Roch Kubatko Archive
Nick Markakis is tied for the American League lead with eight outfield assists. Who else has eight? And no fair checking. Adam Jones is tied for seventh with five. As a team, the O's are tied with Tampa Bay for the AL lead with 18 outfield assists. Felix Pie has ...
Outfielder Nolan Reimold has been named the American League's Rookie of the Month for June. He got my vote. Reimold batted .320 (24-for-75) in 26 games, with three doubles, four homers, nine RBIs, 13 runs scored and 13 walks. He continues to lead AL rookies with nine homers, 20 RBIs ...
Does anyone else consider tonight's start to be pretty important for David Hernandez? It isn't make-or-break for the guy, but he's got a chance to cement a place in this rotation with Koji Uehara expected to miss the next two months. Tonight would be a firm step in the right ...
Melvin Mora sat out another game last night, his second in a row. He hasn't homered in his last 43 games, tying the longest drought of his career. What's a team to do? Manager Dave Trembley told reporters that Mora requested the night off. He's apparently trying to clear his ...
Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora told MASN's Amber Theoharis that his exclusion from the lineup again tonight isn't injury related. Mora believes that manager Dave Trembley just wants to clear his head by allowing him to sit again, and he expects to play tomorrow night. He also said that he ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Nolan Reimold - LF Luke Scott - DH Ty Wigginton - 3B Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Jeremy Guthrie - RHP For the Angels: Chone Figgins - 3B ...
I never thought I'd be writing this much about Bobby Livingston, but here's one final entry. Livingston apparently requested his release from Double-A Bowie, and he's been spotted in the Akron Aeros' clubhouse. Yes, he signed with Akron, meaning he's gone from one Double-A team to another. Why would Livingston ...
In a surprising move, the Orioles have released left-hander Bobby Livingston, who was 6-2 with a 3.62 ERA in 13 games at Double-A Bowie. Livingston also went 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 20 innings with Triple-A Norfolk. I haven't seen him pitch, but it's hard to argue with those ...
The international signing period began today, with teams allowed to reach contractual agreements with amateur free agents from Latin America. But Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, told me a few minutes ago that I shouldn't look for anything to happen in the immediate future. The Orioles spent three days ...
Triple-A Norfolk pitchers Chris Tillman and Jim Miller have been named to the International League All-Star team that will play the Pacific Coast League's best on July 15 in Portland. Tillman is 5-5 with a 2.97 ERA in 14 starts. He's walked 21 and struck out 75 in 72 ...
One more observation about Brad Bergesen from yesterday's game - or more accurately, after it ended: The kid is smart enough to avoid second-guessing his manager in public. Bergesen wasn't certain that he had enough left in the tank to complete the ninth inning, but he certainly would have given ...
If I'm the manager, I leave Brad Bergesen in yesterday's game and see how he does against the first batter he faces in the ninth inning. And I probably would have been wrong, but I'm doing it. He's the best I've got. Without actually sitting in the dugout and receiving ...
So, Brad, could you have gone back out there for the ninth inning? "I don't know about that. I would always like to go back out there, and if I did, I was going to battle. But skip made the right decision. George and J.J., they've been stellar all year ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley went to the mound with two outs in the eighth inning. The Red Sox had a runner on first base and two outs. Trembley was prepared to remove Brad Bergesen with J.D. Drew at the plate. Bergesen convinced Trembley that he wasn't finished by saying, "I ...
The Red Sox have retired the last 21 batters since Ty Wigginton homered in the fourth inning. What happened to the offense? We can spread the blame if the Orioles don't rally, and part of it must fall on the bats. Or we can tip our caps to the Boston ...
Former Orioles pitcher Scott Erickson, a sinkerball specialist, used to explain away his poor outings by reminding us that he could make batters hit the ball on the ground, but he couldn't direct where it goes. Closer George Sherrill induced a ground ball from pinch-hitter Rocco Baldelli with two outs ...
Today's attendance: 29,391 The last time I checked, Jason Bay was leading all American League outfielders in All-Star voting. The Orioles aren't impressed. In this series, he's 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts, one double play, one intentional walk and a run. Brad Bergesen update: Seven innings, four hits, one run, no ...
Brad Bergesen has completed five innings and convinced us further that he's the real deal. The guy gets outs. With his fastball, slider, change, whatever. He throws strikes, and he does it quickly. Bergesen has held the Red Sox to one run and three hits in five innings. He hasn't ...
Speaking through his interpreter, Jiwon Bang, Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara said he didn't want to think about his elbow injury and how much time he'll be forced to miss. Unfortunately for Uehara, he didn't have much choice today. The subject was bound to come up. Asked about his immediate plans, ...
After checking the replay, I'm still not convinced that Felix Pie was out at second base, but another Oriole has made an overly aggressive mistake on the basepaths. However, Pie's single gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead after Brian Roberts walked and stole second. That's taking the good with the ...
Manager Dave Trembley didn't leave the ballpark this morning until after 2 a.m. He was too wound up to sleep after his club's amazing comeback. He also was bombarded with e-mails, text messages and phone calls. "I didn't know I had so many friends," he said, grinning. "Boy, that was ...
The arthrogram on Koji Uehara's right elbow has revealed a partial tear of his flexor tendon, and he's expected to miss two months. Uehara won't require surgery, but he'll need to rest for three to five weeks and take part in a throwing program. "We're looking at probably seven to ...
Adam Jones isn't in the lineup, but he insisted that he could play if needed. Jones had just stopped by his locker when I ambushed him, and he didn't seem thrilled that I was asking about his health. However, as I warned him, reporters will be lining up to get ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Felix Pie - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Luke Scott - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Ty Wigginton - 3B Gregg Zaun - C Robert Andino - SS Brad Bergesen - RHP For the Red Sox: Drew - RF ...
And to think, this game had given me heartburn earlier in the night. Manager Dave Trembley has quite the memory. Asked if he's ever been involved in a game like this, he spun back to the Texas League in 1993. Dave Trembley talks with the media after the O's remarkable ...
Adam Jones slammed the right side of his head against the center field fence while leaping for Kevin Youkilis' home run in the first inning, and he left the game a short time later after complaining of headaches. "As soon as that information was given to (head athletic trainer) Richie ...
You thought this game was over at 10-1. Admit it. You were checking out sitcom reruns and the latest Michael Jackson tribute. Is that 13 hits in 1 2/3 innings? Is that an 11-10 lead? Nick Markakis' two-out, two-run double off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon in the eighth inning ...
Felix Pie has an RBI triple and run-scoring single, and Oscar Salazar has a three-run homer. And they're really not an odd couple at all. Salazar came off the bench as a pinch-hitter for Melvin Mora in the seventh inning and destroyed Justin Masterson's hanging slider. An absolute no-doubter. Salazar ...
I've seen one player lose track of the number of outs and take a few steps toward the dugout or chuck the ball into the stands. Sammy Sosa needed fans in the right field bleachers at Wrigley Field to hold up their fingers and shout the total to him so ...
By taking another thumping tonight, Rich Hill has allowed 24 runs (22 earned) and 28 hits in his last five starts covering 19 innings. He's issued 15 walks. Hill was charged with seven earned runs tonight, and nine total, in 3 1/3 innings. Two of those runs scored after Matt ...
Adam Jones has been removed from tonight's game in the top of the third inning after crashing into the fence while chasing Kevin Youkilis' home run in the first. Jones' right shoulder appeared to absorb most of the impact, and his neck can't be feeling too good, either. The Orioles ...
Or maybe it's more a case of Adam Jones returning to the scene, but not being able to commit the same crime. Yeah, let's go with that. One night after making a leaping catch at the fence to rob Kevin Youkilis of a home run, Jones almost knocked himself out ...
For Rich Hill to be successful tonight, manager Dave Trembley said the left-hander needs to exhibit better command of his fastball and throw his curveball for strikes. We know the Red Sox will be patient. They're not chasing pitches out of the zone. Pressed to endorse players from his team ...
Pitcher Koji Uehara had an arthrogram on his right elbow earlier today, a procedure where dye is injected into the injured area, and the Orioles are awaiting the results. Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens will submit a report. Manager Dave Trembley noted that the swelling has gone down in Uehara's ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Nolan Reimold - LF Luke Scott - DH Melvin Mora - 3B Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Rich Hill - LHP For the Red Sox: Lugo - SS ...
I'll be arriving early to Camden Yards so I can feed questions to manager Dave Trembley for his weekly video journal. I'll ask Trembley about the first base coach's role, if any, in a player's decision to stretch a single into a double - or get thrown out trying. I'll ...
Left-hander Rich Hill will make his fifth start tonight since tossing seven scoreless innings in Seattle. He's allowed 15 runs and walked 12 in 15 2/3 innings, and his ERA has jumped from 4.15 to 6.03. This stretch includes his victory in Philadelphia, when he held the Phillies to two ...
Jon Lester is 8-0 in 10 career starts against the Orioles, which leads you to wonder: "Who's the last starter to win his first eight decisions against the Orioles?" Funny you asked. It's Todd Stottlemyre from July 6, 1989 to June 28, 1993. The last streak of eight or more ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley chose his words carefully, but he obviously wasn't happy with plate umpire Jerry Layne's strike zone with Red Sox lefty Jon Lester on the mound. Dave Trembley talks with the media after the O's 4-0 loss "Jon Lester's pitching a great game, and tip your cap ...
Brian Bass has gone three innings or more in seven games this season. His ERA is 2.96 during that stretch. Take away his April 21 appearance, when he surrendered seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings, and that ERA shrinks to 0.46. We're talking one run in 21 innings. Bass ...
They all asked about you Down on the farm The cows asked, the pigs asked The horses asked, too (Little Feat) Anyway, Melvin Dorta hit a grand slam tonight for Triple-A Norfolk. Brandon Snyder is 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored to raise his average to .220. Andy ...
Brian Roberts was furious at the called third strike by plate umpire Jerry Layne that ended the fifth inning. He flung his bat and helmet, and Layne warned him to settle down. It's not over. Between innings, Roberts stood on the dugout steps and continued to shout and point at ...
Jason Berken has faced 15 batters in three innings. He's allowed four hits, walked two and hit a batter. He's committed a balk. He's thrown 67 pitches. And he's only down, 1-0. Seems impossible, but it's true. Mark Kotsay just grounded out to strand two runners in the third. J.D. ...
Jason Berken fell behind, 1-0, after facing two batters in the first inning. So much for setting the tone for a quality start. But Berken recovered nicely by inducing two ground balls to third baseman Melvin Mora - one setting up a force at second, the other a double play. ...
The numbers don't lie: Mark Hendrickson is a better reliever than starter. It's proving true against this season. Hendrickson has posted a 3.60 ERA in 13 appearances since moving to the bullpen when Rich Hill came off the disabled list. He was 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA in seven starts, ...
Manager Dave Trembley spoke about the baserunning mistakes that a handful of veterans, including Melvin Mora, Ty Wigginton, Luke Scott and Aubrey Huff, have committed over the past few weeks. That's no way to set an example for the kids. "Well, it's certainly not something you want to put on ...
Shortstop Cesar Izturis ran sprints in the outfield before batting practice today, but he hasn't been cleared for baseball-related activities with the club and most likely will remain on the disabled list through the All-Star break. Izturis will accompany the team on its next road trip, which begins Thursday in ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Ty Wigginton - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Jason Berken - RHP For the Red Sox: Drew - RF ...
Comedian Fred Travalena has died after a long battle with cancer. Let's hope that's it for today. Here's a little more from the scout that I quoted in this morning's entry: "Offensively, they're in pretty good shape, though the only position I'm really concerned about is the corners. But the ...
You're reading entry No. 2,401 since MASN opened the doors to School of Roch on Aug. 1. I guess we should have thrown a party yesterday, but I forgot to buy the cupcakes. Before I drag my tired body onto the tennis court, and hope it stays in one piece, ...
Matt Wieters conceded that he rushed his throw to third base that sailed over Oscar Salazar's head and allowed a run to score. "I thought I had a little less time than I actually had, so you just have to keep working on it," he said. "And those throws to ...
The Orioles tied their franchise-best record in interleague play at 11-7, matching 1999 and 2008. They fell to 6-19 in series finales (5-9 at home) and 3-9 on Sundays. The leadoff hitter reached base in five of nine innings, but the Orioles managed only three runs. Ty Wigginton extended his ...
Opening statement: "Hernandez kept us in the game. I thought he located his fastball OK. Obviously, he made a mistake locating on the 0-2 pitch to Dunn, but he kept us in the game, gave us a chance. Obviously, there were a couple key things in the game. We had ...
Today's attendance: 25,068 Matt Wieters committed his third throwing error in his last four games, sailing the ball over Oscar Salazar's head at third base in the eighth inning and allowing Josh Willingham to score. The Nationals lead, 5-1. Wieters dropped Adam Jones' throw from center field earlier today, which ...
David Hernandez should have been out of the sixth inning without a run scoring. Instead, he's just out of the game. Adam Jones fielded Anderson Hernandez's two-out single and made a perfect one-hop throw to catcher Matt Wieters, who dropped the ball as Ryan Zimmerman went in standing. Zimmerman didn't ...
...on one bounce. OK, it doesn't count as a historic shot, but Dunn's 19th home run of the season in the fourth inning traveled an estimated 442 feet. The ball took a huge hop and glanced off the edge of a window on the second level. Dunn's homer is the ...
Your leadoff hitter has reached base twice today. Adam Jones followed his walk in the first inning with a single in the third. Oscar Salazar is batting .421 after his run-scoring single in the second. David Hernandez has thrown 49 pitches, including 30 strikes, in three scoreless innings. He's allowed ...
Manager Dave Trembley didn't have much choice except to bat Adam Jones first while resting Brian Roberts. The club has only one legitimate leadoff hitter, and Roberts isn't going to play 162 games. "When he doesn't start, you have to mix your lineup as best you can to try and ...
