Roch Kubatko

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...

Tags:

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...

Tags:

orioles andrew miller buck showalter christian walker jonathan schoop matt wieters steve pearce tyler wilson frontstory_orioles3

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...

Tags:

orioles andrew miller featured_sidebar matt wieters steve pearce frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles alejandro de aza jonathan schoop kelly johnson frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles christian walker frontfeatured_orioles tyler wilson

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...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris tillman featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

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...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris davis miguel gonzalez frontstory_orioles2

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....

Tags:

orioles chris davis david lough jonathan schoop miguel gonzalez frontstory_orioles3

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...

Tags:

orioles adam jones kelly johnson nelson cruz frontstory_orioles3

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...

Tags:

orioles david lough j.j. hardy kelly johnson lineups frontstory_orioles2

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,...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter featured_sidebar quintin berry steve clevenger frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter bud norris frontstory_orioles2

Rain doesn't wash away Norris' quality start (O's win 5-4)

September 02, 2014, 7:25pm

Orioles

Rain doesn't wash away Norris' quality start (O's win 5-4)

Bud Norris waited through a 1 hour, 46 minute rain delay tonight and went about his business. No excuses. Take the ball and get outs. Reds starter Matt Latos is out of the game after five innings and 79 pitches. The five runs allowed ties his season high. The 10 hits ties his career high. Norris shut out the Reds on four hits over six innings, with one walk, seven strikeouts and a wild pitch. His 93rd pitch resulted in a strikeout of Chris Heisey that stranded a runner. Norris has his first...

Tags:

orioles bud norris frontstory_orioles1

Another rain delay for Norris (O's lead 5-0)

September 02, 2014, 3:52pm

Orioles

Another rain delay for Norris (O's lead 5-0)

Poor Bud Norris. Norris pitched two innings against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Aug. 23 before a 3 hour, 9 minute rain delay ended his afternoon. His next start went uninterrupted, but he's back in the clubhouse tonight after allowing an infield single to Reds leadoff hitter Billy Hamilton. A heavy rain began to fall with a 2-2 count on Todd Frazier. Time was called at 7:36 p.m. The game started 23 minutes late due to rain. Norris threw 10 pitches before the next storm arrived. The...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles

Pearce: "I think we're just being extra-cautious right now"

September 02, 2014, 1:54pm

Orioles

Pearce: "I think we're just being extra-cautious right now"

Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce said he'll attempt to swing a bat in the next few days while recovering from a strained right abdominal muscle. He's been playing catch as the only approved baseball activity. Pearce is aiming for a return this weekend against the Rays at Tropicana Field. "I think we're just being extra-cautious right now," Pearce said. "Just want to make sure there's nothing going on. They want me symptom-free so we can make a run down the stretch. "Even though...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Notes on call-ups, Hardy, Pearce, lineup and more

September 02, 2014, 12:49pm

Orioles

Notes on call-ups, Hardy, Pearce, lineup and more

The Orioles are done with their September call-ups unless an injury necessitates another roster move. Infielder Garabez Rosa, who batted .282 with 27 doubles, 11 home runs and 69 RBIs in 124 games at Double-A Bowie, will join the taxi squad in Sarasota. Manager Buck Showalter said he expects shortstop J.J. Hardy to start Wednesday night against the Reds. Hardy is available tonight. Showalter added that first baseman Steve Pearce is "real close." I wrote earlier today that Pearce is...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar jj hardy steve pearce frontstory_orioles2

Hardy on back: "I'd say it's as close to 100 percent as possible"

September 02, 2014, 11:37am

Orioles

Hardy on back: "I'd say it's as close to 100 percent as possible"

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said his back feels much better and he expects to return to the lineup Wednesday night at Camden Yards. Hardy left yesterday's game after the seventh inning with a spasm in his lower back. Asked how the back feels today, Hardy replied, "Normal." "I'd say it's as close to 100 percent as possible," he added. "I think it's just kind of avoid what happened in April, take another day and be safe and be good to go tomorrow." Hardy missed five games in April with...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar j.j. hardy frontstory_orioles2

Orioles and Reds lineups

September 02, 2014, 10:55am

Orioles

J.J. Hardy isn't in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against the Reds at Camden Yards. Hardy is day-to-day after leaving yesterday's game with a lower back spasm. Ryan Flaherty is starting at shortstop tonight. Alejandro De Aza is in left field. Nick Markakis is serving as the designated hitter tonight, with Nelson Cruz in right field. The Orioles made their roster moves official, recalling relievers Ryan Webb and T.J. McFarland and catcher Steve Clevenger, and selecting the...

Tags:

orioles alejandro de aza j.j. hardy nelson cruz nick markakis ryan flaherty frontstory_orioles2

Observations on the expanded roster, a missing person and team chemistry

September 01, 2014, 5:43pm

Orioles

Observations on the expanded roster, a missing person and team chemistry

The clubhouse is getting more crowded today with the arrivals of reliever Ryan Webb, outfielder Quintin Berry and catcher Steve Clevenger. Left-hander T.J. McFarland returned yesterday, but he won't be recalled until this afternoon. Berry is the only real newcomer. The trade for Alejandro De Aza, another left-handed hitting, plus defensive outfielder with speed didn't impact Berry as the Orioles expanded their roster. You've seen the list of call-ups and players on the taxi squad in...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter caleb joseph featured_sidebar nick markakis ubaldo jimenez frontstory_orioles2

Hardy expects to play on Tuesday

September 01, 2014, 1:02pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed that outfielder Quintin Berry will have his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. Relievers Ryan Webb and T.J. McFarland and catcher Steve Clevenger will be recalled. Infielder Alexi Casilla is expected to join the taxi squad in Sarasota. The Orioles were checking on reliever Andrew Miller, who had a slight limp walking off the mound following the top of the eighth inning. "Richie (Bancells) was talking to him up the runway there,"...