Roch Kubatko

Tillman, gloves and Valencia (O's win 4-2, complete three-game sweep)

July 21, 2013, 5:13pm

Orioles

Tillman, gloves and Valencia (O's win 4-2, complete three-game sweep)

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman understands how the West was won. Tillman began tonight with a career 10-1 record and 2.03 ERA in 12 starts against the American League West, and he's leading 4-1 as the game moves to the bottom of the seventh inning. Tillman is trying to produce the Orioles' seventh quality start in the last eight games. He hasn't dominated tonight, but he's held the Rangers to one run so far. In three career starts in Arlington, including tonight, Tillman has allowed...

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Roberts, gloves and Tillman (updated)

July 21, 2013, 4:24pm

Orioles

Does Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts look more comfortable at the plate these days? Roberts is 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored tonight, and 4-for-6 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored in the last two games. Roberts is 6-for-14 in his last five games. He's collected hits in six of the last nine, raising his average to .266. Ryan Flaherty is going to have all sorts of trouble getting off the bench with Roberts in a groove and Henry Urrutia on the roster. Roberts doubled...

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McLouth, gloves and Gausman (and more Wieters)

July 21, 2013, 3:19pm

Orioles

McLouth, gloves and Gausman (and more Wieters)

Nate McLouth is leading off tonight against a left-hander, the Rangers' Martin Perez, rather than moving down the order and surrendering the top spot to Nick Markakis. Manager Buck Showalter could be playing a hunch - or the hot hand. McLouth led off with a single tonight, making him 6-for-14 in his last four games. He has a double, triple, RBI and three runs scored during the streak. Third baseman Manny Machado wore his batting gloves for his first at-bat last night, then took them off...

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Davis in tonight's lineup, Urrutia is not (with Rangers lineup)

July 21, 2013, 11:35am

Orioles

Davis in tonight's lineup, Urrutia is not (with Rangers lineup)

Chris Davis remains at first base for the Orioles tonight after fouling a ball off his right ankle last night and playing in obvious pain. Henry Urrutia is on the bench against Rangers left-hander Martin Perez, with Danny Valencia serving as the designated hitter. Since June 25, 2012, Chris Tillman is 20-6 and has the second-highest winning percentage (.769) among American League starters, trailing only Max Scherzer (23-3, .885). Tillman is 8-1 in 10 starts since May 24, tying him with...

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Does Urrutia start again tonight against a southpaw?

July 20, 2013, 8:02pm

Orioles

Does Urrutia start again tonight against a southpaw?

The Orioles are playing a rare Sunday night game, which gives manager Buck Showalter more time to craft his lineup. He's probably got a few already made out. That's the norm with Showalter. The Rangers are sending another southpaw to the mound: Martin Perez, who gave up two earned runs (four total) in six innings July 9 at Camden Yards. Left-handers are batting .286 against him, compared to .257 by right-handers. Consider that stat, and factor in Henry Urrutia's success against...

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Urrutia with first major league hit and RBI (O's win 7-4)

July 20, 2013, 5:56pm

Orioles

Urrutia with first major league hit and RBI (O's win 7-4)

Two trips to the plate, two bases-loaded situations. Henry Urrutia's first major league game tonight has been anything but dull. Urrutia lined a single off Rangers left-hander Joseph Ortiz with no outs in the top of the third inning for his first major league hit and RBI, increasing the Orioles' lead to 5-0. Ortiz, who replaced starter Ross Wolf, threw two straight sliders. Urrutia fouled off the first one and pulled the second one into left field to score Chris Davis, who remains in the...

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McLouth with a steal, Urrutia with a strikeout (Jones homers, Davis hurting)

July 20, 2013, 5:04pm

Orioles

McLouth with a steal, Urrutia with a strikeout (Jones homers, Davis hurting)

Orioles left fielder Nate McLouth singled and stole second base tonight. It might not seem like a big deal, but it's noteworthy. McLouth hadn't swiped a base since June 19. He attempted only one since that night, getting thrown out in a June 22 game against Toronto. Pitchers have been quicker to the plate with McLouth on first base, and he's been extremely patient. McLouth scored tonight on Adam Jones' single, and Nick Markakis scored on Chris Davis' single for 2-0 lead. Davis was...

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Urrutia batting eighth as the DH tonight (with Rangers lineup, start delayed)

July 20, 2013, 12:41pm

Orioles

Urrutia batting eighth as the DH tonight (with Rangers lineup, start delayed)

Cuban defector Henry Urrutia, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, will make his major league debut tonight as the Orioles' designated hitter. Urrutia is batting eighth against Rangers right-hander Ross Wolf, the former Orioles farmhand. J.J. Hardy will bat ahead of Urrutia, and Brian Roberts will bat behind him. 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 DH Brian...

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Steve Johnson update and more

July 20, 2013, 9:02am

Orioles

Pitching for the first time since going on the disabled list with a strained left oblique, Orioles right-hander Steve Johnson threw two scoreless innings this morning with the Gulf Coast League team in Sarasota. Johnson didn't allow a hit, walked one batter and struck out three. The plan calls for Johnson to continue his rehab with short-season Single-A Aberdeen, where he's expected to report on Wednesday. He's flying back to Baltimore tonight to attend his grandmother's funeral. Johnson...

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A few thoughts on Urrutia and Reimold

July 19, 2013, 7:27pm

Orioles

The only drama following the news that Henry Urrutia would be joining the Orioles in Arlington was whether he would start against one of the Rangers' left-handers. It didn't happen last night and it may not happen Sunday, but Urrutia was a slam dunk to start tonight against right-hander Ross Wolf, the former Orioles farmhand. The Orioles didn't bring up Urrutia so he could sit on the bench every game. That would make no sense. He needs to play and they need to evaluate him. And he's...

