Roch Kubatko

A closer look at the Orioles' 2015 schedule

September 08, 2014, 9:36am

Orioles

BOSTON - Major League Baseball released the 2015 schedule today, which includes the Orioles' season opener April 6 against the Rays at Tropicana Field and their home opener April 10 against the Blue Jays. The first off-day on April 9 separates those two series. The Orioles host the Yankees April 13-15 and make their first visit to Fenway Park from April 17-20. They're in Boston for Patriots Day for the second consecutive season. The Orioles spend a week in New York, playing the Mets from...

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Looking back and ahead

September 07, 2014, 6:03pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have left Tropicana Field. No '80s hair band promotions, no dogs barking in the upper deck, no Wiggles concerts, no kids introducing batters over the PA system, no rap-artist felines spinning records. The series against the Rays will be remembered for some costly mistakes by the Orioles and its overall weirdness. And if there's one thing The Trop can deliver, it's a healthy dose of weird. Ryan Flaherty is on the team because he's regarded as a good...

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Cruz, Hundley, Showalter and Norris following 7-5, 11-inning win

September 07, 2014, 3:40pm

Orioles

Cruz, Hundley, Showalter and Norris following 7-5, 11-inning win

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles' magic number is down to 12. Their lead in the American League East is 9 1/2 games, exactly where it stood before they arrived at Tropicana Field. Was it pretty? Absolutely not. Is it a requirement? Absolutely not. Nelson Cruz drove in all seven runs for the Orioles in their 7-5, 11-inning win over the Rays. Cruz became the first player with at least seven RBIs to account for all of his team's scoring since Colorado's Jason Giambi on May 19, 2011 in...

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Free baseball at The Trop (Cruz homers again, O's win 7-5)

September 07, 2014, 1:40pm

Orioles

Free baseball at The Trop (Cruz homers again, O's win 7-5)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - We're headed to the 10th inning today after another miscue in the ninth burned the Orioles. Zach Britton is charged with his fourth blown save after converting 18 in a row, but the tying run is unearned after Ryan Flaherty's error on Evan Longoria's ground ball leading off the inning. Flaherty made a high throw that pulled Chris Davis off the bag. He also committed an error in the ninth yesterday afternoon, and Nick Hundley's passed ball let the winning run cross...

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Series gets weirder with inside-the-park home run (O's lead 5-4 in 9th)

September 07, 2014, 11:17am

Orioles

Series gets weirder with inside-the-park home run (O's lead 5-4 in 9th)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - We said it wouldn't get weird. This series has included some odd moments, such as yesterday's walk-off passed ball. Today brings us an inside-the-park home run by Tampa Bay's David DeJesus in the fourth inning that increased the Rays' lead to 3-0. Bud Norris hadn't allowed more than three home runs in any start this season. All three today have come with two outs. DeJesus sent a fly ball into left-center field. Alejandro De Aza ran it down, but David Lough slammed...

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Norris has rare lapse with home run ball

September 07, 2014, 10:22am

Orioles

Norris has rare lapse with home run ball

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Dogs are barking in the upper deck today at Tropicana Field. Pets must be part of the Rays' promotion. They've got a few baseballs to retrieve. The Rays hit two home runs off Orioles starter Bud Norris in the bottom of the first inning, with Evan Longoria and James Loney going back-to-back with two outs. Longoria jumped on a first-pitch 93 mph fastball. Loney lined Norris' eighth pitch, a 94 mph fastball, to right field. There wasn't much doubt on Longoria's...

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Showalter on lineup decisions

September 07, 2014, 8:50am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles need a win today to avoid being swept in consecutive road series for the first time since July 4-10, 2011 in Texas and Boston. The Orioles have lost five straight road games for the first time since losing seven in a row Sept. 13, 2013 to April 5, 2014. They've been held to two runs or fewer in their last five road games, their longest streak since May 28-June 2, 2010, according to STATS. They haven't been held to two runs or fewer in six straight road...

