Roch Kubatko

Leading off for the Orioles: Manny Machado

September 20, 2013, 11:47am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is breaking out a new lineup tonight, one that includes Manny Machado as the leadoff hitter. Machado has never batted first, but he's doing it tonight. Adam Jones moves up to second - he's started in that slot in 135 career games - followed by Chris Davis and Danny Valencia. Looks like Showalter is trying to jump-start the offense. Ben Zobrist is 5-for-9 with a double and home run against Orioles starter Jason Hammel. James Loney is...

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Jones approaching another milestone

September 20, 2013, 9:28am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones broke up John Lackey's no-hit bid last night with a home run in the seventh inning. When Jones crossed home plate, he needed only two more runs to become the fourth Orioles outfielder to hit 30 homers and record at least 100 runs and 100 RBIs in the same season. He's on the verge of joining Frank Robinson (1966 and 1969), Brady Anderson (1996) and Albert Belle (1999), according to STATS. The Orioles have 10 games remaining. Can Jones...

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Leftovers for breakfast

September 19, 2013, 7:04pm

Orioles

BOSTON - One big series down, another one coming up. The Orioles took two of three games from the Red Sox, last night's defeat leaving them two back in the wild card race. They flew into Tampa early this morning and begin a four-game series tonight at Tropicana Field, with Jason Hammel opposing left-hander David Price. I'm booked on a 6:20 a.m. flight out of Boston that stops in Atlanta for a scheduled 1 hour, 10 minute layover. Once I arrive in Tampa, I'll make the drive to St....

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Hearing from Jones, Roberts and Tillman after 3-1 loss

September 19, 2013, 6:53pm

Orioles

Hearing from Jones, Roberts and Tillman after 3-1 loss

BOSTON - The Orioles weren't satisfied tonight with winning another series. Taking two of three from the Red Sox left them cold. "Who cares about getting two out of three?" said center fielder Adam Jones following a 3-1 loss. "At this point and time, winning the series means nothing. We need wins is all. Good job getting the series if this was June, but it's September. We need wins." "At this point, you need Ws. Lots of them," said second baseman Brian Roberts. "Winning two is...

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Showalter speaks after 3-1 loss

September 19, 2013, 6:34pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter still hasn't named a starter for Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field, choosing to wait until Jason Hammel pitches on Friday. If Showalter needs a long reliever, he could end up using one of his candidates - Miguel Gonzalez or Bud Norris. "Ham hasn't exactly been throwing seven, eight (innings), 100-plus pitches, so if we have to get him early and use somebody else, I just want to leave our options open," Showalter said following tonight's 3-1 loss...

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Tough times for Tillman (O's lose 3-1)

September 19, 2013, 4:04pm

Orioles

BOSTON - The first four hits off Orioles starter Chris Tillman went for extra bases tonight, and the game had only progressed to the bottom of the second inning. One out in the bottom of the second inning. Tillman is off his game, and the Orioles trail the Red Sox 3-0 in the top of the third. Tillman has thrown 53 pitches. He received one visit from pitching coach Bill Castro. No one is warming in the bullpen. Dustin Pedroia led off the first with a double and David Ortiz walked with one...

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Still waiting on Saturday starter

September 19, 2013, 1:48pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter has narrowed the field of Saturday starter candidates to right-handers Miguel Gonzalez and Bud Norris. Showalter said he most likely will make the announcement before tonight's game. "I need to have one other conversation," Showalter said. "Miggy threw some in the bullpen today and felt good, so that's encouraging. He's an option. I'll have one more conversation during or after BP." Showalter said there's another factor that could influence...

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Updates on Gonzalez and O'Day

September 19, 2013, 12:55pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Miguel Gonzalez threw a light bullpen session today and said he felt good. No issues related to the right groin strain that forced him out of Sunday's game in Toronto. Gonzalez said he's ready to start for the Orioles on Saturday if given the ball. That decision is pending. Manager Buck Showalter may announce his starter later this afternoon. Bud Norris also is a consideration. Reliever Darren O'Day, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 7, is available tonight out of the...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

September 19, 2013, 10:45am

Orioles

BOSTON - Matt Wieters caught all 12 innings of last night's game against the Red Sox and he's back in the Orioles lineup tonight for the series finale at Fenway Park. Since 2010, Wieters leads all major league catchers with 174 extra-base hits, followed by Yadier Molina with 173. The next-closest catcher is A.J. Pierzynski with 155. The Orioles are trying to build their first four-game winning streak since they won five straight from July 14-22. The All-Star break arrived after the first...

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Tillman takes his next turn tonight

September 19, 2013, 8:36am

Orioles

BOSTON - Chris Tillman will seek his 17th win tonight and the Orioles will attempt to sweep the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Tillman is 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA in nine career starts against the Red Sox. He's 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four starts at Fenway Park, with five earned runs allowed over 23 1/3 innings. Tillman's career ERA against the Red Sox is more than two runs per game better than his ERA against any other American League East club. He's posted a 4.18 ERA in nine starts vs. the Blue Jays,...

