Orioles lineup vs. Astros

Orioles lineup vs. Astros
Chris Davis is out of the Orioles lineup today against Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel. Steve Pearce is starting at first base and Everth Cabrera is at second base. Davis had played every game since his suspension ended after opening day. Shortstop J.J. Hardy returns to the lineup after being rested yesterday in Miami. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Jimmy Paredes DH Adam Jones CF Delmon Young RF Steve Pearce 1B J.J. Hardy SS Caleb Joseph C Everth Cabrera 2B Alejandro De Aza LF Wei-Yin Chen...

Orioles trying to reverse skid vs. first-place Astros

Orioles trying to reverse skid vs. first-place Astros
The last-place Marlins are gone. Bring on the first-place Astros. Also, maybe something soothing to coat the stomach. The Astros lead the majors in home runs. The Orioles went 19 innings without scoring before Jimmy Paredes' sacrifice fly. Before you clench too tightly, the Astros also ranked last in batting average at .228 before yesterday and second in strikeouts with 400. The Astros were seventh in team ERA at 3.47. The bullpen ranked second with a 2.14 ERA in 134 2/3 innings and first in...

Wrapping up a 5-2 loss

Wrapping up a 5-2 loss
MIAMI - The Orioles return home tonight after dropping two of three games to the Marlins, including today's 5-2 loss. They're now 2-13 when the series shifts to Miami. The roof stayed closed. So did the offense, which went 19 consecutive innings without scoring a run. "Hitting is contagious," said center fielder Adam Jones. "The only person who is really hitting the ball is (Jimmy) Paredes. So I think everybody needs to go hover around him, grab his bats and rub his bats against everybody...

Davis' offensive woes continue and more notes (O's lose 5-2)

Davis' offensive woes continue and more notes (O's lose 5-2)
MIAMI - Batting in the second inning today, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis took a knuckle-curve from Marlins starter Tom Koehler for a third strike, making him 3-for-37 in his last 11 games. Davis hasn't hit a home run or driven in a run during that span, and he's struck out 13 times. His average is down to .208, with 62 strikeouts in 40 games. "He seems to be in between everything," said manager Buck Showalter. "He gets in swing mode and then ... It's tough because you're trying to...

Showalter on Matusz ejection and today's roster move

Showalter on Matusz ejection and today's roster move
MIAMI - The commissioner's office is closed today and left-hander Brian Matusz, facing a suspension following last night's ejection, remains in the Orioles bullpen. That's just the tip of the pregame notes iceberg. Matusz figures to be suspended after umpires tossed him for having an illegal substance on his right forearm. He also figures to appeal the suspension, which most likely would be eight games. Manager Buck Showalter alluded to the substance while opening his session with reporters...

Orioles-Marlins lineups for finale

Orioles-Marlins lineups for finale
MIAMI - The Orioles will send right-hander Miguel Gonzalez to the mound for today's finale of a three-game series against the Marlins. The right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.24 ERA and his five victories lead the staff. He's worked at least six innings in five of his eight starts, and has pitched seven or more innings three times in his last four outings.David Lough gets the start in left field, Everth Cabrera starts in place of J.J. Hardy at shortstop and Ryan Lavarnway will be behind the...

All that Chaz ... (updated)

All that Chaz ... (updated)
MIAMI - The Orioles were expected to add a bullpen arm for today's series finale against the Marlins, and right-hander Chaz Roe has arrived in the visiting clubhouse. There's a No. 65 jersey in his locker stall, but the Orioles haven't announced a roster move to add Roe to the 25-man roster. Roe, signed as a free agent in December, is 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA and two saves in 17 games at Triple-A Norfolk. He spent much of last year at Miami's Triple-A New Orleans affiliate, posting a 3-3 record...

Looking back and ahead

Looking back and ahead
MIAMI - The Orioles were discussing late last night whether to rush a pitcher from Triple-A Norfolk to Marlins Park for today's series finale. They're fortunate that Oliver Drake ate up three innings in his major league debut, but he doesn't figure to be available for the next few days. And who knows what's happening to Brian Matusz, who was ejected for having a sticky substance on his right arm and could be facing a suspension? Marlins manager Dan Jennings probably should avoid swinging by...

Wrapping up a 1-0 13-inning loss and Matusz's ejection

Wrapping up a 1-0 13-inning loss and Matusz's ejection
MIAMI - The Orioles lost a game tonight in 13 innings. They tried their hardest not to collectively lose their cool after returning to the clubhouse. It's obvious that the team is incensed that Marlins manager Dan Jennings asked umpires to check reliever Brian Matusz's right arm with two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning of a scoreless game. Matusz was ejected for having an illegal substance on his arm and could be facing a suspension. Matusz declined to talk about it, saying he would...

Matusz ejected in 12th inning (O's lose 1-0 in 13th)

Matusz ejected in 12th inning (O's lose 1-0 in 13th)
MIAMI - Orioles reliever Brian Matusz was ejected from tonight's game against the Marlins with two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning after umpires appeared to check his right arm. The assumption is Matusz was tossed for having an illegal substance on his arm. Matusz retired the first two Marlins after replacing Oliver Drake, who worked three scoreless innings in his major league debut. Dan Jennings, in his sixth game as Miami's manager after moving down from the front office, asked...

