Roch Kubatko

Tillman also optioned, Jones update

May 29, 2011, 3:17pm

Orioles

Chris Tillman beat out Brad Bergesen for a spot in the Orioles' rotation. That victory lasted one day. Manager Buck Showalter hinted earlier today that another roster move could be coming, and it happened after the game with Tillman being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec and MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli tweeted that Chris Jakubauskas is expected to join the team in Seattle, giving Showalter another long reliever. The Orioles have five open dates on their June schedule...

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A career day for Zach Britton

May 29, 2011, 2:08pm

Orioles

I don't mean it in a good way. Zach Britton allowed a career-high six runs and 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings today before Jeremy Accardo replaced him. Britton gave up five runs on April 15 in Cleveland. He surrendered nine hits in his last start against the Royals at Camden Yards. Britton threw 97 pitches today, 57 for strikes. And once again, manager Buck Showalter is forced to go to his bullpen earlier than desired. In this series, Orioles' starters have logged 4 1/3, 5 2/3 and 5 2/3...

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Orioles take lead, lose Jones (and lose lead)

May 29, 2011, 1:25pm

Orioles

The Orioles have gotten pretty good at loading the bases with no outs. This time, they did more than come away frustrated. They're taking a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth. J.J. Hardy reached on an infield hit to open the fifth. Mark Reynolds grounded a single into left field and Robert Andino reached on a fielder's choice after laying down a bunt that was meant to advance two runners. Oakland starter Guillermo Moscoso tried unsuccessfully for the out at third. Felix Pie followed...

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The Matusz-Britton connection (updated)

May 29, 2011, 12:05pm

Orioles

They're left-handed and their paychecks are distributed by the Orioles, but there's more to the connection between Brian Matusz and Zach Britton. Britton wouldn't have made his major league debut April 3 without Matusz going on the disabled list. The Orioles are 1-11 in Oakland since 2008. The one victory was provided by Matusz. And I seem to recall guaranteeing it. Matusz threw a bullpen session today in Oakland, the last step before making his 2011 debut Wednesday in Seattle. It...

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Orioles and Athletics lineups

May 29, 2011, 9:44am

Orioles

For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Luke Scott 1B J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Zach Britton LHP For the Athletics: Crisp CF Barton 1B Jackson LF Willingham DH Suzuki C DeJesus RF Ellis 2B Kouzmanoff 3B Pennington SS Moscoso RHP The Orioles are 1-11 in Oakland since 2008 and have been outscored, 60-32. They've scored two runs or fewer in eight of those games. This doesn't bode well for...

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Viola will replace Bergesen (officially)

May 29, 2011, 2:49am

Orioles

Viola will replace Bergesen (officially)

I wrote in my last entry that Brad Bergesen didn't look like a pitcher who had saved his spot in the rotation. The frustration was written all over his face as he stood on the mound, waiting for manager Buck Showalter to take the ball. Bergesen obviously knew what was coming, and it wasn't just his manager. The Orioles sent out a press release at 3:15 a.m. announcing that Bergesen was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Left-hander Pedro Viola is in Oakland and will be officially recalled before...

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Not putting "fun" in fundamentals (updated)

May 28, 2011, 7:15pm

Orioles

Not putting "fun" in fundamentals (updated)

The Orioles haven't been particularly sharp in the early innings tonight. They put runners on first and second with no outs in the first inning on Robert Andino's bunt single and an error. Andino popped up another bunt, but this one cleared the mound. Nick Markakis failed to advance the runners, flying to left field. With Vladimir Guerrero at the plate, Andino broke too soon for third base and got caught in a rundown. So much for that rally. Second baseman Ryan Adams made a diving stop of...

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Matusz ready to debut

May 28, 2011, 5:53pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz played catch today with Jeremy Guthrie, and he'll throw a bullpen session tomorrow for pitching coach Mark Connor. Unless his left arm falls off, Matusz will start Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners. Notice that I say "left arm." I think he'll still take the ball if his right arm becomes detached. Jim and Rick interview Brian Matusz about his health and his pending return Seriously though, Matusz is ready after making his third injury rehab start last night at Triple-A...

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Reynolds starting at 1B tonight; rain, field prep delay start until 10:15 p.m. on MASN HD

May 28, 2011, 3:28pm

Orioles

Reynolds starting at 1B tonight; rain, field prep delay start until 10:15 p.m. on MASN HD

The Orioles are breaking out an interesting lineup tonight. Mark Reynolds is starting at first base and Robert Andino is starting at third. Matt Wieters is on the bench so he can start tomorrow's day game. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 3B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Adams 2B Craig Tatum C Brad Bergesen RHP This is Reynolds' 25th career start at first base, the first 24 coming in 2009 with Arizona. Jones (ninth,...

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On this date

May 28, 2011, 9:41am

Orioles

On May 28, 1998, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Buck Showalter ordered an intentional walk to San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds. Bonds walked a record 2,558 times in his career, and that doesn't count the courtroom. So why is this noteworthy? Showalter instructed his reliever to walk Bonds with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the bases loaded. Arizona led by two runs and Showalter wanted no part of Bonds. It was a tremendous gamble, and it paid off. The next batter,...

