Roch Kubatko

Showalter, Webb and Chen following a 3-0 loss

September 05, 2014, 7:07pm

Orioles

Showalter, Webb and Chen following a 3-0 loss

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles lost tonight and still reduced their magic number. It's down to 14. The Yankees and Blue Jays also lost. The Orioles still hold a 9 1/2-game lead in the American League East. Orioles manager Buck Showalter wasn't going to use five relievers tonight, which explains why he turned to Ryan Webb and Evan Meek in a scoreless game. Webb was charged with two runs in a 3-0 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field. Showalter didn't rattle off the names, but it's safe...

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Chen still chugging along after sputtering in second inning (O's lose 3-0)

September 05, 2014, 5:05pm

Orioles

Chen still chugging along after sputtering in second inning (O's lose 3-0)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - In five innings tonight, Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen has thrown 14, 36, 14, 16 and nine pitches. I'll save you from the task of removing your shoes to count. This isn't the security line at BWI Airport. That's 89 pitches in five scoreless frames against the Rays, whose offense already has packed up for the winter. The Rays didn't score in 10 innings last night and they can't break through against Chen, who loaded the bases in the second on a single and two...

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Young returns to the lineup Saturday, and other notes

September 05, 2014, 2:35pm

Orioles

Young returns to the lineup Saturday, and other notes

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Delmon Young will return to the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Young hasn't started since Monday. Showalter has been using plus-defenders Alejandro De Aza and David Lough in left field. Lough is in left tonight, with Nelson Cruz again serving as the designated hitter. The Rays are starting left-hander Drew Smyly on Saturday. Smyly has held left-handed hitters to a .166 average. Showalter also...

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Pearce and Miller provide updates, Orioles sign Cuban pitcher Leyva

September 05, 2014, 1:06pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce remains optimistic that he will return to the lineup Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field. Pearce, diagnosed with a strained right abdominal muscle, took early batting practice today and ran sprints in the outfield. "It felt good," he said. "Everything is good. We'll see how I feel tomorrow and I should be ready to go. "There's no point in rushing it. Today we did hitting and we were out in the field and everything felt fine,...

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Orioles and Rays lineups, update on Miller

September 05, 2014, 11:11am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG - The Orioles have David Lough in left field and Ryan Flaherty at third base for tonight's series opener against the Rays. With Chris Davis at first and Nelson Cruz at designated hitter, the club has a bench led by Delmon Young, Alejandro De Aza and Kelly Johnson. Lough makes his second start in three games, but first in left since Aug. 31. With four hits in his last nine at-bats, Lough has lifted his season average from .213 to .227. Flaherty makes his first start since...

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Chen vs. Cobb at The Trop (with Pearce update)

September 05, 2014, 10:28am

Orioles

Chen vs. Cobb at The Trop (with Pearce update)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Over his last 20 starts, Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen has lost a grand total of two games. This is going back to May 3. Twenty starts, two defeats. Chen takes the mound tonight in the series opener against the Rays at Tropicana Field, where it's always 72 degrees. Good thing the roof doesn't open here. It's 400 degrees outside and we don't need anyone with the Rays to become tempted. Chen is 7-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 12 starts on the road. He's registered a...

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O'Day and Markakis can feel the postseason pain of their teammates

September 04, 2014, 7:14pm

Orioles

O'Day and Markakis can feel the postseason pain of their teammates

Orioles reliever Darren O'Day can relate to how right fielder Nick Markakis felt in 2012. Markakis, in turn, can relate to how catcher Matt Wieters and third baseman Manny Machado feel in 2014. It's a connection they wish had never started and didn't stretch this far. Wieters and Machado underwent season-ending surgeries this year, making them spectators in the playoffs. Assuming that the Orioles don't suffer a monumental collapse, of course. Markakis has been there, done that. Anyone...

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Showalter: "I'm not looking for pretty, I'm looking for W"

September 04, 2014, 7:08pm

Orioles

Showalter: "I'm not looking for pretty, I'm looking for W"

The Orioles' magic number is down to 15. I'll keep going. Three straight winning seasons, which hasn't happened in Baltimore since 1992-94. They're 25 games above .500 and have won nine of 11 following tonight's 9-7 victory over the Reds. The sweep at Wrigley Field seems so long ago and so unimportant. Here's Orioles manager Buck Showalter, who took a question about J.J. Hardy's latest clutch hit and turned it into a defensive roll call: "Clutch hit and defensively. Probably the...

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Orioles erupt for six runs in first inning (Hardy breaks tie, O's win 9-7)

September 04, 2014, 3:51pm

Orioles

I'm trying to resist posting that the Reds sprung a Leake in the first inning. I'm trying... The Orioles scored six runs off Reds starter Mike Leake, with Nelson Cruz and Nick Hundley hitting home runs, and players circling the bases as kids are allowed to do as a postgame promotion. Leake faced nine batters and threw 34 pitches. Forget his shoulder. He needed to ice his neck after watching his pitches sail into the night. All the runs scored with two outs. To recap: Nick Markakis led...

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More notes and quotes before tonight's game

September 04, 2014, 2:32pm

Orioles

More notes and quotes before tonight's game

Updating what I've heard about the 2015 schedule, the Orioles definitely will open against the Rays at Tropicana Field. That's the word coming out of St. Petersburg, Tampa and the surrounding areas. See you there. The home opener is April 10 against the Blue Jays. The Orioles begin tonight trailing the Angels by two games for the best record in the American League. The Athletics are 4 1/2 back. Should fans here divert their attention from the Yankees and start paying closer attention to...

