Roch Kubatko

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...

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Orioles and Rangers lineups

August 21, 2012, 12:37pm

Orioles

Shortstop J.J. Hardy is back in the Orioles' lineup tonight, and Omar Quintanilla is back at second base. 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 Omar Quintanilla 2B Manny Machado 3B Chris Tillman RHP For the Rangers: Ian Kinsler 2B Elvis Andrus SS Josh Hamilton CF Adrian Beltre 3B Nelson Cruz RF Michael Young DH David Murphy LF Geovany Soto C Mitch Moreland 1B Scott Feldman RHP The Orioles have lost...

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Matusz tosses scoreless inning

August 21, 2012, 9:37am

Orioles

Left-hander Brian Matusz made his third relief appearance today for Triple-A Norfolk, and the results were much better. Matusz walked one Gwinnett batter in a scoreless eighth inning. He didn't allow a hit, and he threw 10 of 19 pitches for strikes. Pat Egan pitched the ninth and completed an 8-0 victory that moved the Tides, winners of six of their last seven games, to within 2 1/2 games of the wild card lead. In his most recent appearance Sunday, Matusz stranded two inherited runners...

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Who gets the call in September?

August 21, 2012, 3:09am

Orioles

Teams can expand their rosters beginning Sept. 1, which is right around the corner, and the Orioles are in a different mindset from previous seasons. They're thinking like playoff contenders. Well, when they actually think about it. "Thought about it? Not that much, to be honest with you," manager Buck Showalter said last week. "Trying to do the things for the next two weeks that allows September to mean something here. But there will be a time and a place for that. "The good thing is...

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Patton and game updates (O's lose 5-1)

August 20, 2012, 4:49pm

Orioles

Orioles reliever Troy Patton is eligible to come off the disabled list on Aug. 27, but that's no longer a realistic target date. Patton said in a text message tonight that it's been a little slower to get the swelling out of his sprained right ankle than he anticipated. He still hasn't been cleared to run or throw while rehabbing at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, and he just got into the pool for the first time today. Manager Buck Showalter has wanted a second left-hander in the...

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Hardy out of tonight's lineup (updated)

August 20, 2012, 12:49pm

Orioles

J.J. Hardy isn't in the Orioles' lineup tonight. He's due for a rest, and as I pointed out earlier, he's 2-for-27 lifetime against Rangers starter Ryan Dempster. Robert Andino is starting at second base and Omar Quintanilla has shifted to shortstop. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF Robert Andino 2B Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla SS Manny Machado 3B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Rangers: Ian Kinsler 2B Elvis Andrus...

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Orioles getting rare chance to go Dempster diving

August 20, 2012, 9:56am

Orioles

Ryan Dempster will make his fourth start with the Rangers tonight, and only his second career start against the Orioles, who begin a three-game series in Arlington. Dempster has surrendered eight earned runs in two of his three starts since the Cubs traded him, and he's sporting an 8.31 ERA in the American League. He's served up five home runs in 17 1/3 innings. In his only game against the Orioles, Dempster allowed one run and three hits in 5 1/3 innings. Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who...

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A few random thoughts (and Pettit note)

August 19, 2012, 6:12pm

Orioles

A road trip that was supposed to crush the Orioles has produced two wins in the first three games. Reminds me of the trip to New York and Tampa Bay that was supposed to crush them. This just in: The bullpen is still really, really good. It's the No. 1 reason why the Orioles would make the playoffs if the season ended today. Jim Johnson would get my vote for Most Valuable Oriole if I had to submit my ballot today, but I'd still like to make an exception and just give it to the entire...

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The Matusz relief experiment after two games

August 19, 2012, 5:27pm

Orioles

The Matusz relief experiment after two games

Brian Matusz made his second relief appearance tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, and he lasted one inning against Charlotte before Tides manager Ron Johnson went back to his bullpen. Matusz replaced starter Jason Berken with two outs in the seventh and was charged with two runs and two hits, with two walks, one strikeout, one wild pitch and one balk. He stranded two inherited runners in the seventh, but Zach Phillips replaced him with two outs in the eighth. Matusz made his relief debut on...

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First inning challenges Chen again (O's win 7-5)

August 19, 2012, 9:39am

Orioles

First inning challenges Chen again (O's win 7-5)

Wei-Yin Chen fell behind by five runs today before he could record his second out of the game. The first inning continues to challenge Chen. He's allowed 19 runs in the opening frame this season, the most in any inning. The Royals took a 4-0 lead against him on Aug. 9 before finally making an out. The Rays led 5-0 in the first back on June 1. Chen has surrendered 20 home runs this season, including two today. Six of them have come in the first inning. Omar Infante homered with one out in...

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Orioles and Tigers lineups

August 19, 2012, 7:28am

Orioles

Taylor Teagarden gets the start behind the plate today for the Orioles. Mark Reynolds and Manny Machado continue to handle the infield corners. Chris Davis moves up to fifth in the lineup. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Taylor Teagarden C Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Tigers: Austin Jackson CF Omar Infante 2B Miguel Cabrera 3B Prince Fielder 1B Jhonny Peralta SS Delmon...

