Roch Kubatko

Orioles clinging to 5-3 lead (O's win)

April 19, 2012, 12:53pm

Orioles

CHICAGO - Pedro Strop allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth on a leadoff walk to Paul Konerko, Alex Rios' double and Alexei Ramirez's ground ball. Strop struck out Dayan Viciedo and Tyler Flowers, and the Orioles are taking a 5-3 lead into the ninth. Strop's fastball reached 99 mph. Jim Johnson is getting ready in the bullpen. He's converted 13 straight save opportunities. And no, I'm not trying to jinx him. Nick Johnson drove in his first run today with a grounder, but he's...

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Pelzer released, Hammel goes six

April 19, 2012, 11:18am

Orioles

CHICAGO - The Orioles have released pitcher Wynn Pelzer, who appeared in three games at Double-A Bowie this season. Pelzer was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in three innings. He allowed three runs and four hits, walked two and struck out four. He went 5-7 with a 4.14 ERA in 29 appearances with the Baysox in 2011. The Orioles acquired Pelzer from the San Diego Padres on July 29, 2010 for Miguel Tejada. Pelzer just tweeted the following: "Want to take the time to thank the entire #Orioles organization...

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More on Wada (O's lead 2-0)

April 19, 2012, 9:45am

Orioles

CHICAGO - Tsuyoshi Wada threw 100 pitches in six innings in his last extended spring training start, and the Orioles were looking for the Japanese left-hander to do more of the same today. He didn't come close. Wada was charged with six runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk, with four walks and one strikeout. Wada threw 77 pitches, including 39 for strikes, and Gwinnett leads the Tides 6-0. Wada is on an injury rehab assignment, which can last 30 days for a pitcher. The...

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The reason Reimold is out of the lineup (Wada update)

April 19, 2012, 9:01am

Orioles

The reason Reimold is out of the lineup (Wada update)

CHICAGO - Nolan Reimold was supposed to start in left field today, but he's bothered by neck spasms. Reimold began experiencing the spasms yesterday. They subsided before the game, but returned this morning. Buck Showalter explains the exclusion of Nolan Reimold from the lineup to the media "He had it a little bit yesterday before the game but they got it out of there," manager Buck Showalter said. "It stiffened up on him late in the ballgame, and he got it treated after the game. He...

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Chavez in left field, Paulino behind the plate

April 19, 2012, 8:01am

Orioles

Chavez in left field, Paulino behind the plate

CHICAGO - Nolan Reimold takes a seat on the bench today, with Endy Chavez starting in left field. That's a bit of a surprise, since manager Buck Showalter indicated that Reimold would start the last three games of the series. Ronny Paulino will do the catching in a day game following a night game. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Nick Johnson DH Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Ronny Paulino C Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP

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Reimold's defense a work in progress (and Chisox lineup)

April 18, 2012, 9:41pm

Orioles

Reimold's defense a work in progress (and Chisox lineup)

CHICAGO - The Orioles wrap up their four-game series against the White Sox this afternoon, hoping to win it, but also knowing they can do no worse than a split. Nick Markakis will be back in right field after serving as the designated hitter last night. He's 7-for-20 with four doubles, a home run and seven RBIs lifetime against White Sox starter Gavin Floyd. We could find Endy Chavez in center field today, with Adam Jones serving as the DH. Chavez busted out of his 0-for-12 slump last night...

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Hunter fills in the blanks from his bad start

April 18, 2012, 7:50pm

Orioles

Hunter fills in the blanks from his bad start

CHICAGO - Tommy Hunter never fails to amuse me. He's a fun guy. He keeps everyone loose, whether he's singing off-key or talking smack during ping pong or just firing one-liners at teammates and the media. He's also brutally honest with himself. Hunter didn't have his fastball command tonight, and he didn't go easy on himself or the English language following the Orioles' 8-1 loss to the White Sox. Make no mistake, he was upset with the result, but even his frustration can bring a few...

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Showalter explains missed sign in 8-1 loss

April 18, 2012, 7:28pm

CHICAGO - Manager Buck Showalter counted three mental errors by the Orioles tonight, which played a role in their 8-1 loss to the White Sox at rainy U.S. Cellular Field. The most glaring one came in the sixth inning, after left-hander Troy Patton replaced starter Tommy Hunter with the bases loaded, two outs and the White Sox leading, 5-1. Catcher Matt Wieters called for a breaking ball. That's not what he got. Adam Dunn, batting .179 before tonight, cleared the bases with a double, and the...

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Too many homers off Hunter (O's down 8-1)

April 18, 2012, 5:26pm

Orioles

Too many homers off Hunter (O's down 8-1)

CHICAGO - In his previous start in Toronto, Orioles right-hander Tommy Hunter surrendered four home runs over six innings in a 7-5 victory. The White Sox have homered twice off Hunter in four innings tonight to build a 4-1 lead over the Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field. A.J. Pierzynski's two-run shot in the second erased the Orioles' 1-0 lead. The White Sox loaded the bases in the third, and Alex Rios came through with a sacrifice fly. And Alejandro De Aza homered with two outs in the fourth...

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A little more from Showalter (updated)

April 18, 2012, 4:10pm

Orioles

CHICAGO - Darren O'Day got out of a huge jam last night after replacing Wei-Yin Chen in the sixth inning, entering with runners on the corners and one out and preserving a 3-2 lead. He's made three straight scoreless appearances over 3 2/3 innings. O'Day figures to be tough on right-handers with his sidearmed delivery, and he's held them to a .214 average over his career. However, left-handers are batting only .246 against him lifetime, including .229 in 2010. His value to manager Buck...

