Roch Kubatko

Cleaning out my notebook

April 09, 2014, 8:39pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Early this morning, the Orioles announced that Chris Tillman, Bud Norris and Ubaldo Jimenez would start the three games against the Blue Jays this weekend at Camden Yards. Tillman was pushed ahead of Norris. The Orioles are off today. No games. Reduced odds that a player will be hurt. Celebrate good times. J.J. Hardy will work out today at Camden Yards to test his lower back. David Lough will rest up after passing his concussion test yesterday in Baltimore. Jemile Weeks will wonder...

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Lough updates his health, Hunter talks about save and more

April 09, 2014, 7:28pm

Orioles

Lough updates his health, Hunter talks about save and more

NEW YORK - Orioles right-hander Bud Norris wasn't used in relief tonight, so he's slated to start one of the games against the Blue Jays this weekend at Camden Yards. Chris Tillman and Ubaldo Jimenez also will pitch. Manager Buck Showalter must decide on the order. David Lough entered tonight's game in the ninth inning as a defensive replacement after undergoing concussion tests earlier today in Baltimore. "I was having the same symptoms I was having in spring training - lightheadedness,...

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orioles adam jones brian matusz david lough featured_sidebar jonathan schoop tommy hunter frontstory_orioles2

Showalter speaks after 5-4 win

April 09, 2014, 7:09pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - The Orioles won their first series in the Bronx since 2012 by holding on for a 5-4 victory at Yankee Stadium. They also posted their first back-to-back victories of 2014. Brian Matusz stranded two runners in the eighth, including one that he inherited, after serving up a home run to Kelly Johnson yesterday. "Brian's done that job for us now for about a year and a half at a real good pace," said manager Buck Showalter. "We know where his heart lies. I knew he was real frustrated...

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orioles brian matusz buck showalter jonathan schoop ryan flaherty frontstory_orioles2

Gonzalez gives Orioles quality start (O's win 5-4)

April 09, 2014, 5:11pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Miguel Gonzalez turned in the Orioles' second quality start of the season tonight, coming out of the game after the sixth with the score tied 3-3. Chris Tillman has the other quality start after allowing one run in 8 1/3 innings in Detroit. Gonzalez allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings, with one walk, three strikeouts and two home runs. He threw 85 pitches, 55 for strikes. Evan Meek replaced Gonzalez, whose pitch count seemed to suggest that he'd keep working into...

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orioles evan meek miguel gonzalez frontstory_orioles2

Schoop muscles up against Tanaka (we're tied)

April 09, 2014, 3:47pm

Orioles

Schoop muscles up against Tanaka (we're tied)

NEW YORK - Jonathan Schoop didn't look like a No. 9 hitter in his first at-bat tonight against Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka. With two runners on base, Schoop homered into the second deck in left field to give the Orioles a 3-0 lead. Matt Wieters singled to start the inning and Steve Lombardozzi singled with one out. Ryan Flaherty grounded into a 3-6 force, and Schoop crushed a Tanaka slider for his second career home run. Pulverized it. The bottom part of the order really has come...

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orioles bud norris frontfeatured_orioles jonathan schoop miguel gonzalez

Showalter responds to Jones' comments

April 09, 2014, 2:34pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter claimed today that he hadn't read Adam Jones' quotes on how the center fielder wants to dish out punishment on fans who run onto the field. Showalter spent part of the morning and afternoon being asked about it and had to catch up. "I haven't read it per se," Showalter said. "I agree with most everything Adam says, but what did he exactly say that makes it newsworthy? He's said that before. A lot of people have said that before. They just...

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adam jones buck showalter frontstory_orioles2 orioles

Lough avoids disabled list

April 09, 2014, 2:05pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - David Lough will return to the Orioles for tonight's game against the Yankees and be available off the bench. No trip to the disabled list. Just a quick trip to Baltimore. Lough underwent concussion tests today and has been cleared. He was experiencing symptoms similar to the ones in spring training that forced the Orioles to shut him down, but doctors ruled out a concussion. Lough is listed as a reserve on the lineup card. Jemile Weeks will return to Triple-A Norfolk without...

