Turning a negative into a positive (updated)

Turning a negative into a positive (updated)
The Orioles didn't want to lose Brian Matusz after one inning tonight, but they removed him as a precaution after he blocked Yunel Escobar's liner with his left triceps. Something good came out of the bad, however. His name is Rick VandenHurk. VandenHurk has retired all 12 batters he's faced since entering the game in the second. Pitching for the first time since Sept. 2, he's struck out three batters and protected a 2-0 lead as if it's a newborn. VandenHurk has induced six fly balls -...
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More on Matusz (and Snyder update)

More on Matusz (and Snyder update)
Brian Matusz left the game with a left triceps contusion. That's a bruise to you and me. The replays didn't provide much help, but we're told that Yunel Escobar's liner nailed Matusz behind the left arm. We assume that he was removed as a precaution. Shouldn't be anything too serious. Rick VandenHurk struck out the first two batters in the second inning, including Adam Lind on a 96 mph fastball. Update: Brandon Snyder's first major league hit, an infield single in the second inning,...
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Matusz avoids injury - we think (updated twice)

Matusz avoids injury - we think (updated twice)
Nice promotion at Camden Yards tonight. Every fan gets a vendor. Brian Matusz stayed in the game and completed the first inning after being hit on the left side by a line drive from Yunel Escobar. Matusz took a few practice throws before convincing manager Buck Showalter that he could continue. Showalter was late checking on Matusz. He had to dispute the call at first base after umpire Bruce Dreckman ruled that Escobar didn't run out of the baseline to avoid Brandon Snyder's lunging...
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When do wins matter?

When do wins matter?
How much emphasis should the Orioles place on winning games over these last three weeks? Is there an actual goal for number of victories? Is that basically the same question? Let's go with No. 2: "It depends on whether you're talking to me or Joe Jordan," manager Buck Showalter said jokingly, referring to the Orioles' director of scouting. "We were kidding about it. That has never come up. We're going to try to win as many games as we can and also satisfy the looks that we have to...
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Pre-game notes

Pre-game notes
Manager Buck Showalter wanted to give Brandon Snyder and Robert Andino consecutive starts. That's pretty much the reason why they're playing again tonight. He didn't mention any injuries. "I think it's important to give them two days in a row, kind of get the adrenaline down to a manageable level a little bit," Showalter said. "I said earlier when we were playing Tampa and New York and Boston, with the competitive integrity, that when we got into some of these games, we'd try to get...
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Orioles lineup

Orioles lineup
Brian Roberts 2B Robert Andino SS Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 3B Jake Fox DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold LF Brandon Snyder 1B Brian Matusz LHP
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Stop the madness tonight

Stop the madness tonight
You want me to truly believe that the Orioles are a different team under Buck Showalter? Let them beat the Blue Jays. I'm not pushing for a sweep, though that would be terrific. Just beat this team one time and stop making it look like the '27 Yankees. Or the '92-'93 Jays. I'd feel better about tonight if Brian Matusz wasn't 0-2 with a 22.85 ERA against Toronto, if he hadn't allowed six runs in 1 2/3 innings in his last visit to Canada. But Matusz has turned in four straight quality...
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Game takes a U-turn

Game takes a U-turn
I began listening to the game on 105.7 The Fan on my ride home from Ocean Pines with the Orioles leading, 2-1. Manager Buck Showalter had pushed the right buttons again. He started Jake Fox behind the plate, and Fox delivered an RBI triple and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. He started Robert Andino at shortstop, and Andino singled. The easy part was handing Chris Tillman the ball. Tillman held the Tigers to one run and one hit over 6 2/3 innings, but those six walks jacked up his...
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Snyder gets first start

Snyder gets first start
Brian Roberts 2B Ty Wigginton 3B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Jake Fox C Robert Andino SS Brandon Snyder 1B Chris Tillman RHP Snyder gets his first start against Justin Verlander. Best of luck. Josh Bell is out of the lineup after taking a shot off his bare hand at third base last night that turned into a 5-6-3 putout.
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Tigers lineup

Tigers lineup
Still waiting for the Orioles lineup. In the meantime... For the Tigers: 2B Will Rhymes RF Ryan Raburn LF Don Kelly 1B Miguel Cabrera SS Jhonny Peralta DH Brennan Boesch 3B Brandon Inge CF Casper Wells C Alex Avila RHP Justin Verlander
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Hoping to break out the brooms

