play more than one position,” Trembley said in spring training. “That increases their value to the ballclub.”

Moore is a throwback to a different era when reserve players were required to play multiple positions. A generation ago, before the designated hitter and an era of specialization, this flexibility often gave managers the opportunity to carry an extra pitcher in the bullpen.

Times have changed, but the need for added roster maneuverability has not.

His multifaceted approach is what won Moore a spot on the Opening Day roster. Jay Gibbons was limited, only able to play outfield. Moore was able to play all over the infield and in the corner outfield spots. Gibbons, still owed $11.9 million and with two years remaining on his contract, was released, and Moore made the club.

“He’s going to be a factor here at Camden Yards when his career settles in a little bit,” said hitting coach Terry Crowley. “He’s a talented player. I think in the last year or so he’s had more good instruction in all phases of the game. He’s made big strides for me, hitting-wise. He’s a young guy, and he’s got a chance to be a big part of the Oriole future.”

Crowley has been particularly impressed with how focused Moore has been on his many roles. Despite the multitasking in the field, Moore has remained an attentive pupil in the batting cage as Crowley works to cut down his strikeouts.

“Hitting-wise, he comes into the tunnel and works hard every day,” Crowley said. “We’ve ironed out a few things, and I can say he’s a much better hitter now than when he got here -- and he wasn’t too bad when he got here.”

Moore batted .255 with a home run and 11 RBIs in 17 games after the trade last year, but he has found playing time difficult to come by this season. After hitting .333 with a homer and five RBIs in spring training, he has been limited to two unsuccessful pinch hitting appearances. Moore was scheduled to start against ex-Oriole Erik Bedard Sunday, but Seattle scratched the left-hander because of an inflamed left hip, and Moore remained on the bench.

“I’m happy for the opportunity, and hopefully I’ll make the most of it," he said. "It’s a long season. I know my opportunities will be there for me. You can’t change our lineup when we’re swinging well. You don’t want to mess with that. But I know my opportunities will come.”

Thanks to the Press Box for this article.

4/8/08 Scott Moore's First Hit A Home Run CBSSports.com wire reports

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Aubrey Huff and the Baltimore Orioles are certainly enjoying the new season. And surprising a lot of people. "We've already had more fun than at anytime last year," Huff said after Baltimore's sixth consecutive victory, 8-1 on Tuesday to ruin the Texas Rangers' home opener.

Huff matched a career high with four hits and drove in four runs after Scott Moore and Luke Scott hit early home runs in the first road game for the Orioles (6-1), who have the American League's best record. The winning streak already equals their longest of last season.

"We had six (last year)? It didn't feel like it," said Huff, referring to the 93-loss season when they finished fourth in the AL East for the ninth time in 10 years. "We're relaxed. Everybody's written us off."

Moore led off the second with a home run, and Scott followed an inning later with a two-run shot that made it 4-0 against Jason Jennings (0-2). For the first time this season, the Orioles never trailed in the game.

"It's a long season but you've got to like how we've started," manager Dave Trembley said.

SCOTT MOORE MAKES ORIOLES 25 MAN ROSTER!
 Orioles cut ties with Gibbons
 03/30/2008 3:56 PM ET    By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles made a dramatic roster move on Sunday, when they released designated hitter Jay Gibbons one day before the start of the regular season. Baltimore opted for Scott Moore in the final roster spot and is still responsible for two seasons and nearly $12 million in salary for Gibbons, who will be a free agent for the first time in his career.

Andy MacPhail, Baltimore's president of baseball operations, said the move made sense on a number of levels.

"The decision was essentially down to two players and we made a baseball decision," he said. "I just didn't see where this was going to be productive, or in anyone's best interests going forward the way we're stacked up now.

"It just didn't make sense to me and I did put a real value in the flexibility of the roster, going forward. In the end of the day, that's kind of what pushed me to the decision we made."

