Roch Kubatko

Life at the top

May 25, 2012, 8:33pm

Orioles

The Orioles and Royals have a 4:05 p.m. start today, so the lineup will be coming your way earlier than usual on a Saturday. Perhaps it will be joined by the announcement that Adam Jones has signed a six-year extension. It didn't happen last night, and executive vice president Dan Duquette refused to confirm whether it would get done before the homestand ends. He hates talking about it. We hate the secrecy. It's an interesting relationship. So when's the last time you felt this good about...

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Hammel time

May 25, 2012, 7:12pm

Orioles

Jason Hammel failed to complete six innings in his last two starts, but he made it tonight, shutting out the Royals on five hits before

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Showalter: "You want the promotion to be good baseball"

May 25, 2012, 6:57pm

Orioles

Showalter: "You want the promotion to be good baseball"

The Orioles set a Camden Yards record tonight with a walk-up crowd of nearly 11,000. It was Fireworks Night, but there also was a buzz in the air about Adam Jones' contract extension and the Orioles continuing to possess the best record in the American League. It was loud until the end, when Dana Eveland recorded the final out to secure an 8-2 victory over the Royals. "They're engaged, and it was a good atmosphere," manager Buck Showalter said. "And we've got to keep doing the things...

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Hammel through the fifth (O's lead 8-2)

May 25, 2012, 4:39pm

Orioles

Jason Hammel has run up his pitch count tonight, but he's held down the Royals. Hammel is shutting out Kansas City on five hits over five innings, with one walk and seven strikeouts. But he's thrown 93 pitches, including 61 for strikes. A walk and double put two runners in scoring position with one out in the fourth, but Hammel struck out Alex Gordon and Brayan Pena. Two singles, Hammel's throwing error and a stolen base again put two runners in scoring position with one out in the...

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Duquette "encouraged" by contract talks with Jones

May 25, 2012, 3:21pm

Orioles

Duquette "encouraged" by contract talks with Jones

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't offer much to reporters regarding Adam Jones' contract extension, but it doesn't appear that an announcement is coming tonight. "There's not a lot I can say about it other than I'm encouraged by the fact that Adam wants to stay in Baltimore, and we'd certainly like him to stay in Baltimore, and hopefully we can work something out in the short term," Duquette said. Asked if a deal could be finalized before the Orioles begin their...

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Showalter tackles a variety of pregame topics

May 25, 2012, 1:48pm

Orioles

Showalter tackles a variety of pregame topics

Manager Buck Showalter explained why the Orioles optioned backup catcher Luis Exposito to Triple-A Norfolk and replaced him with Ronny Paulino. He didn't mention Exposito being 1-for-17 since joining the club. "We're trying to get him catching consistently," Showalter said. "Young guy. I think at the time we sent Ronny out, we had some pitching things. "A lot of these moves aren't just as simple as one-for-one. You've got options, you've got certain guys who can come back with...

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Reynolds and Chavez reporting to Bowie (updated)

May 25, 2012, 12:45pm

Orioles

Reynolds and Chavez reporting to Bowie (updated)

It's been another newsy day here at Camden Yards. In non-Adam Jones developments: Third baseman Mark Reynolds and outfielder Endy Chavez are playing today at extended spring training. They're scheduled to report to Double-A Bowie and start tomorrow and Sunday before the Orioles decide whether to activate them from the disabled list. Yes, two more roster moves are on the horizon. Zach Britton is starting for the Baysox tomorrow, making Prince George's Stadium a hot spot for baseball....

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Orioles lineup against Royals; Paulino is here

May 25, 2012, 11:18am

Orioles

It looks like the Orioles are switching backup catchers. Stu Pomeranz is sitting at his locker, but he's not yet listed among the available relievers. Pomeranz said he was pulled off the field yesterday and given the news of his promotion from Triple-A Norfolk. Update II: The moves are official. Pomeranz and Paulino have been recalled from Norfolk. Infielder/outfielder

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Pomeranz back in bullpen?

May 25, 2012, 10:35am

Orioles

The Orioles are prepared to make a roster move today, since it's been so quiet around here. Seriously, it isn't all about Adam Jones today. Nothing is official, but reliever Stu Pomeranz is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and return to the Orioles bullpen. The Orioles optioned Pomeranz on May 13 when they purchased outfielder Xavier Avery's contract from Norfolk. Pomeranz threw four scoreless innings over two appearances with the Orioles after having his contract purchased...

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A call to arms (more on Jones contract update)

May 24, 2012, 7:31pm

Orioles

A call to arms (more on Jones contract update)

So much for having a day off. It's back to the baseball grind tonight with the Royals arriving at Camden Yards for a three-game series. Jason Hammel turned in five quality starts out of six outings before his swollen right knee altered the early course of his season. He's allowed nine runs (eight earned) and 13 hits in his last two starts covering 10 1/3 innings, with five walks and eight strikeouts. He hasn't cleared the sixth in either start. The Orioles require more innings from Hammel....

