Roch Kubatko

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...

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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...

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Matusz stays focused on what matters

August 26, 2013, 6:10pm

Orioles

It's a little early to be focusing on the Orioles' offseason decisions, considering that they've still got four days to acquire a hitter for their playoff roster and an important road trip that begins tonight in Boston. But I'm more than a little curious about their plans for left-hander Brian Matusz. The Orioles selected Matusz with the fourth pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft because they envisioned him as a top-of-the-rotation starter, not a left-handed specialist out of the...

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Urrutia hits grand slam tonight

August 26, 2013, 5:53pm

Orioles

Henry Urrutia hit a grand slam tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, and it came against former Oriole Freddy Garcia, who was traded last week to the Atlanta Braves and is pitching for Gwinnett. Urrutia went 2-for-6 and drove in five runs. The Orioles are expected to recall Urrutia when rosters expand next month, though it's still being discussed. Garcia allowed eight runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, with five walks, one strikeout and two wild pitches. Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada allowed one...

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Orioles move Alvarez to Bowie, release Ford (updated)

August 26, 2013, 11:41am

Orioles

Cuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez continues to move up the organizational ladder. The Orioles have promoted Alvarez, 24, to Double-A Bowie after he batted .436/.463/.641 with two doubles, two homers and seven RBIs in 10 games with Single-A Frederick. Alvarez went 4-for-9 in three games with the Gulf Coast League team, including two doubles, a triple and a home run. The Orioles signed Alvarez for $800,000 in late July. To make room for Alvarez at Bowie, the Orioles have released veteran...

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A few notes on Orioles' 2014 schedule

August 26, 2013, 10:52am

Orioles

The Orioles will open the 2014 season at home against the Boston Red Sox on March 31 after starting out in St. Petersburg, Fla., against the Tampa Bay Rays for three of the past four years. The three-game series against the Red Sox will continue from April 2-3 after an off-day. The Orioles will release their schedule later in the year, complete with dates and times. In the meantime, I'll pass along a few other details that I've heard along the way. The Orioles' first road series next...

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What's happening with the Orioles' roster this week?

August 25, 2013, 7:20pm

Orioles

The Orioles are indulging in their next-to-last off-day of the regular season. The fifth in August, leaving them with one in September. Who made out this schedule? They were off Thursday and they're idle again today. Was that really necessary? The roster figures to undergo some changes this week, beginning with Wilson Betemit's arrival in Boston. Is Betemit ready? Probably not. He's not moving with 100 percent efficiency. But his rehab assignment ends today and the Orioles don't have...

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Duquette on his 1,000th win

August 25, 2013, 3:10pm

Orioles

The Orioles won their 70th game today, which also produced the 1,000th career victory for Dan Duquette while he's been in charge of a major league team. Duquette's teams were 930-786 coming into the 2013 season, his second as the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations. "One of my first wins in Montreal when I got the job to be the GM was in September in 1991, after Dave Dombrowski went to Miami to build the Marlins," Duquette recalled. "I got the opportunity to...

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Showalter speaks after 10-3 win

August 25, 2013, 1:41pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter considered giving Nick Markakis the afternoon off today, but changed his mind after considering how the sun was going to present challenges in the outfield. Markakis is a plus defender. Showalter wanted him out there in unfavorable conditions, the kind that seemed to bother Oakland's outfielders all afternoon. "I'm glad I talked myself out of that one," Showalter said. Markakis doubled and homered to end two droughts in the Orioles' 10-3 victory over the...

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Hardy adds to Orioles home run total (O's win 10-3)

August 25, 2013, 12:10pm

Orioles

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy led off the bottom of the sixth inning with his 23rd home run of the season, increasing the lead to 7-1. The Orioles have hit 173 home runs this season to lead the majors. They've also allowed 163 homers, tying them with the Blue Jays for most in the majors. Interesting, right? Maybe more than you realized. According to STATS, if the Orioles finish in the lead in homers hit and allowed, they will be the first team in either league to do so since the 1950...

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Markakis ends extra-base hit drought (Feldman done after fifth)

August 25, 2013, 11:04am

Orioles

Markakis ends extra-base hit drought (Feldman done after fifth)

Though Nick Markakis continues to wait for his next home run, he's no longer thirsting for an extra-base hit. The drought is over. Markakis lined a double into right-center field off Oakland rookie Sonny Gray with one out in the bottom of the third inning. He hadn't collected an extra-base hit since July 19 in Texas, a span of 31 games. Seattle shortstop Brendan Ryan still has the longest streak this season, going the first 32 games without an extra-base hit. Markakis advanced to third...

