Roch Kubatko

Game update and more notes (O's down 3-0)

July 28, 2013, 10:11am

Orioles

Game update and more notes (O's down 3-0)

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz heard lots of boos as he stepped to the plate in the top of the first inning today, defenders of phones everywhere still taking umbrage with the damage he inflicted in the visiting dugout last night. They must have been disconnected, or he completely ignored them. Ortiz singled up the middle with two outs to keep a rally alive, and Mike Napoli followed with an RBI double to give Boston a 1-0 lead. Jason Hammel has allowed 14 runs in the first this...

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Showalter on the Hoes/Asencio roster move

July 28, 2013, 8:38am

Orioles

Showalter on the Hoes/Asencio roster move

LJ Hoes was chosen as the Orioles' extra position player over other candidates at Triple-a Norfolk this weekend because, as manager Buck Showalter put it, "Like always, he was our best option as a right-handed hitting outfielder. Or really, period." In other words, the position really didn't matter. Hoes, 23, was most deserving of the call-up. Hoes, a third-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of St. John's High School in D.C., was batting .304/.406/.403 with 25 doubles, a...

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LJ Hoes starting in left field (Asencio designated for assignment)

July 28, 2013, 6:50am

Orioles

LJ Hoes starting in left field (Asencio designated for assignment)

Not only is LJ Hoes in the Orioles clubhouse today, he's starting left field against the Red Sox in the series finale at Camden Yards. This will be Hoes' first major league start. He had one at-bat with the Orioles last season. It's an unusual lineup today, with Chris Davis batting third, Matt Wieters fifth as the DH and Brian Roberts seventh. And, of course, Hoes batting eighth. Hoes will wear No. 25. The Orioles still haven't announced a corresponding roster move. For the...

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Hammel continues search for elusive win

July 27, 2013, 8:34pm

Orioles

Jason Hammel will attempt today to capture his first win since May 27, a span of nine starts. Hammel has five losses and four no-decisions since his last victory. He's allowed 20 hits combined in his last two outings, though he was credited with a quality start Tuesday after surrendering three runs in six innings in Kansas City. That's "quality" by definition. Hammel gave up 10 hits and walked four batters. The Orioles are keeping an eye on the pitching market despite their earlier...

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Showalter speaks after 7-3 loss

July 27, 2013, 7:37pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't confirm a roster move following tonight's 7-3 loss to the Red Sox, saying only that it's being "contemplated." Showalter said he would check the weather on Sunday, indicating that no announcement will come tonight. We'll see. LJ Hoes is in Baltimore and is expected to be officially recalled at some point. As for tonight's game, starter Scott Feldman took the loss after allowing four runs and six hits in five innings. Stephen Drew hit a three-run...

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Orioles interested in Michael Young, O's lose 7-3

July 27, 2013, 5:18pm

Orioles

Not ready to close shop after acquiring a starting pitcher and reliever this month, the Orioles continue to check on available hitters and have talked to the Phillies about Michael Young, according to an industry source. Young could serve as a right-handed designated hitter and a backup at the corner infield positions. Young, 36, is batting .278/.344/.404 with 18 doubles, three triples, seven homers and 32 RBIs in 96 games with the Phillies. He's making $16 million this season, his last...

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Game update and more notes (O's down 4-0)

July 27, 2013, 3:52pm

Orioles

Game update and more notes (O's down 4-0)

The start of tonight's game at Camden Yards was delayed 32 minutes because of rain. Once it began, Scott Feldman retired the Red Sox in order on three ground balls and 19 pitches. Adam Jones flew to center field with two outs in the bottom of the first to strand Nick Markakis, who drew a walk against Boston starter Ryan Dempster. Why do I mention Jones' at-bat? Glad you asked. Jones has homered in four straight home games for the second time in his career. It also happened July 23-Aug. 6,...

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Hardy trying to reverse trend against Dempster

July 27, 2013, 1:56pm

Orioles

Hardy trying to reverse trend against Dempster

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy didn't need the numbers recited to him as he stood at his locker this afternoon. He's fully aware that Red Sox starter Ryan Dempster has dominated him over the years. To say it's one-sided would be much too kind. Hardy is 2-for-30 lifetime against Dempster, who takes the mound tonight for the second game of their series at Camden Yards. He continues to bat seventh. He continues to search for a solution. So, about those numbers... "They're terrible," Hardy...

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Orioles prepared to recall LJ Hoes

July 27, 2013, 1:00pm

Orioles

The Orioles have made arrangements to bring Triple-A Norfolk outfielder LJ Hoes to Baltimore, and he could be officially recalled before Sunday's game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Hoes isn't with the Tides, who are playing tonight in Rochester. The Orioles are waiting to find out whether they need to continue carrying an extra reliever before announcing the move. Official word could come following tonight's game. Hoes will give the Orioles a fourth bench player and another...

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Red Sox-Orioles lineups for Saturday

July 27, 2013, 11:11am

Orioles

Boston's Ryan Dempster faces Scott Feldman of the Orioles in today's middle game of this three-game weekend series. Here are the lineups for today's game: For the Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury CF Shane Victorino RF Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Mike Napoli 1B Mike Carp LF Jarrod Saltalamacchia C Stephen Drew SS Jose Iglesias 3B Ryan Dempster RHP 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 Henry Urrutia...