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Showalter on Markakis

April 18, 2012, 3:39pm

Orioles

CHICAGO - Rain is in the forecast tonight and tomorrow. A few drops fell during batting practice. Apparently, it's really supposed to be bad tomorrow, when I'm scheduled to fly out of here at 8:05 p.m. I can't afford a lengthy delay. The Kubatko luck strikes again. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked about his decision to use Nick Markakis as the designated hitter tonight. "We'll move it around," he said. "One of the assets we have in not having it locked down. I've got a...

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Markakis serving as DH tonight

April 18, 2012, 12:44pm

Orioles

CHICAGO - Endy Chavez will start in right field tonight, with Nick Markakis serving as the designated hitter. Markakis is in a 3-for-35 slump. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Endy Chavez RF Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP

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Noteworthy day

April 18, 2012, 10:27am

Orioles

CHICAGO - A victory tonight would put the Orioles a season-high four games above .500 and assure a series win over the White Sox. Since Sept. 12, 2011, the Orioles are 6-1-1 in their last eight series. They're 18-10 in their last 28 games. The Orioles are 16-10 in their last 26 road games since Aug. 22, 2011. Seven of the first 11 games this season have been decided by one or two runs, and the Orioles have gone 5-2. The Orioles' 20 home runs rank second in the majors behind Texas'...

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What's next for Markakis?

April 17, 2012, 9:34pm

Orioles

CHICAGO - Nick Markakis collected five hits in his first seven at-bats, with a triple, two homers and four RBIs, and the baseball world excitedly proclaimed that he was completely recovered from his abdominal surgery and the worried masses could exhale and relax. Markakis is mired in a 3-for-35 slump, and it might be time to inhale and stress. That's probably an overreaction. Markakis wasn't going to maintain his early pace and he isn't going to keep going 0-fer, as he did again last night...

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Reimold and Hardy go back-to-back

April 17, 2012, 8:07pm

Orioles

CHICAGO - I'll close the blog tonight with comments from Nolan Reimold and J.J. Hardy, who hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie. Reimold has four home runs in his last four games played. He sat out Sunday's game. The key to his hot streak? "Staying calm," he replied. "No real secret to it. It's just kind of happening. I've just been feeling good, keeping my swing short, not moving my head too much. Get the pitch and don't miss it." Reimold made a...

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Orioles help Chen celebrate his first major league win

April 17, 2012, 7:54pm

Orioles

CHICAGO - Taiwanese left-hander Wei-Yin Chen learned a new American custom tonight related to major league baseball. Get your first win, get covered in shaving cream and a sports drink. Chen walked out of the bathroom after tonight's 3-2 victory over the White Sox and discovered that Luis Ayala and Tommy Hunter were waiting for him. Ayala had the shaving cream, Hunter had the blue Gatorade. You can picture the rest. "It just happened," Chen said through his interpreter, a wide grin on...

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Reimold still homer happy, Hardy joins him (O's win 3-2)

April 17, 2012, 5:38pm

Orioles

Reimold still homer happy, Hardy joins him (O's win 3-2)

CHICAGO - Nolan Reimold decided not to wait until the ninth inning to hit a home run tonight. Reimiold broke a scoreless tie in the sixth by following a Robert Andino single with a two-run shot to left field off White Sox starter John Danks, his fourth homer in five days and his fourth in his last four games played. Got all that? Reimold didn't play Sunday in Toronto because of cramping in his left leg - now known as Hammygate by reporters who share a strange sense of humor. Luke Scott was...

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Showalter talks about Exposito and Bell (updated)

April 17, 2012, 4:56pm

Orioles

Showalter talks about Exposito and Bell (updated)

CHICAGO - Orioles manager Buck Showalter explained earlier today why the Orioles wanted Luis Exposito, who was claimed on waivers from the Red Sox. "He's a catcher," Showalter said, grinning. That'll do it. "We're pretty thin there depth-wise," Showalter continued. "I'm not sure exactly where they're going to send him or what the plan is, but we've had some good reports on him, the majority of them. I'm sure the Red Sox know him a lot longer than we do. They've had him a lot...

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Bundy's not perfect, but he's still unhittable (with O's notes)

April 17, 2012, 3:54pm

Orioles

Bundy's not perfect, but he's still unhittable (with O's notes)

CHICAGO - Dylan Bundy allowed a baserunner tonight. Better keep him in the South Atlantic League until he figures it out. Making his home debut, Bundy walked Hagerstown center fielder Billy Burns with two outs in the third inning - the only runner to reach against him in three starts. Bundy struck out three more batters, giving him 15 in nine innings. He still hasn't surrendered a hit. The fourth-overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft got two ground balls and a strikeout in the...

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Reynolds back at DH tonight, Ohlman suspended

April 17, 2012, 12:27pm

Orioles

Reynolds back at DH tonight, Ohlman suspended

CHICAGO - Mark Reynolds will serve as the designated hitter again tonight against White Sox left-hander John Danks, with Wilson Betemit starting at third base. Reynolds has started at third only once in the last five games. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds DH Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP Minor league catcher Michael Ohlman has received a 50-game suspension after a second...