Viewing Top 10 Articles by Most Recent
By Roch Kubatko, September 5, 2010 5:33 PM
| 14 Comments
The official scorer exercised his right to award the win to Alfredo Simon, judging that Jim Johnson and Michael Gonzalez were too ineffective in brief appearances. Once Johnson was skipped, you pick the guy who was the most effective out of the remaining group. It's not real common, but it happens. Simon turned in a perfect eighth, and Koji Uehara did the same in the ninth by retiring Ben Zobrist, Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria. "We were all joking, everybody kind of turns when Koji ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, September 5, 2010 4:49 PM
| 15 Comments
Koji Uehara took the ball again today, less than 24 hours after giving up back-to-back home runs. Uehara closed out an 8-7 victory, earning his sixth save, but he's not the closer. Just the guy who protected a one-run lead in the ninth. That's all. No need to slap a label on him. This one was easy. Strikeout, pop up and strikeout. Fans were chanting "Koji, Koji, Koji" before the final strike to Evan Longoria. This season has taken a strange turn in more ways ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, September 5, 2010 3:53 PM
| 11 Comments
The Orioles have retaken the lead in the sixth, and the bottom third of the order spirited the comeback. Admit it, you didn't see that one coming. Craig Tatum and Cesar Izturis walked with one out against reliever Dan Wheeler. Chad Qualls replaced him and gave up Josh Bell's single to center field on an 0-2 pitch that tied the game. This was especially significant because Bell had struck out twice against starter Wade Davis, giving him 42 Ks and only two walks in 118 ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, September 5, 2010 3:26 PM
| 3 Comments
Chris Tillman gave up six hits today. Two were triples. Two were home runs. Not the extra-base ratio he sought in his return to the majors, but the Rays managed only three runs in 5 1/3 innings and he stood to be the winner if the bullpen could hold onto a 4-3 lead. It didn't. Pinch-hitter Reid Brignac greeted reliever Jim Johnson with a single and B.J. Upton hit a two-run homer, the ball traveling an estimated 410 feet. Tillman will have to settle for ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, September 5, 2010 2:42 PM
| 0 Comments
Cal Ripken has watched first-round pick Manny Machado at Aberdeen and offers the following scouting report on the young shortstop: "I like the size, I like the strength. He made a couple of plays in the field really easy, and I like the way the ball jumped off his bat. He's definitely got some good size to him." A big guy like that can play shortstop? Ripken smiled. "A big guy like that can play shortstop," he replied. "He's got the right frame for a ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, September 5, 2010 1:44 PM
| 7 Comments
Cal Ripken's ceremonial first pitch was a perfect strike to Jake Fox. Knowing Cal, that shouldn't come as a surprise. Seeing Fox behind the plate was the shocker. But I digress... It was nice of the Rays to stand and applaud Ripken as he walked to the mound. They moved to the top step of the dugout. They stopped playing catch. Evan Longoria stood the closest to home plate, and he might have been clapping the hardest. Buck Showalter was managing the Yankees on the ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, September 5, 2010 11:07 AM
| 19 Comments
Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Felix Pie LF Corey Patterson CF Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Josh Bell 3B Chris Tillman RHP For the Rays: Jaso DH Zobrist 1B Crawford LF Longoria 3B Joyce RF Rodriguez 2B Upton CF Navarro C Bartlett SS Davis RHP Cal Ripken will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to celebrate the 15th anniversary of 2,130. No need to explain the significance of that number. Also, the Brooks Robinson replica jerseys are ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, September 4, 2010 10:39 PM
| 11 Comments
Tonight's attendance: 18,943. Buck Showalter has won more games as Orioles manager this year (18) than Dave Trembley and Juan Samuel. They don't hand out trophies for that accomplishment, but it's worth noting. Jeremy Guthrie set a season high with seven strikeouts tonight. He matched his season high with 116 pitches. He's gone at least six innings in 10 straight outings, with eight quality starts during that span. Is this the strongest Guthrie has felt this late in a season? "I don't even know how ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, September 4, 2010 10:31 PM
| 3 Comments
Buck Showalter won his 900th game as manager, a feat that didn't leave a lump in his throat. More like a shrug in his shoulders. "My daughter called me a couple nights ago and left me a message, so she made me aware of it and I'd forgotten it a little bit," he said. "It means I've had some good players and someone's given me an opportunity to do this a long time. That's about the extent of it. I've had a lot of losses, ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, September 4, 2010 8:39 PM
| 5 Comments
Luke Scott thought he hit a home run in the fifth inning. The umpires ruled that he hit a double. Scott wasn't convinced, and neither was manager Buck Showalter. Instant replay came into play at Camden Yards for the second time this season, and Scott lost his argument. He had to settle for a double on a ball that hit the orange AT&T sign in right-center field, not above it. Scott was circling his arm over his head as he chugged into second base, baseball's ... read more
