Roch Kubatko

Guerrero cleaning up again

August 11, 2011, 11:35am

Orioles

Vladimir Guerrero has returned to the lineup and will bat fourth. J.J. Hardy returns to the leadoff spot. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Chris Tillman RHP

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Quick Matusz update (last update)

August 11, 2011, 9:58am

Orioles

Left-hander Brian Matusz appeared to take another big step forward in his eventual return to the Orioles' rotation. I say "appeared" because I don't have a scouting report from today's start against Lehigh Valley. But Matusz has blanked the Iron Pigs - yes, I just wrote that - on five hits over seven innings, with one walk, eight strikeouts and two hit batters. Matusz has thrown 95 pitches, 64 for strikes. He's induced seven ground balls and three fly balls. Matusz is locked in a duel...

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Reimold talks about his walk-off

August 10, 2011, 7:00pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold hadn't homered since July 26 before tonight's big swing off White Sox reliever Jason Frasor. Reimold was hitless in four at-bats tonight before stepping to the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning. He ended up with a pretty sweet 1-for-5. "I was just trying to be relaxed," he said. "I was 0-for-4 at that point. Just relax and not be tense. I got a pitch to hit, my first pitch, so I didn't take it. I jumped on it and was happy to come through." After getting pied in the...

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Showalter speaks after 6-4 win

August 10, 2011, 6:50pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold ended tonight's game with one out in the 10th inning by launching a ball 430 feet into the visiting bullpen. "Good for Nolan," manager Buck Showalter said after the Orioles' 6-4 win. "Put a good swing on it. You could tell he had little approach there, what he was looking for, and he didn't miss it. "I think he just missed a ball earlier, too. Nolan's a strong guy with a lot of skills. Not very often do the waters part and there's just an open-end ticket. He's got...

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Talking about Arrieta, the lineup and Berken

August 10, 2011, 5:43pm

Orioles

Talking about Arrieta, the lineup and Berken

The first 10,000 fans 15 and older who attend tonight's game will receive a Jake Arrieta T-shirt. Yes, I know, a Brian Matusz bobblehead and a Jake Arrieta T-shirt. I can't wait for Jake Fox Photo Night. Before you ask, the Arrieta bobblehead doesn't come with a little bone spur or a sling or a tiny Dr. Yocum. I've heard 'em all. Well, feel free to add your own, but I've probably heard it. Arrieta underwent a CT scan and MRI on his right elbow yesterday - taking the advice of agent...

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Jones answers Hardy (Reimold walk-off HR)

August 10, 2011, 4:40pm

Orioles

Jones answers Hardy (Reimold walk-off HR)

Shortstop J.J. Hardy hit his 21st home run in the first inning to break a tie with Adam Jones for second place on the team behind Mark Reynolds (26). Jones homered in the fifth to create another tie. Talk about a short-lived lead. At least the Orioles have held one since the first inning. Jones' homer, measured at 405 feet, increased the Orioles' lead to 4-0 and gave him a career-high 71 RBIs. Tommy Hunter retired nine in a row before Alex Rios led off the fifth with a double. He set...

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Another hearty helping of Hardy homers (updated)

August 10, 2011, 3:27pm

Orioles

Another hearty helping of Hardy homers (updated)

J.J. Hardy is batting second tonight. He's mostly been leading off. He'd move down to ninth if manager Buck Showalter preferred it. Hardy doesn't care where he hits. The results are pretty much the same anyway. Hardy homered again tonight, connecting off White Sox starter Philip Humber with one out and the count full in the first inning. The ball traveled an estimated distance of 382 feet and gave the Orioles a quick 1-0 lead. Hardy has 21 home runs in 84 games. Remember that he missed...

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Bell awaiting results of MRI

August 10, 2011, 1:41pm

Orioles

Third baseman Josh Bell underwent an MRI today that he hopes will explain the source of the pain in his left side that's been bothering him for about three months. Bell said he's been dealing with a sore muscle that's located in the "oblique area." The discomfort intensifies when he's immobile and has been interrupting his sleep. "It feels like somebody is sitting on top of me," he said. "It's fine once I've been moving around, but whenever I wake up, I pretty much have to get...

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Updating Guerrero, Arrieta, Britton and more

August 10, 2011, 12:52pm

Orioles

Updating Guerrero, Arrieta, Britton and more

Manager Buck Showalter told reporters today that he's letting Vladimir Guerrero "freshen up" and expects the veteran to be in the lineup tomorrow night. Guerrero is 1-for-18 on this homestand and has two home runs since July 6. Asked whether Guerrero would be the cleanup hitter tomorrow night, Showalter replied, "More than likely." But he didn't make any promises. Guerrero is 13-for-36 (.361) lifetime against White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle, who starts tomorrow. He has two doubles,...

