Roch Kubatko

Angelos visits clubhouse

October 08, 2012, 8:42pm

Orioles

Orioles majority owner Peter G. Angelos was a surprise visitor to the Orioles' clubhouse following tonight's 3-2 victory over the Yankees in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Angelos was accompanied by his son, Louis, executive vice president Dan Duquette and Lou Kousouris, the club's vice president/special liaison to the chairman. He moved from locker to locker, shaking hands with players and congratulating them. Closer Jim Johnson presented Angelos with a baseball from his...

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Showalter's strategy in the seventh (O's win 3-2, even series)

October 08, 2012, 7:28pm

Orioles

Showalter's strategy in the seventh (O's win 3-2, even series)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter brought in left-hander Brian Matusz to face left-handed hitting Robinson Cano with one out, a runner at first base and the Orioles clinging to a 3-2 lead in the seventh inning. Or so it seemed. Cano was 9-for-28 lifetime against Matusz, with a double, two home runs and six strikeouts. Matusz retired him last night on a ground ball. On deck stood switch-hitting Nick Swisher. Showalter ordered the intentional walk to Cano after Ichiro Suzuki stole second base....

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Bizarre start to delayed Game 2 (O's lead 3-1)

October 08, 2012, 5:15pm

Orioles

Bizarre start to delayed Game 2 (O's lead 3-1)

The start of tonight's Game 2 of the American League Division Series was delayed 40 minutes by a light rain. If the top of the first inning is any indication, the wait will be worth it. The Yankees took a 1-0 lead on Robinson Cano's two-out double off Wei-Yin Chen, who surrendered 21 runs in the first inning during the regular season. He remains something of a slow starter. Derek Jeter fell behind 0-2 and singled to right-center field. Ichiro Suzuki fell behind 0-2 and reached on an error...

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A few minutes with Dan Duquette (Markakis and rain delay updates)

October 08, 2012, 2:59pm

Orioles

A few minutes with Dan Duquette (Markakis and rain delay updates)

The Orioles still don't have a starter listed for a possible Game 4 on Thursday. The Yankees will start Phil Hughes. Nate McLouth has driven in two runs in each postseason game so far to become the sixth player to record consecutive multi-RBI games in Orioles postseason history, joining Mike Bordick, Todd Zeile, Kiko Garcia, Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell. The postseason may provide executive vice president Dan Duquette with more downtime than usual, since organizational meetings have been...

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Showalter meets the press before Game 2

October 08, 2012, 1:46pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter went against the left-right percentages and decided to start Jim Thome against veteran southpaw Andy Pettitte. Showalter considered starting Thome against left-hander CC Sabathia last night, but used Lew Ford as his designated hitter. "Tough not playing him last night," Showalter said. "He's got his shin guards and his batting gloves on about three-fourths of that game last night. He had a good lather going. "It gives us a chance to be a little more...

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Orioles lineup against the Yankees (with ALCS ticket information)

October 08, 2012, 11:42am

Orioles

Jim Thome is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter tonight in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Manager Buck Showalter has been sitting Thome against left-handers, but not tonight. Chris Davis remains in right field. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Jim Thome DH Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP NOTE: Game 3 of the ALDS in New York is scheduled for 7:37 p.m. Wednesday, but...

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Orioles take another swing at Pettitte (updated)

October 08, 2012, 11:32am

Orioles

Andy Pettitte is facing the Orioles tonight. Hold on, this might be an old notebook. Nope, it's the one I've used this summer. Pettitte is starting Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Does this mean Roger Clemens goes in Game 3? The Orioles haven't faced Pettitte since he decided to make a comeback this season. The only player who's had an at-bat against him is Omar Quintanilla, while he was playing for the Mets, but he's not on the Division Series roster. Pettitte is 27-6...

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Oh, what a night for O'Day

October 07, 2012, 10:41pm

Orioles

You probably didn't recognize Jim Johnson last night, since he wasn't pitching in a save situation and he wasn't churning out another drama-free inning. (OK, the same thing happened Friday night in the wild card game, though with much better results. Just work with me here.) It was like an imposter stole Johnson's No. 43 jersey and his entrance music. But that was Darren O'Day in the seventh. I'd know his delivery anywhere, and his knack for escaping jams that have been dumped at his...

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Showalter speaks after 7-2 loss

October 07, 2012, 8:58pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has spoken in the past about how closer Jim Johnson can spoil a team with his lengthy string of successful outings. A glitch comes out of nowhere. It's never anticipated. Johnson entered Game 1 of the American League Division Series with the score tied in the top of the ninth. He walked off the mound having retired only one batter, four runs already charged to him and an unearned run coming as he sat in the dugout. "It's tough. It's just tough going,...

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Orioles' bullpen still clutch, game still tied (O's lose 7-2)

October 07, 2012, 7:43pm

Orioles

Left-hander Troy Patton replaced starter Jason Hammel with two outs in the sixth and a runner on first, gave up a single and retired Curtis Granderson on a fly ball to keep the game tied. Clutch. Darren O'Day only let six of 43 inherited runners score during the regular season. He inherited two in the seventh inning tonight and stranded them to keep the game tied. Clutch. Brian Matusz retired the first two batters in the eighth, walked Mark Teixeira and struck out Granderson on three...

