Roch Kubatko

Orioles sign Bill Hall, Dontrelle Willis' agent speaks

April 23, 2012, 2:23pm

Orioles

So much for a quiet day off. The Orioles didn't play a game today, but they've been in the news with the signing of infielder Bill Hall to a minor league deal and confirmation that pitcher Dontrelle Willis left Triple-A Norfolk and has been placed on the restricted list. Hall will replace Josh Bell at Norfolk. In a text message, executive vice president Dan Duquette said Hall's strengths are "his defense at third base and power hitting vs. left-handed pitching." Hall, 32, is a career...

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Britton threw off mound today (more on Welty and Willis)

April 23, 2012, 9:46am

Orioles

Britton threw off mound today (more on Welty and Willis)

Here's a quick update on Orioles' left-hander Zach Britton, who's been rehabbing his left shoulder at the minor league complex in Sarasota. Britton has spent the last few days long-tossing from 120-plus feet. He threw a few pitches off a mound today with a catcher in front of home plate. "Just an exercise to get my arm used to that angle again," he said. "My arm feels strong and healthy." Britton doesn't know when he'll be ready to pitch in a game. "I'm sure Chris (Correnti) and...

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There's nothing wrong with 6-4 and 9-7

April 23, 2012, 4:37am

Orioles

The just-concluded road trip had the potential to be something special after the Orioles took two of three games in Toronto and three of four in Chicago. They lost two of three in Anaheim, removing some of the luster, but they finished above .500 on a three-city jaunt that could have sent them tumbling down the American League East standings. I think we can all agree that going 6-4 on the trip was a nice achievement, especially after the Yankees swept the Orioles at Camden Yards. And being 9-7...

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Not the Endy of my Chavez props (O's win 3-2)

April 22, 2012, 2:38pm

Orioles

Not the Endy of my Chavez props (O's win 3-2)

Endy Chavez singled and scored the go-ahead run for the Orioles in the top of the eighth inning, using his speed to reward third base coach DeMarlo Hale for the aggressive send. With the score tied in the 10th, Robert Andino drew a leadoff walk against former Orioles reliever Latroy Hawkins and took second on Chavez's sacrifice bunt. Andino moved to third with two outs and scored on another Nick Markakis single. Orioles 3, Angels 2. To review: Chavez made a great running catch in left field...

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Showalter earns his 20th career ejection (Markakis gets his revenge)

April 22, 2012, 1:15pm

Orioles

Showalter earns his 20th career ejection (Markakis gets his revenge)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter came out of the dugout in the sixth inning to protect Nick Markakis, who argued a strike call, and ended up getting tossed for the first time this season and the 20th in his career. Bench coach John Russell has taken over the managerial duties. Showalter isn't far away. He's just not in disguise. Showalter needed to vent. He's been upset with the strike zone at various times during this entire road trip, and especially in this series. He mentioned last...

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The good part of Chavez's season

April 22, 2012, 12:18pm

Orioles

Endy Chavez saved a run in the bottom of the first inning today, and for a team that's been so bad defensively, it's worth pointing out and embracing and asking for a second date. Chavez broke back for the fence and made a running, backhanded catch to rob Albert Pujols with one out and a runner on second base. This isn't an usual occurrence for Chavez. I've seen him race into the gap and to the line to make outstanding catches. He's a plus-defender, which makes him a solid fourth...

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Orioles lineup vs. Angels

April 22, 2012, 10:16am

Orioles

Nolan Reimold remains out of the lineup today because of neck spasms. He'll get extra rest tomorrow because the Orioles don't have a game scheduled. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Mark Reynolds DH Wilson Betemit 3B Ronny Paulino C Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP

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A few pregame notes (and Angels lineup)

April 22, 2012, 8:25am

Orioles

Courtesy of the Orioles' PR staff: The last time the Orioles went on a 10-game road trip and finished with a record above .500 was Sept. 13-23, 2004, when they took two of three at Toronto and Minnesota and split four in Boston. The Orioles have not allowed a home run in their last 29 innings since Chicago's Alejandro De Aza went deep in the fourth inning Wednesday. It's the longest homerless stretch of the year by Orioles pitching. The Orioles have had consecutive three-error games for...

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Brooms and Bell

April 22, 2012, 6:19am

Orioles

A few days ago, I wrote that most fans would have been satisfied with a 5-5 record when this road trip began. The Orioles are one loss away from returning home with that record. Probably not as satisfying anymore. The Orioles have been swept once this season, by the Yankees at home. They'll try to avoid a repeat today in Anaheim. Fresh off his first major league win, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will try to salvage one game of this series against the Angels. It won't happen if the Orioles...

