Roch Kubatko

Hardy out of lineup

August 18, 2013, 7:12am

Orioles

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy isn't starting for the second consecutive game, though he's available as a pinch-hitter. Hardy said his back feels "100 percent better." The spasms are gone, but he felt a little tightness while moving around the field. Nothing when he took 25 swings. Manager Buck Showalter is being careful with Hardy, who said he could have started today if needed. Instead, the Orioles have all three second basemen in their lineup for the first time this season. Alexi...

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Feldman looking for better results at home

August 17, 2013, 8:43pm

Orioles

Feldman looking for better results at home

Scott Feldman gets another chance today to make himself feel right at home in Camden Yards. Feldman is 1-3 with a 7.66 ERA in his four starts in Baltimore since being acquired from the Cubs on July 2, allowing 19 earned runs over 22 1/3 innings. Feldman surrendered seven runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Rangers, three runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays, four runs and six hits in five innings against the Red Sox, and five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3...

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Showalter on Hardy, Stinson, Rodriguez and Norris

August 17, 2013, 7:28pm

Orioles

Showalter on Hardy, Stinson, Rodriguez and Norris

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was alerted to shortstop J.J. Hardy's back spasms during batting practice this afternoon and made the decision to remove him from the lineup. Hardy said he could have played, but he was reduced to spectator in the Orioles' 8-4 win over the Rockies at Camden Yards. "He felt it a little bit yesterday, but they did some treatment and everything and it loosened up and was no problem for the most part," Showalter said. "He wanted to play today. He wanted to go....

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Norris doesn't make it through the sixth (O's win 8-4)

August 17, 2013, 5:35pm

Orioles

Norris doesn't make it through the sixth (O's win 8-4)

Bud Norris had a seven-run lead tonight, a chance to give the Orioles a quality start and a reason to rest the bullpen. Norris is now sitting on the bench after slamming his glove on it, the lead is down to four runs and manager Buck Showalter has used two relievers as we enter the bottom of the sixth. Norris was charged with four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings, with three walks, five strikeouts and a hit batter. He threw 95 pitches, 64 for strikes. The Rockies scored twice in the sixth...

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First inning challenges Norris again (O's lead 8-1)

August 17, 2013, 3:30pm

Orioles

First inning challenges Norris again (O's lead 8-1)

Orioles pitcher Bud Norris has allowed 17 runs in the first inning this season, including one tonight to fall behind the Rockies 1-0 at Camden Yards. Norris is fortunate that he only surrendered one run after allowing two hits and walking two batters. Troy Tulowitzki grounded into a 6-4-3 double play after Dexter Fowler walked and took third on Corey Dickerson's single. Norris walked two batters in each of his first three starts with the Orioles. He's already matched that total...

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New Orioles lineup vs. Rockies

August 17, 2013, 1:55pm

Orioles

Steve Pearce has entered the Orioles' lineup as the designated hitter, batting seventh, after shortstop J.J. Hardy was scratched because of back spasms. Ryan Flaherty will play shortstop and bat eighth. Hardy's 11-game hitting streak came to an end last night. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Steve Pearce DH Ryan Flaherty SS Brian Roberts 2B Bud Norris RHP

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Hardy scratched from Orioles lineup (updated)

August 17, 2013, 1:43pm

Orioles

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has been scratched from tonight's lineup. No reason was given, so stay tuned for updates. Ryan Flaherty will start at shortstop and Steve Pearce will serve as the designated hitter. I'll post the new lineup once it becomes available. The Orioles already had a short bench tonight. Now it's really short, with Alexi Casilla and Taylor Teagarden perhaps the only players available. Hardy has played in 120 of 121 games this season. Hardy seemed fine earlier today,...

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Pregame notes and Rockies lineup

August 17, 2013, 12:49pm

Orioles

Orioles reliever Francisco Rodriguez won't be available for tonight's game against the Rockies, but he's avoided the disabled list. Rodriguez left last night's game in the eighth inning with a strained right groin. He's feeling better and will attempt to play catch today. Jason Hammel will do some long-tossing again today and take off Sunday. Hammel could throw from a mound on Monday or Tuesday. Wilson Betemit's injury-rehab assignment runs through Aug. 25, with the last four games...

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Orioles lineup vs. Rockies

August 17, 2013, 11:30am

Orioles

Chris Davis is batting third again tonight for the Orioles, with Nick Markakis lowered to fifth. Manager Buck Showalter used the same alignment last night. Ryan Flaherty is serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty DH Brian Roberts 2B Bud Norris RHP

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Stinson headed to Baltimore

August 17, 2013, 6:13am

Orioles

The Orioles will recall pitcher Josh Stinson from Triple-A Norfolk to provide an extra bullpen arm for tonight's game against the Colorado Rockies at Camden Yards. The team will make the announcement this afternoon. Stinson will replace outfielder Henry Urrutia on the 25-man roster. Urrutia was optioned following last night's 6-3 loss. Stinson worked six innings Tuesday night for Norfolk, making him more available than other candidates on the Tides' pitching staff. He skipped his bullpen...

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Upon further review, Showalter likes changes to replay system

August 16, 2013, 8:10pm

Orioles

Upon further review, Showalter likes changes to replay system

Major League Baseball will expand its video review process next season. More plays will be subject to review. Managers will be allowed up to three challenges each game. Manager Buck Showalter has been too busy to give the changes a thorough examination, but he had a few quick impressions. He wonders why only one challenge is allowed through the first six innings. Is MLB suggesting that those innings aren't as important as the seventh through the ninth? And I sense that he'd like for balls...

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Orioles preparing to add pitcher (Urrutia optioned)

August 16, 2013, 6:48pm

Orioles

The Orioles seem confident that reliever Francisco Rodriguez will avoid the disabled list despite leaving tonight's game with a strained right groin. However, they're expected to make a roster move to add another pitcher for their bullpen. "We're probably going to have to get an arm here tomorrow," said manager Buck Showalter following a 6-3 loss to the Rockies. "We're getting a little short down there, especially with probably not wanting to push Frankie tomorrow. We'll have to wait...

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K-Rod leaves game with injury (Johnson serves up HR, O's lose 6-3)

August 16, 2013, 5:29pm

Orioles

K-Rod leaves game with injury (Johnson serves up HR, O's lose 6-3)

Orioles reliever Francisco Rodriguez gave up a home run in the eighth inning tonight and left the game with an undisclosed injury after retiring the next batter. Rodriguez appeared to hurt himself while warming up, but he continued to pitch. Charlie Blackmon, who replaced Charlie Culberson in left field, led off with a home run onto Eutaw Street to increase Colorado's lead to 5-2. Dexter Fowler lined a single into right field, and Rodriguez limped to the dugout with head athletic trainer...

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So much for Chen cruising ... (updated)

August 16, 2013, 4:48pm

Orioles

Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen retired 10 batters in a row and 12 of 13 as he entered the top of the fifth inning. A double, wild pitch and one-out single in the fifth cut the Orioles' lead in half. The first career home run by the Rockies' No. 9 hitter in the sixth tied the game. Chen has allowed 32 runs this season. Seven have come in the sixth inning, six in the seventh and two in the eighth. That's 15 by my math. Rockies left fielder Charlie Culberson continued the tradition of...

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McLouth belts 12th career leadoff home run (updated)

August 16, 2013, 3:33pm

Orioles

McLouth belts 12th career leadoff home run (updated)

Colorado Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio started off Orioles leadoff hitter Nate McLouth with a 91 mph four-seam fastball tonight. Then he came back with a 90 mph four-seamer. Then he threw the exact same pitch again at the same speed. McLouth timed it just right. McLouth delivered his second leadoff home run of the season and the 12th of his career to give the Orioles a quick 1-0 lead over the Rockies. McLouth's other leadoff shot came on April 30 in Seattle. His last homer this season came...

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Castro and McGregor talk about their new roles

August 16, 2013, 1:55pm

Orioles

Castro and McGregor talk about their new roles

Bill Castro has previous experience as a pitching coach with the Brewers, and he's returning to that role with the Orioles starting today after the club announced that Rick Adair had taken a personal leave of absence. This isn't the way Castro wanted to return to the dugout. "Well, I was surprised," he said. "I felt uncomfortable in the beginning with the situation. I don't want anything bad to happen to anybody. "Rick will be fine, and we'll take care of things around here. Going...

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Showalter on a variety of topics

August 16, 2013, 1:30pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter spent about 25 minutes talking to reporters today before turning over the microphone to Bill Castro and Scott McGregor. Here's a sampling of Showalter's remarks. On Kevin Gausman having a sore right forearm: "They may skip him in the rotation just to keep him out of harm's way. He feels good. He's not happy about not pitching, but just had a little soreness. Probably be the last time he ever tells about it. That's usually how it goes. They don't seem...

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A few notes before tonight's game

August 16, 2013, 12:48pm

Orioles

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel said his arm felt good today before he headed outdoors to play catch. If the session goes well, he'll do it again on Sunday or Monday. Hammel told manager Buck Showalter that he was ready to start Sunday. Showalter assumed that Hammel was joking. Bud Norris remains the scheduled starter for Saturday despite experiencing some lower-back tightness in his last outing. The Orioles gave him the option of starting Sunday, but he declined. Scott Feldman will start...

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Orioles and Rockies lineups

August 16, 2013, 9:04am

Orioles

The Orioles are concluding the interleague portion of their 2013 schedule with a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Camden Yards. The Orioles are 4-5 against the Rockies, going 3-3 at home and 1-2 on the road. The teams haven't met since 2007 in Baltimore, when the Orioles lost the final two games of the series after Nick Markakis had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored in the opener. Henry Urrutia is back in the lineup as the designated hitter after being relegated to...

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Duquette on Adair: "It's simply a personal leave of absence"

August 16, 2013, 7:08am

Orioles

Duquette on Adair: "It's simply a personal leave of absence"

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is unable to provide specific details on pitching coach Rick Adair's decision to take a leave of absence from the club, but he emphasized that it's due to personal reasons and isn't tied to the staff's performance this season. "It's simply a personal leave of absence," Duquette told me over the phone a few minutes ago. "We don't really have a timetable on it. These things take some time." The Orioles issued a press release this morning...