Roch Kubatko

While waiting for the lineup...

August 12, 2012, 6:55am

Orioles

The Orioles have a later reporting time today after last night's debacle. May as well let the players catch a few hours sleep before they try to catch a fly ball. Former Orioles left-hander Bruce Chen is starting for the Royals, which means manager Buck Showalter will break out his right-handed lineup. Taylor Teagarden will catch today, and Showalter must decide whether to use Matt Wieters as the designated hitter or give him the day off. Lew Ford will start in left field. Mark Reynolds...

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Showalter speaks after 7-3 loss

August 11, 2012, 9:47pm

Orioles

A rain delay that lasted more than three hours tonight provided a convenient excuse for the Orioles if they chose to reach for it. Manager Buck Showalter's arms aren't that long. "It was a challenging night and they did a better job with it than we did," Showalter said after the Orioles lost to the Royals 7-3 at Camden Yards. "It was impressive that Tilly (Chris Tillman) fought his way through five-plus. Usually, three or four runs, you can hold them right there. I thought giving up the...

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Machado hits for the cycle - in three days (O's lose 7-3)

August 11, 2012, 8:42pm

Orioles

Machado hits for the cycle - in three days (O's lose 7-3)

Not only did Manny Machado break up Luis Mendoza's shutout in the seventh inning, he hit for the cycle in a three-day period. I know it doesn't count, but humor me. Machado tripled and reached on an infield hit Thursday in his major league debut, and he homered twice on Friday. All that remained was the double, which he collected off Mendoza to score Wilson Betemit. Omar Quintanilla, who went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer last night, followed with a two-run double to reduce the Royals'...

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Flaherty will report to Norfolk

August 11, 2012, 1:19pm

Orioles

Infielder Ryan Flaherty, on the disabled list with a bacterial infection, is scheduled to report to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. He could begin his rehab assignment that night if his health has improved. Flaherty can remain on his assignment for a maximum of 20 days (30 for pitchers), but only if his physical condition warrants it. Major League Baseball makes sure players aren't being stashed. Jason Hammel threw off the front slope of the bullpen mound this afternoon. The Orioles will check...

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McLouth moves up in the lineup, Machado stays in it

August 11, 2012, 11:20am

Orioles

McLouth moves up in the lineup, Machado stays in it

Nate McLouth is batting third tonight for the Orioles, with Chris Davis dropping down to seventh. Manny Machado remains at third base and in the eighth slot. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 1B Chris Davis DH Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Chris Tillman RHP

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Remembering how Machado got here

August 11, 2012, 6:05am

Orioles

I've heaped a lot of praise on manager Buck Showalter this season, and rightfully so, but let's not forget that former scouting director Joe Jordan used the third pick in the 2010 player draft on Miami prep shortstop Manny Machado. The Orioles had serious interest in Texas high school right-hander Jameson Taillon, but the Pirates grabbed him with the second pick. That left Machado, who wasn't getting past the Orioles. Here are the top 10 selections from that year: 1. Bryce Harper, OF,...

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It starts at the bottom

August 10, 2012, 8:22pm

Orioles

With all due respect to new leadoff hitter Nick Markakis, the bottom third of the Orioles' lineup did the heavy lifting last night. No. 7 hitter Nate McLouth, No. 8 hitter Manny Machado and No. 9 hitter Omar Quintanilla were a combined 7-for-12 with a double, three home runs, seven RBIs and four runs scored. Seven RBIs. In a 7-1 victory over the Royals. That's heavy lifting. Manager Buck Showalter didn't want Quintanilla's two-run homer in the second inning to get lost in the Machado...

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Machado and Gonzalez talk about their nights

August 10, 2012, 6:47pm

Orioles

Machado and Gonzalez talk about their nights

Manny Machado had a crowd of reporters waiting for him after tonight's game. He also had traces of the shaving cream pie he received still wedged in his ears. I suppose he wouldn't mind having to clean it off every night. "I wouldn't mind that at all," he said. Machado had a pretty good idea that the first ball was going to settle into the left field seats. "I put some good wood on it," he said. "I kind of figured it was going to go out." And the second one? "Yeah, no doubt,"...

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Showalter speaks after 7-1 victory

August 10, 2012, 6:24pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter would like to keep the Manny Machado hype at a reasonable level. You can tell by the tone of his voice and the measured responses, how he points out the small number of games that the kid has played and how a new one is coming up tomorrow. Machado isn't make it easy on Showalter. "He had a nice night, put a couple good swings on some breaking balls that were left out over the plate," Showalter said after Machado hit two home runs to lift the Orioles to a 7-1 victory...

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Machado making history tonight (O's win 7-1)

August 10, 2012, 5:13pm

Orioles

Machado making history tonight (O's win 7-1)

It's only been two games, but Manny Machado doesn't look like a kid who was rushed to the majors. Machado hit his second home run tonight, a three-run shot deep into the left field seats in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 7-1 lead. Machado is the youngest Orioles player to hit a home run since Jim Palmer, who was 19, on May 16, 1965. He's now the youngest ever to hit multiple home runs in the same game. Boog Powell collected two on May 2, 1962 against the Twins when he...

