Roch Kubatko

It's a challenge for Cruz to reach RBI milestone (dugouts empty, O's lose 4-2)

April 19, 2014, 11:27am

Orioles

It's a challenge for Cruz to reach RBI milestone (dugouts empty, O's lose 4-2)

BOSTON - Nelson Cruz picked up his second RBI today and the 500th of his career. It came in unorthodox fashion. Cruz was called out on a bouncer behind third base with runners on the corners and two outs in the top of the sixth inning. He immediately signaled that he was safe and manager Buck Showalter strolled onto the field to give Adam Gladstone - who was hired this season to check the video for possible challenges - enough time to review the play. Gladstone doesn't have a formal title....

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The defense rests in the first inning (updated)

April 19, 2014, 10:22am

Orioles

The defense rests in the first inning (updated)

BOSTON - The Orioles no longer have three errors this season. And I'm no longer welcome in manager Buck Showalter's office. Kidding. He doesn't really believe in jinxes. Right? Jonathan Schoop mishandled Mike Napoli's grounder with runners on the corners and one out in the bottom of the first inning, and Dustin Pedroia crossed the plate with the tying run. Schoop was most likely thinking about a double play, especially with David Ortiz lumbering to second base. The Orioles now have...

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Showalter gets defensive

April 19, 2014, 8:28am

Orioles

BOSTON - Steve Clevenger will start behind the plate Monday morning in the series finale against the Red Sox. Matt Wieters is catching this afternoon following a night game. "We talked about it before," said manager Buck Showalter. "We came in with the off-day and it was cool, not very taxing last night. We talked to Matt before this whole thing started and he thought he'd catch the three after the off-day." If the Orioles commit an error today, Showalter is bound to glance up at the...

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Machado gets four at-bats in extended spring training (update)

April 19, 2014, 8:05am

Orioles

Machado gets four at-bats in extended spring training (update)

BOSTON - Manny Machado played five innings at third base this morning in his first extended spring training game. He also received four at-bats and didn't experience any issues with his left knee or calf. Machado hit into a fielder's choice, doubled, struck out and singled. The Orioles don't have an extended game scheduled for Sunday, but they could create one for Machado. Manager Buck Showalter is hopeful that Machado will report to an affiliate next week and begin an injury rehab...

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Orioles, Red Sox lineups and a bunch of notes

April 19, 2014, 6:03am

Orioles

BOSTON - The Orioles are 16-9 at Fenway Park since the altercation between former reliever Kevin Gregg and David Ortiz on July 8, 2011. Coincidence? Probably, but it's still an interesting note. The Orioles are going for their fourth straight victory today, their longest streak since they won five in a row from July 14-22, 2013. Chris Davis is 8-for-18 with a home run against Red Sox left-hander Felix Doubront, and Nick Markakis is 6-for-13. However, Adam Jones is 2-for-19, Matt Wieters...

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Lough trying to raise his game

April 18, 2014, 8:27pm

Orioles

BOSTON - With left-hander Felix Doubront on the mound for the Red Sox this afternoon, there's a good chance that David Lough will begin the game on the bench. The Orioles are more likely to put Nelson Cruz or Delmon Young in left field, which would put Lough on the list of reserves. Lough wasn't in last night's lineup, though the Red Sox started right-hander John Lackey. Manager Buck Showalter went with the hotter hand of Young. Lough is 4-for-32 in 11 games, with a triple, two RBIs, two...

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Hearing from Tillman, Schoop and Matusz

April 18, 2014, 7:40pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Chris Tillman keeps beating the Red Sox and they keep working him over. Tillman was pushed to 122 pitches in five innings in an 8-4 win over the Red Sox, who lost to him for the fourth time in five decisions since the beginning of 2013. He's posted a 2.85 ERA in that span. "It was a struggle," he said. "I knew it was going to be a struggle from the get-go. It was a night where I was battling myself the whole time. Luckily, I was able to execute some pitches when I was in trouble...

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Showalter speaks after 8-4 win

April 18, 2014, 7:15pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter tried hard to get starter Chris Tillman through five innings tonight, knowing his bullpen could easily burn out in a four-game series. Tillman needed 122 pitches to clear the fifth, and he earned the win in the Orioles' 8-4 victory over the Red Sox. "You're trying not to use four or five guys out of the 'pen in the first game," Showalter said. "We've got Toronto behind them and they're tough everywhere, especially up there. That was something I...

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Tillman throws 122 pitches in five innings (O's win 8-4)

April 18, 2014, 5:25pm

Orioles

Tillman throws 122 pitches in five innings (O's win 8-4)

BOSTON - Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman threw 122 pitches tonight, three short of his career high. And he did it in only five innings. The Red Sox do have a knack for driving up a pitch count. Tillman allowed three runs and seven hits, walked four and struck out five. Seventy-one of his 122 pitches were strikes. Tillman threw 125 pitches in 8 1/3 innings on July 4, 2012 in Seattle. Tillman has gone seven innings or more in seven of his last 12 starts. Of the five starts when he...