The decision to release Gibbons was sped up by a quirk of fate. The former Rule 5 Draft pick had originally been scheduled to serve a 15-game suspension at the start of the year for the purchase of performance-enhancing drugs, but ongoing negotiations between the league owners and the players association resulted in a 10-day stay regarding any discipline.

That, in turn, sped up the timetable for the Orioles. Ultimately, they decided to break camp with Moore, who can play a bench role at both infield and outfield corners. That versatility presented more of a draw than Gibbons, a one-dimensional slugger who has lost playing time in right field to Nick Markakis and at DH to Aubrey Huff in recent seasons.

As for the money, MacPhail said that team owner Peter Angelos gave him some simple advice. He said that he reached out to Angelos as part of his routine decision-making process and quickly learned where to set his priorities.

"I hadn't reached any conclusions myself. I was wrestling with this one," said MacPhail, relaying an anecdote. "I was really, more than anything, to be honest with you, looking for advice. His advice was, 'You've got to do what you've got to do.' Those were the last words he left me with, and I took the position that this was what I think we have to do."

Gibbons, one of the longest-serving members of the team, arrived in Baltimore in 2001. The 31-year-old grew up as an Oriole and batted .260 with 121 home runs, but he played in 100 games or less four times in seven seasons, due to various injuries. Gibbons was shut down early last year, because of a shoulder tear that required corrective surgery.

The left-handed hitter slugged more than 20 home runs three times for the Orioles and topped out at 100 RBIs in 2003. Gibbons batted just .230 with six home runs last season and has claimed that his shoulder ailment doesn't affect his hitting, which spurs questions as to whether he'll ever be able to return to his peak value.

"I don't know [if he could]," said Baltimore manager Dave Trembley. "But I know in order for him to have any opportunity to do that, he'd have to play on a regular basis. I just wasn't able to do that here for him."

Moore, who was acquired from the Cubs last August as part of a trade for Steve Trachsel, will likely play at a variety of positions. The former first-round Draft pick's best position is third base, but he worked at second base in Spring Training and has showed an ability to play in the outfield. For now, Moore will play wherever the Orioles need him.

"Every Spring Training," said Moore, "Even if you know the odds are against you, you hope to go out there and show them you can play. You always hope there's a chance to be on the Opening Day roster. ... I'm excited."

"The direction that we're going I think is pretty clear," added Trembley. "We're going to be very patient, very positive, very persistent in how we want things to get done here, but we need to allow our guys to play."

Excising Gibbons from the roster means a little more of a clear substitution pattern for Trembley. Huff and Kevin Millar will rotate at first base and designated hitter, and Moore will pick up playing time from them and from third baseman Melvin Mora. Gibbons will likely end up elsewhere within the next few weeks, but his former teammates will keep him in mind.

"When you hear something like that, its always emotional," said Millar. "It's like one of your family members, [but] you understand where it's coming from. You understand when you look around at the roster and there's a lot of left-handed hitters. ... It was going to be tough for Jay to get at-bats, and obviously, it's been a dogfight for the last couple years for him."

Who's it going to be . . . Moore or Gibbons as the 25th man???

Player POS G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
S Moore
3B+ 17 39 7 13 3 0 1 5 19 5 10 0 2 2 .422 .333
J Gibbons
OF 16 37 3 7 3 0 0 4 10 3 9 0 0 0 .244 .189

OK, here are the Spring Training Statistics. If you were Andy MacPhail, Who would you choose?

Healthy Moore Is Drawing Attention      Former Top Prospect Helped By Versatility and Hot Bat

By MarcCarig         Washington Post Staff Writer          Tuesday, March 4, 2008

VERO BEACH, Fla., March 3 -- An injury a year ago robbed Scott Moore of the chance to showcase his ability in spring training, so the former first-rounder had little more than four at-bats during his entire time in camp with the Chicago Cubs. Perhaps his only highlight came when team doctors gave him a cortisone shot to quell the pain in his shoulder.

