Roch Kubatko

Jones one home run away from milestone

September 28, 2014, 7:24am

Orioles

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has struggled against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey in the past, going 3-for-22 (.136) with one home run. A second home run off Dickey today at Rogers Centre would put Jones in select company in Orioles history and allow him to reach another milestone. Jones hit his 29th homer yesterday in a 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays. With one more, he will become the fifth Oriole with at least three 30-home run seasons, joining Eddie Murray (five), Rafael Palmeiro (four), Boog...

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Flaherty at third base today (Jays lineup added)

September 28, 2014, 6:45am

Orioles

Flaherty at third base today (Jays lineup added)

We've finally reached the 162nd game of the regular season. The Orioles will try to avoid being swept by the Blue Jays today before taking off Monday. They open the Division Series on Thursday against the winner of the Central Division. The Tigers hold a one-game lead over the Royals. The Orioles have lost three in a row for the second time since May. They were swept by the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The defense remains shaky, committing three errors in three of their last nine games. The...

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Gonzalez on mound for last regular season game

September 27, 2014, 4:29pm

Orioles

Gonzalez on mound for last regular season game

I don't suggest that you wager on baseball, but if you can't resist, make sure to avoid putting any money on Miguel Gonzalez pitching a complete game today. Or still being on the mound for the seventh inning stretch and the "OK Blue Jays" song. You've got a diamond You've got nine men You've got a hat and a bat And that's not all You've got the bleachers Got 'em from spring 'til fall You got a dog and a drink And the umpire's call Waddaya want? Let's play ball! Gonzalez will make...

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Impact of Casilla on roster (Jones homers, O's lose 4-2)

September 27, 2014, 12:18pm

Orioles

Impact of Casilla on roster (Jones homers, O's lose 4-2)

Alexi Casilla was a career .500 hitter against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ as he stepped to the plate today at Rogers Centre for his first at-bat with the Orioles in 2014. No wonder they added him to the expanded roster. It all makes sense. OK, it was one hit in two at-bats. A small sample size. Casilla joined the Orioles due to concerns over the poor defense at third base. It's not his natural position, but someone else may as well try to handle the hot corner without getting burned....

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Orioles DFA Guilmet

September 27, 2014, 10:02am

Orioles

The Orioles have designated reliever Preston Guilmet for assignment to make room for infielder Alexi Casilla on the 40-man roster. Casilla's contract was purchased today from Triple-A Norfolk and he's starting at third base today. Casilla, who's wearing No. 1, played 34 games at second base and 21 at shortstop with the Tides. He didn't appear at third base this year. Guilmet, 27, posted a 5.23 ERA in 10 games for the Orioles this season, allowing six earned runs in 10 1/3 innings. He...

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Casilla in Orioles lineup

September 27, 2014, 9:34am

Orioles

Alexi Casilla is leading off and playing third base today in his return to the Orioles. He didn't play third at Triple-A Norfolk this season and is making just his third start at third in the majors. Christian Walker is playing first base. Jonathan Schoop is starting at second base. Steve Pearce is in right field. Nick Markakis is on the bench. Wei-Yin Chen could become the first Orioles left-hander to win 17 or more games in a season since Jeff Ballard won 18 games in 1989. Chen has lost...

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Reading into Casilla's arrival

September 27, 2014, 7:49am

Orioles

If you forgot that Alexi Casilla remained in the Orioles organization, he's providing a reminder today and it's anything but subtle. The Orioles are summoning Casilla from Arizona - he had permission to work out there instead of Sarasota - and he's expected to be in uniform for today's game against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Manager Buck Showalter is clearly upset with his infield defense - third base has become a troublesome spot - and Casilla is the ultimate utility guy. The...

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More on Davis' first day in the instructional league

September 26, 2014, 9:25pm

Orioles

More on Davis' first day in the instructional league

The Orioles lost another game last night. Are they also losing their edge? That's the question posed to me every couple of hours, and I have no idea. I understand the logic behind resting the veterans and letting guys heal and staying away from certain relievers on certain nights to freshen up the bullpen before the Division Series. However, we can't measure how much edge is left until the playoffs start on Thursday. I do know that the defense has to improve. Maybe it happens with a more...

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Update on Davis and note on Gonzalez (Tillman's streak ends, O's lose 4-2)

September 26, 2014, 2:49pm

Orioles

Update on Davis and note on Gonzalez (Tillman's streak ends, O's lose 4-2)

Chris Davis made his debut today in the fall instructional league, reaching on an infield hit and drawing a walk in three plate appearances in a game against the Rays at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Davis flew down to Sarasota on Tuesday. He hasn't been made available to the media. Davis, who played third base today, hasn't been in the Orioles lineup since Sept. 10 in Boston. Two days later, Major League Baseball announced that Davis was suspended 25 games for a second positive test for...

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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

September 26, 2014, 12:20pm

Orioles

Nick Markakis has been lowered to third in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series-opener against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Alejandro De Aza is batting leadoff. Markakis has batted first in 147 games this season, second in two, third in three and fifth in one. Adam Jones, Nelson Cruz, J.J. Hardy and Steve Pearce are on the bench. Pearce homered last night in his first start since being scratched last Friday with a sore wrist. For the Orioles Alejandro De Aza LF David Lough CF Nick...

