Roch Kubatko

Mixed bag from Arrieta (O's win 5-4)

April 16, 2013, 5:13pm

Orioles

Do you focus on the walks and the pitch count, or do you focus on the runs allowed and strikeouts? Jake Arrieta worked five-plus innings tonight against the Tampa Bay rays, and the only run against him came on Desmond Jennings' leadoff home run in the top of the first inning. He has a chance to win his first game of 2013 after two no-decisions. Arrieta came back out for the top of the sixth and walked Evan Longoria on five pitches, raising his total to 112 (63 strikes). He walked five...

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Arrieta allows homer on first pitch (O's lead 3-1)

April 16, 2013, 3:30pm

Orioles

Arrieta allows homer on first pitch (O's lead 3-1)

One pitch from Jake Arrieta tonight, and the Orioles were losing to the Tampa Bay Rays. Desmond Jennings hit his fifth career leadoff homer, launching a 94-mph fastball into the left field seats. Yes, it escalated quickly. Arrieta struck out the next batter, Kelly Johnson, but the at-bat lasted 13 pitches. I guess it's going to be a night of extremes. Ben Zobrist flied to left and Evan Longoria flied to right, and Arrieta was back in the dugout at 19 pitches. Arrieta is looking for his...

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For Flaherty, Boston tragedy hit especially close to home

April 16, 2013, 2:02pm

Orioles

For Flaherty, Boston tragedy hit especially close to home

The news of yesterday's explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon may have affected Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty more than anyone else inside the clubhouse. Flaherty is a native of Portland, Maine, and he has a deep appreciation for Patriots' Day, which always includes the marathon. He sat quietly in his Baltimore apartment yesterday, staring at the horrific images flashing on his television screen that will stay with him for a very long time. "In New England, Patriots' Day...

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Pregame notes on Roberts, Wada, Steve Johnson and more

April 16, 2013, 1:18pm

Orioles

Pregame notes on Roberts, Wada, Steve Johnson and more

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts hasn't been cleared for baseball activities, and he won't be ready to come off the disabled list when eligible on Saturday. It was considered a long shot anyway after an MRI revealed a ruptured tendon behind Roberts' right knee. He sustained the injury on April 4. "He's feeling a little better each day," said manager Buck Showalter. "Still not doing baseball activities, though, so I would think the 20th isn't going to be an option for us." Steve...

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McLouth leading off, Reimold at DH vs. Rays (and Rays lineup)

April 16, 2013, 11:11am

Orioles

McLouth leading off, Reimold at DH vs. Rays (and Rays lineup)

Back home for just their fourth game at Camden Yards this season, the Orioles are using a pretty familiar lineup - the very same one they employed in each of their last two contests. Nate McLouth is in left and leading off for the third straight game. Nolan Reimold is at designated hitter and Ryan Flaherty is playing second. The rest of the usuals are in their normal spots for the series opener against the Rays. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones...

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Arrieta looking to get on track tonight (and more notes)

April 15, 2013, 6:38pm

Orioles

Arrieta looking to get on track tonight (and more notes)

The Orioles are preparing for only their fourth home game of the 2013 season. They can be excused if they accidentally head to the visiting clubhouse and wait to take batting practice after their opponent. The Tampa Bay Rays were able to fly out of Boston last night following the bombings that killed at least three people and injured several more, another senseless act of violence that peels away the layers of comfort and security in our daily lives. Rays manager Joe Maddon sent the following...

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Another Conor Jackson update

April 15, 2013, 1:14pm

Orioles

I couldn't resist filing a blog entry today that didn't include a dateline. It's good to be home. Conor Jackson's contract has been placed on Triple-A Norfolk's restricted list pending receipt of a letter stating that the first baseman/outfielder desires to voluntarily retire, according to executive vice president Dan Duquette. Yesterday, Jackson informed Tides manager Ron Johnson of his decision to retire. Johnson texted Orioles manager Buck Showalter with the news. The Orioles...

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Postgame comments following 3-0 loss

April 14, 2013, 7:30pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - The smile disappeared from Wei-Yin Chen's face tonight. So did most of the words in his vocabulary. Chen was brief in his postgame comments following the Orioles' 3-0 loss to the New York Yankees. He was clearly upset with his performance and his 10th straight regular season start without a win. "I feel like it's an OK performance tonight," Chen said through his interpreter, Tim Lin. All the damage against Chen occurred in the fifth inning, including Brett Gardner's two-run...

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Leftovers for breakfast

April 14, 2013, 6:36pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Orioles left-hander T.J. McFarland got his feet wet in an April 6 game against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards. He was tossed into the deep end of the pool last night at Yankee Stadium, and the Rule 5 pick didn't sink to the bottom. McFarland threw two scoreless innings, raising his major league total to 5 1/3. He's allowed two hits and struck out eight. "I felt good," he said. "It was a little cold out there. I was layered up, but I felt good. "You couldn't ask for...

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Chen receiving the usual run support (O's lose 3-0)

April 14, 2013, 5:30pm

Orioles

Chen receiving the usual run support (O's lose 3-0)

NEW YORK - Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is shutting out the New York Yankees on two hits over the first four innings, which is the good news. Chen is receiving the usual run support, which his the bad news. The game is scoreless in the fifth inning, with four Orioles hits going to waste against Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda. Chen hasn't picked up a win in his last nine regular season starts, going 0-5 with a 4.36 ERA in 53 2/3 innings. The Orioles have totaled 15 runs in those nine starts while...