But in his first spring as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, Moore looks to be making up for lost time.

Moore went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored as the Orioles played the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-4 tie in 10 innings at historic Dodgertown on Monday. A former first-round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers, Moore continued his torrid Grapefruit League start. In five games, Moore has gone 8 for 14 with four RBI.

"I think the biggest key right now is that I'm hitting pitches that I can handle. I'm not really chasing, getting myself behind in the count," said Moore, 24. "Even if they make a good pitch that's a strike, I'm seeing it and taking it and hoping to get a pitch that's better for me to hit, a pitch that I can handle better."

Moore has also reached base in all five of his games this spring and has doubled in each of his last three games.

"I just feel like I'm picking it up earlier right now and seeing it for a long time," said Moore, who attributed part of his hot start to simply being able to see the baseball better.

Moore played 17 games for Baltimore last season, hitting .255 with a homer and 11 RBI after the Cubs traded him to the Orioles for veteran pitcher Steve Trachsel. It was the second time that the once-heralded prospect had been traded after the Tigers chose him four slots after the Orioles selected left-hander Adam Loewen in the 2002 draft.

Detroit expected Moore, who was drafted as a shortstop, to develop into a strong offensive threat. Instead, consistency has been a culprit for the left-handed hitting Moore, a career .260 hitter in the minors. Nevertheless, Moore has retooled himself as a utilityman and arrived in camp early looking to secure a spot on the Orioles' roster.

"I just want to be in the mix somewhere, you know?" Moore said.

Even before Orioles Manager Dave Trembley told him that versatility would be his key to making the team, Moore had already decided to attempt playing first base, third base and left field. On Monday against the Dodgers, Moore remained in the game because he saw duty at both third base and left field.

Moore has added another position. Since playing second base in a game earlier this spring when  Brandon Fahey was unavailable with an injury, Moore has been taking grounders during batting practice at second even though his only previous experience at the position came during his time as a young pro in instructional leagues.

During early-morning sessions with third base coach Juan Samuel, Moore has worked on improving his hands and learning the proper footwork required to turn a double play.

"The guy's got the right idea and he's going about it the right way," Trembley said. "I think he's getting some attention from a lot of us."

Despite the reasons for optimism, Moore has tried to remain tempered about his chances of earning a roster spot, realizing that nearly an entire month remains until the team breaks camp. But according to Trembley, Moore has at the very least provided a good blueprint for making the Orioles' Opening Day roster.

"If you hit, we're going to try to find a place for you," Trembley said. "And he's doing that."

Cub Looking For A Place To Play With Orioles

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ― Feb. 28, 2008

Given the choice, Scott Moore would settle into one position with the Baltimore Orioles and become a regular presence in their starting lineup. But Moore wants to stay in the majors, and if that means moving around the infield and shagging fly balls in the outfield, he'll do it without complaint.

Moore started at first base and later moved to second in Tuesday's intrasquad game. On Wednesday, he started at third base.

The Orioles acquired 24-year-old Moore and reliever Rocky Cherry from the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 31 for pitcher Steve Trachsel. He appeared in 17 games and batted .255 with one homer (a grand slam) and 11 RBIs. He also displayed nice range and a strong throwing arm at third base.

Moore is blocked at third by veteran Melvin Mora, who has a blanket no-trade clause, and is trying to make the club as a reserve.


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News Flash!

  G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
2007 19 52 2 12 2 0 1 11 17 1 17 0 1 .236 .327 .231
Career 35 90 8 22 4 0 3 16 35 3 27 0 1 .271 .389 .244

Major League Stats

Baltimore Orioles Claim Roberto Novoa from Chicago Cubs
 Novoa and Moore Reunited
 10/16/2007 -- The Baltimore Orioles today announced that they have claimed RHP ROBERTO NOVOA off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. Roberto Novoa, 28, spent the 2007 season on the disabled list with a right humeral head fracture suffered in spring training. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on March 21 and transferred to the 60-day DL on June 6.

