Roch Kubatko

Showalter speaks after 6-2 win

May 27, 2013, 1:01pm

Orioles

WASHINGTON - The Orioles' bullpen needed a break today, and starter Jason Hammel provided one by going eight innings in a 6-2 victory over the Nationals. "It reminded me a little of the Atlanta outing last year," said manager Buck Showalter. "A lot of strikes. Throwing zeros up after you score some runs. He was good. He was the difference today. We all would have signed up in blood for that today. "What are those things where you hold the bats like they do at the wedding chapel? I'm...

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Burnett claimed off waivers, game update (O's win 6-2)

May 27, 2013, 10:31am

Orioles

Burnett claimed off waivers, game update (O's win 6-2)

WASHINGTON - Reliever Alex Burnett has been claimed off waivers. We will know later today where he's headed. The Orioles designated Burnett for assignment on May 23 to create room for Kevin Gausman on the 40-man roster. Gausman is starting against the Nationals Tuesday night. Burnett, 25, made two appearances with the Orioles, allowing three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings. He was 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in nine appearances with Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles signed him off waivers from the Blue...

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Orioles need to capitalize on opportunities (updated)

May 27, 2013, 10:01am

Orioles

WASHINGTON - One day after stranding 12 runners in a 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays, the Orioles have left four on base in the first three innings against the Nationals. The Orioles were 4-for-18 with runners in scoring position yesterday at Rogers Centre. They're 0-for-1 today, with Adam Jones grounding out with runners on second and third and two outs in the second inning. Manny Machado singled with two outs, his 46th road hit to lead the majors. It's also his 73rd hit this season. He began...

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Pregame notes on Hunter, Johnson, Strop and more

May 27, 2013, 8:27am

Orioles

Pregame notes on Hunter, Johnson, Strop and more

WASHINGTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Tommy Hunter will likely have an X-ray taken on his right hand today, though the reliever said this morning that it wasn't necessary. "There's different levels of X-rays. We're at level two," Showalter said. "Richie (Bancells) said he felt pretty good, all things considered, so I'm hoping we dodged an injury. Not necessarily the ball. "Richie's pretty upbeat about what he was hoping he would see today, compared to yesterday. He got...

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Hunter update and Orioles lineup (and Nats lineup)

May 27, 2013, 6:53am

Orioles

WASHINGTON - Tommy Hunter said he won't undergo a second X-ray on his right hand. There's minimal swelling and bruising, and he expects to be available on Tuesday. Hunter probably will play catch today. "It's fine," he said. "Feels like it got hit by a ball, but other than that, it'll be all right. Kind of like taking one off the shin, I guess. it's not that bad at all. It's going to be. Got me in the meat of it. But it'll be all right, hopefully. Maybe I'll get a day off today....

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Who closes for the Orioles today?

May 26, 2013, 5:26pm

Orioles

If the Orioles take a slim lead into the bottom of the ninth inning today at Nationals Park, I'd bet that Darren O'Day would be used as the closer. Not because manager Buck Showalter is ready to assign Jim Johnson's duties to another reliever. I still don't believe that he's reached that point. But Johnson threw 37 pitches yesterday and 51 over the past two games. He's probably not available today. Tommy Hunter's right hand was swollen yesterday after fielding Jose Bautista's hard...

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Gonzalez and Wada updates (O's lose 6-5, Hunter update)

May 26, 2013, 11:17am

Orioles

Gonzalez and Wada updates (O's lose 6-5, Hunter update)

The Orioles haven't had a starter complete six innings in the last four games, including today, when Miguel Gonzalez fell an out short. Gonzalez allowed one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings, with three walks and seven strikeouts. He threw 101 pitches, 58 for strikes. Brian Matusz stranded a runner to end the sixth. Matusz has stranded 18 of 20 inherited runners this season and 32 of 34 since moving to the bullpen last summer. In two starts since coming off the disabled list, Gonzalez has...

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Jones continues to jolt the Jays (updated)

May 26, 2013, 9:45am

Orioles

Jones continues to jolt the Jays (updated)

Doesn't matter if the roof is open or closed at Rogers Centre. Doesn't matter who's pitching, or whether the game is in Canada or the U.S. Adam Jones just keeps raking against the Blue Jays. His double in the first inning today extended his hitting streak against Toronto to 16 games, tied for the third-longest in franchise history. Al Bumbry hold the record, having hit safely in 20 straight games against Toronto from June 26, 1977-June 30, 1980. Miguel Tejada hit in 18 straight games...

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Orioles notes before today's game

May 26, 2013, 7:55am

Orioles

The Orioles complete their four-game series against the Blue Jays today at Rogers Centre. They've gone 11-35 in their last 46 games in Toronto dating to June 8, 2008, but they're 9-10 in the last 19 games. Adam Jones has a 15-game hitting streak against Toronto dating to Aug. 24, 2012, tied for the fourth-longest streak by an Oriole versus the Blue Jays in club history, according to STATS. Al Bumbry hit safely in 20 straight from June 26, 1977-June 30, 1980. Miguel Tejada had a hit in 18...

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Valencia stays in Orioles lineup

May 26, 2013, 6:40am

Orioles

Danny Valencia will serve as the Orioles' designated hitter again today after collecting a double and home run yesterday against Toronto knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. So much for Valencia being part of a DH platoon. He's facing another right-hander today, Jays starter Chad Jenkins. Alexi Casilla gets the start at second base. Matt Wieters is batting seventh for the first time this season. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B J.J....

