Roch Kubatko

Bullpen's production has been a huge relief

June 14, 2012, 9:01pm

Orioles

Bullpen's production has been a huge relief

The Orioles began last night's game against the Pirates with the lowest bullpen ERA in the majors at 2.40. Darren O'Day gave them a scoreless seventh inning, retiring the side in order. Dana Eveland allowed a run in two innings, which the Orioles didn't mind conceding in a 12-6 victory. Tommy Hunter collected his first win since April 24 because the Orioles showered him with runs and the 'pen protected his lead. The unit hasn't fallen out of step without Matt Lindstrom, who posted a 1.29...

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Hearing from Pearce, Wieters and Hunter

June 14, 2012, 7:19pm

Orioles

Steve Pearce is batting .320 with eight RBIs in seven games with the Orioles. He'd probably like a few more against the Pirates, who watched him homer and drive in five runs tonight after he went 2-for-3 with an RBI last night. "It's nice playing against the Pirates. It just feels good having a great game and helping contribute to this win," he said. "I'm just looking for the opportunity. The biggest thing with me over the years was I just wasn't able to stay healthy, I earned playing...

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Showalter speaks after 12-6 win

June 14, 2012, 7:01pm

Orioles

The Orioles have won five games in a row for the third time this season. They've won seven of their last nine games and have taken their last three series. The Orioles scored a season-high 12 runs tonight, giving them 27 in this series, and Steve Pearce delivered a career-high five against his former team. What kind of impression is Pearce making on manager Buck Showalter? "Good one," Showalter said. "Taking advantage of the opportunity, providing some versatility, putting some good...

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Confusing start by Hunter (O's win 12-6)

June 14, 2012, 5:22pm

Orioles

Confusing start by Hunter (O's win 12-6)

Tommy Hunter retired the first 12 batters he faced tonight, which almost went unnoticed while the Orioles picked apart former Oriole Erik Bedard. Hunter was strong, striking out three of the first six Pirates, but he won't turn in a quality start. Not after allowing five runs and seven hits over six innings. Rod Barajas hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning and the Pirates scored twice in the sixth on Casey McGehee's RBI grounder and Pedro Alvarez's single. Seven of 12 batters reached...

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Orioles give Bedard a rude welcome back (O's up 10-3)

June 14, 2012, 3:45pm

Orioles

If Erik Bedard has fond memories of Camden Yards, they won't include tonight's first inning. Better to erase it from his mind. The Orioles sent eight batters to the plate and scored four runs, all of them with two outs. Bedard threw 36 pitches, including nine to Chris Davis before walking him. Brian Roberts led off with a single, his fourth hit in three games. Matt Wieters singled after the Davis walk to give the Orioles their first run, Mark Reynolds delivered an RBI double and Steve...

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Lindstrom nearing return to mound

June 14, 2012, 1:05pm

Orioles

Reliever Matt Lindstrom, on the disabled list since May 11 with a slightly torn ligament in his right middle finger, played catch from 60 to 100 feet today at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He's scheduled to throw batting practice on Saturday and pitch in at least two Gulf Coast League games. He also could report to Double-A Bowie before finally being activated. The Orioles are hopeful that he returns before the All-Star break that begins July 9. Joel Pineiro (shoulder) threw four innings...

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Tolleson recalled, Chavez to DL (with quotes)

June 14, 2012, 11:15am

Orioles

Tolleson recalled, Chavez to DL (with quotes)

The Orioles have recalled Steve Tolleson from Triple-A Norfolk and he's starting in left field tonight. Endy Chavez goes on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring. "It's disappointing, but what can I say?" Chavez said. "I feel pretty close, but I understand the situation with the team right now. They had to make a move, but it's not fun. It's disappointing. Hopefully, I'll get healthy pretty soon. Chavez injured his hamstring running to first base Tuesday night. He went on...

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Sticking with what works for Davis and Reynolds

June 14, 2012, 8:12am

Orioles

Sticking with what works for Davis and Reynolds

Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't have a set lineup, in part because of his roster's flexibility and in part because each day brings another injury that forces him to make adjustments on the fly. If any sort of pattern is developing, it involves first base and designated hitter, where Showalter is using Mark Reynolds and Chris Davis, respectively, when they're both in the lineup. Showalter believes that Davis is more comfortable at DH than Reynolds, and both players are swinging hot...

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Does this mean Arrieta's a starter again?

June 13, 2012, 10:52pm

Orioles

Does this mean Arrieta's a starter again?

The Orioles had a plan. Keep Jake Arrieta in the majors, but place him in the bullpen until he worked out his problems. Don't demote him to Triple-A, but don't keep running him out there every five days. That was before Brian Matusz stepped into the indoor batting cage Tuesday and tried to bunt. A ball deflected off his bat and smacked into his nose, causing manager Buck Showalter to push back the left-hander's next start until Friday and giving him the idea of letting Arrieta make his next...

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Davis breaks down his home run

June 13, 2012, 6:41pm

Orioles

Though Chris Davis has a history with broken-bat home runs, tonight's wood-shattering blast didn't come with any excuses. This one was legit. Davis said he's done it before, "but it was in a Cracker Jack park and basically just a wind-aided home run. The bat didn't blow up. It cracked. I've never done anything like that before. I'm just glad it left the ballpark and got a few more runs. "It's one of those crazy things. There's always crazy things gong on in this game. To be honest...

