Put THAT in your journal (w/Matusz & Tillman updates)

Put THAT in your journal (w/Matusz & Tillman updates)
In case you were wondering, Luke Scott hasn't cooled off. Twins center fielder Denard Span robbed him of a home run in the second inning, but Scott wouldn't be denied in the fourth. He drove a fastball over the right field fence after Nick Markakis was hit by a pitch, giving the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Scott gave Adam Jones another hug on the on-deck circle before reaching the dugout. He did the same thing last night. Scott is 10-for-22 with four homers since coming off the disabled...
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The Luke Scott question (& game update)

The Luke Scott question (& game update)
I finally remembered to approach Luke Scott at his locker this afternoon and check whether he still keeps a journal of his at-bats against each pitcher. We haven't seen him scribbling in it this season. So what gives? "I still have it, but I don't do it as much now because I've been in the league for a while and a lot of this stuff, I already know," he said. "I have a good plan now. I've got my notes on these guys." So there you have it. He still keeps the journal, but he doesn't...
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Roster move coming (w/quotes added)

Roster move coming (w/quotes added)
Yes, another one. The Orioles will reveal later tonight or early tomorrow how they'll create room on the 25-man roster for catcher Matt Wieters, who's eligible to come off the disabled list tomorrow and will start behind the plate. The choice still appears to come down to Craig Tatum, who has an option remaining, or Jake Fox, who would have to be designated for assignment. Good luck with that one. The Orioles love Fox's versatility. He can catch and play both infield and outfield...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 1B Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP For the Twins: Span CF Casilla 2B Mauer C Cuddyer 1B Young LF Kubel DH Valencia 3B Hardy SS Repko RF Baker RHP
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Guthrie's resurgence

Guthrie's resurgence
Jeremy Guthrie is complicating the non-waiver trade deadline process. His value is going through the roof after last night's start, when he made one bad pitch - resulting in Joe Mauer's two-run homer - in seven innings to post his first victory since May 25. Guthrie has allowed three runs in 13 1/3 innings, with one walk and 12 strikeouts, in his last two starts. Scouts are hanging around Camden Yards as if the club is giving away free food and lap dances. Contenders covet pitching, and...
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Juan and done

Juan and done
Second baseman Brian Roberts saw 24 pitches in his four at-bats tonight, and his seven-pitch battle with Twins starter Brian Duensing in the first inning seemed to set the tone for the Orioles' hitters. "That's Brian," interim manager Juan Samuel said. "Brian has been doing that for so long and he knows what needs to be done when you're the leadoff guy, and he's one of the best. He saw so many pitches, he gave our guys a chance to see what the pitcher had. That's the job of a leadoff...
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A few updates - Part II

A few updates - Part II
Tonight's attendance: 19.013. Season total: 1,095,630. Brian Roberts is 0-for-4 in his first game since April 9, but he's run the count full three times. I'm giving him points, though they won't show up on his average. It's just nice to see a hitter work the count and put a little pressure on the pitcher. Jeremy Guthrie allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings, with no walks and six strikeouts. Interim manager Juan Samuel removed him after 99 pitches. Guthrie is making himself...
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A few updates (and 1 more)

A few updates (and 1 more)
A second baseman left the game with an injury, but it wasn't Brian Roberts. Orlando Hudson was removed in the bottom of the third. We're still waiting for official word, but it might be an oblique injury. Roberts has grounded out twice and struck out. He ran the count full again in the fifth inning before going down swinging. Twins left-hander Brian Duensing has induced nine ground balls through five innings. Ty Wigginton hit his first triple since Aug. 16, 2008. Plate umpire Gary...
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B-Rob's first at-bat (updated)

B-Rob's first at-bat (updated)
Brian Roberts just took his first swings as an Oriole since the home opener, when he exited with a strained abdominal muscle. It's easy to forget the injury because it's been so long ago. I would have guessed "back" and failed to advance to the bonus round. Leading off the bottom of the first inning, Roberts ran the count full against Twins left-hander Brian Duensing and fouled off a pitch before bouncing to second. Roberts saw seven pitches from Duensing. Way to work the count. Roberts...
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Pre-game notes (w/more quotes)

Pre-game notes (w/more quotes)
The plan for Brian Roberts is to play him today and tomorrow, rest him Sunday, play him Monday in Toronto, possibly rest him on Tuesday and play him on Wednesday. "He stated that he's ready to go," interim manager Juan Samuel said. "At the same time, we want to be a little bit careful." Nick Markakis is fine. Samuel wanted to give him the night off. "He's been playing hard and he deserves a day off," Samuel said. "As we all know Nicky wants to play, and if you put it in Nicky's...
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Wiggy suspended; will appeal

