Roch Kubatko

Atkins teetering, Jones homering, Angle starting (updated)

July 17, 2011, 10:28am

Orioles

Atkins teetering, Jones homering, Angle starting (updated)

Mitch Atkins has thrown 50 pitches in two innings. Mark Hendrickson began to warm with two outs in the second, but Atkins struck out Carlos Santana to strand two runners. Atkins lasted only 1 2/3 innings in his last start in Boston, so he's cleared that mark. But he won't be around much longer if he continues to labor. Seven of the 13 batters he's faced have reached base. Adam Jones, batting cleanup today, crushed a Jeanmar Gomez slider for his 15th home run, reducing the Indians' lead...

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Home runs continue to haunt Atkins

July 17, 2011, 9:57am

Orioles

Mitch Atkins gave up three home runs to the Boston Red Sox in the second inning of his most recent start at Fenway Park. He's allowed two homers to the Indians in the first inning today. The long ball could lead to another short day for Atkins. Travis Hafner and Carlos Santana went back-to-back with two outs. Manager Buck Showalter argued that the ball was foul, but the call stood after umpires reviewed it. Santana's ball is the 56th to land on Eutaw St. in Camden Yards history, the 32nd...

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A few pregame notes (and Indians lineup)

July 17, 2011, 7:58am

Orioles

A few pregame notes (and Indians lineup)

Manager Buck Showalter decided to give Matt Angle his first start today for two reasons: He didn't want Angle's debut to come tomorrow night against Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, and he didn't want Angle to sit for two days. Angle worked with outfield coach Wayne Kirby this morning, taking fly balls in left. Angle played every outfield position in spring training. Showalter is hoping that Vladimir Guerrero will be ready to come off the disabled list when eligible on July 26....

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Angle in today's lineup

July 17, 2011, 7:19am

Orioles

Matt Angle is making his major league debut today, and he's doing it in left field and atop the batting order. Welcome to The Show. For the Orioles: Matt Angle LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters DH Derrek Lee 1B Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Craig Tatum C Mitch Atkins RHP

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Quick update on Matusz

July 17, 2011, 6:52am

Orioles

Orioles pitching coach Rick Adair received positive reports on left-hander Brian Matusz, who made his third start last night for Triple-A Norfolk and blanked Gwinnett on three hits over seven innings. Matusz walked two and struck out eight. Matusz's fastball mostly sat at 86 mph with the Orioles, but Adair said it averaged 88 mph and touched 90 last night. "He was good, better," Adair said. "His velocity on average was up a little bit. His changeup was good. He held runners. And...

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Showalter speaks after 6-5 win

July 16, 2011, 6:34pm

Orioles

Michael Gonzalez recorded his first save tonight since the third game of the 2010 season at Tropicana Field. Yes, it's been that long. Ending a nine-game losing streak is never easy. So what was it like for manager Buck Showalter to watch a starting pitcher throw strikes, go seven innings and give his team a chance to win? "Kind of reminds you of the formula," he said. "Obviously, Alfredo (Simon) was really good. Most innings, he's been. Pretty close to his pitch count. We were going...

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Orioles put Guerrero on DL, option Viola

July 16, 2011, 6:02pm

Orioles

Why wait until tomorrow when you can announce your roster moves tonight? The Orioles placed Vladimir Guerrero on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 11, and optioned left-hander Pedro Viola to Double-A Bowie. Outfielder Matt Angle and left-hander Troy Patton have been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and will be in uniform tomorrow afternoon. Patton will be used in long and middle relief. There are no current plans to place him in the rotation.

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More Simon and Matusz (O's end nine-game skid)

July 16, 2011, 4:51pm

Orioles

More Simon and Matusz (O's end nine-game skid)

Tonight's attendance: 24,835 Alfredo Simon became the second Orioles pitcher to complete seven innings in the last 29 games dating back to June 12. And he's in line for the win. It all starts with starting pitching. Simon allowed two runs and three hits, walked one and struck out five. He threw 79 pitches, 56 for strikes, before Koji Uehara replaced him to begin the eighth. This is Simon's longest outing since Sept. 23, 2008. He'll leave the team tomorrow night and fly to the Dominican...

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Updating Simon and Matusz (Markakis homers)

July 16, 2011, 4:27pm

Orioles

Updating Simon and Matusz (Markakis homers)

Alfredo Simon lost his shutout and the lead, but he got through the sixth inning, which is cause for celebration. I'm thinking about a parade down Pratt Street. Bring your own confetti. The Indians scored twice in the sixth on Michael Brantley's double, and Simon needed a diving stop by first baseman Derrek Lee and Adam Jones' catch at the center field fence to avoid further damage. Simon is only the third starter to get through six innings in the last 19 games. Jeremy Guthrie is the...