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Game 1 finally starts (Hammel done)

October 07, 2012, 4:53pm

Orioles

The crowd erupted for the first time tonight when the first chords of "Sweet Home Alabama" were heard over the PA system. The next ovation came when three members of the grounds crew walked onto the field with brooms to sweep away puddles on the warning track, which was followed by a "Let's Go O's" chant. Yeah, the fans are fired up for the first playoff game at Camden Yards in 15 years. The rain delay lasted 2 hours, 26 minutes, but it couldn't dampen their enthusiasm. They don't...

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The decision to start Chen in Game 2, Gonzalez in Game 3

October 07, 2012, 1:01pm

Orioles

The decision to start Chen in Game 2, Gonzalez in Game 3

Confirmation on the Orioles' Game 2 starter came earlier today when reporters were notified via e-mail that Wei-Yin Chen would be available in the interview room following manager Buck Showalter, who indicated yesterday that the Taiwanese left-hander would likely get the assignment. Another rookie, Miguel Gonzalez, will start Game 3 Tuesday in New York. Chen hasn't pitched since Monday, which isn't a bad thing. He's posted a 2.28 ERA in four starts while working on six-plus days rest. He...

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Showalter explains roster, lineup and more

October 07, 2012, 12:13pm

Orioles

Showalter explains roster, lineup and more

Let me begin this entry by posting the Yankees lineup for Game 1 of the American League Division Series. And this is the correct version. I promise. Derek Jeter SS Ichiro Suzuki LF Alex Rodriguez 3B Robinson Cano 2B Nick Swisher RF Mark Teixeira 1B Curtis Granderson CF Russell Martin C Raul Ibanez DH CC Sabathia LHP Manager Buck Showalter had to make some hard decisions with his Division Series roster. He kept Tommy Hunter and Joe Saunders as potential long men in the bullpen, though...

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Updated Orioles lineup (plus ALDS roster)

October 07, 2012, 10:23am

Orioles

Here's the correct version of the Orioles' lineup for Game 1 of the American League Division Series: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis RF Lew Ford DH Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP The Game 1 ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Perry Hall High School guidance counselor Jesse Wasmer, who will be accompanied by student Daniel Borowy. On Aug. 27, after Borowy was shot in the back by another student in the...

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Roster to undergo more changes

October 06, 2012, 8:22pm

Orioles

The Orioles must submit their American League Division Series roster by 10 a.m. today, and manager Buck Showalter already has sat down with executive vice president Dan Duquette to discuss its composition. I don't know when the Orioles will announce it, but my guess is sometime between 11 a.m. and noon, while I'm joining Tom Davis and Dave Johnson on "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN. Room must be made for starters Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman. Manager Buck...

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Showalter talks about his rotation, updates Reynolds and more

October 06, 2012, 2:59pm

Orioles

Showalter talks about his rotation, updates Reynolds and more

Though he's working on minimal sleep, Orioles manager Buck Showalter looks refreshed today. He certainly looks drier than I remember him. Showalter spoke with reporters for about 20 minutes this afternoon, again coming across as loose, confident and respectful of his opponent. In other words, just another day. Showalter settled on Jason Hammel as his starter for Game 1 after sorting through what he called "a lot of different variables." "We felt like all along we didn't try to push...

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Hammel gets the Game 1 assignment

October 06, 2012, 2:16pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Jason Hammel will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees. The rest of his rotation? Too soon. Showalter indicated that Wei-Yin Chen will start Game 2, followed by Miguel Gonzalez in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. However, he also said the weather could influence those plans. Showalter didn't name a Game 4 starter, if the series extends that far. Hammel threw 45-50 pitches in a side session yesterday at full capacity,...

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Assuming it's Hammel ... (Yankees playoff rotation)

October 06, 2012, 10:55am

Orioles

Assuming it's Hammel ... (Yankees playoff rotation)

The Orioles get the pleasure of resetting their playoff roster for the Division Series that begins Sunday at Camden Yards. Weather permitting, of course. Before anyone asks, I can only assume that a postponement Sunday would push the first two games to Monday and Tuesday, with the Orioles and Yankees losing their workout day in the Bronx. Just a hunch. Let's cross that washed-out bridge when we come to it. Manager Buck Showalter can add starters Jason Hammel, Miguel Gonzalez, Chris Tillman...

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Saunders makes Orioles history

October 06, 2012, 2:53am

Orioles

ARLINGTON, Texas - The alarm on my phone jolted me from a deep sleep, one that lasted under three hours. My champagne-soaked clothes are stuffed in a bag inside my suitcase. I look forward to unleashing that aroma once I'm back in Sykesville. I'll be filing blog entries from Camden Yards later today. The Orioles are holding a workout that Adam Jones wished would be open to the public. He's champing at the bit to play in front of a capacity crowd at Camden Yards. What's one more...

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Showalter speaks, and dries off, after 5-1 win

October 05, 2012, 9:37pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks, and dries off, after 5-1 win

ARLINGTON, Texas - Players kept asking, "Where's Buck?" Once they found him amidst the bedlam inside their clubhouse, they rushed him with bottles of champagne and absolutely soaked him. Showalter had won his first playoff game since 1995. Naturally, he deflected the credit, passing it first to his starting pitcher. "You know, in regards to what happened during the course of the game, it all starts with Joe Saunders and the outing he gave us," Showalter said. "He's had two good outings...