Roch Kubatko

Orioles return to San Francisco

August 09, 2013, 10:01am

Orioles

The Orioles are preparing for their third-ever series in San Francisco and the first since 2010, when they lost two of three games by a combined score of 17-9. In their only win, Jake Arrieta held the Giants to one run over seven innings. In the rubber game, Tim Lincecum struck out 10 batters in six innings. The Orioles won two of three in the first meeting back in 2002. They lost the opener when David Bell homered off Rick Bauer in the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie. The next night, Travis...

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Bundy: "I feel fine and I'm right where I want to be"

August 08, 2013, 6:51pm

Orioles

Bundy: "I feel fine and I'm right where I want to be"

Six weeks removed from undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, pitcher Dylan Bundy remains encouraged by his recovery and the progress he's making toward getting back on a mound. Bundy is on schedule with his rehab at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, which should enable him to begin throwing in late November - five months after his procedure. "Today is six weeks, which is kind of a big deal," Bundy said yesterday while driving to Orlando to attend a birthday...

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A few off-day notes

August 08, 2013, 8:36am

Orioles

The Indians designated Mark Reynolds for assignment this morning and I'm already being asked about the Orioles' level of interest in bringing him back. I have no idea. The ink on the transaction hasn't even dried yet. The Orioles had no interest in picking up his $11 million option over the winter or tendering him a contract and risking an arbitration hearing. But circumstances do change. They're in the market for a right-handed hitter, but Reynolds batted .218/.310/.386 in May,...

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Is it Tillman's turn to win 20?

August 07, 2013, 8:13pm

Orioles

A few days ago, MASN replayed Game 2 of the 1983 American League Championship Series. The Orioles defeated the White Sox 4-0 at Memorial Stadium, and Mike Boddicker put on a pitching clinic with 14 strikeouts while going the distance. Sammy Stewart and Tippy Martinez warmed in the bullpen, but it was Boddicker's game. A year later, he would win 20 of them in the regular season. Quick, name the last 20-game winner for the Orioles? If you need a hint, refer to my previous sentence. It...

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A few postgame notes following 10-3 win in San Diego (updated)

August 07, 2013, 5:05pm

Orioles

A few postgame notes following 10-3 win in San Diego (updated)

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones had three hits today after tallying four last night, the fifth time in his career and the second time this year that he collected three or more hits in consecutive games. It also happened on April 4-5. Jones, a San Diego native, owns a career .550 (11-for-20) average with two home runs and four RBIs in five games at Petco Park. In seven games against the Padres, Jones has hit .464 (13-for-28) with two home runs and six RBIs. Jones now has 74 hits on the road...

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Gonzalez has quality start, but no lead (Davis homers, O's win 10-3)

August 07, 2013, 1:48pm

Orioles

Gonzalez has quality start, but no lead (Davis homers, O's win 10-3)

Miguel Gonzalez was cruising today. Then, he hit one of those potholes. Gonzalez surrendered a game-tying, three-run homer to Jedd Gyorko in the bottom of the sixth inning, erasing the Orioles 3-0 lead at Petco Park. Gonzalez has now allowed 13 runs in the sixth this season, most of any inning. He's given up 11 in the fourth and fifth. Gyorko hammered a fastball to center field to tie the game and leave Gonzalez with a no-decision. But Gonzalez did post a quality start after two disastrous...

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Hardy hits his 19th homer (O's lead 3-0)

August 07, 2013, 12:34pm

Orioles

Hardy hits his 19th homer (O's lead 3-0)

J.J. Hardy has hit more home runs than any shortstop in the American League this season, and he increased the margin this afternoon with his 19th to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Hardy drove an 89 mph fastball from Eric Stults - the Padres left-hander, not the actor who played Rocky Dennis in "Mask" - over the fence in left field. Wasn't much doubt about it. Sort of like Adam Jones' shot last night. Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki leads all shortstops with 20 home runs....

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Orioles and Padres lineups

August 07, 2013, 9:34am

Orioles

Matt Wieters is catching again today for the Orioles in an afternoon game following a night game. Nick Markakis is leading off and Steve Pearce is starting in left field. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Steve Pearce LF Brian Roberts 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Padres Will Venable RF Chris Denorfia LF Chase Headley 3B Yonder Alonso 1B Jedd Gyorko 2B Alexi Amarista CF Ronny Cedeno SS Rene Rivera C Eric Stults LHP

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A few pregame notes while waiting for the lineups

August 07, 2013, 8:46am

Orioles

A few pregame notes while waiting for the lineups

Miguel Gonzalez recorded eight consecutive quality starts for the Orioles before hitting a bump in the road. It's more like a 10-foot pothole. Gonzalez has allowed 15 runs (10 earned) and 17 hits in his last two starts covering 8 1/3 innings. He's facing the Padres today for the first time in his career. Before his last two starts, Gonzalez had never allowed as many as 15 runs in even a three-start span in his career. San Diego left-hander Eric Stults is making his first start against the...

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Because You Asked - The Squeakquel

August 06, 2013, 9:22pm

Orioles

I'm asked and I answer. I'm asked again and I answer again. And so it goes. I created the "Because You Asked" series, with all of its cheesy sequels, to provide one-stop shopping for fans who keep bringing the same questions to my doorstep. This way, I can answer everyone simultaneously. Let's get started. Have you got any updates on Dylan Bundy? This one puzzles me. Bundy underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. There's nothing to update beyond what he ate for breakfast and...

