Four runs off Reyes before first out (updated twice)

Four runs off Reyes before first out (updated twice)
Jo-Jo Reyes held the Tigers to one run over six innings in his last start. He gave up a run tonight after three batters, and four runs after four batters. The Angels worked Reyes for 34 pitches while taking a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Reyes surrendered a double, single, Howie Kendrick's RBI single and Torii Hunter's three-run homer. Vernon Wells singled with one out for the Angels' fifth hit of the inning. Hunter is 3-for-7 with two homers lifetime against...

Guerrero back in cleanup spot (Berken injured)

Guerrero back in cleanup spot (Berken injured)
J.J. Hardy is batting leadoff tonight and Vladimir Guerrero has returned to cleanup. Robert Andino is batting seventh. His name has appeared in the seventh spot once this season, but he doesn't have an official at-bat. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 2B Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Jo-Jo Reyes LHP Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Oakland that reliever Jason Berken has a sore...

Worth noting

Worth noting
Reliever

Who's the MVO?

Who's the MVO?
Even the teams with the worst records in baseball name a Most Valuable Player. I think it's the law. In Baltimore, that honor is known as Most Valuable Oriole - or MVO if you'd like to save space. I'm always reminded of the year that the media bestowed that honor upon B.J. Surhoff. Reporters gathered at his locker after a game, seeking his reaction to the news. He looked up from his stool and said, "I know why you chose me. Cal's hurt and you hate Albert." An instant classic. We still...

Your incremental Davis update

Your incremental Davis update
First baseman Chris Davis had his right shoulder examined earlier today by Dr. Lewis Yocum, who has cleared his schedule in case the Orioles need him. Yocum confirmed the original diagnosis that Davis has a small tear in his right shoulder. The plan for now is to have Davis rehab it rather than undergo surgery. Davis was placed on the 15-day disabled list after being scratched from Tuesday's lineup because of continuing soreness in the shoulder. At that moment, doubts rose whether Davis...

Your incremental Roberts update

Your incremental Roberts update
I'm not a big fan of incremental updates that don't really advance a story, but it's been a slow day and I feel guilty for posting only one entry, so here's a little something for you. Try to control your breathing and not be overcome by the excitement. Second baseman Brian Roberts made another visit yesterday to Dr. Michael Collins, who's billed as a sports-concussion specialist. I've never read his business card, but I assume that title appears on it. I'm told by a team official that...

What are we saying about Simon? (Orioles lose 6-5)

What are we saying about Simon? (Orioles lose 6-5)
In his last three starts, Alfredo Simon has gone 4 2/3, 5 2/3 and 5 1/3 innings. He's allowed four earned runs, four earned runs (six total) and five earned runs (six total). He's also served up four home runs in those three games. Simon will get another loss today unless the Orioles rally from a 6-4 deficit in the eighth inning. He didn't bring his best stuff, as evidenced by the two homers he surrendered to Kurt Suzuki, the eight hits, two walks, hit batter and pitch count that...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles have a day off in Anaheim before beginning a three-game series tomorrow night against the Angels. Maybe a few players will head over to Disneyland, which would be an appropriate place for them, considering that (insert your own joke here). The rotation is an absolute mess again, which is reason No. 1 why this season swirled down the drain. Jeremy Guthrie's bothered by some stiffness in his right shoulder. The club doesn't think it's serious, which means he'll probably have...

Guerrero seeing doubles (updated twice)

Guerrero seeing doubles (updated twice)
Vladimir Guerrero has collected three doubles in the past two games, the most recent coming today in the first inning. A run scored as Guerrero found another gap in the Athletics' outfield, increasing the Orioles' lead to 2-0 before starter Alfredo Simon had thrown a pitch. Before arriving in Oakland, Guerrero hadn't registered a double since Aug. 4 in Kansas City. He totaled only one since July 30. Guerrero is 9-for-21 with seven RBIs since Aug. 11. Could moving down one spot in the...

Orioles and Athletics lineups

Orioles and Athletics lineups
The Orioles are facing a right-handed pitcher today, Oakland's Brandon McCarthy, but they're leaning heavily to the right with today's lineup, which includes Robert Andino leading off and Nolan Reimold in left field. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 1B Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Craig Tatum C Alfredo Simon RHP Felix Pie hasn't played since going 0-for-4 on Saturday. Guerrero is 5-for-15 with a...

For whom the Bell tolls (Matusz done, O's lose 8-4)

For whom the Bell tolls (Matusz done, O's lose 8-4)
Josh Bell has driven in two runs for the second straight night, with his RBI single in the fifth reducing Oakland's lead to 4-3. Robert Andino reached second base with one out after Josh Willingham dropped his fly ball for the Athletics' 100th error of the season. Andino raced home when Bell followed with a single into center field. The Orioles keep pecking away at that lead. They sliced it to 4-2 in the fourth on a two-out single by Adam Jones and a Vladimir Guerrero double. Bell has made...

