Roch Kubatko

Hernandez in the second (and third)

March 31, 2010, 8:40am

The Red Sox scorched a couple balls in the second inning, but David Hernandez didn't allow a run. Jeremy Hermida singled with one out, but Marco Scutaro flied to right and Josh Reddick flied to right-center. Nick Markakis and Adam Jones ran a long way to make the catches. Hernandez threw 19 pitches, 12 for strikes. That's 33 pitches and 22 strikes through two innings. Red Sox starter John Lackey struck out Jones and Markakis in the first inning. Garrett Atkins singled with two outs in the...

Berken up the right tree

March 31, 2010, 8:39am

One of the keys to Jason Berken's improvement this spring is his sudden ability to slow his pace and regain control. He was in total control last night, blanking the Twins on two hits over four innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three. Berken, competing for the fifth starter's job or a long relief role, has allowed four runs in 12 2/3 innings this spring. "Last year, I felt like the game would get going so quick, I'd blink and there would be four runs on the board," he...

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Adam Dunn

More pre-game notes

March 31, 2010, 8:39am

Alfredo Simon will start Monday night's game against the New York Yankees. As I wrote earlier, Brian Matusz will pitch in a minor league game. Brian Roberts will return to the lineup tomorrow night. We're all curious to see how David Hernandez pitches today following Chris Tillman's disappointing outing last night and Jason Berken's four innings of shutout relief. The bullpen might not be the only place to find a good dogfight. "I know (Tillman) was upset with himself because he felt...

The backup plan

March 31, 2010, 8:35am

Manager Dave Tremblely wouldn't classify Chad Moeller as the clear frontrunner to back up Matt Wieters on Opening Day. The competition for that job continues into the final week of camp. Moeller is batting .300 (6-for-20) with one double, two homers and three RBIs in 20 at-bats. Craig Tatum is batting .176 (3-for-17) with two doubles and two RBIs in 17 at-bats. Both of Tatum's RBIs came in last night's game, when he also threw out a runner attempting to steal. "I would say that's an...

Koji update

March 31, 2010, 8:34am

Koji Uehara played catch again today before moving to the back fields, where he was expected to do some light running. Uehara's left hamstring is feeling a little better, but he needs to get back on the mound. He's been projected as the seventh-inning guy and he needs to pitch again before the Orioles head to St. Petersburg for the opener. "It makes you shuffle some things around on paper," manager Dave Trembley said. "The report I got this morning was that he was improved. We'll have...

Worth noting (w/Red Sox lineup)

March 31, 2010, 8:33am

Brian Roberts said his back felt fine this morning. "I'm good, I'm good," he told reporters who approached his locker. Roberts won't take any swings in a minor league game today. He's expected to be in tomorrow's lineup. Mike Gonzalez will join Kevin Millwood in today's minor league tilt. Unfortunately, I can only be in one place at a time, so I'll probably miss them. I need to watch David Hernandez pitch against the Red Sox. Jiwon Bang, the interpreter for Koji Uehara, said the...

Orioles lineup

March 31, 2010, 8:30am

Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Miguel Tejada 3B Garrett Atkins 1B Ty Wigginton DH Justin Turner 2B Cesar Izturis SS David Hernandez RHP Will Ohman, Cla Meredith and Kam Mickolio also are slated to pitch.

Post-game Trembley

March 31, 2010, 8:29am

Orioles

Tremendous outing by Jason Berken, who shut out the Twins on two hits over four innings in the Orioles' 4-3 loss. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three. Berken lowered his ERA to 2.84 on a night that Chris Tillman labored. David Hernadez starts tomorrow against the Red Sox. Is the competition for the fifth starter's job really over or is there still time for Berken or Hernandez to force the issue? Manager Dave Trembley praised Berken and the way Nolan Reimold ran the bases and...

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orioles spring training

Tillman on Tillman

March 31, 2010, 8:28am

Orioles

Robert Andino dropped a fly ball in left field in the eighth inning. He looked like a shortstop trying to play the outfield. Hard to pile too much blame on him. Chris Tillman found some positive aspects about tonight's start, but he didn't have many kind things to say about his 27-pitch third inning. He kept going back to how long that inning lasted, though he threw five more pitches in the second. "I thought it went well overall, but that third inning, those kinds of innings are...

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orioles spring training Bryce Harper

The life of Brian

March 31, 2010, 8:26am

Orioles

Nolan Reimold homered with the count full in the seventh inning, his first of the spring. He singled earlier and scored from first base on a double. A good night for the left fielder. Twins 4, Orioles 3. Brian Roberts struck out in all three at-bats tonight before leaving the game. "It felt good just to put a uniform on and go play. Certainly it's different than BP," he said. "My body felt pretty good. Just a matter of getting in the box and seeing live pitching. But my body, it felt...