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Today's game and yesterday's roster move

May 25, 2013, 6:28pm

Orioles

Today's game and yesterday's roster move

Miguel Gonzalez takes the mound today at Rogers Centre in Toronto, his second start since coming off the disabled list. The Orioles would settle for a repeat of the first, when he limited the Yankees to two runs over seven innings, with no walks and five strikeouts. Gonzalez is 2-1 with a 4.37 ERA in four career games (three starts) against the Blue Jays, with four walks and 14 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings. He faced them April 23 and allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. Adam Lind...

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Valencia takes advantage of start vs. right-hander (O's win 6-5)

May 25, 2013, 10:38am

Orioles

Valencia takes advantage of start vs. right-hander (O's win 6-5)

Danny Valencia has been the left-handed half of a platoon at designated hitter since the Orioles recalled him from Triple-A Norfolk. So, what's he doing in today's lineup against Toronto right-hander R.A. Dickey? Drawing a walk and hitting a home run. The splits tend to go out the window when a knuckleballer is on the mound. Manager Buck Showalter inserted Valencia in the lineup and has been rewarded. Valencia is a career .231 hitter against right-handers, compared to .318 vs. southpaws....

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Orioles again score three in the first

May 25, 2013, 9:32am

Orioles

Last night, J.J. Hardy hit a three-run homer in the first inning to give the Orioles a quick 3-0 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays. Less than 24 hours later, they scored three runs in the first inning against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey to take a 3-0 lead. Chris Davis drove in a run on a ground-rule double, giving him 15 extra-base hits in his last 15 games and 46 RBIs on the season. Hardy followed with a two-run single, giving him five RBIs in the last two games. Hardy has hit safely in 18 of...

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Strop goes on DL

May 25, 2013, 8:37am

Orioles

The Orioles officially recalled pitcher Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk today and placed reliever Pedro Strop on the 15-day disabled list with a lower-back strain. Strop, 27, is 0-2 with a 6.11 ERA in 22 appearances for the Orioles this season, allowing 12 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings. His control has been the biggest issue. He's walked 14 batters, including two in one-third of an inning Thursday night in Toronto. Strop also served up a grand slam to Edwin Encarnacion, contributing to a...

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Valencia serving as DH today

May 25, 2013, 6:58am

Orioles

Danny Valencia is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter today. He won't be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for pitcher Steve Johnson. Yamaico Navarro is starting at second base again today, and Chris Snyder is behind the plate. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Danny Valencia DH Yamaico Navarro 2B Chris Snyder CC Freddy Garcia RHP For the Blue Jays Melky Cabrera LF Jose Bautista RF Edwin...

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A look at Garcia and the offense (Steve Johnson joining team in Toronto)

May 25, 2013, 3:15am

Orioles

A look at Garcia and the offense (Steve Johnson joining team in Toronto)

The Orioles needed to sleep fast last night, as manager Buck Showalter says, with a 1:07 p.m. game today against the Toronto Blue Jays. Freddy Garcia will make his fifth start for the Orioles, which may be four more than some folks anticipated when the Orioles first selected his contract from Triple-A Norfolk. Garcia has gone at least six innings in three of his outings, but he's still searching for his first win as an Oriole. He took a perfect game into the seventh inning in his debut in...

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Tillman done after five innings (O's win 10-6)

May 24, 2013, 5:22pm

Orioles

Tillman done after five innings (O's win 10-6)

Chris Tillman's streak of quality starts has ended at six tonight, but he leaves the game with a 10-3 lead. Seems like a fair trade. Tillman allowed a season-high 10 hits, but he also tied his season high with seven strikeouts and didn't walk a batter. Tillman also fanned seven against Oakland on April 27 and May 14 against San Diego. Tillman still hasn't allowed more than three runs since April 17 against Tampa Bay. This is Tillman's first start at Rogers Centre since Sept. 24, 2010....

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Markakis keys Orioles' early onslaught (Tillman update)

May 24, 2013, 3:55pm

Orioles

Toronto left-hander Sean Nolin received a rude introduction to the majors tonight, courtesy of Nick Markakis and the Orioles. Nolin lasted only 1 1/3 innings and left with the Orioles leading 6-1. Markakis led off the top of the first with a single and later scored on J.J. Hardy's three run homer. He brought home three runs in the second inning with a bases-loaded double, making him 2-for-2 with three RBIs and a run scored. Markakis now has a nine-game hitting streak, going 14-for-37 (.378)...

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Steve Johnson scratched from Norfolk start (and notes)

May 24, 2013, 1:53pm

Orioles

Steve Johnson scratched from Norfolk start (and notes)

Steve Johnson won't make tonight's start for Triple-A Norfolk, but it isn't a health-related decision by the Orioles. According to a member of the organization, Johnson is being kept available in case the Orioles need to recall him Saturday as an extra reliever. Tonight's game in Toronto may dictate whether a roster move is forthcoming. Left-hander Chris Jones, acquired from the Braves for reliever Luis Ayala, is starting tonight for Norfolk. Johnson made one start with the Orioles this...

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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups (Braddock released)

May 24, 2013, 12:02pm

Orioles

Adam Jones is back in center field tonight for the Orioles after serving as the designated hitter for three consecutive games. Danny Valencia is the DH against the Toronto Blue Jays, and Yamaico Navarro gets the start at second base. Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting third. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C Danny Valencia DH Steve Pearce LF Yamaico Navarro 2B Chris Tillman RHP For the Jays: Melky Cabrera LF Jose...