Roch Kubatko

Talking about Adair and accountability

July 07, 2011, 7:39pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter is taking heat from a lot of fans for the Orioles' collapse, if that's what we're calling it, as we near the All-Star break, but I'll give him major props for not burning out his bullpen. He's on the phone more than a teenage girl. I'm waiting for him to start texting instructions to bullpen coach Don Werner. "OMG, get JJ 4 me. LOL!!" Jason Berken replaced starter Jake Arrieta last night and gave up a home run. Pedro Viola replaced Berken and gave up a home...

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From bad to embarrassing (O's lose 10-4)

July 07, 2011, 5:48pm

Orioles

From bad to embarrassing (O's lose 10-4)

The bullpen isn't doing any better than the rotation tonight. The Red Sox have hit six home runs, the last four off Orioles relievers. Jacoby Ellsbury took Jason Berken deep in the sixth inning. Pedro Viola replaced him in the seventh and gave up consecutive bombs to David Ortiz, Josh Reddick and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Red Sox 10, Orioles 3. I guess this is rock bottom. Viola walked the next batter and was gone. He didn't record an out. It was the first time that the Orioles...

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Errors in their way (Arrieta exits)

July 07, 2011, 4:47pm

Orioles

The Orioles committed 18 errors in their last 23 games before tonight. And that total didn't include plays that should have been made and were scored as hits. Jake Arrieta and Nick Markakis were charged with errors in the fourth inning tonight, and the Red Sox reclaimed the lead 4-3. Arrieta missed the bag after taking Derrek Lee's flip, allowing Josh Reddick to reach, though I swore that his heel nicked it. Jarrod Saltalamacchia followed with a single into right field, and Reddick took...

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Shocking developments in first inning (updated twice)

July 07, 2011, 3:28pm

Orioles

Shocking developments in first inning (updated twice)

I'm not sure what rates higher on the Shock Scale. You can decide. The Orioles got a hit with a runner in scoring position. Adam Jones singled to score J.J. Hardy, who led off the game with a single off the Green Monster and advanced to second on Nick Markakis' single. Red Sox pitcher Andrew Miller deflected the ball, but couldn't stop it from rolling into right field. The Orioles were 4-for-37 with runners in scoring position before tonight. Matt Wieters walked with two outs and stole...

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Roberts tweets update

July 07, 2011, 2:43pm

Orioles

Brian Roberts tweeted earlier today that he's been taking swings in the cage "the past few days." I was told that Roberts will be re-evaluated by Dr. Michael Collins next Wednesday in Pittsburgh, which is a longer wait than I expected. Roberts is hoping to be cleared for full baseball activities. Swinging a bat represents progress, considering that he had been limited to playing catch and tracking pop ups, along with his conditioning program. Manager Buck Showalter indicated that Alfredo...

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Lineup includes Reimold, Guerrero batting fourth

July 07, 2011, 12:03pm

Orioles

Lineup includes Reimold, Guerrero batting fourth

The Orioles will lean heavily to the right tonight against Red Sox left-hander Andrew Miller. 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 Jake Arrieta RHP

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Is there a silver lining at Fenway Park?

July 07, 2011, 10:50am

Orioles

Is there a silver lining at Fenway Park?

I would never suggest that the Orioles are catching a team at a good time. Not the way they're playing. But they won't have to face Boston starters Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, and they won't have to pitch to Carl Crawford. Crawford is expected to be activated from the disabled list on July 18, when the Red Sox visit Camden Yards. All good things must come to an end. Adrian Gonzalez, the American League's Player of the Month for June, missed last night's game with a stiff neck, but...

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Pitching a poor fit

July 06, 2011, 8:05pm

Orioles

I could keep beating the same drum about the Orioles' poor starting pitching, but it's starting to sound like a Neil Peart solo. And I'm not getting a Rush from it. See what I did there? Oriole starters have posted an 8.19 ERA in the last 12 games. You can find more distasteful stats if you go back further, but really, why do that to yourselves? "It needs to do better," president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said earlier this week. "I feel pretty good when (Jake) Arrieta,...

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The less said, the better

July 06, 2011, 7:06pm

Orioles

The Rangers completed their sweep of this three-game series tonight with a 13-5 victory over the Orioles. It wasn't that close. Orioles pitching allowed 18 hits to go with those 13 runs. Jim Hunter asks Buck Showalter his thoughts on the Birds' 13-5 loss to Texas Jeremy Guthrie surrendered six runs and eight hits in five innings. Michael Gonzalez gave up two runs and three hits in one inning. Brad Bergesen allowed four runs and four hits - including Mike Napoli's three-run shot - in one...

