Roch Kubatko

Orioles lineup versus Pirates (updated)

May 21, 2014, 10:55am

Orioles

PITTSBURGH - The Orioles are breaking out the same lineup tonight with the exception of the starting pitcher, of course. Nelson Cruz is in left field, Jonathan Schoop is back at second base and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Chris Tillman is 0-for-6 in the majors. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz LF J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B Caleb Joseph C Chris Tillman RHP For the Pirates Josh Harrison RF Neil Walker 2B Andrew McCutchen...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2

Leftovers and notes for lunch

May 21, 2014, 8:55am

Orioles

PITTSBURGH - Miguel Gonzalez registered the Orioles' 16th quality start last night. He's now tied with Chris Tillman for the team lead with four. Did anyone notice? Chris Davis hit three home runs, the offense cranked out nine runs and the rest of the night is a blur. Gonzalez allowed two runs in six-plus innings. He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter. "I thought I felt a little over-strong, but we got it done," said Gonzalez, who hadn't started since May 10. "I'm where I...

Tags:

orioles chris davis miguel gonzalez manny machado frontstory_orioles2

Orioles going for sweep tonight

May 20, 2014, 7:40pm

Orioles

PITTSBURGH - If you're manager Buck Showalter, do you stick with the same lineup tonight that churned out nine runs last night? The Orioles are facing another left-hander, Wandy Rodriguez, so it's a convenient excuse. Rodriguez has faced the Orioles once in his career, back in 2005 while he pitched for the Astros. He allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings in a 5-1 loss at Camden Yards. The Orioles' lineup included Eli Marrero in center field and Sal Fasano behind the plate....

Tags:

orioles chris tillman jj hardy frontstory_orioles2

Davis: "It felt good to go out there tonight and kind of earn my paycheck"

May 20, 2014, 7:00pm

Orioles

Davis: "It felt good to go out there tonight and kind of earn my paycheck"

PITTSBURGH - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis became so frustrated with his failed at-bats Sunday in Kansas City that he made some adjustments in batting practice today and made a statement to his wife that seemed to give him a fresh perspective on the season. "I think it was good to have a day off and clear my head," he said. "I told Jill today I'm just going to start over. I'm going to start the season over today, and that's kind of what I did." He did some serious damage at the...

Tags:

orioles chris davis featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Showalter on Davis and 9-2 win

May 20, 2014, 6:46pm

Orioles

PITTSBURGH - Most of Orioles manager Buck Showalter's postgame comments to reporters tonight were related to first baseman Chris Davis, who hit three home runs and collected five RBIs in a 9-2 win over the Pirates. The questions kept pertaining to Davis. It was an obvious direction to steer the interview. "The thing I like is he's been playing good defense and you see him go down the line. He had a big night for us tonight. We all know he's capable of that, but not on that level. That's...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris davis miguel gonzalez

Davis hits three home runs in 9-2 win

May 20, 2014, 6:01pm

Orioles

PITTSBURGH - Miguel Gonzalez's quality start tonight isn't going to get much attention. Chris Davis is hogging it. Davis turned in his second career three-homer game in the Orioles' 9-2 win over the Pirates before 22,787 at PNC Park. Davis had four hits, three home runs and five RBIs on the night. His two-run shot off Jeanmar Gomez in the top of the ninth completed the scoring and raised his average to .257 with six homers and 20 RBIs. The oblique is fine. The power is back. Davis'...

Tags:

orioles chris davis frontfeatured_orioles zach britton

Davis and Cruz go back-to-back (Davis homers again, Gonzalez done)

May 20, 2014, 4:50pm

Orioles

Davis and Cruz go back-to-back (Davis homers again, Gonzalez done)

PITTSBURGH - The Orioles scored six runs in Sunday's loss to the Royals, perhaps a sign that their offense was ready to bust loose. They have six runs tonight in five innings. Adam Jones hit a three-run homer in the ninth in Kansas City, and his RBI double in the fifth tonight plated Manny Machado for a 3-1 lead over the Pirates. Machado made a tremendous slide to avoid catcher Chris Stewart's tag, reaching for the plate with his left hand. That's two aggressive sends from acting third...

