An Orioles starter has exceeded five innings for the second time in the last eight games. It's Chris Tillman again today. Tillman has allowed three runs and five hits over six innings, with one walk, four strikeouts and two home runs. He's thrown 111 pitches, 71 for strikes. The Rays expanded their lead to 3-1 in the sixth on a controversial home run by Matt ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, May 19, 2013 3:01 PM
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Chris Tillman retired the first eight Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon before walking No. 9 hitter Yunel Escobar. You can guess what happened next. Desmond Jennings ran the count full and doubled to left, giving the Rays a 1-0 lead at Camden Yards. Tillman retired the side in order in the top of the first, getting a fly ball, pop-up and grounder. The first two ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, May 19, 2013 2:15 PM
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Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Freddy Garcia remains the scheduled starter for Monday's series opener against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. Jake Arrieta also was a consideration, but Garcia apparently will pitch on normal rest. "Freddy's scheduled right now," Showalter said. Garcia has allowed eight runs and 12 hits in 9 2/3 innings over his last two starts after taking a perfect game ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, May 19, 2013 12:01 PM
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Danny Valencia will serve as the designated hitter today, as the Orioles try to avoid being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards. Valencia is wearing No. 35. Steve Pearce is playing left field and Chris Snyder is catcher. Matt Wieters gets the day off despite being 6-for-11 with two home runs lifetime against Tampa Bay left-hander Matt Moore. Yamaico Navarro gets his ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, May 19, 2013 11:09 AM
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Orioles starters have gone more than five innings only once in the last seven games. That starter is on the mound today. Chris Tillman held the Padres to one run over seven innings Tuesday night, allowing four hits, walking two and striking out seven. The Orioles lost 3-2 when Jim Johnson blew the save - the beginning of a four-game losing streak that they will ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, May 19, 2013 9:42 AM
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Second baseman Ryan Flaherty was called into manager Buck Showalter's office after last night's game and given the news. To break out of his season-long slump, he would need to go back down to the minors. Flaherty wasn't exactly floored by the Orioles' decision to option him to Triple-A Norfolk. He was batting .133/.228/.233 with two homers and six RBIs in 30 games. He had ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, May 19, 2013 12:06 AM
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Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked again tonight about closer Jim Johnson, who blew his second straight save opportunity in a 10-6 loss to the Rays. "He had little command issues, but he usually works his way through them, like a lot of our pitchers, like all pitchers in the major leagues do at times," Showalter said. Showalter mentioned Desmond Jennings' broken-bat single into left ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, May 18, 2013 8:56 PM
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The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Triple-A Norfolk. Flaherty, 26, is batting .133/.228/.233 in 30 games for the Orioles this season. Flaherty played second base in the ninth inning today in a 10-6 loss to the Rays. Yamaico Navarro started for the second consecutive game. A corresponding roster move will be announced on Sunday, and it figures ... read more
By Roch Kubatko, May 18, 2013 8:25 PM
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