masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgIn case you missed it, the Yankees lost to the Blue Jays 2-0 this afternoon in Toronto. The Orioles’ lead in the American League East has grown to 7 1/2 games.
Chris Davis and Nelson Cruz each have hit two grand slams this season. The last player to hit three or more is Chris Hoiles (three) in 1998.
The bullpen has registered a 1.57 ERA – 18 earned runs, 23 walks and 103 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings – over the last 33 games since July 24.
With his next save, Zach Britton will become the 10th…

In case you missed it, the Yankees lost to the Blue Jays 2-0 this afternoon in Toronto. The Orioles’ lead in the American League East has grown to 7 1/2 games.

Chris Davis and Nelson Cruz each have hit two grand slams this season. The last player to hit three or more is Chris Hoiles (three) in 1998.

The bullpen has registered a 1.57 ERA – 18 earned runs, 23 walks and 103 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings – over the last 33 games since July 24.

With his next save, Zach Britton will become the 10th different Oriole to record a 30-save season. It would be the 14th 30-save season by an Oriole.

Gregg Olson (three) has the most 30-save seasons in club history, and Jim Johnson and Randy Myers (two each) are the only other Orioles with multiple seasons.

The Reds are starting Mat Latos, Dylan Axelrod and Mike Leake in the three-game series that begins Tuesday at Camden Yards. The Orioles haven’t announced their starters.

The Orioles transferred pitcher Matt Bischoff from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk and assigned pitcher Josh Stinson to the Gulf Coast League.

It’s a real paper move, considering that the GCL season has ended.

showalter-serious-black-jacket-sidebar.jpgManager Buck Showalter talked earlier today about the need to keep first baseman Steve Pearce from trying to rush back from his abdominal injury. Pearce aggravated a wrist injury last season by taking extra swings in the cage.

No one can question Pearce’s work ethic.

“He’s a guy who comes in 220 (lbs.) and I know he’s going to end up at 208, 207,” Showalter said. “Same way with Adam (Jones). I don’t pay much attention to what they come in weight-wise. Adam’s probably 15-20 pounds less than he was when he got to spring training. And they both eat like horses. Knowing your players, if you look at the weight charts through the years and which guys lose weight and which guys…

“I know we’ve got great food in the Gulf Coast League because I’ve never seen Gulf Coast League and extended spring guys put on weight, but our guys did this year. They kept the same food and company that we had in spring training. It’s unbelievable. I was looking at the weight charts the other day. I’ve never seen that ever. They all talk about it. ‘Hey, how’s the food down there?’

“Ownership, the organization, they did it right down there. Those guys, the mommies and daddies should be happy they’re getting three healthy meals a day. It’s the best food in the state, I think. They do a great job down there.”

Showalter wondered how he took the conversation in that direction. It happens. Good stuff.

The lineup needs to be adjusted again without Pearce. Jimmy Paredes starts at third base tonight, with Chris Davis returning to first. Davis has been playing third since Manny Machado injured his right knee. Nick Hundley and Caleb Joseph are sharing the catching duties with Matt Wieters done for the season.

“We’ve said it many times. We look at it as an opportunity for somebody to shine. Here comes another opportunity. Be ready when that opportunity comes,” Showalter said.

“It could be Ryan Flaherty tonight. It can’t be the same guys every night. Steve with an injury or Wieters with an injury or Machado with an injury or somebody not performing at the level you’re accustomed to. It goes on. What do you do, just say, ‘Hey we’re going to play with eight tonight?’ Somebody else is going to get an opportunity.

“We don’t talk about that. We don’t dwell on, ‘What are we going to do now?’ It’s, ‘OK, who’s next?’ Nicky (Markakis) and I were talking about it the other day. It’s kind of who you are. And the morale of the whole thing in Norfolk and Bowie. Guys know that’s where we’re going.

“We just got through meeting about that and we’ll see if we’ve got some other people down there who can help us. But we lean on Brian Graham and Ron Johnson and Mike Griffin. They’ve been yes and no, it fits and it doesn’t fit, these guys fit who we’re trying to be and think we are and these guys don’t.”

Showalter won’t place a timetable on Pearce’s return, partially because he wants it to remain a mystery to the opposing manager.

“I don’t want the other team to know that,” he said. “I want them to think that I could use him to pinch-run, play first base, maybe even pinch-hit. It does change some strategy with teams. I know when I find out a guy’s completely unavailable, it helps me with some late-inning matchups and stuff. So we’ll see what BP brings. Maybe I’ll change the lineup.”

Just kidding.