Roch Kubatko

Orioles have been beasts against the East until recently

September 22, 2014, 7:07pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - The Orioles lost two out of three games to the Red Sox to conclude the home portion of their regular season schedule, and they dropped the series opener to the Yankees last night. That's not typically how the American League East has treated the Orioles this season. Quite the opposite. The division used to give the Orioles wet willies and hang their underwear from a flag pole. It used to push them in the girls bathroom and hold the door shut. #HighSchoolFlashbacks The Orioles...

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Showalter, Chen and Hardy speak after 5-0 loss

September 22, 2014, 6:55pm

Orioles

Showalter, Chen and Hardy speak after 5-0 loss

NEW YORK - The Yankees scored five runs tonight. The Orioles had three baserunners. It's easy to figure out which team was victorious. The Orioles were held to one hit, J.J. Hardy's single in the fifth inning, in a 5-0 loss at Yankee Stadium. Michael Pineda retired 22 of 24 batters, and the Orioles lost for the third time in their last four games. Wei-Yin Chen allowed four runs (two earned) in six innings. He's scheduled to start again on Saturday, which lines him up to pitch Game 2 of...

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Showalter confident Chen will return in 2015 (O's lose 5-0)

September 22, 2014, 3:46pm

Orioles

Showalter confident Chen will return in 2015 (O's lose 5-0)

NEW YORK - Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen needed only seven pitches tonight to retire the Yankees in order in the first inning. Now, he needs an Orioles rally after giving up two runs in the third. Both runs were unearned after Ryan Flaherty's throwing error to start the inning. Jose Pirela, making his major league debut, tripled to left-center field, and he scored on Derek Jeter's bouncer to short. Pirela is the 57th player used by the Yankees, setting a franchise record for the most in a...

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Showalter talks rotations and more

September 22, 2014, 2:12pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter hasn't passed along his rotation for the Division Series, but he confirmed that he's going to use four starters. Showalter joked that the Game 1 starter is obvious. It's going to be Chris Tillman. I believe that Wei-Yin Chen will start Game 2, followed by Miguel Gonzalez in Game 3 and Bud Norris in Game 4. However, changes are possible depending on the opponent. Nothing is official or etched in stone. Showalter has his rotation lined up for the...

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Pearce: "It feels night and day better"

September 22, 2014, 1:05pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - The Orioles slowly are regaining their health. Nick Markakis has returned to the lineup after being sidelined with a bruised right shoulder, and Steve Pearce expects to play Wednesday night after receiving a cortisone injection in his right wrist. Pearce was scratched from Friday's lineup after batting practice. "They said I'll either play tomorrow or the following day. I don't know. The way it sounds, most likely the following day," Pearce said. "Everything's fine. We...

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Orioles and Yankees lineups

September 22, 2014, 11:29am

Orioles

NEW YORK - Nick Markakis returns to the Orioles lineup tonight after missing four games with a bruised right shoulder. He's been out since being hit by a pitch from Toronto's Aaron Loup on Tuesday. He'll lead off and play right field. Wei-Yin Chen comes into tonight's start with 16 wins, the most by an Orioles left-hander in a single season since Jeff Ballard went 18-8 in 1989. Mike Cuellar and Dave McNally share the single-season club record for wins by a southpaw with 24 in 1970. For the...

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Jimenez starting Tuesday vs. Yankees

September 22, 2014, 9:29am

Orioles

NEW YORK - The Orioles' starters for the last three games of their series against the Yankees are no longer listed as TBA. Ubaldo Jimenez will take the mound Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, a game that's now going to air on ESPN. Bud Norris starts Wednesday afternoon and Kevin Gausman starts Thursday night. (ESPN refers to Tuesday's matchup as a "Postseason Impact Game," which is an odd way of spelling "Jeter.") Manager Buck Showalter wants to provide an extra day of rest for his...

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Looking at starter vs. opponent matchups in anticipation of Division Series

September 21, 2014, 4:34pm

Orioles

Looking at starter vs. opponent matchups in anticipation of Division Series

The Orioles took a train to New York last night for a four-game series against the Yankees. Four more chances to talk about Derek Jeter. To think about him. To smell his scent. Buck Showalter will be asked again about his memories of Jeter, about being the shortstop's first manager with the Yankees. Showalter will praise Jeter and immediately point out that the Orioles also have statues and a proud history. Sorry to ruin the ending for you. I should have included a spoiler alert. Players were...

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Showalter speaks after 3-2 loss

September 21, 2014, 1:22pm

Orioles

The Orioles started slowly at home this season before finishing 50-31. The record is paired nicely with their 43-31 mark on the road. "You try to trust the people and kind of the long haul of what you think will be, but it's always something," said manager Buck Showalter following a 3-2 loss to the Red Sox. "There's always something you get a little better at and you just try to let the season play out. If I had a choice coming in that I could have a bird in hand, it would be playing well...

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Game update and more notes and quotes (O's lose 3-2)

September 21, 2014, 9:49am

Orioles

Game update and more notes and quotes (O's lose 3-2)

Mookie Betts led off today's game with a home run off Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead at Camden Yards. Gonzalez had surrendered just one home run in his last three starts. The Red Sox had three hits in the inning and Gonzalez threw 23 pitches, 17 for strikes. The choice of Nelson Cruz as Most Valuable Oriole naturally has sparked a debate among fans. It's good that the club had so many legitimate choices. Cruz leads the majors with 39 home runs and also has...