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Orioles take one-run lead (now four-run lead)

August 25, 2013, 10:16am

Orioles

The Orioles are 12-6 in the finale of a three-games series that decides the winner, going 6-3 at home and 6-3 on the road. They split the first two games of this series against the Athletics, so that statistic is going to change. Scott Feldman threw 29 pitches in a 16-minute top of the first inning. He walked two batters, committed a balk and gave up Alberto Callaspo's two-out bloop single into right field. Ryan Flaherty, running full speed, almost made a diving catch. If Nick Markakis...

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Hammel completes another bullpen session, and other notes

August 25, 2013, 8:55am

Orioles

Hammel completes another bullpen session, and other notes

Jason Hammel threw 60 pitches in the bullpen today and will report to Double-A Bowie for Thursday's game against Binghamton. "As of right now, everything is good to go," Hammel said. "I threw an extra inning's worth of pitches today. I probably threw 45 like I did yesterday, and then after that I did some sequences, throwing all pitches to simulated batters, stuff like that." The Orioles want Hammel to throw 45-50 pitches for Bowie on Thursday and are hoping to get him through three...

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Sunday lineups for A's and Orioles

August 25, 2013, 7:44am

Orioles

Yesterday, Brian Roberts played second base and Ryan Flaherty was the designated hitter in the Orioles lineup. Today, they've switched roles for the finale of a three-game series against the A;s. Flaherty is at second base and Roberts is the DH against A's rookie Sonny Gray. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Brian Roberts DH Scott Feldman RHP For the Athletics: Coco Crisp CF Jed...

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Sunday version of this and that

August 24, 2013, 8:53pm

Orioles

Despite yesterday's loss, the Orioles already have clinched their first season series over the Athletics since 1998. So, you know, there's always that. The Orioles trail the all-time series, 249-251, and I largely blame Sal Bando and Herb Washington. And a little bit of Bill North. You're not completely innocent, Dick Green. The Orioles are 14-23 in one-run games this season and have lost seven in a row. That's one of the biggest differences from 2012. Today's starter, Scott Feldman,...

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Showalter speaks after 2-1 loss

August 24, 2013, 3:33pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he wasn't tempted to bring back Chris Tillman for the top of the ninth inning in a 1-1 tie. "I thought it was a little tougher bringing him out for the eighth, but that's where we are," Showalter said. Darren O'Day replaced Tillman and served up Coco Crisp's leadoff home run in a 2-1 loss to the Athletics. Tillman held the A's to one run and three hits, with two walks and nine strikeouts. He was gone after 115 pitches, two short of his season...

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Tillman's outstanding effort won't produce 15th win (O's lose 2-1)

August 24, 2013, 2:35pm

Orioles

Tillman's outstanding effort won't produce 15th win (O's lose 2-1)

Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman remains stuck on 14 wins. Tillman was superb today, holding the Athletics to one run and three hits over eight innings, with two walks and nine strikeouts. He retired the last seven batters he faced, striking out four. Unfortunately for Tillman and the Orioles, the game remains tied 1-1 as Darren O'Day enters in the top of the ninth. Jim Johnson was warming in case of a save situation. Tillman struck out the first two batters he faced in the eighth and...

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Flaherty hits eighth home run (we're tied)

August 24, 2013, 1:07pm

Orioles

Flaherty hits eighth home run (we're tied)

The Orioles haven't abandoned hope of adding a hitter this month, according to a club official. They continue to check the waiver wire and remain hopeful that a deal gets done before the Aug. 31 deadline to set playoff rosters. Nothing appears to be hot at the moment, and the Orioles are presently focused on choosing their call-ups for their expanded roster. In the meantime, Ryan Flaherty would like to remain the left-handed designated hitter and occasional starter at second base. He's the...

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Hammel expected to start Thursday at Bowie

August 24, 2013, 10:21am

Orioles

Hammel expected to start Thursday at Bowie

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel is scheduled to make his first injury-rehab start on Thursday at Double-A Bowie. The club also discussed Wednesday as a possibility, but Hammel is expected to take the mound Thursday against Binghamton. The Orioles want Hammel to pitch in two minor league games before activating him from the disabled list and placing him on the expanded roster. He could be used as a reliever in the second game and remain in that role with the Orioles. Hammel, on the DL since...

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O's and A's lineups

August 24, 2013, 8:18am

Orioles

Ryan Flaherty is serving as the designated hitter today against Oakland right-hander Jarrod Parker, and Brian Roberts is starting at second base. Nick Markakis is batting sixth again between Matt Wieters and J.J. Hardy. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty DH Brian Roberts 2B Chris Tillman RHP For the Athletics Coco Crisp DH Jed Lowrie SS Josh Donaldson 3B Brandon Moss 1B Yoenis...