I received a text message from my sister as I was driving to the ballpark this morning: "You OK? Mom's in a panic because you stopped blogging last night." Geez, can't a guy coast for one night? I'm fine. I'm also doing a segment on O's Xtra, which begins today ...
I've seen infielders deke a runner before, but it's unusual for the left fielder to do it with a ball over his head. Josh Willingham lost Nolan Reimold's fly ball with two outs in the fifth inning. He stood motionless, his arms spread apart, as it landed in the second ...
The Orioles introduced pitcher Matt Hobgood after the top of the third inning. He put the jersey back on and waved his cap to the crowd, which gave him a standing ovation. Van Halen's "Dreams" blared over the PA system as Hobgood walked off the field. Meanwhile Gregg Zaun's solo ...
Jeremy Guthrie recorded his first out on his 23rd pitch, a sure sign that he was struggling with his location. Guthrie walked in two runs in the first inning. Brian Bass began warming in the bullpen with the count 2-0 on Ronnie Belliard, the seventh batter in the Nationals' lineup. ...
Tyler Townsend, the Orioles' third-round pick out of Florida International University who agreed to terms last night, has joined the Aberdeen IronBirds but probably won't be cleared to play until Monday. Double-A Bowie left-hander Brian Matusz has allowed one run and one hit through five innings today in Game 1 ...
In case you needed another reminder that Matt Hobgood is just a kid, besides the braces on his teeth, his mother also had to sign his contract today. That's what happens when you're under 21. Hobgood, the fifth player taken in the draft, put on his Orioles jersey and cap, ...
First baseman Tyler Townsend of Lewes, Del. agreed to terms yesterday. Townsend, chosen in the third round, hit .434 as a junior at Florida International University, with 24 home runs and 77 RBIs. He was named to the Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I All-America First Team. First-rounder Matt Hobgood will ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley confirmed that Koji Uehara won't make tomorrow's start against the Nationals. Asked if Uehara will have to go on the disabled list, he replied, "I would say that's a likelihood that that would happen." The team hasn't announced Uehara's replacement, but David Hernandez was on the ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Nolan Reimold - LF Luke Scott - DH Melvin Mora - 3B Gregg Zaun - C Robert Andino - SS Jeremy Guthrie - RHP For the Nationals: Harris - CF Guzman ...
Matt Hobgood, the Orioles' first pick in this year's amateur draft, will sign his contract and be introduced to the media this afternoon. That means he'll also step onto the field between innings tonight and wave to the crowd at Camden Yards. He can soak up the applause. Hobgood is ...
Koji Uehara won't make tomorrow's start because of a sore right elbow, but what happens from here? He almost certainly will go on the disabled list to make room for David Hernandez, who's almost certain to take Uehara's turn in the rotation. I'm almost certain of it. Actually, Hernandez is ...
I'll break out a baseball cliche here, if you don't mind: The good pitchers find a way to win when they don't have their best stuff. Brad Bergesen did that tonight, and there's no arguing that he's the most consistent starter in this rotation. "That's a fact," manager Dave Trembley ...
Koji Uehara confirmed after tonight's game that he'll miss his next start. He didn't say whether he'll go on the disabled list. Brad Bergesen gutted out six innings, holding the Nationals to one run despite not having his best stuff and throwing 105 pitches. "Brad Bergesen pitched with his heart ...
That's what the Orioles have done in the sixth inning against three Nationals pitchers, sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring eight times to take an 11-1 lead. There's no place like home, there's no place like home. The eight runs in one inning ties a season high (May ...
Nolan Reimold is moved up to the fifth spot in the order, and he delivers a double in the fourth inning that led to the go-ahead run scoring. Reimold wasn't credited with an RBI. Instead, Nationals left fielder Josh Willingham was charged with an error. Reimold will continue to bat ...
Before I get to that, we've spotted a batting glove, apparently painted silver, hanging on the screen in front of the Orioles' dugout. A tribute to the late Michael Jackson? Brad Bergesen threw eight of his 10 pitches for strikes in the first inning. Typical Bergy. The Orioles have signed ...
Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens and head athletic traininer Richie Bancells reported improvement in Koji Uehara's right elbow. The swelling is down, the soreness has been reduced. But manager Dave Trembley didn't sound optimistic that Uehara would start on Sunday. Uehara will undergo more tests, and the medical staff will ...
Check out this story on our old friend, Sidney Ponson, who apparently tested positive for a stimulant during the World Baseball Classic. Manager Dave Trembley informed Melvin Mora of his decision to lower the third baseman to seventh in the lineup before posting it today. "He told me he was ...
The Orioles are waiting for team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens to examine pitcher Koji Uehara. They'll have a report before the game, and will reveal it to the media afterward. Uehara's start on Sunday is in serious jeopardy. "We're in a situation where we have a backup plan in place," ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Nolan Reimold - LF Luke Scott - DH Melvin Mora - 3B Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Brad Bergesen - RHP For the Nationals: Guzman - SS Johnson ...
Because I know so many of you are curious: Play-by-play duties for the weekend series on MASN will be split between Jim Hunter and Bob Carpenter. Jim Palmer and Rob Dibble will serve as analysts in a three-man booth. Amber Theoharis and Debbi Taylor will provide updates and interviews. Yes, ...
I'm afraid to ask, but has anyone died today? I'm still reeling from yesterday's news. On a cheerier note, the Orioles have their ace going tonight. Brad Bergesen must play stopper, the guy who takes the ball and ends a losing streak. Again, welcome to the big leagues, kid. Bergesen ...
With last night's game already getting out of hand, maybe we shouldn't fret too much over Chris Ray's outing, but five runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings will leave a mark. Ray served up a grand slam to Hanley Ramirez in the eighth, and he's dragging around a ...
Joey Gathright had three more hits today for Triple-A Norfolk in a 7-4 loss to Pawtucket, raising his average to .338. He's hit safely in 16 of his last 19 games (.414). I'm not sure that Gathright will ever be any better than what we've seen at the major league ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Nick Markakis - RF Adam Jones - CF Ty Wigginton - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Nolan Reimold - LF Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Rich Hill - LHP For the Marlins: Chris Coghlan - LF Emilio Bonifacio - 3B ...
Pitchers Chris Tillman and Brian Matusz have been selected to participate in the 2009 All-Star Futures Game on July 12 in St. Louis. Tillman is 5-4 with a 2.59 ERA in 13 starts with Triple-A Norfolk. He's walked 18 and struck out 70 in 66 innings. Matusz is 5-2 with ...
First Ed McMahon, now Farrah Fawcett. What a sad week. Yes, I had Farrah's poster on my wall as a kid. And I proudly wore the T-shirt. I wouldn't assume that Felix Pie's roster spot is in jeopardy when Cesar Izturis comes off the disabled list. Pie is an extra ...
Remember when you were feeling good about this road trip and interleague play? It comes and it goes. The Orioles will try to avoid the sweep tonight. And they'll likely have Felix Pie on the bench again. Pie made a rare start last night, with slumping center fielder Adam Jones ...
I'm not in Miami. I haven't made a single phone call. Doesn't matter. I'm going to...yes...connect the dots. Koji Uehara's next start is in doubt because he has a tired arm. David Hernandez was removed from tonight's start at Triple-A Norfolk after four perfect innings. Hmmm... I'll go out on ...
In case you haven't heard, the Orioles acquired minor league first baseman Michael Aubrey from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named. The story first ran on the AP wire, and I just got confirmation from a team official. Aubrey isn't on the 40-man roster. He'll be assigned ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Felix Pie - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - LF Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Jason Berken - RHP For the Marlins: Chris Coghlan - LF Emilio Bonifacio - 3B ...
I reported yesterday that Double-A Bowie left-hander Brian Matusz would miss his start last night because the Orioles wanted to provide some rest for their top pitching prospects. David Stockstill, director of player development, said Matusz probably would be skipped once in July and August. I don't disagree with the ...
Because the bar had been set so low earlier this season, I'm largely satisfied when a starting pitcher completes six innings. Having him hold the opposition to one run makes me want to do a happy dance. It's hard for me to dump on Koji Uehara because he didn't work ...
I just got off the phone with David Stockstill, director of player development, who's in the Dominican again and catching up on all of his messages from earlier today. He explained that Brian Matusz's turn was skipped with Double-A Bowie as part of a plan to rest many of the ...
You never like a loss, but this one doesn't hurt too badly. The Orioles scored twice in the eighth and three times in the ninth after two outs. They carried the game into the 12th before Brian Bass committed the ultimate baseball sin - he walked the leadoff batter. The ...
The Orioles should have had runners on the corners and one out in the top of the 11th. They didn't, because Ty Wigginton tried to stretch a single into a double and was thrown out at second base. The play wasn't even close. Wigginton slapped his hands together as the ...
The Orioles have probably set a record by using four left fielders tonight. Don Buford could trot out there and I wouldn't think twice about it. They waited until there were two outs in the ninth inning to string together five singles, score three runs and tie the game. Such ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Nick Markakis - RF Adam Jones - CF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Nolan Reimold - LF Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Koji Uehara - RHP For the Marlins: Chris Coghlan - LF Emilio Bonifacio - 3B ...
Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Jake Arrieta is scheduled to make his next start Friday against Pawtucket at Harbor Park. Arrieta left last night's game after the first inning because of a 1 hour, 29 minute rain delay. He threw only 11 pitches, and will return Friday on three days' rest instead ...
I'll be appearing on tonight's O's Xtra on MASN2 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Before you ask, I have no idea what goes into the decision to put certain games in HD. The schedule is set up way in advance. That's about as much as I know. It really doesn't matter ...
I'm hearing through the grapevine, or maybe it's the word on the street - I always get those two confused - that Brian Matusz won't make tonight's start for Double-A Bowie. Matusz isn't injured, but he's apparently being skipped to provide him with some rest. The Orioles may do this ...
Koji Uehara takes the mound tonight against the Florida Marlins in search of his first win since April 13. Yes, it's been that long. Maybe Uehara will see the Marlins and think it's spring training again. The Orioles usually play them about a dozen times. In his last start, Uehara ...
Jake Arrieta lasted only one inning tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, but it wasn't because he had bad stuff. It was more about the bad weather. Arrieta was removed from the game after umpires halted play in the bottom of the first because of rain. He allowed a single to Lehigh ...
My interview last week with Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, included the following topics: • Felix Pie: "It's unfortunate that Felix didn't get off to a better start because our guys still believe that it's in there. I know Terry Crowley really feels like he's going to hit, and ...
One of the more popular topics among Orioles fans this time of the year involves the club's potential activity at the non-waiver trade deadline. Will they be sellers or buyers? Will they do anything? And if so, which players are more likely to need change-of-address cards? The Orioles have won ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley told The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec after today's game that Chris Ray will rejoin the team Tuesday in Miami. Ray figured to be the favorite to replace Alberto Castillo, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. He isn't a left-hander, but Trembley no longer seems to care whether ...
You'll need a few hours to remove the smile from manager Dave Trembley's face today. He's thrilled with his club's effort and the results. "This was a tremendous Father's Day. And what a weekend. What a weekend," he said during a post-game interview on MASN. "I don't know where to ...
The Orioles announced after today's game that they've optioned left-hander Alberto Castillo to Triple-A Norfolk. A corresponding move will be announced before Tuesday's game. Castillo allowed one earned run in 2 1/3 innings over four appearances after the Orioles purchased his contract from Norfolk on June 5. He also isn't ...
John Mayberry took a mightly swing with two outs in the ninth inning, the sound of bat meeting ball shook the Citizens Bank Park, and Orioles fans everywhere let out a collective gasp. That is, until Felix Pie drifted toward the left field corner and camped under the ball. Closer ...
I've watched the replay from every angle multiple times and I still can't tell whether first baseman Ty Wigginton tagged Jimmy Rollins in front of the bag in the eighth inning. Umpire Larry Vanover called Rollins out, and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was ejected for arguing - and for venting ...
Brian Roberts - 2B Nolan Reimold - RF Adam Jones - CF Luke Scott - LF Melvin Mora - 3B Ty Wigginton - 1B Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Jeremy Guthrie - RHP ...
The Orioles are 8-3 in interleague play this season, making them 98-124 all-time against the National League. The Orioles are 0-9 in road series finales this season. Aubrey Huff went 2-4 last night with a double, RBI and walk to extend his hitting streak to eight games (.394, eight RBIs), ...
You were cursing when Danys Baez served up that three-run homer to Ryan Howard. You were pounding your head against the wall when Gregg Zaun was allowed to bat in the ninth. Zaun homered. Oscar Salazar singled as a pinch-hitter. Brian Roberts hit a go-ahead two-run homer. And the Orioles ...
Brad Bergesen works quickly, throws strikes, fields his position...and bunts. Bergesen has laid down two sacrifice bunts to break up the monotony of shutting out the Phillies on one hit heading into the sixth inning. The more you see of Bergesen, the more you have to like him. He's not ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Nick Markakis - RF Adam Jones - CF Aubrey Huff - 1B Ty Wigginton - 3B Luke Scott - LF Gregg Zaun - C Robert Andino - SS Brad Bergesen - RHP For the Phillies: Jimmy Rollins - SS Shane Victorino - CF ...
The Orioles have transferred pitcher Radhames Liz from Triple-A Norfolk to Double-A Bowie. Liz was forced into Norfolk's rotation before Troy Patton and Jake Arrieta moved up from Bowie. He left spring training with the Orioles trying to convert him into a reliever who could dominate for a few innings ...
Manager Dave Trembley won't convince his pitchers that they can't hit if they keep hitting. They're 3-for-11 with an RBI, walk and two runs scored this season. Oriole pitchers were 2-for-20 last season. Rich Hill contributed a run-scoring single last night, the first RBI by an Orioles pitcher since Garrett ...