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Arrieta's meltdown inning

April 21, 2012, 6:43pm

Orioles

Jake Arrieta took a one-hit shutout into the fifth inning tonight. Then he took a seat in the clubhouse, his night having unraveled like the baseball in "The Natural." Arrieta gave up five runs and five hits, walked three batters and threw a wild pitch, and his 2-0 lead disappeared into the Anaheim night. He also committed his second error. Why should everyone else have all the fun. Nine different Orioles have been charged with errors this season. The club has committed 18 of them. In...

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Reimold out of lineup, Johnson in it

April 21, 2012, 2:12pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold is being held out of tonight's lineup because of neck spasms. Endy Chavez is starting in left field. Nick Johnson will serve as the designated hitter in search of his first hit. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Johnson DH Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP

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Wada shut down, Angels lineup (updated)

April 21, 2012, 1:51pm

Orioles

The Orioles announced that left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada has been shut down after complaining of stiffness in his neck a few days ago. He originally went on the disabled list to build up arm strength and innings after being bothered in spring training by inflammation in his left elbow. Wada will return to Baltimore and be examined by a team physician. There's no timetable for his return to throwing. Wada threw 100 pitches over six innings in his second start in extended spring training, but he...

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The bad and the good

April 21, 2012, 7:03am

Orioles

I decided to start with the "bad" because I'd rather end this blog entry on a high note. The Orioles are facing Jered Weaver tonight. That's bad for them. He's 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA in three starts, with only two walks and 23 strikeouts. He hasn't allowed a run in two of those outings. Weaver is 15-5 with a 2.68 ERA lifetime in the month of April. Over the last three seasons, he's 10-0 with a 1.85 ERA. The last time I checked, it's still April. The Orioles continued to be dogged by...

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Orioles' defense is offensive again

April 20, 2012, 9:12pm

Orioles

If the Oriole Way is all about pitching and defense, the 2012 team is missing half of that equation. The Orioles committed three more errors tonight, and it would have been four if the official scorer hadn't removed one from catcher Matt Wieters and given Erick Aybar a single. Brian Matusz gave up six runs and nine hits in five innings but two of the runs were unearned. Who knows how much his outing would have changed without the two Robert Andino errors, or if first baseman Chris Davis had...

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Wada update

April 20, 2012, 5:27pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Anaheim that Tsuyoshi Wada is bothered by some neck stiffness, which tells me two things: Wada's stay on the disabled list could last longer than anticipated, and he's been hanging out with Nolan Reimold. Remember when lower back stiffness was all the rage? Wada's neck apparently was an issue before he gave up six runs in 2 2/3 innings yesterday for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles must decide whether to give Wada another start on his injury...

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Orioles and Angels lineups

April 20, 2012, 3:05pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold has returned to the Orioles' lineup tonight after being bothered yesterday by neck spasms. Mark Reynolds is serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds DH Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP A series win in Anaheim would mark the first time that the Orioles have won each series of a three-city road trip since Aug. 7-16, 1998 at Minnesota, Tampa Bay...

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Orioles release Hester

April 20, 2012, 11:55am

Orioles

The Orioles activated catcher Luis Exposito, claimed on waivers from the Boston Red Sox, and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. That move was expected. The surprise for me is the Orioles released catcher John Hester to make room for Exposito. Hester was batting .265/.342/.471 with a home run in 10 games. He went 3-for-6 with a homer on April 13, which began a five-game hitting streak that's still active. Well, the streak's active, but not Hester. The Orioles invited Hester, 28, to spring...

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Orioles haven't been road worriers in 2012

April 19, 2012, 4:07pm

Orioles

If someone told you at the start of this road trip that the Orioles would split their 10 games in Toronto, Chicago and Anaheim, I'm guessing that most of you would have taken it. Well, 5-5 is the worst that the Orioles can do with three games remaining against the Angels, and they're not going to be satisfied with .500. The Orioles have played two road series and won both of them, taking two of three games from the Blue Jays and three of four from the White Sox. They didn't win their...

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Hearing from Johnson, Strop and Jones

April 19, 2012, 2:11pm

Orioles

CHICAGO - I'm heading to the airport shortly for my flight back to Baltimore, where it better be warmer. But first, here are some quotes from Jim Johnson, Pedro Strop and Adam Jones. Johnson: On the late drama: "You said it. I wasn't trying to make it as dramatic as it was, but it's good to get three out of four here. We want to keep it going." On getting his sixth save: "It's just the way the game's being played. We're battling. We're had a lot of close games this whole road trip....

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Showalter and Hammel speak after 5-3 win

April 19, 2012, 2:01pm

Orioles

Showalter and Hammel speak after 5-3 win

CHICAGO - Orioles manager Buck Showalter thought starter Jason Hammel had "good stuff" today in the Orioles' 5-3 victory at U.S. Cellular Field. It wasn't always easy for Hammel, but he made it through the sixth and held the White Sox to two runs while also tying his career high with 10 strikeouts. Gary Thorne catches up with Buck Showalter following the Birds' 5-3 win over the White Sox "We elongated an inning behind him today with the wild pitch, couple other things that got his...