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Markakis ties Palmeiro and scores game's first run (updated)

April 18, 2014, 3:41pm

Orioles

Markakis ties Palmeiro and scores game's first run (updated)

BOSTON - The Red Sox held a moment of silence before the game for former Orioles public relations director Monica Pence Barlow. Her photo appeared on the video board in center field. Well done. The temperature at first pitch was 39 degrees - same as Wednesday's game at Camden Yards. Nick Markakis doubled on the first offering from John Lackey, bringing the quickest challenge of the season. Boston manager John Farrell thought the ball hit outside the left field line, but the call stood....

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More notes and quotes from Boston

April 18, 2014, 2:19pm

Orioles

BOSTON - I don't know the projected game time temperature tonight at Fenway Park. However, after doing extensive research, I can confirm that it's bitter cold. There's a rumor circulating that a polar bear will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. While wearing a scarf and mittens. The temperature for Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay at Camden Yards was 39 degrees, believed to be the coldest in Baltimore since at least 1988, when first pitch temperature was recorded regularly. The...

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Machado makes extended spring debut on Saturday

April 18, 2014, 1:39pm

Orioles

Machado makes extended spring debut on Saturday

BOSTON - Manny Machado made it through his sliding drills today without a hitch, and he's scheduled to play five innings at third base on Saturday in an extended spring training game in Sarasota. Machado also ran the bases again and took batting practice and infield. No issues with his left knee or calf. "I talked to him today," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's upbeat and ready to go." Showalter estimates that Machado will play three to five games at extended spring training before...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

April 18, 2014, 10:37am

Orioles

BOSTON - For tonight's series opener against the Red Sox, Adam Jones is back in center field one day after serving as the designated hitter. Delmon Young is in left with Nelson Cruz at DH. Chris Tillman takes the mound opposite Boston's John Lackey as the Orioles look to start the series on the right foot. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Delmon Young LF Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Steve Lombardozzi 2B Jonathan Schoop 3B Chris Tillman RHP For...

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Tillman takes his turn tonight in Boston

April 17, 2014, 3:44pm

Orioles

Tillman takes his turn tonight in Boston

With Tuesday's postponement and manager Buck Showalter's decision to push back everyone in the rotation, Chris Tillman gets the start for the Orioles tonight in the opener of a four-game series at Fenway Park. That's not a bad thing. Tillman is 4-2 with a 2.67 ERA in 12 career starts against the Red Sox, and 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA in five starts in Boston, with eight walks and 27 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings. There's also his red-hot start to the 2014 season. Tillman has held opponents to...

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Machado has another good day in Sarasota

April 17, 2014, 1:32pm

Orioles

Machado has another good day in Sarasota

The news on Orioles third baseman Manny Machado remains encouraging, as he's been cleared to further increase his baseball activity before playing in his first game. Machado ran the bases again today and did very well. The same positive report as yesterday. Machado will slide on Friday for the first time, and is scheduled to begin participating in extended spring training games the following day. The Orioles now are estimating that Machado could play in three to five extended spring games...

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Quick update on Machado

April 16, 2014, 8:08pm

Orioles

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado ran the bases earlier today in Sarasota and did fine, according to a team official. Machado will be cutting the bases again on Thursday. Assuming there are no setbacks, he will be cleared to begin playing extended spring training games. Manager Buck Showalter estimated that Machado would play two or three games before going on an injury rehab assignment, which can last up to 20 days for position players. The Orioles would have to determine which...

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This and that

April 16, 2014, 7:26pm

Orioles

Miguel Gonzalez was credited with the win yesterday and Tommy Hunter recorded the save, but Zach Britton garnered lots of attention following the Orioles' 3-0 win over the Rays. His three scoreless innings raised his total to 11 1/3, with only four hits allowed in six outings. His sinker and renewed confidence are the talk of the clubhouse. "He's been phenomenal," Gonzalez said. "I'm happy for him. He's got what he had in (2011) now. He worked hard this offseason and it's paid...

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Britton stays on a roll

April 16, 2014, 12:53pm

Orioles

Left-hander Zach Britton gave the Orioles three more scoreless innings today, raising his total to 11 1/3 this season and creating more discussion over whether he should be starting. Manager Buck Showalter likes Britton in his current role. He's become quite a weapon out of the bullpen. "The first weapon is he can get right-handed and left-handed hitters out. That's huge for a reliever," Showalter said. "He's in a good place right now and you can see it. Presentation-wise as much as...

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Showalter speaks after 3-0 win

April 16, 2014, 12:37pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter covered a variety of topics in his post-game interview following today's 3-0 win over the Ray. For example: The weather "That's why the whole pine tar thing and about gripping the ball and stuff ... to have as good a breaking ball, it amazes me that guys can throw a breaking ball at all in these type of temperatures. It all kind of evens out. The batters don't have a feel. Baseball is such a feel game, which really puts more emphasis on ... We played a really...

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Hearing from Hunter, Wieters, Gonzalez and Jones

April 16, 2014, 12:25pm

Orioles

Hearing from Hunter, Wieters, Gonzalez and Jones

In his first outing today since blowing a save over the weekend against the Blue Jays, Tommy Hunter stranded a runner in the ninth inning and closed out the Orioles' 3-0 win over the Rays. Hunter said the game-tying home run by Toronto's Colby Rasmus wasn't on his mind today. "Still, I feel like I made pitches the other night," he said. "I feel like I had a game plan going in and I executed it to the best I could do. I said it the other day, 'Give the guy credit.' I think I got some...