Pitching coach Rick Kranitz's influence has really shown the last two games. He straightened out Jason Berken's mechanics Thursday night after noticing that the rookie's momentum wasn't carrying him directly toward home plate in the first inning, and he settled down Rich Hill last night after the left-hander allowed two ...
Rich Hill looked like he landed awkwardly while delivering the curveball that struck out pinch-hitter Eric Bruntlett for the first out in the seventh inning. Manager Dave Trembley checked on him, and Hill remained in the game. Hill reached for his back again as if he tweaked it, but he ...
Jimmy Rollins - SS Shane Victorino - CF Chase Utley - 2B Ryan Howard - 1B Jayson Werth - RF Pedro Feliz - 3B John Mayberry - LF Carlos Ruiz - C Antonio Bastardo - P I filed the Orioles' lineup from the parking lot of a Burger King in ...
Brian Roberts - 2B Nick Markakis - RF Adam Jones - CF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Nolan Reimold - LF Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Rich Hill - LHP ...
Major League Baseball investigators reportedly are trying to determine whether Dominican shortstop prospect Miguel Angel Sano might have altered his age. You can check the story here. Sano is listed as 16, but a more important number could involve the dollars that he's seeking as a signing bonus. I've heard ...
You have questions. I have answers - or something closely resembling them. Let's put them in one blog entry and never speak of them again. • Have the Orioles signed any of their draft picks, and if so, where will they be assigned? It's the same eight players that I ...
I'm hearing strong rumblings that first baseman Brandon Snyder is being promoted from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk. No announcment has been made and nothing is official, but don't be shocked if we receive confirmation tomorrow. I spoke with Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, earlier today and asked if ...
Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth inning with his club protecting a one-run lead. Then it got interesting. Rodriguez walked Adam Jones to force in the tying run. How often does that happen to baseball's single-season saves king? The Mets went with five ...
Manager Dave Trembley let rookie Jason Berken come out for the seventh inning with the score tied at 2. He wasn't going to yank the kid in an attempt to spare him a loss. Fernando Martinez lined softly to short and Luis Castillo struck out looking. The vote of confidence ...
The Orioles scored once in the fifth inning and loaded the bases with one out. They had a chance to break open the game. Instead, Nick Markakis struck out and Aubrey Huff lined to second baseman Luis Castillo. Huff slammed his bat to the ground. You could almost predict what ...
Jason Berken has shut out the New York Mets on one hit, an infield single by Luis Castillo, through three innings. He's walked a batter and struck out four. Two of his strikeouts have come on fastballs, two on curveballs. Berken has thrown 44 pitches, 32 for strikes. The fastball ...
For Jason Berken to be more effective tonight, manager Dave Trembley suggests that the rookie improves his fastball command and doubles up on his changeup. If he misses with it the first time, don't be shy about throwing it again. By Trembley's estimation, the Orioles will face five left-handers in ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - DH Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - LF Ty Wigginton - 1B Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Jason Berken - RHP For the Mets: Cora - SS Murphy ...
I interviewed Matt Wieters yesterday, but I'm not posting any more quotes until the Orioles give me a signed baseball and bat, one of his masks, the second row of seats behind the home dugout - not tickets, the actual seats - the hair that's gathered in the shower drains, ...
Koji Uehara held the Mets to two runs over five innings last night, but he didn't come out for the sixth. He was done after 89 pitches, again raising questions about his durability and whether he's more suited for a long relief role. "I think it is a credit to ...
Matt Wieters entered last night's game batting .234 with no home runs or RBIs. He needed seven hits in his last five starts to lift his average from .143. Some fans thought he looked overmatched, while others blamed bad luck or the quality pitching that he faced. I figured it ...
Rookie catcher Matt Wieters told reporters after tonight's game that he didn't feel any pressure to hit his first home run. It just happened naturally. "Home runs are accidents," he said. "Home runs are doubles that sort of carry farther. I hit the ball well and was able to get ...
Mark Hendrickson isn't the new situational lefty for the Orioles. Hendrickson didn't serve in his usual long-relief role tonight, replacing Brian Bass in the sixth and getting the last two outs, but it was done more out of need. Or maybe desperation. Dave Trembley talks with the media after the ...
You knew it was coming. Why does it always take the player by surprise? Catcher Matt Wieters hit his first major league home run, drove in his first two runs, got his first Camden Yards curtain call and took a shaving cream pie in the face during his post-game interview ...
I spoke with Matt Wieters in the hallway that leads to the clubhouse earlier today. The subject: How he's had to adjust to major league pitching. Wieters pointed out that the biggest difference has been the "mistake" pitch. You don't see as many of them here. You can work a ...
Manager Dave Trembley's pre-game session with the media included his thoughts on the importance of having a left-handed specialist in the bullpen. Jamie Walker failed in the role again this season and was released. Alberto Castillo allowed singles to two left-handed batters last night. "There are times when you put ...
Orioles reliever Dennis Sarfate, on the disabled list after experiencing numbness in his right middle finger, will leave the team on Friday and report to the minor league complex in Sarasota, Fla. to begin throwing off a mound. Sarfate said his first appearance in a minor league game is scheduled ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff- 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Koji Uehara - RHP For the Mets: Cora - SS Martinez - ...
Jake Arrieta's second start for Triple-A Norfolk didn't go as smoothly as the first. Arrieta was charged with five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out seven. Arrieta was lifted after 87 pitches, including 56 strikes. He also committed two errors on pickoff ...
Jake Arrieta has allowed one run and two hits in three innings in his second start for Triple-A Norfolk. He's struck out six batters, including three of the last four. One of his victims in the second inning was former Oriole Darnell McDonald, who's starting in right field after playing ...
I played two sets of tennis today and might not have produced a single drop of sweat. And not because I stood in one spot the entire time. It's not hot outside. In fact, it was downright chilly at 9 a.m. The heat shouldn't be a factor tonight for Orioles ...
It is breaking news that Sammy Sosa reportedly tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003? Wouldn't it be a bigger story if we found out he was clean all these years? The Ravens need a big-play receiver. They don't need a guy whose rap sheet includes phrases like "domestic violence," ...
Brian Roberts' error opened the floodgates in the fourth, but Jeremy Guthrie wasn't pointing any fingers. He accepted blame for not keeping the inning under control. ...
So what happened on David Wright's pop up along the right field line in the seventh inning that bounced out of Aubrey Huff's glove for a two-out error that allowed two runs to score? Let the man who tried to make the over-the-shoulder catch explain: "Well, I mean, that's a ...
The opening statement: "Tonight's the kind of game that more times than not, you're going to win. But we didn't because we didn't do enough things right. It's not like it hasn't happened before to anybody in this game. We gave them too many outs and they capitalized. I liked ...
Tonight's attendance: 20,626 Troy Patton has allowed four runs and six hits in five innings tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, which trails Louisville, 4-3. Patton has walked two and struck out two. He's thrown 78 pitches, 49 for strikes. Update: Patton is out of the game after six inning. He allowed ...
Nick Markakis hadn't hit a home run since May 21 against the New York Yankees. Tonight, he didn't need a Bronx wind tunnel. Markakis' two-run shot in the sixth inning has reduced the Mets' lead to 4-2 and taken a huge weight off the right fielder's shoulders. Orioles PR assistant ...
Jeremy Guthrie can be blamed for walking the leadoff hitter in the fourth inning. And for not minimizing the damage after adversity struck. Otherwise, he's looking a lot like a victim here. Carlos Beltran grounded to Brian Roberts, who tried flipping the ball to second base to start a double ...
Melvin Mora swung at a Mike Pelfrey pitch in the second inning and made solid contact - with his right hand. Mora released the bat and took a stroll as the pain radiated through his hand. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells raced out of the dugout, but Mora is staying ...
The Orioles' pitchers took early batting practice again today in preparation for the upcoming interleague games in Philadelphia and Miami. And it's a source of amusement for their manager. "They all think they can hit the ball," Dave Trembley said. "You've got Alan Dunn throwing it up there 58 mph. ...
The Orioles are renaming the Eutaw St. bleachers "2110 Eutaw Street" as part of a ticket promotion that involves outfielders Nick Markakis (No. 21) and Adam Jones (No. 10). For a number of pre-selected games, beginning on July 12 against the Toronto Blue Jays, fans can purchase a bleacher seat ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley sounds pretty confident that Adam Jones will stay in the lineup tonight and avoid being a late scratch. "Jones is good," Trembley said. "He's ready to go. Nothing wrong with him. He's fine" Trembley noted that Jeremy Guthrie needs to "get through the first inning" and ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Jeremy Guthrie - RHP For the Mets: Cora - SS Martinez ...
The Orioles have come to terms with eight draft picks: Steven Bumbry (12), Tyler Kelly (13), James Brandhorst (20), Justin Anderson (24), Michael Mechaw (26), Mike Flacco (31), Josh Dowdy (38) & David Rivera (45). Jeremy Guthrie has allowed 27 runs in the first two innings this year and 22 ...
And that doesn't include time spent this morning unclogging a bathtub drain and doing a load of laundry. We're still learning about rookie right-hander Brad Bergesen, who tossed a complete game on Sunday. For instance, we now know that he doesn't check his pitch count. Bergesen had no idea where ...
Jeremy Guthrie takes the mound tonight on five days' rest, one more than usual. A strong outing might allow fans to rest a little easier. Guthrie has allowed five home runs in his last three starts, and eight in his last five. He's surrendered nine earned runs in his last ...
They've been busy. Friday, June 12: RHP Jake Arrieta transferred to Norfolk from Bowie. RHP Tim Bascom transferred to Bowie from Frederick. LHP Bobby Livingston transferred to Bowie from Norfolk. Saturday, June 13: RHP Pat Egan transferred to Delmarva from Bowie. RHP Jim Hoey activated from the disabled list. Sunday, ...
Single-A Frederick center fielder Matt Angle has been named the Carolina League's Player of the Week. Angle batted .417 (10-for-24) with five RBIs and three runs scored. He's the Keys' leadoff hitter. Angle, a seventh-round pick in the 2007 draft out of Ohio State, batted .203 in April in his ...
I'm just thinking ahead to September's rotation while recovering from two sets of tennis earlier today (don't ask) and contemplating a nap. Manager Dave Trembley has left open the possibility of going with a six-man staff for the final month. How it's filled depends, in part, on the health of ...
I won't make the Wally Pipp comparison, but Cesar Izturis' appendectomy has created an opportunity for Robert Andino to play every day. And he's seizing it with gusto. Andino drove in three runs yesterday, matching his total for the entire season. He's batting .257, which opens your eyes when you ...
I'm sitting here watching "Rocky Balboa" on the FX channel, and all I can think is, "Wow, he looks old." I hadn't seen this movie before tonight, but I'm guessing that he's going to beat the heavyweight champion. But don't spoil the ending for me. Ty Wigginton homered today for ...
The Orioles drew a season-high nine walks today and 21 for the series. They walked nine times in the previous seven games before the Braves came to town. I think Archie Bunker said it best: "Patience is a virgin." The Orioles scored 19 runs in their last two games, matching ...
Today's attendance: 26,770. I've just received confirmation that left-hander Brian Matusz will move up from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie and make Wednesday's start against Reading at Prince George's Stadium. Matusz had his last start with Frederick rained out after four scoreless innings, washing away his seven strikeouts. He didn't ...
Is there any doubt? Is there any room for debate? Brad Bergesen is tossing another gem. He's shutting out the Braves on two hits through six innings. He's issued only one walk. And here's the part I especially love: He's thrown 62 pitches, 44 for strikes. That's 62 pitches in ...
Don't you wish every day could be Sunday? The club's tireless PR staff has dug up another gem: Robert Andino's steal of home in the second inning was the first by an Oriole since Corey Patterson on May 23, 2007. Brian Roberts got caught in a rundown between first and ...
Derek Lowe had gone at least six innings in nine of his last 10 starts. He allowed more than three earned runs only once in that span. The Orioles didn't care about any of it. Lowe was gone after 2 1/3 innings today, having allowed seven runs and eight hits, ...
Ty Wigginton singled in the third inning, making him 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs. If you include Melvin Mora last night, that's five hits from the fifth slot in less than 24 hours. Brad Bergesen has thrown 28 pitches, including 21 strikes, in three innings. He's allowed ...
Felix Pie is making his first start today since June 6, and only his second since May 27. He's hoping to last all nine innings. Pie fouled a ball off his throat - not an easy trick - and left that June 6 game after one at-bat. He's in the ...
As Adam Jones walked out of the clubhouse with head athletic trainer Rich Bancells earlier today, they discussed how the center fielder would have to wear a shin guard if he was going to play. He'll only do so now if he's used as a pinch-hitter. Jones wanted to stay ...
Adam Jones was removed from today's lineup with a sore left shin. He's available to pinch-hit and is expected to start Tuesday. Here's the new lineup: Brian Roberts - 2B Nolan Reimold - LF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Ty Wigginton - 3B Luke Scott - DH ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Ty Wigginton - 3B Luke Scott - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Gregg Zaun - C Robert Andino - SS Brad Bergesen - RHP For the Braves: McLouth - CF Escobar ...
Adam Jones had an X-ray on his left shin that came back negative. He fouled a ball off his leg. Did the offense look a little different to you tonight? Maybe that's because the Orioles spent more time in the batters box than usual. Dave Trembley talks with the media ...
Melvin Mora collected his first RBI in 25 games tonight, and it came in the seventh inning on an 0-2 pitch from Braves left-hander Eric O'Flaherty. Mora has three hits - all singles. His next home run can wait. The Orioles gladly will take a single with a runner in ...
Rich Hill lasted only four innings tonight, but that's a lot better than his previous start. Hill allowed four runs and five hits, walked three and struck out one. He threw 80 pitches, 51 for strikes. He looked tired when pitching coach Rick Kranitz went to the mound in the ...
