Roch Kubatko

Scoring change and a score (O's lose 3-2)

September 14, 2012, 6:56pm

Orioles

Scoring change and a score (O's lose 3-2)

If you keep a scorebook at home, remove the error charged to first baseman Mark Reynolds on Sept. 9 against the Yankees. Give Robinson Cano a double. I hope you used a pencil. The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on an error by Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson that scored Manny Machado, who singled, advanced to second on Robert Andino's fly ball to center field and took third on Nate McLouth's fly ball to right. Machado must have heard about Coco Crisp's weak arm in...

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Orioles and Athletics lineups and assorted notes

September 14, 2012, 2:37pm

Orioles

Lew Ford is starting in right field tonight, as manager Buck Showalters breaks out his right-handed lineup. However, left-handed hitting Chris Davis is the designated hitter. Matt Wieters is behind the plate and batting fourth. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Lew Ford RF Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis DH Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Joe Saunders LHP For the Athletics: Coco Crisp CF Jonny Gomes DH Josh Reddick RF Yoenis Cespedes LF Chris...

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Gregg released, Adams outrighted

September 14, 2012, 10:45am

Orioles

The Orioles announced today that they released veteran reliever Kevin Gregg and outrighted minor league second baseman Ryan Adams to Triple-A Norfolk after he cleared waivers. No surprises here. Gregg is hoping to catch on with another team and the Orioles couldn't come up with a trade partner over the winter or during the season. He figured to be cut loose after they designated him for assignment Tuesday. Gregg went 3-2 with a 4.74 ERA in 40 appearances for the Orioles this season. He...

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New contract not a hot topic for Showalter or Orioles (Bundy note)

September 14, 2012, 2:46am

Orioles

The Orioles have ended their streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons. When do they begin talks with manager Buck Showalter on a new contract? Showalter has one year remaining on a deal he signed in August 2010. At this point, neither side has broached the subject. It's a back-burner issue, just as Showalter wants to keep it. Showalter has no interest in going down that road with his team tied with the Yankees for first place in the American League East in the middle of September. He'll...

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Orioles end a long game and a longer streak

September 13, 2012, 2:59pm

Orioles

Today's attendance: 25,130 The Orioles completed a three-game sweep of the Rays with a 3-2, 14-inning victory. They have sole possession of first place in the American League East, with the Yankees playing the Red Sox later tonight. The Rays fall four games back in the division. The Orioles can do no worse than .500, ending their streak of consecutive losing seasons at 14. Just don't listen for the sound of champagne corks popping in the home clubhouse. "I don't think our guys take...

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Good news on Hammel's MRI (with quote)

September 13, 2012, 2:17pm

Orioles

The MRI on Jason Hammel's right knee didn't reveal a new injury, according to Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Hammel will accompany the team to the West Coast. He may seek a second opinion on the results, but the Orioles are confident that he's going to be fine. The next step, of course, is getting Hammel back on a mound and into the rotation. There's no timetable for his return. "We got good news, that there's no new injury that we can see on the MRI," Showalter said. "They're...

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Orioles lacking runs, not chances (O's win in 14th)

September 13, 2012, 12:53pm

Orioles

The Orioles have put at least one runner on base in the last 10 innings. We're still tied, 2-2, but it isn't for lack of opportunities. The Orioles have stranded 11 runners, the Rays eight. The teams are a combined 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position. Luis Ayala shut out the Rays on one hit, with three strikeouts, over 2 1/3 innings. His season high was 2 2/3 on July 17 in Minnesota. The Rays gave up their designated hitter by putting Evan Longoria at third base. Manager Joe Maddon...

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McLouth continues to sizzle from leadoff spot (we're tied)

September 13, 2012, 9:50am

Orioles

McLouth continues to sizzle from leadoff spot (we're tied)

Nate McLouth is doing a nice impression of Nick Markakis. Put anyone atop the order and they seem to heat up. Markakis batted .335 with 15 doubles, two triples, five homers, 28 RBIs, 34 runs scored and an .879 OPS as the leadoff hitter. McLouth has five hits in this series and is 10-for-23 on the homestand, raising his average to .279 with the Orioles. McLouth doubled with two outs in the third inning, again pulling the ball into the right field corner, but J.J. Hardy grounded out. McLouth...

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Britton starting Saturday

September 13, 2012, 7:59am

Orioles

The Orioles' rotation gained another confirmed starter today. Left-hander Zach Britton will start Saturday in Oakland, leaving Sunday's starter as the only mystery in the three-game series. Left-hander Joe Saunders will take the mound on Friday. Chris Tillman said he hasn't been told when he'll get back into the rotation. It could be Sunday in Oakland or Monday or Tuesday in Seattle. Jason Hammel is undergoing his MRI this morning, and the Orioles hope to have the results before they...

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Wieters gets the day off

September 13, 2012, 6:52am

Orioles

Taylor Teagarden is catching today. Matt Wieters found out he was getting the day off as bench coach John Russell began posting the lineup on the magnetic board outside the clubhouse. Manny Machado moves up to sixth for the second time in his major league career. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Wilson Betemit DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis RF Manny Machado 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 2B Taylor Teagarden C Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Rays: Desmond Jennings LF B.J. Upton...

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Will the other streak end today?

