Wrapping up a 5-4 win

Wrapping up a 5-4 win
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles third base coach Bobby Dickerson will show up at Tropicana Field on Thursday and slip into his uniform and his second role with the club. As the infield instructor, he's going to want answers. Review the tape from tonight's game and figure out who's responsible for the various breakdowns and how they can be prevented in the future. The Orioles committed five errors and still managed to rally past the Rays 5-4 on Trey Mancini's two-run double off Sergio Romo in...

Orioles overcome defensive breakdowns to rally past Rays

Orioles overcome defensive breakdowns to rally past Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A couple of the Orioles' relievers ditched the bullpen bench after the bottom of the sixth inning tonight and began to get loose. No throwing was involved with Andrew Cashner at 83 pitches and cruising, but arms began to flap and rotate. Hamstrings were stretched. A one-run lead might be passed along and there are no longer the predictable choices awaiting manager Buck Showalter. Or a game might be tied due to more defensive breakdowns, which is how it played out. It's...

Showalter on Gentry, Davis on throwing error (tied 3-3)

Showalter on Gentry, Davis on throwing error (tied 3-3)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The news was light again today as manager Buck Showalter sat in the visiting dugout at Tropicana Field for his pregame media session. Three of the four starters have been confirmed for the Red Sox series at Camden Yards. Dylan Bundy takes the mound in Friday night's opener, Yefry Ramírez starts one of the doubleheader games on Saturday and Alex Cobb closes out the series on Sunday. Jimmy Yacabonis is a candidate to be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and start Saturday....

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jonathan Villar leads off again tonight as the Orioles try to even the series with the Rays. Danny Valencia makes another start in right field Andrew Cashner is making his third start against the Rays this season. He allowed five runs and 11 hits in five innings at Tropicana Field, and two runs and five hits in six innings at Camden Yards. Cashner followed the second outing by lasting only 1 2/3 innings in Texas and surrendering 10 runs and seven hits, with three...

Notes on Givens, Jones, Cobb and opposing starters

Notes on Givens, Jones, Cobb and opposing starters
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles couldn't carry a lead into the ninth inning last night and suffered their seventh walk-off loss of the season, their highest amount since totaling eight in 2014. There was no save situation after two unearned runs in the eighth tied the game. Mychal Givens didn't warm up and we'll never know whether he would have been used with a slim lead. Givens notched his second career save on Sunday by retiring all four Rangers that he faced. He replaced Paul Fry with...

Rays rally past Orioles 4-3 on Adames' walk-off home run (with quotes)

Rays rally past Orioles 4-3 on Adames' walk-off home run (with quotes)
ST. PETERSON, Fla. - Tim Beckham made a detour into the Rays' clubhouse this afternoon, visiting with old friends and teammates before heading back over to the other side. He didn't get lost, just a bit nostalgic. Alex Cobb started for the Orioles and didn't do as much socializing, but tonight's game also represented a "domecoming" for Cobb, who spent his first seven major league seasons with Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, Aubrey Huff couldn't be lured out of retirement. Beckham burned his...

Showalter provides pitching and injury updates (tied 3-3)

Showalter provides pitching and injury updates (tied 3-3)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles rookie David Hess will start Thursday night's series finale against the Rays. Dylan Bundy is pushed back to Friday night against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. "I don't want David to get too far away from being out there," manager Buck Showalter said. "Also, I didn't want to necessarily have those three young guys lined up in a row, either, if I could help it." The Orioles have a day-night doubleheader on Saturday against the Red Sox, and Jimmy Yacabonis...

Araujo remains shut down with elbow injury

Araujo remains shut down with elbow injury
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - An Orioles' trip to The Trop enables rehabbing players to make the drive from the Ed Smith Stadium complex, rejoin the club and be evaluated by the medical staff. Infielder Steve Wilkerson, on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, is feeling much better and could begin an injury rehab assignment on Thursday. Meanwhile, Rule 5 pick Pedro Araujo is shut down again after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow last week. He's been on the DL...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jonathan Villar is leading off tonight for the Orioles, who open a three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field, and Chris Davis returns to the lineup after sitting out the last two games in Texas. Jace Peterson is in right field. Mark Trumbo is batting fourth as the designated hitter. Caleb Joseph is catching. The Orioles are leading the American League in hitting with a .300 average (160-for-533) and slugging percentage (.499) since the All-Star break. They've...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
No one can judge a trade after only four games and no one is ready to anoint Jonathan Villar as an ideal successor to second baseman Jonathan Schoop. The Orioles don't know whether he's starting at the position for the remainder of the season and into 2019 and whether he's the top choice to bat leadoff based on his ability to swipe bags. But the early returns on Villar are favorable and the sample size is irrelevant. These are early returns. They don't need to stretch over two months to fit...

