Roch Kubatko

Mr. Jones and me

May 11, 2011, 5:06pm

Orioles

Adam Jones is a man on a mission. Prove to the Mariners that they never should have traded him. Jones is 6-for-9 with five RBIs in the first two games of this series. He's singled twice and delivered a two-run triple tonight, helping the Orioles to a 4-1 lead. Luke Scott broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning with a single off Felix Hernandez that scored Derrek Lee, who singled with two outs to start the rally. Hernandez hit Guerrero to bring Scott to the plate, and the left fielder responded...

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Diary of a bad inning (updated twice)

May 11, 2011, 4:01pm

Orioles

The Mariners scored once in the top of the third inning to take a 1-0 lead, which might not seem too bad on the surface. Let's dig a little deeper. Chris Tillman hadn't allowed a hit in the first two innings, but he threw 38 pitches. My math tells me that's 19 pitches per inning. That doesn't add up to quick outs. Tillman opened the third by hitting No. 8 hitter Brendan Ryan (.208) and walking No. 9 hitter Michael Saunders (.180). I don't have to tell you the flaws in that...

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Andino on the hot corner (updated)

May 11, 2011, 3:25pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter gave Robert Andino the start at third base over Jake Fox, his two backup options with starter Mark Reynolds taking a seat on the bench. Andino figures to provide better defense, though his only six career starts at third before tonight came during the 2010 season. Overall, Andino had appeared in nine games at third before tonight and didn't commit an error in 11 chances over 58 innings. It figures that the ball found Andino twice in the first inning tonight,...

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While waiting for first pitch ...

May 11, 2011, 3:01pm

Orioles

Here are some quotes from manager Buck Showalter that came out of his pregame session with the media: On Mark Reynolds: "He's not starting tonight, but he'll be back in there tomorrow, more than likely." "There are things that him and Jimmy (Presley) are constantly working on and it clicks for a day or so, and then he kind of gets into some habits again. Hitting up here is an ongoing process. Just because it clicks and you're doing it for a day or two... Hitting and playing in the big...

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Reynolds trying to be the guy "they traded for"

May 11, 2011, 1:10pm

Orioles

Reynolds trying to be the guy "they traded for"

Justin Duchscherer threw a side session today in Sarasota and will pitch a two-inning simulated game on Friday. He's eligible to come off the disabled list May 30. Third baseman Mark Reynolds has bigger worries than the virus that's sweeping through the clubhouse. He's not in the lineup, and he managed to smile when asked if it's just a scheduled day off. "I don't think it was an off day. I think it's because I'm struggling," he said. "I think they're just giving me a day. And it...

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Updating Matusz, Markakis, Reynolds, etc.

May 11, 2011, 12:38pm

Orioles

Updating Matusz, Markakis, Reynolds, etc.

Brian Matusz threw 40 pitches, including 26 strikes, over three innings in an extended spring training game today at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, Fla. Matusz didn't walk a batter and said he had a good feel for his fastball. His off-speed stuff was a little inconsistent, but it was very good at times. Matusz was hit on the right wrist/palm area by a comebacker, but he's fine. I'm sure manager Buck Showalter held his breath while watching the video. Matusz will join the Orioles in St....

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Lineup doesn't include Markakis or Reynolds (update)

May 11, 2011, 11:02am

Orioles

Lineup doesn't include Markakis or Reynolds (update)

You wanted a different lineup? You've got it. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Felix Pie RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Robert Andino 3B Chris Tillman RHP Nick Markakis is a career .464 (13-for-28) hitter against Seattle's Felix Hernandez, with two doubles, five RBIs and five walks. Mark Reynolds is 1-for-4 with a home run. They're both sitting tonight. Update: Markakis came down with flu-like symptoms last night and...

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No roster move in the works

May 11, 2011, 8:02am

Orioles

The Orioles had considered bringing up another reliever for tonight's game against the Mariners, but they apparently will stick with their current group. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail met with manager Buck Showalter after last night's 7-6, 13-inning victory to discuss the possibility of adding a fresh arm. Rather than make a roster move, they're "holding at present," according to a team official. Starter Jake Arrieta went six innings, which led to a parade of five...

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Will the bullpen and lineup change?

May 10, 2011, 8:46pm

Orioles

I had this crazy dream last night that the Orioles rallied to win a game in 13 innings after almost being arrested for littering the bases. The Orioles were 8-for-21 with runners in scoring position, and they stranded 16 runners. They ran into outs. They fought back to take leads and gave them up. They should have won, they should have lost, they should have won, they should have lost... Keep plucking the petals off that daisy. The Orioles were 0-17 before last night when trailing after...

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Pie, Jones, Wieters and Hardy have their say

May 10, 2011, 8:23pm

Orioles

Pie, Jones, Wieters and Hardy have their say

Felix Pie entered tonight's game as a pinch-runner and ended up as one of its heroes. Pie singled to score Nick Marakis with the tying run in the bottom of the 13th inning, and he raced home on Matt Wieters' single to cap a dramatic and exhausting comeback. "It feels great, tying a game for the team like that," he said. "It's a great feeling." Pie wasn't going to leave the clubhouse without being asked about his confrontation with Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak. "I tried to...

