Orioles and White Sox lineups

Orioles and White Sox lineups
Lew Ford gets the start at designated hitter tonight, as manager Buck Showalter breaks out the first of his three right-handed lineups for this series. Left fielder Nate McLouth drops to seventh in the order, with Adam Jones moving from cleanup to third. Also, the Orioles won't add pitcher Joe Saunders to the 25-man roster until Tuesday. No roster move today. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Lew Ford DH Mark Reynolds 1B Nate McLouth LF Manny...

A little more on the Saunders trade

A little more on the Saunders trade
Yesterday qualified as a strange day at Camden Yards. The heavy lifting took place before the scheduled first pitch, with Matt Lindstrom being traded to the Diamondbacks for Joe Saunders, and Jake Arrieta being called up from Triple-A Norfolk. Lindstrom met with the media outside the clubhouse. Manager Buck Showalter met with the media in the auxiliary clubhouse. Executive vice president Dan Duquette met with the media in the back of the press box. We never saw Arrieta, who wasn't supposed...

Chen starting Monday, Tillman pushed back

Chen starting Monday, Tillman pushed back
The Orioles' rotation has undergone another change. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will start Monday night against the White Sox at Camden Yards. Chris Tillman, whose start today was rained out, will take the ball Tuesday. The Orioles haven't announced starters for Wednesday or Thursday, but left-hander Joe Saunders figures to make his Orioles debut after Tillman. Miguel Gonzalez, who had been listed as Tuesday's starter, or left-hander Zach Britton could start on Thursday. The Orioles have a...

Showalter talks about the trade (today's game postponed)

Showalter talks about the trade (today's game postponed)
Manager Buck Showalter was late arriving to today's media session because he was trying to wait until the Joe Saunders trade became official. Instead, he dropped hints to reporters until the news finally broke. In the blink of an eye, we received confirmation that Saunders was acquired, along with cash, for Matt Lindstrom and a PTBNL, and that Jake Arrieta had been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk as today's bullpen replacement. Arrieta could move into the rotation at some point. Saunders...

More talk and analysis from today's trade

More talk and analysis from today's trade
Joe Saunders is being placed today on baseball's version of a taxi squad. He won't officially join the team until Monday, at which point a corresponding roster move must be made. (CORRECTION): Saunders signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Diamondbacks over the winter. He can become a free agent after this season. The Orioles talked to Saunders' representative over the winter and to the Diamondbacks this summer as the non-waiver trade deadline approached. "We've liked Joe...

Orioles acquire Joe Saunders from Arizona for Matt Lindstrom (updated)

Orioles acquire Joe Saunders from Arizona for Matt Lindstrom (updated)
Eager to add a veteran starter to their rotation for the stretch run, the Orioles have acquired left-hander Joe Saunders from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed reliever Matt Lindstrom. The Orioles also acquired cash in the deal and will send a player to be named later to the D-backs. The 31-year-old Saunders was 6-10 with a 4.22 ERA in 21 starts for the Diamondbacks. He is 75-62 in 182 career starts with the Angels and D-backs. He graduated from West Springfield High School...

Wieters catching again today

Wieters catching again today
So much for a starting catcher sitting out a day game following a night game. Matt Wieters is behind the plate again today. He spent a few minutes in manager Buck Showalter's office before bench coach John Russell posted the lineup. Omar Quintanilla is starting at second base. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla 2B Manny Machado 3B Chris Tillman RHP

Orioles match last year's win total, but who's counting?

Orioles match last year's win total, but who's counting?
If I didn't know better, I'd swear that the Orioles aren't keeping track of the standings. They're not counting up the wins. They're not comparing this season to last season. They really are ... gulp ... taking it one day at a time. "We're a better team than we were last year," reliever Kevin Gregg said last night after striking out the side in the ninth inning. "We're putting a lot of things together and playing good baseball as a team. Getting the job done. "Everybody in the...

Showalter speaks after 8-2 win

Showalter speaks after 8-2 win
I guess it's up to fans and the media to be impressed with how the Orioles have matched last year's victory total with more than a month remaining in the regular season. Does manager Buck Showalter allow himself a few minutes to step back and appreciate the accomplishment? "No form or fashion," he said following tonight's 8-2 victory over the Blue Jays. "I don't think you're going to find anybody in that locker room who knows that unless you tell them. I think if someone had told us...

Orioles playing from behind on HOF night (O's win 8-2)

Orioles playing from behind on HOF night (O's win 8-2)
Mike Mussina gave a short induction speech tonight. The Blue Jays forced Steve Johnson into a long first inning. Mussina slipped on his green Orioles Hall of Fame jacket, thanked a few people, said he hoped the game would be played because he hated rain and was done. Johnson threw 24 pitches and served up a two-run homer to Edwin Encarnacion. Johnson gave up a one-out single to Mike McCoy, who was thrown out by Matt Wieters trying to steal second base. Jose Bautista walked and Encarnacion...