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orioles spring training

The offense wakes up

March 31, 2010, 8:25am

Orioles

Craig Tatum drove in his first two runs of the spring with a double into left-center field, scoring Adam Jones and Nolan Reimold with two outs in the fifth inning. Twins 4, Orioles 2. Jones singled with one out to break up Scott Baker's no-hitter. Reimold singled with two outs and scored all the way from first base on the double. Nothing wrong with the way he circled the bases. Brian Roberts stood on deck when Cesar Izturis flied out to end the inning. He's taking the field for the top of...

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orioles spring training

Tillman's done (updated twice)

March 31, 2010, 8:24am

Orioles

Chris Tillman threw 88 pitches tonight, 51 for strikes. He's leaving the game with one out in the top of the fifth and a runner on second base. The Twins continue to lead, 1-0, but the runner is his responsibility after Denard Span drew a leadoff walk. Tillman walked four and struck out four. It was quite a struggle tonight. The best thing you can say about Tillman is he's been the master of damage control. He could teach a class at the local community college. Cla Meredith has entered the...

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orioles spring training

Tillman scuffling and surviving (updated twice)

March 31, 2010, 8:23am

Orioles

Tillman scuffling and surviving (updated twice)

How are the Twins only leading by one run? Chris Tillman threw 27 pitches in the third inning, 16 for strikes. His count is up to 72. The Twins have four hits and three walks. They're working Tillman hard. But they're only ahead, 1-0. Tillman will come back out for the fourth, but he's not going deep in this game. The Orioles don't have a baserunner through three innings. Scott Baker has struck out four. Update: Now that's more like it. Tillman threw seven strikes among his eight...

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orioles spring training

The first inning (updated twice)

March 31, 2010, 8:22am

Orioles

I won't track all nine innings separately, but the first one is noteworthy because it includes the beginning of Chris Tillman's latest start and the first at-bat for Brian Roberts. Tillman retired all three batters he faced. Denard Span struck out looking, Alexi Casilla bounced to first and Michael Cuddyer grounded to short. Pretty routine. Tillman threw 13 pitches, seven for strikes. Roberts led off the bottom of the first immediately after his video tribute and heartfelt speech. OK, I'm...

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orioles spring training

More pre-game notes (and more quotes)

March 31, 2010, 8:21am

Orioles

Brian Roberts will get three at-bats tonight. He's not expected to play tomorrow. Manager Dave Trembley referred to Brandon Snyder as "the most improved guy in camp from one year to the next." "I think Snyder is close to being ready to play at the major league level," Trembley said. "I sure think Snyder's happy I had the conversation with him last year about, let's put third base to bed and concentrate on first. You saw the game in Jupiter the other day. He played as well at first...

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orioles spring training

Setback for Koji?

March 31, 2010, 8:21am

Orioles

Koji Uehara threw off flat ground again today, but he couldn't complete his running progression and had to cut short his workout. A team physician is going to examine Uehara, who's dealing with a sore left hamstring. The Orioles don't have any futher updates. Manager Dave Trembley is hoping to know more about Uehara's condition tomorrow. Also, Trembley said he might announce his starting rotation on Monday, adding that it won't include any surprises.

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orioles spring training

The official cuts (corrected)

March 31, 2010, 8:20am

Orioles

The Orioles optioned infielders Josh Bell, Rhyne Hughes, Brandon Snyder and Michael Aubrey to Triple-A Norfolk. Infielder Pedro Florimon was optioned to Double-A Bowie. Pitchers Frank Mata, Josh Perrault and Dennis Sarfate, and outfielder Jonathan Tucker were assigned to minor league camp because they're not on the 40-man roster. The moves leave the Orioles with 37 players in camp: PITCHERS (18) Albers, Matt - RHP Bergesen, Brad - RHP Berken, Jason - RHP Castillo, Alberto -...

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orioles spring training

Orioles and Twins lineups

March 31, 2010, 8:18am

Orioles

For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters DH Adam Jones CF Luke Scott 1B Nolan Reimold LF Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Chris Tillman RHP For the Twins: Denard Span CF Alexi Casilla SS Michael Cuddyer RF Jacque Jones DH Delmon Young LF Brendan Harris 3B Wilson Ramos C Brock Peterson 1B Matt Tolbert 2B Scott Baker RHP

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orioles spring training

Snyder, Sarfate among the cuts

March 31, 2010, 8:18am

Orioles

The Orioles have delayed posting their lineup until manager Dave Trembley meets with the players who are being assigned to the minor league camp. Brandon Snyder, Dennis Sarfate, Josh Bell, Rhyne Hughes, Jonathan Tucker and Pedro Florimon are six of the players headed to the other side. And more cuts are coming, but the clubhouse is closed to the media. "It's better than making that drive from Fort Lauderdale. That was a pain," Snyder said as he packed his uniform pants and other...

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orioles spring training

The Stockstill Switch is official

March 31, 2010, 8:17am

Orioles

The Orioles just announced that David and John Stockstill are changing roles. As a result of the moves, which will be effective on April 5, David has been named director of international operations and John has been designated the director of player development. David will be in charge of the scouting in the Far East, Latin America and beyond. He'll also oversee player development in the Dominican Republic. "Both David and John are valued members of our staff, and we feel this change...