Roch Kubatko

Teams still coveting Orioles' young pitching, looking at tonight's matchup

July 23, 2014, 9:23pm

Orioles

While wondering whether umpire Hal Gibson III and the strike zone should wear name tags and get to know each other... We're exactly one week away from the non-waiver trade deadline, at which point Orioles manager Buck Showalter will remind us that it's not really a deadline. It just means players must pass through waivers before being dealt. It happens all the time. Showalter will be amused by the media frenzy that builds over the "deadline." I'd still rank it a notch or two below the...

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Orioles, Angels tied in the fifth (O's lose 3-2)

July 23, 2014, 7:33pm

Orioles

The Orioles have scored one run through five innings tonight and Ryan Flaherty is responsible for it. Always worth mentioning when there are fans venting over tonight's lineup. Why Flaherty? Why David Lough? Let's start with Flaherty. Third baseman Manny Machado is day-to-day with tightness in his lower back. Flaherty is the utility infielder on this team. He also is good with the glove at the hot corner. Lough hasn't started since June 27. He went 2-for-4 in that game and collected a...

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Notes on Tillman, Johnson, Schoop, Hunter and more

July 23, 2014, 1:33pm

Orioles

Notes on Tillman, Johnson, Schoop, Hunter and more

The Orioles are a season-high 11 games over .500 heading into tonight's series finale against the Angels. They haven't been 12 games above .500 since Aug. 12, 2013 (65-53). Also with a win tonight, the Orioles would secure their first series sweep in Anaheim since Aug. 27-29, 2010. The Orioles are 7-2 against the Angels since the beginning of 2013, including a 5-1 record in Anaheim. The Angels rank 14th in the majors with 58 stolen bases. If they've done their homework, they won't be in...

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orioles chris tillman jonathan schoop steve johnson tommy hunter frontstory_orioles2

Orioles and Angels lineups

July 23, 2014, 1:30pm

Orioles

Manny Machado remains out of the Orioles lineup for the second straight day. Machado was scratched with lower-back tightness prior to Tuesday's game against the Angels. Ryan Flaherty will once again play third base in Machado's absence. David Lough will get a rare start for the Orioles. He will hit second and play left field. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF David Lough LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B Ryan Flaherty 3B Nick Hundley C Chris...

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Yoon returns to disabled list

July 23, 2014, 12:03pm

Orioles

Suk-min Yoon's first season of professional baseball in the U.S. has been interrupted again due to a health issue. The Orioles have returned Yoon to the Triple-A disabled list with right elbow inflammation, a move that's retroactive to Monday. Yoon had been on the DL with a right shoulder impingement. He made one start after being activated, allowing two hits in 3 1/3 scoreless innings Saturday night against Rochester. Yoon is 3-7 with a 5.51 ERA in 16 starts, with 97 hits allowed in 78...

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Duquette on upgrading club's catching: "It's something we're taking a look at"

July 23, 2014, 9:38am

Orioles

Duquette on upgrading club's catching: "It's something we're taking a look at"

Are the Orioles in the market for a catcher despite earlier statements that they were satisfied with their choices at the major league and Triple-A levels? Has something changed in their backstop stance? "According to the trade rumors, it has," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. True enough. But are concerns over the lack of offensive production from Caleb Joseph and Nick Hundley enough to alleviate the worries over introducing a new catcher to the pitching staff more than halfway...

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Tillman's turn, lineup questions, Schoop on the road and minor league notes

July 22, 2014, 9:43pm

Orioles

Tillman's turn, lineup questions, Schoop on the road and minor league notes

While the Orioles continue to scout potential upgrades for their rotation, they're sending a pitcher to the mound tonight at Angel Stadium who's registered seven quality starts in his last eight outings. A true No. 1 starter? Manager Buck Showalter will let others carry that debate. He sees a pitcher, Chris Tillman, whose ERA has dropped from 5.20 on June 5 to 4.03 heading into tonight's game. Tillman fell one-third of an inning short, on July 2 against the Rangers, of making it eight...

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Davis beats shift, Orioles break scoreless tie (O's win 4-2)

July 22, 2014, 8:10pm

Orioles

The Angels changed pitchers after the fifth inning tonight, and the Orioles waited until there were two outs to go about changing the score. J.J. Hardy doubled to bring home Chris Davis and give the Orioles a 1-0 lead, and Jonathan Schoop followed with a two-run homer to center field. Apparently, Schoop likes his jack on the rocks. Let's go back to Davis' at-bat against Angels reliever Mike Morin, which followed strikeouts by Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz. Davis fell behind 0-2, took a...

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Machado scratched from lineup, and other notes (updated)

July 22, 2014, 6:19pm

Orioles

Machado scratched from lineup, and other notes (updated)

Third baseman Manny Machado is a late scratch from the lineup tonight with lower-back tightness that cropped up during batting practice, according to the Orioles. Ryan Flaherty has replaced Machado at third base. Machado had his career-high 19-game on-base streak snapped last night. In his last 40 games since May 31, he's batting .307/.354/.523 to raise his season average from .210 to .267. Bud Norris gets hit on the foot by a comebacker last night. Zach Britton gets hit on the right arm....

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Orioles option Guilmet

July 22, 2014, 4:05pm

Orioles

The Orioles just announced their anticipated roster move. They optioned reliever Preston Guilmet to Triple-A Norfolk to create room for Miguel Gonzalez, who has been recalled and is starting tonight against the Angels in Anaheim. Guilmet, 26, has posted a 5.23 ERA in 10 1/3 innings with the Orioles, striking out 12 over his 10 appearances. He tossed a scoreless inning Sunday in Oakland. Guilmet has been optioned five times this season. He knows the drill. Manager Buck Showalter hinted before...