September 13, 2012, 4:30am

Orioles

Whenever I was asked to make a prediction for the 2012 season, I would point out how the Orioles could approach .500 if the rest of the division came down to them. How they couldn't afford injuries to key players. How their young starters needed to take the next step forward. Pretty much the same thing I said in 2011 and 2010. I didn't claim to be breaking new ground. Well, the division came down to the Orioles. I got that one right. But they haven't avoided injuries and their young...

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Showalter speaks after 3-2 win

September 12, 2012, 7:33pm

Orioles

The Orioles and Yankees remain in a first-place tie in the American League East, with both teams winning by one run. The Orioles are 26-7 in one-run games after tonight's 3-2 victory over the Rays. A win tomorrow will allow the Orioles (80-62) to end their streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons, but the bar has been raised so much higher. Nate McLouth's walk-off single scored Manny Machado, but it was the rookie's play at third base to end the top of the ninth that prompted the first...

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Machado a hero in the field and at the plate

September 12, 2012, 6:47pm

Orioles

Machado a hero in the field and at the plate

Manny Machado keeps making it easy to forget he's a 20-year-old shortstop. Machado made a veteran play to end the top of the ninth inning, fielding Evan Longoria's chopper, faking the throw to first, spinning and firing to J.J. Hardy covering third. Rich Thompson rounded the bag and got caught in a rundown, with catcher Matt Wieters applying the tag. Machado had no play at first. Thompson had no clue that Machado, still learning all the nuances of third base, would go the other way. Credit...

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Betemit making best of new role (Gonzalez done, still tied)

September 12, 2012, 3:48pm

Orioles

Betemit making best of new role (Gonzalez done, still tied)

Wilson Betemit's defensive lapses cost him a regular spot in the Orioles' lineup. He's healthy now, but he's a man without a position. Left-handed designated hitter could be a nice fit. Betemit began tonight hitting .304 against right-handers, and his RBI single off Rays starter Alex Cobb in the bottom of the first inning scored J.J. Hardy for a 2-1 lead. Betemit raced to second base on the throw to third, where Matt Wieters advanced on the hit. Chris Davis walked with two outs to load...

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Saunders starts Friday in Oakland (and more notes)

September 12, 2012, 12:56pm

Orioles

Saunders starts Friday in Oakland (and more notes)

The Orioles' rotation is coming a little more into focus, though it still includes some hazy patches. Get used to it. Manager Buck Showalter can't plan too far ahead, no matter how hard he tries. You already know that left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is starting Thursday afternoon against the Rays. Left-hander Joe Saunders will start Friday night in Oakland. Now comes the hazy part. Chris Tillman could start Saturday, with left-hander Zach Britton taking the mound on Sunday. Showalter could...

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Orioles lineup and rotation update

September 12, 2012, 11:29am

Orioles

Nate McLouth remains in the leadoff spot tonight for the Orioles. Wilson Betemit is serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit DH Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis RF Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP Only two Orioles have faced Rays right-hander Alex Cobb. Omar Quintanilla is 1-for-3 and Endy Chavez is 0-for-3. Manager Buck Showalter, interviewed for Buck's Blog on MASNsports.com,...

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Orioles schedule coming soon (updated with schedule)

September 12, 2012, 7:14am

Orioles

Major League Baseball will release the Orioles' 2013 schedule at 1 p.m., but a few details have leaked out over the past few weeks. The Orioles definitely will open at Tropicana Field for the third time in four seasons, if my math is correct. They have games against the Rays on April 2-4 before their home-opening series against the Twins on April 5-7. Once again, the local beat crew will drive from Sarasota to St. Petersburg before leaving the state of Florida. According to a few industry...

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McLouth, Hoes and who throws? (and 2013 schedule note)

September 11, 2012, 8:56pm

Orioles

McLouth, Hoes and who throws? (and 2013 schedule note)

I'm 100 percent certain that Nate McLouth will bat leadoff again tonight. The Rays are starting a right-hander, Alex Cobb, and it didn't matter yesterday that they sent left-hander Matt Moore to the mound. McLouth had two hits last night and is 2-for-7 with two walks, three runs scored and two stolen bases in two games since replacing Nick Markakis atop the order. Does this mean McLouth will have exclusive rights to the leadoff duties? "We're going to take a look at every pitcher," said...

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More from Showalter following 9-2 win

September 11, 2012, 7:25pm

Orioles

The Orioles won and the Yankees lost, creating another first-place tie in the American League East. Too bad the Orioles weren't in the mood to celebrate. They're fairly low-key to begin with, and Jason Hammel's early exit with pain in his surgically repaired right knee put a real damper on the night. The Orioles will have their resiliency put to the test again. "I don't ever take it for granted," manager Buck Showalter said following a 9-2 win over the Rays before 23,828 at Camden...

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Hammel to undergo MRI on Wednesday

September 11, 2012, 6:53pm

Orioles

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel has requested an MRI on his right knee Wednesday after feeling a sharp pain tonight that he's hoping won't lead to another surgery or the end of his season. Hammel said he felt the knee grab on the second pitch thrown to Evan Longoria, who walked with two outs in the fourth inning. He threw one pitch to Matt Joyce, unable to apply any pressure to the right knee, before leaving the game. "It felt exactly as it did in the game against Detroit," said Hammel, who...