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Guthrie done, Orioles trail by six (Vlad homers)

July 06, 2011, 6:00pm

Orioles

Jeremy Guthrie settled down after allowing four runs in the first inning, but the Rangers scored twice with two outs in the bottom of the fifth to increase their lead to 6-2. Michael Gonzalez replaced Guthrie in the sixth. Guthrie allowed six runs and eight hits, increasing his ERA to 4.23. He threw 101 pitches, 60 for strikes. The Orioles had runners on first and second with no outs in the top of the sixth and failed to score. That won't help their runners in scoring position...

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Rough start for Guthrie (updated)

July 06, 2011, 4:38pm

Orioles

When a pitcher loads the bases with no outs, he figures to sit in the dugout after the inning and count all the runs he surrendered. Jeremy Guthrie was hoping to count his blessings, maybe hold the Rangers to one run. It didn't happen. The Rangers scored four runs in the bottom of the first to put the Orioles in a big, early hole. Guthrie gave up a leadoff double to Ian Kinsler and issued back-to-back walks to Elvis Andrus and Josh Hamilton. He lost Hamilton after getting ahead,...

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A few pregame notes (and Orioles lineup)

July 06, 2011, 12:09pm

Orioles

For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Derrek Lee 1B Felix Pie LF Robert Andino 2B Jeremy Guthrie RHP The game-time temperature for the Orioles the last two days has been over 100 degrees. According to the club's PR staff, the last time the Orioles played as many as three games in a season in 100-plus degree weather was 2006 (July 18, Aug 1 and Aug 2), all at home. Anyone remember sweating out at least one of...

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Weekend starters still undecided

July 06, 2011, 9:55am

Orioles

The Orioles haven't listed a starter for Sunday's game in Boston that closes out the first half, but if you do the math, it's Mitch Atkins' turn in the rotation. Atkins held the Rangers to one run over six innings last night. He didn't walk a batter and threw 58 of his 90 pitches for strikes. As I pointed out in another entry, he retired the side only once in those six innings. He didn't dominate, but he didn't fold, either. Atkins gave the Orioles a quality start. Somebody had to...

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Taking a closer look at Jim Johnson

July 05, 2011, 8:07pm

Orioles

Before we point too many fingers at reliever Jim Johnson for causing last night's 4-2 loss to the Rangers, it's important to note that the Orioles went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base. And three kids. And a dog and cat. Also a hamster. Two solo home runs won't usually get you a victory in Texas. Hitting in the clutch hasn't been this team's strength. And that observation most likely will be the biggest understatement that you encounter today. Getting...

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Atkins leaves with lead, Johnson can't hold it

July 05, 2011, 6:26pm

Orioles

Atkins leaves with lead, Johnson can't hold it

I'm not ready to name Mitch Atkins the opening day starter in 2012, but he held a potent Rangers lineup to one run over six innings in his first major league start. I'd say he's earned another opportunity. Atkins scattered eight hits - which is what you do when you give up only one run - didn't walk a batter and struck out four. The fact that he didn't issue a walk might be the most impressive aspect of his night. Atkins retired the side in order only once in six innings. He didn't...

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Another Hardy homer (with Matusz updates)

July 05, 2011, 4:40pm

Orioles

Another Hardy homer (with Matusz updates)

Shortstop J.J. Hardy turned the second pitch of tonight's game into his 13th home run, giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead against Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison. Hardy's hitting .298 with 32 RBIs. I still believe that he was worth giving up minor league relievers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson. Don't try to talk me out of it. Down on the farm, Brian Matusz is making his first start with Triple-A Norfolk since being optioned. He's allowed two runs (one on a home run) and four hits in four...

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Orioles lineup against Rangers (and Scott update)

July 05, 2011, 12:45pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold is making back-to-back starts in left field. Vladimir Guerrero continues to bat cleanup. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Derrek Lee 1B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Mitch Atkins RHP I wrote earlier today about Luke Scott going on the disabled list, but I forgot to mention that he'll undergo an MRA Friday in Baltimore. That's what happens when you trust your memory instead of your...

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Luke Scott going on DL

July 05, 2011, 10:00am

Orioles

The Orioles will place left fielder Luke Scott on the 15-day disabled list later today to make room on the 25-man roster for pitcher Mitch Atkins, who gets the start tonight. The Orioles will purchase Atkins' contract from Triple-A Norfolk. He flew into Arlington yesterday. Scott is batting .223 with 11 doubles, nine homers and 22 RBIs in 63 games. He hit .226 with three homers and three RBIs in June, and went 0-for-9 in the Atlanta series. Scott has a tear in his right labrum, and the...

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As the rotation turns

July 04, 2011, 7:50pm

Orioles

I didn't need to leave my house last night to watch fireworks. Thanks to MASN, they were set off in my living room. My blinds are still scorched and my ceiling fan ... well ... I wouldn't pull the chain. Sometimes, I think the Orioles are pulling my chain. I wish they'd stop. The Rangers lit up Orioles pitching for 13 runs last night, making them the latest team to torch the rotation. Chris Jakubauskas surrendered six of them and didn't record an out in the third inning. Orioles...