Roch Kubatko

Orioles lineup against Yankees (Arrieta in clubhouse)

September 06, 2012, 11:06am

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter is giving Robert Andino another start at second base against a right-hander, the Yankees' David Phelps. The rest of the lineup is predictable. Nate McLouth's in left field and batting third again, Mark Reynolds is at first base and Chris Davis is the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis DH Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP Update:...

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Ripken talks about Machado at third base (Angelos' statement on Modell)

September 06, 2012, 2:49am

Orioles

Ripken talks about Machado at third base (Angelos' statement on Modell)

The Orioles almost made it through another game last night without committing an error. They were clean for six innings before Adam Jones skipped a throw past Manny Machado in the seventh that allowed Anthony Gose to score. Who knew that the defense would become ... I won't say a "strength," but a contributing factor in the Orioles' surge? In the past 11 games before last night, the Orioles had posted a .990 fielding percentage that led the American League. They've now committed only...

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Tillman not included in Yankees series (O's lose 6-4)

September 05, 2012, 3:43pm

Orioles

Tillman not included in Yankees series (O's lose 6-4)

The Orioles announced their rotation for the Yankees series that begins Thursday night, and Chris Tillman isn't in it. Tillman could have pitched Friday night on regular rest or Saturday night as part of a six-man rotation, but he's being pushed back after being diagnosed yesterday with an inflamed nerve in his right elbow. Jason Hammel will be activated from the disabled list and take the ball on Thursday, his first start since July 13. He will oppose David Phelps, who walked six batters...

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Pregame notes and Blue Jays lineup (and O's lineup)

September 05, 2012, 10:59am

Orioles

Pregame notes and Blue Jays lineup (and O's lineup)

The Orioles' PR department provided some interesting nuggets, including the following: So far on the 4-1 road trip, the Orioles are batting .311 and have posted a 1.43 ERA (1.50 for the starters, 1.29 for the bullpen). A win tonight would mark the Orioles' first three-game sweep at Rogers Centre since April 22-24, 2005. The Orioles are 24-19 in series finales in 2012, including an 11-10 mark on the road. The Orioles have held the Blue Jays to three and four hits in the first two games of...

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Ripken on the Orioles and Thursday's ceremony

September 05, 2012, 6:17am

Orioles

With the Orioles having at least a share of first place in September for the first time since 1997, it seems appropriate that Cal Ripken Jr. will be at Camden Yards twice in the next four days. Ripken will be on hand Thursday for the unveiling of his statue in the picnic area and for the on-field ceremony that follows. And he'll be in the TBS broadcast booth on Sunday, making his debut providing analysis with former Braves pitcher John Smoltz. They'll talk about the playoff race, and the...

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Only the smart fans saw it coming

September 04, 2012, 7:26pm

Orioles

Not only did the smart fans predict back in March that the Orioles would be tied for first place on Sept. 5, they also knew that Miguel Gonzalez would be on the mound tonight with a chance to give them sole possession. They followed his progress in the Mexican League and his recovery from injuries that robbed him of two full seasons of pro ball. Oh, they knew. They knew that Nate McLouth, released by the Pirates after batting .140 in 34 games, would be hitting .255 with the Orioles and...

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Reynolds stays hot (O's win 12-0, move into first-place tie)

September 04, 2012, 4:30pm

Orioles

Reynolds stays hot (O's win 12-0, move into first-place tie)

Mark Reynolds must really, really want the Orioles to pick up that $11 million option for next season. Reynolds clubbed a three-run homer in the top of the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. If you're scoring at home, that's five homers in five days for Reynolds, and nine since Aug. 8. He's sizzling. Blue Jays starter Carlos Villanueva had allowed one hit in four innings before Adam Jones led off the fifth with a double. Chris Davis walked with...

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Tillman's MRI doesn't show structural damage (minor leaguer suspended)

September 04, 2012, 2:00pm

Orioles

Tillman's MRI doesn't show structural damage (minor leaguer suspended)

The Orioles received some good news this afternoon regarding pitcher Chris Tillman. A team official confirmed that the MRI on Tillman's right elbow revealed some inflammation in a nerve, but no structural damage. Manager Buck Showalter passed along the news to reporters in Toronto, and the interview will air on "O's Xtra," which begins at 6:30 p.m. on MASN2 HD. Tillman will work out with Double-A Bowie, which begins the Eastern League playoffs Wednesday night. He could make his next...

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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups and notes (updated)

September 04, 2012, 11:39am

Orioles

Nick Markakis remains in the Orioles' lineup tonight after being drilled in the left arm by a pitch yesterday. Adam Jones stays in center field despite appearing to twist his ankle in that same game. Robert Andino makes another start at second base. The Orioles haven't announced that they've recalled left-hander Zach Britton, but he's on the mound tonight. UPDATE: They just announced it. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C...

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On the brink of first place

September 04, 2012, 2:16am

Orioles

First place in September? The Orioles could claim a share of it tonight. A win over the Blue Jays, coupled with a Yankees loss at Tropicana Field, would create a first-place tie in the American League East. And it wouldn't involve the Rays or Red Sox. It would be the team widely predicted to lose 100 games this season. The Orioles have won eight of their last 10 games and 14 of 20. And they're no longer bullied in their own division. They improved yesterday to 29-21 against the AL...