Single-A Frederick's Zach Britton has allowed two unearned runs and struck out six over five innings. Chris Tillman had a rough first inning for Triple-A Norfolk. He allowed three hits, including a two-run homer by Jeff Salazar. He also walked a batter. Tillman picked off Shelby Ford before Salazar's homer. ...
Atlanta starter Kenshin Kawakami threw 36 pitches in the first inning, only 17 for strikes, but he left the bases loaded by striking out Matt Wieters. Kawakami obviously had trouble finding the plate, but he threw curveballs to Wieters with the count 2-2 and 3-2. He missed with the first ...
Adam Jones, in a 1-for-18 slump, crushed a two-run homer to left-center field in the first inning to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Brian Roberts singled and Jones jumped on a 91 mph fastball from Atlanta's Kenshin Kawakami. Jones is the first Oriole besides Luke Scott and Nolan Reimold ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley was asked about Nolan Reimold. Here's what he said: "He's improved his discipline at the plate, he's more relaxed and comfortable. His swing may be a little unorthodox, but it's effective. His outfield play has improved. I think he's improved his ability to go back on ...
A reader asked why Matt Wieters' chest protector includes his No. 15 at the top, rather than his initials. I caught up to Wieters, so to speak, and he explained that he wears whatever Under Armour sends him. "I still have some MW's in my locker," he said. In other ...
For the Orioles, who saw a sign with the letters "RIP" and thought they had stranded more runners: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Matt Wieters - C ...
First the Steelers, now the Penguins. Does anyone remember the nickname of Pittsburgh's ABA team in the early '70s? And no, you can't look it up. Matt Wieters registered his third straight multi-hit game last night, and he figured to have an edge over most of his teammates, since he ...
Before tonight's game, manager Dave Trembley expressed frustration at being asked the same questions by the media. He's grown tired of having to explain why certain players are slumping, and why the team isn't winning. He can't wait to be asked about all the hot hitters in his lineup. ...
Jake Arrieta took the loss tonight for Triple-A Norfolk. Tim Bascom was credited with the win for Double-A Bowie. They both turned in stellar debuts at their new levels. Arrieta allowed one run and two hits over six innings in a 2-0 loss to Indianapolis. He gave up two hits, ...
Matt Wieters has two more hits tonight. That seems to be his average in every start the last three times I've seen his name in the lineup, though I'll have to look it up. Oscar Salazar has two hits tonight. And he's been facing right-handed pitching. I wish that I ...
Jake Arrieta is making his Triple-A debut tonight, and it's going pretty well. Arrieta, a fifth-round pick in the 2007 draft, has allowed one hit over four scoreless innings for Norfolk. He's walked none and struck out five. Trust me, he's the real deal. The Orioles will be making room ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley gathered his players in the weight room before batting practice for a 20-minute team meeting. The message was basic: "Let's just have a little fun playing the game," Trembley said. "Let's start all over again here. Let's just have fun playing." Trembley often meets one-on-one with ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - DH Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - LF Oscar Salazar - 1B Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Jason Berken - RHP For the Braves: McLouth - CF Escobar ...
When I checked the blog around noon, I had 151 responses to this morning's post. I guess the solution is more obvious than I realized. Nolan Reimold will appear at ESPN Zone on June 18 for the noon Q&A session. He'll answer questions, sign autographs and hit a home run. ...
My driving has caused more than a few passengers to stomp on the imaginary brake. I remember my poor mother almost putting her foot through the floor as I raced along the Pennsylvania turnpike. As I watch the Orioles, I find myself feeling for that brake. I'm extending my right ...
Koji Uehara's hamstring felt fine tonight. But did a 27-minute rain delay hurt him? "I would think the rain hurt him, but that's easy to say because he gave up the three runs after the delay," manager Dave Trembley said. "If he had shut them down, you don't say that. ...
Russell Branyan hit one of the longest home runs I've seen at Camden Yards. Branyan led off the seventh with a shot to center field that was headed for the Toyota sign on the left side of the scoreboard. I guess he got under the ball a little, because it ...
Koji Uehara's hamstring appears to be fine, but the scoreboard is a royal pain for the Orioles. Uehara has been replaced by Brian Bass. He lasted five innings, allowing four runs and seven hits, walking one and striking out three. He threw 81 pitches, 56 for strikes. The Orioles are ...
I thought a 27-minute rain delay would allow Koji Uehara to catch his breath, but he surrendered three straight hits once play resumed, and the Mariners have taken a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the third. Brian Matusz has struck out seven batters in four innings for Single-A ...
Double-A Bowie's Brandon Snyder is 2-for-2 tonight with a double and his 45th RBI. He's hitting .359. He's also outgrown the Eastern League. He should be moving up to Triple-A Norfolk soon. Single-A Frederick's Brian Matusz has struck out four batters over two scoreless innings. We'll see him in Bowie, ...
Joe Jordan, the Orioles' director of scouting, expressed great satisfaction with the three-day draft that ended this afternoon. But he also issued a playful warning. "I thought it went real well," he said, "but there are 30 scouting directors who love their draft." The Orioles certainly increased their pitching depth ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley didn't promise that third baseman Melvin Mora would continue to bat fifth in the lineup while enduring a lengthy slump, but he sounds willing to stick with the veteran for a while and not made any immediate changes. "He's always been a second-half hitter. He's always ...
David Hernandez is scheduled to start on Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles sent him down because they want to keep him on a starter's schedule, even if he eventually moves to the bullpen. "He needs to go pitch," manager Dave Trembley said. "He's not a guy we're going to ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Nick Markakis - RF Adam Jones - CF Luke Scott - DH Melvin Mora - 3B Nolan Reimold - LF Ty Wigginton - 1B Gregg Zaun - C Robert Andino - SS Koji Uehara - RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro - RF Branyan ...
Koji Uehara is starting tonight and Jason Berken is listed as tomorrow night's starter. You guessed it. David Hernandez has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Uehara. Hernandez posted a 3.95 ERA in three appearances, including two starts. He allowed six earned runs in 13 2/3 innings. ...
Melvin Mora has been batting fifth, as a few of you noticed. It's a run-producing spot, but he's struggling to meet the requirements. Mora hasn't homered in the last 28 games or driven in a run in 22. (Keep in mind that he had 15 RBIs in the first 20 ...
You already know about Mike Flacco going to the Orioles in the 31st round. He's waiting to find out whether he'll have to compete with Troy Smith's brother. In the 32nd round, the Orioles selected left-hander Matthew Nadolski from Casa Grande High School. In the 33rd round, they took right ...
I'm told that pitchers Troy Patton and Jake Arrieta are, indeed, moving up to Triple-A Norfolk, where they'll join elite prospect Chris Tillman in a beefed-up rotation. I guess there's still room for someone else once the Orioles activate Koji Uehara, but it just got a lot more crowded down ...
Rumor Central: I'm hearing some serious rumblings that pitchers Troy Patton and Jake Arrieta are being moved up from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk. It's too early in the morning to get confirmation, but I'll obviously keep you posted. Patton allowed two earned runs over five innings in Game 1 ...
On the 16 home runs that he's allowed this season: "It's a result of pitching in the zone and pitching up at times. I think that the track record is different, so I'm hoping for things to run around, but that's going to be predicated on execution. "One thing I ...
You've asked that question from the stands, in a bar, in your home, in this blog, under your breath and at the top of your lungs. You've directed it to the person next to you, and to the reflection in your mirror. Jeremy Guthrie allowed two more home runs tonight, ...
Jeremy Guthrie allowed four runs in six innings tonight, but only three of them were earned. That, my friends, is regarded as a quality start by definition. Guthrie surrendered two home runs, both to Jose Lopez, and left with the Orioles trailing, 4-1. Lopez raised Guthrie's homer total to 16, ...
Center fielder Xavier Avery, the Orioles' second-round selection in last year's draft, went 5-for-5 with a home run tonight in Single-A Delmarva's 8-2 victory at Lake County. Batting leadoff for the Shorebirds, Avery doubled twice and scored four runs while raising his average to .310. He has two homers this ...
The Orioles made 27 picks on Day 2 of the draft and have completed 30 rounds. The draft concludes tomorrow with rounds 31-50. So far, the club has selected 17 pitchers and 13 position players. That includes 10 right-handers, seven lefties, two catchers, one first baseman, one third baseman, two ...
Forty-one years ago, the Orioles used their 11th-round draft pick on outfielder Al Bumbry. Earlier today, the team used its 12th-round pick on his son, Virginia Tech outfielder Steven Bumbry. The elder Bumbry beat his son by one round. "Let's hope his stats beat mine," he said. Bumbry received the ...
Reliever Dennis Sarfate is throwing every other day as part of his rehab program. He won't step on a mound until June 25, and his first minor league appearance is tentatively scheduled for July 4. Manager Dave Trembley has received positive reports on Chris Ray, courtesy of Triple-A Norfolk pitching ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Jeremy Guthrie - RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro - RF Branyan ...
Or should I say "pitching in?" In Round 14, the Orioles selected right-hander David Baker of Hemet High School. In Round 15, they took right-hander Garrett Bush of Stanton College Prep School. In Round 16, they chose right-hander Ryan Dalsha of Diablo Valley College. In Round 17, they selected right-hander ...
The Orioles used their pick in the 12th round to select outfielder Steven Bumbry of Virginia Tech. Bumbry? Where have we heard that name before? Steven's father is Al Bumbry, the former Orioles center fielder and leadoff hitter, and part of the 1983 world championship team. Here's more on the ...
And the 296th overall pick, if you're keeping score at home. The Orioles selected another right-handed pitcher, Jacob Cowan of San Jacinto (Tx) Junior College. Baseball America rated Cowan as the 47th-best right-hander in the draft. Here's a little something about Cowan, who transferred from the University of Virginia and ...
We're up to the 236th overall pick. Still no sign of Mel Kiper. In the eighth round, the Orioles selected East Carolina left fielder Devin Harris. So what will the Orioles do with Nolan Reimold? Is a trade in the works? Again, kidding. In the ninth round, the Orioles selected ...
"Jane, how do you stop this crazy thing?" OK, I've caught my breath long enough to report that the Orioles, with the 206th overall pick, have selected left-hander Aaron Wirsch of El Toro (Ca.) High School. Wirsch is listed at 6-6, 200 pounds. Somebody point him to the donuts. Or ...
With the 176th overall pick, the Orioles have selected South Carolina catcher Justin Dalles. Dalles, a right-handed hitter, is listed at 6-2 and 205 pounds. He went 4-for-4 with two home runs, including a grand slam, in a regional tournament game last month. Check out this story about the game, ...
The picks are coming fast and furious, which is the norm on Day 2. With the 146th overall pick, the Orioles have selected left-hander Ashur Tolliver of NAIA power Oklahoma City. Tolliver is listed at 6 foot, 170 pounds. Their fourth-rounder, Randy Henry, is 6-3, 198 pounds. Baseball America wrote ...
The amateur draft has moved into the fourth round, and the Orioles used the 116th overall pick on right-hander Randy Henry of South Mountain (AZ) Community College. Baseball America rated Henry as the 75th-best right-hander in the draft a month ago. Here's a video that I stumbled across. His fastball ...
So you think the Orioles have been in an offensive funk? Consider that the Seattle Mariners have allowed three runs or fewer in seven straight games, tying a club record, but they've gone 4-3 in that span. Something about misery loving company. The Orioles didn't exactly bust out last night ...
Joe Jordan, the Orioles' director of scouting, said the club views second-round pick Mychal Givens as a shortstop and third-round pick Tyler Townsend as either a first baseman or corner outfielder. He'll get the chance to play both at Aberdeen. Jordan, who was nice enough to take my call after ...
The fan who interferred with Melvin Mora's fly ball in the first inning was wearing an orange No. 6 T-shirt. He wasn't supposed to be part of the promotion. "The good thing is we win. That's what matters," Mora said. "I saw the replay. He (Endy Chavez) was jumping. He ...
Brad Bergesen created a huge debate in spring training without uttering a word. Would his stuff play at the major league level? If you believe it will, you can argue how the Mariners saw him twice in six days and did less against him tonight. ...
The Orioles have used the 85th overall pick on Tyler Townsend, a first baseman/outfielder from Florida International. Townsend, from Lewes, Del, was named an All-American after hitting .426 with 24 homers and a school-record 77 RBIs and 182 total bases. According to this story, the Orioles gave Townsend a tryout ...
The Orioles selected another prep righty with their second-round pick: Mychal Givens of Tampa, Fla., who also is a shortstop. We're trying to find more information about him. He's the 54th overall pick in this draft. Update: Baseball America lists Givens as the third-best shortstop in the draft. ...
If you want to see what a Matt Hobgood strikeout looks like, check out this video from YouTube: Or you can just watch him throw here, if you find the batter too distracting: ...
Answer: Adam Jones Question: Who's the last player besides Nolan Reimold or Luke Scott to hit a home run for the Orioles. Jones connected on May 26 against the Blue Jays. The Orioles have played 12 games since that night. Reimold has seven home runs since being called up. Tonight's ...
We just witnessed the first home run review in Camden Yards history. Mariners left fielder Endy Chavez argued that a male fan reached over the fence and interferred with his attempt to catch Melvin Mora's fly ball with two outs in the first inning. And somewhere, Tony Tarasco is saying, ...
Joe Jordan, the Orioles' director of scouting, deliberated between Matt Hobgood and Zack Wheeler before settling on the California high school product earlier this afternoon. He said signability wasn't an issue, but also believes Hobgood will be pitching "early in the summer" and could start out one level higher than ...
The Orioles took a high school pitcher with their first pick, and he had to make up some serious ground to reach the top five. Once projected to go in the second or third round, right-hander Matt Hobgood of Norco High in California became the fifth overall pick in tonight's ...