Hoping to break out the brooms
The Orioles picked up their first series win at Comerica Park since August 5-7, 2008 and have won back-to-back games at the ballpark for the first time since June 4-5, 2005. So far, so good. The Orioles are looking for their first sweep in Detroit since May 28-30, 2004. They've won 11 of their last 17 road games after winning 14 of their first 54. Last night's victory assured them of a winning record on this road trip. The Orioles went 4-2 on their last trip, marking the first time...
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Hail Cesar (updated)

Hail Cesar (updated)
Cesar Izturis struck out to end the fourth inning and leave the bases loaded. He also left the game scoreless. Probably not a big surprise, but how about the way he made up for it in the sixth? Izturis contributed a two-run triple to a four-run inning that also included doubles by Adam Jones and Felix Pie, and a long sacrifice fly by Ty Wigginton. Whatever offense that Izturis provides is gravy. He's here for his glove. That hit was huge and quite unexpected. Does Buck Showalter get credit...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Ty Wigginton 1B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Josh Bell 3B Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP For the Tigers: Austin Jackson CF Ryan Raburn RF Johnny Damon DH Miguel Cabrera 1B Don Kelly LF Jhonny Peralta SS Brandon Inge 3B Alex Avila C Ramon Santiago 2B Max Scherzer RHP
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A few notes

A few notes
Jake Fox's home run last night was the 10th by a first baseman this season, making the Orioles the last team in the majors to reach double figures at that position, according to Elias. I'm sure that was all part of manager Buck Showalter's plan. You already know that the Orioles are 22-14 under Showalter. Did you also know that they're tied with the Colorado Rockies for the third-most wins during that period? (Phillies 25, Twins 24) The Orioles are 10-2 in series-opening games under...
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From worst to not worst?

From worst to not worst?
If the sting from Koji Uehara's blown save on Wednesday still hasn't subsided, you might want to consider making an appointment with a dermatologist. Also consider that the Orioles have won five of their last six games and nine of their last 13. That's a pretty good stretch from the team with the worst record in the American League. How much longer will the Orioles hold that distinction? Their record currently stands at 54-87. The Seattle Mariners, a team that was championed over the...
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Have a Coke and a smile

Have a Coke and a smile
Matt Wieters dropped a pop up that preceded Miguel Cabrera's two-run homer off Kevin Millwood in the sixth inning. Earlier in the game, he failed to block a pitch in the dirt, allowing the ball to roll away from him for a wild pitch. Just as I was complaining about him to a friend via text message, he lifted a sacrifice fly to deep right field off Tigers reliever Phil Coke in the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie. It wasn't a bad pitch - down and away - but Wieters drove it to the warning...
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Sly as a Fox

Sly as a Fox
Pretty sly move by manager Buck Showalter to put Jake Fox in tonight's lineup. Showalter knew that Fox was 4-for-4 with a double, home run and three RBIs lifetime against Tigers starter Armando Galarraga. You can't keep that stuff a secret. Didn't matter that it was right-hander vs. right-hander. Didn't matter that Fox has been glued to the bench. Tonight was the right time to give Fox a start, and he just gave the Orioles a 3-1 lead with a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Does anyone...
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Lineups

Lineups
For the Orioles: 2B Brian Roberts 3B Ty Wigginton RF Nick Markakis DH Luke Scott CA Matt Wieters CF Adam Jones LF Felix Pie 1B Jake Fox SS Cesar Izturis P Kevin Millwood For the Tigers: CF Austin Jackson 2B Will Rhymes DH Johnny Damon 1B Miguel Cabrera LF Ryan Raburn RF Brennan Boesch SS Jhonny Peralta 3B Brandon Inge CA Alex Avila P Armando Galarraga
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Looking ahead

Looking ahead
Just to avoid any controversies later in the game, umpire Jim Joyce already has given the Orioles an infield hit tonight. Mark it down in your scorebooks. Joyce actually will be working the plate tonight with Armando Galarraga on the mound in Detroit. It'll be another tearful reunion, with more reminders of Joyce's blown call on June 2 that denied Galarraga a perfect game. My guess is the Orioles better come out swinging, because Galarraga will have a wide strike zone. Galarraga is 0-2...
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Vote for Pedro

Vote for Pedro
Brandon Snyder could make his debut in Detroit this weekend. It's a little easier to project a position player. The manager tends to dictate it more than the game - certainly while writing out the lineup in his office. If you're staring at the ceiling each night wondering about left-hander Pedro Viola...well, that's pretty odd. I won't sugar-coat it. You need help. Viola pitched in nine games with the Reds last season, so he's gotten the proverbial cup of coffee. He took his lumps with...
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