Roch Kubatko

Notes on Machado, Tillman and Nolin (and more Machado)

May 24, 2013, 9:00am

Orioles

Notes on Machado, Tillman and Nolin (and more Machado)

The Orioles just tweeted an interesting fact regarding third baseman Manny Machado, who continues to swing a hot bat away from Camden Yards. Not that it's been ice cold at home, but check this out: Machado has three hits in each of his last four road games. According to Elias, the only other player younger than 21 with a streak of four or more consecutive road games with at least three hits was Ty Cobb, who had five straight road games with at least three hits from Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 1907....

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Taking another look at Patton and Strop

May 23, 2013, 6:37pm

Orioles

Jim Johnson's slumps are the most noticeable in the Orioles' bullpen because he's the closer. Leads and games are usually lost if he surrenders a run or more. He's not looking for company in the misery department, but he's got it. Troy Patton replaced starter Kevin Gausman last night and issued back-to-back walks, including one to the Blue Jays' No. 9 hitter, Munenori Kawasaki, that started the trouble. He was charged with two runs when Pedro Strop served up Edwin Encarnacion's grand...

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Walks trip up Orioles in 12-6 loss

May 23, 2013, 6:00pm

Orioles

The Orioles used four pitchers tonight at Rogers Centre, and they each issued two walks. My math is poor, but that adds up to eight free passes. Not good. The Orioles also committed two errors, by first baseman Chris Davis and shortstop J.J. Hardy, and catcher Matt Wieters had a passed ball in the Orioles' 12-6 loss to the Blue Jays. Factor in the 11 hits that Toronto accumulated tonight, and it's no wonder that the Orioles dropped the first game of the series. Edwin Encarnacion's grand...

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Some firsts for Gausman (Markakis and Jones go back-to-back)

May 23, 2013, 4:03pm

Orioles

Some firsts for Gausman (Markakis and Jones go back-to-back)

Kevin Gausman's first major league pitch tonight was a 96 mph fastball that Toronto's Melky Cabrera took for a ball. His first strike came on the next pitch, a 95 mph heater. The first hit that he allowed was Cabrera's single up the middle on a 98 mph fastball. The first out came against the next batter, Jose Bautista, who flied to center on an 84 mph changeup. The first strikeout came against the next batter, Edwin Encarnacion, on a 97 mph fastball. Adam Lind struck out on an 85 mph...

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Arrieta optioned, Burnett designated for assignment

May 23, 2013, 12:56pm

Orioles

Arrieta optioned, Burnett designated for assignment

The Orioles made two roster moves today to accommodate pitcher Kevin Gausman, who had his contract selected from Double-A Bowie and will make his major league debut tonight in Toronto. Pitcher Jake Arrieta was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to create room on the 25-man roster, and reliever Alex Burnett was designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Arrieta didn't pitch for the Orioles after being recalled on May 18 as an extra bullpen arm. He was a candidate to start...

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Gausman debuts, Jones remains the DH

May 23, 2013, 12:22pm

Orioles

Kevin Gausman makes his major league debut tonight for the Orioles, who begin a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Gausman is the 11th starter used by the Orioles this season, one short of their 2012 total. He's the third Oriole to make his major league debut this year, joining Zach Clark and T.J. McFarland. Adam Jones remains the designated hitter tonight, the third straight game that he's been kept out of center field. Alexi Casilla gets the start at second...

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A scout's take on Gausman

May 23, 2013, 8:52am

Orioles

In case you missed it, Kevin Gausman will make his major league debut tonight in Toronto. I'm kidding, of course. Gausman will face the Blue Jays, but nobody has missed it. That's pretty much all that fans and the media can talk/write about. I spoke with a scout from outside the organization who watched Gausman in spring training and at Double-A Bowie. His first words were, "I think he's ready." Actually, his first words were "Hello, Roch," but you get the idea. "I don't think...

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Wieters dishes on Gausman before moving behind plate

May 22, 2013, 8:02pm

Orioles

Wieters dishes on Gausman before moving behind plate

Kevin Gausman will garner most of the attention tonight in his major league debut in Toronto, but keep an eye on the man behind the mask. Not the plate umpire, though would it surprise anyone if he ended up in the middle of a controversy? I'm referring to catcher Matt Wieters, who will guide Gausman through his first start. Keeping Gausman from getting too amped up will be one of Wieters' most important tasks. "It's kind of my job every night, to try to get those pitchers in the mindset...

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Showalter speaks after 6-3 win

May 22, 2013, 6:56pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter finally confirmed that Kevin Gausman will start Thursday night's game in Toronto. The corresponding move won't be announced until earlier in the day. "They're deciding who they're going to pitch second day in. I'd kind of like to see who that's going to be between a left- and right-hander before we do something," he said. Showalter indicated that he would be willing to go with a short bench and keep the extra bullpen arm, with the uncertainty surrounding...

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Hammel keeps the quality coming (O's win 6-3)

May 22, 2013, 5:29pm

Orioles

Hammel keeps the quality coming (O's win 6-3)

Orioles starter Jason Hammel kept the rotation on its recent roll tonight. Hammel labored early, but he became the fourth consecutive Orioles pitcher to complete six innings. And he kept going, striking out Reid Brignac and Austin Romine in the seventh before manager Buck Showalter signaled for left-hander Brian Matusz. OK, Kevin Gausman, it's your turn. Hammel tied his longest outing of the season at 6 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs and six hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. He...

