Roch Kubatko

Orioles and Angels lineups (and notes)

July 05, 2012, 2:38pm

Orioles

The Orioles recalled first baseman Joe Mahoney today, but he's not in the lineup. His major league debut will have to wait. Mark Reynolds is playing first base and batting eighth. Jim Thome continues to serve as the designated hitter. 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 Jake Arrieta RHP For the Angels: Mike Trout CF Torii Hunter RF Albert Pujols 1B Kendrys Morales...

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Hammel won't accompany teammates to All-Star Game

July 05, 2012, 12:48pm

Orioles

Hammel won't accompany teammates to All-Star Game

Major League Baseball has announced that Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish and Cardinals infielder David Freese are the Final Vote winners for the 2012 All-Star Game on July 10 in Kansas City. Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel was a finalist, but he couldn't overtake Darvish and White Sox's pitcher Jake Peavy. Royals closer Jonathan Broxton and Angels reliever Ernesto Frieri also were finalists. Hammel is 8-4 with a 3.43 ERA in 16 starts, with 97 strikeouts in 99 2/3 innings. The right-hander has lost...

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Phillips outrighted to Norfolk (with note)

July 05, 2012, 11:24am

Orioles

Phillips outrighted to Norfolk (with note)

Left-hander Zach Phillips has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, creating another roster move for the Orioles' top affiliate. The Orioles designated Phillips for assignment on June 30 to make room for Jim Thome on the 40-man roster. In his only appearance for the Orioles this year, Phillips allowed two earned runs and three hits and walked two batters in two-thirds on an inning. The Orioles had recalled him on May 8 while optioning pitcher Jason Berken. Phillips is...

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So why Mahoney?

July 05, 2012, 4:06am

Orioles

You've heard of good roster moves. OK, I won't go there again. The Orioles had a decision to make yesterday after optioning pitcher Chris Tillman to Double-A Bowie: Bring up a position player or a reliever. The choices weren't exactly plentiful, if you take another look at the 40-man roster. Pitchers: Jake Arrieta Luis Ayala Jason Berken Zach Britton Dylan Bundy Wei-Yin Chen Oliver Drake Dana Eveland Miguel Gonzalez Kevin Gregg Jason Hammel Tommy Hunter Jim Johnson...

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Orioles will call up Mahoney

July 04, 2012, 8:28pm

Orioles

The Orioles will return to a four-man bench before the All-Star break by recalling first baseman Joe Mahoney from Triple-A Norfolk. Mahoney, 25, will take the roster spot vacated by pitcher Chris Tillman, who was optioned to Double-A Bowie following yesterday's 4-2 victory over the Mariners. Mahoney will meet the Orioles in Anaheim. Mahoney is batting .256 with 14 doubles, five home runs and 38 RBIs in 85 games with the Tides. He's hitting .306 in his last 10 games. Jamie Hoffman pinch-hit...

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Tillman optioned after game

July 04, 2012, 3:59pm

Orioles

The Orioles optioned pitcher Chris Tillman to Double-A Bowie following today's 4-2 victory over the Mariners at Safeco Field. Tillman allowed two unearned runs in a career-high 8 1/3 innings in his return to the majors. The Orioles don't want Tillman being idle through the All-Star break. He'll start Monday night for Bowie and rejoin the club next weekend after his mandatory 10 days have expired. It's technically a demotion, since he's going back down to the minors, but it's only...

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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...