Roch Kubatko

Hammel can't snap winless streak (O's lose 7-3)

July 13, 2013, 2:08pm

Orioles

Hammel can't snap winless streak (O's lose 7-3)

Jason Hammel will head into the All-Star break still searching for his first win since May 27. He's also got to be searching for some answers. Hammel's record remains above .500 - currently 7-5 as we head to the bottom of the seventh - and he's gone at least six innings in six of his last seven starts. However, he can't get that elusive victory and he can't lower his ERA, which is up to 5.24. Hammel left today's game with no outs in the seventh after hitting No. 9 batter Emilio...

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Hammel can't solve Encarnacion (O's lead 3-2)

July 13, 2013, 12:26pm

Orioles

Hammel can't solve Encarnacion (O's lead 3-2)

The Orioles may want to walk Edwin Encarnacion. Or trade for him. Encarnacion hit his seventh home run in 12 games against the Orioles this season, and his 14th over the past two years. That's the most by any player against a single team in that span, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Blue Jays almost hit for the cycle against Jason Hammel in the first inning. Jose Reyes doubled, Encarnacion homered and Adam Lind singled. Hammel was only four batters into his start. Encarnacion's...

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Notes before today's game

July 13, 2013, 11:48am

Orioles

Today's game is a sellout. Tickets remain for Sunday's series finale, which also closes the first half. Yes, it's considered the first half despite the fact that Orioles are playing their 95th game today. The Orioles are only the third team in major league history to have four players with at least 105 hits at the All-Star break: Manny Machado (127), Adam Jones (114), Nick Markakis (107) and Chris Davis (105). The 1954 Cardinals had Red Schoendienst (119), Wally Moon (114), Ray Jablonski...

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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

July 13, 2013, 8:36am

Orioles

Orioles outfielder Chris Dickerson remains out of the lineup today after straining his left shoulder earlier this week, but he's going to play catch for the first time as the final test. Dickerson said he's feeling much better. He took batting practice yesterday without any setbacks. Nolan Reimold will serve as the designated hitter again today against right-hander Todd Redmond, who was in camp with the Orioles this spring. Angel Hernandez is behind the plate today. Enjoy. For the...

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Ripken to honor Gehrig in Cooperstown

July 12, 2013, 9:10pm

Orioles

The Hall of Fame ceremonies take place later this month, and they haven't created much of a buzz in the baseball industry, considering that voters failed to elect any candidates for induction in Cooperstown, N.Y. Talk about a buzz kill. However, a dozen former players who never were formally inducted due to travel restrictions and illness will be honored in a July 28 ceremony that once again will link the names of Lou Gehrig and Orioles great Cal Ripken Jr. Ripken accepted an invitation to...

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Showalter speaks after 8-5 win

July 12, 2013, 6:35pm

Orioles

The Orioles' three starters in next week's All-Star Game hit home runs tonight, which seemed appropriate considering their contributions this season and the reward that awaits them. Chris Davis, Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy muscled up in the Orioles' 8-5 win over the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. "Earl would have been proud tonight," said manager Buck Showalter. "They've just been solid as people, too. They post up and they're in a good routine. Same way with Nick and Manny and Matt....

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Davis passes Powell (Tillman goes six innings, O's win 8-5)

July 12, 2013, 3:59pm

Orioles

Davis passes Powell (Tillman goes six innings, O's win 8-5)

Boog Powell held the Orioles record for most RBIs before the All-Star break with 86, set during the 1969 season. He did it in 94 games. Chris Davis tied Powell's record last night and passed him tonight, upping his RBI total to 88. The Orioles are playing their 94th game. Davis drilled an opposite-field two-run homer in the second inning after Adam Jones doubled, tying the game 2-2. Edwin Encarnacion responded with his 24th home run with two outs in the third to give Toronto a 3-2...

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A few notes before tonight's game

July 12, 2013, 1:21pm

Orioles

It's finally stopped raining at Camden Yards and the tarp is off the field. For how long is a different matter. If tonight's game is postponed - and I'm saying if - they won't play a doubleheader on Saturday. That much is a certainty. But let's just assume that they get this one in tonight. Chris Dickerson's left shoulder feels much better today. He's going to hit in the cage, and the Orioles believe he will dodge the disabled list. "That seems to have been minor in nature," said...

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Asencio joining bullpen, Roberts leading off (Jurrjens DFA)

July 12, 2013, 11:14am

Orioles

Asencio joining bullpen, Roberts leading off (Jurrjens DFA)

The Orioles have selected the contract of reliever Jairo Asencio from Triple-A Norfolk. He's listed on the lineup sheet and will wear No. 63. Asencio isn't on the 40-man roster, so a corresponding move is pending. Asencio, 30, was 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA and 20 saves with Norfolk. The Orioles acquired him from the Brewers on March 25. As for tonight's lineup, second baseman Brian Roberts has been elevated to the leadoff spot. Nick Markakis is batting third and Nate McLouth eighth. For the...

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Orioles trade Canzler to Pirates

July 12, 2013, 10:47am

Orioles

The Orioles have traded infielder Russ Canzler to the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher Tim Alderson, who will be assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. Alderson, 24, was the 22nd overall pick by the Giants in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. He was 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 22 relief appearances for Triple-A Indianapolis this season, and 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA in seven games with Double-A Altoona. Alderson, a right-hander, is listed at 6-foot-6 and 217 lbs. Baseball America ranked him as the Giants'...