Jim Callis, the draft guru for Baseball America, has released his latest projected picks. 1. Nationals: San Diego State righthander Stephen Strasburg. 2. Mariners: North Carolina first baseman Dustin Ackley. 3. Padres: Georgia HS outfielder Donavan Tate. 4. Pirates: Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez. 5. Orioles: California HS righthander Matt ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley practically guaranteed a win tonight because it's his mother's birthday and she'll be watching the game at home. It's also Melvin Mora T-shirt Tuesday, "so that should be good for three hits," Trembley said. Cesar Izturis has returned to his Miami home for a week, with ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Nick Markakis - RF Adam Jones - CF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Brad Bergesen - RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro - RF Branyan ...
It's only 105 degrees in the press box. Now I feel foolish for wearing short sleeves. Looking back at the Oakland series, the Orioles had two starters who couldn't get out of the first inning. The last time that happened, according to the club's PR staff, was Aug. 11-12, 1993 ...
Chris Ray turned in another scoreless inning last night for Triple-A Norfolk. He's either solved his mechanical issues or he's just too good for the International League. Ray hasn't allowed a run in 5 2/3 innings since being optioned. He's given up one hit, walked two and struck out six. ...
The amateur baseball draft will be held this evening, with former No. 1 overall pick Ben McDonald announcing the Orioles' selection. The name "Stephen Strasburg" won't pass his lips, unless he's saying, "Hey, Stephen Strasburg is the No. 1 overall pick, 20 years after me." The Washington Nationals will take ...
Justin Turner remains out of Triple-A Norfolk's lineup tonight with a sore wrist. And the Tides could use his bat, considering that he's hitting .301. It would probably be useful in Baltimore, too. Otherwise, it's slim pickings if the Orioles are looking to their top affiliate for an offensive boost. ...
Double-A Bowie right-hander Jake Arrieta has been named the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season. Arrieta went 2-0 and allowed only two runs and eight hits in 13 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out 14. Arrieta tossed his league-leading second shutout yesterday, ...
If anyone should benefit from a return to Camden Yards, it's rookie catcher Matt Wieters. The kid could use a hug. Wieters was 2-for-17 on the road trip, and he sat out his first game on Saturday since the Orioles purchased his contract. He's hitting .143, with four hits in ...
Double-A Bowie reliever Wilfrido Perez has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to three days ago, with inflammation in his left elbow. He's eligible to return on Friday. There's nothing wrong with the math. He's on the seven-day disabled list. It's a minor league thing. Perez is 1-0 with ...
Brett Favre underwent surgery on his right shoulder last month, according to ESPN. Afterward, the surgeon announced his retirement, then changed his mind. Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen was supposed to appear at ESPN Zone tomorrow for the noon Q&A session with fans, but he's starting that night, so Rich Hill ...
Brian Bass tosses 4 1/3 scoreless innings today. He retires 13 of the 14 batters he faces after replacing Rich Hill in the first inning. He restores order in the game and gives the Orioles a chance to rally - if they could find their bats. Dave Trembley talks with ...
The Orioles placed shortstop Cesar Izturis on the 15-day disabled list and purchased Oscar Salazar's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. Their 40-man roster is now full. The team bus won't arrive at the ballpark until 10:30 a.m. PST, so the lineup hasn't been posted. Down on the farm: Radhames Liz allowed ...
And they're huge ones. Adam Jones - CF Nolan Reimold - LF Nick Markakis - RF Luke Scott - DH Melvin Mora - 3B Oscar Salazar - 1B Matt Wieters - C Ty Wigginton - 2B Robert Andino - SS Rich Hill - LHP Salazar is wearing No. 26. I'm ...
The Single-A Frederick Keys have tied a franchise record by sending six players to the Carolina/California League All-Star Game on June 23 in Lake Elsinore, Ca. They also had six participants in 1998. Heading to Lake Elsinore are pitchers Brian Matusz, Zach Britton and Luis Lebron, catcher Caleb Joseph, shortstop ...
The 2009 season should come with an airbag. The ride is going to get bumpy. Keep your head and your hands inside the window at all times. A young starting pitcher digs deep into a game, leaves to a rousing ovation and is immediately projected into the rotation for the ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Nick Markakis - RF Adam Jones - CF Luke Scott - DH Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Gregg Zaun - C Felix Pie - LF Robert Andino - SS Jason Berken - RHP For the Athletics: Orlando Cabrera - SS ...
We know that shortstop Cesar Izturis underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy last night at California Pacific Medical Center. We don't know whether he'll be forced on the disabled list. So what do they mean by "laparoscopic?" Well, it's the less invasive of the two options. Here's what I found, courtesy of ...
The only update from the Orioles on shortstop Cesar Izturis is that he was diagnosed with appendicitis yesterday and underwent a successful laparoscopic appendectomy at California Pacific Medical Center. Still no word on a roster move. You already know that Jeremy Guthrie allowed six runs and seven hits in two-thirds ...
I'm not a doctor, but once a player has been rushed to the hospital with appendicitis, he's going on the disabled list. He loses day-to-day status. Cesar Izturis is going to be marked absent for a while. I've never undergone an appendectomy, knock on wood, but I doubt that I'd ...
So you think the Orioles had it rough? Try playing for Single-A Frederick, which was subjected to another doubleheader last night because of inclement weather, and suffered through a delay of almost three hours that pushed back the first pitch of Game 1 from 5 p.m. to 7:59 p.m. The ...
Double-A Bowie first baseman Brandon Snyder returned to the lineup tonight after missing the last six games with back stiffness and spasms. Snyder went 1-for-4 with an opposite-field double in a 3-0 loss to Erie. Meanwhile, Luke Scott hit a solo homer in the seventh inning so the Orioles could ...
Where's the remote? I just walked back into my living room, settled into my chair and saw six runs splashed on the board. I'm guessing the ball wasn't coming out of Jeremy Guthrie's hand very well. He threw 29 pitches before retreating into the dugout. The Oakland A's didn't miss ...
The Orioles are reporting that shortstop Cesar Izturis has appendicitis and will undergo surgery tonight. Robert Andino is in the starting lineup. Izturis will have to go on the disabled list, and a corresponding roster move is forthcoming. ...
I know there was a lot of curiosity about Nolan Reimold's exclusion from the lineup, but MASN's Amber Theoharis says it's just a night off. Nothing health related. However, Cesar Izturis was taken to a local hospital with a stomach problem, which sounds a lot like what Felix Pie dealt ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - DH Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - LF Ty Wigginton - 1B Matt Wieters - C Robert Andino - SS Jeremy Guthrie - RHP For the Athletics: Orlando Cabrera - SS ...
Left-hander David Davidson, who was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on May 28 and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, has been returned to the Florida Marlins after it was discovered that he has a shoulder injury. That could explain why we haven't seen his stats listed among Norfolk's pitchers. Major ...
The Orioles announced today that they've purchased Alberto Castillo's contract from Triple-A Norfolk and released left-hander Jamie Walker. Walker posted a 5.11 ERA - seven earned runs in 12 1/3 innings - over 22 appearances this season. He allowed 19 hits and five home runs. Left-handers were batting 458 against ...
If I have to guess, and nobody is forcing me, I'll say that the Orioles will release left-hander Jamie Walker and replace him with Alberto Castillo before tonight's game against the Oakland Athletics. Castillo has a 3.09 ERA in 24 games with Triple-A Norfolk. He made his major league debut ...
Is Randy Johnson the greatest left-handed pitcher in history? I've heard some people make that claim, but I'm still going with Warren Spahn and his 363 career wins and 23-7 record at age 42. It's tricky when you start comparing eras (as opposed to ERAs), and I never saw Spahn ...
The weather continues to mess with the schedules of every minor league affiliate. It seems like a new day brings a new seven-inning doubleheader. Brian Matusz will pitch the second game tonight for Single-A Frederick, following Tim Bascom to the mound. This will be Matusz's 11th start. He has no ...
Japanese right-hander Ryohei Tanaka, who signed a minor league contact with the Orioles before spring training, is about to join Double-A Bowie's roster. An announcement should be coming soon. I had totally forgotten about this guy. He was working out in Japan and recently obtained his visa. Tanaka appeared in ...
To get an idea of how polite Brian Matusz is, consider that the left-hander kept apologizing to me for not following through on a promise to call before Monday night's game. He was busy and didn't get the chance, so he texted me afterward, saying how sorry he was, and ...
I have no idea what that means, but Double-A Bowie's Troy Patton took a 7-0 loss to Trenton today. Patton allowed four runs over seven innings, but only two were earned. He gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out seven. His ERA is 1.85. Brandon Snyder remains out ...
The Orioles won't have to face Erik Bedard again next week at Camden Yards. The Mariners are scheduled to send Jason Vargas, Felix Hernandez and Ryan Rowland-Smith to the mound for the three-game series that begins Tuesday. Rowland-Smith is on the disabled list, but he'll be activated. I respect a ...
XM MLB radio is gathering picks for its mock baseball draft, contacting media members from each team and taping their selections. Here's how the top four have played out: Washington: Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State Seattle: Dustin Ackley, OF/1B, North Carolina San Diego: Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville (Ga.) High ...
Two runners were picked off tonight, and Aubrey Huff was thrown out at second base as Melvin Mora went down swinging in the ninth inning. No bunt? The offense is spinning its wheels and splattering mud all over my scorecard. Two runs tonight, five in the last 39 innings, eight ...
Before I write about Luke Scott, I have to say that I can't believe two more Orioles have been picked off tonight. Nolan Reimold at first base, Aubrey Huff at third. Are they going for the cycle? Is it possible to be picked off home plate? One player was caught ...
After a quick review, I'm definitely home. But Aubrey Huff's two-run homer was correctly overturned. No need to review Luke Scott's home run in the second inning. That one counted, and it gave the Orioles' a 1-0 lead. Scott and Nolan Reimold have combined for the Orioles' last 10 homers. ...
The word out of Seattle tonight is that Koji Uehara's scheduled start on June 10 is written in pencil, not pen. And keep your eraser handy. Uehara hasn't experienced any setbacks in his return from a strained left hamstring. He threw again today and everything was fine. But the Orioles ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Matt Wieters - C Nolan Reimold - LF Cesar Izturis - SS Brad Bergesen - RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki - RF ...
Catcher Chad Moeller cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Moeller is expected to report to the Tides on Friday. He batted .200 with one triple, one home run and two RBIs in 15 games. Moeller and Robby Hammock will be reunited. It's like spring training all over ...
Single-A Frederick third baseman Tyler Henson has been suspended for two games by the Carolina League following his ejection in Salem over the weekend. Henson will begin serving his punishment today, according to the Keys, and they'll play a man short. He's batting .219 with four homers and 29 RBIs ...
Jamie Walker told me over the weekend that his left arm felt good, that his health wasn't an issue this season. Well, something isn't right about his numbers. Walker has posted a 5.11 ERA in 22 appearances this season, with 19 hits and five home runs allowed in 12 1 ...
I can tell that it rained cats and dogs last night. I went outside and stepped in a poodle. Honestly, how old is that joke? I believe it was used during a roast for Shoeless Joe. And if you're shoeless, you don't want to step in a poodle. Trust me ...
I knew it was too good to be true. I'm talking about the weather, of course. It's raining again - with thunder and lightning mixed in for effect. If the three young starters are in competition to see who stays in the rotation once Koji Uehara is activated from the ...
Chris Tillman returned to Triple-A Norfolk's rotation tonight after leaving his last start with a strained groin. He probably wanted to leave this one, too, if only to sort through everything that happened. Tillman didn't allow an earned run over five innings and lowered his ERA to 1.88, but Buffalo ...
MASN's Amber Theoharis reports that Koji Uehara will throw batting practice tomorrow in Seattle. It's more than a side session and less than a rehab assignment. Uehara is still scheduled to face the Mariners on June 10 at Camden Yards. Former Orioles executive Jim Duquette is organizing another walk on ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - DH Melvin Mora - 3B Ty Wigginton - 1B Matt Wieters - C Nolan Reimold - LF Cesar Izturis - SS David Hernandez - RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki - RF ...
I guess the Nationals fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire today because he couldn't figure out where Daniel Cabrera should stand on the rubber. Major League Baseball Productions is releasing a DVD on June 30 called "White Sox Memories: The Greatest Moments in Chicago White Sox History." Any chance Tito ...
Try not to break a tooth. Oriole pitchers have registered four straight quality starts for the first time since April 28-May 3, 2008, when they strung together six in a row. Their ERA is 1.93 over the last four games, with six earned runs and 20 hits allowed in 28 ...
I filed my last entry at 12:01 a.m., woke up this morning and found 43 reader comments waiting for me to approve. I guess a few of you stayed up late to watch the game. For whatever reason, I managed to get through nine innings despite heading upstairs to bed ...
Now it's David Hernandez's turn. The Orioles are stringing together some impressive starts - a sentence I hadn't intended to type this year. They're carrying two long relievers and they might not need one. Hill isn't pretty, but he got it done last night. The delivery is unorthodox, and when ...
Rich Hill should be working the blackjack tables at Vegas because he's really dealing tonight. Hill retired the last 14 batters he faced and left after seven innings with a 1-0 lead. He held the Mariners to two hits, walked three and struck out seven. He threw 106 pitches, and ...
Maybe later. Much later. Orioles manager Dave Trembley was asked tonight whether he'd consider going to a six-man rotation once Koji Uehara comes off the disabled list and makes the June 10 start at Camden Yards. I know it's been a popular topic among readers of this blog. Trembley said ...
The Orioles decided over the winter to make Radhames Liz a reliever, and revealed their plans in spring training. The idea was to limit his appearances to an inning or two and make it easier for the right-hander to repeat his delivery and rely mostly on his blazing fastball. With ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Matt Wieters - C Nolan Reimold - LF Cesar Izturis - SS Rich Hill - LHP For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki - RF ...
