Roch Kubatko

About last night ...

August 28, 2013, 9:03pm

Orioles

BOSTON - This isn't exactly how the road trip was supposed to unfold. The Orioles will try to avoid being swept tonight at Fenway Park. Then, they'll fly to New York for a three-game series against the Yankees. Then, it's off to Cleveland, which also is ahead of the Orioles in the wild card race. Having fun yet? I scanned Twitter following last night's 4-3 loss while waiting for manager Buck Showalter to meet with reporters. Naturally, I came across more nonsense about how the Orioles...

Tags:

Orioles put in waiver claim on Willingham

August 28, 2013, 8:28pm

Orioles

BOSTON - In their continuing search for a right-handed hitter, the Orioles have put in a waiver claim on Twins outfielder Josh Willingham, an industry source confirmed late tonight. The Orioles are attempting to work out a trade for Willingham, 34, who's batting .215/.347/.391 with 19 doubles, 12 homers and 45 RBIs in 88 games. He's a career .257/.360/.475 hitter with 179 homers in 10 major league seasons with the Marlins, Nationals, Athletics and Twins. Willingham is signed through the...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar josh willingham frontstory_orioles2

Machado and Hunter on 4-3 loss

August 28, 2013, 7:25pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Orioles third baseman Manny Machado raced into shallow left field, his glove raised, his eyes locked on a looping ball off the bat off Red Sox pinch-hitter Mike Carp. He almost had it. He only got air. Carp's single scored Jarrod Saltalamacchia with two outs in the bottom of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie. The Orioles lost 4-3 and fell 4 1/2 games behind the Athletics for the second wild card. "I thought I had it," Machado said. "Just a little bit short. Jumped too early. "I...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2 manny machado tommy hunter

Buck and Bud in Boston

August 28, 2013, 7:12pm

Orioles

BOSTON - The Orioles have lost eight one-run games in a row, the latest a 4-3 defeat to the Red Sox tonight at Fenway Park. Last season, they were 29-9 in one-run games. So much has changed. Manager Buck Showalter watched his club surrender a 3-1 lead, the Red Sox moving ahead on Mike Carp's two-out bloop single in the bottom of the eighth. The ball barely eluded the glove of third baseman Manny Machado as he raced into shallow left field. Boston tied the game in the seventh on Dustin...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter bud norris featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles

Davis breaks tie with Gentile (O's lose 4-3)

August 28, 2013, 5:13pm

Orioles

Davis breaks tie with Gentile (O's lose 4-3)

BOSTON - If you're keeping count, that's 47 home runs for Orioles first baseman Chris Davis. Davis added to his total tonight by jumping on the first pitch from Boston starter John Lackey in the top of the sixth inning. He drove an 85 mph cutter to center field to increase the Orioles' lead to 3-1. Davis also drove in a run in the first with a double, and the homer upped his RBI total to 120. Miguel Tejada owns the club record with 150. Davis now ranks third on the Orioles' single-season...

Tags:

orioles bud norris chris davis frontstory_orioles2

Norris holds onto early lead (Machado homers, O's lead 2-1)

August 28, 2013, 3:35pm

Orioles

Norris holds onto early lead (Machado homers, O's lead 2-1)

BOSTON - Before tonight, Orioles starter Bud Norris had posted a 6.31 ERA in the first inning this season. It dropped to 1.80 in the second and 1.08 in the third, jumped to 8.28 in the fourth, dropped to 2.19 in the fifth and rose to 6.27 in the sixth. Norris has allowed 18 runs in the first, 23 in the fourth and 17 in the sixth. Those are the danger zones. The Orioles gave Norris a 1-0 lead in the top of the first tonight, and he took good care of it in the bottom half, stranding Jacoby...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles

Showalter confirms Chen as Sunday starter

August 28, 2013, 1:57pm

Orioles

Showalter confirms Chen as Sunday starter

BOSTON - Remove "TBA" from Sunday's starter at Yankee Stadium. Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed this afternoon that left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will take the mound in the series finale against the Yankees after being optioned earlier today. Chen will throw a bullpen session at 11 a.m. Thursday and meet up with the team over the weekend. Because he started last night, he will be working on normal rest in the Bronx. Chen already has left the team with his interpreter, Tim Lin....

