Roch Kubatko

De Aza stays hot in Game 2 (O's win 5-0)

September 12, 2014, 4:46pm

Orioles

De Aza stays hot in Game 2 (O's win 5-0)

The Aug. 30 trade that brought outfielder Alejandro De Aza to the Orioles is the gift that keeps on giving. De Aza has hit safely in eight straight games with the Orioles, including an RBI triple in the fourth inning tonight in Game 2 of a doubleheader with the Yankees. Ryan Flaherty doubled to score David Lough, who led off with a walk, and De Aza increased the lead to 2-0. De Aza, who's leading off tonight with Nick Markakis on the bench, lined to center field in the first inning and...

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Showalter on the Game 1 win and more

September 12, 2014, 2:47pm

Orioles

The Orioles now lead the season series against the Yankees 9-3, including a 5-1 record at Camden Yards. They seemed to be headed toward an 11-inning loss before Jimmy Paredes' two-run walk-off double - the Orioles' ninth walk-off win of the season. Two of them have come against the Yankees. The Orioles have 5,000 victories in club history. Manager Buck Showalter earned his 1,250th this afternoon. The Orioles have won 14 of their last 17 series openers. They've won five games in a row to...

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O'Day, Markakis and Jones comment on Davis suspension

September 12, 2014, 2:11pm

Orioles

O'Day, Markakis and Jones comment on Davis suspension

Before we get to the jubilation of the Orioles' 2-1, 11-inning victory over the Yankees in Game 1 of today's split doubleheader at Camden Yards, it's necessary to take the pulse of the clubhouse following news of Chris Davis' 25-game suspension. Team union representative Darren O'Day was the first Oriole to address the media. "I was very surprised," he said. "I know how much Chris loves playing baseball and loves coming to the park every day and being with his teammates, so surprised...

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No longer scoreless in the 11th (O's win 2-1 in 11 innings)

September 12, 2014, 12:45pm

Orioles

No longer scoreless in the 11th (O's win 2-1 in 11 innings)

Eighteen innings weren't enough today. The Orioles and Yankees were locked in a scoreless tie in Game 1 of their doubleheader until Chris Young homered off Brad Brach with two outs and the bases empty in the top of the 11th inning. The bullpen had tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts before Young homered for the second consecutive game. Zach Britton issued a walk in the 10th for the only Yankees baserunner since starter Kevin Gausman departed after the seventh. Young pulled a...

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Updating Gausman and Hardy (free baseball!)

September 12, 2014, 10:34am

Orioles

Updating Gausman and Hardy (free baseball!)

The next Orioles victory will be the 5,000th in club history, including the postseason. The Orioles' last doubleheader sweep of the Yankees came on Sept. 24, 1984 in Baltimore, but they've gone 0-4-5 in the last nine twinbills. Two Blue Angels made a couple of test runs over Camden Yards in the top of the fifth in preparation for this weekend's Star Spangled Celebration, but nothing can break Kevin Gausman's concentration. Gausman has shut out the Yankees on four hits over five innings,...

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More from Showalter on Davis suspension

September 12, 2014, 9:08am

Orioles

Chris Davis comes off the 40-man roster during his 25-game suspension, creating an opening for the Orioles. The Orioles lost catcher Matt Wieters to ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. They lost third baseman Manny Machado to knee surgery. Davis is done in 2014 unless the Orioles play more than eight games in the postseason. Who loves a challenge? "What's the old thing? Harmony's not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them," said manager Buck Showalter....

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Davis issues statement

September 12, 2014, 8:11am

Orioles

Chris Davis issued a statement today regarding his 25-game suspension for testing positive for an amphetamine in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension begins immediately and covers the last 17 games of the regular season and eight playoff games if the Orioles advance that far. This is Davis' second positive test. He's not allowed to be with his teammates at Camden Yards during the suspension. "I apologize to my teammates,...

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Orioles lineup for Game 1

September 12, 2014, 7:48am

Orioles

With Chris Davis beginning his suspension today, Kelly Johnson is starting at third base and Steve Pearce at first for Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Yankees. J.J. Hardy has returned to the lineup after receiving a cortisone injection in his lower back while the Orioles were in Boston. 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 3B Nick Hundley C Jonathan Schoop 2B Kevin Gausman RHP

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Davis suspended 25 games for amphetamines

September 12, 2014, 7:18am

Orioles

Davis suspended 25 games for amphetamines

Chris Davis has been suspended 25 games without pay, effective immediately, after testing positive for an amphetamine, a violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The 25 games include postseason play. With the Orioles having just 17 regular season games remaining, Davis would be out for eight playoff contests. Davis is batting .196/.300/.404 with 26 homers and 72 RBIs one season after leading the majors with 53 homers and 138 RBIs.

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Gausman on the mound for Game 1

September 11, 2014, 6:46pm

Orioles

What's better than one game? Try two. The Yankees can't be thrilled about playing at home last night and flying to Baltimore for today's doubleheader. And there isn't a device small enough to measure the amount of sympathy they're going to receive from the Orioles, who have been abused by the schedule all season. Last night's walk-off victory moved the Yankees 10 1/2 games behind the Orioles in the American League East. The Blue Jays were idle and remained 10 games back. The Yankees...

