Ryan Ripken on reliving 2,131

Ryan Ripken on reliving 2,131
Ryan Ripken was 2 years old when his father stepped out of the dugout again, received an encouraging shove in the back and jogged around the warning track. When the ovation at Camden Yards lasted more than 22 minutes and the entire baseball word hit the pause button to watch him. Ripken spent much of that evening being held by his mother, Kelly, after joining his sister, Rachel, in throwing out the ceremonial first pitch from the first row of seats. Ryan used his left hand. We wouldn't find...

Akin shines and Stewart busts out of slump in 6-1 win (updated)

Akin shines and Stewart busts out of slump in 6-1 win (updated)
Keegan Akin didn't know the exact date when the Orioles intended to set him free from the alternate camp site and promote him to the majors. He had no idea that his debut in the rotation would happen in Buffalo and in the thick of the trade deadline. And he couldn't anticipate that he'd get into a pitchers' duel this month with Gerrit Cole. One is a rookie making his second start. The other is making $324 million. Akin didn't allow a run tonight through the first three innings. Cole struck...

Santander's season ending due to oblique strain (updated)

Santander's season ending due to oblique strain (updated)
Anthony Santander's season appears to be over after 37 games. A late arrival to summer training camp after testing positive for COVID-19, Santander was enjoying a breakout season until straining an oblique muscle yesterday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Yankees. He's on the injured list, with the Orioles selecting Mason Williams' contract from the alternate camp site in Bowie. Pitcher David Hess apparently has been recalled from the secondary camp. The Orioles still haven't...

Williams and Hess rejoin Orioles

Williams and Hess rejoin Orioles
The Orioles have summoned outfielder Mason Williams and pitcher David Hess from the alternate camp site in Bowie. Williams can only return if he's replacing an injured player, making his arrival likely tied to outfielder Anthony Santander, who left the early game of yesterday's doubleheader with a sore oblique. Santander was undergoing tests earlier today. The 40-man roster had two openings, so no corresponding move would be necessary to accommodate Williams. The Orioles outrighted Williams...

Ripken on unselfish nature of The Streak, times it almost ended

Ripken on unselfish nature of The Streak, times it almost ended
The Orioles and the rest of Major League Baseball are going to celebrate 2,131 on Sunday. The 25th anniversary of an event that requires no explanation or clarity beyond the digits. Everyone knows it's the number of consecutive games played by Cal Ripken Jr. to break Lou Gehrig's record, and that it's referenced as "The Streak," earning the usage of capital letters due to its historic nature. Ripken will offer more reflection on it later. The banner on the warehouse that allowed fans to...

Orioles overcome obstacles, end streak vs. Yankees (updated)

Orioles overcome obstacles, end streak vs. Yankees (updated)
The Orioles won't get much sympathy from the opposing dugout. No one on that side wants to hear about their injuries and misfortune. How their best starting pitcher this year unexpectedly was lost today to the injured list, the word "protocol" and their lack of information suggesting it's related in some fashion to COVID-19. How their top overall player left the first game of the doubleheader after feeling a twinge in his oblique, an injury that never heals quickly. There are no speedy...

Orioles go beyond regulation and lose again to Yankees 6-5

Orioles go beyond regulation and lose again to Yankees 6-5
Sometimes they sneak up on the Orioles rather than bulldoze them. The Yankees fell behind today after the first batter in the bottom of the first inning. They built a three-run lead and lost it. Their lineup was decimated by injuries and their starting pitcher was far south of elite status. Maybe this was the day that the Orioles' losing streak in head-to-head competition would end at 18 games. Maybe they wouldn't have to go into the nightcap of the doubleheader wondering if they can keep it...

Eshelman starting opener, Alberto and Núñez return to lineup

Eshelman starting opener, Alberto and Núñez return to lineup
Right-hander Thomas Eshelman is starting the first game of today's doubleheader against the Yankees. Eshelman is the replacement for veteran Alex Cobb, who's on the injured list for protocol reasons. The Orioles don't offer specific information if an absence involves COVID-19 testing. "We're just following protocol and he's just unavailable today, and that's really all I can say on it at this point," manager Brandon Hyde said during his Zoom conference call. "Eshelman's going to start...

Cobb scratched from today's start and placed on injured list

Cobb scratched from today's start and placed on injured list
Alex Cobb no longer is the starter for the opener of today's doubleheader against the Yankees at Camden Yards. He's on the injured list. No explanation has been provided. Manager Brandon Hyde is going to speak with the media later this afternoon on his Zoom conference call and will announce the substitute starter. The Orioles made a flurry of moves today. They summoned infielder Ramón Urías as the 29th man and selected reliever Branden Kline's contract from the alternate camp site in...

Mancini missing teammates during troubling times

Mancini missing teammates during troubling times
There are days when Trey Mancini's separation from his teammates is a little easier to handle. He's counting down to his final chemotherapy treatment, and the light workouts that his body allows after recovery keep him focused on the 2021 season. His life is good, and in some ways the best it's been personally, in spite of the traumatic turn of events. But there also are days when the exclusion hurts. When the muting of a veteran voice on a young club in pain is almost more than he can...

