Roch Kubatko

Cleaning out my notebook (and lineup)

March 17, 2012, 5:08pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have two split-squad games again today. They might be approaching a spring training record. I'm skipping the 1:05 p.m. game against the Braves in Orlando, because the clubhouse at the Ed Smith Stadium complex opens to the media at 2 p.m. Also, the Orioles figure to play most of their "regulars" in the 7:05 p.m. game against the Yankees that airs on MASN. Jason Hammel and Tsuyoshi Wada will pitch against the Braves, who will start left-hander Mike Minor. Alfredo...

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Showalter speaks after 3-3 tie

March 17, 2012, 12:39pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles played to their third tie in eight days today, getting a two-out double by Joe Mahoney in the bottom of the ninth and an RBI single from Steve Tolleson to erase a 3-2 deficit. Neither team scored in the 10th, and the Orioles' record stands at 5-6-3. Zach Phillips retired the side in order in the top of the 10th. Pedro Strop gave up two hits in the ninth, but didn't permit a run. Kevin Gregg, Jim Johnson and Matt Lindstrom also had scoreless innings. Johnson...

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Chen on Chen

March 17, 2012, 11:08am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles scored twice in the sixth inning on an error and passed ball to reduce Boston's lead to 3-2. Way to manufacture those runs! Nick Markakis collected his second hit, a double, took third on an Adam Jones single and came home on an errant pickoff throw. Markakis isn't running at full speed, and he was cautious breaking back toward second on Jones' grounder up the middle before taking third. Wei-Yin Chen met with reporters outside the clubhouse after allowing...

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Chen cruised until the fifth (updated)

March 17, 2012, 10:22am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen became the first Orioles pitcher today to work past the fourth inning, though the fifth didn't go as smoothly as the rest. Chen took a three-hit shutout into the top of the fifth before allowing back-to-back singles to Ryan Lavarnway and Pedro Ciriaco, and a three-run homer to former Orioles farmhand Nate Spears. His only walk came with two outs to former Orioles outfielder Darnell McDonald, but Josh Kroeger struck out looking to end the inning. Chen...

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Pregame notes

March 17, 2012, 7:25am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I don't have much to report from manager Buck Showalter's pregame session with the media, except it's really, really hot on the field. Showalter received a favorable report on Tommy Hunter's four-inning, 60-pitch effort in yesterday's minor league game. He noted that Hunter tired a little in the fourth inning. Showalter confirmed that Hunter will start Wednesday against the Blue Jays in Sarasota. Reliever Darren O'Day is throwing off a half mound today as he recovers...

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Hunter: "I'm ready to go"

March 17, 2012, 5:36am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tommy Hunter threw four innings and 60 pitches yesterday against the Boston Red Sox's Single-A team at Twin Lakes Park, just as the Orioles wanted him to do. "I felt good," he said. "They were swinging the bats a lot yesterday. I made good pitches. I was throwing all four of my pitches for strikes." Hunter still hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game because of discomfort in his lower back that no longer requires treatment - just some exercises - but his debut...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

March 17, 2012, 4:40am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing split-squad games against the Red Sox this afternoon. You'll notice that the majority of regulars are staying back at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. For the Orioles (home): Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Nick Johnson 1B Jai Miller RF Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP Kevin Gregg, Matt Lindstrom and Pedro Strop also are scheduled to pitch today. For the Red Sox: McDonald CF Kroeger...

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Showalter speaks after 3-1 victory

March 16, 2012, 12:30pm

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Twins put the tying run on base against left-hander Troy Patton in the bottom of the ninth, but Oscar Villarreal replaced him with one out and retired Luke Hughes and J.R. Towles on ground balls to secure the Orioles' 3-1 victory. Manager Showalter addressed the following topics: On Chris Tillman: "Tilly's stuff has been good. He's had a problem in the past of not carrying what he's capable of early in a ballgame, but that hasn't happened down here. I've been...

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Tillman on Tillman

March 16, 2012, 11:18am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Chris Tillman made his first start today after two relief appearances, this time working ahead of left-hander Dana Eveland instead of following him. Tillman was charged with one run in 3 1/3 innings. He allowed four hits and walked two batters. Of his 51 pitches, only 28 were strikes. His fastball routinely hit 94 mph. It was a mixed bag. "I think it's still a work in progress," he said. "My windup felt good. Stretch is something I'm still playing with, and trying to...

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Tillman goes 3 1/3 innings (Andino homers)

March 16, 2012, 10:23am

Orioles

Tillman goes 3 1/3 innings (Andino homers)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Chris Tillman was charged with one run today, and it scored after he left the game, but his command was shaky in his third spring outing. Tillman allowed four hits, walked two and struck out one in 3 1/3 innings. He threw 51 pitches, 28 for strikes. His pitch count was elevated in part because of his throwing error in the first inning after fielding Denard Span's tapper, and a fly ball from Luke Hughes in the second inning that dropped between left fielder Wilson Betemit...