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More on the Orioles' record-setting defense

September 18, 2013, 9:40pm

Orioles

BOSTON - After registering their 81st win last night, the Orioles are assured of their second consecutive non-losing season. I'm fairly certain that they're not aiming for .500, though. Dropping their last 11 games would probably be considered a huge disappointment. It's impossible to overstate the importance of the defense in the Orioles' transformation from punchline to playoff contender. They've played 114 errorless games this season, the most in baseball since 1900. The Orioles were...

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Showalter on Davis: "I'm going to run out of adjectives for what he's done"

September 18, 2013, 8:34pm

Orioles

Showalter on Davis: "I'm going to run out of adjectives for what he's done"

BOSTON - Eighteen of the Orioles' last 24 games have been decided by two runs or fewer, including tonight's 5-3, 12-inning victory over the Red Sox. The bullpen really comes into play in these situations, and it shined tonight under the lights at Fenway Park. Darren O'Day wasn't available after rejoining the team earlier today, but he should be ready for Thursday night's series finale. Manager Buck Showalter wanted to give him one more day to rest after Tuesday's bullpen session in...

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Hearing from Davis and Gausman following 5-3, 12-inning win

September 18, 2013, 8:20pm

Orioles

Hearing from Davis and Gausman following 5-3, 12-inning win

BOSTON - The Orioles trail the Rangers by one game in the wild card race following tonight's 5-3, 12-inning win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Show of hands if you counted them out before this series. Don't be shy. "I think we obviously know what's going on with the race, and the fact there's another wild card team out there, it makes things more interesting," said first baseman Chris Davis. "I think this is what they wanted when they threw in another wild card. But we've just got...

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Game moves to the 11th inning (O's win 5-3 in 12 innings)

September 18, 2013, 6:38pm

Orioles

Game moves to the 11th inning (O's win 5-3 in 12 innings)

BOSTON - The Orioles are trying to improve on their 7-5 record in extra innings, and they don't care how long it takes. Tonight's game has moved to the top of the 11th inning with the score tied 3-3. Tommy Hunter allowed a leadoff bloop single to Shane Victorino in the bottom of the 10th, but David Ortiz grounded into a rare 6-5-3 double play. That sort of thing happens when the infield shifts. Ortiz was 7-for-23 with a double and three homers against Hunter. He's 1-for-20 with 12...

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Valencia stays hot and Orioles tie game (Hunter pitching the ninth)

September 18, 2013, 4:57pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Is it worth mentioning that Danny Valencia was batting .209 against right-handers before tonight? The average is actually climbing, and Valencia gave it another lift with a leadoff single in the top of the fifth inning that ended Jake Peavy's no-hit bid. Valencia scored on Matt Wieters' double to the deepest part of the ballpark in center field, and Wieters came home with the tying run on Brian Roberts' one-out double to left-center. Nate McLouth struck out for the third time and...

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Game update and more notes (updated)

September 18, 2013, 3:36pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen had allowed only four runs in the first inning before tonight. David Ortiz tacked on two more with one huge swing. Ortiz's two-run shot into right field gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead over the Orioles. Ortiz struck a pose at home plate, as if posing for a statue. As if he actually were the statue. Chen posted a 1.80 ERA in the first inning in his 20 starts before tonight, compared to 5.91 in his 32 starts last season. He allowed only one home run in...

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Gonzalez a candidate to start Saturday

September 18, 2013, 2:08pm

Orioles

BOSTON - In the latest installment of "As the Rotation Turns," Orioles manager Buck Showalter suggested today that Miguel Gonzalez could start Saturday afternoon against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Gonzalez left Sunday's start in Toronto in the sixth inning with a strained right groin, and he experienced some mild discomfort while playing catch yesterday at Fenway Park. However, he's feeling much better today and is scheduled to throw a light bullpen session on Thursday. Showalter will...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

September 18, 2013, 11:19am

Orioles

BOSTON - Darren O'Day is listed among the relievers on tonight's lineup card, so he'll be in uniform for the Orioles against the Red Sox. Danny Valencia's hot streak has earned him another start as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Danny Valencia DH Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Brian Roberts 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Red Sox Dustin Pedroia 2B Shane Victorino CF David Ortiz DH Mike Napoli 1B Jonny Gomes...

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Looking back on last night's win

September 17, 2013, 9:02pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters produced his 11th sacrifice fly last night, tops in the majors, to score the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning. Wieters had been tied with Cincinnati's Zack Cozart. Forty-eight of Chris Davis' 51 home runs this season have come as a first baseman, tying Jim Thome (2002) for the most at the position in the American League since 1974. Third baseman Manny Machado was having a frustrating night. Two errors, a missed tag and two popups to short...

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Hearing from Showalter and Feldman after 3-2 win (and wild card update)

September 17, 2013, 7:33pm

Orioles

Hearing from Showalter and Feldman after 3-2 win (and wild card update)

BOSTON - Seventeen of the Orioles' last 23 games have been decided by two runs or fewer. Tonight, they improved to 7-10 in that span. It wasn't easy and it sure wasn't pretty, but the Orioles rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Here's a sampling of comments from manager Buck Showalter: On Scott Feldman and the ninth inning: "Scotty bent, but he didn't break. I know he was frustrated because his command is usually good. He had three or four curveballs that could...