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Pregame comments from Showalter

April 14, 2013, 3:03pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter found out about first baseman/outfielder Conor Jackson's retirement today during a text exchange with Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson. "He loved being with the organization and all that, but he's at the stage of his life where it wasn't something he wanted to continue to do," Showalter said. "I know a little bit more than that, but that's something that should come from Conor. He's just at the stage of his life where he wanted to move on...

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More on Conor Jackson's retirement

April 14, 2013, 1:51pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson said Conor Jackson's decision to retire today wasn't related to a physical ailment. "He just said at this point, his heart wasn't in it right now and that was it," Johnson said. "It wasn't a physical issue. He's been playing down here. It's just a personal decision he made and I've got a lot of respect for Conor Jackson." Johnson preferred to keep the rest of the conversation private. "I have a lot of respect for him as a player and...

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Orioles-Yankees lineups for Sunday night

April 14, 2013, 12:07pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Nate McLouth is back in left field and atop the Orioles lineup tonight, and Nolan Reimold again is serving as the designated hitter. Pretty sure this lineup is the exact same as the one posted yesterday. 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 Ryan Flaherty 2B Nolan Reimold DH Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Yankees: Brett Gardner CF Vernon Wells LF Robinson Cano 2B Kevin Youkilis 3B Ben Francisco...

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Conor Jackson retires (and a few pregame notes)

April 14, 2013, 9:59am

Orioles

Conor Jackson retires (and a few pregame notes)

NEW YORK - Conor Jackson was the Orioles' final cut in spring training, losing out to Steve Pearce for the last bench spot on the 25-man roster. He figured to get back into the majors this summer. It was only a matter of time. Nine games into his Triple-A season, Jackson has decided to retire. Jackson informed team officials of his decision today, and the Norfolk Tides sent out a tweet confirming it. Outfielder Lew Ford has been promoted from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk as Jackson's...

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Jim Johnson's closing argument

April 13, 2013, 7:45pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - I was flipping through Sports Illustrated's baseball preview issue, because I tend to fall behind in my reading, and noticed an ominous prediction regarding Orioles closer Jim Johnson. Strikeout rate is the single-best predictor of a pitcher's longevity and effectiveness, according to the magazine, and Johnson fanned only 15.2 percent of the batters he faced last year while setting a franchise record with 51 saves. Since 2000, nine pitchers have recorded 40 or more saves with a...

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Showalter speaks after 5-3 win

April 13, 2013, 4:06pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Here's a sampling of manager Buck Showalter's comments following today's 5-3 Orioles win over the New York Yankees. On Jason Hammel: "He was pretty good. His command was good. He threw a lot of strikes, threw enough breaking balls, got some big outs when he needed it, like you always say. He made the lead matter. He got it over to our bullpen. They did a great job and Ham was the difference-maker today. You've got to have a quality start. He continues to keep our bullpen in a...

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Hearing from Hammel, Markakis, McLouth and Reimold

April 13, 2013, 3:51pm

Orioles

Hearing from Hammel, Markakis, McLouth and Reimold

NEW YORK - Jason Hammel earned his second victory today, both of them on the road. He berated himself after the game against the Tampa Bay Rays, but he found more to like this afternoon against the New York Yankees. "Much better," he said after allowing three runs (two earned)in six innings in the Orioles' 5-3 victory. "I still think there's room for improvement, but I feel everything coming around. I know when I'm going good. The slider and fastball command is much better. I was...

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Hammel keeps the walks to a minimum (O's win 5-3)

April 13, 2013, 2:25pm

Orioles

Hammel keeps the walks to a minimum (O's win 5-3)

NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter appeared to be bothered more by the number of walks and hit batters from his pitchers last night than Adam Jones' dropped fly ball and the triple play that contributed to an 8-5 loss to the New York Yankees. Jason Hammel has been a comfort to Showalter this afternoon. Hammel issued only one walk in six innings, and he left the game with the Orioles ahead, 5-3. Brian Matusz has replaced him in the seventh with the top of the Yankees' order due...

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Flaherty carries momentum to New York (Reimold homers)

April 13, 2013, 12:49pm

Orioles

Flaherty carries momentum to New York (Reimold homers)

NEW YORK - Remember that two-out single by Ryan Flaherty in Boston that broke an 0-for-17 streak and ignited a late game-winning rally? He's staying hot. Flaherty homered off Yankees starter Phil Hughes with one out in the second inning to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. It's his first homer of the season, and his first since Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Oct. 9 in the Bronx. Flaherty is now 2-for-19, which only sounds bad if you didn't know about the 0-for-17...

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Positive reports from extended spring training

April 13, 2013, 10:42am

Orioles

Positive reports from extended spring training

NEW YORK - Besides the full-season minor league affiliates that began playing this month, the extended spring training games in Sarasota also hold a great deal of importance to the Orioles. Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia served as the designated hitter again for the second straight day and is scheduled to play right field on Monday and Tuesday. The Orioles are close to assigning him to an affiliate, with Double-A Bowie his likely destination. Steve Johnson pitched three innings today and...