Roch Kubatko

Nick Johnson winning over fans one HR swing at a time

May 11, 2012, 5:32pm

Orioles

Nick Johnson winning over fans one HR swing at a time

If you're looking for unlikely heroes tonight, cast your gaze in Nick Johnson's direction. Johnson began the night batting .122 with no home runs and five RBIs. He's been booed by the Camden Yards crowd. Readers of this blog question why he's still on the team, the memory of his 0-for-28 start burned into their brains. For one night, at least, he's the most popular guy in the building. Johnson drilled a two-run homer off Tampa Bay reliever Joel Peralta in the bottom of the seventh...

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Wieters survives nasty collision; O's down 3-2 after Markakis HR

May 11, 2012, 4:20pm

Orioles

Wieters survives nasty collision; O's down 3-2 after Markakis HR

Dana Eveland is littering the bases and running up his pitch count, so he's not likely to stick around for the late innings of tonight's game. Eveland has allowed three runs and four hits, walked five (one intentional), struck out two and hit two batters in four innings. He's thrown 71 pitches, only 37 for strikes. Eveland retired the side in order in the first, but it's been a massive struggle otherwise. The Rays loaded the bases with no outs in the second and settled for one run on...

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Lindstrom to DL; Wheeler DFA (updated)

May 11, 2012, 2:32pm

Orioles

The Orioles created room on the 25-man roster for tonight's starter, left-hander Dana Eveland, by placing reliever Matt Lindstrom on the 15-day disabled list with a right middle finger injury. Lindstrom, 32, has posted a 1.29 ERA in 13 games, allowing two earned runs in 14 innings. Both runs scored last night. Three unearned runs also have scored while he's pitched. Lindstrom, acquired from the Rockies along with Jason Hammel in the Jeremy Guthrie trade, has walked four and struck out 14....

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Wada statement on surgery; Lindstrom could be headed to DL

May 11, 2012, 2:11pm

Orioles

Wada statement on surgery; Lindstrom could be headed to DL

While we wait for the Orioles to announce their 25-man and 40-man roster moves, here's a statement from pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada regarding today's ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, which was performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles: "The procedure went as planned and Dr. Yocum felt good about how it went. He predicts a full recovery. I'm glad to have this over with and look forward to beginning my rehabilitation so I can get back to pitching for the Orioles as soon as...

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A few pregame notes

May 11, 2012, 12:38pm

Orioles

The Orioles will wait to announce how they created room for starter Dana Eveland on the 25-man roster until team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens arrives at the ballpark around 5 p.m. The feeling here is Tommy Hunter could be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk if Jason Hammel is cleared to start on Monday. Otherwise, manager Buck Showalter will have to tweak his rotation again. On the other hand, the Orioles could option Hunter if Hammel unexpectedly can't make the start, knowing Hunter can be...

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Flaherty starting at third base

May 11, 2012, 11:34am

Orioles

Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty is starting at third base tonight after playing left field in Game 1 of yesterday's doubleheader. For the Orioles: Ryan Flaherty 3B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit LF Chris Davis 1B Nick Johnson DH Robert Andino 2B Dana Eveland LHP No roster move has been announced, and it might not come until batting practice ends. Tommy Hunter is here - he ran in the outfield earlier today - but he still could be optioned to Triple-A...

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Quick Tejada update

May 11, 2012, 10:47am

Orioles

Bill Hall to a minor league deal. Tejada contacted the Orioles about receiving a tryout after he couldn't land a major league contract in free agency. Tejada, who turns 38 later this month, batted .234/.270/.326 with 16 doubles, four homers and 26 RBIs in 91 games with the Giants last season. He's already had two tours with the Orioles, from 2004-2007 and again in 2010.

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Thinking about today's roster moves and next month's First-Year Player Draft

May 10, 2012, 8:06pm

Orioles

Thinking about today's roster moves and next month's First-Year Player Draft

The Orioles didn't hit a home run in Game 2 last night, the first time they failed to clear the fences since April 30 at New York. They hit 20 homers in their previous eight games and were 6-2 in that span. No need to worry that the Orioles will deprive you of a roster move today. Dana Eveland is here to make tonight's start against the Rays, as the Orioles return to the safe confines of the American League East. Someone has to vacate the 25-man roster, and someone has to vacate the 40-man...

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Hearing from Hunter and Lindstrom

May 10, 2012, 6:47pm

Orioles

Tommy Hunter started Game 2 tonight and allowed four runs and five hits in six innings. Matt Lindstrom relieved him and allowed three runs (two earned) and three hits in one inning. "I felt real good. I was down in the zone. It was a lot better than what it was the last start," Hunter said. "It's a good lineup. Of course, it does help when the ball lands in a spot the only place it could land on the entire field and he (Mike Napoli) ends up getting a triple on it with no outs. That was...

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Showalter speaks after 7-3 loss in Game 2

May 10, 2012, 6:32pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 7-3 loss in Game 2

Manager Buck Showalter asked reporters whether they saw enough baseball today. We've seen enough to last a lifetime, considering how many innings this team has played since it arrived in Boston last week. Tommy Hunter gave the Orioles six innings and 91 pitches while working on three days' rest. "Tommy made a lot of quality pitches down, which you have to do with that club, and he kept us in that ballgame," Showalter said. "Had a changeup that he's trying to throw off the plate away...