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Talking about Gonzalez and Bergesen (updated)

May 28, 2011, 5:16am

Orioles

Talking about Gonzalez and Bergesen (updated)

I had to "sleep fast," as manager Buck Showalter always says. These West Coast games are exhausting, even when you're not on the trip. The Orioles have another 10:07 p.m. start tonight in Oakland - no one rounds off these times anymore - and we'll find out later today whether a roster move is made. Double-A Bowie left-hander Pedro Viola was rushed to Oakland, and that decision was made before Alfredo Simon threw 55 pitches and took the loss last night and Michael Gonzalez followed with...

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Tillman doesn't take the fifth (updated)

May 27, 2011, 8:16pm

Orioles

Tillman doesn't take the fifth (updated)

On the same night that left-hander Brian Matusz was apparently making his last injury rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk, his good friend Chris Tillman couldn't get out of the fifth inning in Oakland. Tillman has allowed one earned run or fewer in four consecutive starts and five of six. However, his rising pitch counts continue to force him out of games in the middle innings and lead to a parade of relievers. He threw 102 tonight before heading to the bench for good. This is the third-shortest...

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Viola headed to Oakland

May 27, 2011, 6:59pm

Orioles

The Orioles are prepared to make another roster move, with Double-A Bowie left-hander

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Checking on Matusz (rehab assignment appears over)

May 27, 2011, 4:15pm

Orioles

Checking on Matusz (rehab assignment appears over)

Left-hander Brian Matusz has completed four innings tonight at Triple-A Norfolk, and he's working on a two-hit shutout against the Columbus Clippers. Matusz has walked one batter and struck out six. He's thrown 66 pitches, including 42 for strikes. The Orioles are hoping to get seven innings out of Matusz. As always, the pitch count will dictate how far he goes. Matusz struck out three batters in the second, but he also issued a walk. This is Matusz's third start on his injury rehab...

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Orioles lineup against Athletics

May 27, 2011, 2:41pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold is back in left field tonight after going 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs in yesterday's 6-5, 12-inning win over Kansas City. Robert Andino is the leadoff hitter in Felix Pie's absence. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold LF Mark Reynolds 3B J.J. Hardy SS Jake Fox 1B Chris Tillman RHP Guerrero is 4-for-21 lifetime against Oakland left-hander Gio Gonzalez. Wieters is 2-for-5 with a...

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Leo Gomez named Aberdeen manager (and other notes)

May 27, 2011, 8:54am

Orioles

Leo Gomez named Aberdeen manager (and other notes)

Well, that didn't take long. The Orioles finally named their manager at short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Former third baseman Leo Gomez will call the shots from the IronBirds' dugout. Gomez has spent the past two seasons as a field coach for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Orioles (2009) and Bluefield (2010). Gomez spent six of his seven major league seasons with the Orioles, batting .245 with 62 home runs and 203 RBIs in 475 games. I forgot that he played for the Cubs in 1996, tying his...

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Matusz bringing his AAA game

May 27, 2011, 8:12am

Orioles

The first 5,000 fans to enter Harbor Park in Norfolk tonight will receive a Tides cap. They'll also get to watch Brian Matusz pitch. Matusz never made it to Triple-A before tonight. He moved up from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie to the majors in his first professional season in 2009. He was part of the gifted and talented pitching program. Matusz returned to Frederick and Bowie on his injury rehab assignment. He'll finally pitch for Norfolk tonight in a 7:05 p.m. game against the...

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Streaking into Oakland

May 26, 2011, 5:01pm

Orioles

Give me the choice between a cross-country flight and being covered in honey and red ants, and I'll ask which one provides the most leg room. If the Orioles must travel to Oakland, and the schedule demands it, at least they're riding a five-game winning streak. It may not come with those little bags of gourmet pretzels like you get on Southwest, and yesterday's 6-5, 12-inning victory wasn't exactly a smooth ride, but it's the first time this season that the Orioles have boarded one....

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Showalter speaks after 6-5, 12-inning win

May 26, 2011, 1:09pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 6-5, 12-inning win

The Orioles swept a three-game home series against the Royals for the first time since April 2007, and Nolan Reimold deserves a huge share of the credit for homering twice and driving in four runs. He also singled, doubled and walked. That's one way to raise your average to .545. Buck Showalter meets with the media following the Birds' 6-5 win over Kansas City "I'm happy for him," manager Buck Showalter said. "He made the most of his opportunities. I try to pride myself on listening to...

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Guerrero single wins it in the 12th

May 26, 2011, 12:15pm

Orioles

I went to a baseball game and a chess match broke out. Checkmate for the Orioles. Vladimir Guerrero sent a 15-hopper up the middle - a mild exaggeration - to score Robert Andino in the bottom of the 12th and give the Orioles a 6-5 victory. Andino led off with a double against Louis Coleman. Manager Buck Showalter called for Adam Jones to lay down a bunt, but the move backfired when the Orioles' center fielder popped up. Jones reached on a bunt single earlier in the game and the situation...