Novoa has a 7-7 record with a 4.51 ERA in 131 relief appearances over 3 major league seasons with Detroit and Chicago. He appeared in 66 games for the Cubs in 2006, going 2-1 with a 4.51 ERA after beginning the season at AAA Iowa. Novoa had three stints with the Cubs in 2005, pitching in 49 games and going 4-5 with a 4.43 ERA.

He was originally signed by Pittsburgh in 2000 and was traded to Detroit in 2002 in a 4-player deal involving OF Randall Simon. He made his major league debut with 16 relief outings for the Tigers in 2004. Novoa was acquired by the Cubs in February 2005 along with two other players in exchange for RHP Kyle Farnsworth. One of the players traded to the Cubs with Novoa - IF Scott Moore - was acquired by the Orioles in the August trade that sent RHP Steve Trachsel to Chicago.
Source: MLB

Note:
Novoa joins a host of other “refugees” from the Cubs who are now in the Orioles organization, including (among others) RHPs Francis Beltran, Chadd Blasko, Rocky Cherry, and Jon Leicester, IF-OF Freddie Bynum, OFs Jason Dubois, Jason Fransz, Luis Montanez, and Corey Patterson, 3B Scott Moore, and 1B Brandon Sing, former Cubs President Andy McPhail, and ex-Cubs Scouting Director John Stockstill.

Also, Orioles manager Dave Trembley and bullpen coach Alan Dunn are former coaches in the Cubs minor league system, and ex-Cubs RHP Kennie Steenstra is pitching coach at the Orioles Delmarva club in the South Atlantic League. New pitching coach Rick Kranitz spent 22 years in the Cubs organization, coaching the Daytona Cubs in 2003 after Trembley coached there the year before.

Moore Finding His Stride  by Roland Via  9/18/07
Since an auspicious start with the Chicago Cubs for the season and a frustrating O-fer to start his stint with Baltimore Orioles, Scott Moore has steadily increased his batting average to a current .231. Not Moore-esque since he has averaged over .280 for most of his career, Scott's hits have been critical ones, helping win two games with go ahead runs for Baltimore. His runs batted in number is higher than his total number of hits and he has a .385 slugging average. Learning the American League pitchers will be his task.

Moore's defense has been stellar with a .987 fielding average as he has only one total error in his big league career.

Around the horn
 Baltimore Sun -  By Jeff Zrebiec  - September 17, 2007
Hitting coach Terry Crowley has a contract through next season. The Sun erroneously reported in today's edition that his contract was up after this year. Garrett Olson (strained left forearm) was cleared to throw off flat ground today, but he's still not ready to resume throwing from the mound. Third baseman Scott Moore rolled his ankle against Toronto yesterday and will likely miss a couple of games. Trembley said he'd still like to give Moore opportunities at first base and left field before the season is over.

O's to look at Moore at first base
 Baltimore Sun – Baltimore Sun  - Sept. 17, 2007
 Manager Dave Trembley said he plans to start Scott Moore at first base for one of the games against the Rangers later this week.
Interesting. It looks like the team wants to assess Moore as a back-up corner infielder. If he can handle first, it will certainly increase his chances of sticking with the team next season. Trembley also said the team wants a longer look at J.R. House behind the plate. If House can land a back-up job, he could have value in deeper AL-only leagues because of his power potential.

Roch Around the Clock
By Baltimore suns sports Reporter Roch Kubatko
 Scott Moore also looks like a keeper, and I'm glad that manager Dave Trembley is going to start him at first base in the Texas series. He looks pretty solid at third. Now see if he can move around the infield and increase his value.