Tags:

orioles adam jones chris davis frontfeatured_orioles nelson cruz

Jones extends hitting streak (O's lead 2-1)

May 20, 2014, 3:39pm

Orioles

Jones extends hitting streak (O's lead 2-1)

PITTSBURGH - Adam Jones singled into left field with two outs in the top of the first inning tonight to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. Jones is six games away from tying his career-longest streak set in May 2012. During his current streak, Jones is batting .357 with five home runs, 11 RBIs and eight runs scored. Jones is 5-for-16 with three home runs lifetime against Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano. Miguel Gonzalez threw 19 pitches in the first inning, including 16 for...

Tags:

orioles adam jones frontfeatured_orioles

A few pregame notes from Pittsburgh

May 20, 2014, 1:59pm

Orioles

PITTSBURGH - The Orioles will extend Dylan Bundy to two innings and around 30 pitches in his next extended spring training start Saturday against the Rays. He threw 18 pitches in one inning today against the Twins and allowed two home runs. I'm told that a strong wind was blowing out to right-center field, carrying four balls over the fence in the game. Edgmer Escalona threw one inning today at extended spring training and faced two extra batters to reach his pitch count. Johan Santana will...

Tags:

orioles dylan bundy edgmer escalona johan santana nolan reimold zach britton frontstory_orioles3

Graham back on the coaching staff tonight

May 20, 2014, 12:56pm

Orioles

Graham back on the coaching staff tonight

PITTSBURGH - Brian Graham, the Orioles director of player development, is coaching third base tonight. Bobby Dickerson left the team to attend his daughter Ashley's high school graduation. Graham tried to deflect any attention given to him tonight, just as he did Saturday while serving as bench coach in Kansas City for acting manager John Russell. Graham actually prepped for tonight's assignment by coaching for Single-A Delmarva last night in its game in Charleston, W.Va. "I love the...

Tags:

orioles brian graham frontstory_orioles3

Orioles and Pirates lineups

May 20, 2014, 11:27am

Orioles

PITTSBURGH - Nick Markakis leads all active players and ranks fourth all-time with a career .336 average in 532 at-bats in interleague play. Guess who's playing right field and leading off tonight for the Orioles? Adam Jones is tied with Paul Konerko and Marcus Thames for the most career homers off Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano (three). Jones (.886) leads the American League and is second to the Braves' Justin Upton (.964) in slugging percentage against left-handed pitching in...

Tags:

orioles adam jones frontstory_orioles1 nick markakis

Updating Bundy's start at extended spring training

May 20, 2014, 10:10am

Orioles

Updating Bundy's start at extended spring training

PITTSBURGH - Dylan Bundy threw 18 pitches today in his first start in an extended spring training game in Sarasota. Bundy, who had progressed to throwing live batting practice before today, allowed two home runs on pitches up in the zone. His fastball was clocked at 90-92 mph. Bundy, 21, is scheduled to work two innings Saturday in another extended spring training game before the Orioles place him on a five-day starter's scheduled in Sarasota. He underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow...

Tags:

orioles dylan bundy johan santana orioles farm report frontfeatured_orioles

Pitchers get to bat in Pittsburgh

May 19, 2014, 5:26pm

Orioles

Wave goodbye to the designated hitter for the next two nights. Enjoy watching Orioles pitchers try to lay down bunts without losing a finger. Zach Britton may get more save chances, but I'd bat him cleanup. He's 5-for-8 with a double and home run in the majors. Britton went 2-for-3 with a run scored in a June 22, 2011 game at PNC Park. Let him swing away. With Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano on the mound tonight, the Orioles' lineup most likely will include Nelson Cruz in left field,...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles1

What's next for Pearce and Young?

