Roch Kubatko

Notes and updates before tonight's game

June 14, 2013, 1:14pm

Orioles

Pitcher Jake Arrieta hadn't arrived at Camden Yards when reporters met with manager Buck Showalter shortly after 4 p.m., but he's on the field now for batting practice and will be available in the bullpen. "It's his day to pitch," Showalter said. "We needed some length out there and Jake fit for us. We'll see what the next couple days bring. Freddy (Garcia) would also be available to us in the 'pen tonight. He was available last night, too, in his words." Arrieta is "an option" to...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

June 14, 2013, 11:15am

Orioles

Chris Tillman takes the mound tonight for the Orioles, who will attempt to beat the Red Sox in the regulation nine innings. Something different to break the monotony. Tillman is 1-1 with a 2.97 ERA in six career starts against the Red Sox. In seven home starts this year, he's 1-2 with a 5.31 ERA over 39 innings, with four quality starts. 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 Chris Dickerson DH Ryan Flaherty...

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Arrieta joining Orioles' bullpen

June 14, 2013, 7:20am

Orioles

The Orioles will recall Jake Arrieta from Triple-A Norfolk this afternoon to serve as an extra bullpen arm for tonight's game against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. An announcement will come later today. Arrieta will take Kevin Gausman's spot on the 25-man roster. Gausman was optioned after last night's 13-inning game, which included six relievers being used behind him. Arrieta hasn't pitched since Sunday, so he'd be working on normal rest if needed tonight. He's 3-3 with a 5.50...

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Really random thoughts

June 13, 2013, 10:11pm

Orioles

This blog entry is going to shift in many directions, so buckle up or grab onto the railing. The Orioles will announce their corresponding roster move today after optioning Kevin Gausman late last night. They have a spot open on their 40-man roster, though they'll need it for Tsuyoshi Wada once his 30-day rehab assignment ends this weekend. The plan is to put him on the 40-man and option him, with his consent, to Triple-A Norfolk. Josh Stinson, Jair Jurrjens and Zach Britton are three...

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Showalter speaks after 5-4, 13-inning win (Gausman optioned)

June 13, 2013, 8:29pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 5-4, 13-inning win (Gausman optioned)

The Orioles are contemplating a roster move for Friday to add another reliever after using six in tonight's 5-4, 13-inning win over the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. Brian Matusz threw 26 pitches, Tommy Hunter 21, Darren O'Day 26, Troy Patton five, Jim Johnson 10 and T.J. McFarland 16. Patton and Matusz also pitched Wednesday afternoon against the Angels. "We didn't overextend anybody," said manager Buck Showalter. "Tommy's pitch count was down. Darren had two days off going today...

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Davis wins it in 13th

June 13, 2013, 7:47pm

Orioles

Chris Davis' two-out bloop single into left field in the bottom of the 13th inning off Red Sox reliever Alex Wilson scored Nick Markakis and gave the Orioles a 5-4 victory before whatever remained of 20,098 at Camden Yards. Markakis walked with two outs and Adam Jones singled to right field. Davis followed with his second run-scoring single of the night. Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland picked up his first major league win by retiring the Red Sox in order in the top of the 13th inning. The game...

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Gausman leaves with lead (free baseball!)

June 13, 2013, 5:28pm

Orioles

Gausman leaves with lead (free baseball!)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter let rookie Kevin Gausman start the top of the sixth inning, but he had left-hander Brian Matusz ready in the bullpen. Gausman was going to face two more batters before David Ortiz came to the plate. Shane Victorino flied out and Dustin Pedroia singled. With Ortiz representing the tying run, Showalter brought in Matusz for one of the more favorable matchups in baseball. Ortiz was 1-for-15 with 10 strikeouts against Matusz. Make it 1-for-16 after Ortiz popped...

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A few more notes and updates (O's lead 4-2)

June 13, 2013, 3:17pm

Orioles

A few more notes and updates (O's lead 4-2)

The Orioles have won 11 of their last 15 games against the Boston Red Sox and 21 of their last 30. They've won five straight series and eight of nine dating back to Sept. 19, 2011. Manager Buck Showalter gave Nate McLouth the start in left field tonight against Boston left-hander Felix Doubront, leaving Steve Pearce on the bench. Pearce walked past the lineup card today and asked a reporter who was pitching for the Red Sox. There hasn't been a change. Showalter had his reasons. "If you...

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Showalter on Strop

June 13, 2013, 1:41pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked today whether he's comfortable using reliever Pedro Strop in any situation after yesterday's outing, when the right-hander allowed two inherited runners to score and four of his own. "What does 'comfortable' mean," Showalter replied. Will Showalter use Strop in any situation? "Well, it depends what the needs of our bullpen are," he said. "Yesterday, we had three or four guys that we weren't going to use. We've got some guys who, when...

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Reimold almost ready for rehab assignment

June 13, 2013, 1:06pm

Orioles

Reimold almost ready for rehab assignment

Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold said he expects to begin his injury-rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Bowie. "That's what I'm shooting for," he said. Reimold ran sprints and did quick bursts today before the heavy rain arrived at Camden Yards. As long as his right hamstring didn't bark, he would be cleared to start playing again. "It's feeling better. I've made a lot of progress," he said. "I think you know when you're past the point where you're going to keep having...

