Roch Kubatko

Will the other streak end today?

September 13, 2012, 4:30am

Orioles

Whenever I was asked to make a prediction for the 2012 season, I would point out how the Orioles could approach .500 if the rest of the division came down to them. How they couldn't afford injuries to key players. How their young starters needed to take the next step forward. Pretty much the same thing I said in 2011 and 2010. I didn't claim to be breaking new ground. Well, the division came down to the Orioles. I got that one right. But they haven't avoided injuries and their young...

Tags:

Showalter speaks after 3-2 win

September 12, 2012, 7:33pm

Orioles

The Orioles and Yankees remain in a first-place tie in the American League East, with both teams winning by one run. The Orioles are 26-7 in one-run games after tonight's 3-2 victory over the Rays. A win tomorrow will allow the Orioles (80-62) to end their streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons, but the bar has been raised so much higher. Nate McLouth's walk-off single scored Manny Machado, but it was the rookie's play at third base to end the top of the ninth that prompted the first...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter manny machado miguel gonzalez frontstory_orioles3

Machado a hero in the field and at the plate

September 12, 2012, 6:47pm

Orioles

Machado a hero in the field and at the plate

Manny Machado keeps making it easy to forget he's a 20-year-old shortstop. Machado made a veteran play to end the top of the ninth inning, fielding Evan Longoria's chopper, faking the throw to first, spinning and firing to J.J. Hardy covering third. Rich Thompson rounded the bag and got caught in a rundown, with catcher Matt Wieters applying the tag. Machado had no play at first. Thompson had no clue that Machado, still learning all the nuances of third base, would go the other way. Credit...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2

Betemit making best of new role (Gonzalez done, still tied)

September 12, 2012, 3:48pm

Orioles

Betemit making best of new role (Gonzalez done, still tied)

Wilson Betemit's defensive lapses cost him a regular spot in the Orioles' lineup. He's healthy now, but he's a man without a position. Left-handed designated hitter could be a nice fit. Betemit began tonight hitting .304 against right-handers, and his RBI single off Rays starter Alex Cobb in the bottom of the first inning scored J.J. Hardy for a 2-1 lead. Betemit raced to second base on the throw to third, where Matt Wieters advanced on the hit. Chris Davis walked with two outs to load...

Tags:

orioles wilson betemit frontstory_orioles2

Saunders starts Friday in Oakland (and more notes)

September 12, 2012, 12:56pm

Orioles

Saunders starts Friday in Oakland (and more notes)

The Orioles' rotation is coming a little more into focus, though it still includes some hazy patches. Get used to it. Manager Buck Showalter can't plan too far ahead, no matter how hard he tries. You already know that left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is starting Thursday afternoon against the Rays. Left-hander Joe Saunders will start Friday night in Oakland. Now comes the hazy part. Chris Tillman could start Saturday, with left-hander Zach Britton taking the mound on Sunday. Showalter could...

Tags:

wei-yin chen zach britton frontstory_orioles2

Orioles lineup and rotation update

September 12, 2012, 11:29am

Orioles

Nate McLouth remains in the leadoff spot tonight for the Orioles. Wilson Betemit is serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit DH Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis RF Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP Only two Orioles have faced Rays right-hander Alex Cobb. Omar Quintanilla is 1-for-3 and Endy Chavez is 0-for-3. Manager Buck Showalter, interviewed for Buck's Blog on MASNsports.com,...

