Roch Kubatko

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...

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Hardy supplies the hit, but Orioles need more runs (O's lose 10-2)

July 20, 2014, 2:06pm

Orioles

Somebody had to do it. The Orioles needed a hit this afternoon against Athletics starter Sonny Gray, and J.J. Hardy stepped up with an RBI double in the top of the fifth. Chris Davis scored from first base after a leadoff walk, and the Oakland lead was down to 4-1. The Orioles needed more, but Manny Machado struck out and Ryan Flaherty and Caleb Joseph grounded out. It was a poor at-bat for Machado, who flailed at breaking stuff and couldn't get the runner to third. The last pitch bounced in...

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Early trouble for Gausman (O's down 4-0)

July 20, 2014, 12:40pm

Orioles

Early trouble for Gausman (O's down 4-0)

The Oakland Athletics are 40-10 when they score first this season. The Orioles are 17-34 when their opponent scores first, and they have a losing record in day games and on Sundays. Those are the challenges facing the Orioles, who fell behind 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Kevin Gausman allowed a leadoff single to Coco Crisp and RBI triple to John Jaso. A wild pitch brought home the second run. Crisp is now 3-for-4 with a home run against Gausman, who went exclusively with his fastball...

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Orioles and Athletics lineups

July 20, 2014, 7:21am

Orioles

Steve Pearce remains in left field and Nelson Cruz continues to serve as the designated hitter today for the Orioles' final game in Oakland. Ryan Flaherty gets the start at second base and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Oakland starter Sonny Gray is 4-0 with a 2.41 ERA over his last five outings. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Manny Machado 3B Ryan Flaherty 2B Caleb Joseph C Kevin Gausman RHP For the Athletics Coco...

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More on Jones' big night in Oakland

July 20, 2014, 6:50am

Orioles

Center fielder Adam Jones had a rare and special night in Oakland, and it extended beyond his three-run homer in the first inning off former teammate Jason Hammel. Jones is the first Oriole ever, and the first center fielder since Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, with five RBIs and two stolen bases in the same game. According to the Orioles' PR staff, Jones became the sixth player since 1914 to record at least one home run, one walk, two steals and five RBIs in the same game, joining Matt Lawton...

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Graham on Yaz: "What you see with him is a very complete baseball player"

July 19, 2014, 8:50pm

Orioles

Graham on Yaz: "What you see with him is a very complete baseball player"

Adam Jones is the only certainty in the Orioles' outfield in 2015. He's going to be in center. Book it. Nick Markakis is in the last guaranteed year of his contract, which includes an option worth $17.5 million. Nelson Cruz will be a free agent after signing a one-year, $8 million deal in spring training. As the Orioles continue to transfer players in their minor league system, I'm asked whether Dariel Alvarez could be an option in left or right. I'm asked whether Mike Yastrzemski could...

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Jones, Hardy homer in first inning (Jones has five RBIs, O's win 8-4)

July 19, 2014, 5:42pm

Orioles

Jones, Hardy homer in first inning (Jones has five RBIs, O's win 8-4)

Adam Jones was among three Oriole batters hit by pitches last night, taking a ball high off his left shoulder in the eighth inning. Earlier in the game, J.J. Hardy was drilled on the back of his batting helmet. Jones belted a three-run homer in the first inning tonight, and Hardy soon followed with a solo shot. Makes you wonder whether manager Buck Showalter should have started catcher Caleb Joseph, the third Oriole to get hit last night. I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but the Orioles...

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Orioles and Athletics lineups

July 19, 2014, 1:07pm

Orioles

With the Blue Jays and Yankees winning today, the Orioles need to defeat the Athletics tonight to maintain their four-game lead in the American League East. No pressure. According to STATS, the Orioles have been tied or led after seven innings in 10 of 11 games against the Athletics dating back to 2013, but are only 6-5. Manny Machado has reached base safely in a career-high 17 consecutive games since June 22, batting .415/.457/.754. In his last 37 games since May 31, he's batting...

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orioles

Chen vs. Hammel tonight in Oakland

July 19, 2014, 11:44am

Orioles

When Orioles manager Buck Showalter lined up his rotation coming out of the break, he leaned heavily on match-ups against opponents on their West Coast trip. Wei-Yin Chen's slot was pretty much a no-brainer. Chen starts tonight at O.co Coliseum, and he's 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA lifetime against the Athletics. He's allowed three earned runs in 27 innings, with eight walks and 25 strikeouts. In his only start in Oakland, Chen threw a career-high eight scoreless innings and earned the win on...

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Updates on Steve Johnson, Henry Urrutia and Suk-min Yoon

July 19, 2014, 9:02am

Orioles

Updates on Steve Johnson, Henry Urrutia and Suk-min Yoon

Right-hander Steve Johnson is headed to Triple-A Norfolk today and will start Wednesday night against the Toledo Mud Hens at Harbor Park. Johnson has been on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. He's made one start with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Orioles and three with short-season Single-A Aberdeen, never going more than three innings. Johnson will remain on a strict pitch count Wednesday night, likely topping out at 50. In his most recent start with Aberdeen, Johnson allowed...

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More on the importance of the bullpen

July 18, 2014, 9:20pm

Orioles

The Orioles opened the second half of their season last night - not the mathematical one, but the one dictated by their schedule - with a rotation that accounted for 543 1/3 innings, the fewest for any team with a winning record. The starters' 4.09 ERA ranked 23rd in the majors and 11th in the American League. Yes, there's been a surge. Before last night, the rotation had posted a 3.18 ERA in 33 games since June 9. Chris Tillman allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings last night and has notched...

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Orioles batters a hit with A's (O's lose 5-4)

July 18, 2014, 8:28pm

Orioles

For those of you keeping score at home, Oakland pitchers have hit three Orioles in tonight's game. Starter Jeff Samardzija nailed Caleb Joseph and J.J. Hardy, the latter taking a shot to the back of the helmet. Not to be outdone, reliever Ryan Cook hit Adam Jones on the left shoulder in the top of the eighth inning, the ball coming dangerously close to the face. I'm not suggesting that the pitches were intentional, but that's not going to make the Orioles feel much better. Factor in...

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Checking on the farm and Orioles-Athletics (Machado homer breaks tie)

July 18, 2014, 6:39pm

Orioles

Double-A Bowie was being no-hit for eight innings tonight by Altoona's Adrian Sampson before Mike Yastrzemski doubled with one out in the ninth - his fifth hit in two games with the Baysox. First baseman Christian Walker picked up his first Triple-A hit tonight in his second game with Norfolk. He drew three walks last night. Single-A Frederick's Parker Bridwell allowed one run and four hits in seven-plus innings. Hunter Harvey allowed one run and two hits in five innings for Single-A...