Roch Kubatko

Snyder and Patton in Boston, waiting on Orioles lineup

May 17, 2011, 12:15pm

Orioles

Batting practice was canceled because of the rain, but it didn't stop Triple-A first baseman Brandon Snyder and left-hander Troy Patton from flying into Boston. Snyder and Patton have joined the Orioles - according to tweets from The Sun's Peter Schmuck and Jeff Zrebiec, and also confirmed by a team official - and will be activated if first baseman Derrek Lee and infielder Cesar Izturis go on the disabled list. They're in a holding pattern. Again, not because of the weather. I'm sure you...

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Still waiting on possible roster moves (Simon update)

May 17, 2011, 9:13am

Orioles

Still waiting on possible roster moves (Simon update)

The Orioles won't know whether they'll need to make any roster moves today until first baseman Derrek Lee shows up at Fenway Park and infielder Cesar Izturis is examined back in Baltimore. Lee left last night's game in the third inning with a strained left oblique. The club listed him as day-to-day, and he'll be reevaluated once he arrives at the ballpark and heads to the trainer's room. Izturis flew back to Baltimore yesterday after complaining of some numbness in his right hand. He'll...

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Matusz probably Bowie-bound

May 17, 2011, 8:12am

Orioles

Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz will most likely make his second injury rehab start Saturday at Double-A Bowie. The club also considered Triple-A Norfolk, but it appears that Matusz will take the mound at Prince George's Stadium for a 6:35 p.m. game against Erie. Last night, Matusz allowed one run and two hits, with two walks and two strikeouts, in four innings at Single-A Frederick. He threw 60 pitches, 37 for strikes. The Orioles want to extend Matusz to 75-80 pitches Saturday. They'll...

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Orioles need the 'pen to be mightier

May 16, 2011, 8:11pm

Orioles

I should have stayed in Frederick last night. The Single-A Keys rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and defeated Potomac, 3-2. Left-hander Brian Matusz was spared the loss in his first injury rehab start when Jacob Julius stroked a pinch-hit, game-tying single and Buck Britton followed with a two-run single. Brother Zach would be proud. Yes, I should have hung around Harry Grove Stadium on Bark in the Park night. And yes, I'm trying to come up with a dog-related joke...

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Tillman left game with back tightness

May 16, 2011, 7:33pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter used six relievers tonight. That's a lot of baton passing. Kevin Gregg finally dropped it at the end, walking two batters and surrendering Adrian Gonzalez's two-run double. Oriole relievers allowed five earned runs (eight total) and 10 hits, with four walks, in 3 1/3 innings. So why did Showalter remove starter Chris Tillman after five innings and 88 pitches? It's always a good idea to wait for the explanation instead of immediately ripping a decision. Showalter...

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Gonzalez and Accardo continue to struggle (O's lose 8-7)

May 16, 2011, 6:28pm

Orioles

Gonzalez and Accardo continue to struggle (O's lose 8-7)

A 6-0 lead wasn't passed to steady hands. Michael Gonzalez replaced Chris Tillman in the bottom of the sixth and allowed four runs (one earned) and three hits in one-third of an inning. Jeremy Accardo replaced him and let two inherited runners score, along with one of his own. Gonzalez has allowed runs in his last three outings and hits in his last five. In five appearances covering four innings, he's surrendered seven runs (four earned) and 10 hits. Accardo has allowed runs in five...

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Strange happenings in Boston

May 16, 2011, 5:32pm

Orioles

I tried listening to the Orioles game on my ride home from Harry Grove Stadium, but I kept losing the signal. I heard enough to know that first baseman Derrek Lee left the game with a strained left oblique, which a team spokesman confirmed in a quick phone call to the Fenway Park press box. The Orioles are listing him as day-to-day. I've been asked on Twitter about the severity of the injury. It just happened a few innings ago and I was in Frederick, so a definite answer isn't coming...

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Simon back in U.S., Matusz talks about outing

May 16, 2011, 4:22pm

Orioles

Simon back in U.S., Matusz talks about outing

FREDERICK, Md. - Alfredo Simon has returned to the U.S. tonight after flying to the Dominican Republic on Saturday. He's expected back in Baltimore around 10:30 p.m. and will pitch for Double-A Bowie tomorrow night in Richmond. This will be Simon's third rehab start with the Baysox. Brian Matusz said he felt good tonight while throwing 60 pitches in four innings against the Single-A Potomac Nationals, "but I felt better in the bullpen warming up before the game." Matusz allowed one run...

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Matusz has scoreless 3rd (and 4th)

May 16, 2011, 3:40pm

Orioles

FREDERICK, Md. - Brian Matusz stranded a runner on third base in the third inning, getting a strikeout and fly ball. He threw 10 pitches, six for strikes. Matusz has thrown 47 pitches, 29 for strikes. He's on a 55-60 pitch limit. Potomac's No. 9 hitter, Eury Perez, reached on a bunt single, stole second with one out and took third on catcher Brian Ward's throwing error. Jeff Kobernus struck out and Destin Hood flied to center. Matusz is working quickly, and he's not getting much rest....