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O's lineup missing three regulars (with Rays lineup)

September 07, 2014, 8:02am

Orioles

O's lineup missing three regulars (with Rays lineup)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are looking to avoid the sweep vs. the Rays this afternoon, but the starting lineup doesn't include Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and J.J. Hardy. Jones and Markakis say they're just using the opportunity to rest, both of them welcoming the idea to get off the turf at Tropicana Field. Likewise, Hardy, who experienced back spasms Friday night, said he doesn't want to take any chances on the turf. Manager Buck Showalter expects all three to be in the lineup...

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Wieters has eyesight set on 2015 season

September 06, 2014, 1:38pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Nick Hundley was behind the plate for the Orioles yesterday after Caleb Joseph started Friday night's series opener against the Rays. He had two hits, missing a home run by inches, but the walk-off passed ball defined his day. Baseball, like life itself, isn't always fair. We could flip a coin to decide today's starter, though manager Buck Showalter may have more sophisticated methods. It won't be Matt Wieters, of course, since he's recovering from...

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Hundley: "We lose a game because I didn't catch a ball"

September 06, 2014, 1:21pm

Orioles

Hundley: "We lose a game because I didn't catch a ball"

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have lost back-to-back games for the first time since being swept at Wrigley Field. They've dropped their last five road games. Today brought a first, however. A walk-off passed ball. Nick Hundley missed Andrew Miller's fastball and Yunel Escobar raced home with the winning run. The Rays are assured of winning the series following today's 3-2 victory over the Orioles at Tropicana Field, a game that featured quality starts from both teams and some costly...

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O'Day: "I'm ready to go" (O's lose 3-2 on passed ball)

September 06, 2014, 9:14am

Orioles

O'Day: "I'm ready to go" (O's lose 3-2 on passed ball)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - If the Orioles carry a slim lead into the late innings or are tied today, will Darren O'Day be summoned from the bullpen at Tropicana Field? He won't be hard to find. The bullpens are situated in foul territory. Right out in the open, in prime line drive territory. O'Day says he's ready. The left hamstring is feeling better and he wants to pitch. "My hamstring was sore, my high hamstring," he said. "I think I might have broke up some scar tissue or something....

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Showalter on Hardy, Davis and O'Day

September 06, 2014, 8:12am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter explained why shortstop J.J. Hardy was out of today's lineup, why Chris Davis returned to it and why Darren O'Day hadn't pitched in the past three games. Let's stay in that order. On Hardy "Just trying to stay ahead of it. Trying to be a little proactive instead of reactive. Turf. Another thing that turf does. He could play. He's available. Just didn't like how he felt after the game last night and decided to be cautious with it...

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Quick updates on Hardy and O'Day

September 06, 2014, 7:45am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I have a batch of quotes to pass along in my next blog entry, but let's first catch up on today's news. J.J. Hardy is out of the Orioles lineup. Manager Buck Showalter said the club is trying to "stay ahead" of the shortstop's back issue. Showalter suggested that Hardy is available today and will return to the lineup on Sunday. He didn't like how Hardy felt after last night's game and decided to be cautious. Hardy has been bothered by a spasm in his lower...

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Hardy sits with Pearce, Young in lineup for Orioles vs. Rays

September 06, 2014, 5:57am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are 8-1 after being shut out this season. They've won six in a row. Can they make it seven today? They'll do it with shortstop J.J. Hardy at least starting the day on the bench. He's out of today's lineup with Delmon Young at designated hitter, getting his first start since Monday, and Steve Pearce at first, playing for the first time since Aug. 29. Pearce had been out with a strained abdominal muscle. Jimmy Paredes was originally starting at third with...

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Questions about the bullpen and an update on Wieters

September 05, 2014, 7:25pm

Orioles

Questions about the bullpen and an update on Wieters

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Will the Orioles have most of their relievers available for today's game against the Rays? I doubt that you'll see Ryan Webb or Evan Meek unless there's an emergency. Ubaldo Jimenez wasn't going to be rushed into a scoreless game last night, but we know that he's rested. Andrew Miller is nearing a return after tweaking his left leg Monday, but it's not known whether he could pitch today. The Orioles need him, but only if he's healthy. What's going on with...

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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...