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orioles anthony vasquez buck showalter david lough frontfeatured_orioles

Adam Jones comments on his comments

April 09, 2014, 1:09pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones said he hasn't heard from Major League Baseball regarding his comments yesterday on fans who run onto the field, and he's not concerned about it. "My comments weren't malicious or anything like that. It's just my opinion. I'm pretty sure other people have spoken their opinion and gotten nothing," he said. "The players feel like it's something you don't say and I said it." Jones said his phone has been "blowing up." "It's been...

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Hardy expects to play Friday

April 09, 2014, 12:57pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Reporters will meet with manager Buck Showalter at 5:15 p.m. in the visiting dugout at Yankee Stadium, where he can provide an update on David Lough and offer specifics on the injury that could force the outfielder to the disabled list. Meanwhile, shortstop J.J. Hardy provided another update on his back. He's more optimistic about his recovery than in previous days. "Much better now than at any point yesterday," said Hardy, who's been out of the lineup for five of the past six...

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orioles adam jones david lough frontfeatured_orioles jj hardy

Hardy out again, Lough not on DL yet (Orioles and Yankees lineups)

April 09, 2014, 11:28am

Orioles

NEW YORK - J.J. Hardy is out of the Orioles lineup for the fifth time in six games, one day after he expressed hope that he'd be able to play again tonight at Yankee Stadium. On top of that, David Lough is listed on the bench after it appeared he was headed to the disabled list with Jemile Weeks joining the Orioles. Weeks is in New York, but is not listed on tonight's lineup card. Hardy says his back is much better. He will work out on Thursday's off-day and hopes to play on Friday. Lough...

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orioles david lough jj hardy frontstory_orioles2

A few pregame notes from the Bronx (more on Jones)

April 09, 2014, 10:49am

Orioles

A few pregame notes from the Bronx (more on Jones)

NEW YORK - The Orioles and Yankees haven't posted their lineups for tonight's game. Waiting to find out whether J.J. Hardy is back at shortstop. The Orioles collected 20 hits last night, their second-highest output in the Bronx in franchise history. They pounded out 22 hits on June 8, 1986. The Orioles plated multiple runs in four different innings for the first time since April 25, 2013 against the Athletics, according to Elias. According to Retrosheet, the last time the Orioles had all...

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orioles adam jones jj hardy manny machado frontstory_orioles2

Leftovers for breakfast

April 08, 2014, 8:14pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - The Orioles will play under the lights tonight for the first time in six games. Hopefully, they won't be distracted by the moon. It's been a while since they've seen it unless the curtains were open in their hotel rooms. Fans keep asking why the Orioles would recall infielder Jemile Weeks from Triple-A Norfolk to replace outfielder David Lough, who's apparently going on the disabled list. Well, Weeks has played the outfield and he also provides insurance in case shortstop J.J....

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orioles adam jones buck showalter david lough delmon young featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles jemile weeks frontstory_orioles2

More Orioles chatter following 14-5 win

April 08, 2014, 2:06pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Lots of Orioles quotes coming out of the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium. Here's a sampling. Buck Showalter on offense breaking out: "It's not that big of a deal. We can't live in that world. You trust your guys and their track record. These are the best pitchers in the world and you try to keep that in mind. You don't just go up there and say, 'I did this last year.' Nobody cares. And tomorrow will be another challenge. That's what it is. Every day you've got to live...

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orioles adam jones buck showalter delmon young frontstory_orioles2 ryan flaherty wei-yin chen

Lough headed to disabled list

April 08, 2014, 1:54pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Jemile Weeks is headed to New York, and he apparently will take outfielder David Lough's spot on the 25-man roster. I'm hearing that Lough is headed to the disabled list. He didn't play today in the Orioles' 14-5 win over the Yankees. Lough didn't start against New York right-hander Ivan Nova, an unusual occurrence judging by the early pattern established by manager Buck Showalter. Nelson Cruz started in left and Delmon Young served as the designated hitter. Young collected...

