Yankees 4, Orioles 2

Yankees 4, Orioles 2
The key inning was the sixth. The key moment was a ground ball to first base and a decision that didn't prevent the Yankees from scoring the go-ahead run. Let's review: The Yankees knotted the game at 2-2 on Robinson Cano's bouncing single to right field, the ball clearing Ty Wigginton's head at first base. Alex Rodriguez hustled to third, putting runners on the corners with no outs and causing Orioles starter Chris Tillman to lean more heavily on the ropes. Jorge Posada followed with a...
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Tillman's interesting ride (updated)

Tillman's interesting ride (updated)
Tonight's attendance: 16,451. If you consider that Chris Tillman allowed one earned run in six innings, it sounds like he cruised through tonight's start against the Yankees. No so fast. Tillman littered the bases with runners and the Orioles committed three errors - including one by Tillman on an errant pickoff throw. The Yankees lead, 3-2, and Jason Berken is entering the game in relief. Tillman allowed seven hits, walked three and struck out one. He threw 106 pitches, 58 for...
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A few random updates (w/game update)

A few random updates (w/game update)
Chris Tillman got in a little trouble in the second inning, surrendering a leadoff single to Robinson Cano and walking Jorge Posada, but he retired the next three batters to keep the game scoreless. Tillman has thrown 34 pitches. The Orioles wasted a scoring opportunity in the first inning - stop me if you've heard this one - after Julio Lugo walked with the count full. After Miguel Tejada struck out, Lugo broke too soon on a stolen base attempt and was an easy out. Naturally, Nick...
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Don't get your Strasburg hopes up

Don't get your Strasburg hopes up
In case you didn't check the Nationals side of the MASNsports.com site, manager Jim Riggleman has laid out Stephen Strasburg's pitching schedule. As Ben Goessling explained, Strasburg will throw every five days. He'll start Sunday in Cleveland and pitch again on June 18 and 23 at Nationals Park. He'll miss the Orioles, who host the Nats on June 25-27. Orioles director of scouting Joe Jordan just met with reporters in the back of the press box. Steve Melewski will run quotes later in his...
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Bergesen: Reliever or starter?

Bergesen: Reliever or starter?
Brad Bergesen doesn't know what tomorrow will bring. Approached by reporters this afternoon, Bergesen could only confirm that he's in the bullpen tonight. The rest - Jake Arrieta coming up tomorrow and Jeremy Guthrie's start being pushed back to Friday - was "all news to me." "I'm not really worried that it's my first time being in the bullpen," he said. "I'm going to go out there and try to do my thing and hope for the best right now." He also should hope that the worst is...
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Arrieta confirmed for tomorrow (updated)

Arrieta confirmed for tomorrow (updated)
The Orioles confirmed that Jake Arrieta will make tomorrow night's start against the Yankees. Jeremy Guthrie was told over the weekend that he wouldn't pitch again until Friday. The Orioles will announce a corresponding 25- and 40-man move tomorrow. Brad Bergesen stays in the bullpen to possibly back up Chris Tillman tonight. He could do the same for Arrieta tomorrow if he isn't involved in the roster move. Interim manager Juan Samuel didn't dismiss the possibility of Bergesen returning...
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Orioles draft local (updated twice)

Orioles draft local (updated twice)
The Orioles have selected Palm Beach State second baseman Austin Knight, a Baltimore native, in the 37th round. Knight, a switch-hitter who graduated from Boys Latin, has committed to play at the University of South Florida. Anyone familiar with him? I'll take a scouting report. Read more about him here. The story mentions how Knight will play this summer in the "Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League." The Orioles also took Southeastern University utility player Joseph Donaldson in the...
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Arrieta tomorrow? (w/more draft updates)

Arrieta tomorrow? (w/more draft updates)
Draft update: The Orioles selected Stanford third baseman Adam Gaylord with the third overall pick in the 31st round. Gaylord, a junior, batted .232 with two doubles, one homer and nine RBIs in 31 games (eight starts). He didn't commit an error. The Orioles chose College of Southern Nevada right-hander Joe Robinson in the 32nd round, Notre Dame right-hander Steven Mazur in the 33rd and British Columbia shortstop Samuel Starr in the 34th. Jake Arrieta apparently has become the latest player...
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This, that and the other

This, that and the other
If my math is correct, the Orioles have 20 more rounds to complete on the final day of the first-year player draft. And if that's the highlight of my day, I might cry. A few items to pass along: A club official told me via text message that Nolan Reimold sat out the last two games at Triple-A Norfolk because he needed "a couple days rest, but nothing is wrong." We'll see if he's back in the lineup tonight. If not, then I'll start wondering if something is wrong. I talked to Troy Patton...
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When 7 runs and 15 hits aren't enough

When 7 runs and 15 hits aren't enough
The Orioles' offense has been the subject of ridicule and scorn for much of the season, so it's only fair to point out that it did plenty to deliver a win tonight. Too bad the pitching allowed 12 runs and 15 hits. Matt Wieters notched his first three-hit game of the season, and his first multi-hit game since May 27 against Oakland. "Very positive," interim manager Juan Samuel said. "I think those few days (off) just kind of helped get some things off his mind. It was very nice to see him...
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When it all went bad (updated)