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Tillman attempting to stay unbeaten on the road

September 26, 2014, 9:55am

Orioles

Tillman attempting to stay unbeaten on the road

The Orioles will show up at Rogers Centre in Toronto later today with plenty of items on their agenda. * Try to win every game while keeping alive their faint hopes of gaining home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and build momentum heading into the Division Series. * Decide on a starter for Sunday afternoon's finale. Ubaldo Jimenez and Miguel Gonzalez are the primary candidates. * Decide whether a starter pitches a simulated game or heads down to Sarasota and faces batters to stay...

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Orioles can't let defense rest at third base, Britton on his baby boy

September 25, 2014, 8:05pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - As soon as Manny Machado underwent surgery on his right knee last month, the Orioles figured to miss his defense at third base more than his production at the plate. Platinum gloves are hard to replace. Chris Davis was an adequate substitute for Machado, but he's down in Sarasota while serving his 25-game suspension. The Orioles need to stabilize the position as they approach the Division Series. Orioles third basemen have committed five errors in the last seven games - two each...

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Showalter: "I'm more concerned right now that we gave them all those runs"

September 25, 2014, 7:40pm

Orioles

Showalter: "I'm more concerned right now that we gave them all those runs"

NEW YORK - So much for that 100 percent chance of rain tonight. And Derek Jeter not getting another at-bat as the game moved into the ninth inning. Just when you think you've got it figured out... The Angels' magic number for clinching home field throughout the playoffs is down to one following the Orioles' 6-5 loss to the Yankees. Jeter got his final at-bat in the bottom of the ninth and made the most of it with a single to right field off Evan Meek that scored pinch-runner Antoan...

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Orioles go back-to-back to start game (O's lose 6-5)

September 25, 2014, 3:39pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - The Orioles lined the railing of the visiting dugout at Yankee Stadium tonight to watch a video tribute to Derek Jeter. Players applauded after it ended, a nice show of respect. The sentimental mood disappeared like baseballs into the night. Nick Markakis hit a ball into the second deck while fans were chanting Jeter's name as part of the traditional roll call, and Alejandro De Aza followed with a home run to give the Orioles a quick 2-0 lead. Maybe that's how the Orioles wanted...

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Still waiting on Sunday starter

September 25, 2014, 2:08pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - About 90 percent of the questions directed at Orioles manager Buck Showalter today came from New York writers wanting his thoughts on Derek Jeter. Most of it you've already heard. Showalter hasn't named a starter for Sunday's game in Toronto, saying Ubaldo Jimenez and Miguel Gonzalez are options. He told reporters yesterday that he was leaning toward Jimenez. Today, he mentioned Jimenez first when asked about the possibilities, for what that's worth. Both pitchers threw bullpen...

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Orioles and Yankees lineups

September 25, 2014, 11:23am

Orioles

NEW YORK - Steve Pearce has returned to the Orioles' lineup tonight for the first time since being scratched on Friday with a sore right wrist. Pearce, who received a cortisone injection, was used yesterday as a defensive replacement at first base. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Alejandro De Aza LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Steve Pearce 1B J.J. Hardy SS Kelly Johnson 2B Jimmy Paredes 3B Kevin Gausman RHP For the Yankees Brett Gardner CF Derek Jeter SS Brian McCann C Mark Teixeira...

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A few notes on Jeter and tonight's pitching matchup

September 25, 2014, 9:44am

Orioles

A few notes on Jeter and tonight's pitching matchup

NEW YORK - The Orioles will face Derek Jeter for the final time tonight if the weather allows it. Perhaps you've heard. Jeter has two hits in his last 28 at-bats (.071) against the Orioles dating back to August 11, including an infield single Tuesday night but he's been a nuisance over the years. For example: Jeter has recorded the most multi-hit games against the Orioles all-time (105) and scored more runs (205) against them than any other player. His 351 hits against the Orioles trail...

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Trying to figure out the Division Series roster

September 24, 2014, 7:49pm

Orioles

Trying to figure out the Division Series roster

NEW YORK - We've reached the final home game of Derek Jeter's career unless rain causes a postponement tonight and Major League Baseball decides to mess with the Orioles again by giving them another scheduling nightmare. Always room for one more, right? "Jeter's last home game. How long do you think we'll be here if there's rain?" manager Buck Showalter asked. "Get comfortable." I can't imagine that the game would be moved to Monday unless there are playoff implications such as...

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Hearing from Showalter, Norris, Flaherty and Lough after 9-5 win

September 24, 2014, 1:40pm

Orioles

Hearing from Showalter, Norris, Flaherty and Lough after 9-5 win

NEW YORK - The Orioles posted their 95th victory today, the most since the 1997 team won 98 games. They're 43-2 in their last 45 games when scoring four runs or more. The Orioles have totaled 14 runs and 32 hits since the one-hitter on Monday night. Don't poke the bear. They didn't need any home runs today. So much for being unable to play small ball or come up with timely hits that don't clear the fence. With today's win, the Orioles improved to 13-5 against the Yankees this season and...

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Orioles bat around in fourth to take lead (O's win 9-5)

September 24, 2014, 10:42am

Orioles

NEW YORK - Well, that escalated quickly. The Orioles sent 11 batters to the plate in the top of the fourth inning and destroyed a 3-0 deficit, scoring six runs on seven hits and forcing Yankees manager Joe Girardi to go to his bullpen. Girardi may have reacted too late, considering how much he normally enjoys that little stroll to the mound. Shane Greene was charged with all six runs. His replacement, David Huff, gave up a single to Nelson Cruz before retiring Steve Clevenger. Cruz led off...