Roch Kubatko

Moore vs. Aubrey

May 21, 2010, 7:40am

Orioles

I'm sitting at gate B12, waiting to board my Airtran flight to Baltimore. Seemed like a good time to move the comments and file another entry. I'm digging one hand into a bag of Kangaroo-brand multi-grain garden herb baked pita chips. Never heard of them until I got here, and I've devoured two bags. And I'm not talking snack-size. I'm hooked, which might be a bad thing if I can't find them in Maryland. I never even heard of Kangaroo. That's not a good sign. Anyway, many of us assumed...

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Texas two-step

May 21, 2010, 4:49am

Orioles

I woke up during the night to an e-mail from the Orioles announcing that left-hander Alberto Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after a 13-7 loss to Texas that completed the Rangers' two-game sweep. No surprise there. If you had him on your fantasy team, I'm assuming that you dropped him a while ago. Castillo has allowed nine earned runs in 6 1/3 innings over nine appearances with the Orioles. And I'm pretty sure that's nine separate call-ups. I hope he's on some sort of points...

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Orioles

Oh no, oh yes, oh no (updated twice)

May 20, 2010, 5:11pm

Orioles

The Orioles won a game on Tuesday after falling behind, 3-0, to Cy Young winner Zack Greinke. I suppose that made a 4-0 deficit tonight against Scott Feldman seem a lot smaller. We'll see how they handle a 6-3 deficit. The Rangers jumped all over left-hander Brian Matusz in the first inning, but the Orioles fought back with three runs in the top of the second to cut the Rangers' lead to 4-3. Now Matusz has served up his second home run, a two-run shot by Vladimir Guerrero in the second...

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An extended stay for Flacco and Givens

May 20, 2010, 2:43pm

Orioles

Using all the restraint I could muster, I waited until the end of my chat with minor league infielder Mike Flacco to bring up his more famous brother. "Have you talked to Joe much lately?" He hasn't. I'm sure that never gets old for him. Mike Flacco was kept at extended spring training while recovering from a fracture in his lower back. He was hoping to be assigned to one of the full-season affiliates after batting .272 with 14 doubles, five triples, three homers and 34 RBIs in 60 games...

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Scott at first base

May 20, 2010, 1:18pm

Orioles

For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Ty Wigginton 2B Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott 1B Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Lou Montanez DH Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP For the Rangers: Elvis Andrus SS Michael Young 3B Ian Kinsler 2B Vladimir Guerrero DH Josh Hamilton CF Nelson Cruz RF Joaquin Arias 1B David Murphy LF Matt Treanor C Scott Feldman RHP

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Orioles

Roberts delays trip to Sarasota (updated)

May 20, 2010, 11:20am

Orioles

Roberts delays trip to Sarasota (updated)

Brian Roberts still intends to fly down to Sarasota and continue baseball activities, but it won't be this week. And I won't be here to greet him. Roberts is hospitalized after being diagnosed with pneumonia. He sent me a text message earlier today saying that he's feeling OK and will report to Ed Smith Stadium "hopefully sometime soon." When will this guy catch a break? I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon. I hope this wasn't part of some elaborate scheme to avoid me. Usually, it's women...

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Gonzo goes an inning

May 20, 2010, 8:39am

Orioles

You know it's extended spring training when... ...Mike Gonzalez is getting his signs from Dashenko Ricardo. Gonzalez played catch with Ricardo, who spent most of last season at rookie-level Bluefield, before taking the mound for today's game against a collection of Twins minor leaguers. With Ricardo behind the plate, Gonzalez allowed a single and walked a batter in his scoreless inning. He struck out two, including the last batter on a 89 mph fastball. The leadoff hitter reached on an...

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Orioles

Pie making progress

May 20, 2010, 7:40am

Orioles

Mike Gonzalez will pitch the first inning of today's extended spring training game. The major leaguers go first. Felix Pie has been performing various exercises for the last five days that are designed to strengthen the muscles in his back. He's also allowed to take one-handed swings in the cage. Pie will continue this routine for two more weeks before being cleared to start hitting and throwing. "I feel great, but the trainers and doctors say I have to wait," he said. "The decision...

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The morning view from Sarasota

May 20, 2010, 5:52am

Orioles

It's hot. That doesn't really qualify as a view, but it's worth repeating: It's hot. How hot is it? It's so hot, Koji Uehara started to sweat after being told the temperature. The stadium and clubhouse look the same as before. The only change I've noticed is the media trailer is gone. But renovations could start soon. Sarasota County has selected contractors for Twin Lakes Park and Ed Smith Stadium. The County Commission must give its approval next week and release the money, and...

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The heat was on

May 20, 2010, 3:17am

Orioles

Orioles manager Dave Trembley explained after last night's game that starter Jeremy Guthrie began tiring in the fifth inning. Guthrie's legs were going on him. He was running out of gas. Choose your favorite expression. The right-hander was fading fast. That explains why he left the game after 90 pitches. The Texas heat must have gotten to him. What's gotten into Guthrie? His ERA's down to 3.86 and he's turned in seven quality starts this season, including last night, when he held the...

