Too many walks and not enough runs for Orioles in 6-2 loss

Too many walks and not enough runs for Orioles in 6-2 loss
SAN FRANCISCO - When a pitcher sets his career high in walks before recording an out in the third inning, he's in clear danger of exhausting himself from chasing the plate. Kevin Gausman tried to corner it, tried to trap it in one spot, but it kept getting away from him. The Giants drew four walks in the first two innings and Gausman paid the price in the second, with Denard Span lining a two-out, two-run single into center field to prevent the Orioles from taking another early lead. Buster...

Showalter on Jones: "He's so easy to trust" (O's down 6-0)

Showalter on Jones: "He's so easy to trust" (O's down 6-0)
SAN FRANCISCO - The Orioles remain on their road trip and Adam Jones figures to remain on a roll. No matter how the rest of the offense is functioning. Jones' eight-game hitting streak covers stops in Chicago, Oakland and San Francisco. He grounded out in his first at-bat tonight, but he's 16-for-36 since leaving Baltimore. The damage includes one double, two home runs, four RBIs and five runs scored. His average climbed to .279, its highest point of the season. He was batting .234 at the end...

Showalter on O'Day, bullpen and Pearce

Showalter on O'Day, bullpen and Pearce
SAN FRANCISCO - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day received a cortisone injection in his right shoulder today before going on the disabled list with a rotator cuff strain, and manager Buck Showalter sounded confident that the absence won't extend beyond 15 days. O'Day is eligible to return on Aug. 28 and Showalter said the reliever definitely will pitch for them later this season. "I talked to Darren today," Showalter said. "I talked to Dr. (Michael) Jacobs. He saw him early this morning and...

Britton reacts to O'Day's latest trip to the disabled list

Britton reacts to O'Day's latest trip to the disabled list
SAN FRANCISCO - The Orioles are beginning life again without reliever Darren O'Day, who returned to the disabled list today. O'Day's right hamstring is fine, but a strained rotator cuff has removed him from a bullpen that leans on him for quality outings and leadership. "I think he's really frustrated," said closer Zach Britton. "He prides himself being a guy who's very consistent, durable and it's pretty unfortunate for him right now. But I know he's going to do everything he can to...

O'Day goes on DL (plus Orioles lineup)

O'Day goes on DL (plus Orioles lineup)
SAN FRANCISCO - The Orioles placed reliever Darren O'Day on the 15-day disabled list today with a right rotator cuff strain. Tyler Wilson has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take O'Day's spot on the pitching staff. O'Day flew back to Baltimore this morning and had his shoulder examined by team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs. Manager Buck Showalter said yesterday that he wouldn't have used O'Day in this series. This is O'Day's second stint on the disabled list in 2016. He missed...

Thoughts on the bullpen and tonight's game

Thoughts on the bullpen and tonight's game
SAN FRANCISCO - The Orioles won a game last night and may have lost their top set-up man. They'll find out later today after team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs examines Darren O'Day's right shoulder. They survived without O'Day for seven weeks, a strained hamstring keeping him on the disabled list. But let's not tempt fate. Brad Brach is a capable set-up man and he's been given extra rest, but the bullpen isn't as deep without O'Day. It also misses a reliever who's holding...

Wrapping up a 5-2 win

Wrapping up a 5-2 win
SAN FRANCISCO - The Orioles jumped out to an early lead for the second consecutive game and held onto it, with the bullpen doing a solid job behind starter Dylan Bundy. Bundy improved to 6-3 with a 2.93 ERA and Zach Britton recorded his 36th save. Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis hit home runs, the heart of the order pumping again, and the Orioles moved back into first place in the American League East with a 5-2 win over the Giants at AT&T Park. Trumbo and Davis hadn't homered in the same game...

Orioles back in first place after 5-2 win

Orioles back in first place after 5-2 win
SAN FRANCISCO - Dylan Bundy wasn't much of a hitter tonight, striking out in his first two major league at-bats and bouncing to the mound. Fortunately for the Orioles, they weren't dependent on the rookie to provide their offense. That would have been a peculiar strategy. Bundy handled the pitching, allowing one run in 5 2/3 innings, and Mark Trumbo hit a 441-foot home run that almost bounced off the Bay Bridge. Everyone had their assigned roles. Matt Wieters and Adam Jones drove in runs in...

Orioles take early lead as Hart waits for next chance (O's lead 5-1)

Orioles take early lead as Hart waits for next chance (O's lead 5-1)
SAN FRANCISCO - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is 2-for-2 in two innings tonight and the Orioles have taken another early lead, scoring twice off Giants starter Matt Cain. They were able. Jonathan Schoop and Matt Wieters doubled with one out. J.J. Hardy singled to put runners on the corners, Dylan Bundy struck out in his first major league at-bat and Jones poked an RBI single into right field. The bats are still awake. The Orioles put two runners on base with one out in the first inning, but...

Showalter on Hart, Ondrusek, O'Day, Wilson and more

Showalter on Hart, Ondrusek, O'Day, Wilson and more
SAN FRANCISCO - So much for a slow news day. The Orioles recalled reliever Donnie Hart from Double-A Bowie to replace Logan Ondrusek in the bullpen and give them a much-needed left-hander as part of the bridge to closer Zach Britton. Hart's presence is already being felt. The Giants couldn't stack their lineup with left-handers tonight. "It's as much about Logan, too," said manager Buck Showalter. "When we first acquired Logan, we were hoping he'd be able to get some innings down below,...