Facing the Mount Rushmore challenge

Facing the Mount Rushmore challenge
I was looking forward to tomorrow's off-day and a little relaxation, or what qualifies in my life, but now I'll be tracking down the results of Chris Davis' visit to orthopedic specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum. Yes, it's all about me. Davis has a slight tear in his right shoulder and could be facing a shutdown or surgery. If you're Luke Scott or Jake Arrieta, it can turn into both. The Orioles are keeping Yocum on speed-dial. No truth to the rumor that they're thinking of moving the...

Matusz gives up three runs in second (trails 4-1)

Matusz gives up three runs in second (trails 4-1)
Left-hander Brian Matusz followed a scoreless first inning tonight with a messy second that's placed the Orioles in a 3-0 hole. Matusz walked a batter in the first and two more in the second. He gave up an RBI double to Scott Sizemore on an 82 mph changeup, an RBI bloop single to Cliff Pennington on a 76 mph curveball and a bloop RBI double to Jemile Weeks on a 90 mph fastball. Pitching coach Rick Adair visited the mound as Matusz struggled through a 28-pitch inning that raised his total to...
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Britton tunes up for Orioles return

Britton tunes up for Orioles return
Pitcher Zach Britton, on the disabled list with a strained left shoulder, allowed one run over five innings in tonight's start for Triple-A Norfolk. Britton gave up three hits to Charlotte, walked one and struck out three. He threw 62 pitches, 39 for strikes, before left-hander Mark Hendrickson replaced him in the top of the sixth. Hendrickson promptly surrendered back-to-back home runs that increased Charlotte's lead to 4-0. Britton fell behind, 1-0, in the first on Dallas McPherson's...

Is Chris Davis done for the year? (new lineup)

Is Chris Davis done for the year? (new lineup)
The hits just keep coming for the Orioles, and not the good kind. First baseman Chris Davis was scratched from tonight's lineup because of continuing discomfort in his right shoulder, and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail confirmed that the former Ranger has a slight tear. He's scheduled to be examined Thursday by, of course, Dr. Lewis Yocum, who's performed surgery on Jake Arrieta and Dan Klein within the past week. Dr. James Andrews must be seething. Davis will go on the...

Orioles receive some positive news on Klein (Davis scratched)

Orioles receive some positive news on Klein (Davis scratched)
Orioles pitching prospect Dan Klein underwent surgery today to repair a small tear in his right labrum and to loosen his shoulder capsule. He'll likely begin a throwing program in mid-December and could begin pitching for an affiliate by June 1. Orthopedic specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum used one anchor to repair the tear. The average amount for a smaller tear is two. "That's good news. There was little damage," said John Stockstill, director of player development. Yocum also loosened the...

Chris Davis returns to lineup

Chris Davis returns to lineup
Chris Davis, who sat out last night's game with a sore right shoulder, is starting at first base tonight. He's avoided the disabled list. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP For the Athletics: Weeks 2B Crisp CF Matsui DH Willingham LF Allen 1B Sizemore 3B DeJesus RF Suzuki C Pennington SS Moscoso RHP

A few things worth noting

A few things worth noting
A victory in either of the remaining two games of this series would clinch the Orioles' first season series win over the Athletics since 1998, when they went 8-3. Warning: In the last six series where the Orioles won the opening game, they've gone 1-12 in the remaining games. They've won seven series openers on the road this year, including their last four in a row. However, the Orioles have won just two of the six road series after claiming the opening game - April 1-3 at Tampa Bay and...

Orioles DFA Lebron

Orioles DFA Lebron
The Orioles have designated reliever Luis Lebron for assignment to make room for pitcher Dylan Bundy on the 40-man roster. Bundy agreed to terms on a major league deal last night shortly before the midnight deadline, so he must be placed on the 40-man. Lebron, 26, missed the 2010 season after undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in May. He was pitching at short-season Single-A Aberdeen this season, allowing three runs and two hits in seven innings over seven...

More Bundy, more game (O's win 6-2)

More Bundy, more game (O's win 6-2)
The Orioles gave high school pitcher Dylan Bundy a five-year major league deal that starts in 2012, which requires the club to place him on the 40-man roster. Baseball America's Jim Callis tweeted that Bundy will receive a guaranteed $6.225 million. However, the $4 million signing bonus included in the deal falls $2 million short of Matt Wieters' club record. One more draft note: The Orioles gave sixth-rounder Nick Delmonico a $1.525 million signing bonus. Meanwhile, the Orioles loaded...