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Gonzalez burned by HR and benefits from one (Machado home run note)

August 10, 2012, 3:51pm

Orioles

Gonzalez burned by HR and benefits from one (Machado home run note)

Miguel Gonzalez had allowed a home run to the first batter he faced in both home starts this season - Detroit's Austin Jackson and Tampa Bay's Desmond Jennings - which made his battle tonight with Kansas City's Alex Gordon must-see TV. Gordon struck out. No repeat tonight. Gonzalez retired the side in order, but catcher Salvador Perez homered with one out in the second inning to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. Gonzalez has allowed 10 homers in seven starts with the Orioles. His only clean...

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Chavez staying in organization, Hammel to throw off mound Saturday

August 10, 2012, 12:57pm

Orioles

Chavez staying in organization, Hammel to throw off mound Saturday

Outfielder Endy Chavez has cleared waivers and will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. Chavez could have opted to become a free agent, but he agreed to stay in the organization. The Orioles are expected to call him up when rosters expand on Sept. 1. Pitcher Jason Hammel is expected to rejoin the Orioles on Saturday unless he runs into some sort of travel issue. Hammel will throw off the front slope of the mound - not the pitching rubber - and will be reevaluated the following day before...

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Machado starting again tonight

August 10, 2012, 11:21am

Orioles

If you wondered whether Manny Machado would be part of a platoon at third base, he's starting again tonight against Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar. Wilson Betemit slides over to first base. Chris Davis is the Orioles' designated hitter. Mark Reynolds is on the bench. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 1B Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP

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What I know

August 09, 2012, 7:44pm

Orioles

This will be a short blog entry, as you can imagine. The Orioles optioned Steve Johnson yesterday because they don't have a game on Monday and won't need a fifth starter until Saturday. They don't want him sitting in the bullpen or throwing 30-40 pitches in a relief outing and then being expected to throw 90-100 in a start. A Sept. 1 call-up is assured, and he could be here a lot sooner. J.J. Hardy isn't moving off shortstop. Suggesting that he shift to third or second is wasted energy....

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Showalter speaks after 8-2 loss

August 09, 2012, 6:22pm

Orioles

Do you want the good or the bad first? Let's start with the good, which would be Manny Machado going 2-for-4 with a triple and run scored in his first major league game. "I thought Manny did well," manager Buck Showalter said following an 8-2 loss to the Royals that halted the Orioles' winning streak at five games. "Presented himself well tonight. I'm proud of him. There was a nice calmness about him and a good start. He handled the situation well, all things considered. "He's up...

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Bad start to Wei-Yin Chen T-shirt Night (Machado 2-for-4)

August 09, 2012, 3:34pm

Orioles

Bad start to Wei-Yin Chen T-shirt Night (Machado 2-for-4)

Anyone know how to say "do over" in Mandarin Chinese? Wei-Yin Chen threw 26 pitches, served up two home runs, gave up four hits and took a shot off his left knee in the first inning. That's no way to celebrate your own T-shirt night. Or is this Manny Machado Night? I've sort of lost track. Alex Gordon hit his eighth career leadoff home run, and his third this season. Back-to-back singles by Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo Cain - the latter on a ball that scooted past a diving Machado at...

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Showalter: "We'll see what each day brings" (Steve Johnson optioned)

August 09, 2012, 1:01pm

Orioles

Showalter: "We'll see what each day brings" (Steve Johnson optioned)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't revealing his plans for Manny Machado beyond tonight's game at Camden Yards. The same is true for Wilson Betemit and any other players who could be impacted by Machado's arrival. Machado is batting ninth and playing third base tonight. Whether he starts again tomorrow and is a regular presence in the lineup is assumed, but not confirmed. "We'll see how it goes tonight, see where it takes us," Showalter said. "We have 25 guys here who have...

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Machado at third, batting ninth

August 09, 2012, 11:32am

Orioles

Not only is Manny Machado here and soon to be officially added to the roster, but he's making his major league debut tonight against the Royals. Machado is batting ninth and playing third base for the Orioles, who have yet to announce the corresponding roster move. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Lew Ford LF Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis DH Robert Andino 2B Manny Machado 3B Wei-Yin Chen LHP

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More on Manny Machado in the majors (plus his uniform number)

August 08, 2012, 8:38pm

Orioles

More on Manny Machado in the majors (plus his uniform number)

The Orioles are facing a left-handed starter tonight, with the Royals sending Will Smith to the mound. Manny Machado could be in the starting lineup at third base. Is he ready? I've been asked that question over and over, on the blog and via Twitter, since the Orioles announced late last night that Machado's contract was being selected from Double-A Bowie. There's only one way to find out - and I don't mean by using my crystal ball. The kid has to play. "One thing about Manny is he's a...

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Orioles selecting Manny Machado's contract (updated)

August 08, 2012, 7:41pm

Orioles

The Orioles just announced that they're going to select the contract of Double-A Bowie shortstop Manny Machado before tomorrow night's game against the Royals at Camden Yards. How's that for a surprise? The Orioles stated in the press release that Machado, the third-overall pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, will be making his major league debut. However, he won't necessarily start tomorrow. And he's not going to unseat J.J. Hardy at shortstop. Machado, 20, is batting...