Roch Kubatko

Leftovers for breakfast

August 19, 2015, 8:21pm

Orioles

Pitcher Kevin Gausman took special interest in the two-homer day by Yankees first baseman Greg Bird. And not because the teams are division rivals and the Orioles are trying to catch them. Gausman and Bird were teammates at Grandview High in Aurora, Colo., their families living a few minutes apart. Bird was a catcher, so the relationship only grew stronger. The Yankees called up Bird, their fourth-rated prospect, on Thursday, which prompted Gausman to send him a congratulatory text message....

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Showalter: "The games are dwindling and it's that time"

August 19, 2015, 7:07pm

Orioles

Showalter: "The games are dwindling and it's that time"

The Orioles have delivered three walk-off home runs in six games of this homestand - August 14, 15 and 19 if you want to mark your calendars. Henry Urrutia's liner into the left field seats tonight off Mets reliever Carlos Torres was especially memorable. Urrutia led off the bottom of the ninth with his first major league home run to give the Orioles a 5-4 win over the Mets before 36,165 at Camden Yards. According to STATS, Urrutia became the fifth Oriole whose first home run was a walk-off,...

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Orioles load 'em and leave 'em in first inning (Urrutia walk-off homer)

August 19, 2015, 3:40pm

Orioles

The Orioles showed tonight that they can get runners on base against Mets starter Noah Syndergaard. It's the scoring part that may be a challenge. Manny Machado doubled on the first pitch thrown by Syndergaard, Gerardo Parra singled and Adam Jones walked to load the bases with no outs. Chris Davis struck out on an 81 mph curveball with the count full, and Jonathan Schoop grounded into a 4-3 double play with the count full. Syndergaard threw 23 pitches in the first inning and the Orioles let...

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Hearing from Buck Showalter before tonight's game

August 19, 2015, 2:11pm

Orioles

Hearing from Buck Showalter before tonight's game

The Orioles did more than check on catcher Matt Wieters' right hamstring following last night's game. They also made sure his right knee wasn't creating a health issue. Wieters took a foul tip off his knee, which brought head athletic trainer Richie Bancells out of the dugout. Wieters stayed in the game and collected two hits. "He feels good today," said manager Buck Showalter. "I'm going to talk to him out on the field a little bit and see. Hoping he gets through tomorrow and he'll be...

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Notes on Pearce, Wieters, Roe and more

August 19, 2015, 12:59pm

Orioles

Orioles outfielder Steve Pearce took live batting practice today in Sarasota and was hit by a pitch in his third at-bat. Chris Perez, serving a 50-game suspension that was handed down in June for a second positive test for a drug of abuse, drilled Pearce in the back. The Orioles ended the BP session and will check on Pearce Thursday before determining how close he is to going on a rehab assignment. Pearce is on the disabled list retroactive to July 19 with a strained left oblique. The Orioles...

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Orioles lineup vs. Mets (with Mets lineup)

August 19, 2015, 11:04am

Orioles

Caleb Joseph has returned to the Orioles lineup tonight for the finale of a two-game series against the Mets. Joseph, who's catching, is batting .342/.359/.816 with six doubles, four home runs and 12 RBIs in 11 games this month. Matt Wieters, on the bench tonight, has hit safely in his last seven games, producing a .385/.407/.500 slash line. Gerardo Parra is batting .478/.500/.913 (11-for-23) in his last five games. He's hit three home runs in his last four games. Parra is batting...

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More notes and quotes on the Orioles' defense

August 18, 2015, 7:47pm

Orioles

The Orioles entered last night with the lowest error total in the majors with 46 and the highest fielding percentage at .989. The Athletics, their opponent the past four games, led the majors with 99 errors, had the lowest fielding percentage at .978, and were so challenged to catch a fly ball, they should have worked with a safety net. The emphasis on defense is as much a Baltimore tradition as crab cakes, Natty Boh and humidity that soaks your shorts. It's not suggested here, it's demanded,...

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Wrapping up a 5-3 loss

August 18, 2015, 7:37pm

Orioles

The Orioles rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning tonight and brought Manny Machado to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Pretty much how they'd draw it up, except the ending needed a rewrite. Machado grounded out against Mets closer Jeurys Familia, and the Orioles' winning streak ended at four games with a 5-3 loss before 34,068 at Camden Yards. The Orioles have lost nine straight games to the Mets. Kevin Gausman turned in a quality start by definition, allowing...

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Hardy: "I haven't been getting hits and that all needs to change" (O's lose 5-3)

August 18, 2015, 2:41pm

Orioles

Hardy: "I haven't been getting hits and that all needs to change" (O's lose 5-3)

The Orioles are putting the tarp on the field and the start of tonight's game will be delayed due to the threat of inclement weather. In other words, dark clouds have rolled in and it's expected to rain. Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy would like the black clouds that follow him to home plate to finally disperse. Hardy batted .226 in 59 games in the first half of the season. He's batting .226 in 28 games in the second half. Hardy craves consistency, but not in this form. Going into tonight's...

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Matt Wieters on his return to the lineup (and other notes)

August 18, 2015, 1:13pm

Orioles

Matt Wieters on his return to the lineup (and other notes)

Steve Pearce took live batting practice today in Sarasota and the Orioles will check on Wednesday to make sure the tightness in his oblique doesn't resurface. They want to reach the point where he's ready to go on an injury rehab assignment. Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Tyler Wilson, also on the disabled list with a strained oblique, threw off flat ground today from 75 feet. He's been feeling a little better each day. Manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles will keep all three catchers - Matt...