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New leadoff and cleanup hitters tonight

August 10, 2011, 11:36am

Orioles

Felix Pie is batting first tonight as part of a revamped lineup. J.J. Hardy drops down to second. Adam Jones is batting cleanup, and Vladimir Guerrero is taking a seat on the bench. For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Nolan Reimold DH Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP

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More clubhouse chatter

August 09, 2011, 6:43pm

Orioles

Nick Markakis was in the middle of two crucial moments in tonight's game. If you've been following along, you know that he broke back toward second base on Vladimir Guerrero's one-out single into center field in the fourth inning. He also was incorrectly called out attempting to steal third base in the fifth inning. He'll first address his reaction to Guerrero's single: "That's a line drive right at you and your first natural reaction is to freeze, but I've got to do a better job of...

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Showalter returns for postgame media session

August 09, 2011, 6:31pm

Orioles

Showalter returns for postgame media session

Manager Buck Showalter was ejected by third base umpire Phil Cuzzi in the fifth inning tonight, but he still handled the postgame session with the media. He didn't shower, dress and leave the ballpark. Cuzzi missed the call on Nick Markakis, who clearly beat Brent Morel's tag. "It's one of those things. It's unfortunate," Showalter said. "You can usually go back to three or four things that would have made it not matter, but it's tough. Obviously, he's safe, but it's tough. Things...

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Who cleans up mess in fourth slot?

August 09, 2011, 5:11pm

Orioles

Need a reason to feel optimistic about tonight's game? Tommy Hunter has made one career start against the White Sox, back on July 3, 2010, and he held them to one run over seven innings. Adam Jones collected his 70th RBI last night in the Orioles' 113th game, putting him on pace for 100 RBIs this season. He would become the third center fielder in club history to reach the century mark. Name the other two. (Answer below. No fair looking it up.) Felix Pie had two more hits off Gavin Floyd,...

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That's why Pie is in the lineup (Showalter ejected)

August 09, 2011, 4:38pm

Orioles

That's why Pie is in the lineup (Showalter ejected)

I pointed out this morning that Felix Pie was 7-for-12 lifetime against White Sox starter Gavin Floyd. Make it 8-for-13. Pie has walked and singled tonight, and he helped to fuel a three-run fifth inning that reduced Chicago's lead to 4-3. Matt Wieters, Pie and Robert Andino strung together hits to load the bases with no outs. Station-to-station worked in this case. Wieters scored on J.J. Hardy's fielders choice grounder, Nick Markakis followed with an RBI single and another run scored on...

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Reyes blending into rotation (and exiting game)

August 09, 2011, 3:36pm

Orioles

Reyes blending into rotation (and exiting game)

If you want to be one of the guys here, you've got to give up runs with two outs. That's especially true if you're part of the rotation. Jo-Jo Reyes, making his first start with the Orioles, retired the side in order in the top of the first inning. Paul Konerko worked Reyes for nine of the left-hander's 16 pitches before lining to left field. Carlos Quentin led off the second with a 390-foot home run, ending Reyes' bid for a perfect game. Reyes retired the next two batters, but he...

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Pregame notes

August 09, 2011, 12:57pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed that he's considered moving Vladimir Guerrero out of the cleanup spot, in case anyone thought the idea hadn't crossed his mind. "Obviously, he hasn't been as productive as you'd like to see from a guy hitting in that spot in the order," Showalter said. Showalter has a few candidates in mind, though he's not giving away names. If he had an ideal replacement, he probably would have acted upon it by now. My guess is Mark Reynolds and Adam Jones...

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Chris Davis back in lineup

August 09, 2011, 11:29am

Orioles

First baseman Chris Davis is back in the lineup tonight and batting fifth against White Sox right-hander Gavin Floyd. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Chris Davis 1B Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Felix Pie LF Robert Andino 2B Jo-Jo Reyes LHP

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More clubhouse chatter

August 08, 2011, 6:40pm

Orioles

J.J. Hardy: "It's frustrating. We battled back, we took the lead. They got a couple of hits there, I think, it was the eighth, that brought them back the lead. A couple of broken-bat bloopers fell in. That's just bad luck and frustrating. Anytime we're up in the eighth inning, I feel like we've got a pretty good shot. J.J. (Jim Johnson) has been unbelievable all year. It was just a little bad luck tonight." "I definitely hit some balls right down the line. Those could go foul any day -...

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Showalter speaks after 7-6 loss

August 08, 2011, 6:24pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter didn't bury third baseman Josh Bell or center fielder Adam Jones during his postgame session with the media. Not that I expected him to do it. Bell committed an error and failed to make a play in the decisive eighth inning that allowed the go-ahead run to score. Jones made a poor throw that put the go-ahead run in scoring position before Bell's botched attempt to field a grounder to his left side. Buck Showalter talks to the media about the O's making it a close...

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Looking back and ahead (with note)

August 08, 2011, 5:43pm

Orioles

The first 15 Orioles were retired Saturday night. The first nine were retired Sunday afternoon. The first six were retired last night. That's what I call progress. The Orioles are getting off to slow starts. That's the point I'm trying to make here. And the second inning has really been a sinkhole. The Orioles are 0-for-33 in the second inning over their last 10 games since Mark Reynolds hit a home run off A.J. Burnett on July 29. The offense is batting .190 (23-for-121) with 13 runs...