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Quick Tillman update and more on Phillips (O's win 4-0)

September 03, 2012, 8:54am

Orioles

Quick Tillman update and more on Phillips (O's win 4-0)

The Orioles are in the process of scheduling an MRI for Chris Tillman, who left yesterday's start at Yankee Stadium after three innings because of an "achy" and "dead" feeling in his right elbow. With today's holiday, it's more likely that Tillman will undergo the MRI on Tuesday morning at the earliest. Tillman retired the last four batters he faced yesterday and left with the Orioles trailing 2-0. He was 6-1 with a 3.67 ERA and five quality starts in his last eight outings. The...

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Machado moves up to sixth today (Berken designated for assignment)

September 03, 2012, 6:49am

Orioles

Machado moves up to sixth today (Berken designated for assignment)

Manny Machado is batting sixth today for the first time in his major league career. Machado has hit seventh, eighth and ninth, but he's moving up against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ. He went 6-for-12 in the Yankees series. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Manny Machado 3B Nate McLouth LF Lew Ford DH Robert Andino 2B Joe Saunders LHP For the Blue Jays: Rajai Davis LF Colby Rasmus CF Edwin Encarnacion 1B Adam Lind...

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Orioles pass another test (Gonzalez starting Wednesday)

September 02, 2012, 8:03pm

Orioles

I really wish that I had kept track of my road record this season, because it's got to be impressive. I'd go back and count up the games, but that would require doing math and, well, I was told there wouldn't be any math. Yesterday was gut-check time in the Bronx. It also was a game that measures a team's heart, its resiliency, its bounce-back ability. The Orioles had coughed up a two-run lead in the seventh inning Saturday, knocking the wind out of them while simultaneously breathing...

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Reynolds continues to leave his mark

September 02, 2012, 1:53pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Just another multi-homer game for Mark Reynolds today. Nothing to see here. Actually, there's been plenty. As I wrote earlier, he's batting .320 with five doubles, eight homers and 17 RBIs in his last 23 games. Reynolds homered off Phil Hughes in the fifth and sixth innings, his second shot driving in three runs and giving the Orioles a 5-3 lead. "The first one, I think it was a 2-2 fastball," he said. "He was trying to go away with it like he did in my first at-bat and...

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Hearing from Showalter and Wolf after 8-3 win

September 02, 2012, 1:35pm

Orioles

Hearing from Showalter and Wolf after 8-3 win

NEW YORK - Let's first get the fun facts out of the way. The Orioles improved to 37-29 on the road, 28-21 vs. the American League East, 25-13 in day games and 11-5 in the rubber game of a series. The six road wins in the Bronx are the most since they went 8-1 at the original Yankee Stadium in 1976. Mark Reynolds became only the second Orioles player with more than one multi-homer game in a series against the Yankees, joining Doug DeCinces, who hit two on May 25 and 27, 1981 at Memorial...

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Tillman to undergo MRI on elbow

September 02, 2012, 12:58pm

Orioles

NEW YORK - Instead of accompanying his teammates to Toronto later today, Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman will fly back to Baltimore and undergo an MRI on his right elbow. The MRI most likely will take place on Monday while the Orioles open a three-game series against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Tillman lasted only three innings today before manager Buck Showalter, concerned by a drop in his starter's velocity, summoned left-hander Randy Wolf from the bullpen. Tillman said the elbow felt...

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The rotation and Reynolds (Wolf with solid debut, O's win 8-3)

September 02, 2012, 10:34am

Orioles

The rotation and Reynolds (Wolf with solid debut, O's win 8-3)

NEW YORK - So much for the Orioles having too many starters for their rotation. Manager Buck Showalter has mentioned the need for depth in case a pitcher is knocked out of a game with an injury. He usually talks about a line drive up the middle, not stiffness in an elbow, but his point is made. We won't know the severity of Chris Tillman's injury until later today or after the team arrives in Toronto, but the timing is both good and bad. The good: The roster has expanded this month, with...

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Tillman off to slow start, leaves game with elbow stiffness

September 02, 2012, 9:52am

Orioles

Tillman off to slow start, leaves game with elbow stiffness

NEW YORK - Chris Tillman is struggling with his command in the early innings, having thrown only 18 of his 34 pitches for strikes through the second. Tillman has walked two batters and thrown two wild pitches. Worse, he's also served up a two-run homer to Chris Dickerson that's given the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Dickerson is starting in center field because Curtis Granderson injured his right hamstring during yesterday's game. Dickerson didn't have a major league at-bat this season before...

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Andino starting at second base today (updated)

September 02, 2012, 6:33am

Orioles

Andino starting at second base today (updated)

NEW YORK - Robert Andino is starting at second base in today's series finale against the Yankees. So much for a platoon at second base. Andino is 2-for-5 lifetime against Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes. Omar Quintanilla is 1-for-4 with a home run, but he's mired in an 0-for-24 slump. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis DH Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Chris Tillman RHP Robinson Cano is 8-for-14...

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Giving the rotation another spin (updated)

September 02, 2012, 4:53am

Orioles

Giving the rotation another spin (updated)

NEW YORK - I'm heading to Yankee Stadium for the finale of this three-game series, with Chris Tillman looking to exorcise his Bronx demons. Or exercise them, if that's an easier task. Tillman has an 8.42 ERA in six career starts against the Yankees, and it jumps to 10.69 in four starts in New York. He surrendered five runs (four earned) and eight hits in five innings back on July 31. Tillman is 4-1 with a 2.96 ERA in five road starts this season. Maybe he can lean on that statistic for...