Roch Kubatko

Thome may receive second epidural, Patton ready to throw (Hammel update)

August 25, 2012, 1:02pm

Orioles

Thome may receive second epidural, Patton ready to throw (Hammel update)

Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome will be examined by another doctor and may receive a second epidural injection because of lingering inflammation caused by a herniated disc in his neck. Thome tried to swing a bat in Sarasota and still is experiencing some weakness and discomfort in his lat muscle. The Orioles aren't viewing it as a major setback, but it's disappointing news after he seemed to be progressing much faster than anticipated. Left-hander Troy Patton could throw from a mound...

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Orioles lineup against Blue Jays

August 25, 2012, 11:16am

Orioles

The Orioles are using the same lineup tonight as the one that produced a victory last night. The only difference is the starting pitcher. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Steve Johnson RHP Jones is homerless in his last 99 at-bats, but he's 8-for-22 with two homers and six RBIs lifetime against Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow. Hardy is 3-for-9 with two...

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Where does Bundy factor into the Orioles' season?

August 24, 2012, 8:56pm

Orioles

Zach Britton turned in his second consecutive quality start last night since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Jason Hammel threw a simulated game without any discomfort in his right knee and is nearing a rehab assignment. Steve Johnson is making his second major league start tonight. Tommy Hunter has been optioned to Double-A Bowie. The Orioles' rotation is a constant work in progress. I've seen less construction for next weekend's Grand Prix. Could the Orioles make room in it for...

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Hearing from Davis and Britton

August 24, 2012, 7:10pm

Orioles

The Orioles won their 68th game tonight, one fewer than they totaled in 2011. Marinate in that one for a while. And while you're at it, check out these quotes from Chris Davis on his three-homer night: "These games are important to us," he said. "Obviously, we're doing everything we can to win, no matter what it takes. I felt good at the plate tonight, was able to put some good swings on balls and had a really good night. "I think Zach Britton went out there and just pitched...

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Showalter speaks after 6-4 win

August 24, 2012, 6:50pm

Orioles

Tonight's attendance: 25,754 The Orioles improved to 44-18 in games decided by two runs or less. Elias says you can add one more name to the list of people who have a three-homer game and a win in the same season: Louisville's Guy Hecker in 1886. Manager Buck Showalter was asked for his thoughts on Chris Davis' three-homer night. "It's about time. We've had it done to us," Showalter said. "Chris was kind of pressing a little bit there in Texas. He puts some good swings on the...

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Davis with homer hat trick (Orioles make history, win 6-4)

August 24, 2012, 5:11pm

Orioles

Chris Davis has homered onto Eutaw St. tonight. He's homered into the back row of seats in right field. He's homered to left field. He's on a home run rampage. Davis became the first Oriole to hit three home runs in the same game since Nick Markakis kept harassing the Twins' Carlos Silva on Aug. 22, 2006. Tonight marks the 19th time that an Orioles player has achieved a homer hat trick. Davis' first two homers came off Blue Jays starter Carlos Villanueva. Steve Delabar entered in relief...

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Game update and Romero (Chris Davis homers twice)

August 24, 2012, 4:00pm

Orioles

Game update and Romero (Chris Davis homers twice)

Anyone out there tonight? Not many comments coming on a day that included an Orioles Hall of Fame luncheon and multiple roster moves. Maybe you've hit a wall. It happens to the best of 'em. Zach Britton shut out the Tigers on six hits over seven innings in his first start after being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, but he fell behind, 1-0, tonight in the second inning. Edwin Encarnacion led off with a double and scored on Kelly Johnson's single. Left fielder Nate McLouth bobbled the ball,...

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Hearing from Showalter and Matusz (Hunter update)

August 24, 2012, 1:33pm

Orioles

Hearing from Showalter and Matusz (Hunter update)

At the risk of bombarding you with too much news and too many quotes, here are a few comments from manager Buck Showalter that came from his pregame session with the media. On Jason Hammel's simulated game: "Hamm's thing went well today. We'll see how it feels tomorrow before we kind of set the next part of his schedule. But so far, so good." On Tommy Hunter: "Not sure yet whether we're going to option Tommy to Bowie or Norfolk. See where it fits best. Both those clubs' seasons end on...

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Recapping a busy day at Camden Yards

August 24, 2012, 12:53pm

Orioles

The Orioles optioned Tommy Hunter today, destination unknown, and designated left-hander J.C. Romero for assignment. They recalled left-hander Brian Matusz and activated infielder Ryan Flaherty from the disabled list. Matusz is the only left-hander in the bullpen, but the Orioles could select Zach Phillips' contract from Triple-A Norfolk. It's still being discussed. Hunter will be assigned to Norfolk or Double-A Bowie. Romero is considering retirement. He's headed to his Alabama home to...

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Flaherty, Matusz at Camden Yards (updated)

August 24, 2012, 11:19am

Orioles

Flaherty, Matusz at Camden Yards (updated)

The Orioles haven't announced any roster moves, but Ryan Flaherty and Brian Matusz are at the ballpark. Flaherty's equipment bag is at his locker and Matusz has actually been seen here. It's possible that Matusz will replace J.C. Romero on the 25-man roster and Flaherty could become the fourth bench player with pitcher Tommy Hunter optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Update: Flaherty has now been seen in the clubhouse for a touching reunion with his equipment bag. Plus he's in the...