Tags:

orioles buck showalter kevin gausman ryan flaherty wei-yin chen wilson betemit

Chen optioned to GCL, Gausman talks about latest promotion

August 28, 2013, 12:13pm

Orioles

Chen optioned to GCL, Gausman talks about latest promotion

BOSTON - The Orioles made the expected roster move today, recalling Kevin Gausman from Triple-A Norfolk and optioning left-hander Wei-Yin Chen to the Gulf Coast League team. The GCL Orioles end their season on Thursday, making Chen eligible to return in a few days. However, he's expected back when rosters expand on Sunday. The Orioles list Sunday's starter as TBA. Chen can fill that spot in New York. Gausman was told of his promotion before yesterday's game at Norfolk. "Had a flight at...

Tags:

orioles kevin gausman wei-yin chen frontstory_orioles3

Gausman is in Boston (with lineups and updates)

August 28, 2013, 11:09am

Orioles

Gausman is in Boston (with lineups and updates)

BOSTON - Pitcher Kevin Gausman has joined the Orioles and is currently at Fenway Park. The Orioles haven't announced a roster move. They could option left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, who started last night, and bring him back in a few days. Gausman is 1-2 with a 4.04 ERA in eight games at Triple-A Norfolk, including seven starts. He was 1-3 with a 6.21 ERA in nine games with the Orioles, including five starts. Gausman provides an extra bullpen arm after the Orioles lost to the Red Sox, 13-2, last...

Tags:

orioles bud norris kevin gausman wei-yin chen frontstory_orioles2

It's Norris vs. Lackey tonight

August 28, 2013, 8:25am

Orioles

BOSTON - Wilson Betemit is expected to make his first start tonight with the Orioles facing right-hander John Lackey at Fenway Park. Betemit replaced Chris Davis at first base last night and had one at-bat, resulting in a ground ball to second that completed a 13-2 loss to the Red Sox. Betemit is 1-for-8 with a double and three strikeouts lifetime against Lackey. In a strange twist, left-handers are batting .232 against Lackey this season, while right-handers are batting .275. Trust me,...

Tags:

orioles bud norris frontfeatured_orioles wilson betemit

Orioles' starters need to pitch in

August 27, 2013, 8:42pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Call it a cliche or a tired expression or the foundation of winning teams, but it all starts with starting pitching. Again last night, an Orioles starter fell short as the club fell further behind in the wild card race. The Orioles' rotation has posted a 4.65 ERA this season, ranking 27th in the majors. Only the Astros (4.67), Blue Jays (5.05) and Twins (5.11) are worse. Last season, the Orioles' starters posted a 4.42 ERA that ranked 21st. Honestly, how many of you assumed that...

Tags:

orioles adam jones bud norris chris tillman miguel gonzalez scott feldman wei-yin chen frontstory_orioles2

Chen: "I have to apologize to my team"

August 27, 2013, 7:19pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Orioles pitcher Wei-Yin Chen turned in his worst start as a major leaguer, allowing a career-high eight runs in a career-low 3 2/3 innings in a 13-2 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park. "I have to apologize to my team. I didn't want to hurt my team," Chen said through his interpreter, Tim Lin, while standing outside the visiting clubhouse. "I still have to keep my same approach and do my work, same preparation every day. I just need to work with Billy (Castro) in my bullpen...

Tags:

orioles adam jones featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles matt wieters wei-yin chen

Showalter speaks after 13-2 loss

August 27, 2013, 7:03pm

Orioles

BOSTON - With the Athletics winning tonight, the Orioles now trail them by 3 1/2 games for the second wild card spot in the American League. Orioles manager Buck Showalter stood beside his desk in the visiting clubhouse at Fenway Park and took questions from reporters following tonight's 13-2 loss to the Red Sox. On Boston left-hander Felix Doubront: "He had a basket full of cutters tonight. A lot of cutters, and got in on some bats. We had one opportunity against him and cashed in two,...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter frontfeatured_orioles wei-yin chen frontstory_orioles2

