Roch Kubatko

Gausman gets his chance to hang out with the Orioles

October 02, 2012, 2:01pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter expects to announce Wednesday's starter after tonight's game against the Rays, and all signs point to Chris Tillman because of the importance attached to the regular season finale. That is, if it's the last regular season game. The Orioles could finish tied with the Yankees for first place in the American League East and meet Thursday in Baltimore. Showalter's head must be spinning. He had no idea that the forecast in New York tonight...

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Hammel: "If needed, I'm ready to go"

October 02, 2012, 12:38pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jason Hammel said his right knee feels great after yesterday's simulated game in Sarasota, where he threw 73 pitches in five innings. He may throw a bullpen session on Wednesday and will be available to start for the Orioles beginning on Saturday. "As of today, for the day after, it feels great. No setbacks, no soreness, no swelling," he said. "If needed, I'm ready to go. I feel good. I'd say right now it's as good as it's going to get before a full rest in the...

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Orioles lineup against Rays

October 02, 2012, 11:17am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are breaking out a familiar lineup tonight against Rays right-hander James Shields. 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 Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Miguel Gonzalez RHP The Orioles are still listing Wednesday night's starter as TBA. With a win tonight, Gonzalez would have a victory against every American League East team in his rookie season. According to...

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Gonzalez the right man on the mound

October 02, 2012, 8:40am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Miguel Gonzalez is the only confirmed starter for the Orioles the rest of the week. He's taking the mound tonight. When it comes to revealing his other starters, manager Buck Showalter is taking the fifth. I've broken down the possible scenarios, including Chris Tillman starting on Wednesday in a must-win situation. Confirmation should come later today. Showalter dropped Dylan Bundy's name on reporters yesterday, a sly grin spreading across his face. He decided to...

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Orioles only worried about themselves

October 01, 2012, 8:33pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Yankees won again last night, and the Orioles didn't seem to care in the least. The Red Sox rolled over again, like a puppy begging to have its belly rubbed. They're not exactly rallying around embattled manager Bobby Valentine. Instead, they're holding the door open and giving him a shove. He's the only guy they can get out these days. When the result of last night's Yankees game was relayed to center fielder Adam Jones, he replied, "We don't care." He...

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Machado won't make excuses for error

October 01, 2012, 7:06pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Rays scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning tonight to break a 1-1 tie, and a Manny Machado error on Evan Lorgoria's bouncer to third base ignited the rally. "Should have caught it," Machado said. "Took a little side spin on me, ate me up. Should've taken a step forward, but I should have made the out." Machado didn't think he could throw out Longoria once the ball skipped off his glove. "I don't think so," he said. "I couldn't find the...

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Showalter and Chen speak after 5-3 loss

October 01, 2012, 6:49pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he wasn't aware of the Yankees-Red Sox score tonight. He was too preoccupied with his own team, which lost to the Rays, 5-3, at Tropicana Field. The Yankees throttled the Red Sox, 10-2, leaving the Orioles one game back in the American League East. "They win?" Showalter asked. "That's a given. They're playing home the rest of their games, so you know that's a given. We'll do what we can do." The Orioles couldn't do much...

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Long ball bug bites Chen again (Davis homers again in 5-3 loss)

October 01, 2012, 4:22pm

Orioles

Long ball bug bites Chen again (Davis homers again in 5-3 loss)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen surrendered his 29th home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Ben Zobrist taking him deep to break a scoreless tie. Chen has surrendered six homers in his last four starts, and at least one in six of his last seven outings. Zobrist also singled in the first inning and is 7-for-14 lifetime against Chen. The Orioles' offense tends to fade when Chen pitches, and their bats must have been left behind in Jacksonville. They have one hit...

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Showalter and Jones talk about last night's charter incident

October 01, 2012, 3:19pm

Orioles

Showalter and Jones talk about last night's charter incident

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles continue to downplay last night's unscheduled landing in Jacksonville, saying some of the media reports were exaggerated and it was really no big deal. "We're fine," said center fielder Adam Jones, clearly annoyed that the incident remained a hot topic today. Reminded how the Orioles' celebration was delayed because of their unexpected stop, Jones replied, "Doesn't matter. We're still fine. We're here alive and well." Manager Buck Showalter said...

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Hammel nearing return

October 01, 2012, 2:13pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are encouraged by Jason Hammel's simulated game today in Sarosota, and he remains a candidate to start this weekend in the playoffs. Hammel threw 73 pitches in five innings at Ed Smith Stadium. He's scheduled to throw a bullpen session and could start Saturday, at the earliest, because manager Buck Showalter won't use him on fewer than four days rest. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow when he comes in," Showalter said. "If he comes through that...