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Quick update on roster move

July 12, 2013, 7:53am

Orioles

The Orioles optioned right-hander Josh Stinson to Triple-A Norfolk after last night's game and noted that the corresponding roster move would be announced today. The assumption, made by myself and others, was that the club would bring up a left-hander for the long relief role. Why? Because the Orioles have three right-handers starting this weekend against the Blue Jays in the final series before the All-Star break. Manager Buck Showalter likes to have a contrasting long man backing up. Well,...

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Showalter on Machado: "He's really been tested with a lot of strike calls"

July 11, 2013, 7:49pm

Orioles

Showalter on Machado: "He's really been tested with a lot of strike calls"

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado didn't get a hit in four at-bats last night. He also didn't get his blood pressure up due to another expanded strike zone. Machado's been ejected only once this season for arguing balls and strikes - say the magic word and win a seat in the clubhouse - but he's nearly bitten through his tongue to avoid others. The frustration may not show on his youthful face or his demeanor, but it's churning inside of him. "I had a little sitdown with him the other...

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Orioles option Stinson (updated)

July 11, 2013, 7:22pm

Orioles

The Orioles couldn't make it through the night without another roster move. The club announced that it optioned pitcher Josh Stinson to Triple-A Norfolk. A corresponding move will be announced on Friday. Stinson, 25, didn't appear in a game after being recalled yesterday afternoon as the bullpen replacement for Kevin Gausman. He had one previous stint with the Orioles this season, allowing five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in an April 24 start against the Blue Jays. The Orioles chose to...

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Dickerson update, and Showalter speaks after 3-1 win

July 11, 2013, 6:22pm

Orioles

Dickerson update, and Showalter speaks after 3-1 win

Orioles outfielder Chris Dickerson received a cortisone injection in his left shoulder today to speed up his recovery. He took some dry swings and hopes to throw on Friday. Dickerson still isn't scheduled to undergo an MRI and remains available in a limited capacity. Manager Buck Showalter said Dickerson should be "full-go very shortly." "He's had some issues there before that were a lot more of a serious nature, so he's got a pretty good feel for what he's dealing with and he said...

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Davis sets career highs, Gonzalez's streak and mishaps in middle (O's win 3-1)

July 11, 2013, 3:42pm

Orioles

Davis sets career highs, Gonzalez's streak and mishaps in middle (O's win 3-1)

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis must be feeling better. Or maybe he doesn't have time for the pain. Davis, still playing despite a sinus infection, snapped an 0-for-17 streak with a home run in the second inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead over the Rangers. Davis also had been 1-for-24 with 13 strikeouts before the at-bat. His last home run was July 6 off the Yankees' Andy Pettitte. OK, that's not much of a dry spell, but he was struggling at the plate before unloading against...

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Showalter on Urrutia: "I think he's getting closer to being an option"

July 11, 2013, 1:58pm

Orioles

Showalter on Urrutia: "I think he's getting closer to being an option"

The Orioles didn't make any roster moves today. Chris Dickerson avoided the disabled list. No decision has been made whether to option Wei-Yin Chen and give him a start in the minors during the break. And Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia stayed at Triple-A Norfolk. Urrutia started in left field today for the Tides and went 1-for-4 with an RBI single. He's batting .357 in 14 games since his promotion from Double-A Bowie. It doesn't appear that the Orioles have any immediate plans to select his...

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Updates on Dickerson, Johnson, Thames and Davis

July 11, 2013, 12:53pm

Orioles

Updates on Dickerson, Johnson, Thames and Davis

Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens will examine Chris Dickerson's left shoulder later today, but the outfielder isn't expected to need an MRI on Friday. Dickerson is feeling much better and plans to swing a bat. He seems likely to avoid a trip to the disabled list. Steve Johnson (oblique) threw batting practice today in Sarasota. The session went well, which could lead to a simulated game at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Eric Thames, who's been sidelined with a fractured bone in his left...

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Orioles and Rangers lineups

July 11, 2013, 11:12am

Orioles

The Orioles were expecting to face Yu Darvish in the final game of their series against the Rangers. Instead, they get one of their former minor leaguers, Ross Wolf, after Darvish was placed on the disabled list. Only three current Orioles have faced Wolf. Chris Davis is 1-for-2 with a strikeout, Taylor Teagarden is 0-for-2 with a strikeout and Ryan Flaherty is 0-for-1. The Orioles haven't made a roster move today, but Chris Dickerson remains out of the lineup with a strained left shoulder....

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Wada takes giant step backward today

July 11, 2013, 10:29am

Orioles

Just as it appeared that left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada was getting close to being a consideration for the Orioles pitching staff, he turned in a dreadful start today for Triple-A Norfolk against the Gwinnett Braves. Wada was charged with seven runs and 13 hits in five-plus innings, with one walk, three strikeouts and two home runs. He faced one batter in the sixth without recording an out, and Mark Hendrickson let the inherited runner score. Wada threw 78 pitches, 52 for strikes. In his four...

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How much longer before Urrutia arrives? (updated)

July 10, 2013, 9:10pm

Orioles

How much longer before Urrutia arrives? (updated)

After a slow start, Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia is giving International League pitching the same rough treatment that he dished out in the Eastern League. Urrutia went 5-for-5 last night for Triple-A Norfolk to raise his average to .365 in 13 games - the same average he posted in 52 games at Double-A Bowie. Overall, he's hitting .365/.429/.536 with 20 doubles, one triple, seven homers, 42 RBIs, 44 runs scored, 28 walks and 42 strikeouts in 252 minor league at-bats. His defense has...