Paredes enjoying life atop AL batting leaders (Drake makes debut)

Paredes enjoying life atop AL batting leaders (Drake makes debut)
MIAMI - The scoreboard at Marlins Park listed the batting leaders in the American League this afternoon as players hit on the field. Jimmy Paredes' name appeared between Nelson Cruz and Miguel Cabrera. Impressive company, for sure. It's even more impressive when you consider that the list was outdated. Cruz dropped one point behind Paredes after going 1-for-4 earlier today. And Paredes upped his average to .359 tonight with a single in the first inning that also extended his streak of...

Showalter, Gausman and Drake before tonight's game

Showalter, Gausman and Drake before tonight's game
MIAMI - Orioles pitcher Bud Norris will continue his rehab assignment on Wednesday with a start at Double-A Bowie. The Baysox have a 6:35 p.m. game against Erie at Prince George's Stadium. Norris allowed nine runs and 12 hits in 2 2/3 innings yesterday at Triple-A Norfolk in Game 1 of a doubleheader against Rochester. He went on the disabled list retractive to May 11 with bronchitis and was eligible to return on Tuesday, but he's not ready. "Bud knows he's close," said manager Buck...

Orioles and Marlins lineups

Orioles and Marlins lineups
MIAMI - Jimmy Paredes remains in the Orioles lineup tonight at second base. Paredes currently leads the American League with a .353 average. Mariners outfielder and former teammate Nelson Cruz went 1-for-4 today to lower his average to .352 Cruz has played 42 games, Paredes 28. Paredes has collected at least one hit in 25 of his 28 games, and 15 of his 41 hits have gone for extra bases. He's currently riding a 19-game on-base streak since April 24. The Orioles (19-20) are trying to reach .500...

Orioles option Wilson

Orioles option Wilson
MIAMI - The Orioles have optioned pitcher Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk, as expected, to make room for reliever Oliver Drake on the 25-man roster. Drake has been recalled from Norfolk and will be in uniform tonight at Marlins Park. He's been assigned No. 71. Wilson, 25, made two appearances with the Orioles since being recalled on Monday. He made his debut two nights later and tossed a scoreless inning in relief against the Mariners. He allowed a run last night in one-plus innings and...

Orioles recalling Drake

Orioles recalling Drake
MIAMI - The Orioles are making another roster move today to bolster their bullpen, recalling right-hander Oliver Drake from Triple-A Norfolk. Drake will be in Miami for tonight's game against the Marlins. Right-hander Tyler Wilson, who earned his first major league win last night, most likely is the corresponding move. Wilson has pitched twice in the past three games and he has options, unlike most of the relievers. As I wrote this morning, Drake has posted a 0.96 ERA in 16 games with the...

Tonight's game and possible roster move

Tonight's game and possible roster move
MIAMI - Orioles manager Buck Showalter will celebrate his 59th birthday today by deciding whether Jimmy Paredes should remain in the lineup and how many right-handers to send out against Marlins starter Dan Haren. I'd prefer a bowling party. And cake. Haren is a right-hander with reverse splits in his career. Right-handers bat .267 against him and left-handers bat .240. However, left-handers are hitting .271 against him this season and right-handers are hitting only .186. Showalter, having...

Wrapping up an 8-5 win

Wrapping up an 8-5 win
MIAMI - The Orioles are discussing whether they need to call up a fresh arm from Triple-A Norfolk before Saturday night's game against the Marlins. Brad Brach and Tommy Hunter aren't available after pitching tonight, according to manager Buck Showalter. Tyler Wilson registered his first major league win, but he could be optioned. Showalter is meeting tonight with pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti. "I thought Tommy had probably the big outing of the night, coming into...

Game update and Machado goes home again (O's win 8-5)

Game update and Machado goes home again (O's win 8-5)
MIAMI - Ubaldo Jimenez hadn't allowed a run in the first inning over seven starts before tonight, a streak that ended with two singles and two stolen bases. Giancarlo Stanton grounded a single into left field to score Dee Gordon, who led off with a single and swiped second and third base. Catcher Caleb Joseph nearly got him at second, but Gordon advanced to third without a throw. Jimenez threw 16 pitches, 14 strikes, in the first and fell behind 1-0. Stanton is 4-for-8 against him...

Updating Norris, Flaherty and more

Updating Norris, Flaherty and more
MIAMI - Bud Norris, making an injury rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk, allowed nine runs and 12 hits in 2 2/3 innings in Game 1 of a doubleheader against Rochester. Kennys Vargas homered twice off him. Norris walked none and struck out one. He threw 72 pitches, 47 for strikes, before Steve Johnson replaced him. Norris, weakened by bronchitis, is eligible to come off the disabled list May 26. He could stay on his rehab assignment for 30 days, though the plan called for him to make only one...

Pregame quotes from Wieters, Cabrera and Navarro

Pregame quotes from Wieters, Cabrera and Navarro
MIAMI - Matt Wieters has a locker set up in the Orioles' clubhouse and will begin working out on Saturday with bench coach and catching instructor John Russell. Wieters will make throws, catch a few bullpen sessions and take batting practice in preparation for the start of his injury rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Bowie. Wieters said it's still a realistic goal to come off the 60-day disabled list when eligible on June 4. "I think so," he said. "I feel pretty good to play. The last...