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Orioles

Checking on J.J. (updated)

May 19, 2010, 7:15pm

Orioles

This game has gotten too weird. Koji Uehara is removed with two outs in the eighth inning so another right-hander, Cla Meredith, can get the final out? Was he gassed after 30 pitches? I was standing outside the Ed Smith Stadium clubhouse today when Jim Johnson spotted me and said, "Brian isn't here." Very funny. Johnson must assume he rates lower than Brian Roberts, but I actually wanted to check on him. Johnson was shut down after being diagnosed with a strained ligament in his right...

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Orioles

Checking in (updated twice)

May 19, 2010, 6:18pm

Orioles

Did Jeremy Guthrie really come out of the game after 90 pitches? Guthrie held the Rangers to one run, a bomb from Josh Hamilton, and seven hits over six innings. He didn't issue a walk and struck out three. I expected to see him in the seventh, but I'm pretty detached from the game, so I must be missing something. Luke Scott, Adam Jones and Cesar Izturis each have two hits. Most important, Izturis has two RBIs, accounting for both Orioles' runs. Garrett Atkins is 0-for-3 and struck out...

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Orioles

Reimold back at first

May 19, 2010, 3:34pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold is making another start at first base tonight with Triple-A Norfolk. He served as the Tides' designated hitter last night and also has started in left field. Reimold is 2-for-17 with a home run, two RBIs, two walks and five strikeouts in five games since being optioned. The Orioles want him to get acclimated to first base, but the No. 1 priority is supposed to be regaining his stroke. Hopefully, he can do that while learning a new position. Michael Aubrey is playing left field...

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Tonight's lineups

May 19, 2010, 1:12pm

Orioles

For the Orioles: LF Corey Patterson 2B Ty Wigginton RF Nick Markakis 3B Miguel Tejada DH Luke Scott C Matt Wieters CF Adam Jones 1B Garrett Atkins SS Cesar Izturis RHP Jeremy Guthrie For the Rangers: SS Elvis Andrus 3B Michael Young 2B Ian Kinsler DH Vladimir Guerrero LF Josh Hamilton RF Nelson Cruz 1B Justin Smoak C Matt Treanor CF Julio Borbon RHP Rich Harden

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Orioles

Random notes

May 19, 2010, 12:06pm

Orioles

Ty Wigginton is batting .389 during a nine-game hitting streak, including three doubles, two homers, six RBIs and five runs scored. Will he start at second base again tonight or slide over to first, with Garrett Atkins taking a seat? Atkins hasn't homered in a career-high 44 games (since Sept. 11, 2009). He hasn't homered in his last 138 at-bats, eight shy of his longest drought (146 from July 1 to Aug. 13, 2005). Orioles first basemen are last in the majors in slugging (.275), on-base...

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Going, going, Gonzo

May 19, 2010, 9:37am

Orioles

If you noticed that it took me until early this afternoon to approve the comments, and some questions went unanswered, I have an explanation to go along with my apology. I'm in Sarasota. No, really. I filed the morning entry from my gate at BWI before boarding my 7:32 a.m. Airtran flight, with its connection in Atlanta. The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce should be proud. I must love this place. I also have work to do. I hustled to the rental car counter and drove straight to Ed Smith...

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About last night...

May 19, 2010, 2:36am

Orioles

The days and games seem to run together, so I'm trying to get confirmation that the Orioles won last night after falling behind Zack Greinke, 3-0. This didn't happen two years ago. I'm pretty sure it was more recent - perhaps about eight hours ago. I'll admit that more than a few people in the press box last night remarked how the game was likely over after the Royals took a 1-0 lead. That seemed like enough support for Greinke. And it's not like the Orioles have spoiled Kevin Millwood...

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Leftover quotes and Norfolk update

May 18, 2010, 6:55pm

Orioles

Kevin Millwood: "Stuff was good. Felt like I located the ball well. My four-seamer was cutting a little bit, my two-seamer was sinking. When I threw my breaking pitches early, I did what I wanted to do. Stuff definitely wasn't a problem all day." "I think when Luke (Scott) gets locked in he's one of the best hitters in the game. It doesn't matter who's pitching to him, he's going to hit the ball long and hard, and that's kind of where he's at right now. And it's fun to watch a guy...

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Orioles 4, Royals 3, 10 innings

May 18, 2010, 6:44pm

Orioles

A 4-4 homestand should have been a 6-2 homestand, but I won't ruin your buzz. Julio Lugo scored the winning run on Nick Markakis' long bases-loaded single in the 10th, making Alfredo Simon a winner after his blown save ruined Saturday night's game and started another losing streak. "The game can get away from you in a hurry," manager Dave Trembley said. "It got away from us (Saturday) with a win that was just waiting for us to take and Simon gave it up. Then we had an opportunity to do...

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No walk-off for Atkins, but a win

May 18, 2010, 6:03pm

Orioles

I thought a Garrett Atkins walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning would make the perfect storyline, but he grounded to short. Atkins is 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, lowering his average to .227. In a bizarre coincidence, the scoreboard in center field went out as Atkins came to the plate. It just faded to black. The Orioles did not, however. They loaded the bases off Bryan Bullington, and Nick Markakis singled to deep left-center field to win it. They pull out a victory on a...