No trades imminent as another deadline approaches

No trades imminent as another deadline approaches
I woke up this morning with 4,000 Twitter followers. No wonder I didn't get any of the covers. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told me yesterday that he isn't close to making any deals before tomorrow's deadline for contending teams to set their playoff rosters. You know how things can change with one phone call, so don't read too much into it. However, something new would have to develop within the next day. Nothing is percolating. I've heard that the usual suspects...

Showalter speaks after 3-2 loss

Showalter speaks after 3-2 loss
The Orioles are 15-28 in series finales after tonight's 3-2 loss to the Yankees. New York improves to 29-14. The Orioles have lost their last six games decided by one run at home since a 3-2 victory over the Angels on July 23. Manager Buck Showalter delivered heavy praise to starter Alfredo Simon, who allowed three runs and four hits over seven innings. Buck Showalter gives praise to Alfredo Simon's outing and some potentially career-best seasons "He was really good. He was really...

Simon strengthens case for rotation spot (O's lose, 3-2)

Simon strengthens case for rotation spot (O's lose, 3-2)
Alfredo Simon tied his career high with 114 pitches tonight. The last time he did it? His last start on Aug. 23 against the Twins. OK, he's stretched out to be a starter. Simon can't win tonight, as he left after the seventh inning with the Orioles losing, 3-1, but he deserves a better fate. He held the Yankees to three runs and four hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. That's more impressive than controlling the offensively-challenged Twins in their ballpark. Simon has allowed four...

Simon found groove and lost it (updated)

Simon found groove and lost it (updated)
If that headline sounds familiar, I wrote the same one for Brian Matusz last night. Remember how Matusz retired nine in a row in Game 2 before Mark Teixeira singled with one out in the sixth and Robinson Cano followed with a home run? Well, Alfredo Simon retired nine Yankees in a row tonight before Cano singled with one out in the fourth and Nick Swisher followed with his 21st home run. Yankees 3, Orioles 0. Swisher has six homers in his last seven games. He hit No. 20 last night after...

Showalter pre-game quotes

Showalter pre-game quotes
In case you missed the sight of manager Buck Showalter's voice, here are some comments from his pregame session with the media. On adding players Thursday when rosters can expand: "I think it's got to serve a purpose, whether it be what the club needs or what the organization needs to make better decisions in the offseason. I know Andy (MacPhail) feels the same way. We've got some people in mind that fit, but things could change." On whether Jim Johnson needs to start next month to be...

A few pregame notes (and Yankees lineup)

A few pregame notes (and Yankees lineup)
First baseman Chris Davis will swing a bat tomorrow down in Sarasota as he begins baseball activities. Jason Berken will head to Sarasota later this week to begin a throwing program after his wife is induced at 6 a.m. tomorrow. He'll hold his baby girl before holding a baseball. The Orioles want Berken to pitch in a few games in September before he comes off the disabled list, but the minor league seasons end next week. They might have to organize simulated games at the minor league...

Orioles lineup against Yankees

Orioles lineup against Yankees
For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Adams 2B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 3B Alfredo Simon RHP

Post-Game 2 Showalter

Post-Game 2 Showalter
J.J. Hardy extended his hitting streak to 11 games tonight. Mark Reynolds has hit in eight straight games, going 13-for-33 (.394). It wasn't all bad. The Orioles lost the nightcap, 8-3, to the Yankees. Brian Matusz gave up three of New York's five home runs, tying his career high, and has lost seven consecutive starts. "He got some balls elevated and had some trouble keeping the ball in the park," manager Buck Showalter said. "Kind of took some of the momentum we had away with (Curtis)...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Zach Britton threw 120 pitches in Game 1 of yesterday's doubleheader. That's the most by an Orioles starter against the Yankees since Sidney Ponson threw 128 on June 1, 2004 in New York. One of manager Buck Showalter's biggest peeves is young players who join the club and don't know how to bunt because they've hit in the middle of the lineup in the minors and assumed it wouldn't be necessary. He isn't aiming this rant at one particular player. He means just in general. A lot of guys...

Matusz found groove and lost it (updated twice)

Matusz found groove and lost it (updated twice)
The Yankees have hit four home runs tonight to account for all seven of their runs. Three of them came against left-hander Brian Matusz. Their ability to go deep has prevented Matusz from doing the same. He's done after 5 1/3 innings. Robinson Cano just broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth with a two-run shot to left, and Nick Swisher followed with a shot to left that forced manager Buck Showalter to go to his bullpen. Andruw Jones greeted reliever Chris Jakubauskas with a home run, the first time...