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Simon strong through third, more on Hardy (updated)

July 16, 2011, 3:44pm

Orioles

Simon strong through third, more on Hardy (updated)

Alfredo Simon has retired the first nine batters he's faced tonight, striking out two in the third inning. He fanned Ezequiel Carrera on a 94 mph fastball. J.J. Hardy celebrated his contract extension, which becomes official after he passes his physical, by leading off the bottom of the first with a double, hustling to third base on Nick Markakis' fly ball to left field, and scoring on Adam Jones' fly ball to center. Orioles 1, Indians 0. Markakis was asked earlier today about Hardy's...

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Angle heading to Baltimore (Patton, too)

July 16, 2011, 2:22pm

Orioles

Angle heading to Baltimore (Patton, too)

Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Matt Angle, a seventh-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2007, has left the Tides and is heading to Camden Yards. Angle, 25, could be officially recalled as a roster replacement for Vladimir Guerrero, who is expected to be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured bone in his right hand. Guerrero was in manager Buck Showalter's office with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail shortly before 6 p.m. The Orioles also will have an opening on...

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Scott updates himself

July 16, 2011, 2:09pm

Orioles

Luke Scott took two rounds of batting practice today, but he didn't "turn anything loose." "I didn't think it would be a good idea," he said. "Just kind of build into it and be smart. Part of me wants to just go all out, but the gray hairs on my head tell me otherwise." Scott estimates that it's 50-50 whether he's ready to come off the disabled list on Tuesday. "It's a possibility," he said. Scott received a cortisone injection in his right shoulder yesterday and is scheduled...

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Hardy talks about his contract extension

July 16, 2011, 1:21pm

Orioles

Hardy talks about his contract extension

Shortstop J.J. Hardy is scheduled to take his physical tomorrow before signing his new three-year contract. The Orioles won't make an announcement until Hardy signs, but he met with the media at his locker earlier today and confirmed the deal, which The Sun reported will pay him between $22 and $22.5 million total through 2014 and will include a limited eight-team no-trade clause. "There's a lot of things that I don't have to worry about now," he said. "It's definitely a relief, a big...

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Latest on Guerrero, Scott and the rotation

July 16, 2011, 12:54pm

Orioles

Latest on Guerrero, Scott and the rotation

Vladimir Guerrero said the pain in his right hand is the same as yesterday. No improvement. He didn't try to swing a bat today after taking four cuts yesterday and giving up. The Orioles could put Guerrero on the disabled list later today, retroactive to Monday, but they aren't expected to add a player to their 25-man roster before tomorrow. They'll play again tonight with two healthy reserves on their bench. Luke Scott will report to Double-A Bowie tomorrow if his shoulder continues to...

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Guerrero still out of lineup

July 16, 2011, 11:44am

Orioles

Vladimir Guerrero remains on the active roster, but out of tonight's lineup. I'm told that Triple-A third baseman Josh Bell and outfielder Matt Angle are with the Tides in Gwinnett. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Derrek Lee 1B Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie LF Nolan Reimold DH Blake Davis 2B Alfredo Smon RHP

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Machado cleared to play tonight

July 16, 2011, 10:13am

Orioles

Shortstop Manny Machado has been cleared to play tonight for Single-A Frederick after leaving last night's game with tightness in his hip flexor. However, it hasn't been determined whether he'll be in the starting lineup. Machado made a leaping throw in the hole last night and landed awkwardly. He left the field with the Keys' head athletic trainer, bringing more angst to an organization that lost him earlier this season to a dislocated knee cap while he played at low Single-A...

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Just a Matusz of time

July 15, 2011, 8:40pm

Orioles

I wouldn't be surprised if the Orioles placed Vladimir Guerrero on the disabled list this weekend. It's the corresponding roster move that remains a mystery. They need help everywhere. Maybe it's

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More clubhouse chatter

July 15, 2011, 7:25pm

Orioles

Congratulations to Single-A Frederick closer Manny Machado's hip injury: The night was not all positive for Frederick however as after making a leaping throw in shallow left on a fantastic backhand play deep in the hole at short, Keys SS Manny Machado left the game with Athletic Trainer Pat Wesley to his side. Machado went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI's prior to the injury. OK, back to Camden Yards. Here's Jake Arrieta: "It's tough, especially when we get a run in the bottom of an inning and I...

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Showalter speaks after 6-5 loss

July 15, 2011, 6:45pm

Orioles

The Orioles have lost nine games in a row to fall 18 below .500. They'll probably have to put Vladimir Guerrero on the disabled list to avoid being handcuffed by a short bench, which came into play tonight. They're expected to put tomorrow night's starter, Alfredo Simon, on the restricted list Sunday when he flies to the Dominican Republic. They still need a starter for Monday, which could come from the bullpen or Triple-A Norfolk. And Single-A Frederick shortstop Manny Machado left...

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Orioles' losing streak reaches nine games

July 15, 2011, 6:07pm

Orioles

At least this one was close and nobody is facing a suspension or fine. Jim Johnson gave up the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, and the Orioles lost to the Indians, 6-5, at Camden Yards. They've won six games since running their record to 30-31. Its gone from bad to worse to...whatever you want to call it. Johnson was the pitcher of record the last time that the Orioles won a game - July 3 in Atlanta - but he's allowed runs in four of his last five appearances. It took only two batters...