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orioles david lough frontfeatured_orioles jemile weeks featured_sidebar

Orioles preparing for roster move (Weeks headed to New York)

April 08, 2014, 1:30pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters today that the club will make "an adjustment" to its roster, with a player headed to the disabled list and another one summoned from Triple-A Norfolk. Showalter didn't want to reveal any names before Wednesday. Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who's missed four of the last five games with spasms and tightness in his lower back, hasn't been told that he's a candidate for the disabled list and reported significant improvement today. "Not me,...

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orioles frontfeatured_orioles jemile weeks jj hardy

We said it wouldn't get weird (O's win 14-5)

April 08, 2014, 11:56am

Orioles

We said it wouldn't get weird (O's win 14-5)

NEW YORK - Before today, Ryan Flaherty's last three-hit game occurred on Aug. 2, 2013 against the Mariners. Before today, Delmon Young's last three-hit game also occurred on Aug. 2, 2013, while playing for the Phillies. Hold me. Chris Davis led off the eighth inning with a single for the Orioles' 17th hit today. Matt Wieters was the only starter without a hit, though he lifted a sacrifice fly in the sixth. That was before Wieters belted a two-run homer off left-hander Vidal Nuno to...

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orioles delmon young josh stinson matt wieters ryan flaherty frontstory_orioles2

Chen giving up hits but holding lead (updated)

April 08, 2014, 11:04am

Orioles

Chen giving up hits but holding lead (updated)

NEW YORK - The Orioles gave left-hander Wei-Yin Chen a six-run lead today and he handed back three runs in the bottom of the fourth. It's never easy in the Bronx. Chen has allowed nine hits in five innings today, increasing his total to 21 over 10 2/3 frames. He's thrown 102 pitches, 65 for strikes. Josh Stinson had been warming in the bullpen with the Orioles holding a 7-4 lead, but he took a seat after Brian McCann grounded out to end the fifth and strand Jacoby Ellsbury at third. Chen...

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orioles delmon young frontfeatured_orioles wei-yin chen

Jones homers and Orioles getting production from bottom of order (updated)

April 08, 2014, 9:40am

Orioles

NEW YORK - The Orioles jumped on Yankees starter Ivan Nova for three runs in the first inning today, another fast start for a team that's lost five of seven games. The Orioles have scored six runs in the first inning and eight in the ninth. Nick Markakis and Delmon Young opened with singles and Chris Davis lifted a sacrifice fly. Adam Jones followed with a two-run homer, his first of the season, on a 92 mph fastball. Jones had been 7-for-35 against Nova. Young is 8-for-13 with two homers,...

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orioles adam jones chris davis delmon young frontfeatured_orioles jonathan schoop wei-yin chen

Hardy's back improved

April 08, 2014, 7:50am

Orioles

NEW YORK - The sun is out and the Orioles are taking batting practice and doing infield drills. The temperature actually is rising. Imagine the possibilities. Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters this morning that shortstop J.J. Hardy is feeling "a lot better" despite being out of the lineup for the fourth time in five games with lingering tightness in his lower back. Showalter indicated that Hardy should be available today, though he would make the same claim if it weren't true...

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orioles jj hardy manny machado frontstory_orioles2

Hardy still out, plus Orioles and Yankees lineups

April 08, 2014, 5:15am

Orioles

NEW YORK - It's another rainy and cold morning in the Bronx. Still waiting for baseball weather to kick in and no longer make me feel as though I should be waiting for a coin toss and the opening kickoff. Much more of this and I'll be setting up an interview with the Orioles' special teams coach. J.J. Hardy is again out of the lineup, as he's sidelined for the fourth time in five games because of spasms and tightness in his lower back. Ryan Flaherty is at shortstop with Steve Lombardozzi...