Roch Kubatko

Wieters grounds out, charged with passed ball

July 12, 2011, 7:04pm

Orioles

Wieters grounds out, charged with passed ball

Matt Wieters finally got to bat in his first All-Star Game, grounding to second baseman Brandon Phillips on the first pitch thrown by Atlanta's Jonny Venters while leading off the top of the eighth inning. Wieters, batting from the right side, swung at a 97 mph fastball. No sense wasting any time. Wieters made the American League team largely on his defense, but he was charged with his first passed ball of 2011 in the bottom of the seventh after Seattle's Brandon League crossed him up. The...

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Wieters behind the AL plate (will lead off eighth)

July 12, 2011, 6:30pm

Orioles

Wieters behind the AL plate (will lead off eighth)

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters entered tonight's All-Star Game in the bottom of the sixth inning. That didn't take too long. I thought American League manager Ron Washington might save him for extra innings. Wieters set the target for Indians reliever Chris Perez, who gave up a double to former teammate Yadier Molina in a scoreless inning. Wieters has faced Perez only once in his career, so his familiarity with the right-hander is limited, but I'm sure he got acquainted with everyone on the...

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Reviewing the first half

July 11, 2011, 12:55pm

Orioles

If you weren't invited to the All-Star Game as a late replacement, you might want to check your voicemail or text messages. My interest in the "mid-summer classic" has waned over the years. Considering that three-fourths of the players chosen this year withdrew for various reasons - they're injured, they pitched on Sunday, they don't like a dry heat - I'd prefer to watch any program with a Kardashian sister. (Scott Rolen is the starting third baseman for the National League. He's...

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Quick updates on Scott and Duchscherer (and Miclat)

July 11, 2011, 11:37am

Orioles

Quick updates on Scott and Duchscherer (and Miclat)

Nothing major here, but Luke Scott and Justin Duchscherer were examined today by team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens while the rest of the team - with the exception of All-Star catcher Matt Wieters - returned home or went on vacation. Scott underwent an MRA last week that didn't reveal additional damage to his right shoulder. He received another cortisone injection today, along with further reassurances that he could be activated from the disabled list on July 19. Scott could end up having...

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What's happening at second base?

July 10, 2011, 5:27pm

Orioles

You know it's going bad for Jeremy Guthrie when he gives up one run yesterday and loses his 12th game. Talk about no run support! Guthrie pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief of Mitch Atkins. He's slated to start Thursday night against the Indians at Camden Yards, but he could switch places with Jake Arrieta. Yes, the Orioles also play at Camden Yards. It's just been a while. I can't talk about the rotation today. I'll get back to it later this week, but not today. I don't want to compute...

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Quick Machado update

July 10, 2011, 3:38pm

Orioles

Shortstop Manny Machado went 0-for-2 tonight in the All-Star Futures Game in Phoenix. Machado, batting second, flied to right field in the first inning and flied to right again in the third. They looked like duplicate outs. Tim Beckham, the first-overall pick in the 2008 draft, pinch-hit for Machado with two outs in the fifth inning and Team USA leading the World Team, 3-0. Machado is hitting .222 with two homers and four RBIs in 14 games at Single-A Frederick. He batted .276 with six...

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Are eight ejections enough? (O's lose 8-6)

July 10, 2011, 12:09pm

Orioles

Are eight ejections enough? (O's lose 8-6)

Since plate umpire Marty Foster issued warnings to both benches, he's had to toss Red Sox pitcher Kyle Weiland and manager Terry Francona, and Orioles pitcher Michael Gonzalez and manager Buck Showalter. Weiland hit Vladimir Guerrero on the hand. Gonzalez threw behind David Ortiz. Buck Showalter is not happy with losing Reynolds and Guerrero Ortiz still hasn't been hit in this series, but he's been front and center in the series-long feud. He's the biggest target and nobody can hit...

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Quick Matusz, Reynolds and game updates (Weiland ejected)

July 10, 2011, 11:05am

Orioles

Quick Matusz, Reynolds and game updates (Weiland ejected)

Left-hander Brian Matusz threw 105 pitches in 5 1/3 innings today for Triple-A Norfolk. He left with two runners on base, and they both scored while he sat in the dugout. Matusz is charged with two runs and six hits. He walked three, struck out six and threw a wild pitch. He threw 60 strikes among his 105 pitches. Nick Bierbrodt let the inherited runners score. Matusz gave up two hits in the first inning, a bunt single and walk in the third, a single and walk in the fourth, a single in the...

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Can Guthrie provide relief? (Reynolds injured)

July 10, 2011, 10:39am

Orioles

Can Guthrie provide relief? (Reynolds injured)

Mitch Atkins is done after 1 2/3 innings, which makes him a perfect fit for this Orioles rotation. Atkins gave up three home runs in the second inning, though not in a row. It wasn't that bad. Kevin Youkilis just tied the game, 6-6, with a two-run shot that sent Atkins to the bench. Atkins also surrendered homers to Marco Scutaro and Dustin Pedroia among his seven hits and 64 pitches. Jeremy Guthrie is making his second relief appearance. He's scheduled to start the second-half opener...

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Another early deficit (O's take lead)

July 10, 2011, 10:00am

Orioles

The Orioles didn't turn a double play. They didn't come up with a sharp ground ball. They didn't put a batter away after getting ahead in the count. They didn't keep the game scoreless in the bottom of the first inning. Yes, the Orioles will play from behind again today. The Red Sox scored twice off Mitch Atkins in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead at Fenway Park. Robert Andino couldn't turn a double play on Dustin Pedroia's sharp grounder that followed Jacoby Ellsbury's leadoff...