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Chen still stingy with the runs (O's win 3-1)

July 19, 2013, 6:30pm

Orioles

Chen still stingy with the runs (O's win 3-1)

Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen has made two starts since coming off the disabled list, both of them against the Texas Rangers. He's allowed two runs and 11 hits in 13 1/3 innings. In three career starts against the Rangers - tonight was the first in Arlington - Chen has surrendered only three earns runs in 21 innings. Tonight was a bit of a struggle, but Chen registered his seventh quality start of the season. He allowed one run and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, with two walks and three...

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Wieters homers, Davis struggles vs. former team (O's lead 3-1)

July 19, 2013, 4:49pm

Orioles

Wieters homers, Davis struggles vs. former team (O's lead 3-1)

Matt Wieters has two career hits against Rangers left-hander Derek Holland. Both of them are home runs. Wieters took Holland deep in the top of the second inning tonight to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead in Arlington. Maybe those four days off freshened up Wieters. Wieters has hit five of his home runs against left-handers this season and eight against right-handers. Chris Davis struck out in his first at-bat tonight, and he wasn't pleased with the call from plate umpire Andy Fletcher. Davis...

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Urrutia on bench tonight (and Reimold update)

July 19, 2013, 1:02pm

Orioles

Urrutia on bench tonight (and Reimold update)

Henry Urrutia won't make his first major league start tonight. Urrutia is on the Orioles' bench against Rangers left-hander Derek Holland. Danny Valencia is the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Matt Wieters C Danny Valencia DH Brian Roberts 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Rangers Ian Kinsler 2B Elvis Andrus SS A.J. Pierzynski C Adrian Beltre 3B Jeff Baker DH Mitch Moreland 1B Craig Gentry...

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Reimold placed on DL and headed to surgery, Urrutia and Valencia added, Dickerson DFA

July 19, 2013, 12:41pm

Orioles

Reimold placed on DL and headed to surgery, Urrutia and Valencia added, Dickerson DFA

Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 14, with nerve inflammation in his cervical spine, and he is scheduled to undergo surgery next week. The Orioles recalled infielder Danny Valencia and selected the contract of outfielder Henry Urrutia. They designated outfielder Chris Dickerson for assignment to clear room for Urrutia on the 25- and 40-man rosters. Reimold, 29, has batted .195/.250/.336 in 40 games with the Orioles this season....

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orioles chris dickerson danny valencia henry urrutia nolan reimold frontstory_orioles3

Rotation update

July 19, 2013, 11:04am

Orioles

The Orioles are listing Scott Feldman, Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez as their four starters for the series in Kansas City that begins Monday night. Manager Buck Showalter is keeping the same five starters after the All-Star break, but he's tweaked the order by moving Feldman ahead of Hammel. Hammel pitched Saturday against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. and allowed six runs and 10 hits in six innings, falling to 7-6 with a 5.24 ERA in 19 starts. He hasn't won since May 27...

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A quick look back at the first half

July 19, 2013, 7:58am

Orioles

I'm curious whether the Orioles will toss Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia into the deep end of the major league pool or let him dip his toe into it. Urrutia has climbed up the minor league ladder. Maybe he'll climb down the one leading into the pool, if you know what I mean. The Orioles are facing a left-hander tonight, the Rangers' Derek Holland, which could put Danny Valencia in the lineup at designated hitter. They also will face southpaw Martin Perez on Sunday. Urrutia was 6-for-17...

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Taking another look at Betemit's injury and slow recovery

July 18, 2013, 4:29pm

Orioles

Taking another look at Betemit's injury and slow recovery

The news that Cuban defector Henry Urrutia was joining the Orioles in Texas this weekend came as little surprise for three reasons. He's putting up numbers deserving of a promotion, executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter hinted at it during the last homestand, and Wilson Betemit is a long way from serving as the Orioles' left-handed designated hitter. The Orioles haven't given up on Betemit this season, but his goal of returning immediately after the break has been...

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Urrutia also joining Orioles in Texas (and note on Dariel Alvarez)

July 18, 2013, 11:31am

Orioles

Make that two roster moves for the Orioles this weekend. According to sources, Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia will meet the Orioles in Texas on Friday and be placed on the 24-hour taxi squad. He most likely will have his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk after working out with the team. Urrutia is batting a combined .365/.427/.531 with 20 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 43 RBIs in 52 games at Double-A Bowie 15 games at Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles can use Urrutia as a...

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Valencia joining team in Texas

July 18, 2013, 11:05am

Orioles

The Orioles are expected to make at least one roster move before resuming their season Friday night in Texas Danny Valencia no longer is with Triple-A Norfolk. I've heard that he's headed to Texas and will officially be recalled before the game. Valencia is batting .230/.277/.508 with five doubles, four homers and eight RBIs in 21 games with the Orioles this season. He's posted a .282/.317/.487 line against left-handed pitchers. Valencia was batting .314/.350/.607 with 18 doubles, 12...

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orioles danny valencia nolan reimold frontstory_orioles1

Jurrjens elects free agency

July 18, 2013, 10:02am

Orioles

Pitcher Jair Jurrjens cleared waivers today and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. However, he refused the assignment and elected to become a free agent. The Orioles designated Jurrjens for assignment on Friday to make room for reliever Jairo Asencio on the 40-man roster. They were unable to trade him and couldn't get him back in Norfolk's rotation. Jurrjens, 27, has posted a 4.91 ERA in two games with the Orioles, including one start, covering 7 1/3 innings. He went 6-6 with a 4.18 ERA in...