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McLouth and Flaherty included in tonight's lineup (plus Casilla update)

June 13, 2013, 11:14am

Orioles

McLouth and Flaherty included in tonight's lineup (plus Casilla update)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't entirely break out his right-handed lineup tonight against Red Sox left-hander Felix Doubront. Nate McLouth is in left field. No Steve Pearce. Ryan Flaherty is at second base. No Alexi Casilla. Casilla's right index finger must still be sore. For the Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury CF Shane Victorino RF Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Mike Napoli 1B Daniel Nava LF Jarrod Saltalamachia C Will Middlebrooks 3B Stephen Drew SS Felix Doubront LHP For the...

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Kevin Gausman and his two changeups

June 13, 2013, 9:06am

Orioles

Kevin Gausman is on the mound tonight for the Orioles, searching for his first major league win in the opener of a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox. As usual, no pressure. During his last two starts, the Gameday pitch tracker kept giving readings on a "splitter," which seemed curious, since Gausman doesn't throw a split-fingered fastball. One split was clocked at 81 mph, the next at 88 mph. Gausman explained earlier this week that the confusion stems from the two changeups that...

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Orioles facing decision on Strop

June 12, 2013, 7:18pm

Orioles

I didn't plan on writing about Pedro Strop this morning as yesterday's game moved past the middle innings. But then, you know, stuff happened. I was surprised that starter Jason Hammel returned for the seventh inning. My ears were ringing from all the loud outs. It was a gutsy performance on a day when Hammel's command wavered, and I thought that trying to squeeze one more inning out of him was risky. However, it was clear that manager Buck Showalter wanted to avoid using a few of his...

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Showalter: "We can't pitch the same guys every night"

June 12, 2013, 12:37pm

Orioles

Showalter: "We can't pitch the same guys every night"

Without revealing the names, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he had two or three relievers that he wasn't going to use today. Pedro Strop wasn't on that list. Strop allowed two inherited runners to score and four of his own in the Orioles' 9-5 loss to the Angels before 25,964 at Camden Yards. The seventh inning unraveled after Strop, inheriting two runners from starter Jason Hammel with no outs, leaping for Hank Conger's high chopper and failed to make a play. If he doesn't touch...

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Strop enters game and loses lead (O's lose 9-5)

June 12, 2013, 11:11am

Orioles

Strop enters game and loses lead (O's lose 9-5)

The first two batters reached against Jason Hammel in the top of the seventh inning, and manager Buck Showalter called for Pedro Strop. It didn't go as planned. Hank Conger reached on an infield hit to load the bases, the ball deflecting off Strop's glove, and Erick Aybar followed with a three-run triple. Aybar scored on Ryan Flaherty's throwing error on the relay to third base. In the blink of an eye, the Angels had four runs and fans were booing Strop, who was making his second...

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McLouth's stolen base streak ends, Davis' HR drought ends

June 12, 2013, 9:51am

Orioles

McLouth's stolen base streak ends, Davis' HR drought ends

Orioles left fielder Nate McLouth is 2-for-2 at the plate today and 0-for-1 in arguments. McLouth singled again leading off the bottom of the third inning, and he appeared to get his 23rd stolen base of the season, which would have tied his career high. However, second base umpire Joe West ruled that McLouth's foot came off the bag as he came out of his slide, and shortstop Erick Aybar applied the tag. McLouth and manager Buck Showalter applied pressure to West, both of them disputing the...

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Orioles facing decision on Wada (O's lead 2-0)

June 12, 2013, 8:49am

Orioles

Wada mess. OK, I couldn't resist. Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada's injury rehab assignment ends this weekend and he can't be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk without his consent. It's part of his contract. Wada was torched last night for eight runs (seven earned) in 1 1/3 innings. He's totaled only 24 1/3 innings in six starts with the Tides, allowing 33 hits and posting an 8.14 ERA. He's not ready for major league hitters. The Orioles will try to convince Wada to remain with Norfolk past...

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Chen progressing, and other notes

June 12, 2013, 7:54am

Orioles

Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will throw off a half mound on Thursday in Sarasota, and off a full mound on Saturday if he doesn't experience any setbacks in his recovery from a strained oblique. Chen could be in Baltimore by the weekend or early next week, as the Orioles monitor his progress and determine when he's ready to go on an injury rehab assignment. He would likely pitch in a simulated game before joining an affiliate. Brian Roberts took batting practice in the indoor cage...

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Casilla's finger improving, but he remains out (plus matinee lineups)

June 12, 2013, 6:45am

Orioles

Casilla's finger improving, but he remains out (plus matinee lineups)

Although Alexi Casilla says his right index finger is doing much better, the second baseman remains out of the Orioles lineup for a third straight game. The finger, which Casilla jammed attempting to steal second against Tampa Bay on Sunday, isn't as swollen and is no longer bandaged. He feels more flexibility in his hand and can almost make a fist. Casilla threw today and said it went OK, but it's unclear whether he'll be available off the bench for anything beyond pinch running. So Ryan...

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Hammel trying to feel at home

June 11, 2013, 8:12pm

Orioles

The lineups will be coming to you earlier than normal on a Wednesday, with the Orioles scheduled to play a 12:35 p.m. game against the Angels. Do the Orioles lead the majors in day games? Their body clocks must be out of whack. Jason Hammel is making his sixth start at Camden Yards. He's 1-3 with a 7.33 ERA at home, allowing 22 earned runs in 27 innings. His last start here ended with an ejection after back-to-back-to-back home runs by the Tigers. He's not looking to relive that...