O'Day will have shoulder examined in Baltimore

O'Day will have shoulder examined in Baltimore
SAN FRANCISCO - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day flew back to Baltimore this morning because of a sore right shoulder, which team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs will examine on Saturday. O'Day experienced discomfort in the shoulder yesterday in the eighth inning while allowing an inherited runner to score and two runs of his own. Tyler Wilson is on the taxi squad today and could be recalled Saturday if O'Day goes on the disabled list. Manager Buck Showalter said he wasn't going to use O'Day...

Tyler Wilson on taxi squad

Tyler Wilson on taxi squad
SAN FRANCISCO - Tyler Wilson is in the Orioles' clubhouse tonight after being placed on the 24-hour taxi squad. Wilson will return to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday if not recalled. Manager Buck Showalter will provide an explanation later. Wilson could be here in case reliever Darren O'Day or infielder Steve Pearce go on the disabled list. Showalter said yesterday that he would check on O'Day to make sure the reliever's right hamstring isn't bothering him again. Pearce hasn't played since...

Orioles lineup vs. Giants

Orioles lineup vs. Giants
SAN FRANCISCO - Mark Trumbo is batting fourth and Chris Davis has moved down to fifth for tonight's game against the Giants at AT&T Park. J.J. Hardy is back at shortstop after resting yesterday. Dylan Bundy will get his first career at-bats tonight. The Orioles have confirmed that they recalled left-hander Donnie Hart from Double-A Bowie. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Hyun Soo Kim LF Manny Machado 3B Mark Trumbo RF Chris Davis 1B Jonathan Schoop 2B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Dylan Bundy...

A few early notes from San Francisco

A few early notes from San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO - Not all saves are created equal and Zach Britton really had to earn his latest one yesterday in Oakland. Bases loaded, two outs and former Oriole Danny Valencia at the plate. A three-run cushion could have popped with one swing from Valencia, who's batting .348 against left-handers this season. Valencia took a 97 mph fastball for a strike, offered at a 96 mph fastball and grounded to second baseman Jonathan Schoop. The Orioles held on for a 9-6 win, avoiding a four-game sweep,...

Orioles take giant leap on road trip

Orioles take giant leap on road trip
SAN FRANCISCO - The dog days of August? Manager Buck Showalter would like to pose a question to anyone willing to do the research. "Why not cat days?" Well? The Orioles begin a three-game series tonight in San Francisco, trading in a last-place opponent for one that's in first. Maybe they'll have better luck with a contender. There will be a lot more witnesses at AT&T Park than Oakland Coliseum, where yesterday's paid attendance of 16,610 consisted mostly of Orioles fans and kids on a...

Wrapping up 9-6 win (Ondrusek optioned, Hart joining Orioles)

Wrapping up 9-6 win (Ondrusek optioned, Hart joining Orioles)
OAKLAND - While confirming this morning that he was getting a day off and not dealing with a health issue, J.J. Hardy noted that the Orioles had won the last two games with Ryan Flaherty at shortstop. He playfully challenged the media to look it up while sifting through the dates in his head. Maybe he's onto something. Or perhaps the Orioles simply were due to break out to avoid being swept in Oakland. Mark Trumbo hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, Pedro Alvarez drove in three, Chris...

Offense awakens and Orioles avoid sweep with 9-6 win

Offense awakens and Orioles avoid sweep with 9-6 win
OAKLAND - A scoring drought that could have caused brush fires, a drought that turned a first-place lead to ashes, ended for the Orioles this afternoon. When it rains runs, it pours. The label of a team that only hits home runs was ripped away at the seams in the fourth inning, with the Orioles stringing together four consecutive hits in a three-run frame. But, the long ball would resurface later. May as well take all of the tools out of the box. Manny Machado, Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo...

Latest on Pearce's recovery and Schoop's endurance (O's lead 9-6)

Latest on Pearce's recovery and Schoop's endurance (O's lead 9-6)
OAKLAND - Steve Pearce remained on the active roster for today's series finale against the Athletics, and he intended to hit in the cage to test out his right forearm and elbow. Pearce still hasn't been cleared to throw. The Orioles are more interested right now in whether he can swing the bat without pain, which they anticipate as they approach a three-game series in San Francisco. Pearce is eager to get back in the lineup, of course, and would have started yesterday against left-hander Ross...

Orioles and Athletics lineups

Orioles and Athletics lineups
OAKLAND - Ryan Flaherty is playing shortstop today for the Orioles, making his first start since July 24. He doesn't have an at-bat since July 30. Chris Davis has returned to the cleanup spot, followed by Mark Trumbo. According to STATS, LLC., second baseman Jonathan Schoop owns the second-longest active games started streak in the majors with 113, trailing the Royals' Alcides Escobar with 122. Schoop is the only player in the majors to play every inning and each out of his team's games this...

Orioles need a win today to avoid four-game sweep

Orioles need a win today to avoid four-game sweep
OAKLAND - The Orioles are trying today to avoid their first four-game sweep in Oakland since August 2004. The Athletics rotation for that series consisted of Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Rich Harden and Barry Zito. It's not quite the same level of talent this week, but the Orioles are allowing the A's do to a nice impression. The Orioles' losing pitchers in that 2004 series were Buddy Groom, Sidney Ponson, B.J. Ryan and Daniel Cabrera. The pitching this week can't be faulted. It's an offense...