Roch Kubatko

Taking another left turn (updated)

May 03, 2011, 7:40am

Orioles

Since I brought up left-handed relief in this morning's entry, I wanted to drop a few names from Triple-A Norfolk, which is playing a doubleheader today against Louisville. Mike Ballard is starting Game 1, and the Orioles were prepared to purchase his contract on April 23 if Chris Tillman's sore groin had led to a stint on the disabled list. Ballard is 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA in four starts for the Tides, allowing 22 hits and walking 10 in 19 innings. Chris George impressed manager Buck...

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Bullpen speculation and another lefty opponent

May 02, 2011, 7:21pm

Orioles

Bullpen speculation and another lefty opponent

I guess a four-game sweep in Chicago was being greedy. Taking three of four is acceptable. Josh Rupe served up Paul Konerko's second home run last night, increasing the White Sox's lead to 6-0 in the eighth inning. He allowed two runs in 14 2/3 innings in spring training, but he's carrying a 7.59 ERA in 10 2/3 innings this season. Rupe also let an inherited runner score on Konerko's homer, which left Clay Rapada's ERA at 16.20 in 3 1/3 innings. If the Orioles make any changes to their...

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Showalter provides update on Markakis

May 02, 2011, 7:15pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't seem concerned about Nick Markakis' right hand during his postgame interview with MASN's Gary Thorne. Markakis was hit by a Chris Sale fastball with two outs and left the game, but he returned to the bench and watched the final out. "It was more of a pinch than it was a direct blow, so we got lucky there," Showalter said. Markakis apparently banged his right knee on a sprinkler head while diving for a ball, which could present more of an issue than...

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No support for Guthrie, Orioles lose 6-2

May 02, 2011, 5:58pm

Orioles

Jeremy Guthrie gave up another run in the sixth inning, but you have to wonder if it matters anymore. He'd have to throw a shutout just to break even. The Orioles have put approximately 500 runners on base in six innings against Mark Buehrle, but the Chicago left-hander is shutting them out. They're 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and have stranded nine. In Guthrie's 17 losses since the start of 2010, the Orioles have scored 24 runs while he was in the game (1.41 runs per game),...

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This and that - the sequel (updated)

May 02, 2011, 5:16pm

Orioles

The Orioles continue to trail the White Sox, 2-0, in the top of the fifth because left fielder Juan Pierre made a diving catch near the line to rob Brian Roberts of two RBIs. Paul Konerko homered with two outs in the bottom of the fourth to pad Chicago's lead. Luke Scott leaped at the fence and hung on it for a few seconds. At some point, the Orioles will start scoring runs for Jeremy Guthrie. Maybe not tonight, but it's bound to happen. Be sure to DVR the game so you can show your friends,...

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This and that (updated)

May 02, 2011, 3:27pm

Orioles

The Orioles will activate pitcher Chris Jakubauskas from the disabled list and option him to Triple-A Norfolk, improving their rotation depth at the upper levels of their minor league system. Jakubauskas made an injury rehab start yesterday for the Tides, allowing one run and three hits with one walk and two strikeouts, in 1 1/3 innings. He allowed six runs and nine hits in 7 1/3 innings in three relief appearances with the Orioles before going on the disabled list with a groin...

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Orioles and White Sox lineups

May 02, 2011, 12:44pm

Orioles

Here's the lineup that manager Buck Showalter hopes can enable the Orioles to complete a four-game sweep of the White Sox - along with another quality start from Jeremy Guthrie: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Robert Andino SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP Here's the White Sox's lineup: Pierre LF Ramirez SS Dunn DH Konerko 1B Quentin RF Pierzynski C Rios CF Teahen 3B Beckham 2B Buehrle LHP

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Pregame notes, Machado and Clark honored

May 02, 2011, 10:10am

Orioles

Pregame notes, Machado and Clark honored

The Orioles are seeking their 14th victory of the season tonight after not winning their 14th game in 2010 until May 21. Their next road victory will be their seventh after not winning their seventh road game in 2010 until June 15. The Orioles are going for their first sweep of a four-game set on Chicago's South Side since July 6-9, 1995. Their last four-game sweep was July 8-11, 2010 at Texas. The Orioles are 14-6 against the American League Central under manager Buck Showalter, winning all...

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Going for the sweep, Minor on Machado

May 01, 2011, 6:58pm

Orioles

The Orioles will attempt to break out the brooms tonight in an unusual four-game series that started on Friday. How often does a team play a road game on Sunday and remain in the city overnight? Better to do it in Chicago than, say, Detroit. Jeremy Guthrie is sporting a 1-3 record, which clashes with his 2.53 ERA. He's allowed two runs or fewer in four of his five starts. Guthrie is 3-4 with a 4.36 ERA lifetime against the White Sox. Paul Konerko is 5-for-24 with a double and two homers....

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Machado homers again (Klein moves up)

May 01, 2011, 2:09pm

Orioles

Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado hit his fifth home run today, a two-run shot that raised his RBI total to 20. He's batting .337. Machado has five homers and 12 RBIs in his last seven games. Believe the hype. Jacob Pettit, a 42nd-round pick from Western Oregon State College, struck out eight over eight scoreless innings. Chris Jakubauskas, on an injury-rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk, allowed one run and three hits in 1 1/3 innings. He threw 37 pitches, 21 for strikes. Nolan...

