Roch Kubatko

Fox and Patton going in opposite directions

October 04, 2011, 1:02pm

Orioles

Fox and Patton going in opposite directions

Double-A Bowie's Xavier Avery, playing left field and batting ninth yesterday for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League, went 0-for-3 with a walk, run scored and two strikeouts in a 12-8 loss to Phoenix. He was the only Orioles farmhand to appear in the game. I won't make any promises, but we could find out today whether Andy MacPhail ... OK, I'll stop. No lame incremental updates that don't advance the story an inch. Oh sure, it's tempting, but I won't subject you to more of...

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This, that and the other

October 03, 2011, 5:42pm

Orioles

I won't make any promises, but we could find out today whether Andy MacPhail is staying in the organization and being given a different set of responsibilities. Wait, where have I written that before? It's now apparent that MacPhail is deciding his next move, and perhaps there's more for him to consider than previously known. We had every indication that he wasn't going to remain as president of baseball operations, but not because he was being forced out. It just came down to whether he...

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Hardy named Orioles' nominee for Hank Aaron Award

October 03, 2011, 9:48am

Orioles

Shortstop J.J. Hardy has been selected as the Orioles' nominee for the 2011 Hank Aaron Award. Fan voting begins today on mlb.com and runs until Oct 9. A winner will be chosen from each league. The winners will be announced during the World Series. A panel of Hall of Famers, led by Aaron, will join fans in voting for the award, which has recognized the most outstanding offensive performer from each league since 1999. Joe Morgan and former Oriole Robert Alomar have joined the panel this...

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A second look at second base

October 02, 2011, 8:28pm

Orioles

I won't make any promises, but we could find out today whether Andy MacPhail is staying in the organization and being given a different set of responsibilities. I've been led to believe that the first announcement would clear up MacPhail's status and the next one would reveal his replacement - whether that's Buck Showalter or someone else. But it's possible that the delay has something to do with combining both pieces of news and eliminating the ongoing speculation. I just want to get...

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Pitching is starting to look like a top priority

October 01, 2011, 6:04pm

Orioles

Pitching is starting to look like a top priority

In case you missed it, outfielder Felix Pie elected to become a free agent. He can sign with any team. I don't think the Orioles are near the top of the list. And speaking of lists, the Orioles rank starting pitching first among their priorities this winter. They need a bat in the middle of their lineup. They might need a left fielder, corner infielder, designated hitter and second baseman. They might need a late-inning reliever. But another arm for the rotation tops all of them. The...

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What should Showalter do?

September 30, 2011, 8:21pm

Orioles

If you're looking for manager Buck Showalter today, he's attending the TCU-SMU football game. A promise he made to his kids. I'm not sure where president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail is hanging out this weekend, but he won't be making any statements on his future in the organization. Things change quickly around here, but as I wrote yesterday, we probably won't learn of MacPhail's decision before Monday. He's not staying in his current role, but he could stick around as an...

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Your incremental MacPhail update

September 30, 2011, 11:49am

Orioles

I always point out how I strongly dislike incremental updates that don't advance a story, but here I go again. The Orioles haven't made an announcement today regarding president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, and we probably won't hear anything until Monday at the earliest. Nothing has changed at this point. MacPhail will no longer serve as president of baseball operations unless there's a dramatic turn in events that nobody is anticipating. The question is whether he stays in the...

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MacPhail leaving organization

September 30, 2011, 11:15am

Orioles

A source confirmed tonight that Andy MacPhail no longer will serve as president of baseball operations and is leaving the organization This isn't a resignation or a firing, despite the wording in some national reports. MacPhail's contract ends on Oct. 31. MacPhail flew to Florida earlier this week to attend to a family matter. He couldn't be reached tonight for comment. Family obligations are a primary reason why MacPhail won't return, according to a source. It was known for much of the...

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Showalter on Andino

September 29, 2011, 11:11am

Orioles

One of the lasting images from the 2011 season was provided last night by second baseman Robert Andino. Not just his game-winning hit, but the way he bounded around the bases, took a flying chest-bump from Adam Jones and landed on his back. And the way he disappeared under a pile of jubilant teammates. And the way he strutted back to the dugout on his way to the clubhouse, waving that right arm in the air. OK, that's four lasting images. I warned you about my math. Andino almost didn't...

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Showalter speaks about "special" night

September 28, 2011, 9:00pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter couldn't return to his office after meeting with reporters until he returned to the field through the home plate entrance and waved to fans who refused to go home. Pitcher Tommy Hunter tossed baseballs into the stands. It felt like the final regular-season game in 1979, except this wasn't Memorial Staidum and the Orioles weren't heading to the playoffs. The Orioles rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Red Sox, 4-3. A few...

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There's got to be a morning after ...

September 28, 2011, 7:47pm

Orioles

I might be confused, but I'm pretty sure what I eat this morning determines whether a Boston sportswriter has to skip breakfast. All of us in the press box who cover the Orioles were in agreement that last night's ending made up for a lot of the aggravation, frustration and heartache of a 14th consecutive losing season. The three straight two-out hits off Boston closer and face contortionist Jonathan Papelbon. The wild celebration between second and third, with Robert Andino leaping in the...