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Showalter indicates Arrieta will make next start

June 13, 2012, 6:30pm

Orioles

Showalter indicates Arrieta will make next start

Jake Arrieta's next turn in the rotation comes on Monday, and it appears that he'll make the start after holding the Pirates to one run over seven innings tonight in a 7-1 victory. Arrieta found out this afternoon that he'd be replacing left-hander Brian Matusz, who was pushed back to Friday. "I tapped him on the shoulder about 2:30 in the food room and said, 'You're pitching tonight,'" manager Buck Showalter said. "It's kind of out of the bag. I can't do it in five days now, so...

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Davis goes for broke on home run (O's win 7-1)

June 13, 2012, 5:33pm

Orioles

Davis goes for broke on home run (O's win 7-1)

Chris Davis isn't just strong, he's country strong. As in, he could lift an entire country on his shoulders and go for a jog. Davis hit his 12th home run tonight in the bottom of the seventh inning, and his second in two games. Without doing any research, I'm pretty sure his latest is the only one that shattered his bat. The barrel of the bat went flying as the ball sailed over the grounds crew shed in right field. Players in the dugout lowered their heads as if worried that they'd get...

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Orioles taking care of Arrieta early in game (O's lead 5-1)

June 13, 2012, 3:58pm

Orioles

I'll remind you of a stat I passed along in my previous entry. The Orioles were averaging 3.53 runs per game for Jake Arrieta, the third-worst total among American League starters. Arrieta has a 3-0 lead after two innings tonight. Six of the first eight batters reached against Pirates starter Kevin Correia. The Orioles collected three singles, two doubles and a walk in one inning plus three batters. Chris Davis followed J.J. Hardy's one-out single in the first inning with an RBI double...

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A few pregame notes (Davis RBI gives O's 1-0 lead)

June 13, 2012, 1:48pm

Orioles

A few pregame notes (Davis RBI gives O's 1-0 lead)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter explained why he pushed back Brian Matusz's start until Friday and gave the ball to Jake Arrieta tonight. "A lot of factors," he said. "We're fortunate to have somebody rested, normal day, and I just didn't want him to get out there and... He said he actually slept better than he has in a long time. I was talking to him about his breathing during the night. And then if he has a problem with it first or second inning and have to use a lot of bullpen, which...

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Reviewing the rotation

June 13, 2012, 12:38pm

Orioles

Going back over the Orioles' rotation, Jake Arrieta is starting tonight, followed by Tommy Hunter on Thursday, Brian Matusz on Friday and Jason Hammel on Saturday. Arrieta is taking Matusz's place. Manager Buck Showalter wanted to give Matusz a few more days to recover from being hit in the nose by a ball yesterday during a bunting drill. Also, Hammel will only have to pitch once in a National League ballpark, which puts less strain on his right knee. Hammel's next turn wouldn't come...

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Arrieta starting, Chavez on the bench (updated)

June 13, 2012, 11:19am

Orioles

Arrieta starting, Chavez on the bench (updated)

Wishing reliever Pedro Strop a happy 27th birthday and passing along an Orioles lineup that once again includes Brian Roberts at the leadoff spot and second base. Jake Arrieta is getting the start tonight in place of left-hander Brian Matusz, who fouled a bunt off his nose yesterday. Arrieta will work on normal rest. Matusz is still expected to pitch Friday in Atlanta, with Tommy Hunter taking the ball tomorrow night. We're waiting for official word. Matusz is taking batting practice today...

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Concussion specialist talks about Roberts' rehab and return

June 13, 2012, 7:59am

Orioles

Concussion specialist talks about Roberts' rehab and return

Among the fans in attendance at last night's game at Camden Yards was a gentleman who's practically become part of Brian Roberts' family. No one else outside of it talks to him more - almost on a daily basis - or has a better understanding of what the Orioles' second baseman has gone through since he suffered his first concussion late in the 2010 season. Dr. Michael Collins, director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program, wouldn't have missed...

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Is another roster move coming?

June 12, 2012, 8:16pm

Orioles

A day without an Orioles roster move is like a day without sunshine. Second baseman Brian Roberts was activated from the 60-day disabled list yesterday, with Steve Tolleson being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and Nolan Reimold being transferred to the 60-day disabled list. That's three in one press release. Endy Chavez limped off the field last night after straining his right hamstring. Brian Matusz avoided the DL, but Chavez could be headed to it. Hamstring strains don't usually go away...

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Matusz prepared to start tomorrow, but could be pushed back

June 12, 2012, 7:56pm

Orioles

Matusz prepared to start tomorrow, but could be pushed back

The Orioles already were listing their Thursday starter as TBA. Now they've got the same uncertainty with tomorrow's pitcher. Brian Matusz was scheduled to start before being hit in the nose by a bunted ball during an afternoon drill. X-rays were negative, but the Orioles could push back Matusz until perhaps Friday in Atlanta to give him a little more time to heal. "For me, I'm mentally prepared to pitch tomorrow and I'm ready to go, but with the nose being something that could swell up,...

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Roberts talks about his triumphant return

June 12, 2012, 7:42pm

Orioles

Roberts talks about his triumphant return

Brian Roberts had bad dreams last night, the kind that shook him out of a sound sleep and made him stare at the ceiling. In none of them did he collect three hits and drive in a run in his first game back in the majors in more than a year. "I had to wake up and cross some stuff out of my mind," he said, smiling. "I have no idea why. But I didn't know what to expect. I wasn't expecting three hits. I was just trying to go out there and, as cliche as it sounds, try to have good at-bats and...