Left-hander Brian Matusz, the fourth overall pick in last year's amateur draft, has been named the Carolina League's Pitcher of the Week after tossing 14 scoreless innings over two starts. He allowed nine hits and struck out nine batters. Matusz is 4-2 with a 2.37 ERA. He leads the league ...
Luke Scott has been named the American League's Player of the Week. Shocking, I know. Scott is 8-for-18 (.444) with six homers, 14 RBIs, seven runs scored and three walks since coming off the disabled list last Wednesday. He homered in four straight games, the first Oriole to do so ...
We don't know the lineup for tonight's game, but there's no law against guessing: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Matt Wieters - C Nolan Reimold - LF Cesar Izturis - SS ...
I kept one eye on Jason Berken yesterday, and the other eye on the ballpark's radar readings. It can lead to searing headaches, but it's all part of the job. I just have to feel my way back to my car later. Stay off the roads. Berken's fastball topped out ...
Welcome to yet another sequel to the original entry that entertained millions and revolutionized the blogging industry. And once again, it's even better than the book. You have questions that demand answers. Unfortunately, they're the same questions, posted multiple times a day from multiple readers, and my responses go unnoticed ...
That's the best way I can describe it. Second baseman Brian Roberts was asked about everything that the Orioles accomplished over the past week. He grinned and fired off the following response: "We haven't accomplished anything yet. We've won some games. Nobody's going to give us any trophies for it." ...
The Orioles are 3-14 in series finales this year and 1-7 on Sundays. Edwin Jackson had a lot to do with keeping that trend going today. He retired the first 11 batters he faced, blanked the Orioles on two hits over eight innings and turned in his eighth quality start ...
Here's manager Dave Trembley's opening statement to the media: "Berken pitched a very good game. We'll take those kinds of outings from our starters all the time. Pitched very well. Just so happened that Jackson pitched a little bit better. He had command of his pitches. His off-speed stuff was ...
Danys Baez has replaced rookie Jason Berken to begin the eighth inning. I'd applaud Berken if we were allowed to cheer in the press box. Great effort. Berken's only mistake resulted in Curtis Granderson's solo home run. He surrendered four hits, walked two and struck out two. Berken threw 102 ...
Jason Berken has completed six innings and he'll return for a seventh. The bullpen is quiet. Berken has thrown 86 pitches and allowed one run - on Curtis Granderson's homer - and four hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. He's also hit a batter. His ERA is down to ...
You know where I'm going with this entry. So what happens when Koji Uehara comes off the disabled list? Does he go to the bullpen? Do they send down one of the young pitchers? Which young pitcher gets sent down? This is, by far, the most popular question among readers. ...
Koji Uehara threw in the bullpen this morning. He'll have one more sideline session before making the June 10 start against the Seattle Mariners at Camden Yards. Reliever Dennis Sarfate will start a throwing program on Friday. He won't accompany the Orioles to the West Coast. Matt Wieters was watching ...
As I left the clubhouse after last night's game, I noticed that reliever Jamie Walker was hunkered down in the video room, rather than sitting in front of a plate of food and talking to teammates. He was studying the tendencies of the Detroit hitters, looking for clues on how ...
Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Ty Wigginton - 3B Luke Scott - LF Matt Wieters - DH Gregg Zaun -C Robert Andino - SS Jason Berken - RHP Thomas - RF Santiago - 2B Ordonez - DH Granderson - ...
The Tigers are 13-2 on Saturdays and Sundays and have outscored their opponents, 83-41. I'm not feeling real good about tomorrow. Jeremy Guthrie has allowed 13 homers, the second-most in the American League behind Minnesota's Scott Baker (14). He's surrendered 20 runs in the first two innings, and 19 in ...
It appears that Matt Wieters will serve as the designated hitter tomorrow against Tigers right-hander Edwin Jackson. If the plan doesn't change, would that put Luke Scott in left field? You can't sit the guy. Maybe Nolan Reimold gets the day off. We'll find out. Wieters had his left hand ...
Jamie Walker recorded an out after replacing Matt Albers in the eighth inning, but it came on a failed suicide-squeeze attempt. Clete Thomas squared to bunt, missed the ball and Ryan Raburn was hung up between third and home. Matt Wieters ran Raburn back toward third and applied the tag. ...
He did it again. Luke Scott just drilled a two-run homer to right-center field with the count full to tie the game, 3-3, in the sixth. Estimated distance: 420 feet. Scott has homered in four straight games, two short of Reggie Jackson's record. No rainbows this time, but he almost ...
Weird things are happening to Matt Wieters. Or is it "wierd" things? The first ball hit in last night's game ends up in Wieters' hands, a neat trick when you're a catcher. He hits into a double play in his first at-bat, but it's 9-5. Not your standard kind. And ...
Jeremy Guthrie has struck out nine batters and not issued a walk in four innings. Sounds like a perfect evening - if not for the three runs and six hits. Guthrie has surrendered two solo home runs and Ryan Rayburn's RBI single. He's also hit a batter. He left the ...
I don't intend to track every Matt Wieters at-bat through the rest of the season, but since he's making only his second major league start, I can't turn away. Must...blog...about...Wieters. He came to the plate with two outs in the second inning, after Luke Scott proved to be mortal and ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley grabbed a flight to Daytona after last night's game, arriving home around 2:30 a.m., attended son Kevin's high school graduation at 10 a.m. and left at 2:30 p.m. for the return to Baltimore. Kevin is here with him. Owner Peter Angelos provided a private jet for ...
Luke Scott has homered in three consecutive games. Three more and he can tie the club record held by Reggie Jackson, who homered in six straight from July 18-23, 1976. No wonder the Yankees paid him all that money. It was a record deal at the time - five years ...
Jiwon Bang, Koji Uehara's interpreter, said the right-hander is "getting there" in his quest to return to the Orioles' rotation. Uehara is tentatively scheduled to make the June 10 start against Seattle. He's eligible to pitch the previous night, but apparently will be held back a little longer. Uehara wants ...
Matt Wieters sat alone at his locker earlier today, watching the Blue Jays-Red Sox game on a television directly above him. No reporters, no cameras, no hype machine humming in the background. I walked over and jokingly asked if I could stand beside him so he didn't feel so isolated. ...
For the Orioles, who resisted the urge to hang a No. 2 on the warehouse to count Matt Wieters' games: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Matt Wieters - C Nolan Reimold ...
I'm chugging a protein shake and watching "Best Damn Top 50 Special: Emotional Moments in Sports," because I really have nothing better to do before heading to the ballpark. No. 18 was B.J. Surhoff's press conference after the Orioles traded him to the Braves on July 31, 2000 - a ...
Ty Wigginton has only one career at-bat against Justin Verlander, and he struck out, but he has to be in the lineup tonight. Make him the designated hitter and sit Luke Scott. Hey, I'll keep playing that tune as long as Scott keeps responding as he did last night. I ...
It was a two-pie night, with Adam Jones nailing Luke Scott in the face and Robert Andino doing the same to Brad Bergesen. Dave Trembley talks with the media after the Orioles 7-2 win over the Tigers Here's manager Dave Trembley's opening statement after the game: "Bergesen pitched a wonderful ...
Who's the only Orioles starter without a hit? That would be Matt Wieters. Wieters took a called third strike from Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson in the eighth inning, making him 0-for-4 from the right side of the plate. But he wasn't exactly a buzz kill. Not on this night. Camden ...
Tonight's attendance: 42,704 The over-under that a couple of dumb sportswriters set Tuesday night turned out to be a little on the low side. But at least I insisted that Luke Scott should be in tonight's lineup. Quiet! So who's the last Oriole to produce back-to-back multi-homer games? Go back ...
I guess Luke Scott didn't get the memo. Scott has recorded his second multi-homer game in two nights, and the seventh of his career. His solo shot in the fifth extended the Orioles' lead to 7-0 and led to another delayed curtain call. Matt Wieters took a pitch from Dontrelle ...
The final attendance figure hasn't been tabulated yet, but the Orioles have sold more than 15,000 tickets since Andy MacPhail announced on Tuesday that catcher Matt Wieters would make his major league debut tonight. The kid is good for business. He's also good for Brad Bergesen, who retired 12 in ...
The fireworks are going off a little early tonight. Luke Scott hit his first career grand slam in the third inning, launching a 2-2 pitch from Tigers left-hander Dontrelle Willis onto the flag court in right field. Scott has four homers and 11 RBIs in three games since coming off ...
Melvin Mora walked to lead off the second inning. Luke Scott grounded a single into right field. Then it was Matt Wieters' turn. AC/DC's Hells Bells accompanied him to the plate as the crowd roared. And not because the place is packed with groupies of the Australian rock band. Wieters ...
What are the odds that the first ball tonight would be hit to Matt Wieters? I guess we should have seen it coming. It wasn't going to anybody else. Detroit's Josh Anderson bunted the first pitch from Brad Bergesen. Wieters jumped out of his crouch, fielded the ball and fired ...
I'm told we'll get this one in, but it's not starting on time. Update: The first pitch is expected at 7:30 p.m. This weather isn't going to help walkup sales. We're hearing the Orioles have sold approximately 35,000 tickets. I'm waiting for Matt Wieters to walk across the tarp without ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he didn't bother talking to catcher Matt Wieters about the humbling nature of this game. "Wieters already knows that," Trembley said. "He's a smart cookie. He already knows that and no one here expects him to be a world beater. A lot of people, that's ...
Tigers' lineup: Josh Anderson - LF Placido Polanco - 2B Magglio Ordonez - DH Miguel Cabrera - 1B Curtis Granderson - CF Brandon Inge - 3B Clete Thomas - RF Gerald Laird - C Adam Everett - SS Dontrelle Willis - LHP Matt Wieters said he had "a little bit ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley said backup catcher Chad Moeller has agreed to report to Triple-A Norfolk if he clears waivers or another team doesn't pursue him in a trade. The Orioles won't stand in his way if he has a chance to stay in the majors, but they're hoping he'll ...
Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Matt Wieters - C Nolan Reimold - LF Cesar Izturis - SS Brad Bergesen - RHP ...
Matt Wieters is officially on the 25-man roster. The Orioles purchased his contract from Triple-A Norfolk. To make room for him, the club designated backup catcher Chad Moeller for assignment. Moeller batted .200 with one homer in 15 games. The Orioles are hoping he clears waivers and accepts an assignment ...
Rather than decide where Matt Wieters should bat tonight - and I'm making it my personal crusade to include his name in every entry today, even if I'm simply commenting on the weather or the latest episode of Desperate Housewives - I'm more obsessed with Luke Scott's placement in the ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley won't tell us where Matt Wieters is batting tonight. He playfully reminded us that it isn't Opening Day and he doesn't have to post his lineup in advance. That won't stop me from guessing. I'm pretty confident in the top five: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam ...
The shaving cream pie to the face is becoming a nightly ritual here as the rookies keep influencing the outcome of games. David Hernandez wore it tonight, with Adam Jones doing the honors. ...
I was expecting to see a steady diet of fastballs and sliders from David Hernandez tonight, but he mixed in his changeup and the occasional curveball. He's just following instructions. ...
Luke Scott kept smiling as he sat in the dugout after the final out of eighth inning. His second homer of the night, a three-run shot off Detroit reliever Ryan Perry that traveled 402 feet to center field, increased the Orioles' lead to 5-1, and fans weren't ready to let ...
Melvin Mora bounced a throw past first baseman Aubrey Huff in the eighth inning that allowed Brandon Inge to reach base as the potential tying run. Mora scolded himself between pitches to the next batter. He smacked his thigh with his bare hand. He kicked at the dirt. Jim Johnson ...
Besides optioning Chris Ray to Triple-A Norfolk today, the Orioles also claimed left-hander David Davidson off waivers from the Florida Marlins. Davidson has posted a 3.00 ERA in 13 Triple A games - three with Indianapolis and 10 with New Orleans. Davidson also appeared in one game with the Marlins. ...
OK, we get it, Nolan Reimold can hit home runs. That's five in 14 games since he arrived from Triple-A Norfolk. Reimold is the first Oriole to homer in three consecutive games this season. His fifth-inning shot, which broke a 1-1 tie, traveled 378 feet. Reimold pulled a slider from ...
David Hernandez has retired seven consecutive batters. His pitch count stands at 54 (28 strikes) through three innings, which isn't bad, considering that 27 of them came in the first. Luke Scott gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead with his seventh home run (eight, if you count Delmarva). If you ...
David Hernandez loaded the bases in his first major league inning, but Brandon Inge lined out to end the rally. Hernandez threw 27 pitches, only 12 for strikes. He walked the leadoff hitter, Clete Thomas, on five pitches. Magglio Ordonez dumped a single into right field with Thomas running. Curtis ...
Chris Ray was asked if he was too ambitious after undergoing "Tommy John" surgery. "I don't think so," he replied. "I had success in spring training. But again, it wasn't in a regular-season game. Things start going a little bit faster, your heart starts pumping more. I think it's a ...
This isn't an entry about cologne. It isn't boxers or briefs. It's about a uniform number. David Hernandez will make his major league debut tonight wearing No. 63. I know that's important to some people. And I still think Matt Wieters will wear No. 15 tomorrow. Here's the Tigers' lineup: ...
Here's what Orioles manager Dave Trembley had to say about the decision to option reliever Chris Ray to Triple-A Norfolk: "He needs to work in an environment that is going to give him an opportunity to succeed and work on his delivery and repeat it. He's an end-of-the-game (reliever) is ...
We'll start with reliever Chris Ray, who agreed with the Orioles' decision to send him down. "It doesn't do me any good to be up here and throw once a week," he said. "I need to get my repetitions and get in there on a more consistent basis, just so ...