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Orioles ambush Kuroda in first inning (Wieters homers)

May 22, 2013, 3:39pm

Orioles

Hiroki Kuroda shut out the Orioles on five hits in his first start against them on April 14 in New York. Tonight, the Orioles strung together four hits with two outs in the first inning and took a 3-0 lead. I'm pretty sure that's Kuroda on the mound, but he doesn't resemble the same pitcher who shut them down with such ease in the Bronx. Kuroda had allowed three home runs in his first nine starts. He served up two in the first inning tonight, with Nick Markakis clearing the fence in...

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More notes and quotes before tonight's game

May 22, 2013, 2:23pm

Orioles

More notes and quotes before tonight's game

Orioles manager Buck Showalter passed along a lot of credit today to the LSU coaching staff for preparing Kevin Gausman for the professional level. The staff includes former Orioles bullpen coach Alan Dunn, who's now the Tigers' pitching coach. "They did a great job with him at LSU, Alan Dunn," Showalter said. "He came with pretty good times to the plate from the stretch. He came with some things, and that's why he was so intriguing in the draft. "He's going to face the best hitters...

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Showalter on Gausman

May 22, 2013, 1:27pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter still won't confirm Kevin Gausman as Thursday night's starter against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. However, Gausman is on the taxi squad today, he's flying with the team to Toronto later tonight and he's going to start the series opener. The Orioles will just wait until Thursday afternoon to make the move official. They will have to remove players from the 25- and 40-man rosters. Jake Arrieta is the logical choice to be optioned back to Triple-A...

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Injury updates on Jones, Reimold, Schoop and Betemit (updated)

May 22, 2013, 12:49pm

Orioles

Injury updates on Jones, Reimold, Schoop and Betemit (updated)

Adam Jones is bothered by soreness in his groin, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter elected to use him as the designated hitter again tonight in the series finale against the New York Yankees. Jones could play center field, which is his preference, but Showalter is being careful with him. The Orioles will be playing four games on the artificial surface at Rogers Centre in Toronto beginning Thursday night. "He's not happy about it," Showalter said, "and that's a good thing." Outfielder...

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Jones serving as DH again (Gausman in Baltimore)

May 22, 2013, 11:12am

Orioles

Jones serving as DH again (Gausman in Baltimore)

The Orioles lineup for tonight's series finale against the New York Yankees includes Adam Jones serving as the designated hitter for the second consecutive game. Jones was bothered by a sore right leg late in Monday night's game. Chris Dickerson again will start in center field. Alexi Casilla will start at second base. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones DH Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson CF Alexi Casilla...

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Orioles acquire Horton from A's

May 22, 2013, 11:01am

Orioles

The Orioles swung a minor league deal this afternoon to improve their infield depth, acquiring Josh Horton from the Oakland Athletics for a player to be named later or cash. Horton, 27, is hitting .224/.246/.373 this season in 16 games at Triple-A Sacramento. He's a career .274/.349/.369 hitter in seven minor league seasons. The A's chose Horton in the second round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of North Carolina. Horton has played 386 games at shortstop, 67 at...

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More on last night's game and Gausman

May 21, 2013, 9:09pm

Orioles

Remember that stat I passed along last night about the Yankees being 19-0 when they score first? Well ... That was quite a dramatic mood shift at Camden Yards last night. The Orioles win in 10 innings on Nate McLouth's walk-off home run, and news breaks that last year's top draft pick, Kevin Gausman, was going to make his major league debut Thursday night in Toronto. No blown saves, no more losing streak, no more angst over Thursday's starter. It's a shame that Gausman will be wearing...

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A few thoughts on the Gausman decision

May 21, 2013, 8:06pm

Orioles

After talking to manager Buck Showalter about the two candidates for Thursday's start that he passed along earlier today, I wondered whether he had just talked himself out of both of them. Jake Arrieta's career numbers in Toronto were a concern. T.J. McFarland's lack of experience and the possible repercussions of a failed start were a concern. Showalter always adds "among others" when listing candidates. Well, Kevin Gausman was one of the "others," and he's getting the start on...

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Showalter speaks after 3-2, 10-inning win

May 21, 2013, 6:51pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 3-2, 10-inning win

With tonight's game heading to the bottom of the 10th inning and the Yankees bringing in left-hander Vidal Nuno, did Orioles manager Buck Showalter consider pinch-hitting for Nate Mclouth, who was leading off? "I thought he would hit a home run," Showalter said, grinning. McLouth did exactly that, of course, delivering the second walk-off home run of his career in a 3-2 victory over the Yankees. "Yeah, I considered it," Showalter said. "You'd have to make two moves if you do. And we...

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Starters getting deeper in games (McLouth with the walk-off)

May 21, 2013, 4:56pm

Orioles

Starters getting deeper in games (McLouth with the walk-off)

Center fielder Chris Dickerson isn't the only Oriole going deep tonight. Miguel Gonzalez has become the third consecutive Orioles starter to complete six innings. He's held the Yankees to two runs and four hits, with no walks and five strikeouts. Gonzalez has thrown 80 pitches, 54 for strikes. No one is warming in the Orioles' bullpen, so he'll return for the seventh with the score tied 2-2. Gonzalez has set down nine Yankees in a row since Travis Hafner's RBI single in the fourth...