Roch Kubatko

It's Tillman time (O's win 4-2)

July 04, 2012, 12:18pm

Orioles

In his next-to-last start with the Orioles on against the White Sox, he surrendered six runs and eight hits, and walked three batters, in only 2 2/3 innings. Tillman didn't pitch for the Orioles again - beyond spring training - until making today's start against the Mariners at Safeco Field. I try not to place too much emphasis on one appearance or a game in early July, but this is a fairly big one for Tillman, who is trying to establish himself in the majors and jump off the shuttle to...

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Orioles and Mariners lineups

July 04, 2012, 9:45am

Orioles

Xavier Avery is leading off again today, as the Orioles attempt to win back-to-back games before heading to Anaheim. Chris Tillman is making his first start for the Orioles this season, and he'll have Matt Wieters behind the plate in a day game following a night game. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Jim Thome DH Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 2B Chris Tillman RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki RF Michael...

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About last night ... (Hammel update)

July 03, 2012, 9:46pm

Orioles

You've heard of good wins. Last night's win was a good one. It helps little old ladies across the street. It picks up your tab. It mows your lawn in the middle of the summer. It raises your allowance. It restores your power. It lets you merge into heavy traffic. It hires Lindsay Lohan to work your next bachelor party. Wei-Yin Chen turned in an inspired performance, carrying a perfect game into the seventh inning before being charged with two runs. Pedro Strop gave up three straight hits in...

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What a difference an Avery makes (O's win 5-4, S. Johnson optioned)

July 03, 2012, 7:48pm

Orioles

What a difference an Avery makes (O's win 5-4, S. Johnson optioned)

It's unfortunate that an injury is the reason why outfielder Xavier Avery is back in the majors, but he's making an impact again tonight. Batting leadoff with Brian Roberts on the disabled list, Avery is 2-for-3 with a run scored, and he's a central figure in this game, which had been scoreless until the sixth inning. Avery led off the inning with his second hit of the night and later scored on Chris Davis' third hit of the series. Talk about setting a tone. Avery began a streak of four...

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Roberts to DL, Avery rejoins team

July 03, 2012, 5:07pm

Orioles

Second baseman Brian Roberts is going on the disabled list with a strained groin, which explains the Orioles' delay in posting tonight's lineup and outfielder Xavier Avery's arrival in Seattle. Avery has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk after being optioned on Sunday. He didn't need to spend the required 10 days in the minors because he's replacing a player who's on the DL. Roberts is batting .182/.233/.182 with five RBIs in 17 games. He sat out last night's 6-3 loss, so the DL...

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While waiting for the Orioles' lineup... (roster move coming?)

July 03, 2012, 3:59pm

Orioles

Congratulations to the Orioles for being the only team in baseball that hasn't posted its lineup. Maybe they're waiting on Brian Roberts, who didn't play last night because of a sore groin. In the meantime... For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki RF Casper Wells LF Kyle Seager 3B Jesus Montero DH Miguel Olivo C Michael Saunders CF Justin Smoak 1B Dustin Ackley 2B Brendan Ryan SS Felix Hernandez RHP Taylor Teagarden played in his second rehab game for the Gulf Coast League Orioles today,...

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A noteworthy afternoon

July 03, 2012, 12:04pm

Orioles

One night after Jason Hammel tried to make amends for tying his career high for most runs allowed in a start, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will attempt to do the same. Hammel limited the Mariners to one run heading into the seventh inning last night before being charged with four in 6 2/3. Chen gave up six runs to the Indians in 6 1/3 innings after allowing two earned runs or fewer in three of his previous four starts and four of six. Tonight marks his first appearance against the Mariners. The...

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About last night... (Hammel update)

July 02, 2012, 9:27pm

Orioles

You've heard of bad losses. Last night's loss was a bad one. It makes a fist and punches you in the gut. It takes up two parking spaces. It uses up all the hot water. It raises gas prices. It hides the remote control. It brings 20 items into the express lane. It sits behind you in the theater and won't stop talking. It hires Lindsay Lohan to babysit your kids. Yeah, the kind of loss so bad, it should be put on timeout. The Orioles led the Mariners 3-1 in the seventh inning. They had...

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Hammel's timing: From bad to good (O's lose 6-3)

July 02, 2012, 8:00pm

Orioles

Hammel's timing: From bad to good (O's lose 6-3)

Jason Hammel tied his career high by allowing eight runs in his final start before the All-Star selections were announced. Bad timing. Hammel is one of five finalists for the Final Vote, joining fellow pitchers Jonathan Broxton, Yu Darvish, Ernesto Frieri and Jake Peavy. Tonight, he's held the Mariners to one run through six innings. Good timing. Hammel has given up five hits, including John Jaso's gift double in the sixth, walked none and struck out seven. He's clinging to a 3-1 lead...

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Rotation could spin in different directions (updated)

July 02, 2012, 5:51pm

Orioles

Rotation could spin in different directions (updated)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter, during his pregame session with reporters in Seattle, indicated that Chris Tillman could start Wednesday against the Mariners instead of Thursday against the Angels. Executive vice president Dan Duquette told me earlier today that Tillman was scratched from his start in Triple-A Norfolk in case he was needed to pitch against the Angels, but Jake Arrieta could be pushed back a day. That seems to be the plan. It might be a good idea to reintroduce Tillman to...

