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The Orioles are not exactly off to a hot
start, but the news isn’t all bad. A former Atholton High School (Howard
County) star has been playing solid infield defense and swinging a pretty good
bat to boot.

Stud of the Week for April 7-14:
Steve Lombardozzi, Jr.

The line:
At the only everyday position still up for grabs (maybe
left field, too, but that seems like an inevitable platoon situation), the
25-year-old Lombardozzi is making a case for himself at second base. He’s hitting .275,
fourth-best for the O’s right now, and hasn’t committed an error in field.

Studliest moment:
With one out in the bottom of the 12th against
Toronto, Lombardozzi golfed a low pitch over the head of center fielder Colby
Rasmus, ultimately diving into third base with a triple. He scored the
game-winning run on a single by David Lough.

The clincher:
Growing up in Howard County, Lombardozzi went to O’s games as a kid and naturally is happy to be playing close to home. And we’re happy he’s
here, too—the O’s have had some success in the past with local infielders (Cal
and Billy) playing close to home. Lombardozi’s father is best-remembered for
delivering a couple of key base hits as a second baseman for the Minnesota
Twins during their 1987 World Series victory and we’re thinking—given his big
triple the other night—maybe those clutch genes have been passed down.

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