Roch Kubatko

Now you can worry

April 15, 2011, 5:38pm

Orioles

Oh sure, now Koji Uehara pitches. Uehara took care of the eighth inning tonight, long after the Indians took care of the Orioles. We're talking five straight losses and a .500 record. And it doesn't sting any less to me when it's a blowout. There isn't as much to second-guess, but it's still painful. Zach Britton is human. Pass the word. He allowed five runs and eight hits in six innings. There were bound to be nights like this one. It just would have been more convenient if it...

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Orioles and Indians lineups

April 15, 2011, 11:42am

Orioles

The Orioles will send out the following lineup tonight in Cleveland as they try to end a four-game skid at a ballpark where they've posted a 20-47 record: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Zach Britton LHP For the Indians: Michael Brantley CF Asdrubal Cabrera SS Shin-Soo Choo RF Shelley Duncan LF Travis Hafner DH Orlando Cabrera 2B Matt LaPorta 1B Lou Marson C Adam Everett...

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Letting Pie slide

April 15, 2011, 9:12am

Orioles

As long as we're second-guessing and debating and looking back with one hand covering our eyes, I'll chime in regarding Felix Pie's "slide" into home plate in the eighth inning. Here's a little reminder. Joba Chamberlain bounced a pitch with Pie on third base and the Orioles clinging to a one-run lead. The ball went to the backstop and took a big bounce toward catcher Russell Martin, whose throw to the plate arrived ahead of Pie. Chamberlain applied the tag, and you know the rest. At...

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Closing argument

April 15, 2011, 4:07am

Orioles

So is the honeymoon period over for manager Buck Showalter? I've never seen him second-guessed to this extent since he was named manager Aug. 2. It was bound to happen. Earl Weaver would have been questioned and criticized during the blog and Twitter era. That's all part of the game. I don't think anyone is jumping off the Showalter bandwagon, but he made two decisions last night that clearly irked readers of this blog. (And I'm trying to remember the last time I used the word...

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The losing streak reaches four

April 14, 2011, 6:31pm

Orioles

Some losses are tougher to swallow than others. This one should stick in the Orioles' throats. They led, 5-0, and their starter hadn't allowed a hit through four innings. They hit for power, they advanced runners, they had quality pitching and at-bats, which should have been a recipe for success. The back end of the bullpen is supposed to be a strength, but Jason Berken gave up a run in the seventh, Jim Johnson put two runners on base in the eighth before escaping the jam, and Kevin Gregg...

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Blown lead, blown save (good news on Brooks Robinson)

April 14, 2011, 6:07pm

Orioles

Blown lead, blown save (good news on Brooks Robinson)

So much for my foot-on-their-throats suggestion. The Yankees scored once in the fifth, twice in the sixth and once in the seventh to reduce the Orioles' lead to 5-4. You had to know what was coming next. Kevin Gregg entered in the bottom of the ninth and lost the lead on one pitch. Jorge Posada, an all-or-nothing guy in the first two weeks of the season, homered to tied the game, 5-5. Kevin Gregg talks about blowing his first safe of the season in a loss to the Yankees A lost lead in...

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Arrieta dealing early (updated)

April 14, 2011, 4:36pm

Orioles

I fired up my laptop after the top of the fifth inning - just in time for Jake Arrieta to give up a run on his first two hits. I blame myself. Again. Alex Rodriguez broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff double. Tears were shed, but I quickly pulled myself together. The Orioles need a quality start from Arrieta after Chris Tillman lasted only 1 2/3 innings last night. Manager Buck Showalter has talked about the risks involved with having young starters go back-to-back. When I mentioned it...

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Orioles lineup against Yankees

April 14, 2011, 11:43am

Orioles

Here's the Orioles lineup for tonight's series-finale against the Yankees: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Jake Arrieta RHP Also, in case you missed it, the Orioles promoted Steve Johnson, son of former Orioles' pitcher Dave Johnson, to Triple-A Norfolk. And Double-A Bowie first baseman Joe Mahoney has been placed on the seven-day disabled list with an injured quadriceps...

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Bergesen brings a silver lining

April 14, 2011, 9:27am

Orioles

Before you completely erase last night's game from your memory, you might want to pause and reflect on Brad Bergesen's effort. The night wasn't all bad. Bergesen gave the Orioles two scoreless and hitless innings, striking out two and lowering his ERA to 3.18 in two appearances. I guess that wasn't two much to ask (see what I did there?) Bergesen was officially recalled from Triple-A Norfolk earlier in the day, though he never wore a Tides uniform. I'm not sure he even washed one in...

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Trying times for Tillman

April 13, 2011, 6:48pm

Orioles

I have only one question regarding the Barry Bonds verdict: Is this another intentional walk? An Orioles-related question: Does it feel like they've lost three in a row? I have to remind myself because the first loss came in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader. Monday's open date and Tuesday's postponement have broken up the streak, but it does exist. I walked away from my television numerous times last night, and not just because I was doing laundry, washing dishes, straightening up and...