Alberto selected as nominee for Roberto Clemente Award

Alberto selected as nominee for Roberto Clemente Award
Infielder Hanser Alberto is the Orioles' nominee for this year's Roberto Clemente Award, which is the annual recognition of a player from each club who "best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, sportsmanship, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field." First baseman Chris Davis has been the club's nominee the previous three seasons. The Orioles Charitable Foundation will match Major League Baseball in donating...

Pop says he's "fully healthy" while throwing in Canada

Pop says he's "fully healthy" while throwing in Canada
Everyone has a story. How they spent the summer shutdown and, for professional baseball players, attempted to train and stay attached to their clubs. Just in case a season on hold was put into motion. Orioles pitching prospect Zach Pop can spin an interesting tale. Going back home to Canada and rehabbing his surgically repaired right elbow after the closing of the Twin Lakes Park facility in Sarasota. The higher dependence on video to allow the Orioles to track his progress. Being outside the...

Means goes 5 1/3, bullpen implodes in 9-4 loss (updated)

Means goes 5 1/3, bullpen implodes in 9-4 loss (updated)
Wilson Ramos shot a ground ball between shortstop and third base this afternoon and John Means turned away in disgust. Burned again by location. Not within the strike zone, but on the field. Between those hits was a two-run, opposite-field homer from Michael Conforto, who reached for a fastball and watched it carry as Ryan Mountcastle drifted back for it. Means wasn't shelled. It was more like shocked. Set free of the stricter pitch counts that accompanied his previous starts, Means worked a...

Hyde on Means: "I look for John to have a really good September"

Hyde on Means: "I look for John to have a really good September"
The Orioles are lifting the restrictions on John Means. Manager Brandon Hyde has been providing incremental increases in pitch count and innings after Means returned from his second trip to the injured list. If the Mets cooperate with him, Means is going to move past four innings and 74 pitches in this afternoon's series finale at Camden Yards. "I feel comfortable with taking him further than he's gone so far," Hyde said today in his Zoom conference call with the media. "I think John's...

Orioles lineup vs. Mets

Orioles lineup vs. Mets
Hanser Alberto remains out of the Orioles lineup this afternoon with a sore knee. Pat Valaika, who had a career-high four hits last night, is playing second base in the series finale against the Mets. José Iglesias is the designated hitter and Andrew Velazquez is the shortstop. The lineup is the same as last night's except Pedro Severino is catching. John Means is making his sixth start and the first of his career against the Mets. He was built up to four innings and 74 pitches in his last...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The Orioles yesterday began their first homestand since the wave of deadline trades that subtracted Tommy Milone, Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro from the pitching staff and further lowered the average age in the clubhouse. Players knew that more changes were in store after the earlier deal that sent reliever Richard Bleier to the Marlins. Their baseball worlds aren't rocked. They can see the big picture. No one needs to sit down with them and explain it. Say your goodbyes and try to stay...

Núñez homers twice, Valaika collects four hits in 9-5 win (updated)

Núñez homers twice, Valaika collects four hits in 9-5 win (updated)
Cedric Mullins is going to bunt. José Iglesias is going to collect doubles as if it's his hobby. Renato Núñez is going to be a streaky home run hitter. The Orioles can be an unpredictable bunch, but there are certain truths that hold over an entire season. They were responsible for staking Asher Wojciechowski to a quick lead tonight, casting the latest homestand and month of September in a positive light. It became a flicker in the next inning, with Wojciechowski giving back two runs...

Notes on roster moves, injuries, Phillips, Harvey and more

Notes on roster moves, injuries, Phillips, Harvey and more
The Orioles chose to deepen their bench instead of their bullpen this afternoon by selecting the contract of infielder Dilson Herrera from the alternate camp site in Bowie. Outfielder DJ Stewart was recalled as the replacement for outfielder Mason Williams, who's been designated for assignment. But the arrival of Herrera is tied to Hanser Alberto, who's day-to-day with a sore knee. Alberto jammed the knee on first base yesterday after laying down a sacrifice bunt in the 10th inning. He came...

Orioles roster moves and lineup

Orioles roster moves and lineup
Rather than bring in another reliever this afternoon, the Orioles have selected the contract of infielder Dilson Herrera from the alternate camp site in Bowie, recalled outfielder DJ Stewart and designated outfielder Mason Williams for assignment. The 40-man roster currently has 38 players and the 60-man pool has 57 players. The moves were made following yesterday's trade of reliever Miguel Castro to the Mets for minor league left-hander Kevin Smith and a player to be named later or cash...

Orioles move to next phase after trade deadline

Orioles move to next phase after trade deadline
A trade deadline passes and the inevitable question is posed. Now what? Or what now? The Orioles are done dealing until after Sept. 27. There's nothing flimsy about this deadline. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has to wait until the offseason to move other parts that don't fit in a rebuild. (I write "parts" knowing these are people with families and feelings, but it's the cold terminology used in this instance. Former manager Buck Showalter called out the media for it...