Roch Kubatko

Random quotes following 8-7, 14-inning win

August 07, 2012, 9:14pm

Orioles

Random quotes following 8-7, 14-inning win

The Orioles are 5-0 in games that last 13 innings or more, which borders on the ridiculous. Asked if he's ever seen anything like this, manager Buck Showalter replied, "I'd have to look back through it. I'm a pretty old guy. I doubt it. "You know, it's not a team that's sitting there going, 'Woe is me. Let's get this over.' They grind it. They put in so much effort. Like a basketball team. It takes so much intensity to get back into that game that sometimes it's tough to get over...

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Britton optioned, Steve Johnson starting tomorrow, Flaherty could go on DL

August 07, 2012, 8:46pm

Orioles

Britton optioned, Steve Johnson starting tomorrow, Flaherty could go on DL

The Orioles' 14-inning win tonight was followed by a flurry of roster activity. Left-hander Zach Britton was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the game. Britton is 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA in five starts for the Orioles this season. Steve Johnson will be recalled from Norfolk and make his first major league start tomorrow night against the Mariners. Tommy Hunter, who was scheduled to start and warmed up in the 14th, will be available in relief. Also, infielder Ryan Flaherty left the ballpark...

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Forgettable nights for Britton and Arrieta (another extra-inning win)

August 07, 2012, 5:13pm

Orioles

Forgettable nights for Britton and Arrieta (another extra-inning win)

Zach Britton and Jake Arrieta left their respective games tonight almost at the exact same time. Neither one was feeling good about the results. Britton retired nine of 10 batters before Casper Wells tripled to lead off the sixth and scored on Mike Carp's single. Left fielder Nate McLouth initially was charged with an error after falling and letting the ball roll past him, but Wells is now credited with a three-bagger. Kevin Gregg replaced Britton, and Carp eventually scored after Wilson...

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Bad breaks for Britton in the first inning (O's trail 5-2)

August 07, 2012, 3:28pm

Orioles

Bad breaks for Britton in the first inning (O's trail 5-2)

If you view the glass as half full, Zach Britton didn't allow an earned run in the first inning. If you view it as half empty, the Orioles are losing, 3-0. The Orioles must have been using a dribble glass. Britton committed an error when he failed to pick up leadoff hitter Dustin Ackley's weak ground ball in front of the mound. He struck out the next two batters before Jesus Montero reached on an infield hit on a sharp ground ball that deflected off third baseman Wilson Betemit's glove....

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Chavez could stay in organization

August 07, 2012, 1:13pm

Orioles

The Orioles may not be parting ways with veteran outfielder Endy Chavez. Discussions are taking place that could allow the Orioles to keep Chavez in the organization. He would have to accept an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk if he clears waivers and isn't traded. Chavez apparently is open to the idea of resuming his career in the minors and perhaps being a September call-up. And the Orioles would like to have him around if it can be worked out. "They brought it up to me today, some things...

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Orioles and Mariners lineups

August 07, 2012, 11:07am

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter is going back to his left-handed lineup tonight, with Wilson Betemit at third base and Nate McLouth in left field. Omar Quintanilla gets another start at second base, while Ryan Flaherty takes another seat on the bench. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J.Hardy SS Chris Davis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Nate McLouth LF Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla 2B Zach Britton LHP For the Mariners: Dustin Ackley 2B Trayvon Robinson LF Michael...

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Jones, Wieters honored by AL managers in survey

August 07, 2012, 8:28am

Orioles

Jones, Wieters honored by AL managers in survey

Baseball American's annual survey of American and National League managers turned up a few interesting choices involving the Orioles. Adam Jones was voted the AL's Best Defensive Outfielder ahead of the Angels' Mike Trout and the Tigers' Austin Jackson. Jones won a Gold Glove in 2009. Trout is going to be named Rookie of the Year, and perhaps Most Valuable Player, in 2012. May as well toss in a Gold Glove, too. Matt Wieters was chosen as Best Defensive Catcher, with the Twins' Joe...

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Orioles making heads spin with their rotation

August 07, 2012, 5:40am

Orioles

Could someone please remind me whether the Orioles need a starting pitcher? I'm confused again. The rotation and bullpen combined for 28 consecutive scoreless innings before the Mariners pushed across a run in the eighth inning last night against Chris Tillman. The Orioles have allowed three runs in their last four games. The starters have posted a 1.00 ERA. You'll notice that I stopped at four games. This incredible stretch of pitching began two days after Zach Britton took the mound at...

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Reynolds came up big with the bat and the glove

August 06, 2012, 8:02pm

Orioles

Reynolds came up big with the bat and the glove

Mark Reynolds doubled twice tonight and drove in a run, giving him multiple extra-base hits in the same game for only the second time since June 14 against the Pirates and the third time since May 5 against the Red Sox. Those doubles were part of a 3-for-3 night that lifted his average to .212. "I'm not relieved," Reynolds said. "I've been working my butt off with Pres (hitting coach Jim Presley) in the cage. Early BP. Just trying to figure this thing out. "It's nice to see some...

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Showalter speaks after 3-1 win (and more)

August 06, 2012, 6:31pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 3-1 win (and more)

The Orioles improved to 16-11 in two-run games tonight, 26-2 when their starter goes seven innings or more and 51-28 when they hit a home run. They're also pretty good when Chris Tillman is dealing. Tillman won his fourth consecutive start and improved to 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA. "It's an ongoing proving ground. He knows that," said manager Buck Showalter. "I've said many times, his make-up and mentality will be an asset for him. He's good, especially the second time you see a team, when...