Orioles rally past Blue Jays
Moore's RBI single in the 12th inning lifts Baltimore
September 16, 2007 By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com

TORONTO -- An RBI single by third baseman Scott Moore broke open a deadlocked game in the top of the 12th inning and sent the Orioles to an 8-6 victory over the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

Baltimore designated hitter Aubrey Huff led off the 12th with a single, and Freddie Bynum doubled down the right-field line to set the table for Moore's dramatics. The 23-year-old rookie came through with a single off the glove of Matt Stairs at first base to put the Orioles up by one. The next batter, Brian Roberts, provided the O's with another run on a sacrifice fly to center that scored Bynum from third base.

Home-field advantage returns to O's   By Pete Kerzel / Special to MLB.com
Moore's third-inning slam caps Baltimore's seven-run rally    

BALTIMORE -- In the midst of a franchise-record 11-game home losing streak, relaxation has become an unattainable commodity for the slumping Orioles. On Saturday night, they discovered it in a player who reached his comfort zone via a stellar defensive play and a pitcher who hadn't won in three years or started in more than two.

Scott Moore's grand slam capped a seven-run third inning, Baltimore's biggest outburst of the year, and the Orioles roughed up right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka en route to an 11-5 victory over the Red Sox on Saturday.

"We played with some emotion tonight. ... What has been missing here is some confidence," Baltimore manager Dave Trembley said. "Obviously, your confidence gets beat up when you go through what we've gone through."

Instead of absorbing their 16th loss in 18 games, the Orioles got a big boost from two unlikely sources. Moore, acquired from the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 31 in the trade for pitcher Steve Trachsel, broke a 4-4 tie, and right-hander Jon Leicester, forced into the rotation by injuries and ineffectiveness, got the Orioles through five innings.

Before Moore's blast knocked Matsuzaka from the game in the third and saddled the Sox right-hander with his fifth loss in six decisions, a first-inning defensive gem calmed him down and provided a boost of confidence. Trailing 2-0 after a two-run homer by David Ortiz, the third baseman dove to his right to snag a scorching grounder by Mike Lowell, got up and gunned Lowell out at first for the inning's second out.

"After that, I relaxed and settled down a little bit," Moore explained. "It's just one of those plays that happened so quick, and I just reacted and made the play."

Matsuzaka (14-12) was tagged for six hits, three walks and eight runs in 2 2/3 innings, his shortest outing of the season. The Orioles erased a 4-1 Red Sox lead in the third -- sandwiching bases-loaded walks on 3-2 pitches to Nick Markakis and Kevin Millar around a run-scoring Miguel Tejada single -- before Moore's blast.

Trembley credited the work Moore had been doing recently with Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley for a two-hit night. Moore said that he felt relaxed enough at the plate to wait out Matsuzaka, who came down the middle with a 2-2 fastball.

"I knew that he had to come to me," said Moore, who also singled in the seventh. "I didn't want to chase. I wanted to be patient and get a pitch to drive, and I got one."

Aubrey Huff barely missed a grand slam on a 1-1 Matsuzaka pitch, hammering a deep fly just to the right of the right-field foul pole before striking out swinging; Jay Payton popped up to second after Huff's at-bat. But Moore ended an 0-for-8 start to his Baltimore career with a shot into the bleachers in right-center, his first career slam.

"I don't know if it's been a struggle -- I'd only had seven at-bats coming into the game today -- but it definitely felt good to get two hits today and to get that big hit early in the game," said Moore, who got his grand slam ball after a Red Sox fan in the pro-Boston sellout crowd of 48,043 tossed it back onto the field, mimicking what Orioles fans do to opponent homers.

Tike Redman and Markakis also homered for Baltimore (61-80), which temporarily averted cementing its 10th consecutive non-winning season. Trembley said he was confident a comeback was possible, even after Leicester coughed up a 4-1 lead after two innings.

"We're going to outslug them," Trembley recalled thinking. "If you don't think that, you shouldn't be managing the team. We're going to win."

"He got the ball down after the second inning," Trembley said of Leicester. "The first two innings, his fastball was up. I didn't think he was going to have much of a chance unless he made some adjustments and got the ball down. He had to get the ball down, otherwise he wasn't going to be out there very much longer."

Leicester could be excused if he was unfamiliar with the territory. Waiting so long between starts is one thing; getting the call against an American League East-leading Boston (86-57) club that had won six out of seven was another.

"Nerves played a little bit of it, and you're excited," Leicester said. "Just a matter of settling down and realizing what my job is, to just get through some innings with the lead. They just picked me up, and I decided to take them on my back and get some quick innings.

"I just really wanted to keep it close so we could have that. I felt like getting out of that third inning without giving up a run kind of turned the tides. And then when we score, whether it's one run or seven, you've got to get that shutdown mode."

Pete Kerzel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

SCOTT MOORE TRADED TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES
MAJOR LEAGUE PROSPECTS INCREASE

Notes: O's callups put right to work
More expected when Minor League teams' seasons end   By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com

BOSTON -- The first wave of September callups arrived Saturday for the Orioles, and manager Dave Trembley didn't waste any time in putting the new arrivals to work. Southpaw Garrett Olson took the mound for Baltimore, and Scott Moore started at third base. Trembley also hoped to use Rocky Cherry out of the bullpen at some point later in the game.

Cherry and Moore were the bounty acquired from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Steve Trachsel on Friday, and Trembley said the Orioles expect to bring more players up to fatten up their roster once the Minor League seasons end.

"We haven't gotten them all tonight. We really got only the two guys that joined us via trade," he said. "The others, I think, will join us in [St. Petersburg]. I think you bring them up here to help your club. ... You bring them here to allow them to play, and you evaluate perhaps what role they could fit in to help your team in the future."

Moore and Cherry are expected to help immediately and could both have jobs when the Orioles break Spring Training next season. Moore is blocked by Melvin Mora, but Trembley said the rookie didn't come to the big leagues to sit. "I'm not going to play them three or four days in a row, but I'm going to give them opportunities to play," he said of Baltimore's late-season reinforcements. "That's no disrespect to the other guys that have been playing every day here. I know what they can do. I've seen it. I want to see what the other guys can do."

Moore, the eighth overall pick in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, has slowly worked his way through the Minor Leagues. He was traded to the Cubs from Detroit in 2005 and thrived at Triple-A Iowa this season, batting .265 with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs. He's had brief tastes of the big leagues before, but hasn't had a chance to earn a job yet.  "If I go out and play well, it will be a good opportunity," he said. "You expect to be in the big leagues, but you play every game hard to get to this level. Sometimes, it takes a little bit longer for some people than for others."

Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

It’s a Small World

In Baltimore, Scott Moore has teamed up with another familiar face from the Daytona Beach area. While playing with the  Daytona Cubs (high A), there was an outstanding high school player there by the name of J. R. (James Roger) House. Here’s his Bio:

Makes his off-season home in Daytona Beach, FL...Graduated from Seabreeze HS in Ormond Beach, FL, where he earned All-State honors in baseball...Also attended Nitro HS in Charleston, WV, for the fall semesters where he played quarterback on the football team...Threw for a total of 14,457 yards in his scholastic career to set a then-national high school record (since broken in 2002 by Ben Mauk, who threw for 17,534 yards in his career with Kenton (OH) HS)...Also set a national mark by throwing 10 touchdown passes in a 69-52 win over Morgantown in the 1998 West Virginia Class-AAA championship game, leading Nitro to a 14-0 record...Passed for 5,528 yards and 65 touchdowns his senior year... Earned the Kennedy Award, West Virginia's "Mr. Football" award, in both 1996 and 1998...Played baseball at Seabreeze HS in Florida because his father, Roger House, a former pitcher for Marshall University, has dual residency... Signed a letter of intent to play football at West Virginia University before being drafted by Pittsburgh in the 5th round of the 1999 First Year Player Draft...Was signed by Pirates scout Rob Sidwell.