The Orioles have optioned reliever Chris Ray to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for David Hernandez. More on that later. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Nolan Reimold - ...
The tarp is on the field, but it's folded away from the infield. So it's sort of on the field. Has anyone seen the sun lately? Triple-A Norfolk's Chris Tillman still can't pitch after leaving his last start with a strained groin muscle, so left-hander Bobby Livingston was promoted to ...
I tried to find out how many tickets have been sold for Matt Wieters' debut, but the Orioles are waiting until tomorrow to release that information. They're expecting to have their greatest increase from walkup sales. It also doesn't hurt that it's Student Night, and fireworks are scheduled for after ...
Matt Wieters' promotion tomorrow likely means the elimination of Chad Moeller from the 25-man roster. I came across an entry on the Orioles Hangout message board from DrungoHazewood, named for the former outfielder (circa 1980). He tallied the stats from some previous backup catchers. It's not a comprehensive list, of ...
Coming up next: David Hernandez. You can't keep the rookies straight without a scorecard. I've seen Hernandez pitch twice, at the most. I recall watching him in a B Game in Jupiter during spring training. And there might have been an intrasquad game. Otherwise, he's wiped from my memory. We ...
I just got done reading and approving the latest batch of comments. I have to say, this blog is most fun when the Orioles stage an improbable comeback, punctuated by a walk-off home run. The immediate responses from readers are instant classics. "Wow." "Ain't the beer cold!!!" "OMG, Nolan!!" "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ...
After Nolan Reimold took a called third strike with two runners on base in the ninth inning, on a pitch that appeared to be low, manager Dave Trembley gave the rookie a quick pep talk in the dugout. "I just brought him over and sat him down and said, 'Hey, ...
You ALWAYS remove your batting helmet after a walk-off home run. Otherwise, it'll get pounded into your skull. Nolan Reimold gets a pie in the face after his walkoff homer in the O's win Reimold's three-run shot off Brian Wolfe in the 11th inning completed another amazing rally and gave ...
It's free baseball! The Orioles scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game. All they needed to do was wait for Roy Halladay to leave it. Adam Jones was thrown out at the plate trying to score the go-ahead run. Half the press box thought ...
That's not a misprint. I'm not drunk. A crazy man hasn't taken over the blog. It isn't "Bring Your Mischievous Daughter To Work Day." Andino is 3-for-3 against Halladay. That's ownership right there. Break out the bill of sale. Too bad the Orioles are six outs away from being 0-11 ...
Rich Hill didn't make it through the fourth inning today. He was charged with seven runs (six earned) and six hits, walked three, struck out three, committed an error and threw a wild pitch. That's no way to beat Roy Halladay. Hill threw 73 pitches, 43 for strikes, before Brian ...
Welcome back, Luke Scott. And please, no more diving into first base. If you must, lead with your right arm. Scott drilled a two-run homer to center field in the second inning, giving the Orioles a 2-1 lead against Roy Halladay. Scott has three homers and six RBIs in 10 ...
It's gotten to the point today where I've just approved a batch of comments containing the same questions, rather than trying to respond individually. It's easier to address the topics here. This isn't another edition of "Because You Asked," but it's a close relative. I haven't heard any talk of ...
Koji Uehara's placement on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 24, became official earlier this morning. Uehara told reporters, through interpreter Jiwon Bang, that he's not disappointed. He knew this was coming and he'll deal with it. Asked about the condition of his hamstring, Uehara said, "Obviously, it feels ...
I've gotten pretty good at reading between the lines, which is a necessary skill on this beat. The Orioles aren't ready to announce the corresponding roster move when they purchase Matt Wieters' contract on Friday, but it would take an abrupt shift for Chad Moeller to remain with the club. ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Luke Scott - DH Felix Pie - LF Chad Moeller - C Robert Andino - SS Rich Hill - LHP For the Blue Jays: Scutaro - SS ...
David Hernandez was supposed to start today for Triple-A Norfolk. I just received the Tides' game notes, and Radhames Liz is listed as the starter. Now why do you think Hernandez was scratched? Liz is making his first start after 10 relief appearances. Hernandez will be headed to Baltimore, where ...
You'll be receiving today's lineups earlier than usual, since first pitch is slated for 1:35 p.m. Or maybe you're getting used to the time change, since this will be the third afternoon game out of the last four. It must be a travel day for the Blue Jays. As far ...
Nolan Reimold hit his third home run tonight. He's batting .261 with six RBIs. He's no longer the most talked-about position prospect, with everybody anticipating Matt Wieters' arrival on Friday, but it sure looks like he's going to be here for a while. Dave Trembley talks with the media after ...
If you're projecting the Orioles' rotation, you'll have to make room for Jason Berken. Tonight wasn't a one-night stand. Jason Berken gets a pie in the face after picking up a win in his first major league start "When he came in today, he said, 'Hey, I'm here to pitch,'" ...
Andy MacPhail, the Orioles' president of baseball operations, entered the doors to the back of the press box and was met by a huge gathering of reporters and cameramen. Tonight's news is that important. The first question centered on the timing of MacPhail's announcement that catcher Matt Wieters would join ...
Nick Markakis and his wife, Christina, announce the formation of their non-profit organization entitled "The Right Side Foundation," and their desire to make Maryland their permanent home. Jason Berken holds the Blue Jays to two runs in five innings in his major league debut. Adam Jones crushes a two-run homer, ...
Jason Berken left the bases loaded in the fifth, retiring Scott Rolen on a fly ball to center field after a visit from pitching coach Rick Kranitz. Berken retired Rolen on a 91 mph fastball, and it might be his last pitch. He's up to 89, 57 for strikes, and ...
Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, just announced on MASN that catcher Matt Wieters will join the club on Friday. Andy MacPhail announces that Matt Wieters will be called up on Friday Did anyone pick that date in the pool? I thought it would happen in the next two weeks. ...
Three batters into his first major league start, Jason Berken had given up two doubles and a run. Not exactly the way you want to debut in front of the home crowd - though he's actually been surrounded by more people at family reunions. Adam Lind ripped a changeup into ...
Outfielder Lou Montanez underwent successful surgery today to reattach two ligaments in his right thumb, but the Orioles don't expect him back until mid-September. Manager Dave Trembley said it's "doubtful" that Koji Uehara will make Thursday's start. If tonight's game is rained out, Jason Berken will start tomorrow and Rich ...
I'm still trying to determine Jason Berken's status at the moment. Berken is in the clubhouse. He said "hello" as he passed me, but I refrained from engaging him in conversation because you're not supposed to talk to the starting pitcher until after the game. It's an unwritten rule in ...
Koji Uehara is jogging in the outfield, but he isn't going to throw in the bullpen. Surprised? You probably shouldn't be. It's too soon for the Orioles to decide whether Uehara needs to go on the disabled list, but manager Dave Trembley already stated that Uehara wouldn't pitch Thursday if ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Melvin Mora - 3B Aubrey Huff - 1B Ty Wigginton - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Gregg Zaun - C Cesar Izturis - SS Jason Berken - RHP For the Blue Jays: Scutaro - SS ...
Nick Markakis and his wife, Christina, today announced the formation of their non-profit organization entitled "The Right Side Foundation." I'll pass along some quotes later, after posting the lineup, but the mission of the foundation is to help improve the lives of distressed children throughout the state of Maryland. Keep ...
Since I enjoy long walks in the rain, I decided to take one to my car for the drive to the gym. But not before passing along a few quick tidbits: I don't have any updates on Brian Roberts' bruised shin. I'll find out if he's in the lineup when ...
Luke Scott will take a 1.000 average into tonight's game at Single-A Delmarva - weather permitting, of course. He went 2-for-2 with a home run and a walk last night in his Shorebirds debut. One more rehab start and we should see him in Baltimore. But who leaves to make ...
As a few readers have pointed out, Luke Scott homered in his first at-bat tonight with Single-A Delmarva. Scott, batting third, cleared the left field fence to provide the Shorebirds' only run as the game moves to the top of the fifth inning. He walked in the fourth. Scott is ...
With the rotation missing three of its original starters, and a fourth in danger of being skipped on Thursday, the Orioles need Jeremy Guthrie to perform like an ace. He did that today, and in nasty conditions. ...
Today's attendance: 24,904 Danys Baez is entering the game in the top of the eighth inning. But he'll have to wait until the grounds crew applies a drying compound to the mound and infield. Jeremy Guthrie's line: 7 innings, 7 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, 1 HBP. He ...
Brian Roberts lined a triple into right-center field to score Cesar Izturis and extend the Orioles' lead to 3-1 in the seventh. Roberts moved around the bases without needing to hail a cab, but he's in pain. It's evident as you watch him at third. Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas ...
The rain is coming down harder. I hope your charcoal is dry. Too bad for Jeremy Guthrie, who's held the Blue Jays to one run over 6 1/3 innings. His pitch count is up to 102 and he's in a jam, with runners on first and second and only one ...
Storm clouds are rolling in. We could be hit with heavy showers any second. The grounds crew is positioned behind the tarp, which is never a good sign. It's so bad, the game already is delayed and the first drop hasn't fallen yet. The lights aren't on and it's getting ...
We're all scrambling to learn more about Jason Berken before he debuts tomorrow night. A scout in the Orioles' organization tells me that Berken "has a good arm and goes right after hitters." Berken is a fastball-slider-changeup guy. His heat tops out at 94 mph. He's going to be around ...
Kevin Millar isn't in the lineup for the Toronto Blue Jays. Scutaro - SS Hill - 2B Rios - RF Wells - CF Lind - DH Rolen - 3B Overbay - 1B Barajas - C Bautista - LF Tallet - LHP Manager Dave Trembley isn't sure whether Koji Uehara would ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley can't confirm tomorrow's starter until the roster move is official, with outfielder Lou Montanez going on the disabled list, but we know it's Jason Berken. "You all can figure out who the candidates are," Trembley said. He suggested that we check today's starter at Triple-A Norfolk, ...
Happy Memorial Day. I hope you brought your laptops to the beach today. Here's the lineup: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Melvin Mora - 3B Aubrey Huff - 1B Ty Wigginton - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Gregg Zaun -C Cesar Izturis - ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley is expected to reveal Tuesday's starter before tomorrow afternoon's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The favorite appears to be right-hander Jason Berken, who's 2-0 with a 1.05 ERA in five starts at Triple-A Norfolk. Berken has walked six and struck out 16 in 25 2/3 ...
Chris Ray continues to struggle against left-handed hitters. Jamie Walker continues to struggle against left-handed hitters. Factor in the day of the week, and how this was a series finale, and the Orioles were in a bind. Too bad they didn't stay in the lead. Dave Trembley talks with Jim ...
Luke Scott hit in the cage for the second consecutive day. If his left shoulder responds favorably, he's expected to report to Single-A Delmarva tomorrow to begin a brief rehab assignment. Assuming he doesn't experience any setbacks, Scott will spend only two days away from the club before being activated ...
Koji Uehara is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. That's when the Orioles will know whether he's making Thursday's start against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards. "If he can't throw his sideline on Tuesday, obviously he won't be able to make his next start on Thursday," manager ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Ty Wigginton - 3B Nolan Reimold - LF Chad Moeller - C Robert Andino - SS Brad Bergesen - RHP For the Nationals: Guzman - SS Johnson - 1B Zimmerman - ...
Once again, it's just me sitting in the press box at Nationals Park. I value my alone time. I'll try to provide an update on Koji Uehara once the clubhouse opens to the media, but I'm guessing we'll be told that he remains day-to-day and it's too soon to know ...
So you thought he was being called up to the majors? Psych. According to a member of the Orioles' public relations staff, Chris Tillman left tonight's game at Triple-A Norfolk after two innings with tightness in his groin. I know that's disappointing news to a lot of fans, but at ...
Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara told reporters tonight that his hamstring injury isn't as severe as the one he sustained in spring training, but he's not sure whether he'll be available to make his next start. It might not even qualify as an "injury." Uehara said he didn't pull anything and ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley believes the heat played a role in Koji Uehara having to leave tonight's game after three innings with a sore left hamstring. Uehara might have become dehydrated. The hamstring apparently was bothering him before Adam Dunn's infield hit. "I don't think it's serious, but he cramped ...
Koji Uehara tosses three scoreless innings, and he leaves the game with tightness in his hamstring. That's the same ailment that sidelined him during spring training. And the same one he dealt with on occasion in Japan. Uehara wasn't particularly sharp, allowing three hits and walking two. But he struck ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley confirmed the injury to Lou Montanez's right thumb during his pre-game session with the media in the visiting dugout at Nationals Park. "He's going to opt to get it taken care of sometime next week," Trembley said. Montanez can't do any further damage to the thumb ...
Outfielder Lou Montanez underwent an MRI yesterday that revealed two torn ligaments in his right thumb, an injury he sustained on May 2 while making a diving catch in Toronto. Montanez consulted with a hand specialist in Baltimore earlier today, and he's expected to undergo surgery to reattached the ligaments. ...
Aubrey Huff, batting .157 against left-handers this season and currently in a 1-for-18 slump, sits for the first time. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Melvin Mora - 3B Ty Wigginton - 1B Nolan Reimold - LF Gregg Zaun - C ...
The Orioles negotiated with the agents for Japanese pitchers Kenshin Kawakama and Koji Uehara during the winter, but they didn't figure to sign both right-handers. The first one to accept their offer would become the first Asian-born player to join the organization. Uehara agreed to terms while Kawakama held out ...
If last night's game had ended in regulation, it would have taken about two hours. The pace was lightning fast and the press box was filled with glee. So, of course, it goes 12 innings. Never fails. But the ending was worth it. And they have a soft ice cream ...