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Mussina and Dauer talk about going into the Orioles Hall of Fame

August 24, 2012, 9:50am

Orioles

Mike Mussina still has the same thin build that we remember when he stood on the mound for 18 seasons, including the first 10 in Baltimore. The only real change in his appearance is the goatee, which is speckled with gray hairs. Otherwise, he looks like the same guy who won 147 games and spun three one-hitters with the Orioles. Mussina and former second baseman Rich Dauer will be inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame before Saturday's 7:05 p.m. game against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards....

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If Flaherty is here, who goes?

August 23, 2012, 9:39pm

Orioles

The Orioles begin a seven-game homestand tonight, and they're expected to go back to a four-man bench. Ryan Flaherty didn't play in Triple-A Norfolk's game at Durham last night, and I've heard that the Orioles are prepared to activate him from the 15-day disabled list. We'll see. I got the impression - and yes, I do impressions - that the Orioles were going to keep Flaherty on his rehab assignment for the maximum 20 days if allowed by Major League Baseball. However, he's 11-for-23 with...

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Cubs claim Socolovich, Orioles change plans with Berken (and note)

August 23, 2012, 11:15am

Orioles

The Orioles announced this afternoon that the Chicago Cubs claimed reliever Miguel Socolovich off waivers. They designated him for assignment nine days ago to make room for left-hander J.C. Romero on the 40-man roster. The Cubs optioned Socolovich to Triple-A Iowa. Socolovich posted a 1.90 ERA in 28 games at Triple-A Norfolk and was named to the International League All-Star team. However, he registered a 6.97 ERA in six appearances and 10 1/3 innings with the Orioles during two stints with...

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Sorting through the latest changes to the rotation

August 22, 2012, 9:29pm

Orioles

Sorting through the latest changes to the rotation

There's no crying in baseball and there's no reason to shed any tears over a 3-3 road trip to Detroit and Texas. The Orioles fell to 24-40 last night when their opponent scores first and 17-43 when they score three runs or fewer. So... they need to score first and score more than three runs. Simple as that. The Orioles are now 33-26 when they don't commit an error. The defense wasn't the issue last night. The starting pitching let them down. Tommy Hunter faced eight batters in the fourth...

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Homers hurt Hunter again (O's lose 12-3)

August 22, 2012, 5:29pm

Orioles

Homers hurt Hunter again (O's lose 12-3)

Tommy Hunter has served up three more home runs in four innings tonight, including two to Rangers third baseman Adrian Belte and a grand slam to Mitch Moreland. Beltre's two-run shot in the fourth broke a 1-1 tie, and Moreland's slam later in the inning gave the Rangers an 8-1 lead. Hunter faced eight batters in the inning and didn't retire any of them. Beltre added a third home run off Kevin Gregg in the fourth, giving him two in the inning and five RBIs on the night. Rangers 10,...

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Orioles and Rangers lineups (rotation update)

August 22, 2012, 12:59pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter is breaking out his right-handed lineup against Rangers left-hander Derek Holland. Lew Ford replaces Chris Davis as the designated hitter. Adam Jones moves up to third in the order, with Matt Wieters batting fourth and Nate McLouth seventh. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Lew Ford DH Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP For the Rangers: Ian Kinsler 2B Elvis...

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More on Jim Johnson and the rotation (updated)

August 22, 2012, 12:38pm

Orioles

More on Jim Johnson and the rotation (updated)

Since giving up six earned runs in one-third of an inning on July 27 against the Athletics, Orioles closer Jim Johnson has recorded eight saves in nine appearances and allowed only three runners into scoring position. In those nine games, Johnson has permitted only three hits, walked one and struck out six over nine innings. Opponents are batting .100 against him, going 3-for-30, and he's retired the side in order seven times. The Orioles have announced their rotation for the Blue Jays...

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Back of the 'pen isn't broke, so don't fix it

August 21, 2012, 7:44pm

Orioles

Back of the 'pen isn't broke, so don't fix it

Didn't we spend a chunk of the winter debating whether Jim Johnson should be a starter instead of the closer? Didn't manager Buck Showalter suggest that Johnson could make some starts last September, or be placed on a starter's schedule in spring training? Will we have the same argument and hear the same talk this winter? I'll say again that Johnson is my choice for Most Valuable Oriole. His 38 saves rank second on the club's all-time single-season list. He's tied with Fernando Rodney...

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Strop wins battle with Hamilton (O's win game, 5-3)

August 21, 2012, 6:47pm

Orioles

Strop wins battle with Hamilton (O's win game, 5-3)

If the Orioles are going to win tonight's game against the Rangers, they will need their bullpen to step up again. Darren O'Day tripped after replacing Chris Tillman with two outs in the seventh. He walked Ian Kinsler and gave up a single to Elvis Andrus. Pedro Strop replaced O'Day with Josh Hamilton representing the go-ahead run. He fell behind 2-0 on 97 and 96 mph fastballs, got a called strike with a 97 mph fastball, fell behind 3-1 with a 98 mph fastball and threw three straight...

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McLouth makes big contribution with small ball approach (O's lead 5-3)

August 21, 2012, 5:28pm

Orioles

McLouth makes big contribution with small ball approach (O's lead 5-3)

Nate McLouth isn't your prototypical No. 3 hitter, but Nick Markakis shouldn't be batting first if we're playing by those rules. McLouth scored the Orioles' only run tonight in classic small-ball manner. He walked with two outs in the top of the first inning, stole second base, took third on a throwing error by Rangers catcher Geovany Soto and scored on a wild pitch by Scott Feldman. (Yes, I think of the Seinfeld bizarro world episode every time I hear Feldman's name.) Soto didn't do...