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Revisiting the health issues

March 16, 2012, 9:15am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter brought a cheat sheet with him for today's pregame media session in the visiting dugout at Hammond Stadium. There wasn't enough room on his arm. Showalter was nice enough to give reporters the pitching and playing schedules of the guys we'd find most interesting. For instance: Jake Arrieta threw a bullpen session today and will go four innings in Monday's minor league game at Twin Lakes Park. (That's the "off-day" on our spring training...

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Gregg scheduled to pitch Saturday ( with Twins lineup)

March 16, 2012, 4:44am

Orioles

Gregg scheduled to pitch Saturday ( with Twins lineup)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Kevin Gregg hasn't pitched since last Sunday's B game, when he threw one inning and gave up a home run, but he'll take the mound Saturday against the Red Sox in Sarasota. The Orioles have split-squad games that day, but he'll avoid the trip to Fort Myers. Gregg insists that he's fine physically, though he's only appeared in two Grapefruit League games. He threw in the bullpen yesterday while the Orioles traveled to Lakeland. "I'm getting off the...

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Orioles lineup vs. Twins

March 16, 2012, 4:27am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman and Dana Eveland take the mound today, though not at the same time, when the Orioles travel to Fort Myers to play the Minnesota Twins. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Wilson Betemit LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Ronny Paulino DH Jai Miller RF John Hester C Chris Tillman RHP

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Backing Bergesen

March 15, 2012, 4:21pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - If you haven't seen Brad Bergesen pitch in a while, you're going to notice a change in his delivery. My older readers might be reminded of Luis Tiant. Bergesen is reminded of the way he used to throw. Bergesen has added a twist that momentarily leaves his back turned to the hitter. It's an element of deception that makes it a little harder for the batters to pick up the ball. In three appearances this spring, Bergesen has allowed two runs and five hits over seven innings....

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Socolovich leaves with groin injury

March 15, 2012, 12:18pm

Orioles

LAKELAND, Fla. - Miguel Socolovich came out of today's game against the Tigers with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning because of tightness in his groin. Jon Link allowed all three inherited runners to score, and Socolovich was charged with the loss. "He wanted to continue, but we're not going to take the chance," manager Buck Showalter said after a 4-2 loss. "We had enough pitchers we brought with us." Socolovich joins the groin gang in camp. They'll eventually rumble...

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Matusz on Matusz (and Britton update)

March 15, 2012, 11:23am

Orioles

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning after Brian Matusz left the game, and they tacked on another run in the seventh to increase their lead to 4-2 over the Orioles at Joker Marchant Stadium. Detroit loaded the bases with one out against Miguel Socolovich, and he was removed for Jon Link. Socolovich walked into the clubhouse with assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel while reporters were interviewing Matusz. Chris Davis committed his second error...

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Matusz with back-to-back gems (updated)

March 15, 2012, 10:25am

Orioles

LAKELAND, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz tamed an impressive Tigers lineup this afternoon at Joker Marchant Stadium. Matusz blanked the Tigers on two hits, walked none, struck out six and hit a batter in four innings. He threw 60 pitches, 41 for strikes. Matusz's fastball was 92-93 mph on the stadium radar gun. He hit 93 mph four times in the third inning, when he retired the side in order and struck out Andy Dirks and Austin Jackson. He fanned Prince Fielder and Alex Avila in the...

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Drake optioned, Joseph to be reassigned (Chavez homers)

March 15, 2012, 8:52am

Orioles

Drake optioned, Joseph to be reassigned (Chavez homers)

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Orioles have reduced their camp roster to 47 players by optioning pitcher Oliver Drake (Navy) to Double-A Bowie. Catcher Caleb Joseph has been informed that he'll be reassigned to minor league camp, but he's likely to stay with the team through the weekend. Drake and Joseph are here for today's game against the Detroit Tigers. The Orioles are keeping tabs on the catching situations in other camps, gauging who might become available, but manager Buck Showalter seems...

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Teagarden unsure about opening day (Tigers lineup)

March 15, 2012, 5:01am

Orioles

Teagarden unsure about opening day (Tigers lineup)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Taylor Teagarden received an epidural yesterday to alleviate the pain in his lower back after a CT scan revealed a slightly torn ligament that supports a disk. Now he must wait a few weeks and wonder whether he can be ready for the April 6 opener. "I'm not really sure what the timeframe is," he said. "It's not as serious, ... it could have been worse, but it's going to take a little more time to heal. I've just got to play each day by day and see how it...

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Orioles lineup vs. Tigers

March 15, 2012, 4:06am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are headed to Lakeland today to play the Detroit Tigers, with left-hander Brian Matusz looking to build on his impressive outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. Ronny Paulino, suddently the favorite to be the backup catcher on opening day, gets his first start behind the plate. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez CF Nolan Reimold LF Nick Johnson DH Chris Davis 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Ronny Paulino C Ryan Flaherty SS Jai Miller RF Matt Antonelli 2B Brian Matusz...