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Orioles lineup vs. Angels

July 22, 2014, 2:43pm

Orioles

The Orioles still haven't announced today's roster move. Miguel Gonzalez is listed as their starting pitcher in Anaheim, but the lineup card still includes eight relievers. Gonzalez is being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Manager Buck Showalter most likely is checking on the health of a couple pitchers. If everyone is fine, Preston Guilmet figures to be optioned. Nothing interesting about the lineup. Another start in left field for Steve Pearce. Nelson Cruz remains the designated hitter....

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A few Orioles notes and Angels lineup

July 22, 2014, 1:21pm

Orioles

The Orioles won last night's series opener against the Angels in Anaheim despite striking out 15 times. It's not recommended, though it's also not unprecedented. According to the Orioles, they've won each of the last two nine-inning games in which they've fanned 15 or more times. It also happened against the Rays at Tropicana Field on Oct. 2, 2012. The Orioles have been involved in 12 such games in franchise history, going 6-6. The club record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning...

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Gonzalez hoping hot streak extends beyond break

July 22, 2014, 9:19am

Orioles

Gonzalez hoping hot streak extends beyond break

Miguel Gonzalez has gone eight innings in each of his last two starts, allowing only three earned runs and being left without a decision. He'll gladly take the length tonight. A win would be nice, too. Gonzalez is making his first start since being optioned before the break. The Orioles will officially recall him later today, around the time they post the lineup. Gonzalez is 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA in two starts against the American League West this season. He's 2-1 with a 2.14 ERA in three...

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Jones receives Heart & Hustle Award

July 22, 2014, 6:39am

Orioles

The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association announced today that Adam Jones is the Orioles' recipient of the 2014 Heart & Hustle Award, which honors active players who "demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and tradition of the game." The Heart & Hustle Award is also the only award in Major League Baseball that is voted on by former players. "He represents all the best qualities of a teammate and competitor," Brooks Robinson,...

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Which Orioles would make good managers?

July 21, 2014, 9:22pm

Orioles

Another roster move is coming from the Orioles as they recall Miguel Gonzalez from Triple-A Norfolk to make tonight's start against the Angels. Reliever Preston Guilmet could be optioned. In order to keep pace with the daily batch of trade rumors as we approach the non-waiver deadline, I'll just point out that the Orioles have scouts spread all over the country checking on available starters and relievers. You're welcome. I'm still inclined to believe that a bullpen arm tops the list of...

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Two-homer night for Jones (O's win 4-2)

July 21, 2014, 8:08pm

Orioles

Adam Jones leads the Angels 4-2 tonight in Anaheim. Jones has belted a pair of two-run homers, both scoring Nick Markakis ahead of him. His second blast in the sixth inning broke a 2-2 tie. Angels starter Matt Shoemaker retired 15 in a row before Markakis doubled in the sixth. Shoemaker started off Jones with a fastball, threw him a changeup and followed it with an 82 mph slider that disappeared into the night. Actually, it landed near the rocks in left field for Jones' 19th home run of the...

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Markakis takes errorless streak to Anaheim (Jones homers, game tied)

July 21, 2014, 1:58pm

Orioles

Markakis takes errorless streak to Anaheim (Jones homers, game tied)

The Orioles lead the all-time series against the Angels, 345-290, going 184-129 in Baltimore and 161-161 in Anaheim. Does anyone remember when Nolan Ryan no-hit the Orioles, back when he pitched for the California Angels? I'm old enough to recall it vividly. It happened on June 1, 1975. Ryan walked four and struck out nine while tossing the fourth no-no of his career. Wayne Garland replaced starter Ross Grimsley and allowed one hit over 4 2/3 innings in a 1-0 loss. Check out the boxscore...

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Orioles and Angels lineups

July 21, 2014, 1:20pm

Orioles

The Orioles recalled right-hander Bud Norris from Double-A Bowie to start tonight's game. To make room for Norris on the roster, the Orioles optioned catcher Steve Clevenger to Triple-A Norfolk. Clevenger appeared in two games for the Orioles after being recalled on July 12. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RFF Steve Pearce LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Manny Machado 3B Nick Hundley C Jonathan Schoop 2B Bud Norris RHP For the Angels Kole Calhoun RF Mike Trout CF...

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A few notes on Hardy

July 21, 2014, 9:44am

Orioles

I'm back home this afternoon after a nice visit with family in Ocean Pines. My fridge is filled with leftovers, the lineup including chicken piccata with angel hair pasta, chicken cacciatore with noodles, roast beef, mashed potatoes with sour cream, soft shell crabs and crab cakes. The beef stroganoff never made it into the cooler - I emptied that container in a few days - but we have homemade chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert Anybody hungry? Shortstop J.J. Hardy...

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Norris returns to the rotation tonight

July 20, 2014, 7:31pm

Orioles

The Orioles will make a roster move today, recalling pitcher Bud Norris from Double-A Bowie and optioning a reliever or one of their catchers. They won't carry three of them all season. Steve Clevenger didn't get a start in Oakland and is vulnerable, but we'll see. He did catch the bottom of the eighth yesterday as manager Buck Showalter cleared his bench. Showalter may want to carry the extra bullpen arm after yesterday's debacle in Oakland. Preston Guilmet worked the eighth, but he...