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Pearce nearing return to lineup (updated)

September 04, 2014, 12:45pm

Orioles

Pearce nearing return to lineup (updated)

First baseman Steve Pearce is hoping to get back into the Orioles lineup for Saturday afternoon's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Pearce was scheduled to hit off a tee today and take batting practice on Friday. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Pearce could be "a player" by Saturday. Reliever Andrew Miller remains day-to-day after tweaking his left leg in the eighth inning of Monday's game against the Twins. Miller's condition is improving and he's slated to throw off...

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Orioles and Reds lineups

September 04, 2014, 10:46am

Orioles

With a victory tonight, the Orioles will clinch their third consecutive winning season for the first time since 1992-94. The Orioles are 11-8 in interleague games, including a 7-2 record at home. Their 11 wins tie the club record for the sixth time. Kelly Johnson remains at third base tonight as the Orioles go for the sweep over the Reds. Alejandro De Aza is batting second and playing left field. Jonathan Schoop will attempt to homer in three straight games. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF...

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Walker, Wilson win top organizational awards

September 04, 2014, 10:38am

Orioles

Walker, Wilson win top organizational awards

The Orioles have chosen first baseman Christian Walker as the organization's minor league Player of the Year and right-hander Tyler Wilson as the Pitcher of the Year for 2014. Walker receives an award named after Brooks Robinson, while Wilson takes home an award that honors Jim Palmer. The Orioles will introduce them to fans at Camden Yards during tonight's game against the Reds. An award named after Brooks Robinson and the Reds are in town? Sound about right to me. Director of player...

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A little information on 2015 schedule and tonight's pitching matchup

September 03, 2014, 7:37pm

Orioles

A little information on 2015 schedule and tonight's pitching matchup

The Orioles will release their 2015 schedule later this month. That's the way it usually happens. I wrote a few days ago that there will be a week-long series in New York, with games against the Yankees and Mets divided by an off-day. Just like Chicago last month, but the train runs underground. I'm destined to get confused, with my incredibly poor sense of direction. But it's been years since I rode the roller coaster at Coney Island, so ... I've unearthed a few more scheduling nuggets...

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Showalter on Gonzalez and a 6-0 win

September 03, 2014, 6:22pm

Orioles

The magic number is 16. Should I stop here or keep going? Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he had four relievers that he didn't want to use tonight. Turns out, he never had to tap into his bullpen. Miguel Gonzalez posted his first career complete game and shutout, and the second by an Oriole this season. Chris Tillman blanked the Royals on May 16. "I don't want to say he deserves it, but Miggy is such a team guy, he's such a professional, and that was a professional outing," Showalter...

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Schoop dials long distance again (O's win 6-0)

September 03, 2014, 4:02pm

Orioles

Schoop dials long distance again (O's win 6-0)

The Orioles got into the Reds bullpen early tonight. It's another Jonathan Schoop home run ball. For the second time in two nights, the rookie second baseman has homered into the visiting 'pen at Camden Yards. He crushed a 90 mph fastball from Dylan Axelrod to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the third. Axelrod had retired the first eight Orioles, striking out three, before Schoop ambushed him. Schoop has homered in back-to-back games for the second time in his career. It also happened Aug....

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A few pregame notes from Camden Yards

September 03, 2014, 1:23pm

Orioles

Not much news to report this afternoon from Camden Yards. Adam Jones is serving as the designated hitter, just as Nick Markakis did last night. It's a chance to "rest" the regulars. Jones had an ice pack wrapped on his left knee today. A night removed from center field may be beneficial. "He gets a lot of things treated," said manager Buck Showalter. Jones is 5-for-11 with a home run in three games as the DH this season. "I didn't ask him," Showalter said. "If I ask him, I know...

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Hardy returns to lineup

September 03, 2014, 11:13am

Orioles

Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting sixth tonight in his return to the Orioles lineup after being sidelined by a spasm in his lower back. David Lough is starting in center field and Adam Jones is serving as the designated hitter. Last night, Nick Markakis was given some rest by being the DH. Kelly Johnson will start at third base tonight. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF David Lough CF Adam Jones DH Nelson Cruz LF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Kelly Johnson 3B Caleb Joseph C Jonathan Schoop...

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Leftovers for breakfast

September 02, 2014, 9:02pm

Orioles

The Orioles have won three straight series openers and 12 of their last 14. They're 29-17 in series openers, including a 16-7 record at home. Keep that in mind when you're deciding which games to attend the rest of the month. The Orioles added September speed by trading for Alejandro De Aza and selecting Quintin Berry's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. "It's just another tool that can offset something," said manager Buck Showalter. "I'm proud of the percentage at which we've stolen at,...

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Showalter on delay, Norris and 5-4 victory

September 02, 2014, 8:57pm

Orioles

Showalter on delay, Norris and 5-4 victory

Good morning from Camden Yards, where the grounds crew is watering the infield following a 5-4 victory over the Reds. It hasn't rained in a while. The Orioles were delayed but not denied, posting their 80th win and improving to 38-18 since June 30. Zach Britton recorded his 32nd save, with Jonathan Schoop turning a 4-3 double play on Todd Frazier's grounder after the Reds put runners on the corners with one out. Down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier. Bud Norris withstood two delays to blank...