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Matt Wieters returns to Orioles lineup

August 18, 2015, 10:50am

Orioles

Matt Wieters has returned to the Orioles lineup tonight after missing five games with a strained right hamstring. Steve Clevenger remains the designated hitter for the series opener against the Mets. Henry Urrutia stays in left field. Hot-hitting Caleb Joseph takes a seat on the bench. The Orioles have lost eight consecutive games to the Mets, including two in May at Citi Field. Their last victory came on June 18, 2009. The Orioles' .285 average with runners in scoring position now ranks third...

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Note on Jason Garcia and tonight's game

August 17, 2015, 7:39pm

Orioles

The Orioles will continue to handle Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia with care, inserting him into high-pressure situations only out of necessity. If they can't stash him, they can at least try to protect him. The task becomes simpler after rosters, including the bullpen, expand in September. The Orioles could summon Oliver Drake, Cesar Cabral and Jorge Rondon from Triple-A Norfolk. They're on the 40-man roster. Chaz Roe and Mike Wright eventually will come off the disabled list. Steve Johnson isn't...

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Showalter speaks after 4-2 win

August 17, 2015, 6:23pm

Orioles

The Orioles completed their first four-game sweep of the Athletics in Baltimore with tonight's 4-2 victory before 22,766 at Camden Yards. They also produced a four-game sweep in 1987 in Oakland. Steve Clevenger hit his first home run as an Oriole, a three-run shot in the fourth inning, and only his second in the majors - the other coming off Bud Norris in 2012. Chris Tillman earned the win by holding the A's to two runs and three hits over seven innings, and Zach Britton recorded his 29th...

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Showalter on Flaherty, Wieters, Bridwell, Bundy and more (O's win 4-2)

August 17, 2015, 3:01pm

Orioles

Showalter on Flaherty, Wieters, Bridwell, Bundy and more (O's win 4-2)

Ryan Flaherty isn't in the Orioles' lineup tonight and he's started only once since July 29. He received an at-bat yesterday and struck out looking. He was on deck with first baseman Ike Davis pitching for the Athletics when the final out was recorded. Flaherty could use a favorable matchup. He really could use a hit. Flaherty is in an 0-for-34 slump that's the longest in franchise history since 1974. He continues to work with hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh. "I think Ryan a month or two ago...

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Buck Showalter provides injury updates

August 17, 2015, 1:00pm

Orioles

Major League Baseball announced today that the American League Wild Card Game will be played on Oct. 6. The World Series starts on Oct. 27 in the AL representative's ballpark, and Game 7 would be played on Nov. 4. Plan accordingly. Matt Wieters ran the bases today and his right hamstring felt good. Manager Buck Showalter said Wieters will play on Tuesday "if there are no repercussions." "It was as good a day for him as you could hope for," Showalter said. Steve Pearce, on the disabled list...

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Matt Wieters remains out of Orioles lineup (with A's lineup)

August 17, 2015, 10:54am

Orioles

Matt Wieters remains out of the Orioles lineup tonight as they go for the four-game sweep against the Athletics. He hasn't played since Tuesday in Seattle due to a strained right hamstring. Steve Clevenger continues to serve as the designated hitter. Henry Urrutia gets another start in left field. Four Orioles collected at least three hits and three RBIs yesterday: Joseph, Manny Machado, Gerardo Parra and Adam Jones. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it's the first time in franchise...

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Notes on time change and Norfolk's Chris Jones

August 17, 2015, 8:28am

Orioles

Notes on time change and Norfolk's Chris Jones

The Orioles' game against the Royals on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Camden Yards has been moved from 1:35 p.m. to 8:05 p.m. to accommodate ESPN. All gates will open to fans at 6:05 p.m. The Ravens are in Denver that afternoon, so there's no conflict. Also, Triple-A Norfolk left-hander Chris Jones, 26, has been named the International League's Pitcher of the Week. Jones went 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in two starts, allowing two earned runs and 10 hits over 15 innings. He walked none and struck out...

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Orioles keep same attitude while moving into second wild card spot

August 16, 2015, 8:43pm

Orioles

Remember when the Orioles were alternating wins and losses while losing ground in the wild card chase? And being no-hit by Seattle's Hisashi Iwakuma and remaining calm while everyone around them melted down? No one yelled or punched a wall or mugged the bat boy. No one lost control. And they're no longer losing ground after winning the first three games of the homestand. If the season ended today, the Orioles would hold the second wild card. Welcome to the pennant race. I've read comments...

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Wrapping up the Orioles' 18-2 win

August 16, 2015, 1:54pm

Orioles

An 18-2 win is in the books and Orioles manager Buck Showalter is celebrating by leaning against a brick wall beside the home plate field entrance and talking to the players' kids before the Family Day game. What else were you expecting? The Orioles are four games above .500 for the first time since July 5. They've scored 30 runs in three games since being no-hit in Seattle. They're tied with the Angels, who play later tonight, for the second wild card. What's it mean to Showalter? "We'll...

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Orioles piling up the runs and hits (O's win 18-2)

August 16, 2015, 11:58am

Orioles

If you blinked today, you didn't miss the bottom of the fifth inning. It lasted an eternity. The Orioles reached season highs with nine runs and 10 hits to take a commanding 15-2 lead over the Athletics at Camden Yards. And they scored twice in the sixth on Caleb Joseph's home run to go ahead 17-2. Joseph has a career-high four RBIs. The Orioles have a season-high 22 hits - the previous high was 20 - and we're still in the sixth. They sent 13 batters to the plate in the fifth. Jonathan...