Orioles carry momentum into Game 2 (updated)

Orioles carry momentum into Game 2 (updated)
No lead is safe at Fenway Park, but the Orioles are bold enough to try. They jumped on right-hander John Lackey for three runs in the top of the first inning, bringing more angst to Red Sox Nation. Matt Angle singled and stole his eighth base. J.J. Hardy walked, and Angle sprinted home on Nick Markakis' single. That's 1-0. Vladimir Guerrero lined a sacrifice fly to right field - if you can line a fly ball. I've never heard of a sacrifice line drive. That's 2-0. Chris Davis drove in...

Jones also out of Game 2 lineup (with Red Sox lineup)

Jones also out of Game 2 lineup (with Red Sox lineup)
Maybe Adam Jones can get back into the lineup tomorrow night. He's missing again in Game 2. Jones was a defensive replacement in Game 1. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 3B Nolan Reimold LF Ryan Adams 2B Craig Tatum C Brian Matusz LHP For the Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury CF Marco Scutaro SS Adrian Gonzalez 1B Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Jed Lowrie 3B Conor Jackson LF Jason Varitek C Darnell McDonald...

'Pen is mightier in eighth (O's win 6-5)

'Pen is mightier in eighth (O's win 6-5)
Manager Buck Showalter played the matchup game in the eighth inning with the Orioles clinging to a 6-5 lead. He won. Now, the Orioles will try to do the same. Clay Rapada faced David Ortiz to open the bottom of the eighth and retired him on one pitch, which resulted in a liner to short. Left-handed hitters are 4-for-43 against Rapada this season and 5-for-62 over the past two seasons. Right-handers are batting .692 this year, so Showalter brought in Pedro Strop to face pinch hitter Ryan...

It's not a fly ball, it's an adventure (O's clinging to 6-5 lead)

It's not a fly ball, it's an adventure (O's clinging to 6-5 lead)
Now it's Matt Angle's turn to fight the sun and whatever else is distracting the outfielders today at Fenway Park. Angle misplayed Dustin Pedroia's long fly ball to center field in the fifth inning, resulting in a triple that scored Adrian Gonzalez and reduced the Orioles' lead to 6-4. Jeremy Guthrie got the first two outs, fell behind 3-0 to Marco Scutaro and walked him with the count full by missing with a slider. Gonzalez followed with an RBI double - Angle had trouble picking up the...

Left field hurts and helps Orioles (Andino, Reimold and Hardy homer)

Left field hurts and helps Orioles (Andino, Reimold and Hardy homer)
Nolan Reimold misplayed a ball in left field today because of the bright sun at Fenway Park. The Red Sox couldn't take advantage and stranded four runners in two innings. Darnell McDonald, who joined the Rex Sox's lineup late after Carl Crawford was scratched, misplayed two straight fly balls in the top of the third, as the Orioles took a 2-0 lead on Matt Angle's two-run double. Both starters need to concentrate on ground balls. McDonald,a former first-round pick by the Orioles, led off...

No Reynolds or Jones for Game 1

No Reynolds or Jones for Game 1
Mark Reynolds confirmed to reporters in Boston that he'll sit out today's doubleheader after being hit in the head Saturday night. Manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that Reynolds could remain on the bench until Tuesday. Showalter was hoping to start Adam Jones in at least one of the games. It won't be the opener. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy SS, Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Jeremy...

While waiting for the Game 1 lineup ...

While waiting for the Game 1 lineup ...
The Orioles are playing two games in Boston today because of the May 17 postponement. At least, I think that's the reason. There have been so many rainouts, I've lost track of the dates. Boston has lost 11 of its last 14 games, and Tampa Bay has closed to within two games in the wild card race. Game 1 starter Jeremy Guthrie is 2-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 18 career appearances (16 starts) against the Red Sox. Jacoby Ellsbury is 14-for-35 (.400) lifetime against Guthrie. David Ortiz is 12-for-35...

Showalter speaks after 11-2 loss

Showalter speaks after 11-2 loss
Alfredo Simon allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings today, including three home runs that helped the Angels take an 11-2 victory over the Orioles before an announced 27,471 at Camden Yards. That's a touchdown, two-point conversion and field goal for the Angels. "I think today was, what, his 14th start?" Showalter said. "We keep looking for guys to step up and put themselves in a position where you feel like you can trust them. Some starts make you feel better about that than...

Simon still searching for consistency (Guerrero ties Bagwell)

Simon still searching for consistency (Guerrero ties Bagwell)
Alfredo Simon has come back out to start the fifth inning, but he's already allowed two home runs to Erick Aybar and one to Vernon Wells, and the Orioles trail the Angels, 6-1, in a game that's moving slower than the Griswolds after they arrive at Wally World. Manager Buck Showalter has Brad Bergesen warming in the bullpen again, so Simon is near the end of a very disappointing afternoon. He's surrendered six runs and seven hits, with one walk, four strikeouts, a wild pitch and a hit...