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Showalter on Davis: "Chris will be a productive hitter for us again"

July 26, 2013, 8:15pm

Orioles

Showalter on Davis: "Chris will be a productive hitter for us again"

Chris Davis took a called third strike in the eighth inning last night and looked like a man whose head was about to explode. He clearly was no fan of plate umpire Laz Diaz's magical mystery strike zone. Davis sat in the dugout and fumed, his eyes attempting to burn a hole through Diaz and anyone in his path. Then, he stood up and walked down the tunnel, his exit captured by one of MASN's cameras. Maybe he wanted to collect his thoughts. Maybe he wanted to rearrange the bat rack. Davis...

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Showalter speaks after 6-0 win

July 26, 2013, 6:27pm

Orioles

According to Elias, Chris Tillman is the first Orioles pitcher to be 10-plus games above .500 at any point since Mike Mussina in 1999. Tillman improved to 13-3 tonight by shutting out the Red Sox on two hits over seven innings in a 6-0 win. Tillman struck out eight batters, tying his season high, and retired 19 of the last 21. Manager Buck Showalter didn't know whether Tillman would deliver the Orioles' 11th quality start in 13 games after the right-hander loaded the bases with two outs in...

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Jones with a multi-homer game (Tillman outstanding in 6-0 win)

July 26, 2013, 4:49pm

Orioles

Jones with a multi-homer game (Tillman outstanding in 6-0 win)

Once again, Adam Jones has directed a 92 mph fastball from Boston starter John Lackey over the out-of-town scoreboard in right field. Jones' second homer tonight increased the Orioles' lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Before tonight, Jones was 7-for-32 (.219) with no home runs against Lackey. Jones has 22 homers this season. Anyone remember the last one that went to right field before tonight? Speak up. This is Jones' third career multi-homer game and the first since May...

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Tillman escapes jam, Jones hits home run (updated)

July 26, 2013, 3:35pm

Orioles

Tillman escapes jam, Jones hits home run (updated)

Since July 4, 2012, Chris Tillman's 21 wins are tied with the Cardinals' Adam Wainright for the second-most in the majors behind the Tigers' Max Scherzer (23). Tillman is attempting tonight to become the Orioles' first 13-game winner since Erik Bedard in 2007. The last Orioles starter to pick up his 12th win on or before July 21, as Tillman did, was Sidney Ponson on July 10, 2003. Yes, that's a Bedard and Ponson reference in the same blog entry. In the same paragraph of the same blog...

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Notes before tonight's Orioles-Red Sox game

July 26, 2013, 1:27pm

Orioles

The Orioles have won 14 of their last 19 games against the Red Sox, and 24 of their last 34. Infielder Jonathan Schoop has been activated from the minor league disabled list and rejoined Triple-A Norfolk for tonight's game at Rochester. He homered twice and drove in seven runs last night at short-season Single-A Aberdeen. To make room for Schoop, the Orioles released infielder Brandon Wood, who batted .215/.250/.309 with nine doubles, a triple, two home runs and 23 RBIs in 48 games after...

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Orioles using familiar lineup against Red Sox

July 26, 2013, 11:01am

Orioles

Though the offense scuffled over the last three games in Kansas City, Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't make any drastic changes or do any tweaking with his lineup for tonight's series opener against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Chris Davis continues to bat fifth while searching for his first home run since the All-Star break. Matt Wieters is hitting sixth, J.J. Hardy seventh, Henry Urrutia eighth and Brian Roberts ninth. Been there, done that. Urrutia is making his Camden Yards...

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Pearce plays in first rehab game, Red Sox lineup

July 26, 2013, 10:48am

Orioles

Pearce plays in first rehab game, Red Sox lineup

Orioles outfielder Steve Pearce started his injury-rehab assignment today with the Gulf Coast Orioles. Pearce, leading off and playing left field, went 2-for-4 with an RBI. He also committed a fielding error. Pearce hasn't played since June 19 in Detroit. He was batting .235/.311/.383 with three doubles, three homers and nine RBIs in 28 games before going on the disabled list with left wrist tendinitis. He had seven walks and 20 strikeouts in 81 at-bats. Pearce underwent an MRA on his left...

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What's the next move for the offense?

July 25, 2013, 8:10pm

Orioles

The Orioles haven't been home since July 14. They probably would have gone anywhere to escape Kansas City, where they lost three straight games to close out their road trip. They were outscored 14-6 in those defeats and batted .214. They were 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position, placing the focus back on their offense. Maybe it's an overreaction. They scored 23 runs in the first four games of the road trip. But unless I missed it, there's nothing in the latest collective bargaining...

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Gonzalez lacking quality in his start (O's lose 7-1)

July 25, 2013, 5:55pm

Orioles

Gonzalez lacking quality in his start (O's lose 7-1)

It's one of those nights for the Orioles. One of those nights that indicates that a split of their four-game series in Kansas City isn't in the cards. Not unless there's dramatic shift. Not unless someone changes the deck. The Orioles rotation had posted seven straight quality starts and 10 in their last 11 games, but Miguel Gonzalez left tonight's game after 4 2/3 innings. He couldn't keep the ball down and the Royals wouldn't let him up. Troy Patton let an inherited runner score,...

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Game update and rotation change for Red Sox (O's down 3-1)

July 25, 2013, 4:52pm

Orioles

Game update and rotation change for Red Sox (O's down 3-1)

Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez retired the first two Royals he faced in the first inning tonight and gave up a cheap double to Billy Butler. I say "cheap" because Butler slapped at the ball and sent it bouncing down the right field line. Looked pretty harmless leaving his bat. Turned out to be quite harmful. The next two batters delivered RBI singles - Salvador Perez to center field and David Lough to right - to put the Orioles in an early 2-0 hole. The Orioles also fell behind in the...