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Markakis won't have pins removed from thumb for another week

October 01, 2012, 12:22pm

Orioles

Markakis won't have pins removed from thumb for another week

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis was supposed to have the pins removed from his left thumb today, but the date has been pushed back a week after his examination today by a hand specialist in Sarasota. "They're staying in another week, so I'll get them out next Tuesday or Monday," he said. "It was just crushed too bad in there and I had a lot of pieces here and there. Probably on a clean break the pins could come out today, but my situation's a little different,...

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Orioles lineup vs. Rays

October 01, 2012, 11:38am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty gets another start at second base tonight against Rays right-hander Alex Cobb. Chris Davis stays in right field and bats third. 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 Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Wei-Yin Chen LHP

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Orioles release ticket information for possible tiebreaker game

October 01, 2012, 9:44am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles today announced that tickets for a possible tiebreaker game to be played Thursday at Camden Yards go on sale tomorrow online at www.orioles.com. Here is the rest of the information: Full and 29-game season plan holders who paid their postseason invoice have already received tiebreaker tickets along with their postseason tickets and will be charged only if a tiebreaker is played. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. until noon, 13-game plan holders will receive their...

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Off to Tampa and ...?

October 01, 2012, 2:49am

Orioles

I packed up half of my closet and headed to the airport this morning for my 7:35 a.m. flight to Tampa. The Orioles and Rays are playing a three-game series, but what happens after Wednesday is anybody's guess. A one-game playoff with the Yankees on Thursday at Camden Yards? A flight to Detroit? Chicago? Oakland? None of the above? Almost lost in the fuss over clinching a playoff berth last night is how the Orioles have one fewer victory than the Rangers. One fewer victory than the team...

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Showalter, Duquette and statement on the unscheduled landing

September 30, 2012, 8:16pm

Orioles

Showalter, Duquette and statement on the unscheduled landing

A busy day for the Orioles has given way to a busy night - one including an unscheduled landing and a confirmed spot in the playoffs. Manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette spoke to reporters a few minutes ago in a conference call. Showalter was first asked about the team charter making an emergency landing in Jacksonville. "We were in good hands," Showalter said. "It was just a precautionary thing, just to be on the safe side. We had a little something heat up on...

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Orioles clinch playoff berth while flying to Tampa

September 30, 2012, 6:25pm

Orioles

It took 15 years and one really bizarre day, but the Orioles are heading back to the playoffs. The Angels lost to the Rangers tonight in Game 2 of their doubleheader 8-7, which thrust the Orioles into the postseason for the first time since 1997. Joe Nathan, who blew the save in Game 1, stranded the tying run on first base, allowing the Rangers and Yankees to also clinch playoff berths. Mike Napoli drove in six runs against his former team. He should receive a muffin basket from the...

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Showalter speaks after 6-3 win (O's closer to clinching)

September 30, 2012, 1:28pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 6-3 win (O's closer to clinching)

The Orioles have waited this long to celebrate a playoff berth, so what's a few more hours? Or another day? Or... Manager Buck Showalter took in the scene that unfolded following the Orioles' 6-3 victory over the Red Sox. Players stood together and watched the top of ninth inning of the Angels-Rangers game being shown on the JumboTron. Nobody wanted to go back inside the clubhouse. "It's sincere," Showalter said. "They want to watch it together. One thing I challenged them with since...

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Saunders talks about win and waiting

September 30, 2012, 1:07pm

Orioles

Joe Saunders was handed the ball today with the possibility that the Orioles could clinch their first playoff berth since 1997. He did his part. Saunders picked up his third win, allowing three runs in 7 1/3 innings and receiving a huge ovation as he walked off the field. "It was awesome," he said. "I'm very humbled to get the opportunity to do this, and to be able to come out and get a victory for the ballclub was pretty special. "You always want to set the tone early, especially...

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O's win, waiting on Angels to lose (updated)

September 30, 2012, 11:59am

Orioles

O's win, waiting on Angels to lose (updated)

Jim Johnson recorded his 50th save, and the Orioles completed their sweep of the Red Sox with a 6-3 win at Camden Yards. Johnson is the 10th pitcher to record 50 saves in a single season since it became an official stat in 1969. The Orioles are 73-0 when leading after the seventh and 74-1 after the eighth. Johnson retired the side in order with a fly ball and two ground outs. The Orioles filed out of the dugout as usual. No wild celebration, since the Angels game isn't a final. The Rangers...

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How would the Orioles celebrate? (O's lead 6-3, Saunders done)

September 30, 2012, 8:47am

Orioles

The Orioles are expecting a sellout or close to it for this afternoon's regular-season home finale. Will fans get to watch them celebrate on the field after clinching a playoff berth? It could happen if the Angels lose Game 1 of their doubleheader and the Orioles defeat the Red Sox. But how enthusiastically would the Orioles celebrate? How would they react? "Honestly and sincerely," said manager Buck Showalter. "That's how they'll act, if it happens. And it's not something where I'm...