Last night, today and tonight

Last night, today and tonight
I woke up this morning feeling older than usual, knowing that the Astros selected Delino DeShield's son last night with the eighth overall pick in the first-year draft. Bop Jr. was just another kid hanging around the Orioles' clubhouse after games. Now he's going to play professional ball. The years keep flying by. If only I could figure out a way to slow them down a little. It's always interesting in any draft to see which players pull a Brady Quinn and tumble down the board...
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A few words from Jordan

A few words from Jordan
Joe Jordan, the Orioles' director of scouting, referred to first-round pick Manny Machado as a "target guy" for the organization all spring who automatically has become "one of our premiere prospects." "We're very excited with tonight's selection," Jordan said during a conference call with reporters. "We feel very fortunate. I had my interaction with Manny Machado this spring and it's been very enjoyable to watch how he plays the game, the energy. Nothing is made up here. He loves...
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Machado Man (updated)

Machado Man (updated)
Grow the bats? The Orioles drifted away from their pitching-first philosophy in the amateur draft tonight by taking Florida prep shortstop Manny Machado, 17, with the third overall pick. Their intention became one of the worst-kept secrets in baseball once reports surfaced earlier today that the Pirates would select Texas prep pitcher Jameson Taillon with the second pick. The Orioles would have snatched Taillon with gusto if he remained on the board when their turn came up. Not that they're...
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Roberts still not playing (updated)

Roberts still not playing (updated)
Second baseman Brian Roberts sat out another extended spring training game today in Sarasota and could visit a back specialist in the next day or two while continuing to deal with soreness that he says is unrelated to the herniated disk. I'm trying to get confirmation from a team official, but the upcoming draft is keeping everyone busy. I'm told the Roberts might see a specialist in the St. Petersburg area. He's been receiving treatment and counseling from Dr. Lee Riley at Johns...
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Patton's impressive outing (plus promo note)

Patton's impressive outing (plus promo note)
Promo Note: Listen in this afternoon from 3:30-5:00 p.m. as Steve Melewski hosts a radio show right here on MASNsports.com covering all things O's. Call in with your questions about the draft or the team in general. The number to call in is (914) 338-0105. Left-hander Troy Patton shut out Buffalo over seven innings today, allowing only three hits, walking one and striking out three. He threw 89 pitches, 58 for strikes. This is the second time in three starts that Patton has shut out an...
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Bell back in lineup (updated)

Bell back in lineup (updated)
Josh Bell is serving as Triple-A Norfolk's designated hitter for today's game against Buffalo. Bell missed the last two games because of spasms in his neck. He's being eased back into the lineup as the DH, with Paco Figueroa starting at third base. Bell has hit .333 (16-for-48) with eight doubles and eight runs scored in his last 13 games. Left-hander Troy Patton is on the mound for the Tides. Jake Arrieta is still scheduled to start Thursday after throwing two innings in relief on...
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The closer

The closer
Sorry to leave the comments unattended for so long. I ended up in Canton last night and...well, I ended up in Canton. I could use a little more sleep, but I'm playing tennis in about an hour and I wanted to get the blog cranked up before I dragged my tired body onto the court. The Orioles will make their selection in tonight's First-Year Player Draft no later than 7:15 p.m. Each team is on the clock for five minutes now that MLB Network has gotten involved and we have to milk this sucker...
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Nick the Stick

Nick the Stick
Nick Markakis made sure we didn't endure a 12th inning today, lining a single into left-center field to touch off a wild, and rare, celebration at home plate. So this is how a win looks and feels? Amber Theoharis talks with Nick Markakis after his game winning hit in the 11th inning "We've battled," Markakis said. "We were in games and lost them. But we didn't let this one get away. Our bullpen did a great job. (David) Hernandez came in and did as good of a job as you could ask that...
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Orioles 4, Red Sox 3 (11 innings)

Orioles 4, Red Sox 3 (11 innings)
Interim manager Juan Samuel sat down in the interview room, removed his cap and told reporters that his hair hadn't turned more gray since the game started. He could have been referring to the dramatic outcome or the amount of time it took to complete. I'm not positive. Samuel received a couple of souvenirs from his first victory. "I have the ball in my office and the lineup card," he said. Samuel was spared the shaving cream pie "unless they're trying to sneak up on me," he said....
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Ohman can't close it out (updated)

Ohman can't close it out (updated)
Update: It took 11 innings, but the Orioles halted their 10-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory. Nick Markakis singled to score Cesar Izturis, who drew a leadoff walk against Boston left-hander Hideki Okajima and moved up on Julio Lugo's sacrifice bunt. Miguel Tejada was walked intentionally, and Markakis ended this marathon. Congrats Juan Samuel. True to his pre-game word, interim manager Juan Samuel called upon left-hander Will Ohman to get the save today. Ohman allowed four earned runs...
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No RBI with a RISP (updated)

