Roch Kubatko

Luke Scott honored as AL Player of the Week

July 26, 2010, 11:15am

Orioles

Luke Scott honored as AL Player of the Week

Luke Scott was named the American League's Player of the Week. Scott, who was activated from the disabled list at the start of the week, led the league with four home runs and batted .481 (13-for-27). He finished second in the league with a 1.037 slugging percentage and added three doubles, eight RBIs and six runs scored. Scott hit safely in each of his seven games during the week and recorded five multi-hit games. Scott has raised his average to .296 with 16 homers and 38 RBIs. He's...

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The kids aren't all right (updated)

July 26, 2010, 5:53am

Orioles

The Orioles boarded their charter last night for Toronto without backup catcher Craig Tatum, who was optioned yesterday morning. His removal from the 25-man roster drew the ire of many fans who didn't think he deserved it. I totally understand Tatum's frustration, but I do find it interesting that he's got so many supporters now after fans were livid that the Orioles kept him over Chad Moeller. The same young pitchers who rushed to Tatum's defense yesterday were bummed that he beat out...

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Another homestand ends

July 25, 2010, 2:01pm

Orioles

So does the good vibe from that four-game sweep in Texas. The Orioles went 2-8 on this homestand and were outscored 64-30. As I wrote earlier, the starter's ERA rises to 10.10 when you remove Jeremy Guthrie's two outings. "The bottom line for me is we've just got to make pitches when we need to," interim manager Juan Samuel said. "You're not going to get by pitching up in the zone. As a result, we have games like we just saw, balls flying out of the ballpark. We just need to get better...

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Arrieta's done (updated)

July 25, 2010, 10:58am

Orioles

Remove Jeremy Guthrie's two outings on this homestand, and Oriole starters have allowed 41 earned runs and 54 hits in 36 1/3 innings for a 10.10 ERA. Jake Arrieta contributed to the ugliness today by allowing five runs and seven hits in four innings, with four walks and no strikeouts. He hit a batter and served up Jason Kubel's grand slam. Interim manager Juan Samuel removed Arrieta after 87 pitches (51 for strikes). Arrieta faced 23 batters, and 13 reached - including Delmon Young on...

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Orioles

Jake's high wire act (update)

July 25, 2010, 10:11am

Orioles

The Twins haven't scored a run off Jake Arrieta over the first two innings. It's not from a lack of effort. Arrita gave up a single to Alexi Casilla and walked Jim Thome in the first, but Michael Cuddyer grounded out to end the inning. Jason Kubel singled to lead off the second, but Danny Valencia grounded into a double play. Nick Punto walked with two outs, but Drew Butera flied to left. Arrieta has thrown 33 pitches. The shutout is still alive. It might have gone unnoticed, but...

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Orioles

Samuel talks about roster move

July 25, 2010, 8:25am

Orioles

Interim manager Juan Samuel admitted that today's roster move wasn't an easy one. He didn't want to lose Craig Tatum, but the club knew that Jake Fox would get claimed on waivers and it couldn't go with a seven-man bullpen. "Tatum has done a good job for us handling the pitching staff, and he's been great in that clubhouse," Samuel said. "He's probably done a lot better than what we anticipated coming out of spring training. He's come up with some big, big hits, and handling the...

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Orioles

Tatum optioned

July 25, 2010, 7:23am

Orioles

The good news for Craig Tatum is he avoided the disabled list. The bad news is he couldn't avoid the minors. The Orioles optioned Tatum to Triple-A Norfolk this morning to make room for Matt Wieters. Tatum, who's batting .271 in 32 games, met with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and interim manager Juan Samuel. "They just said, 'Go down to Norfolk and we'll see when we can get you back,'" Tatum said. "Andy told me it wasn't from a lack of production or anything like...

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Today's lineups (w/roster update)

July 25, 2010, 6:58am

Orioles

For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott 1B Ty Wigginton DH Felix Pie CF Matt Wieters C Julio Lugo 2B Cesar Izturis SS Jake Arrieta RHP For the Twins: Repko CF Casilla 2B Young LF Thome DH Cuddyer 1B Kubel RF Valencia 3B Punto SS Butera C Slowey RHP Interim manager Juan Samuel just called Craig Tatum into his office after he spoke with head athletic trainer Richie Bancells.

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Orioles

Tatum says hand is fine

July 25, 2010, 6:23am

Orioles

Craig Tatum has his right hand wrapped in ice, but he swung a bat and did some throwing earlier this morning and hopes to avoid a trip to the disabled list. Tatum was hit by a foul tip last night and left the game. "It's fine," he said. "It feels good. I threw and hit and it didn't really hurt. The swelling just disappeared overnight. It was really swollen last night, and I woke up this morning and it's gone. "It's still sore, but not too bad." The Orioles need to clear room on...

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Quick Tatum update

July 24, 2010, 6:16pm

Orioles

X-rays taken on catcher Craig Tatum's right hand came back negative. He's dealing with a bruise, but nothing more serious at the moment. The club will check on him tomorrow before deciding whether he needs to go on the disabled list. If he does, Matt Wieters will take his place on the 25-man roster. Interim manager Juan Samuel told reporters that the swelling has gone down in Tatum's hand.

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Tatum injured (w/2 updates)

July 24, 2010, 5:13pm

Orioles

Catcher Craig Tatum left the game in the seventh inning after taking a foul tip off his right hand. Jake Fox has replaced him with two outs and Jason Berken on the mound. Berken's pitch glanced off Jason Repko's bat and caught Tatum in the hand. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells rushed onto the field, and Tatum accompanied him into the clubhouse. Matt Wieters comes off the disabled list tomorrow and the Orioles need to decide whether to eliminate Tatum or Fox from the 25-man roster....

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

July 24, 2010, 4:18pm

Orioles

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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Orioles

The Luke Scott question (& game update)

July 24, 2010, 3:08pm

Orioles

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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Orioles

Roster move coming (w/quotes added)

July 24, 2010, 12:21pm

Orioles

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

July 24, 2010, 11:44am

Orioles

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

July 24, 2010, 6:00am

Orioles

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

July 23, 2010, 6:05pm

Orioles

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

July 23, 2010, 5:05pm

Orioles

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)

July 23, 2010, 4:26pm

Orioles

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)

July 23, 2010, 3:19pm

Orioles

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...