Thome may receive second epidural, Patton ready to throw (Hammel update)

Thome may receive second epidural, Patton ready to throw (Hammel update)
Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome will be examined by another doctor and may receive a second epidural injection because of lingering inflammation caused by a herniated disc in his neck. Thome tried to swing a bat in Sarasota and still is experiencing some weakness and discomfort in his lat muscle. The Orioles aren't viewing it as a major setback, but it's disappointing news after he seemed to be progressing much faster than anticipated. Left-hander Troy Patton could throw from a mound...

Orioles lineup against Blue Jays

Orioles lineup against Blue Jays
The Orioles are using the same lineup tonight as the one that produced a victory last night. The only difference is the starting pitcher. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Steve Johnson RHP Jones is homerless in his last 99 at-bats, but he's 8-for-22 with two homers and six RBIs lifetime against Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow. Hardy is 3-for-9 with two...

Where does Bundy factor into the Orioles' season?

Where does Bundy factor into the Orioles' season?
Zach Britton turned in his second consecutive quality start last night since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Jason Hammel threw a simulated game without any discomfort in his right knee and is nearing a rehab assignment. Steve Johnson is making his second major league start tonight. Tommy Hunter has been optioned to Double-A Bowie. The Orioles' rotation is a constant work in progress. I've seen less construction for next weekend's Grand Prix. Could the Orioles make room in it for...

Hearing from Davis and Britton

Hearing from Davis and Britton
The Orioles won their 68th game tonight, one fewer than they totaled in 2011. Marinate in that one for a while. And while you're at it, check out these quotes from Chris Davis on his three-homer night: "These games are important to us," he said. "Obviously, we're doing everything we can to win, no matter what it takes. I felt good at the plate tonight, was able to put some good swings on balls and had a really good night. "I think Zach Britton went out there and just pitched...

Showalter speaks after 6-4 win

Showalter speaks after 6-4 win
Tonight's attendance: 25,754 The Orioles improved to 44-18 in games decided by two runs or less. Elias says you can add one more name to the list of people who have a three-homer game and a win in the same season: Louisville's Guy Hecker in 1886. Manager Buck Showalter was asked for his thoughts on Chris Davis' three-homer night. "It's about time. We've had it done to us," Showalter said. "Chris was kind of pressing a little bit there in Texas. He puts some good swings on the...

Davis with homer hat trick (Orioles make history, win 6-4)

Davis with homer hat trick (Orioles make history, win 6-4)
Chris Davis has homered onto Eutaw St. tonight. He's homered into the back row of seats in right field. He's homered to left field. He's on a home run rampage. Davis became the first Oriole to hit three home runs in the same game since Nick Markakis kept harassing the Twins' Carlos Silva on Aug. 22, 2006. Tonight marks the 19th time that an Orioles player has achieved a homer hat trick. Davis' first two homers came off Blue Jays starter Carlos Villanueva. Steve Delabar entered in relief...

Game update and Romero (Chris Davis homers twice)

Game update and Romero (Chris Davis homers twice)
Anyone out there tonight? Not many comments coming on a day that included an Orioles Hall of Fame luncheon and multiple roster moves. Maybe you've hit a wall. It happens to the best of 'em. Zach Britton shut out the Tigers on six hits over seven innings in his first start after being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, but he fell behind, 1-0, tonight in the second inning. Edwin Encarnacion led off with a double and scored on Kelly Johnson's single. Left fielder Nate McLouth bobbled the ball,...

Hearing from Showalter and Matusz (Hunter update)

Hearing from Showalter and Matusz (Hunter update)
At the risk of bombarding you with too much news and too many quotes, here are a few comments from manager Buck Showalter that came from his pregame session with the media. On Jason Hammel's simulated game: "Hamm's thing went well today. We'll see how it feels tomorrow before we kind of set the next part of his schedule. But so far, so good." On Tommy Hunter: "Not sure yet whether we're going to option Tommy to Bowie or Norfolk. See where it fits best. Both those clubs' seasons end on...

Recapping a busy day at Camden Yards

Recapping a busy day at Camden Yards
The Orioles optioned Tommy Hunter today, destination unknown, and designated left-hander J.C. Romero for assignment. They recalled left-hander Brian Matusz and activated infielder Ryan Flaherty from the disabled list. Matusz is the only left-hander in the bullpen, but the Orioles could select Zach Phillips' contract from Triple-A Norfolk. It's still being discussed. Hunter will be assigned to Norfolk or Double-A Bowie. Romero is considering retirement. He's headed to his Alabama home to...

Flaherty, Matusz at Camden Yards (updated)

Flaherty, Matusz at Camden Yards (updated)
The Orioles haven't announced any roster moves, but Ryan Flaherty and Brian Matusz are at the ballpark. Flaherty's equipment bag is at his locker and Matusz has actually been seen here. It's possible that Matusz will replace J.C. Romero on the 25-man roster and Flaherty could become the fourth bench player with pitcher Tommy Hunter optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Update: Flaherty has now been seen in the clubhouse for a touching reunion with his equipment bag. Plus he's in the...