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Is Davis a nugget?

August 19, 2012, 5:08am

Orioles

As the Orioles approached the 2012 season, I implored them to give Nolan Reimold and Chris Davis a minimum of 500 at-bats and determine whether they were legitimate major league hitters with a future in Baltimore. Play Reimold in left field. Keep Davis at first base. Figure it out. Reimold hasn't played since April 30 because of a herniated disc in his neck that required surgery. The jury is still out on him. Davis has become the regular designated hitter with Jim Thome on the disabled list...

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Britton forcing the Orioles into a tough decision (O's win 3-2)

August 18, 2012, 4:48pm

Orioles

Zach Britton is shutting out the Tigers tonight on five hits over five innings. He's slithered out of a few jams. He's bearing down on a quality start. The Orioles can't get him a lead, which is the only downside to Britton's night. The Orioles don't have a game when Britton's turn comes up again on Thursday. They can go back to a four-man rotation or just push back everyone and stick with the current alignment. The other option is sending down Britton and reinserting Steve Johnson...

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Mahoney optioned, Reynolds in lineup

August 18, 2012, 11:54am

Orioles

The Orioles have optioned first baseman Joe Mahoney to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for left-hander Zach Britton on the 25-man roster. Steve Johnson remains on the roster and is available to pitch in relief. He's the designated long man. Manager Buck Showalter will work with a three-man bench tonight: Omar Quintanilla, Lew Ford and Taylor Teagarden. Robert Andino is getting the start at second base. Mark Reynolds remains at first base, one night have blasting the umpires. Should be...

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Reynolds earns high marks for honesty

August 18, 2012, 4:34am

Orioles

Last summer, reliever Kevin Gregg won over a few Orioles fans by yelling at David Ortiz, standing his ground when the burly designated hitter took a few steps toward him and ripping the Red Sox for their sense of entitlement. Now it's Mark Reynolds' turn. Reynolds already had been cheered more after heating up at the plate during the last homestand. Fewer people were wondering why he was in the lineup and on the 25-man roster. Fewer people were demanding that the Orioles eat the rest of...

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Orioles confirm Britton back in rotation

August 17, 2012, 8:36pm

Orioles

In news that won't come as a shock, the Orioles confirmed in a tweet that Zach Britton will start Saturday night's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park. It makes sense, since Britton is in Detroit. He didn't fly there to visit Greektown. The Orioles didn't have to officially recall Britton tonight. He was placed on baseball's equivalent of a 24-hour taxi squad. A corresponding 25-man roster move is coming on Saturday. The Orioles could choose to option right-hander Steve Johnson to...

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Small ball, big debate (big homer, big controversy, O's lose 5-3)

August 17, 2012, 4:25pm

Orioles

Small ball, big debate (big homer, big controversy, O's lose 5-3)

J.J. Hardy has batted twice tonight against Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander. He's laid down two sacrifice bunts. Good execution. Bad idea? Neither bunt led to a run, though some of the blame lies at the feet of plate umpire Tim Timmons, who blew a call in the first inning. Nick Markakis clearly was safe, beating Prince Fielders' throw, but Timmons wouldn't remove the blindfold. Manager Buck Showalter didn't call for Markakis to bunt last night, and there's no way to know whether...

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Showalter breaks out familiar lineup in Detroit (updated)

August 17, 2012, 11:36am

Orioles

Showalter breaks out familiar lineup in Detroit (updated)

Manager Buck Showalter is sticking with his usual lineup tonight against a right-handed starter, including Nate McLouth batting third and playing left field and Omar Quintanilla batting ninth and playing second base. Joe Mahoney is listed among the reserves. 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 Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Tommy Hunter RHP Update: Let the speculation cease regarding Saturday's...

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Up next: Another roster move (with Tigers lineup)

August 17, 2012, 9:24am

Orioles

Up next: Another roster move (with Tigers lineup)

As soon as Steve Johnson returned to the mound for the ninth inning last night, I figured he no longer was a candidate to make Saturday night's start in Detroit, unless he recorded three outs on three pitches or learned how to throw a knuckleball. Johnson was listed as Saturday's starter earlier in the day, but manager Buck Showalter couched it by saying the plans could change if the St. Paul's grad had to work in relief. Talk about a cruel tease. Johnson remained in the bullpen through...

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For one inning, hot corner burns Machado

August 16, 2012, 8:28pm

Orioles

For one inning, hot corner burns Machado

The Red Sox broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the sixth inning last night when rookie Manny Machado couldn't field Dustin Pedroia's slow bouncer with runners on second and third and two outs. Machado charged the ball, but didn't come up with it. Not an easy play, but one that had to be made. "They got lucky," said reliever Luis Ayala, who took the loss. "Ground ball. Tough play, but it was a key for the game. "We got lucky, too. We got a nice play with Machado, too. It's part of the...