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Game 1 of ALDS set for Oct. 2

September 11, 2014, 1:53pm

Orioles

Major League Baseball announced its postseason schedule today, including the date for the opening game of the American League Division Series. That one may especially interest you. The AL Wild Card game is scheduled for Sept. 30 on TBS, followed by the NL Wild Card game that airs on ESPN on Oct. 1. This is the first time that ESPN will be part of baseball's postseason telecasts since 2006. Should the Orioles win the AL East, they would host Game 1 of the Division Series on Oct. 2. In fact,...

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Voting for the Most Valuable Oriole

September 11, 2014, 11:52am

Orioles

I received an e-mail today inviting me to vote for Most Valuable Oriole, and it got me to thinking about how much I'd appreciate the input of my blog readers. Also, there's no game today and I'd like to file a second entry. Members of the media who cover the team make three selections, with the first-place finisher receiving five votes, second place three and third place one. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the homestand. Chris Davis was the easy choice last season. One...

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This, that and the other

September 10, 2014, 4:18pm

Orioles

BOSTON - For Orioles fans, there's no baseball today. You might prefer that I start you off with the magic number. OK, here goes ... Eight is enough. The Blue Jays and Yankees won last night. It's mathematically possible that the Orioles clinch the division during the homestand that begins Friday with a doubleheader against the Yankees. I haven't ventured inside a champagne-soaked clubhouse at Camden Yards since 1997 following the American League Division Series. I expected it to become...

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Showalter, Chen, Joseph and Flaherty after 10-6 victory

September 10, 2014, 2:10pm

Orioles

Showalter, Chen, Joseph and Flaherty after 10-6 victory

BOSTON - Don Werner, the Orioles minor league catching instructor who's been fighting cancer since he left the club in spring training, returned to the field today in the instructional league in Sarasota. Manager Buck Showalter eagerly passed along the news to reporters following today's 10-6 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. "That's pretty cool," Showalter said. "That's the highlight of the day." The Orioles earned their first series sweep against the Red Sox since September 2012...

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Orioles complete sweep and lower magic number to eight

September 10, 2014, 1:00pm

Orioles

BOSTON - The Orioles currently lead the American League East by 10 1/2 games over the Blue Jays and 11 1/2 over the Yankees, who play later tonight. They've moved 27 games above .500. They're making a mockery of the pennant race. The Orioles' magic number is down to eight following today's 10-6 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Andy Etchebarren or Cal Ripken Jr. Take your pick. The Orioles have won the last three season series from the Red Sox for the first time since taking...

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Orioles bat around in third and take six-run lead (O's lead 8-1)

September 10, 2014, 10:46am

Orioles

BOSTON - Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen has a pretty big margin for error this afternoon at Fenway Park. The Orioles staked him to a 6-0 lead in the third inning, sending 11 batters to the plate and making life real uncomfortable for Boston right-hander Brandon Workman. Ryan Flaherty had two hits and an RBI in the inning, which didn't include any home runs. The Orioles collected five singles, a double and two walks, and third baseman Carlos Rivero committed an error. I'm not suggesting that...

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Showalter on rotation and the chance to celebrate at home

September 10, 2014, 8:52am

Orioles

Showalter on rotation and the chance to celebrate at home

BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter still hasn't confirmed his starter for Tuesday night's game against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. The field, however, has been narrowed to T.J. McFarland, Joe Saunders and Ubaldo Jimenez. Yesterday, Showalter mentioned minor leaguers Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson as possibilities in extreme circumstances. Showalter is expected to make the announcement on Saturday. My guess is McFarland. There's nothing new on shortstop J.J. Hardy. He's still...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

September 10, 2014, 6:30am

Orioles

BOSTON - The Orioles are using almost the same lineup as Tuesday with a change at catcher being the only exception. Caleb Joseph is behind the plate after Nick Hundley caught last night's win. Alejandro De Aza is back in left and batting second after recording three extra-base hits yesterday, including his first two Orioles homers. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is on the mound seeking his 15th win of the season. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Alejandro De Aza LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz...

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Taking the rotation for another spin

September 09, 2014, 8:42pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Does everyone remember the Orioles' magic number for winning the American League East? Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine. Hope that helps. Chris Tillman wasn't particularly sharp last night - 108 pitches in five innings offered a clue - but he escaped a jam in the fifth and held the Red Sox to one run. Not a quality start, but a winning one. Nice little rotation the Orioles have built for themselves. Fresh eyes may have been the slogan going into spring...

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Showalter, De Aza, Jones and Tillman after 4-1 win

September 09, 2014, 7:45pm

Orioles

Showalter, De Aza, Jones and Tillman after 4-1 win

BOSTON - The Orioles' magic number is down to nine. Single digits. Don Buford's uniform number. Brady Anderson's number, too, for younger fans. Chris Tillman lasted only five innings and threw 108 pitches, but he's held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in 18 consecutive starts to tie Steve Barber for the fourth-longest streak in club history. Alejandro De Aza hit his first two home runs as an Oriole. Adam Jones cleared one of the signs above the Green Monster with his home run, the...