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Orioles and Mariners lineups

July 02, 2012, 3:17pm

Orioles

Robert Andino is starting at second base and batting leadoff tonight for the Orioles as they begin a three-game series in Seattle. Brian Roberts is taking a seat on the bench. Jim Thome is serving as the designated hitter again after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts yesterday in his debut. Wilson Betemit has moved up to third in the order for the first time this season. He has 17 hits in his last 36 at-bats. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Wilson Betemit 3B Adam Jones CF...

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Roster move and Willis retirement official, and other notes

July 02, 2012, 12:52pm

Orioles

Roster move and Willis retirement official, and other notes

The Orioles confirmed today that pitcher Steve Johnson has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and joined the team in Seattle. He's wearing No. 52. Johnson and his father, Dave, will become the sixth father-son duo to play for the Orioles, joining Bob and Terry Kennedy, Don and Damon Buford, John O'Donoghue Sr. and John O'Donoghue Jr., Dave and Derrick May, and Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr. Including today, the Orioles have made 10 moves on the 25-man roster involving nine players in...

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Tillman scratched, Willis may retire, Markakis took BP

July 02, 2012, 11:39am

Orioles

Tillman scratched, Willis may retire, Markakis took BP

Chris Tillman no longer is scheduled to start tonight for Triple-A Norfolk. Tim Bascom, the Orioles' minor league Pitcher of the Year in 2011, will take Tillman's turn in the rotation. Bascom is moving up from Double-A Bowie. Tillman is expected to move up to the majors and start Thursday night's game in Anaheim. Tillman is 8-8 with a 3.63 ERA in 16 games with Norfolk, including 15 starts. He's allowed 85 hits, walked 30 and struck out 92 in 89 1/3 innings. Tillman has allowed two earned...

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More changes in store for the Orioles

July 01, 2012, 9:14pm

Orioles

When it comes to the Orioles these days, the great debate centers on the biggest concern. The defense? It's been tagged for 69 errors in 78 games, most in the majors. The offense? It perked up a little over the weekend with a combined 14 runs in two games, but the Orioles managed only two yesterday and didn't have a baserunner until the fifth inning. The pitching? The starters have a 4.82 ERA that's the fourth-highest in the majors. So what's a team to do? Well, the Orioles traded for...

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Steve Johnson joining Orioles in Seattle (Britton update)

July 01, 2012, 3:32pm

Orioles

The Orioles are preparing to recall right-hander Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk and insert him into their bullpen during their West Coast trip that begins tomorrow night in Seattle. Johnson will replace left-hander Brian Matusz on the 25-man roster. Matusz was optioned after today's 6-2 loss to the Indians at Camden Yards. Johnson, 24, is 3-5 with a 2.73 ERA in 14 games, including nine starts. He's allowed 43 hits, walked 24 and struck out 63 in 62 2/3 innings, and opponents are...

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Showalter speaks after 6-2 loss

July 01, 2012, 1:22pm

Orioles

The Indians lost five straight games before arriving in Baltimore, but they took three of four in this series. Brian Matusz gave up five runs (four earned) and seven hits in four innings and was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. He hasn't been the same pitcher since holding the Rays to one run and two hits in 7 1/3 innings back on June 2. What happened? "The same thing that Miguel (Gonzalez) did really well, he hasn't been able to do, and that's command his fastball," said manager Buck...

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Matusz optioned to Triple-A Norfolk (with Duquette quotes)

July 01, 2012, 12:51pm

Orioles

Matusz optioned to Triple-A Norfolk (with Duquette quotes)

The changes keep coming to the Orioles' 25-man roster, and to their rotation. Less than 24 hours after Tommy Hunter was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles made the same move with left-hander Brian Matusz following today's 6-2 loss to the Indians at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed the move after meeting with reporters. He called Matusz into his office to break the news. Matusz is 0-5 with an 8.44 ERA (21 1/3 innings pitched, 20 earned runs) in his last five...

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Miguel Gonzalez pushing for rotation spot (updated)

July 01, 2012, 12:00pm

Orioles

Miguel Gonzalez pushing for rotation spot (updated)

The Orioles recalled Miguel Gonzalez from Triple-A Norfolk yesterday - he was scratched about an hour before his scheduled start for the Tides - because they needed a long reliever for today's game against the Indians. He might be needed in the rotation later this week. Gonzalez must stay with the Orioles, no matter his role. He's tossed four shutout innings in relief of left-hander Brian Matusz, allowing two hits, walking two and striking out five. He's thrown 66 pitches, 12 fewer than...

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And the Thome era officially begins (Matusz's day ends)

July 01, 2012, 10:12am

Orioles

And the Thome era officially begins (Matusz's day ends)

Jim Thome received a nice ovation as he walked to the plate with one out in the bottom of the second inning. The cartoon bird looked a bit strange on his helmet, but we'll get used to it. He's worn many hats over the years. In his first at-bat with the Orioles, who completed a trade with the Phillies yesterday that included Single-A pitcher Kyle Simon and catcher Gabriel Lino, Thome fell behind 0-2 and sent a hard bouncer off Indians pitcher Justin Masterson's leg. Masterson covered the...

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Avery optioned to Triple-A Norfolk

July 01, 2012, 8:28am

Orioles

The Orioles have made two changes to their 25-man roster. Jim Thome is serving as the designated hitter today after being acquired from the Phillies in yesterday's trade, and right-hander Miguel Gonzalez will work out of the bullpen as a long man. Tommy Hunter was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last night, and outfielder Xavier Avery was optioned this morning after being recalled for a second time on Thursday. Avery's batting .222 with five doubles, a triple, one home run, six RBIs and 10...