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While waiting for the lineups (and here they are)

July 10, 2011, 6:02am

Orioles

While waiting for the lineups (and here they are)

For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Derrek Lee 1B Mark Reynolds 3B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Mitch Atkins RHP For the Red Sox: Ellsbury CF Pedroia 2B Gonzalez 1B Youkilis 3B Ortiz DH Reddick LF Varitek C Drew RF Scutaro SS Weiland RHP Orioles starters have completed seven innings just once in the last 25 games and have a 7.41 ERA in 119 innings. In the last 15 games, the starters are 2-11 with a 9.00 ERA in...

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Another night, another loss (and Norfolk update)

July 09, 2011, 6:23pm

Orioles

Another night, another loss (and Norfolk update)

I wondered this morning whether last night's brawl would serve as a "rallying point" tonight. I warned that they could fall behind by 18 runs in the first inning. Wrong and wrong. The Orioles went down quietly, managing only four hits and losing, 4-0, at Fenway Park. Buck Showalter meets with Jim Hunter after the O's are shutout by the Red Sox 4-0 They've dropped six in a row and been outscored, 50-18, during the stretch. They've lost 20 of 26. They're crawling to the All-Star break....

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Simon doesn't complete five, Orioles not competing against Lackey

July 09, 2011, 5:14pm

Orioles

In typical Orioles fashion, the starting pitcher didn't complete five innings tonight and the opponent did all of its damage with two outs. The Orioles should receive a check in the mail whenever it happens to another team. Alfredo Simon took a shutout into the fifth inning, but the Red Sox scored three runs with two outs on doubles by Kevin Youkilis and Josh Reddick. Simon matched his season high in innings by going 4 2/3. He allowed seven hits, walked three batters - two intentionally -...

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Britton optioned to Double-A Bowie (with MacPhail quotes)

July 09, 2011, 1:03pm

Orioles

Britton optioned to Double-A Bowie (with MacPhail quotes)

The Orioles found a way to reduce Zach Britton's innings, at least on the major league level. Britton will be optioned to Double-A Bowie to make room for Mark Hendrickson on the 25-man roster. Didn't see that one coming. Britton is 6-7 with a 4.05 ERA in his rookie season. He's won only once in his last 12 starts, and lasted only two-thirds of an inning last night, allowing seven earned runs (eight total) and six hits. He's given up 17 earned runs (20 total) and 26 hits in his last four...

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Reimold in left field tonight

July 09, 2011, 11:50am

Orioles

Nolan Reimold has cracked the lineup tonight against Red Sox right-hander John Lackey, but Blake Davis remains on the bench. For the Orioles: J.J.Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Derrek Lee 1B Mark Reynolds 3B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Alfredo Simon RHP X-rays on Brad Bergesen's right arm came back clean. He feels good and should be able to avoid the disabled list. No word on any suspensions being handed out from last night's brawl....

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A few pregame notes

July 09, 2011, 10:42am

Orioles

The Orioles didn't allow 10 or more runs in their first 37 road games this year before allowing 10 or more in four of the last five. They've surrendered 10 or more hits in 19 of their 42 road games and are 1-18. The Orioles have allowed 81 hits in the last six games, including at least 10 hits in six straight. They've been outscored 50-18 during the current five-game losing streak. According to Elias, Zach Britton is only the third Orioles starting pitcher to allow at least eight runs...

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More on Hendrickson

July 09, 2011, 6:52am

Orioles

Did you really think a season would pass without Mark Hendrickson wearing an Orioles uniform? Hendrickson is heading to Boston and will have his contract purchased from Triple-A Norfolk. A corresponding move will be announced. The Orioles need a fresh reliever after Zach Britton lasted only two-thirds of an inning and Brad Bergesen took a David Ortiz line drive off his right forearm. Chris Jakubauskas has pitched the last two nights. Left-hander Pedro Viola warmed up and entered last...

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Gregg gives Orioles a puncher's chance (Hendrickson joining club)

July 08, 2011, 8:00pm

Orioles

Two more games before the All-Star break. Two more games before sweet relief. I'll remind all of the pessimists that the Orioles can't go 0-10 on this road trip. They won a game. Stop being so negative. Speaking of sweet relief, the Orioles could use it after Zach Britton lasted two-thirds of an inning last night and Brad Bergesen tried to shake hands with David Ortiz's line drive. The Orioles have allowed 10 runs or more in four of their last five games. Now their starters can't get...

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Ortiz, Gregg throw punches (updated)

July 08, 2011, 6:16pm

Orioles

David Ortiz and Orioles reliever Kevin Gregg exchanged punches in the bottom of the eighth inning. Finally, a little excitement. Ortiz started it. Gregg wasn't going to let him end it. Ortiz took exception to an inside pitch from Gregg earlier in the at-bat and started walking toward the mound. Ortiz pointed at Gregg as both dugouts and bullpens emptied. Gregg moved toward Ortiz and jawed at him with each step. Once order was restored, Ortiz flied to center field on the next pitch and...

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Orioles trying to rally (Boston expands lead)

July 08, 2011, 4:57pm

Orioles

The Orioles scored three runs in the fifth inning off Boston starter Josh Beckett, the first on Derrek Lee's leadoff homer. Red Sox 8, Orioles 3. Nick Markakis and Adam Jones had RBI singles, but Vladimir Guerrero stranded two runners by striking out. Dagger. Brad Bergesen was diagnosed with a bruised right forearm. He also took a liner off his arm in an exhibition game this spring. And we'll never forget Billy Butler's shot off his shin on July 30, 2009. His days as a target need to...