Now that you mention it ...

Now that you mention it ...
A few random questions as the Orioles reach another off-day on their schedule: What will the Orioles do in free agency this winter while committing to a rebuild? They could stay away from it and focus on trading a few more veterans in exchange for younger players or more international signing bonus slots. Perhaps check whether there's a market for Mark Trumbo as he enters the final year of his deal and is owed $13.5 million in 2019, according to Cot's Contracts. Trumbo receives $1.5 million...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
Adam Jones and Chris Davis are both out of the starting lineup today as the Orioles try to avoid a four-game sweep in Texas. Joey Rickard takes Jones' customary position in center field. Trey Mancini is playing first base again today. Jace Peterson is leading off and starts in left field. Jonathan Villar, who has been batting in the leadoff slot since he came over from the Brewers in the Jonathan Schoop trade, bats third today. Mark Trumbo is in right field, while Danny Valencia takes a turn...

More on international intentions and today's game

More on international intentions and today's game
Armed with more than $8 million in international signing bonus slots, the Orioles are poised to dive head-first into a market where they previously wouldn't dip a toe. They've already secured six players who have gone through the process of having medicals reviewed, including 16-year-old Dominican shortstop Moises Ramirez. An announcement is expected early next week and will involve prospects from the Dominican and Curaçao, with at least one signing out of Venezuela to follow. But the plan...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
Trey Mancini is starting at first base tonight as the Orioles attempt to win a game in Texas. Joey Rickard is in left field against Rangers left-hander Mike Minor. Danny Valencia is in right field and Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter. Caleb Joseph is catching Dylan Bundy. Bundy is making his fifth career appearance tonight and third start against the Rangers. He's allowed only one run and six hits in 17 innings. Bundy's two appearances in Texas have come in relief and he's tossed four...

Updating Hunter Harvey's throwing progression

Updating Hunter Harvey's throwing progression
Double-A Bowie pitcher Hunter Harvey will resume his throwing program on Monday in Sarasota after being shut down due to some stiffness in his right forearm. Harvey, 23, has recovered from an injury to his right shoulder that he sustained while trying to avoid a line drive headed for the Baysox's dugout back in late May. Harvey was leaning on the railing, jumped back and suffered what's been described as "posterior shoulder instability." To simplify it, the shoulder popped out and back into...

Checking back with scouts on recent acquisitions

Checking back with scouts on recent acquisitions
Multiple scouts who have chimed in on the Orioles' return for their July trades use the term "up and down guys," labeled for their lower ceilings but usefulness on a major league club. Guys who may be riding the Triple-A shuttle but can serve a purpose. Reliever Evan Phillips joined the club yesterday in Texas while the Orioles placed Jhan Mariñez on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring. He retired all six batters he faced and became the 49th player used this season after...

Orioles recall Evan Phillips

Orioles recall Evan Phillips
The Orioles are ready to debut another player for the 2018 season. Reliever Jhan Mariñez was placed on the 10-day disabled list today with a strained right hamstring and the Orioles recalled right-hander Evan Phillips from Triple-A Norfolk. Phillips will wear No. 58. The Orioles acquired Phillips, infielder Jean Carlos Encarnación, catcher Brett Cumberland and left-hander Bruce Zimmermann - along with $2.5 million in international signing bonus slot money - from the Braves on Tuesday for...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
Jonathan Villar is batting leadoff again tonight after collecting two hits in his Orioles debut. Tim Beckham is again slotted second in the order. Renato Núñez is at third base, Jace Peterson is in right field and Caleb Joseph is catching. David Hess is back in the rotation as Kevin Gausman's replacement and makes his first start since June 29. He pitched twice in relief last month, allowing two runs in two innings on July 4 in Philadelphia and tossing a scoreless inning July 28 against...

Villar given leadoff spot, Duquette on series of moves

Villar given leadoff spot, Duquette on series of moves
As the Orioles rid themselves of veterans and salary while beginning their rebuild, they're also making adjustments to a lineup that's been lacking a true leadoff hitter. Jonathan Villar, part of the package obtained earlier this week from the Brewers for second baseman Jonathan Schoop, owned a career .324 on-base percentage before last night's game against the Rangers. In the Orioles organization, that's a step in the right direction. Villar led the majors with 62 steals in 156 games in...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
Infielder Jonathan Villar has joined the Orioles after they acquired him from the Brewers on Tuesday in the Jonathan Schoop deal. He's leading off and playing second base against the Rangers. The Orioles are expected to option infielder Breyvic Valera to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Villar. Update: Valera has been optioned to Norfolk and Villar has been added to the 25-man roster. Andrew Cashner has allowed three earned runs in his last two starts totaling 11 2/3 innings. His 4.33 ERA is...