Roch Kubatko

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...

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Pre-game notes (w/more quotes)

July 23, 2010, 12:16pm

Orioles

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

July 23, 2010, 11:42am

Orioles

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

July 23, 2010, 11:21am

Orioles

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

July 23, 2010, 9:58am

Orioles

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

July 23, 2010, 7:36am

Orioles

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

July 23, 2010, 4:42am

Orioles

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

July 22, 2010, 6:25pm

Orioles

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

July 22, 2010, 5:10pm

Orioles

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

July 22, 2010, 4:41pm

Orioles

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

July 22, 2010, 3:30pm

Orioles

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...

July 22, 2010, 3:08pm

Orioles

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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Pre-game notes (w/Norfolk update)

July 22, 2010, 12:19pm

Orioles

Brian Roberts is here and waiting to be activated. The Orioles haven't decided whether to put him on the 25-man roster tomorrow or wait until the Kansas City series next week. Toronto remains a possibility, but Roberts would be eased back into the lineup because of...you guessed it...the artificial surface. The club would rather avoid it. "B-Rob offered to write the lineup down today," interim manager Juan Samuel said, "but I was afraid he would write his name down." Scott Moore is a...

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Tonight's lineups

July 22, 2010, 11:37am

Orioles

For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 1B Adam Jones CF Scott Moore 2B Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Kevin Millwood RHP For the Twins: Span CF Hudson 2B Mauer DH Kubel RF Cuddyer 1B Young LF Hardy SS Punto 3B Butera C Pavano RHP

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Millwood's return

July 22, 2010, 4:34am

Orioles

I told you about Michael Aubrey's hot streak at Triple-A Norfolk, which included a grand slam last night. He also added a two-run shot, giving him six RBIs. He's batting .237, so consistency has been an issue, but there's no denying that his bat is sizzling right now. Frank Mata, optioned over the weekend, allowed a run and two hits in two-thirds of an inning. He also threw two wild pitches. Kevin Millwood comes off the disabled list today and pitches for the first time since July 5 in...

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Orioles minor leaguer suspended (updated)

July 21, 2010, 3:28pm

Orioles

Pitcher Saulo Alcantara, a right-hander from the Orioles' Dominican Summer League team, has been suspended 50 games for violating minor league baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment program. Alcantara, signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2009, is 1-2 with a 2.77 ERA in 11 games this season. He went 1-1 with a 5.27 ERA last season in the Dominican. Single-A Frederick pitcher Brian Parker received a 50-game suspension last summer. On a better note, Single-A Delmarva's Tyler Townsend...

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Patton optioned (& Samuel quotes)

July 21, 2010, 12:06pm

Orioles

That didn't take long. The Orioles optioned Troy Patton to Triple-A Norfolk after today's game, making room for Kevin Millwood on the 25-man roster. Patton came here as bullpen insurance and didn't pitch. At least he got to see the inside of the Camden Yards clubhouse. Interim manager Juan Samuel pointed to two key plays in today's game that cost the Orioles. Juan Samuel talks with the media after the O's 5-4 loss to the Rays Miguel Tejada fielded Jason Barlett's ground ball with...

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The last gasp? (yes)

July 21, 2010, 11:31am

Orioles

The Orioles put the tying run on base with one out in the eighth inning when Ty Wigginton doubled off Tampa Bay right-hander Joaquin Benoit. Then it went bad. Pinch-runner Scott Moore broke for third on Adam Jones' routine grounder to short, and he was an easy out. So much for having a runner in scoring position. Interim manager Juan Samuel decided to pinch-hit for Jake Fox, who had an RBI double today. Felix Pie struck out to end the inning. Rays 5, Orioles 4. Julio Lugo and Cesar...