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Showalter speaks after 6-5 win in Game 1; O's trail 7-3 in Game 2

May 10, 2012, 3:26pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 6-5 win in Game 1; O's trail 7-3 in Game 2

Josh Hamilton didn't homer in Game 1, but he drilled a two-run shot off Tommy Hunter in the first inning of Game 2. Hamilton's ball landed on Eutaw St., the first time in his career that he's cleared the flag court. It's now happened 60 times in Camden Yards history. Hunter gave up two hits and walked a batter in the first inning. Showalter had to rush through his session with the media following the 6-5 victory in Game 1. These straight doubleheaders are brutal. Showalter twice called...

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orioles frontstory_orioles2 luis exposito steve tolleson tommy hunter wei-yin chen

Game 2 lineups, Chavez to DL

May 10, 2012, 3:13pm

Orioles

Steve Tolleson makes his Orioles' debut as the starting third baseman in Game 2 of today's doubleheader. Luis Exposito is behind the plate, and Wilson Betemit moves from third to left field for the nightcap. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters DH Wilson Betemit LF Mark Reynolds 1B Steve Tolleson 3B Luis Exposito C Tommy Hunter RHP For the Rangers: Kinsler 2B Andrus SS Hamilton CF Beltre DH Young 3B Murphy LF Cruz RF...

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Chen exactly what the doctor ordered (O's win 6-5)

May 10, 2012, 1:50pm

Orioles

Chen exactly what the doctor ordered (O's win 6-5)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter needed Wei-Yin Chen to pitch deep into Game 1 of today's doubleheader. Chen didn't need to be told twice. We're in the bottom of the seventh inning, and Chen has held the potent Rangers' lineup to one run and four hits, with one walk and five strikeouts. His pitch count stood at 72 through the fourth, but he's at 98 after the seventh. Luis Ayala was warming in the seventh, but he stopped after Chen retired the side in order. The Rangers scored 70 runs...

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Orioles string together three HRs in first inning (more information)

May 10, 2012, 12:26pm

Orioles

Now that's the way to announce your presence in Game 1 of a doubleheader. The first three Orioles homered off Rangers starter Colby Lewis in the bottom of the first inning, bringing the sparse crowd to its feet and almost knocking Lewis to his knees. Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty hit his first major league home run on Lewis' second pitch, the ball clearing the out-of-town scoreboard in right field. J.J. Hardy followed with his eighth homer, and Nick Markakis followed with his fifth. The...

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Orioles must make room for Eveland

May 10, 2012, 12:07pm

Orioles

Dana Eveland will arrive in Baltimore later today and make tomorrow night's start against the Rays at Camden Yards. That much we know. In fact, we knew about it yesterday, but manager Buck Showalter confirmed it this afternoon and joked about how the reporters staring back at him already figured it out. Here's what we don't know: How the Orioles will make room for Eveland on the 25-man and 40-man rosters. That's a much more complicated mystery. The Orioles could open a spot on the 40-man...

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Updates on Hammel, Chavez, Eveland, Britton and more

May 10, 2012, 10:38am

Orioles

Updates on Hammel, Chavez, Eveland, Britton and more

Jason Hammel, who isn't making today's start because of a sore right knee, is tentatively scheduled to pitch Monday night against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Hammel could be pushed back one more day and start Tuesday. The Orioles will more strongly consider placing him on the disabled list if he remains unavailable. Manager Buck Showalter stressed that Hammel could have pitched today under different circumstances, but the club isn't taking any chances this early in the season. Endy...

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Orioles' Game 1 lineup against Rangers

May 10, 2012, 9:26am

Orioles

It's the same as yesterday. For the Orioles: Ryan Flaherty LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP

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orioles

Which Lewis will Orioles see?; Rangers lineup

May 10, 2012, 8:53am

Orioles

Colby Lewis is off to a fast start for the Rangers, going 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in six starts. He's walked five and struck out 31 in 39 1/3 innings. The Orioles might not recognize him in Game 1. That's because Lewis is 1-3 with a 5.53 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in six career appearances against them, including four starts. He's allowed 32 hits, walked 10 and struck out 16 in 27 2/3 innings. He's also served up five home runs. Mark Reynolds is 3-for-6 with two homers and five RBIs...

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Who's left in left?

May 09, 2012, 7:08pm

Orioles

I'm going to test your memories, which might seem unfair at this early hour. Remember when the Orioles were set in left field? Nolan Reimold was going to be the regular and get enough at-bats for the Orioles to properly evaluate him. Endy Chavez was going to spell him - making sure to put the E before the I - and give the club good defense. That plan has been put on hold. Reimold is on the disabled list with a herniated disk in his neck. Chavez is expected to join him today with a sore...

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Tonight's game is postponed; Hunter recalled for Game 2

May 09, 2012, 4:08pm

Orioles

Tonight's game is postponed; Hunter recalled for Game 2

Tonight's game between the Orioles and Texas Rangers has been postponed due to rain. The teams will play a single-admission doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 4:05 p.m., with all gates opening at 3:00 p.m. The second game won't start before 7:05 p.m. Tickets for tonight's game may be exchanged for seats of equal value for tomorrow's doubleheader or any remaining non-prime home game during the 2012 season, subject to availability. Ticket exchanges must be made by June 30. The Oriole Park...