Both benches warned (O's down 2-1)

Both benches warned (O's down 2-1)
That didn't take long. Alfredo Simon drilled Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo in the back pocket with a 95 mph fastball in the first inning, and plate umpire Laz Diaz jumped out from behind home plate and issued warnings to both benches. It's fair to assume that Simon was retaliating after Angels starter Ervin Santana hit Nolan Reimold and Mark Reynolds last night. Reynolds was drilled above the left temple, and he's out of today's lineup. Simon walked leadoff hitter Erick Aybar on four...

Reynolds talks about beaning (Jones update)

Reynolds talks about beaning (Jones update)
Mark Reynolds joked with teammates this morning that they need to go easy on him because he's "concussed." At least he's able to laugh about it. Reynolds says he's fine and thought he might be in the lineup today, but a reporter broke the news that he's on the bench. "Oh, there's a lineup up? Then I'm probably not playing," he said. "I was going to go beg Buck (Showalter)." Reynolds was hit above the left temple by an Ervin Santana pitch in the third inning last night and left...

Reynolds out of lineup

Reynolds out of lineup
Mark Reynolds will spend today's game on the bench after being hit in the head last night by an Ervin Santana pitch. Reynolds says he's fine and could play, but manager Buck Showalter is starting Chris Davis at first base and Josh Bell at third. Reynolds expects to be in the lineup for tomorrow's doubleheader in Boston. Reynolds said he believes that Santana hit him on purpose, but he doesn't think the right-hander was aiming for his head. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy...

Hardy and Reynolds homer in first

Hardy and Reynolds homer in first
So much for playing small ball. The Orioles tried it in the third inning last night, scored twice, and decided to go back to mashing tonight. J.J. Hardy's two-run shot in the first inning gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead against Angels starter Ervin Santana, and gave Hardy a career-high 27 home runs. Mark Reynolds hit his 34th homer later in the inning, a three-run shot that increased the lead to 5-0. Reynolds ties Miguel Tejada (2004) for the most home runs by an Oriole in a single season in...
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Showalter speaks before tonight's game (first pitch delayed)

Showalter speaks before tonight's game (first pitch delayed)
Manager Buck Showalter fielded a variety of questions during his pregame session with the media, beginning with the latest on center fielder Adam Jones. I'll pass along a few of his quotes. "Adam had an MRI at 2:30 and I have not heard the results of that," Showalter said. "I don't think he's here yet, so who knows? That lineup could change back to him being in it. I don't know. "We could have pushed it. Different situation, he'd probably try to play through it, but I do think the...

Matusz expected to start Monday

Matusz expected to start Monday
Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz is scheduled to start Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Jeremy Guthrie will start Game 1. Matusz hasn't pitched since allowing five runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings in a Sept. 5 game at Yankee Stadium. He's 1-7 with a 9.84 ERA in 43 innings, with 68 hits, 19 walks, 33 strikeouts and a 2.02 WHIP. He's allowed five earned runs or more in his last six starts, and six earned runs or more in four of six. Matusz has...

Orioles lineup against Angels

Orioles lineup against Angels
Adam Jones isn't in tonight's lineup. He's having an MRI on his right thumb today. Matt Angle gets the start in center field. Nolan Reimold is starting in left. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Zach Britton LHP

Showalter speaks after 8-3 win

Showalter speaks after 8-3 win
Tommy Hunter gave the Orioles seven scoreless innings tonight in an 8-3 victory over the Angels. His performance might get overlooked because the offense erupted for eight runs - including homers by Mark Reynolds and Nolan Reimold - and closer Kevin Gregg allowed three runs (two earned) in a 43-pitch ninth inning. Buck Showalter meets with the media to discuss the Birds' 8-3 victory over the Angels "Tommy has had some good games," Showalter said. "I thought he carried his stuff a...

MRI scheduled for Jones

MRI scheduled for Jones
Adam Jones will have an MRI on his right thumb tomorrow after being scratched from the lineup again. An X-ray taken earlier in the week didn't reveal any structural damage, but continuing soreness in the thumb led the Orioles to schedule the MRI. A hand specialist examined Jones' thumb earlier today, and his report was "consistent with what the X-rays said," according to manager Buck Showalter. Jones hasn't started the last six games. He was used as a pinch-runner Tuesday and a...

Determining roles for Angle and Hunter

Determining roles for Angle and Hunter
Matt Angle didn't have a hit last night in the Orioles' 8-3 victory over the Angels, but he laid down a nice sacrifice bunt in the third inning and reached on an error and scored in the fifth. He also made a nice leaping catch near the fence to rob Howie Kendrick in the top of the first. Angle is part of the new go-go Orioles, who have been successful on 19 of their last 21 stolen base attempts since Aug. 26. Eight different players have recorded steals during that stretch: Angle, Robert...

Orioles and Keys cranking out the runs (O's win 8-3)

Orioles and Keys cranking out the runs (O's win 8-3)
The Orioles drove Angels starter Dan Haren from the game with two on and no outs in the sixth inning. Tyler Chatwood's wild pitch enabled Chris Davis to score, and Nolan Reimold followed with a two-run homer to complete Haren's line and increase the Orioles' lead to 8-0. Haren is charged with seven runs (six earned) and seven hits, with two walks, four strikeouts and a wild pitch. Before tonight, he had allowed three runs or fewer in five of his last six starts and eight of 10. Reimold...