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Matusz breezes through 1st inning (but not the 2nd)

May 16, 2011, 3:06pm

Orioles

Matusz breezes through 1st inning (but not the 2nd)

FREDERICK. Md. - Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz retired the side in order in the top of the first inning, throwing 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes. Cutter Dykstra, son of former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra, flied to center field on a 1-1 pitch. Jeff Kobernus struck out on three pitches, and Destin Hood shattered his bat while grounding to third base on a 2-2 pitch. The radar gun readings that are posted on the scoreboard don't appear to be accurate. One pitch was clocked at 51 mph. A...

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Matusz returns to Carolina League, Simon update

May 16, 2011, 1:33pm

Orioles

Matusz returns to Carolina League, Simon update

FREDERICK. Md. - The Single-A Frederick Keys are done taking batting practice and have returned to the home clubhouse at Harry Grove Stadium. The players wear shorts during pregame workouts. Maybe the Orioles should consider doing the same on those really humid days. Brian Matusz is scheduled to throw 55-60 pitches against the Potomac Nationals. The Orioles want him to go at least four innings so he'll get enough "ups," but it depends on his pitch count. I'm told that Matusz is excited...

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Orioles lineup against Red Sox

May 16, 2011, 11:40am

Orioles

If the weather allows the Orioles to play the Red Sox tonight at Fenway Park, manager Buck Showalter will trot out the following lineup: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Tillman RHP

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A few pregame notes

May 16, 2011, 11:15am

Orioles

The Orioles were 3-25 against the Boston Red Sox, including 2-10 at home, in 28 games from July 12, 2008 and April 24, 2010. In the last 19 meetings since April 25, 2010, the Orioles are 11-8 against the Red Sox, including 7-5 at home and 4-3 at Fenway Park. Since B.J. Ryan allowed a three-run walk-off homer to David Ortiz on June 2, 2005, the Orioles are 12-37 at Fenway Park and have lost 18 of their last 23 on Yawkey Way. The rotation has recorded six consecutive quality starts, posting a...

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Matusz and Tillman take their turns

May 16, 2011, 5:13am

Orioles

It took much longer than I expected, but I finally made it home last night. Actually, it was past midnight, so I made it home this morning. I'll be heading to Frederick later today to watch Brian Matusz pitch in his first injury rehab game. The memories will come flooding back. And hopefully, that's the only flooding that takes place, since the forecast includes storms the next five days. I wonder if the Orioles have a backup plan in case Matusz's start gets washed away. The last time I...

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Hardy and Arrieta talk about Sunday's game

May 15, 2011, 2:05pm

Orioles

Hardy and Arrieta talk about Sunday's game

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I'm having my own rain delay at the Tampa airport. My 6:55 p.m. flight is now scheduled to leave at 9:30 p.m. for weather-related reasons back in Baltimore. A storm is headed that way if it hasn't already arrived. I'm told that air traffic control could lift the delay, reduce it or extend it. I'm also told the bar's still open at Chili's Too that's a short walk from my gate. Here are some quotes from shortstop J.J. Hardy, whose grand slam broke open today's...

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Postgame Showalter following 9-3 win

May 15, 2011, 12:55pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I'm racing out of here to drop off my rental car and catch my flight back to Baltimore, but I wanted to pass along a little postgame Buck Showalter for you. On Jake Arrieta: "He had great stuff early. Hopefully, he'll get to a point where he can kind of maximize his pitches a little bit more and get deeper. He had a great fastball today." On J.J. Hardy's grand slam: "You're going to need it against any club and especially here in their ballpark. There were a lot...

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A Hardy "hello" for Rays reliever (Arrieta done)

May 15, 2011, 11:30am

Orioles

A Hardy "hello" for Rays reliever (Arrieta done)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Tampa Bay left-hander Cesar Ramos entered today's game in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and no outs. The bases were cleared after three pitches. Shortstop J.J. Hardy hit his third career grand slam, and first since May 12, 2007 off the Mets' Joe Smith. Orioles 8, Rays 2. Right-hander Rob Delaney walked the bases loaded - one free pass was intentional - before Ramos replaced him. Hardy gave him quite a greeting. The No. 9 hitter in this lineup must be...

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Lee comes through with RISP (updated)

May 15, 2011, 10:35am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Before yesterday's game, Derrek Lee was 2-for-28 with runners in scoring position, ranking last in average among American League hitters with at least 25 at-bats. He was 3-for-31 (.097) with five RBIs before today. Better, but still not good. He continued to rank last among active players. Detroit's Magglio Ordonez is worse, but he's also on the disabled list. Lee came up big in the third inning today, driving in two runs with a single off Rays starter Andy...

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Wieters, Arrieta off to good starts

May 15, 2011, 10:03am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Matt Wieters gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the second inning with a two-out single that scored Vladimir Guerrero, who led off with a double and moved to third on a ground ball. Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach set up outside with Guerrero batting. Andy Sonnanstine hit the target and Guerrero reached for the ball and poked it down the right field line. Not a bad pitch, just a good bad-ball hitter. Wieters is 13-for-23 (.565) with three doubles, three homers and 20 RBIs with...

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A few early notes

May 15, 2011, 8:41am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz will be restricted to 55-60 pitches tomorrow night at Single-A Frederick. The Orioles would like to get at least four innings out of him, but it depends on his pitch count. Matusz will be extended to 75-80 pitches in his next start on Saturday. The Orioles haven't decided whether he'll join Triple-A Norfolk or Double-A Bowie. Justin Duchscherer will go three innings Wednesday in a simulated game in Sarasota, and four innings in the next...