Tags:

orioles chris tillman jason hammel wei-yin chen frontstory_orioles2

Orioles schedule coming soon (updated with schedule)

September 12, 2012, 7:14am

Orioles

Major League Baseball will release the Orioles' 2013 schedule at 1 p.m., but a few details have leaked out over the past few weeks. The Orioles definitely will open at Tropicana Field for the third time in four seasons, if my math is correct. They have games against the Rays on April 2-4 before their home-opening series against the Twins on April 5-7. Once again, the local beat crew will drive from Sarasota to St. Petersburg before leaving the state of Florida. According to a few industry...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

McLouth, Hoes and who throws? (and 2013 schedule note)

September 11, 2012, 8:56pm

Orioles

McLouth, Hoes and who throws? (and 2013 schedule note)

I'm 100 percent certain that Nate McLouth will bat leadoff again tonight. The Rays are starting a right-hander, Alex Cobb, and it didn't matter yesterday that they sent left-hander Matt Moore to the mound. McLouth had two hits last night and is 2-for-7 with two walks, three runs scored and two stolen bases in two games since replacing Nick Markakis atop the order. Does this mean McLouth will have exclusive rights to the leadoff duties? "We're going to take a look at every pitcher," said...

Tags:

orioles lj hoes nate mclouth featured_sidebar jason hammel frontstory_orioles2

More from Showalter following 9-2 win

September 11, 2012, 7:25pm

Orioles

The Orioles won and the Yankees lost, creating another first-place tie in the American League East. Too bad the Orioles weren't in the mood to celebrate. They're fairly low-key to begin with, and Jason Hammel's early exit with pain in his surgically repaired right knee put a real damper on the night. The Orioles will have their resiliency put to the test again. "I don't ever take it for granted," manager Buck Showalter said following a 9-2 win over the Rays before 23,828 at Camden...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter darren o'day j.j. hardy jason hammel steve johnson frontstory_orioles2

Hammel to undergo MRI on Wednesday

September 11, 2012, 6:53pm

Orioles

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel has requested an MRI on his right knee Wednesday after feeling a sharp pain tonight that he's hoping won't lead to another surgery or the end of his season. Hammel said he felt the knee grab on the second pitch thrown to Evan Longoria, who walked with two outs in the fourth inning. He threw one pitch to Matt Joyce, unable to apply any pressure to the right knee, before leaving the game. "It felt exactly as it did in the game against Detroit," said Hammel, who...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter frontstory_orioles1 jason hammel

Hammel leaves with knee injury (O's win 9-2)

September 11, 2012, 4:29pm

Orioles

Hammel leaves with knee injury (O's win 9-2)

The Orioles continue to be health challenged, this time losing Jason Hammel to a right knee injury in the fourth inning. Hammel retired the first two batters before walking Evan Longoria. He threw one pitch to Matt Joyce and hopped off the mound. Manager Buck Showalter, pitching coach Rick Adair and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells came out of the dugout, and Hammel came out of the game without attempting a warmup pitch. Though it appeared that his left leg buckled, the Orioles announced...

Tags:

orioles jason hammel steve johnson

Game update and Showalter's pregame praise (Hardy homers)

September 11, 2012, 3:46pm

Orioles

Game update and Showalter's pregame praise (Hardy homers)

The Orioles no longer lead the majors in errors and they don't have sole possession of second place in that dubious race. The Rockies lead the field with 112, followed by the Padres and Orioles with 100. The Rays committed their 98th tonight, tying them with the Giants and costing them a run. Right fielder Matt Joyce mishandled Matt Wieters' two-out bloop single down the line in the bottom of the first inning, allowing Adam Jones to score from first base and giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead....

Tags:

orioles buck showalter frontfeatured_orioles mike griffin ron johnson

Showalter talks about Gregg

September 11, 2012, 2:03pm

Orioles

The Orioles tried to trade Kevin Gregg over the winter and in spring training. He was available at the non-waiver deadline. They couldn't strike a deal, continued to use him sporadically and finally had to designate him for assignment today to create room on the 40-man roster. Signed to a two-year, $10 million contract with a $6 million team option for 2013, Gregg failed to hold onto the closer's job after converting 22 of 29 save opportunities last season. He never had a defined role this...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter kevin gregg frontstory_orioles3

Updates on Markakis, Tillman, Patton, Thome and more (with quote)

September 11, 2012, 12:55pm

Orioles

Updates on Markakis, Tillman, Patton, Thome and more (with quote)

