Roch Kubatko

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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orioles

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...

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Champagne and comments from inside the Orioles' clubhouse

October 05, 2012, 9:08pm

Orioles

ARLINGTON, Texas - If anyone wondered whether the Orioles would celebrate a wild card game victory, they did so with great enthusiasm and impressive aim. Champagne and beer soaked the walls, the floor, the players, coaches, manager and executive vice president. Team employees, and yes, every member of the media. I learned that my shoes aren't liquid-proof. I'm just glad I don't have to drive back to the hotel. "Officer, I'm sure you get this all the time, but..." Jim Johnson was...

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Orioles are going to the ALDS

October 05, 2012, 7:58pm

Orioles

ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles manager Buck Showalter always says he can't wait to find out what the boys have in store for him. Tonight, they won the wild card game and finally got to celebrate. No wonder he couldn't wait. Joe Saunders held the Rangers to one run over 5 2/3 innings, and the bullpen worked its usual magic in a 5-1 victory over the Rangers. Darren O'Day retired six of the seven batters he faced, permitting only an infield hit to Ian Kinsler in the eighth with the Orioles...

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Saunders stepping up for Orioles (O's lead 3-1)

October 05, 2012, 6:24pm

Orioles

ARLINGTON, Texas - Manager Buck Showalter is being rewarded for his faith in Joe Saunders. Saunders had held the Rangers to one run in five innings, and the Orioles have taken a 2-1 lead in the sixth on Adam Jones' sacrifice fly. J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis opened with singles, and Jones lifted a fly ball to right field to break the scoreless tie. Yu Darvish, who had retired 15 of 17 batters heading into the sixth, needed the attention of the Rangers' head athletic trainer and manager Ron...

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Flaherty ruling among the postseason Rule 5s (we're tied)

October 05, 2012, 4:38pm

Orioles

Flaherty ruling among the postseason Rule 5s (we're tied)

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles' starters were just introduced, joining the reserves to form a long line from home plate to third base. Ryan Flaherty was the next-to-last player to run out of the dugout. He's also the first Rule 5 player to start a postseason game after being drafted the previous winter since the Dodgers' Chad Fonville in 1995, according to STATS Inc. Fonville was selected by the Expos from the Giants' organization in the 1994 Rule 5 draft, designated for assignment on...

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Showalter meets the press before tonight's wild card game

October 05, 2012, 3:35pm

Orioles

Showalter meets the press before tonight's wild card game

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Rangers have left the field and it's the Orioles' turn to take batting practice. Manager Buck Showalter met with the media this afternoon, sitting in a chair low enough to put him eye-level with the microphone. "I know we're underdogs, but..." he said. "Maybe I'll stand today." Showalter wanted to know the name of Secretariat's jockey (that would be Ronnie Turcotte). Yes, he's relaxed. In one of those classic Showalter moments, he immediately pointed out...

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A few pre-wild card notes

October 05, 2012, 2:16pm

Orioles

ARLINGTON, Texas - It took 15 years for the Orioles to get back into the postseason, and they're facing a team that's beaten them 10 of their last 12 games and outscored them, 102-36. But nothing seems to faze them, so what's another challenge? Besides, maybe the tide is due to turn. The Orioles hit .120 (11-for-92) in the Tampa Bay series. That probably won't be good enough tonight. However, they posted a 2.16 ERA and the starters only gave up four earned runs in 18 innings. Cal Ripken...

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O's stick with same lineup for wild card game (with Rangers lineup)

October 05, 2012, 12:44pm

Orioles

O's stick with same lineup for wild card game (with Rangers lineup)

ARLINGTON, Texas - Manager Buck Showalter is breaking out the same lineup tonight for the fifth consecutive game. It makes no difference that the Orioles are preparing for their first playoff game since 1997. Once again, Chris Davis is in right field and batting third. Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base and batting eighth, with Manny Machado hitting ninth. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Jim Thome DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan...