Roch Kubatko

Showalter confirms Matusz will make next start

June 25, 2011, 6:54pm

Orioles

Showalter confirms Matusz will make next start

Things tend to change around here, and often times in a hurry, but manager Buck Showalter indicated after tonight's game that left-hander Brian Matusz will remain in the rotation and make his next start. "It seems like a lot of balls squared up off him when he's kind of down sometimes," Showalter said. "It looks like he's getting some outs up. I've seen him when he's good, and he has good command of the fastball. Really all his pitches. Like I said, we'll keep working, trying to get...

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The Matusz mystery continues (updated twice)

June 25, 2011, 4:47pm

Orioles

The Matusz mystery continues (updated twice)

Brian Matusz's hamstring didn't seem to be an issue tonight. The Cincinnati Reds caused all the trouble. Matusz was removed after allowing six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out five, but he also served up three home runs, including two to Joey Votto that accounted for five runs. Matusz's ERA rises from 5.60 to 6.85. The concerns also jump up another notch or two. Matusz hasn't cleared the sixth inning in any of his five starts, and tonight's outing is his...

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Matusz in more trouble, Markakis homers (updated twice)

June 25, 2011, 4:00pm

Orioles

Matusz in more trouble, Markakis homers (updated twice)

Brian Matusz gave up a double and infield hit to the first two batters he faced in the top of the third inning. He ran the count full to Joey Votto. Then he threw a curvevball. Reds 4, Orioles 1. Votto hit his 100th career home run, a 386-foot shot to right-center field, to break a 1-1 tie. Matusz has thrown 55 pitches in three innings. He's allowed four runs for the third consecutive start. The Reds did Matusz a favor in the second by running on Matt Wieters with two outs. That's rarely...

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Another RBI for Jones (updated)

June 25, 2011, 3:26pm

Orioles

Adam Jones homered with two outs in the bottom of the first inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. Jones drove a Bronson Arroyo pitch an estimated 394 feet to center field for his 13th homer. Jones has recorded at least one RBI in seven straight games, raising his team-leading total to 45. He's tied with Mark Reynolds for the club's home run lead. Brian Matusz threw 15 pitches in a scoreless first inning, and the stadium radar gun clocked his fastball in the 88-90 mph range. Matusz struck...

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Showalter on Davey Johnson's return to managing

June 25, 2011, 1:27pm

Orioles

Showalter on Davey Johnson's return to managing

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked earlier today about Davey Johnson's hiring as Nationals manager. "Managed against him, he was a sharp guy. A very good, solid baseball guy," Showalter said. "A lot of times, players as good as Davey was sometimes aren't always really as good a manager as they are a player. But he's both. He always did a good job with pitching, and looked at the game through a lot of different eyes. It wasn't just a pure infield only. He was very well-rounded. I...

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A few pregame notes (and more)

June 25, 2011, 12:43pm

Orioles

Brad Bergesen is available in long relief tonight if left-hander Brian Matusz doesn't pitch deep into the game. The Orioles might be forced to make a roster move tomorrow morning If manager Buck Showalter has to use Bergesen tonight for an extended stretch, or if he has to bring in multiple relievers. Showalter will try to avoid Jim Johnson and Koji Uehara after they each pitched two innings last night. Jason Berken and Kevin Gregg are available tonight after throwing one inning last...

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Andino back in lineup (with Reds lineup)

June 25, 2011, 11:36am

Orioles

Andino back in lineup (with Reds lineup)

Robert Andino has returned to second base after stepping aside for Blake Davis the past two games. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Derrek Lee 1B Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP Hardy is batting .359 with seven doubles, five homers and 11 RBIs as the leadoff hitter. Since going 6-for-13 with runners in scoring position Monday in Pittsburgh, the Orioles are 4-for-32 in their last three...

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Showalter shows faith in Davis

June 25, 2011, 4:33am

Orioles

If you told me back in March that the biggest buzz yesterday would be created by Blake Davis' return to the lineup, I would have handed you a small plastic cup and pointed you toward the bathroom. Then I would have remembered that I'm not in the medical profession and have no real reason to test you for mind-altering drugs, and we would have shared a laugh. Then you would have reported me to the authorities. Anyway, Davis wasn't on the 40-man roster and wasn't invited to spring training....

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Nobody doesn't like Derrek Lee tonight

June 24, 2011, 7:54pm

Orioles

Well, unless you're a Reds fan. First baseman Derrek Lee hit the third walk-off home run of his career, the others coming May 11, 2005 off Heath Bell and July 3, 2000 off Turk Wendell. Yes, Lee's been playing this game for a while. Derrek Lee after his dramatic walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th Friday night against the Reds "I hit that one good," he said of tonight's shot into the left field seats off Cincinnati's Jose Arrendondo. "It felt good to finally get one over the...

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Showalter speaks after 5-4, 12-inning win

June 24, 2011, 7:46pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 5-4, 12-inning win

Like everyone else in the Orioles' dugout, manager Buck Showalter was happy for first baseman Derrek Lee, who hit the walk-off home run that produced a 5-4 win in 12 innings. Buck Showalter's postgame comments after Friday's uplifting 5-4 win against Cincinnati "I'm happy for us, too," Showalter said. "That's a really good club over there. I said before, they won the National League Central in a tough division. MVP, three Gold Glove guys, a great manager. That was a battle. And I...