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Showalter provides updates on Markakis and Pearce

September 21, 2014, 8:45am

Orioles

Showalter provides updates on Markakis and Pearce

Earlier today, Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked whether he's concerned about Nick Markakis and Steve Pearce being available for the Division Series. "Not at this point," he replied." "Nick came in today when I first saw him and he was going to play. 'I'd like to play if it's OK with you.' Whatever. And then I said, 'Why don't you go down to the cage and see how everything is.' After the cage ... He's getting better every day. That's why I'm not at this point. "More of...

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Notes on Markakis, Pearce, Cruz, the playoff rotation and more

September 21, 2014, 8:09am

Orioles

Notes on Markakis, Pearce, Cruz, the playoff rotation and more

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he expects Nick Markakis and Steve Pearce to play in the four-game series in New York that starts Monday. Pearce won't be ready before Tuesday, though he wants to play. He needs an extra day after receiving a cortisone injection yesterday in his right elbow. Markakis tried to get into the lineup today, but his right shoulder remained sore while he swung in the cage. "He's getting better every day," Showalter said. Showalter said "it's hard to...

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Cruz named MVO, Orioles and Red Sox lineups

September 21, 2014, 6:23am

Orioles

Nelson Cruz has been chosen Most Valuable Oriole by members of the media who cover the team. Adam Jones finished second and Zach Britton third. Cruz enters today's game leading the major leagues with 39 home runs, and he's surpassed the 100-RBI mark for the first time in his career. His 39 homers are the second-most by a first-year Oriole in club history, trailing only Frank Robinson's 49 in 1966. Cruz also became the sixth different Oriole to record a season of 35 or more home runs and...

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Wrapping up the home portion of the schedule

September 20, 2014, 7:59pm

Orioles

Wrapping up the home portion of the schedule

We've reached the final regular season home game of the 2014 season. In past years, boxes would be stacked in front of lockers as players gathered their belongings and said their goodbyes. Reporters would circle the room collecting contact information - phone numbers, e-mail addresses, whatever a player is willing to give. Manager Buck Showalter calls it the saddest time of the year. It's a lot different when the team qualifies for the playoffs, as it's done in two of the last three...

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Pearce, Jones, Tillman and Walker after tonight's 7-2 win

September 20, 2014, 6:51pm

Orioles

Pearce, Jones, Tillman and Walker after tonight's 7-2 win

The Orioles haven't lost consecutive home games since June 28-29. They've got one remaining in the regular season, so the streak will remain intact. The 93 wins this year match their 2012 total. Steve Pearce didn't play in tonight's 7-2 victory over the Red Sox. He's expected to miss the next few games after receiving a cortisone injection in his right wrist. Pearce said he realized that he couldn't play during batting practice. "It was a little more sore than usual, so I just...

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Update on Pearce and Showalter comments following 7-2 win

September 20, 2014, 6:34pm

Orioles

Update on Pearce and Showalter comments following 7-2 win

Steve Pearce had his right wrist X-rayed and received a cortisone injection after being removed from tonight's lineup. The X-ray didn't reveal any structural damage, but Pearce will take off a few days to allow the shot to ease his discomfort. "I didn't like some of the feedback I was getting from him with his right wrist during batting practice," manager Buck Showalter said following a 7-2 win over the Red Sox before 43,015 at Camden Yards. "Took an X-ray just to make sure there was...

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Walker hits first home run, Jones homers twice (O's win 7-2)

September 20, 2014, 4:48pm

Orioles

Walker hits first home run, Jones homers twice (O's win 7-2)

Welcome to the majors, Christian Walker. The kid is having quite a night. Walker wasn't in the lineup until the Orioles scratched Steve Pearce after batting practice due to a sore right wrist. Walker replaced him at first base and responded with a single and his first major league home run, which broke a 2-2 tie. Don't be too surprised. It often works out that way. Walker fell behind 0-2 against Red Sox starter Rubby De La Rosa leading off the bottom of the fourth, took a 91 mph fastball...

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Game update and more notes (Jones homers, we're tied)

September 20, 2014, 3:38pm

Orioles

Game update and more notes (Jones homers, we're tied)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he intends to give Chris Tillman an extra day of rest before each start leading into the playoffs. The goal tonight is to avoid sending Tillman to the showers early. Four of the first five Red Sox reached against Tillman in the top of the first inning, with Mookie Betts drawing a leadoff walk, David Ortiz hitting a two-run homer and Allen Craig and Daniel Nava collecting back-to-back singles. Ortiz has three home runs in the last two games and 35 on the...

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Pearce scratched from lineup (updated)

September 20, 2014, 1:46pm

Orioles

The Orioles have scratched Steve Pearce from tonight's lineup due to soreness in his right wrist. It's a precautionary move, and Pearce could start Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox that also concludes the home portion of the regular season schedule. Pearce recently had ice wrapped on the wrist, but he continued to play. He started in right field last night with Nick Markakis sidelined by a sore right shoulder, and he was supposed to play first base tonight. The Orioles will...

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Jimenez to make another start, and more notes

September 20, 2014, 12:50pm

Orioles

Jimenez to make another start, and more notes

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that Ubaldo Jimenez will make at least one more start before the regular season ends on Sept. 28. Showalter left open the possibility that Jimenez could start twice. Jimenez won Tuesday night's division-clinching game, allowing two runs over five innings against the Blue Jays. Showalter said he wants to give each starter an extra day of rest before the playoffs, which explains why Jimenez is needed in the rotation. He also suggested that a...