Bordy breaks down Machado

Bordy breaks down Machado
Former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick just spent three days with first-round pick Manny Machado, though two of them were abbreviated because of the Florida rain. The weather didn't dampen Bordick's enthusiasm for the kid. "I think the first impressions were great," Bordick told me in a phone conversation last night. "He's got a good attitude. He's excited about being there. I think those first impressions have a big impact on how you approach these guys. "It looked like he's anxious...
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Gabino optioned

Gabino optioned
The Orioles announced after tonight's loss that they've optioned Armando Gabino to Triple-A Norfolk. A corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow. Jim Johnson will be activated from the disabled list. No big mystery here. Look for Jason Berken to be transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Johnson on the 40-man roster. Gabino served up Alex Rios' two-run homer tonight. Nice parting gift. Gabino allowed seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings over five appearances...
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The one ineffective Jake (updated)

The one ineffective Jake (updated)
I wouldn't look for a quality start from Jake Arrieta tonight. He's allowed three runs, which still makes it possible, but he's also thrown a ton of pitches. Arrieta threw 350 in the first inning - or maybe it was 35. He was up to 70 after the third, and the White Sox held a 3-0 lead. Arrieta allowed five hits and walked three batters. He also was charged with one bad mustache. Instant update: Arrieta gave up another run with two outs in the fourth inning. He gets ahead in the count,...
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Not close to naming closer (updated)

Not close to naming closer (updated)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter still won't allow himself to be pressed into naming a closer, no matter how hard the media tries. Asked about Koji Uehara's role and whether the right-hander has emerged as the closer, Showalter said he'll continue to do "what's best for the Orioles." That might be Uehara one night and someone else the next. He mentioned how Alfredo Simon is still capable. He knows that Michael Gonzalez has closed games in the past. "But Koji, he's got a hot hand right...
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Jones scratched

Jones scratched
Here's the new lineup: Brian Roberts 2B Corey Patterson LF Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 1B Felix Pie CF Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Josh Bell 3B Jake Arrieta RHP
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Jones in lineup - for now

Jones in lineup - for now
Manager Buck Showalter suggest that we jot down the lineup in pencil, in case Adam Jones is a late scratch. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 3B Luke Scott 1B Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Corey Patterson DH Cesar Izturis SS Jake Arrieta RHP For the White Sox: Juan Pierre LF Omar Vizquel 3B Alex Rios CF Paul Konerko 1B Carlos Quentin RF A.J. Pierzynski C Alexei Ramirez SS Mark Teahen DH Gordon Beckham 2B Edwin Jackson RHP
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A few notes

A few notes
A victory tonight in Chicago would give the Orioles their fourth series win in seven series since Buck Showalter took over as manager on Aug. 3. The Orioles won just four of their first 34 series this year. The Orioles are 1-9 in games that decide the winner of a three-game series, including 0-4 on the road. Their only win came May 13 against Seattle. Jake Arrieta has posted a 3.29 ERA in two starts on five days rest, as opposed to a 5.00 ERA in 10 starts on four days rest. He's pitching on...
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A call to arms

A call to arms
The Orioles gained a game on the Yankees last night. You can look it up. Take full advantage of them while A-Rod is gone. Brian Matusz doesn't look like a young pitcher needs to be shut down in September. He's allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five starts and has posted a 2.32 ERA this month. I'm still wondering how the rotation will look over the final weeks of the season. The Orioles don't seem eager to add an extra starter, especially with two veterans who prefer...
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Closing argument for Koji

Closing argument for Koji
Koji Uehara hasn't been named the closer, but he worked the ninth inning again in a save situation. It was as hairy as his sideburns. Uehara got the first two outs before giving up back-to-back hits, including Carlos Quentin's triple that drove Corey Patterson into the fence and reduced the lead to 4-2. Uehara struck out A.J. Pierzynski to end the game and notch his second North American save, but he's not the closer. That's a dirty word in this town. He's just the latest guy to pitch...
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Two big hits (updated)

Two big hits (updated)
Matt Wieters was mired in a 7-for-38 slump when he lined a double to left field in the fifth inning that scored Felix Pie for 1-0 lead. Wieters moved to third base with one out and looked like he might be stranded, but Corey Patterson singled to left with two down to increase the lead to 2-0. Two big hits. Patterson was 6-for-16 lifetime against White Sox starter Mark Buehrle before tonight. Buehrle walked Brian Roberts intentionally after falling behind, 2-0, to bring Patterson to the...
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A few items

A few items
Adam Jones probably could play tonight if the Orioles really needed him, but the range of motion in his left arm is still limited after Gavin Floyd drilled him with a fastball last night. Look for him to play tomorrow. Blake Davis hit a grand slam tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, connecting off Durham's Ramon Ortiz for his fourth home run of the season. Lou Montanez is 2-for-2 with a double and RBI. He's batting .310. Former Oriole Chris Richard hit a two-run homer off left-hander Zach...
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Jones out of lineup