No RBI with a RISP (updated)
It started to pour, then it stopped. Again. Cesar Izturis reached on an error by Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia leading off the seventh inning, and he moved up on a sacrifice. Miguel Tejada popped up, but Nick Markakis walked with the count full on a pitch so close that Red Sox starter John Lackey hopped in the air and spun away in frustration. Ty Wigginton couldn't break the tie, bouncing into a force after getting ahead, 3-0. And so it continues... Interim manager Juan Samuel is...
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Matusz done for the day

Matusz done for the day
Today's attendance: 27,774. The pitch count caught up to Brian Matusz again today. Matusz left with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth inning. Matt Albers replaced him and induced a ground ball from Bill Hall on a 3-1 count. Matusz allowed two runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings - just short of a quality start - with four walks and seven strikeouts. He threw 117 pitches, 73 for strikes. One of those walks was intentional, with first base open and two outs in the sixth, but Adrian...
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A few updates

A few updates
Left-hander Brian Matusz has struck out six batters in five innings. Victor Martinez has accounted for all the scoring against him with a two-run homer in the second. Matusz has retired 11 of the last 13 batters, and he struck out Bill Hall to open the fifth on a nasty 0-2 changeup. He's thrown 93 pitches, so the bullpen will be getting busy. The Orioles wasted Luke Scott's two-out single in the third and Craig Tatum's one-out single in the fourth. The rain started to pick up again, but...
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Bell day-to-day

Bell day-to-day
Third base prospect Josh Bell has been held out of Triple-A Norfolk's lineup for the second straight game while he's dealing with neck spasms. Bell might be available to play later today, but the Tides are being careful with him. Just thought you'd want to know... The Orioles fell behind, 2-0, in the second inning when Victor Martinez followed Kevin Youkilis' leadoff walk with a home run. End of game? Not so fast. The Orioles managed to score twice in the bottom half of the inning to...
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A few pre-game notes

A few pre-game notes
Interim manager Juan Samuel said everything pitching-wise should "stay the same" if Jeremy Guthrie doesn't need extra time to recover. We're still trying to determine if and when Jake Arrieta will have his contract purchased from Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles are open to using Arrieta in the rotation or the bullpen, which adds to the speculation. Maybe he replaces Brad Bergesen in the rotation. Maybe he works in relief for a while and moves into a starter's role after the non-waiver...
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Lineup changes (updated)

Lineup changes (updated)
The Orioles haven't posted their lineup, but you'll find Miguel Tejada serving as the designated hitter today to provide a little rest. Scott Moore is starting at third base. Corey Patterson is dealing with some leg soreness that isn't considered serious. He probably could pinch-hit if needed. Luke Scott is starting in left field and Julio Lugo will lead off. Also, Craig Tatum is catching today. Not only is Matt Wieters scuffling at the plate - he broke an 0-for-20 streak with a double...
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Day 3 of the Samuel era

Day 3 of the Samuel era
The Orioles have been outscored 19-2 in Juan Samuel's two games as interim manager. The problems run pretty deep here. Samuel keeps pointing out that guys are running out ground balls and playing with some energy. That'll have to suffice until the offense busts out and the bullpen tightens up. Left-hander Brian Matusz takes the mound today. Maybe someone should tackle him as he gets out of his car, leave him with the same "general soreness" that bothered Jeremy Guthrie yesterday. If you...
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Guthrie wasn't 100 percent

Guthrie wasn't 100 percent
Jeremy Guthrie said he felt sore tonight before taking the mound, though he didn't get specific. Just...sore. That could be why Jake Arrieta was scratched from his start at Triple-A Norfolk. Arrieta wouldn't have started here tonight, of course, but he might have provided some bullpen help tomorrow if the Orioles had scratched Guthrie. Check Steve Melewski's blog for post-game quotes from Guthrie. Also, interim manager Juan Samuel said he doesn't anticipate the Orioles calling up...
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The streak ends

The streak ends
The Orioles went 20 innings without a run before Scott Moore drove in two with a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth. The game has been stopped - but only because the Red Sox are making another pitching change. Double-A Bowie left-hander Zach Britton got the win tonight by limiting Erie to two unearned runs in 7 1/3 innings. He allowed seven hits, walked three and struck out six while improving to 5-3 with a 2.96 ERA.
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Latest on Arrieta (w/Wieters update)

Latest on Arrieta (w/Wieters update)
I had no idea that I'd file this many entries that included Jake Arrieta. Arrieta pitched two innings in relief tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, allowing one run and three hits, with no walks and two strikeouts. He threw 25 pitches, 18 for strikes. That's not much work for a guy who was slated to start before being scratched, with the Orioles "keeping their options open," according to a team official. Arrieta wasn't needed this weekend, so the Tides used him in relief. But only two innings...
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