Flaherty headed to Delmarva (O's lose 13-2)

August 27, 2013, 5:23pm

Orioles

Flaherty headed to Delmarva (O's lose 13-2)

BOSTON - Upon further review, Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty will report to low Single-A Delmarva after being optioned today, and he will play for the Shorebirds on Wednesday and Thursday. The Orioles initially said Flaherty have been optioned to Single-A Frederick. The Shorebirds are home against Kannapolis the next two nights before finishing the season at Hickory. Flaherty will become the first major league player to suit up for Delmarva in 2013. The Shorebirds will make a corresponding...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles ryan flaherty frontstory_orioles2

Chen turns in worst major league start (O's down 11-2)

August 27, 2013, 4:57pm

Orioles

Chen turns in worst major league start (O's down 11-2)

BOSTON - This is no way to start an important three-game series and three-city road trip. Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen was charged with eight runs tonight, the most of his major league career. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings, his shortest outing. Chen twice gave up seven runs in a game last season. His shortest start lasted four innings on July 8, 2012 in Anaheim. The Red Sox sent 10 batters to the plate in the fourth, and the last two runs scored on Jonny Gomes' double off Miguel Gonzalez...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles wei-yin chen

Chen gives up rare run in first (O's trail 4-2)

August 27, 2013, 3:46pm

Orioles

Chen gives up rare run in first (O's trail 4-2)

BOSTON - During the 2012 season, Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen posted a 5.91 ERA in the first inning in his 32 starts. He gave up seven home runs. Chen fixed his first inning woes this season, posting a 1.69 ERA over 16 starts. He allowed only one home run. The Red Sox weren't interested in trends tonight, just taking an early lead. Shane Victorino drew a one-out walk off Chen in the bottom of the first, moved to third base on Dustin Pedroia's double off the Green Monster in left field...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles wei-yin chen brian roberts manny machado

Showalter on roster move

August 27, 2013, 2:37pm

Orioles

BOSTON - Wilson Betemit was all smiles today as he passed by reporters and headed to the trainers room inside the visiting clubhouse at Fenway Park. The horrific knee injury in late March that forced Betemit onto the 60-day disabled list is deep in the past. Now, he's ready to contribute at the plate. His first opportunity should come Wednesday night against Red Sox right-hander John Lackey. "It's exciting to get Wilson back. It's been a long road for him," said manager Buck...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter frontfeatured_orioles ryan flaherty wilson betemit

Orioles option Flaherty (updated)

August 27, 2013, 1:13pm

Orioles

BOSTON - The Orioles have optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Single-A Frederick to make room for Wilson Betemit on the 25-man roster. In 75 games for the Orioles this season, Flaherty hit .218 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs. He can return when rosters expand on Sept. 1. Betemit tore the PCL in his right knee during a March 25 exhibition game against the Red Sox, the team he's most likely going to start against on Wednesday. Betemit is on the bench tonight against left-hander Felix...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles ryan flaherty wilson betemit frontstory_orioles2

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (Betemit in Boston)

August 27, 2013, 11:05am

Orioles

BOSTON - Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is back on the mound tonight for the Orioles, who begin an important three-city road trip with a three-game series at Fenway Park. Chen has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 37 of his 48 major league starts, and he has allowed three or fewer in 14 of his 16 starts this season. Danny Valencia and Steve Peace are in tonight's lineup. Neither one would be the corresponding roster move if the Orioles activate Wilson Betemit from the 60-day disabled...

Tags:

orioles adam jones chris davis frontfeatured_orioles wei-yin chen frontstory_orioles2

More Matusz and tonight's matchups

August 27, 2013, 9:03am

Orioles

BOSTON - The Orioles are returning to Fenway Park, where they've won five consecutive series. Left-hander Brian Matusz has only worked 4 1/3 innings this month over eight appearances, but he figures to be busy in Boston. For example, David Ortiz is 1-for-17 with 10 strikeouts lifetime against Matusz, and they're likely to meet again in another late-inning matchup. Dustin Pedroia is 2-for-11 against Matusz. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is 1-for-7 with three strikeouts. Stephen Drew is 0-for-4...