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Romero almost part of combined no-hitter with Norfolk

May 24, 2012, 6:19pm

Orioles

Romero almost part of combined no-hitter with Norfolk

J.C. Romero made his debut tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, and he nearly became part of minor league baseball history. Miguel Gonzalez threw five hitless innings at Durham, allowing one walk and striking out four. Romero replaced him and retired the side in order in the sixth with two strikeouts in his first appearance since the Cardinals released him on May 14. Eddie Gamboa followed with two hitless innings, leaving the Tides three outs away from a combined no-hitter. But second baseman Ty...

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Duquette on Romero and rumors (Roberts update)

May 24, 2012, 2:30pm

Orioles

Duquette on Romero and rumors (Roberts update)

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette talked about the reasons why he signed veteran left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to a minor league contract earlier today and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. "He's a solid left-handed pitcher who can be a specialist, and he's done that job on a championship team," Duquette said. "He can run his fastball in on left-handed hitters' hands. He's had a lot of success with that." The Cardinals released

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Orioles sign Romero (Phillips on DL)

May 24, 2012, 11:32am

Orioles

The Orioles just announced that they signed veteran left-handed reliever Armando Benitez, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Benitez, 39, last appeared in the majors with the Blue Jays in 2008. Update II: Now we know how the Orioles are making room for Romero at Norfolk. Left-hander

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This and that (and more)

May 23, 2012, 7:02pm

Orioles

In case you don't recognize it, the Orioles are experiencing what is commonly known as an "off-day." No reason to report to the ballpark. No workout, no game, no interviews. The rainout that proceeded the doubleheader against the Rangers doesn't count in manager Buck Showalter's book. Players still had to show up at Camden Yards. They hit in the indoor cage and watched video and dressed in front of each other. That's not an "off-day." I'm going to have one of those, too, but not...

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Hearing from Arrieta and Johnson

May 23, 2012, 12:55pm

Orioles

Jake Arrieta allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in four of his six innings today, running up his pitch count and lowering his chances of winning. "When you're pitching with a guy on and no outs to start off an inning, you put yourself in a tight situation," he said after a 6-5 loss to the Red Sox. "To start the game, my sinker was running all over the place. Had great life today, felt really good. Breaking balls were really spotty. Wasn't able to command them very well. Started them...

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Showalter speaks after 6-5 loss

May 23, 2012, 12:41pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was left to explain another disappointing outing from Jake Arrieta and his club's failure to take advantage of some late opportunities in a 6-5 loss to the Red Sox before 27,806 at Camden Yards. Arrieta was charged with four runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. "He's a pitch away from getting out of there with three runs in six innings," Showalter said. "He was so deep in the count. He had a lot of counts in his favor and couldn't put people away. I...

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Disappointing day for Arrieta; big day for Nick Johnson (O's lose 6-5)

May 23, 2012, 11:00am

Orioles

Disappointing day for Arrieta; big day for Nick Johnson (O's lose 6-5)

Jake Arrieta's maddening inconsistency reared its ugly head again this afternoon. Arrieta was charged with four runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings, with three walks, two strikeouts and a home run. He threw 98 pitches, 58 for strikes. The fourth run scored on Kelly Shoppach's two-run homer off reliever Luis Ayala, only his second this season. Daniel Nava hit No. 2 off Arrieta earlier in the inning, after the first two batters were retired. Arrieta held the Nationals to one run over seven...

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Bundy reporting to Frederick

May 23, 2012, 10:21am

Orioles

After much deliberation, the Orioles have decided to promote pitcher Dylan Bundy to Single-A Frederick, where he'll start Saturday night against Salem at Harry Grove Stadium. The original plan called for Bundy to make three five-inning starts with low Single-A Delmarva before moving up, but the Orioles have decided to accelerate his program. Bundy, the fourth overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, tossed five more scoreless innings Sunday against Hagerstown, keeping his ERA at...

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Your daily Xavier Avery blog entry (tied 2-2)

May 23, 2012, 9:04am

Orioles

Your daily Xavier Avery blog entry (tied 2-2)

As opposed to your nightly one. We have a 12:35 p.m. start here. Xavier Avery reached on an infield hit to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard fielded the ball on the right side of the mound and made an off-balance throw that skipped past first baseman Kevin Youkilis. He had no shot at the speedy rookie. Avery advanced to second on Robert Andino's single, tagged and took third on Nick Markakis' fly ball to left field, and tagged again and scored on Chris...

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Notes on Britton, Hammel and the lineup

May 23, 2012, 7:35am

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed this morning that left-hander Zach Britton will make his first injury-rehab start Saturday at Double-A Bowie. Britton will stay with the Baysox and pitch again May 31 at Akron. The Orioles could choose to keep Britton on his rehab assignment or activate him from the disabled list. That decision is pending. Let's see how he gets through those starts. Jason Hammel remains confident that he'll make Friday night's start against the Royals at Camden...