Roch Kubatko

Game update and more notes (O's down 3-0)

May 22, 2014, 3:41pm

Orioles

Game update and more notes (O's down 3-0)

Wei-Yin Chen retired the Indians in order on three ground balls in the top of the first tonight, a clean inning following last night's mess in Pittsburgh. However, Ryan Raburn led off the second with his first home run of the season to give Cleveland an early lead. Raburn jumped on a 93 mph fastball on a 2-2 count. Chen has allowed only two runs in the first inning and two in the second this season. Nick Markakis singled in the bottom of the first. He's 16-for-39 (.410) as the first batter...

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Brach relieved to be in bullpen tonight

May 22, 2014, 1:43pm

Orioles

Brad Brach showed up at Camden Yards today, lifted weights, did some running and tried to avoid making eye contact. Brach knew he was a logical candidate to be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after throwing 47 pitches over four innings last night in Pittsburgh, but the Orioles placed Tommy Hunter on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin and recalled reliever Preston Guilmet. Brach was safe at home. "As soon as I got done, that was one of my first thoughts, but when you have...

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Davis set to leave team on Sunday

May 22, 2014, 12:55pm

Orioles

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is expected to miss Sunday's game at Camden Yards and Monday afternoon's game in Milwaukee for the birth of his first child. Doctors will induce labor if Davis' wife, Jill, doesn't have the baby by Sunday. The Orioles will place Davis on paternity leave and bring up a player from the minors, with infielders Jemile Weeks and Steve Lombardozzi the prime candidates. Steve Pearce can play first base while Davis is gone. Davis would rejoin the team Monday...

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Hunter on disabled list, Guilmet recalled and Orioles lineup

May 22, 2014, 11:29am

Orioles

The Orioles placed reliever Tommy Hunter on the 15-day disabled list today with a strained left groin. The move is retroactive to yesterday. To take Hunter's place, the Orioles recalled reliever Preston Guilmet from Triple-Norfolk. He's in the clubhouse and available to pitch tonight. Brad Brach remains with the club despite working four innings last night. Hunter, 27, is 1-1 with a 6.06 ERA in 16 1/3 innings. He's recorded 11 saves in 14 chances, and has allowed 31 baserunners. Hunter...

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Orioles to face Masterson tonight (with Indians lineup)

May 22, 2014, 8:51am

Orioles

The Indians announced today that right-hander Justin Masterson will make tonight's start against the Orioles at Camden Yards. Masterson was scheduled to pitch Friday night, but he's taking Josh Tomlin's place tonight on short rest. Tomlin worked three innings in relief yesterday against the Tigers. The Indians haven't announced their starter for Friday. One game at a time. Wei-Yin Chen starts the series opener for the Orioles. Bud Norris, Ubaldo Jimenez and Miguel Gonzalez will start the...

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This and that

May 21, 2014, 8:58pm

Orioles

PITTSBURGH - The Orioles split six games on their road trip, found their offense and lost at least one reliever. Sounds about right. Brad Brach figures to be optioned after working four innings last night. The Orioles need another long man. And someone could be headed to the disabled list. Manager Buck Showalter wouldn't reveal the name, only that the Orioles were short one reliever. Could it be Tommy Hunter? He pitched Tuesday night, but something may have cropped up yesterday. As I wrote...

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Tillman, Joseph, Cruz and Showalter following 9-8 loss

May 21, 2014, 7:47pm

Orioles

Tillman, Joseph, Cruz and Showalter following 9-8 loss

PITTSBURGH - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the team was down a reliever tonight and suggested that the disabled list could come into play. Brad Brach, Brian Matusz and Ryan Webb pitched tonight and Troy Patton warmed up in the eighth. Darren O'Day appeared to be fine in the clubhouse. Zach Britton had his right ankle wrapped after the game, but it could be routine maintenance. Tommy Hunter wasn't in the clubhouse while reporters were conducting interviews. Stay tuned. Preston...

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Pearce ties game in seventh (O's lose 9-8)

May 21, 2014, 6:10pm

Orioles

Pearce ties game in seventh (O's lose 9-8)

PITTSBURGH - The Pirates gambled and lost tonight in the seventh inning. Their lead also was lost. Pirates reliever Bryan Morris issued an intentional walk to pinch-hitter Steve Clevenger after falling behind in the count, loading the bases with one out for pinch-hitter Steve Pearce. The Orioles trailed 8-7. Pearce was 10-for-24 with three doubles, a home run and eight RBIs lifetime against the Pirates. Hence, the gamble. Pearce fouled off two straight 97 mph sinkers, leaving the count...

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Brach provides needed relief (updated)

May 21, 2014, 5:25pm

Orioles

PITTSBURGH - Brad Brach hadn't gone more than two innings in a major league appearance before tonight. He hadn't gone more than three as a professional. The Orioles needed length from him tonight after starter Chris Tillman's hasty exit, and he responded with four scoreless innings. The Pirates continue to lead the Orioles 8-6 as Brian Matusz works the bottom of the sixth. Brach allowed two hits after replacing Tillman with no outs in the second, including Ike Davis' RBI single. He...

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First inning bites Tillman again, but O's knock out Rodriguez (Tillman done)

May 21, 2014, 4:20pm

Orioles

First inning bites Tillman again, but O's knock out Rodriguez (Tillman done)

PITTSBURGH - Chris Davis' home run streak ended tonight at three consecutive at-bats. He grounded out to end the top of the first inning and strand Nick Markakis at third base. David did produce the tying run in the top of the second with an infield hit. They don't all have to travel 400 feet. Davis was retired in the first inning on a 75 mph curveball from Pirates left-hander Wandy Rodriguez. Has anyone called him "Magic Wandy," or am I the first? If so, it's because he made the...

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Talking to Showalter before tonight's game

May 21, 2014, 1:50pm

Orioles

Talking to Showalter before tonight's game

PITTSBURGH - The Orioles are braced for a different starter to face them Thursday night when the Indians visit Camden Yards. But which one? The Indians used nine pitchers today in their 11-10, 13-inning victory over the Tigers, including Josh Tomlin, who had been listed as Thursday's starter. Tomlin threw the last three innings and was credited with the win despite allowing a run in the top of the 13th. The game ended with Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque committing a balk with the bases...

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Notes on Schoop's glove, Wieters' elbow and more

May 21, 2014, 12:51pm

Orioles

Notes on Schoop's glove, Wieters' elbow and more

PITTSBURGH - The Orioles won't be facing Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Camden Yards. Tomlin is pitching in relief today in the 11th inning. The Indians bullpen is being chewed to bits. The Orioles sent left-hander Wei-Yin Chen to Baltimore today ahead of the team. He left the clubhouse a little while ago in preparation for Thursday night's start. Single-A Frederick right-hander Matt Hobgood has been reinstated from the seven-day...

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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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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'...

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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...

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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...