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Another opportunity goes up in flames (Lee with the walk-off)

June 24, 2011, 6:51pm

Orioles

Another opportunity goes up in flames (Lee with the walk-off)

The Orioles blew a 4-0 lead tonight. Now they've blown another chance to end this game. J.J. Hardy opened the bottom of the 11th inning with a double to center field off Cincinnati reliever Jose Arredondo, the ball deflecting off Drew Stubbs' glove as he slowed near the warning track. Nick Markakis swung at the next pitch and grounded to third baseman Scott Rolen. Pull the ball and Hardy advances to third with one out. Or bunt him over. That was the crucial at-bat of the inning. Adam...

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Johnson and Johnson (updated)

June 24, 2011, 5:37pm

Orioles

Orioles reliever Jim Johnson stranded two runners in scoring position to keep the score tied in the seventh inning. Naturally, the rally started with two outs when Scott Rolen singled and Jay Bruce followed with a ground-rule double to center. Jonny Gomes hit a tapper to the third base side of the mound and Johnson initially froze, assuming that the ball hit Gomes' foot and would be ruled foul. He finally reacted and made a strong throw that barely beat Gomes to the bag. First baseman...

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Jakubauskas falters in fifth (game tied in sixth)

June 24, 2011, 4:44pm

Orioles

Jakubauskas falters in fifth (game tied in sixth)

Chris Jakubauskas shut out the Reds through four innings, no small feat considering they began the night having scored the third-most runs in the majors with 364. Their .261 average ranked seventh. Jakubauskas issued a two-out walk to leadoff hitter Chris Heisey in the fifth, moving former Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez to second base. You could guess what would happen next. Brandon Phillips followed with a two-run double, and he scored on Joey Votto's double. Orioles 4, Reds 3. Scott...

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Davis gets first major league hit and RBIs (Jones homers)

June 24, 2011, 3:49pm

Orioles

Davis gets first major league hit and RBIs (Jones homers)

Great crowd here tonight for the Reds and fireworks. If this game isn't a sell-out, it will be pretty close to one. Random stat of the night: Opponents are batting .375 off Cincinnati right-hander Edinson Volquez with the bases empty and no outs, the fourth-highest average in the National League. J.J. Hardy grounded out leading off the first, and Derrek Lee walked leading off the second. Lee took third on Matt Wieters' ground-rule double, which halted a 2-for-21 stretch. Mark Reynolds...

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Quick pregame hits

June 24, 2011, 12:19pm

Orioles

PItcher Alfredo Simon threw today in Sarasota without any hamstring issues and is scheduled to throw one or two innings Sunday at Double-A Bowie. He's eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday. Jake Arrieta will throw a light bullpen session today. Arrieta says his right elbow feels better and he remains scheduled to start Wedneday night against the Cardinals at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that second baseman Brian Roberts is having wisdom teeth removed. He...

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Blake Davis gets another start

June 24, 2011, 11:34am

Orioles

Blake Davis will make his second major league start tonight. Vladimir Guerrero returns to the lineup. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Derrek Lee 1B Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Blake Davis 2B Chris Jakubauskas RHP

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Seeing Reds this weekend (plus notes and Reds lineup)

June 24, 2011, 9:03am

Orioles

Seeing Reds this weekend (plus notes and Reds lineup)

It's funny how almost 41 years have passed and I still associate the Cincinnati Reds with the 1970 World Series. It's not as funny when I link the Pittsburgh Pirates to the 1971 and '79 World Series. The Orioles begin their interleague homestand tonight against the Reds, who are making their first visit to Camden Yards. Edinson Volquez will try to lower his career 5.59 ERA against the Orioles. Game 1 of the '70 Series took place at Riverfront Stadium, the first time that the Fall Classic...

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Is a second baseman the first priority?

June 23, 2011, 9:48pm

Orioles

I'll begin this entry by congratulating shortstop Manny Machado for hitting a home run last night in his first game with Single-A Frederick. Machado went deep in his second at-bat with the Keys, and I've heard it was a moon shot. Machado was 1-for-4 and accounted for Frederick's only run in a 2-1 loss to Winston-Salem. I think the kid needs more hype. We haven't written enough about him. The Cincinnati Reds have arrived in Baltimore, which will conjure up plenty of memories and anecdotes...

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Notes on Tillman, Machado and Schoop

June 23, 2011, 11:04am

Orioles

For the first time in three outings, Triple-A Norfolk's Chris Tillman didn't have a start cut short by the weather. Unfortunately, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre forced his early exit this afternoon. Tillman allowed five earned runs (six total) and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four. His ERA rose to 4.56. Tillman threw 97 pitches, 62 for strikes. Tillman's last start ended after a 42-minute rain delay. He allowed one unearned run over 3 2/3 innings. Jake Fox, who's...

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Random thoughts and concerns

June 22, 2011, 6:46pm

Orioles

The Orioles are off today, which pretty much matches their play for most of the road trip. See if you can tell the difference. Here's one way to do it: There won't be a final score later. If we're led to believe that the Orioles are improved - and their record compared to last season points to that truth - they can't lose four of six games against the Nationals and Pirates. OK, those teams are improved, too, but the Orioles need to be ... more improved. They need to beat these clubs if...