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Random thoughts (updated)

April 13, 2011, 3:37pm

Orioles

This just in: Vladimir Guerrero swung at the first pitch with a runner on third base and two outs in the first inning. He also swung at the third and fourth, striking out to strand Brian Roberts. The Orioles came close to taking a 1-0 lead, but Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira made a leaping catch to rob Derrek Lee. Lee hit another ball to the right side. It's been a fairly common occurrence over the first 10 games. Say what you want about Matt Wieters' offense - and I'm also...

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Bergesen officially on roster

April 13, 2011, 2:34pm

Orioles

The Orioles must be confident that they'll play tonight, because they've officially recalled Brad Bergesen from Triple-A Norfolk and placed shortstop J.J. Hardy on the disabled list. Bergesen can pitch out of the bullpen tonight if he's needed, and he's slated to start Sunday in Cleveland. Bergesen was optioned to Norfolk over the weekend, but he never reported. He met the club in New York and waited to join the 25-man roster. A postponement tonight most likely would have caused the...

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Orioles and Yankees lineups

April 13, 2011, 12:03pm

Orioles

The last time I checked, the sky over Yankee Stadium was gray. Looked like it could start pouring any second. Fingers crossed that we actually get to watch some baseball. If it happens, the Orioles will send out the following lineup against the Yankees. It looks the exact same as the one they tried to use last night: 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 Chris Tillman RHP Here's the...

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An outsider's view of Showalter

April 13, 2011, 9:36am

Orioles

While I'm waiting to find out whether the Orioles will resume their season or go on hiatus like a low-rated sitcom - I just realized that "Mr. Sunshine" isn't following "Modern Family" tonight on ABC - I wanted to pass along a blog entry from Danny Knobler at cbssports.com. Knobler writes about manager Buck Showalter's attention to detail, and how it often seems to come out of nowhere. Those of us on the beat can relate. We witness this sort of thing just about every day. And I'm sure...

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What's next for Bergesen?

April 12, 2011, 6:06pm

Orioles

The Orioles didn't really need a rainout last night, but they got one anyway. The bullpen rested on Monday. The rotation was set, with Brad Bergesen on the verge of being recalled to start tonight. It was time to play ball. If you wanted Bergesen to avoid the Yankees, your wish was granted. He's being skipped, with Chris Tillman scheduled to pitch tonight and Jake Arrieta taking the ball tomorrow night. Bergesen is 0-2 with a 6.60 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees, with 14 hits...

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Quick Matusz update (game postponed)

April 12, 2011, 1:42pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz threw off flat ground today at the Orioles' minor league complex in Sarasota. It's a positive first step in his recovery from a strained left intercostal muscle. Matusz said he played catch from 60 feet. He made 25 throws without any pain. There's a chance that Matusz will rejoin the Orioles after they return from Cleveland and throw in the bullpen for pitching coach Mark Connor. Matusz went on the disabled list retroactive to March 30. Zach Britton took his place in the...

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Patton headed to DL

April 12, 2011, 12:59pm

Orioles

The Orioles will put left-hander Troy Patton on the disabled list later today with a slight shoulder strain. He's expected to miss only one start, though that will become more apparent after he's examined tomorrow. Patton didn't throw today, but he might be cleared for long toss on Thursday. John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of player development, said Patton most likely will be set back "three or four days." Patton left last night's start against the Gwinnett Braves after facing...

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Orioles lineup vs. Yankees (and Spoone note)

April 12, 2011, 11:28am

Orioles

If the weather cooperates, the Orioles will run out the following lineup against A.J. Burnett and the New York Yankees: 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 Chris Tillman RHP Why Andino over Cesar Izturis? Maybe it's because Andino is 3-for-8 with a home run and two RBIs lifetime against Burnett. Izturis is 6-for-27. J.J. Hardy is 5-for-10 with two doubles and two RBIs, but...

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Bergesen in NY as expected

April 12, 2011, 7:00am

Orioles

Pitcher Brad Bergesen joined the Orioles in New York, another sign that he's starting Wednesday night's game at Yankee Stadium. However, nothing has come easily to Bergesen, so he'll naturally be at the mercy of the weather. It isn't raining in New York as I type this entry, but the forecast is ominous. We'll find out later how a postponement tonight would affect the rotation for the rest of the series. It isn't any better in Baltimore. Too bad the Orioles couldn't escape the...

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This and that

April 11, 2011, 6:08pm

Orioles

Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado went 3-for-4 with a double, walk and run scored last night, leaving his average at .467 with two doubles, a triple, three RBIs and seven walks in five games. . This just in: The kid is good. He should be in the Carolina League no later than the midway point of the season. The Orioles will play the 10th game of their season tonight in New York. Do the first 10 really mean anything? You decide. Since baseball switched to a three-division alignment...