Nick Markakis underwent surgery today in Sarasota and manager Buck Showalter spoke to him this morning. Pins were inserted into Markakis' thumb instead of a T-plate, which is a less-invasive procedure. They will be removed in three weeks if it heals as expected. However, the timetable for Markakis' potential return hasn't changed. The Orioles would have to make the playoffs and probably get into the second round. "He called me, I think, from the recovery room," Showalter said. "He was...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris tillman frontfeatured_orioles jim thome nick markakis troy patton

Chavez and Hoes join Orioles, Gregg and Adams DFA'd

September 11, 2012, 11:22am

Orioles

The Orioles made a series of roster moves today, selecting the contracts of outfielders Endy Chavez and LJ Hoes from Triple-A Norfolk and designating reliever Kevin Gregg and second baseman Ryan Adams for assignment. Chavez was expected here today, and Adams was my guess to be removed from the 40-man roster. However, the Orioles changed their plans with Hoes after Nick Markakis suffered a broken left thumb. Chavez batted .190/.222/.281 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 47 games with the...

Tags:

orioles endy chavez frontfeatured_orioles kevin gregg lj hoes ryan adams

McLouth leading off, Ford in right field

September 11, 2012, 10:50am

Orioles

McLouth leading off, Ford in right field

So much for my earlier prediction that Nate McLouth wouldn't lead off tonight against Rays left-hander Matt Moore. McLouth is atop the order again. He's starting in left field, with Lew Ford playing right. Chris Davis is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter. Left-handers are hitting .268 against Moore, compared to .234 by right-handers, which could factor into manager Buck Showalter's lineup decisions. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C...

Tags:

orioles nate mclouth frontstory_orioles2

Predictions and tonight's starting pitcher

September 10, 2012, 6:37pm

Orioles

Predictions and tonight's starting pitcher

I've got two predictions for you today. 1. Someone will report that Nick Markakis underwent "successful surgery" on his thumb. As opposed to all those unsuccessful surgeries that players endure each year. Unless the thumb falls off, it's going to be successful. Dr. Brian Schofield will insert a T-plate and Markakis will be resting comfortably. And then we'll wait to find out whether the Orioles make the playoffs and he's healthy enough to contribute. Apparently, a realistic goal is...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar jason hammel nate mclouth nick markakis frontstory_orioles3

The Juan Pierre rumors (and Patton update)

September 10, 2012, 1:21pm

Orioles

The Juan Pierre rumors (and Patton update)

I made the bold move of detaching myself from Twitter last night, so I'm playing catchup to all the Juan Pierre questions. For example: * Did the Orioles get Pierre? * Have you heard the Juan Pierre rumblings? Any hope of that trade happening? * Any truth to the Juan Pierre rumors? * Is there any truth to the Juan Pierre rumor? (that the O's have acquired him?) * Did the Orioles get Juan Pierre? What did they give up to get him? Is he going to play on Tuesday? Will he be batting...

Tags:

endy chavez nick markakis troy patton frontstory_orioles2

Another 40-man move is coming

September 10, 2012, 4:12am

Orioles

Failing to take over sole possession of first place in the American League East while the Yankees were in town, the Orioles will try to accomplish something else today. They will attempt to have a quiet off-day. Or maybe I'm just rooting for one. Nick Markakis' thumb surgery couldn't be scheduled until Tuesday. The Orioles probably will wait until Tuesday to select outfielder Endy Chavez's contract, which will require a 40-man roster move. I thought it would make sense to select LJ...

Tags:

orioles endy chavez featured_sidebar lj hoes nick markakis frontstory_orioles2

More Showalter after 13-3 loss

September 09, 2012, 3:08pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter covered other topics today besides Nick Markakis' surgery on Tuesday. Here are a few of them: On Zach Britton: "His command was challenged. He was carrying good stuff. They did a real good job of making him bring the ball up, which a lot of people have tried to do, and Zach is usually able to throw strikes down in the zone. Zach was missing by a length of a ball, and he wasn't getting much borderline. Unfortunately, for him, most of the hits off him were broken bats...