When it all went bad (updated)
Frank Mata retired the only batter he faced in the sixth inning, getting Alex Rodriguez to bounce out with the bases loaded and the count full. It wasn't tidy, but it was gutsy. Interim manager Juan Samuel played the matchup game in the seventh, bringing in left-hander Mark Hendrickson with two left-handers and a switch-hitter due up. Ah, the percentages. The Yankees just hung six runs on the board, with Matt Albers replacing Hendrickson and giving up a bases-clearing double to Nick Swisher...
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A few updates (w/more Millwood)

A few updates (w/more Millwood)
No action in the Orioles' bullpen, though Kevin Millwood is up to 99 pitches through five innings. He's allowed six runs and seven hits, walked four and struck out six. Ty Wigginton just singled to score Julio Lugo and cut the Yankees' lead to 6-3. Interim third base coach Gary Allenson sent Lugo, though a few people in the press box doubted the wisdom. I wasn't one of them. Matt Wieters has two singles and an RBI. This is the hardest I've seen him hit the ball in a while. Maybe that...
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Done with the draft (updated twice)

Done with the draft (updated twice)
The Orioles completed the second day of the draft by selecting South Houston High right-hander Jaime Esquivel in the 28th round, UNC Wilmington left-hander Cameron Roth in the 29th round and UNC Wilmington shortstop Michael Rooney in the 30th round. Director of scouting Joe Jordan is heading to the press box to meet with reporters. Update: Check Steve Melewski's blog for quotes from Jordan. You might find it interesting that the Orioles currently view third-round pick Daniel Klein as a...
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More pre-game appetizers (w/draft update)

More pre-game appetizers (w/draft update)
The Orioles selected San Marcos High School right-hander Sebastian Vader (already my favorite name in the draft) in the 18th round, Santa Fe CC right-hander Kenneth Wise in the 19th round, UC Los Angeles left-hander Matt Drummond in the 20th round, Southern Mississippi right-hander Scott Copeland in the 21st round and Mountain Ridge High School catcher Tanner Murphy in the 22nd round. Update: The Orioles selected Echerd College center fielder Christopher Clinton in the 23rd round, Georgetown...
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Patterson trying to avoid DL

Patterson trying to avoid DL
The Orioles selected Pacific catcher Joe Oliveira in the 15th round, Fresno Community College outfielder Brandon King in the 16th and Hillsborough (Fla.) CC left fielder David Richardson in the 17th. Corey Patterson remains day-to-day after aggravating a left groin injury that he originally sustained during the last homestand while running the bases in a game against Oakland. He tweaked it again in his last game, against Boston, while chasing a fly ball and trying to avoid shortstop Cesar...
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Injury updates (w/draft update)

Injury updates (w/draft update)
Second baseman Brian Roberts will undergo more tests on his back over the next few days before the club determines the next step to take with him. Interim manager Juan Samuel said he isn't sure whether surgery is becoming an option. That would seem to be the case, but the team hasn't confirmed it. Reliever Michael Gonzalez threw an inning today in extended spring training, allowing one hit. His fastball was clocked in the mid-80s. "His velocity is still down," Samuel said, "but just to...
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Catching up on the draft (updated)

Catching up on the draft (updated)
Here are the rest of the Orioles' picks since I drove to Camden Yards: 178th pick: Dixon Anderson, RHP, California 208th: Matthew Bywater, LHP, Pepperdine 238th: Wynston Sawyer, C, Scripps Ranch (Ca.) High 268th: Parker Bridwell, RHP, Hereford (Tx.) High 298th: Clayton Schrader, RHP, San Jacinto (Tx.) College North Anderson was named to the 2010 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic District 8 Baseball Team. He has a 3.60 GPA in society and environment and was first-team Pac-10 All-Academic...
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In the fifth round...

In the fifth round...
The Orioles used the 148th overall pick in the draft to select high school switch-hitting shortstop Connor Narron, the son of former major league catcher and manager Jerry Narron. Nice bloodlines. Narron, 6 foot 3 and 195 pounds, was named an AFLAC All-American last year at C.B. Aycock High School in North Carolina. He also was invited to participate in the East Coast Showcase as a sophomore and junior. Narron, who has committed to play at the University of North Carolina, batted .317 with...
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In the fourth round... (updated)

In the fourth round... (updated)
The Orioles have selected Auburn left-handed hitting center fielder Trent Mummey in the fourth round. I'll try to dig up more on him later. Update: Mummey was named a 2009 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Gold Glove Award winner after posting a .995 fielding percentage and finishing with seven outfield assists. He committed only one error. Mummey homered, doubled twice and drove in five runs Saturday in Auburn's 17-8 victory over Southern Mississippi. He's batting .366 with 17 homers, 54 RBIs...
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Like brother like brother (w/draft update)

Like brother like brother (w/draft update)
Draft update: The Orioles chose UCLA closer Daniel Klein with the third overall pick in the third round. He missed the 2009 season after undergoing shoulder surgery but made up for it this year. Baseball America notes that he can throw four pitches for strikes, leading some scouts to think he should be given the chance to start. Klein has recorded nine saves for UCLA, the most by a Bruins pitcher since 1993. He's 5-0 with a 2.03 ERA in 35 games, with 35 hits allowed, eight walks and 48...
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