May 19, 2014, 10:31am

Orioles

The Marlins released reliever Carlos Marmol today and signed veteran infielder Miguel Tejada to a minor league contract. That sound you hear is the balance of power shifting in the National League East. Or it's my sarcasm. Earlier today, I mentioned how Steve Pearce has practically disappeared since Chris Davis came off the disabled list. The same is true of Delmon Young, another right-handed hitter on the roster. Pearce is batting .271/.327/.521 with three doubles, three homers and six RBIs...

Tags:

orioles delmon young shannon obaker steve pearce frontstory_orioles3

"Because You Asked" - Seventh Inning Fetch

May 18, 2014, 5:55pm

Orioles

"Because You Asked" - Seventh Inning Fetch

The Orioles don't have a game tonight and it has nothing to do with rain. There's an open date on their schedule. Triple-A Norfolk has one, as well, and should savor every second of it. After today, the Tides have one off-day scheduled prior to the All-Star break. They play on 54 of the next 55 days. Heath Bell made his Norfolk debut yesterday and retired the side in order on eight pitches, including six strikes. Fans ask why the Orioles would bother signing Bell, who hasn't really been good...

Tags:

orioles adam jones dylan bundy frontfeatured_orioles heath bell johan santana kevin gausman steve lombardozzi steve pearce zach britton

How to lose a lead (and a game 8-6)

May 18, 2014, 12:47pm

Orioles

Start with playing on Sundays. What is it with the Orioles and Sundays? In the past, it could be traced to managers playing seldom-used reserves while resting certain regulars. Matt Wieters always seemed to sit on that day. That's not necessarily the case anymore, though Wieters has no choice while being on the disabled list. Doesn't matter who's in the lineup. The last day of the weekend brings the same old result. The Orioles lost five of their six Sunday games before today and they...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2

Orioles eliminate the drama in Kansas City (O's down 5-3)

May 18, 2014, 11:29am

Orioles

James Shields didn't flirt with perfection. Not even a wink. The Orioles didn't get their first baserunner off Royals left-hander Danny Duffy last night until Adam Jones singled with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. Shields retired the first six Orioles today before J.J. Hardy singled leading off the top of the third. That won't get your face slapped. David Lough singled, Jonathan Schoop reached on a bunt single and Nick Markakis delivered two runs with a single into right...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles

Orioles and Royals lineups

May 18, 2014, 6:51am

Orioles

In 17 games this month, the Orioles rank third in the majors with a 3.02 ERA and a 2.87 starter ERA. Now, if they could start scoring some runs... The Orioles lost their first 1-0 game last night since Sept. 20, 2008 in the Bronx. It was their first 1-0 game since Oct. 2, 2012 at Tropicana Field, when Chris Davis homered off James Shields, who struck out 15 batters. Shields starts today for the Royals. The last time the Orioles lost a 1-0 game when the first batter of the game scored was...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2

Can Jimenez maintain his May magic?

May 17, 2014, 8:44pm

Orioles

The Orioles have been held to two runs or fewer in five of their last seven games, which tends to put more pressure on their starting pitchers. Such a small margin for error. It may not matter to Ubaldo Jimenez, who has been a completely different pitcher this month. He's no longer coming up small. Jimenez was 0-4 with a 6.59 ERA in five starts in April, with 17 walks and 21 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings. Opponents batted .300 against him. Check out what he's done in May. Jimenez is 2-0 with a...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar ubaldo jimenez frontstory_orioles2

Norris' ERA and the Orioles fall tonight

May 17, 2014, 8:20pm

Orioles

I'll continue to insist that I don't possess the powers to jinx anyone or anything, but as soon as I tweeted tonight that the Orioles didn't have a baserunner through the sixth inning against the Royals, Adam Jones singled up the middle to destroy Danny Duffy's bid for a perfect game. Pure coincidence, but also uncanny. I take a night off and the Orioles almost became a part of history. Duffy, making only his third start this season, retired the first 20 batters. It started to get real...