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Tillman talks about his outing

August 06, 2012, 6:19pm

Orioles

Chris Tillman extended his career-long winning streak to four games tonight, holding the Mariners to one run over 7 1/3 innings and walking only one batter in a 3-1 victory at Camden Yards. "I think fastball command was a little better tonight. Not as good as I was early on when I first got here, but it was better tonight. My changeup and curveball kind of carried me through the game," Tillman said. "It feels good. I feel like I put a lot of work in in the offseason and carried it into the...

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Scoreless streak ends, but the lead remains (O's win 3-1)

August 06, 2012, 5:23pm

Orioles

Scoreless streak ends, but the lead remains (O's win 3-1)

The Orioles finally gave up a run tonight, ending their scoreless innings streak at 28 and sending Chris Tillman to the bench. Eric Thames led off the top of the eighth with a double into right-center field, and he scored on No. 9 hitter Munenori Kawasaki's single into center field. Kawasaki was thrown out trying to advance to second base, and Tillman walked off the mound to a standing ovation. Tillman allowed one run and five hits, with one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 99 pitches, 68...

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First inning doesn't trip up Tillman (O's still ahead 3-0)

August 06, 2012, 3:45pm

Orioles

First inning doesn't trip up Tillman (O's still ahead 3-0)

Chris Tillman retired the Mariners in order in the top of the first inning tonight, which might not seem like such a big deal until you consider how badly he's struggled at the beginning of his starts. Tillman had posted a 11.57 ERA in the first inning in his five outings this season, and opponents were batting .462 against him. He gave up four doubles and two home runs, and he walked two batters. Also, consider that six runs against him on July 16 were unearned, when he lasted only...

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Janet Marie Smith leaves Orioles

August 06, 2012, 1:36pm

Orioles

In a surprising bit of news, Janet Marie Smith has left the Orioles to accept a job as the Los Angeles Dodgers' Senior Vice President of Planning and Development. Dodgers president Stan Kasten made the announcement today. In her new role, Smith will oversee upgrades and enhancements to Dodger Stadium, according to a press release issued by the club. Smith rejoined the Orioles as Vice President of Planning and Development in September 2009. Her responsibilities included overseeing the...

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Thome expected to miss three to four weeks (Thome says longer)

August 06, 2012, 12:56pm

Orioles

Thome expected to miss three to four weeks (Thome says longer)

Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome is at Camden Yards today, but he's no closer to getting back into the lineup. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that Thome is expected to miss three to four weeks because of a herniated disc in his neck. The epidural injection from last week apparently has improved Thome's condition, but not enough that he'll make an early return. Thome received the epidural in California. Two specialists will examine him in Baltimore, and Thome will decide whether...

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Orioles and Mariners lineups

August 06, 2012, 11:18am

Orioles

With another left-hander facing them tonight, the Orioles are going with their right-handed lineup for the series opener against the Mariners at Camden Yards. Robert Andino starts at third base and Lew Ford starts in left field. However, Chris Davis will serve as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF Robert Andino 3B J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Lew Ford LF Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla 2B Chris Tillman RHP For the Mariners: Dustin Ackley...

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A few leftover notes and promotional reminder

August 06, 2012, 8:15am

Orioles

A few leftover notes and promotional reminder

In case you missed my tweet earlier, the Orioles placed Single-A Delmarva infielder Nicky Delmonico on the disabled list with a knee injury. Delmonico initially hurt the knee on June 26 - the diagnosis was a medial meniscus injury - and he re-injured it on Wednesday. He's batting .248 with 22 doubles, 11 homers, 54 RBIs and a .763 OPS in 93 games. Delmonico eventually could undergo surgery on the knee. He's trying to get through the final weeks of the season. First-round pick Kevin Gausman...

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Playing six games on the road vs. division opponents didn't trip up the Orioles

August 05, 2012, 6:07pm

Orioles

TAMPA, Fla. - I've lost track of my road record this season, but I'm pretty sure that I've captured one of the wild card berths. I may lead my division. Tack on four more wins while I catch this 7:05 a.m. flight back to Baltimore and try to remember where I parked my car at the BWI train station. Garage 1, I believe. Or maybe it was 2. I've got a 50-50 shot at being right. The Orioles are living right these days. They scored five runs in three games at Tropicana Field, and they went...

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Hearing from Teagarden and Gonzalez at The Trop

August 05, 2012, 2:12pm

Orioles

Hearing from Teagarden and Gonzalez at The Trop

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are 1-0 in games when dogs are allowed inside Tropicana Field, DJ Kitty bobbleheads are given out and The Wiggles perform a concert in center field. No need to bother Elias with that one. It's a day that Taylor Teagarden won't soon forget. His two-out RBI double off Rays reliever Joel Peralta broke a scoreless tie in the 10th. "Definitely don't want to swing at something that's out of the zone right there, because I had seen all his pitches at that...

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Showalter speaks after 1-0 10-inning win

August 05, 2012, 1:56pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 1-0 10-inning win

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.- The Orioles have won 11 straight extra-inning games. They've won 10 straight one-run games. They took four of six against the Yankees and Rays on a road trip that looked ominous on the schedule. "This time of the year, I'm sure you all are noticed there's a lot of well-pitched games. That's pretty normal from my experience," manager Buck Showalter said after today's 1-0, 10-inning victory at Tropicana Field. "Late July through the month of August, you'll see...