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Jones graded on the curve tonight (Jones homers, O's win 4-1)

August 06, 2013, 7:00pm

Orioles

Jones graded on the curve tonight (Jones homers, O's win 4-1)

Padres starter Edinson Volquez was determined to retire Orioles center fielder Adam Jones on a curveball tonight. Maybe he was following the scouting report. Maybe he was being stubborn. Volquez threw six curveballs to Jones in the first inning, including four in a row to begin the at-bat. He mixed in a changeup, threw another curve, tried a 94 mph fastball and went back to the curve. Jones didn't have trouble with the curve, grounding an RBI single up the middle to give the Orioles a 1-0...

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Orioles lineup vs. Padres

August 06, 2013, 2:50pm

Orioles

Brian Roberts is back on the active roster and back at second base for tonight's series opener against the San Diego Padres. Roberts moves up to eighth with the absence of a designated hitter. No real surprises tonight. Nate McLouth is leading off and playing left field. Nick Markakis is batting third. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Brian Roberts 2B Bud Norris RHP

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Orioles rotation missing Feldman in San Francisco

August 06, 2013, 2:02pm

Orioles

The Orioles listed their starting pitchers for the three-game series against the San Francisco Giants that begins Friday at AT&T Park, and it doesn't include right-hander Scott Feldman. Chris Tillman is scheduled to face Ryan Vogelsong in the opener. Wei-Yin Chen will face Chad Gaudin on Saturday, and Bud Norris will face Matt Cain on Sunday. With off-days yesterday and Thursday, the Orioles could skip Feldman or just push him back. Feldman pitched Saturday against the Seattle Mariners,...

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Orioles in Baseball America's Best Tools Survey

August 06, 2013, 12:41pm

Orioles

I recently asked Orioles manager Buck Showalter to fill out Baseball America's Best Tools Survey, which he did without complaint. At least, while I was still in the room. And he got it back to me before the deadline. Each manager was asked to vote for players in his own league. The Orioles were well-represented in the survey, including Chris Davis, who finished first in the AL for "best power" and third for "most exciting player." Adam Jones finished first for "best outfield arm" and...

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Roberts reinstated, Valencia optioned (Betemit update)

August 06, 2013, 10:14am

Orioles

Roberts reinstated, Valencia optioned (Betemit update)

The Orioles made the anticipated roster move today, reinstating second baseman Brian Roberts from the paternity leave list and optioning infielder Danny Valencia to Triple-A Norfolk. Roberts had to be placed on the roster today. His three days were up. And Valencia was the obvious choice to go back down, since the Orioles didn't figure to go with an expanded bench. They already lost their designated hitter on this trip. Manager Buck Showalter indicated over the weekend that the roster could...

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Betemit begins rehab assignment

August 06, 2013, 9:11am

Orioles

Wilson Betemit is in the Gulf Coast League Orioles lineup today, batting second and serving as the designated hitter. Betemit drew a walk in the top of the first inning against GCL Red Sox left-hander Gabe Speier, a 19th-round pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Dos Pueblos (Ca.) High School. This is Betemit's first game since he tore the PCL in his right knee in a March 25 exhibition game against the Red Sox and was carted off the Ed Smith Stadium field. He's batting from the...

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Orioles return to San Diego (updated)

August 05, 2013, 5:46pm

Orioles

The Orioles are in San Diego for a two-game series against the Padres. Two games? Seriously? Hardly seems worth the flight. Upon further view, it may be an appropriate number, since two significant events happened in Orioles history during their first-ever series in San Diego in 2007. Anyone know without looking it up? Answer to follow. Bud Norris is making his second start for the Orioles tonight. He's 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA in four starts against the Padres, with 25 strikeouts in 23...

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Valencia not among players suspended

August 05, 2013, 11:10am

Orioles

As expected, Orioles infielder Danny Valencia was not listed among the players receiving 50-game suspensions for their roles in the Biogenesis scandal. Major League Baseball released the names this afternoon and noted that the investigation "found no violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program by either Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez or Baltimore Orioles infielder Danny Valencia." The names of the violators began to surface today, and some fans remained...

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Random notes and quotes

August 04, 2013, 7:12pm

Orioles

The Orioles are enjoying the first of their five off-days this month, though a cross-country flight may not be everyone's idea of a perfect way to spend the afternoon. Scott Feldman figures to make his next start in San Francisco, unless manager Buck Showalter tweaks his rotation. Feldman will get to bat under National League rules, and he's not completely overmatched at the plate. Feldman is 9-for-52 with three doubles, a home run and nine RBIs in nine major league seasons. You don't...

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Showalter speaks after 3-2 loss

August 04, 2013, 1:08pm

Orioles

If we've learned anything about Orioles manager Buck Showalter over the past three years, it's that he focuses on the positive developments in a game, whether it ends with a win or a loss. Today provided the latest example. Showalter praised starter Wei-Yin Chen and deflected a question about the walk to light-hitting Brendan Ryan with two outs in the seventh inning that preceded Henry Blanco's two-run homer in a 3-2 loss to the Mariners. "He pitched outstanding," Showalter said....