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From tarp to targets (Andino wins it in ninth)

September 28, 2011, 7:05pm

Orioles

From tarp to targets (Andino wins it in ninth)

Play resumed at 10:58 p.m. after a 1 hour, 26 minute rain delay. Boston reliever Alfredo Aceves might need a few more warmup tosses. Aceves hit Mark Reynolds in the left ribcage with his first pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning. Chris Davis flied out, and Aceves drilled Nolan Reimold in the left shoulder. Reimold flipped his bat, walked toward first base and glared at Aceves. He wore an expression that said, "Are you kidding me?" Aceves isn't throwing at the Orioles with his team...

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Game update and Reimold note (and attendance)

September 28, 2011, 4:53pm

Orioles

Game update and Reimold note (and attendance)

Alfredo Simon lasted only 4 1/3 innings tonight. Dustin Pedroia hit a tie-breaking home run in the top of the fifth, and Simon exited after David Ortiz singled off the out-of-town scoreboard in right field. Simon was charged with three runs and six hits, with three walks, two strikeouts and a balk. He threw 87 pitches, 53 for strikes. Simon also gave up three runs in his last start, but they were spread out over eight innings against the Tigers. In the start before that one, he allowed six...

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Angle, Jones and more (score tied 2-2)

September 28, 2011, 4:00pm

Orioles

Alfredo Simon stranded a runner in the first inning and another one in the second, but the Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the third. No. 9 hitter Mike Aviles drew a leadoff walk, moved up on Jacoby Ellsbury's single and scored on Dustin Pedroia's single. Ellsbury extended his hitting streak against the Orioles to 36 games. Simon got a double play, issued an intentional walk and struck out Ryan Lavarnway, who homered twice last night. His pitch count is up to 52 through three innings. The...

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Jones talks about MVO award

September 28, 2011, 2:02pm

Orioles

I'm hearing now that it's highly unlikely that the Orioles make an announcement tomorrow regarding president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Something would have to change during the afternoon. Maybe on Friday. Center fielder Adam Jones beat out shortstop J.J. Hardy by one vote for Most Valuable Oriole. I expected a close count, but that's taking it to the extreme. "It's a tremendous honor," Jones said. "Played a hard season, a long season. There's a lot of deserving guys...

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Chris Davis to undergo hernia surgery

September 28, 2011, 1:08pm

Orioles

You can add corner infielder Chris Davis to the list of Orioles who will undergo sports hernia surgery after the season. Davis is in tonight's lineup at third base. He's batting .265 with five homers and 19 RBIs. "It's something he's had for a while," Showalter said. Second baseman Ryan Adams is scheduled to undergo a similar procedure on Oct. 4 in Philadelphia. Also, outfielder Matt Angle will work out at second base in the fall instructional league in Sarasota. "You've got Bordy...

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Jones named MVO (with O's and Boston lineups)

September 28, 2011, 10:32am

Orioles

Jones named MVO (with O's and Boston lineups)

Adam Jones has been named Most Valuable Oriole for the 2011 season. J.J. Hardy placed second and Matt Wieters was third. Both players received first-place votes. Mark Reynolds, Jim Johnson, Robert Andino and Nick Markakis also received votes from members of the media who cover the team. Jones has set career highs with 26 doubles, 25 home runs, 83 RBIs and 150 games played. He's tied for the team lead with 14 outfield assists, and leads all American League center fielders in...

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Showalter speaks after 8-7 loss

September 27, 2011, 7:22pm

Orioles

Nick Markakis milked Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon for 11 pitches in the bottom of the ninth inning. Adam Jones worked him for 10 before bouncing out to end the game. Papelbon needed 28 pitches to record the save in the Red Sox's 8-7 win. The Orioles didn't go quietly. Not after falling behind 8-4 in the eighth inning, and not after trailing 8-6 in the ninth. "I don't think it surprises anybody who knows those two guys," manager Buck Showalter said. "I know you all get tired of...

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Orioles' rally falls short

September 27, 2011, 6:44pm

Orioles

The Orioles scored once against Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Adam Jones bounced to third base with the count full to strand the potential tying run at second in an 8-7 loss before an announced 22,123 at Camden Yards. Jones saw 10 pitches in the at-bat. J.J. Hardy led off with a single and took second on a bouncer to first base by Nick Markakis that concluded an 11-pitch at-bat. Markakis was swinging at everything because he didn't trust umpire Wally...

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It's up to the bullpens (O's trail 8-6)

September 27, 2011, 5:07pm

Orioles

Former Oriole Erik Bedard didn't make it out of the fourth inning tonight. Rookie Zach Britton didn't make it out of the fifth. Nothing here that screams "quality," but they do classify as starts. Bedard allowed three runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings, with three walks and six strikeouts. He threw 84 pitches, 48 for strikes. Britton was charged with five runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings, with two walks, two strikeouts, one wild pitch and two home runs. He threw 84 pitches, 45 for...