This may come as a total shock to you, but Danys Baez never had gotten credit for a victory and scored the winning run in the same game until tonight. And it all started with a little nubber along the third base line. "I was trying to make contact, just ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley doesn't always get the desired results from his players, but he never questions their desire. And he stressed that point again after tonight's game. Dave Trembley talks with Jim Hunter after the O's 4-2 win over the Nats "I've never been disappointed in this team because, ...
Tonight's attendance: 22,556. Any chance the Orioles decide to use Danys Baez as their designated hitter when they return home next week? Baez collected his first major league hit off Kip Wells in the top of the 12th inning - a dribbler along the third base line that stayed fair. ...
Now that's more like it. Matt Albers drove from Norfolk to D.C. today, replaced Rich Hill in the sixth and retired all four batters he faced - stranding two runners along the way. Albers threw 11 of his 14 pitches for strikes. He looked like the same pitcher who became ...
Rich Hill's second start with the Orioles ended much like his first. He lasted 5 2/3 innings before manager Dave Trembley went to his bullpen. Hill has allowed two runs, just as he did in Kansas City, but the two runners on base are his responsibility as Matt Albers warms ...
David Hernandez has been outstanding tonight at Triple-A Norfolk, turning in four scoreless innings and striking out nine. He's allowed only one hit and walked none. Hernandez's pitch count is up to 56, with 41 strikes. If he comes out for the fifth, that should eliminate him from making Tuesday's ...
David Hernandez must be tiring. The last two batters he faced didn't strike out. Hernandez struck out the first seven before the next batter reached on an error. Hernandez got the second out on a fly ball, and Matt Wieters threw out Matt Macri trying to steal. Hernandez has thrown ...
Triple-A Norfolk right-hander David Hernandez has faced six batters tonight. He's struck out all six of them. Hernandez has thrown 26 pitches, 21 for strikes. Norfolk holds a 1-0 lead over Rochester. Matt Wieters doubled and scored on Jolbert Cabrera's single. I had some readers ask if the Orioles would ...
Nolan Reimold hit his second major league home run, crushing a 3-1 fastball from Nationals starter Jordan Zimmerman in the second inning and giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead. I think this kid is going to stick around. And I'm old enough that I can refer to him as a ...
If Orioles manager Dave Trembley could order a custom-made starting pitcher for Tuesday, instead of selecting one off the rack, this is how he'd want it (and please, no pinstripes): "I think what you're looking for is somebody who deserves a shot, who's earned it, will throw strikes, will come ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley indicated that Tuesday's starter will come from the minors, not the bullpen, which would eliminate Brian Bass from consideration. "I would not expect that Tuesday's starter would come out of the bullpen," he said. "That could change, but my feeling is it will be another roster ...
Matt Albers is beginning his third stint with the Orioles. He walked into the clubhouse at 4:20 p.m., shook hands with teammates and unpacked his bag. Albers, 26, is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in eight games with the Orioles. He was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA, three walks and ...
The No. 24 locker is conspicuous by its absence in the visiting clubhouse at Nationals Park. Adam Eaton no longer is with the Orioles. An announcement should be coming shortly that he's been released. We believe that the Orioles have recalled Matt Albers from Triple-A Norfolk to give them an ...
Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Nolan Reimold - LF Chad Moeller - C Cesar Izturis - SS Rich Hill - LHP ...
They post it early here, outside the entrance to the press box, to save reporters the trip downstairs. Guzman - SS Johnson - 1B Zimmerman - 3B Dunn - RF Willingham - LF Belliard - 2B Bard - C Maxwell - CF Zimmermann - RHP You'll notice that we're playing ...
Well, I'm the first reporter inside the press box at Nationals Park. I don't believe they hand out prizes for being more than an hour early - the clubhouse opens at 3:35 p.m. - but that didn't stop me. We're a long way from the field here, unlike at Camden ...
Now that Rich Hill has been eased back into the majors with a start in Kansas City, we'll see how he handles the hostile, Bronx-like environment of D.C. tonight. It can be unnerving if you're not braced for it. Last night's blog talk centered almost entirely on Adam Eaton. Here's ...
I don't have access to manager Dave Trembley tonight, and he wasn't asked about Adam Eaton's future with the club during his post-game interview on MASN, but I doubt that he made any firm declarations when meeting with reporters. I'll know for sure tomorrow morning. I'm told that Eaton said ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he'd take questions about Adam Eaton's status after the game if the right-hander turned in another poor outing. This one qualifies. Trembley might want to start clearing his throat. Eaton has allowed six runs in two innings. He's surrendered four doubles, two walks and Robinson ...
Shortstop Cesar Izturis was scheduled to run, take batting practice and field ground balls today, as the Orioles try to determine whether he's fully recovered from a strained groin that he suffered late in Sunday's game in Kansas City. Manager Dave Trembley will check on Izturis tomorrow before deciding whether ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Nolan Reimold - DH Felix Pie - LF Gregg Zaun - C Robert Andino - SS Adam Eaton - RHP For the Yankees: Jeter - SS Cano ...
Last night, Nolan Reimold became the first player to hit his first major league home run off Mariano Rivera. Nick Markakis has been held hitless for three straight games for the first time this year. The last time Markakis was hitless for four straight games was May 17-21, 2006. I ...
Please join me in wishing catcher Matt Wieters a Happy 23rd Birthday. The Yankees sampled the variety pack last night when they hit back-to-back-to-back homers off Jeremy Guthrie in the second inning. Nick Swisher hit a fastball, Robinson Cano a changeup and Melky Cabrera a curveball. I would have chosen ...
Former Orioles pitcher/enigma Daniel Cabrera has lost his spot in the Nationals' rotation. He's being sent to the bullpen after allowing seven runs over five innings in his last start. No big surprise here. The whole "change of scenery" theory, and the easier lineups he'd face in the National League ...
Left-hander Brian Matusz improved to 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA with tonight's 9-5 victory over Lynchburg. Matusz allowed three runs and four hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out nine. Brandon Waring, acquired from the Reds in the Ramon Hernandez trade, hit his sixth home run. He's batting ...
The Yankees take a close game and make a mockery of it. It happens in the late innings. It happens in the blink of an eye. And it happens much too frequently. They scored six runs in the eighth inning tonight after Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie left the game with ...
Donning the headphones in the dugout for MASN's "Wired Wednesday" segment, Luke Scott said he'll be ready to come off the disabled list when eligible on May 26. Scott might have said more, but Felix Pie kept messing with him. Scott playfully pushed away his teammate while trying to continue ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Ty Wigginton - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Chad Moeller - C Robert Andino - SS Jeremy Guthrie - RHP For the Yankees: Jeter - SS Damon ...
Jeremy Guthrie can be a pioneer of sorts tonight. All it takes is a quality start, and a win, at Yankee Stadium. Watch your step. The Orioles have three victories from their starters on the road this season - Koji Uehara on April 13 in Texas, Guthrie on May 14 ...
Ravens tight end Todd Heap is injured. If you selected "minicamp," proceed to the window and collect your money. I really like the guy, but he's about as fragile as the leg lamp in "A Christmas Story." Sporting News used a panel of 100 Hall of Famers, major award winners ...
The Los Angeles Clippers won the lottery last night, giving them the first pick in the upcoming draft. Rather than draft for need, the Clippers vow to stick with their philosophy of taking the worst player available. To answer a popular question, and I hope correctly, I believe that reliever ...
Besides all the travel and not being able to expense my hotel movies, I know that I'm going to get bashed for removing Brad Bergesen after six innings, or for allowing him to start the seventh inning after he escaped a jam and elevated his pitch count beyond 90. Either ...
Brad Bergesen grooved a fastball to Alex Rodriguez in the first inning that sailed into the seats in left field for a two-run homer. The count was full. First base was open. We all cringed. But that's not what I'll remember most about Bergesen's start. I'll focus on the 13 ...
Orioles manager Dave Trembley told reporters in New York that shortstop Cesar Izturis remains day-to-day with a strained groin. Izturis apparently won't need to go on the disabled list. Trembley believes that Izturis should be fine in a day or two. ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Adam Jones - CF Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Nolan Reimold - LF Lou Montanez - DH Gregg Zaun - C Robert Andino - SS Brad Bergesen - RHP For the Yankees: Jeter - SS Damon ...
I don't have the Orioles' lineup yet, but Adam Jones will be in it. His hamstring is 100 percent and he's ready to go. Meanwhile, Oscar Salazar hit his seventh home run today in Triple-A Norfolk's 7-2 win over Louisville. Salazar is batting .367 with 33 RBIs. Matt Wieters went ...
I like to break out that title every once in a while. The Orioles don't have any immediate plans to put shortstop Cesar Izturis on the 15-day disabled list. That can change, of course, but I wouldn't expect a roster move to be announced anytime soon. Izturis strained his groin ...
We'll find out later this afternoon whether shortstop Cesar Izturis is day-to-day or disabled. Keep those fingers crossed. Izturis strained his groin late in Sunday's game, and had yesterday to rest up before the Orioles begin their series at the new Yankee Stadium. I'll guess that he's out of the ...
Triple-A Norfolk's Chris Tillman improved to 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA after winning Game 1 of a doubleheader against Louisville. Tillman allowed two runs and six hits in five innings, walking one and striking out five. He threw 88 pitches, 49 for strikes. I know 88 pitches doesn't seem like ...
Chris Tillman is starting the first game of Triple-A Norfolk's doubleheader against Louisville. He'll need to rebound from a rough first inning. Tillman surrendered a two-run homer to former major league slugger Jonny Gomes that gave Louisville a 2-0 lead. He allowed three hits and committed a throwing error. Tillman ...
Injured Orioles reliever Dennis Sarfate popped into studio today for the Scott Garceau and Anita Marks Show on MASN. He's scheduled to be there from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Most of the talk has centered on the Preakness, which Sarfate attended with his wife, but he gave a glowing ...
Double-A Bowie right-hander Jake Arrieta was named the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week ending May 17. It's a solid choice, to say the least. Arrieta, a fifth-round pick in 2007, held Akron to one run over five innings last Monday, and blanked Erie on one hit over seven innings ...
I don't claim to have all the answers. There are days when I'd settle for one. I'd like to know what happened to David Ortiz's power. Did the Yankees walk off with it? Kobe or LeBron? Should Cesar Izturis worry about a platelet becoming dislodged from his injured groin? Is ...
Shortstop Cesar Izturis strained his groin today while running to first base. Manager Dave Trembley is hopeful that Izturis will start Tuesday's series opener in New York. Otherwise, Robert Andino would jump into the lineup. If the injury becomes serious enough that Izturis is forced onto the disabled list, the ...
Four pitchers got the Orioles through a victory last night. Five pitchers couldn't nail down a win today. If the baton gets passed enough times, somebody is going to drop it. Dave Trembley talks with Jim Hunter and Buck Martinez after the O's 7-4 loss So did manager Dave Trembley ...
That was a nice piece of hitting by Felix Pie, who lined a run-scoring triple into left-center field in the third inning to break a scoreless tie. Pie, who wisely didn't try to pull the ball, came home on Brian Roberts' infield hit to increase the Orioles' lead to 2-0. ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Cesar Izturis - SS Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - DH Melvin Mora - 3B Nolan Reimold - LF Ty Wigginton - 1B Gregg Zaun - C Felix Pie - CF Koji Uehara - RHP For the Royals: Coco Crisp - CF ...
First of all, many thanks to Bill in Elkton for making me aware that I missed one of his pre-game comments. I scrolled through the last four pages and found a bunch of them that hadn't been approved. Sorry about that, folks. Here's something I didn't miss: Jake Arrieta threw ...
Maybe it's the fact that the bar has been lowered this far. Or it's the dirty martini I had with dinner. All I know is, Rich Hill became the latest Orioles' starter who failed to get through the sixth inning, and I'm ready to give him the Cy Young Award ...
Felix Pie is getting another start in center field while Adam Jones rests his sore right hamstring. Day-to-day has stretched to three games. Though Jones could return tomorrow, Monday's open date on the schedule would allow him to remain idle for two more days before the Orioles visit the new ...
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts - 2B Cesar Izturis - SS Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Ty Wigginton - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Chad Moeller - C Felix Pie - CF Rich Hill - LHP For the Royals: Crisp - CF Bloomquist ...
The Orioles have made room for Rich Hill on the 25-man roster by placing Luke Scott on the disabled list. Scott is eligible to be activated on May 26. The pitching staff is back to 12. We'll find out later whether Adam Jones is back in center field. So Hill ...
I had a dream early this morning that the Orioles hired Glenn Davis as a strength coach. They didn't issue a press release, but a drunk friend of mine passed along the information that he received from a member of the PR staff. I kept making him repeat it to ...
It's raining. Back to you. OK, it's doing more than raining. It's pouring. Buckets and buckets of water. And I'm told that first pitch isn't expected until after 8 p.m. central time. Maybe that's how you beat Zack Greinke. You wait him out. And you make the mound really sloppy. ...
Brian Roberts - 2B Cesar Izturis - SS Nick Markakis - RF Aubrey Huff - 1B Melvin Mora - 3B Lou Montanez - DH Nolan Reimold - LF Gregg Zaun - C Felix Pie - CF Adam Eaton - RHP For the Royals: Crisp - CF DeJesus - LF Butler ...
The Orioles are expected to activate Rich Hill from the disabled list tomorrow, place him on the 25-man roster and hand him the ball for the third game of their series against the Royals. The real mystery is how they'll clear a spot for him. We know that Mark Hendrickson ...
This is how good Zack Greinke has been in 2009: He allowed one earned run over eight innings in his last start, and his ERA actually went up. In case you missed it because, well, it's happening in Kansas City, Greinke has surrendered earned runs in only two of his ...
I guess the top third of the order will be productive, no matter who's in the lineup. Remove Adam Jones, insert Cesar Izturis. Let Jones rest his sore right hamstring, watch Izturis go 2-for-5 with a triple, three RBIs and two runs scored. Izturis is hitting .262. I'm assuming that ...