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Gregg, Orioles hang on for 6-4 win

May 01, 2011, 1:15pm

Orioles

The Orioles have taken the first three games of this series after today's tense, 6-4 victory over the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Kevin Gregg made it interesting, to say the least, by walking leadoff hitter Alexei Ramirez and giving up a single to Carlos Quentin before recording his first out in the ninth inning - a called third strike on Paul Konerko. Buck Showalter talks with Gary Thorne about the amount of walks in the Birds' 6-4 win Gregg fell behind, 3-1, to Alex Rios before...

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Britton does it again (updated)

May 01, 2011, 12:40pm

Orioles

Zach Britton is lined up for his fifth win of the season, which again comes across as pretty impressive for a guy who wasn't supposed to be in the majors. Britton held the White Sox to one run over six innings, allowing five hits, walking three and striking out one. He threw 96 pitches and lowered his ERA to 2.63. This wasn't Britton at his best, but the Orioles will take it. At some point, the starters will need to get deeper in these games. There are no rules against going eight...

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Updating Simon and Matusz (more on Simon)

May 01, 2011, 8:47am

Orioles

Updating Simon and Matusz (more on Simon)

Pitcher Alfredo Simon faced 19 batters and threw 64 pitches yesterday in an extended spring training game at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, Fla. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Chicago that Simon didn't allow a run, struck out six averaged 94 mph with his fastball. Simon will pitch again on Thursday, though the Orioles haven't determined whether it will happen in Sarasota or with one of their minor league affiliates, according to a team official. Also, Brian Matusz had a good...

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Pie in today's lineup

May 01, 2011, 7:22am

Orioles

I pointed out earlier today that Felix Pie is 5-for-9 lifetime against White Sox's starter Gavin Floyd. Orioles manager Buck Showalter saw the same stat. Look who's in today's lineup: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie CF Robert Andino SS Zach Britton LHP Pie is making his first start since April 17. He has three at-bats since that game in Cleveland.

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April in the rear view mirror

May 01, 2011, 5:38am

Orioles

Maybe it's just my sense of humor, but I think the Orioles should make Vladimir Guerrero walk to U.S. Cellular field today. No team shuttle, no cabs. Guerrero went the entire month of April without a walk. And without a 3-0 count. At some point this season, a manager will order an intentional walk with first base open, and Guerrero will swing at two of the pitches. Maybe three. The Orioles finished the month of April with a 12-13 record, their most wins in the first month since 2007. That...

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Good stuff from Gonzalez (updated)

April 30, 2011, 5:46pm

Orioles

The last time Michael Gonzalez took the mound, he threw 25 pitches in one-third of an inning and was booed by the Camden Yards crowd as he walked to the dugout with his head down. Gonzalez was charged with two runs and two hits in a 6-2 loss to the Red Sox on Thursday. He was encouraged afterward, despite the numbers, and manager Buck Showalter stated that the left-hander would find much better results if he brought the same stuff into his future appearances. Well, Gonzalez pitched two...

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A few observations (updated)

April 30, 2011, 4:57pm

Orioles

Not to keep comparing Matt Wieters to Jake Fox behind the plate, but Adam Jones' throw to the plate in the sixth easily beat Alexei Ramirez. However, Fox couldn't hold onto the ball, and Alex Rios was credited with a sacrifice fly that cut the Orioles' lead to 2-1. Pretty gutsy of manager Buck Showalter to bring in left-hander Michael Gonzalez with the bases loaded and no outs. Gonzalez should have been back in the dugout without a run scoring. Gonzalez struck out two and induced a fly...

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Orioles receive Hester to complete Reynolds trade

April 30, 2011, 1:12pm

Orioles

When the Orioles traded relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Dec. 6 for third baseman Mark Reynolds, they also were supposed to receive a player to be named later. It's later. And he's been named. The Orioles also have received catcher John Hester, who was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. Hester, a 13th-round pick out of Stanford in the 2006 draft, is batting .263 with three doubles, one homer and five RBIs in 10 games with Triple-A Reno. He's thrown out...

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Orioles and White Sox lineups

April 30, 2011, 11:25am

Orioles

With an afternoon game looming tomorrow, Jake Fox will start behind the plate tonight while Matt Wieters rests. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Jake Fox C Robert Andino SS Chris Tillman RHP For the White Sox: Juan Pierre LF Alexei Ramirez SS Carlos Quentin RF Paul Konerko DH Adam Dunn 1B Alex Rios CF A.J. Pierzynski C Mark Teahen 3B Gordon Beckham 2B Philip Humber RHP

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A few random pregame notes

April 30, 2011, 10:12am

Orioles

I hope you're not playing a drinking game where you do a shot each time Vladimir Guerrero draws a walk. Then again, if you plan on driving later, it's the perfect game. Guerrero is the first non-pitcher in Orioles history to not draw a walk in his first 100 plate appearances. He walked 35 times with the Rangers last season. If it happens during a game at Camden Yards, I really hope the Orioles halt play and retrieve the ball for him. The pitcher could sign it first. The Orioles have...