Orioles take early lead (we're tied, 3-3)

Orioles take early lead (we're tied, 3-3)
I'm sure it's just coincidence, but the Orioles are 7-1 when Robert Andino plays third base and 9-3 when Ryan Adams plays second base. Mark Reynolds is batting .413 (12-for-29) with a double, triple, three homers and eight RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was a late scratch with a bruised right knee, the result of a foul ball in Game 1. Nobody said so, but I'm assuming he's day-to-day. Jeter is 7-for-17 lifetime against Orioles left-hander Brian...

Orioles Game 2 lineup against Yankees

Orioles Game 2 lineup against Yankees
Adam Jones remains in center field for Game 2 of today's doubleheader against the Yankees. It's pretty much the same lineup except Craig Tatum is catching and other players have moved up a spot. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Adams 2B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 3B Craig Tatum C Brian Matusz LHP

Post-Game 1 Showalter

Post-Game 1 Showalter
The Orioles shut out the Yankees for the first time since April 19, 2008, when Brian Burres and Jim Johnson combined to blank New York. The Orioles have won six games in a row for the first time since April 2-8, 2008. They haven't won seven in a row since 2005. Down on the farm, Brandon Waring hit his 43rd career home run for Double-A Bowie to break the franchise record off 42 held by former first-round pick Keith Reed. Buck Showalter talks with the media about Zach Britton's outing and...

Britton much better against Yankees (O's win, 2-0)

Britton much better against Yankees (O's win, 2-0)
Remember the last time Zach Britton faced the Yankees? He retired one batter, was charged with six runs (nine total) and seven hits, and put the Orioles in a huge hole in Game 2 of a doubleheader in New York back on July 30. It's been a different story today. Britton is blanking the Yankees on four hits over six innings, with one walk and five strikeouts. Britton has thrown 110 pitches, including 67 for strikes. He just retired Alex Rodriguez on a bouncer to third baseman Robert Andino to...

Showalter says Yankees' complaints were "disrespectful to Flanny"

Showalter says Yankees' complaints were "disrespectful to Flanny"
Manager Buck Showalter knows that the Yankees are chafed at the Orioles for refusing to schedule a doubleheader on Friday and costing them the Sept. 8 off-day. And he really doesn't care. Showalter spoke calmly today, but he didn't pull any punches while addressing the topic with reporters before Game 1. He also referenced the tragic death of former Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan. "The way I understand, I think they approached Andy (MacPhail) less than 24 hours before," he said. "First of...

Jones in lineup, Hendrickson in clubhouse

Jones in lineup, Hendrickson in clubhouse
Adam Jones is in the lineup for Game 1. And Mark Hendrickson has replaced Troy Patton on the active roster. Patton went on the restricted list. He has a hearing tomorrow in Houston related to his DWI arrest over the winter. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Adams 2B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 3B Zach Britton LHP

Catching up with Luke Scott

Catching up with Luke Scott
From the Gone But Not Forgotten Dept: Luke Scott flew into Baltimore last night, and boy, is his right shoulder tired. Not really. The shoulder, which needed to be repaired on July 26, is feeling pretty good these days. "My progress is actually ahead of schedule," Scott told me earlier today during a 30-minute phone conversation, most of which had nothing to do with his shoulder. Scott underwent surgery in Pensacola, Fla., to repair his labrum, which ended his season and left his future...

Not so calm before the storm

Not so calm before the storm
I haven't looked out the window yet, but I don't hear any rain or high winds or lawn furniture slamming against the house. So far, so good. I'll be leaving soon for the drive to Hunt Valley for "Wall To Wall Baseball" with Tom Davis and Dave Johnson that airs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on MASN. I'd be most appreciative if Hurricane Irene would allow me a safe return home before she vents. The Yankees already vented last night. You saw player rep Curtis Granderson's statement, and...

Postgame notes and chatter

Postgame notes and chatter
Derek Jeter played in his 2,401st game tonight, tying Mickey Mantle for most by a Yankee in franchise history. The Orioles tied their season high with their fifth consecutive win. They also did it May 21-26. The 12 runs tonight matched their season high set July 26 at Toronto. Nolan Reimold is batting .379 (11-for-29) with two triples, two homers and six RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak. Matt Wieters is batting .440 (11-for-25) during his seven-game hitting streak. J.J. Hardy was...

Showalter speaks after 12-5 win

Showalter speaks after 12-5 win
The Yankees are furious at the Orioles for not scheduling a doubleheader today. They didn't want to lose their Sept. 8 off-day. They can't be too happy about tonight's outcome, either. "The tack-on runs are always important regardless of who you're playing. But they have so much offense through their order, so it's doubly important," manager Buck Showalter said after his club's 12-5 victory. "I thought Nolan (Reimold) had a big hit - a couple big ones. A lot of them scattered around...