Wiggy suspended; will appeal
Ty Wigginton has been suspended three games for his actions in last night's game. He's appealing it and can continue to play until a ruling is passed down from the commissioner's office. The suspension will be announced at 5:30 p.m., but Wigginton and a team official confirmed it. The Orioles will have to play a man short if it's not overturned - one good reason to appeal. Meanwhile, umpire Gary Darling will work behind the plate in tonight's game despite blowing the call that led to...
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Markakis out of lineup; Roberts in

Markakis out of lineup; Roberts in
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Miguel Tejada 3B Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Craig Tatum C Corey Patterson RF Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP For the Twins: Span CF Hudson 2B Mauer C Kubel RF Cuddyer 1B Thome DH Young LF Hardy SS Punto 3B Duensing LHP
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Roberts roster move official

Roberts roster move official
The Orioles activated second baseman Brian Roberts from the disabled list and designated Scott Moore for assignment. No big surprise here. Roberts has been pushing to rejoin the lineup, where he's been missing since the home opener. The Orioles decided to do it now rather than wait for the road trip. He's pretty convincing. Now he needs to be durable. Moore batted .209 with 10 RBIs in 41 games. By designating him, the Orioles also cleared room on the 40-man roster.
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Going Gonzo, and berserk

Going Gonzo, and berserk
Also lost in last night's loss was the first appearance by Michael Gonzalez since April 9. Does anyone remember watching him pitch? Gonzalez replaced starter Kevin Millwood after interim manager Juan Samuel and pitching coach Rick Kranitz were ejected. He gave up a single to Denard Span, retired Orlando Hudson on a fly ball to right, intentionally walked Joe Mauer with first base open and retired Jason Kubel on a ground ball. Gonzalez threw 16 pitches, seven for strikes. His fastball...
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It's a mad, mad, mad team

It's a mad, mad, mad team
With all the craziness last night, I almost forgot that the Orioles were shut out again in a 5-0 loss to the Twins. Three players were ejected, and a male fan circled the bases, hopped into the stands, bumped into a police officer, raced back onto the field, and delayed the game long enough for Ty Wigginton's check to clear that will cover his fine from MLB. Oh yeah, and the Orioles lost, 5-0. Five pitchers have thrown complete games against the Orioles this season, with Carl Pavano being...
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Post-game Samuel

Post-game Samuel
Interim manager Juan Samuel says he wasn't angry tonight. I guess I was fooled by the screaming and the way he played long-toss with his cap. "I just didn't think Kranny deserved to be thrown out," he said, referring to how he rushed the field after pitching coach Rick Kranitz was ejected. "He did not do anything basically to deserve being thrown out. I don't know if they know that they blew the call and fuses were very short. "Kranny didn't say anything. That's what I was trying to...
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Wiggy, Samuel and Kranitz ejected

Wiggy, Samuel and Kranitz ejected
I have a new favorite player and his name is Ty Wigginton. I'm also pretty fond of a certain interim manager. Wigginton just unleashed every ounce of anger and frustration that his body could muster at first base umpire Gary Darling, earning an ejection and my undying admiration. Darling blew a call, ruling that J.J. Hardy got back safely after breaking for second and dashing back to first. Cesar Izturis took the throw from catcher Craig Tatum and fired to first, where Wigginton appeared...
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Get ready for Gonzo

Get ready for Gonzo
Left-hander Michael Gonzalez is warming in the bullpen, and we could see him pitch for the first time since the home opener. Be gentle. Kevin Millwood made it through the sixth after throwing 34 pitches in the first and surrendering that three-run double to Delmon Young. He also served up a 434-foot homer to Michael Cuddyer. I'm told they served a kosher meal on that flight. Millwood's pitch count stands at 93. The Orioles' hit count stands at three - a weak single by Craig Tatum in...
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Two-out trauma

Two-out trauma
Has anyone eaten the crab cakes at G&M Restaurant in Linthicum Heights? I just had a few bites of one because MASN's Amber Theoharis was nice enough to share, and it...was...awesome. I used Amber's fork after she assured me that I couldn't get pregnant. I'm not exactly sure how that works. Kevin Millwood's return to the Orioles has hit a few bumps. They're roughly the size of Minneapolis. Millwood retired the first two batters in the opening inning, but Joe Mauer doubled, Jason Kubel...
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Before first pitch...

Before first pitch...
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail walked out of interim manager Juan Samuel's office after batting practice without making a decision on whether to activate Brian Roberts. "He's campaigning," MacPhail said. Just a hunch, but I bet Roberts is activated tomorrow. The Twins lead the majors with a .289 average with runners in scoring position. The Orioles rank last at .226. Minnesota pitchers have issued the fewest walks with 202. A bizarre stat for runs scored: The Twins have...
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