Jones out of lineup
Adam Jones isn't in tonight's lineup after being hit on the left shoulder by a Gavin Floyd fastball last night. Brian Roberts 2B Corey Patterson LF Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Felix Pie CF Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Josh Bell 3B Brian Matusz LHP Here's the White Sox lineup: Juan Pierre LF Alexei Ramirez SS Alex Rios CF Paul Konerko 1B Carlos Quentin DH A.J. Pierzynski C Andruw Jones RF Omar Vizquel 3B Gordon Beckham 2B Mark Buehrle LHP
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More Matusz

More Matusz
It's pretty quiet around here today. Maybe you're still exhausted from last night's loss. Or maybe you also closed Seacrets. Left-hander Brian Matusz is pitching on five days rest tonight. His ERA is 3.38 in nine starts this year when getting that extra day, and 3.80 for his career. His ERA is 5.64 in 14 starts this season on four days rest. Leadoff hitters have posted a .357 average against Matusz this season, the highest average for any spot in the order. They're batting .351 against...
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The hot left hands

The hot left hands
Brian Matusz, who takes the ball tonight in Chicago, has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his four August starts. Mark Buehrle has lost once in four starts this month, when he allowed four runs (three earned) and 10 hits in seven innings at Camden Yards. He tossed seven scoreless innings in his last outing. For his career, Buehrle is 5-4 with a 2.81 ERA in 15 games against the Orioles. Nick Markakis is 9-for-20 with three doubles, a home run and three RBIs against Buehrle. Corey...
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Fitting J.J. in the bullpen

Fitting J.J. in the bullpen
It took about an hour, but I'm finally able to create a blog entry. I'm having another one of those mornings. Every connection times out and the system is running at a snail's pace. I lost my patience about 45 minutes ago, but that's typical. Anyway, I need to file something simple because I'm not equipped to actually flip screens and check statistics and information at other sites. That would take another hour. By that time, my wireless card will be nestled under my back tire as I hit...
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Good and bad baserunning

Good and bad baserunning
Adam Jones hustled from first to third on Felix Pie's ground ball single into right field in the second inning. It looked like a gamble with no outs, but he didn't even draw a throw. At that moment, Jim Palmer noted on the MASN telecast that the Orioles are playing with more energy than he's seen in a few years. Matt Wieters followed with a hard grounder to first, where Paul Konerko fielded the ball and threw to second to start a 3-6-3 double play. Jones froze on the play and remained at...
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A couple injury updates

A couple injury updates
Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Chicago that reliever Jim Johnson could be activated from the disabled list as early as Friday in Anaheim. Johnson threw two scoreless innings today for Double-A Bowie, allowing one hit and striking out three in the first game of a doubleheader against Akron. Ryan Adams' 13th homer provided all the scoring in a 1-0 victory. Johnson was supposed to work back-to-back days, but that schedule has changed after he threw 28 pitches today. Look for...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: 2B Brian Roberts RF Nick Markakis 1B Ty Wigginton DH Luke Scott CF Adam Jones LF Felix Pie C Matt Wieters SS Cesar Izturis 3B Josh Bell RHP Jeremy Guthrie For the White Sox: LF Juan Pierre 3B Omar Vizquel CF Alex Rios 1B Paul Konerko RF Carlos Quentin C A.J. Pierzynski SS Alexei Ramirez DH Mark Teahen 2B Gordon Beckham RHP Gavin Floyd
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Having another chance against Gavin

Having another chance against Gavin
The Orioles will get another look at hometown righty Gavin Floyd, who held them to two runs over seven innings in a 4-2 victory on Aug. 7. Floyd is 2-1 with a 2.54 ERA lifetime against the Orioles, the team that we'll assume he rooted for as a kid. Nick Markakis is 3-for-10 with two doubles, a homer and three RBIs against Floyd. Felix Pie is 3-for-6. Adam Jones is 2-for-6 with a homer. Brian Roberts is 3-for-14, but two of those hits are home runs. Luke Scott is 2-for-11. I'm starting to...
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Happy Birthday, Cal

Happy Birthday, Cal
I'm heading back down to Ocean Pines this morning and might actually see the beach this time. I'm shooting for tomorrow and Thursday, since it's overcast today and I'm getting a late start. All I need is for the Orioles to cooperate. No trades or managerial changes. I should be safe. I'm averaging three Joe Mahoney questions a day, so I'll just mention here that he has a shot to surface in Baltimore sometime next summer. It won't be on Opening Day. The Orioles won't approach free...
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