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Showalter speaks after 7-6, 13-inning win

May 10, 2011, 8:04pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 7-6, 13-inning win

My head hurts. Manager Buck Showalter looked to be in better spirits after his club rallied for two runs off Mariners closer Brandon League in the bottom of the 13th inning to take a 7-6 victory. If you're going to spend all night at the ballpark and burn up your bullpen, at least win the game. "It's kind of apropos," Showalter said. "It seemed like our guys made some good pitches and they found a way to get them in there.We had a lot of opportunities. We just couldn't cash them in....

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The unlucky 13th (is now lucky)

May 10, 2011, 6:58pm

Orioles

The Orioles had another chance to win this game, but they're more determined to empty their bullpen and leave Chris Tillman without much support tomorrow night. Good thing they went back to a 12-man pitching staff, right? Nice timing. Felix Pie doubled to lead off the 12th inning, and the Orioles loaded the bases with two outs on an intentional walk to Adam Jones - which brought former Oriole Chris Ray into the game - and J.J. Hardy's two-out infield hit. Hardy has a home run, three...

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Pie gets angry, game still tied (updated twice)

May 10, 2011, 6:16pm

Orioles

Pie gets angry, game still tied (updated twice)

The bottom of the 10th inning began with Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak tagging out Felix Pie, and both dugouts and bullpens emptying. Pie started to retreat as Smoak fielded the ball, then lowered a shoulder into him. They exchanged words, with Pie clearly the aggressor, but order was quickly restored. Pie spread his arms apart and started jawing at Smoak as they went nose-to-nose. The guy's got a short fuse. Robert Andino wasted no time getting into the middle of it. We'll give him...

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Orioles rally in 8th to take lead (updated twice)

May 10, 2011, 5:38pm

Orioles

I guess Luke Scott's shoulder isn't bothering him too much. Scott has two hits tonight, including a single off Mariners reliever Jamey Wright in the eighth inning that tied the game, 4-4. Pinch-runner Cesar Izturis raced home on Adam Jones' single, the center fielder's third RBI of the night. Orioles 5, Mariners 4. Derrek Lee walked and Vladimir Guerrero collected his third single of the night. Scott fell behind, 0-2, before grounding a single into left field. Third base coach John...

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It's called a "lead," and now it's gone (updated)

May 10, 2011, 5:05pm

Orioles

It's called a "lead," and now it's gone (updated)

Adam Jones' two-out, two-run double in the sixth moved the Orioles ahead of the Mariners, 3-2. Jones ended a streak of 40 straight innings for the Orioles without a lead. They hadn't held one since the first inning of a May 5 game against the Royals. Rookie Michael Pineda retired the first two batters before Vladimir Guerrero and Luke Scott singled. Jones followed with a double to left, giving him 18 RBIs this season. Jake Arrieta was in line to get the win, but his replacement, Michael...

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Update through the 5th

May 10, 2011, 4:36pm

Orioles

The Orioles continue to trail the Mariners, 2-1, as we head to the top of the sixth inning. Adam Kennedy hit a two-run homer off Orioles right-hander Jake Arrieta in the second, and J.J. Hardy homered off Seattle rookie Michael Pineda in the third. Arrieta has allowed four hits in five innings, with two walks and six strikeouts. As usual, he has good stuff. His fastball has been clocked at 94 mph, and he struck out back-to-back hitters on a slider and curveball to end the fourth. He got a...

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J.J. Hardy gets back in the swing of things

May 10, 2011, 3:56pm

Orioles

J.J. Hardy gets back in the swing of things

If you don't think a .200-hitting shortstop who's batting ninth in a struggling lineup can make a difference, well, guess again. J.J. Hardy, in his first at-bat since April 9, lined a home run to left field leading off the bottom of the third inning. Mariners 2, Orioles 1. Hardy worked the count full against Seattle rookie Michael Pineda before homering for the first time since Sept. 8, 2010 against the Royals. Tonight's ball traveled an estimated 368 feet. Hardy was batting .200 with no...

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Did you know?

May 10, 2011, 2:58pm

Orioles

The Orioles are one of seven teams in the majors that haven't won a game when trailing after seven innings, going 0-17 in that span. They join the Red Sox, Indians, Rockies, Angels, Dodgers and Rangers. None of the Orioles' starting pitchers in this series have faced the Mariners. Jake Arrieta is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in five career starts against the American League West. Brian Roberts is in a 1-for-26 slump since May 1. Mark Reynolds is 9-for-65 (.138). He has five RBIs in his last 22...

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A little pregame Showalter

May 10, 2011, 1:03pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter tackled a variety of topics earlier today while meeting with the media. Here's a sampling: On J.J. Hardy: "He's fine. I talked to him last because I know what he's going to tell us. I talked to Gary Allenson, and Bobby Dickerson has been with him for his whole rehab, and he's fine, he's ready to go. We didn't want him traveling on the day he's playing so he came in, I believe, last night or yesterday afternoon. I'm glad to get him back. It's been a while....

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Hardy talks about Hardy

May 10, 2011, 12:53pm

Orioles

If anyone knows how J.J. Hardy feels after coming off the disabled list today, it's J.J. Hardy. "Good," he said. "It's been a lot longer than I thought it would be." Hardy hasn't played since April 9, when he left a game against the Rangers at Camden Yards after one at-bat. He went on the disabled list with a strained left oblique. "I was kind of hoping for less time," said Hardy, who played in three games at Triple-A Norfolk on his injury rehab assignment, going 2-for-9 with three...