From the Orioles Website: Andy MacPhail, Baltimore's president of baseball operations brokered the deal. The deal may have been facilitated by MacPhail's ties to Chicago, where he spent more than a decade as president and chief operating officer of the Cubs. Not only did he have the team's organizational pecking order committed to memory, he had the wherewithal to know who to talk to and how long he could wait before overplaying his hand.

Moore, a third baseman, was ranked by Baseball America as Chicago's seventh-best prospect at the end of last season. The former first-round pick -- selected eighth overall in 2002 -- batted .265 with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs for Triple-A Iowa this season and is expected to push Melvin Mora for the starting job as early as next season.

"He's been a young player and he's progressed defensively," said MacPhail. "He certainly handled more than his own at Triple-A offensively and he gives us flexibility. He can play some other positions, other than third.

"If things don't work out where it doesn't look like he'd play everyday for us somewhere, he's still a valuable commodity to have going into the offseason. And I'm sure [manager] Dave [Trembley] will work him into the lineup occasionally."

O's trade Trachsel to Cubs
Baltimore acquires two Triple-A prospects in deal      By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com

BOSTON -- The Orioles made their second August trade on Friday, when they sent veteran starter Steve Trachsel to the Cubs in exchange for Minor League prospects Scott Moore and Rocky Cherry. Since the Cubs acquired Trachsel before the Sept. 1 deadline to name their postseason roster, Trachsel will be eligible to pitch in the playoffs. "I'm excited," Trachsel said. "I'm surprised mostly. I know that it's been talked about and talked about, but you never expect anything to happen. It's a good situation over there obviously. It's going to be fun."

Trachsel, 36, who was signed last February by the Orioles as a free agent, was 6-8 with a 4.48 ERA in 25 starts this season. He allowed three earned runs or fewer in 17 of his 25 starts, but he missed three weeks with a strained gluteus muscle. Trachsel's contract included an option for next season worth $4.75 million. Asked about how the trade materialized with the Cubs over the past few days, Trachsel said, "The chances were real slim. My understanding is that this part with the Cubs heated up real fast. ... Obviously, something happened here in the last few days to make them offer more."

Andy MacPhail, Baltimore's president of baseball operations, was unavailable for comment.

Moore, a third baseman, has spent most of the season at Triple-A Iowa, batting .265 (85-for-321), with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs. The 23-year-old appeared in two games for the Cubs this season, going 0-for-5. Moore also played 16 games for Chicago in 2006, batting .263 (10-for-36), with two home runs and five RBIs. Moore was originally selected by Detroit in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. He was traded to Chicago in '05, and he was selected to the Major League Futures Game that season. Moore was named the Cubs' seventh best prospect by Baseball America following the 2006 season.

Cherry, a relief pitcher, has also spent most of the season at Iowa, along with several stints with the Cubs. The 28-year-old went 2-0 with seven saves and a 4.59 ERA (51 innings and 26 earned runs) in the Minors, averaging 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Cherry made 12 relief appearances for the Cubs this season, going 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA (15 innings and five earned runs) while holding opponents to a .224 batting average.

Cherry was named to the Southern League All-Star team in 2006, going 4-1 with two saves and a 2.22 ERA for Double-A West Tennessee. He was originally selected by the Cubs in the 14th round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft.

Earlier in the month, the Orioles sent reliever John Parrish to the Mariners in exchange for Minor League outfielder Sebastien Boucher and cash or a player to be named.

Moore and Cherry will both report to the Orioles this weekend in Boston and be added to the roster on Saturday.

Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Scott Moore 1B Bats: L   Throws: R   Born: 11/17/1983  
Hitting Stats:  
SEASON TEAM G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
2006     Chicago Cubs 16 38 6 10 2 0 2 5 18 2 10 0 0 .317 .474 .263
2007     Chicago Cubs 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 .000 .000 .000
Career Totals 18