Hernandez so far (updated)

Hernandez so far (updated)
David Hernandez is throwing well so far tonight, but he went to a full count on all four hitters he faced in the fourth, pitching carefully to the middle of the Red Sox lineup. He threw 25 pitches in the inning and is at 66 for the game. Even though he walked two in the frame, he got a Kevin Youkilis double-play grounder to help him out. He started well, throwing just 10 pitches in a 1-2-3 first and had just 41 pitches through three. He gave up a solo homer to J.D. Drew in the second that...
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O's vs. Boston: Friday night stat primer

O's vs. Boston:  Friday night stat primer
The O's have scored ten runs in David Hernandez's four starts this year and just two of those runs have scored while Hernandez is in the game. Ty Wigginton has reached base in 14 of his last 25 plate appearances. Since beginning the year 6 for 29, Nick Markakis has 17 hits in 55 at bats (.309). He is tied for 12th in the AL in walks (14). Matt Wieters is 13th in the league with eight multi-hit games. The Orioles have lost seven straight home games vs. Boston O's hitters, recent...
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Berken to continue workin' in his current role

Berken to continue workin' in his current role
Earlier this week, Dave Trembley talked about finding out "who wants it" in his bullpen and basically that some roles could be open to those that pitch well and grasp them. For now, though, Jason Berken is not changing roles. He's been valuable in long relief, going 0-0, 1.32 in six games over 13 2/3 innings. He pitched the ninth last night because he needed work. The skipper has been tempted to give Berken work later in the game, but for now, he remains in long relief. "Yes, there has...
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Figueroa's bat sizzles at Bowie

Figueroa's bat sizzles at Bowie
Even though he has yet to play one game at the Triple-A level, Paco Figueroa has been through a lot in the Orioles farm system. A ninth-round pick out of the University of Miami in 2005, he has played for five different O's affiliates and has always shown a solid bat. Yet injuries have slowed his career and he can't seem to get past Bowie to the top rung of the O's minors. But he's often shown he can hit. Figueroa, a second baseman last year, now playing mostly in right field, he is...
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Britton works to pitch his way through tough stretch at Bowie

Britton works to pitch his way through tough stretch at Bowie
When I watched the Bowie Baysox play Thursday amidst sunshine at Prince Georges Stadium, I saw an O's top pitching prospect dealing with a rough stretch and a veteran O's minor leaguer proving once again he has a solid bat. Last year, when Zach Britton was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year at Frederick, he gave up four runs or more just six times in 24 starts. Now he has allowed that many in three straight starts. "Some things didn't go my way, but it's still early in the...
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Post-game notes: O's drop series vs. New York

Post-game notes:  O's drop series vs. New York
Wins and losses: With the 4-0 loss Thursday night, the O's lost the series, two games to one to New York and are 0-7 in series on the year. The Orioles are now 4-18 on the season and are just 1-8 at home. They are 3-12 in games vs. the AL East and 0-10 in games where their opponent scores the first run. No beef, runs or extra-base hits: The Orioles had just three singles and went 3 for 30 at bat in the game as the team average dropped from .247 to .241. The O's were blanked for the...
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Yikes, another losing streak already

Yikes, another losing streak already
After picking up 49 hits over the previous four games, tonight the Orioles had just three singles as the Yankees beat the Birds 4-0 to win the series, two to one. The Orioles fall to 4-18 and have now lost all seven series this year. Winning pitcher A.J. Burnett pitched eight shutout frames and gave up just three singles. He is now 3-0, 2.43 and threw 116 pitches. He is 10-2 in his career vs. Baltimore. Brian Matusz gave up three runs over six innings and suffered his first loss since...
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Britton deals with some struggles and defensive issues as he takes his second loss

Britton deals with some struggles and defensive issues as he takes his second loss
These are unusual times for O's pitching prospect Zach Britton. Last year, on his way to becoming the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year, Britton's ERA never even went above 3.00 once. Today, he took the loss for Bowie, 4-3 vs. Erie and is now 1-2, 4.32. His ERA was 2.61 over his first two starts, but is now 5.52 over the last three outings. O's prospect Zach Britton talks with the O's Xtra crew about his development Today was a mixed bag for the 22-year-old lefty. He gave up four...
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Baysox come up short today in Bowie

Baysox come up short today in Bowie
After falling behind 4-0 in the 5th, the Baysox rally came up one run short today in a 4-3 loss to Erie before a small, but sun-splashed crowd here at Prince Georges Stadium. After Koji Uehara pitched that scoreless first, Zach Britton came on. He gave up four runs (one earned) over 5 1/3 to fall to 1-2, 4.23. The Baysox fall to 12-9 with the loss. After beginning the year 9-1, they are 3-8 since. Erie, which has won six in a row, took a 4-0 lead with a three-run 5th vs. Britton that...
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Zach Britton's day is done

Zach Britton's day is done
One of the O's top pitching prospects, Zach Britton, followed Koji to the mound today here at Bowie. He came on starting with the top of the second. Zach Clark came on to replace Britton in the top of the seventh. Britton today: 5 1/3IP, 6H, 4R, 1ER, 3BB, 1K. His ERA is now 4.32 through five outings. He walked two and hit a batter in Erie's three-run fifth and a Pedro Florimon two-out error made the runs unearned. After pitching to an ERA of 2.61 over his first two starts, Britton has...
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Rick Kranitz talks about Koji at Bowie

Rick Kranitz talks about Koji at Bowie
O's pitching coach Rick Kranitz is sitting a few rows behind home plate here in Bowie and watched Koji Uehara pitch. Now he is getting an up close look at lefty Zach Britton as Erie leads Bowie 4-0 in the fifth. Kranitz indicated it is likely Koji will make at least one more minor league appearance. "It was a quick look. He's a strike-thrower and we are just looking for him to get his arm strength back and feel back and get some innings under his belt," Kranitz said. I asked him if...
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Koji quotes after his outing at Bowie

Koji quotes after his outing at Bowie
After one scoreless inning here today at Bowie and a total of just 13 pitches, Koji Uehara said he feels ready to return to the Orioles. Koji said he has not been told by the team when he will be activated off the DL, but when asked if he is ready to pitch again in the Majors, through his interpreter, Jiwon Bang, Koji simply said "yes." "I could have thrown more," Koji said. "It's not for me to decide (when I will be activated). "I'm not that interested in the results, I just want...
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Koji's first and only inning

Koji's first and only inning
Wearing a white number 19 Bowie Baysox jersey, Koji Uehara gave up a walk, but no runs or hits in the Erie top of the first. Koji worked fast and pitched out of the stretch throughout. Leadoff hitter Chris White grounded out to first on an 0-2 pitch. Koji then fell behind Wilkin Ramirez 3-0, then ran the count full and walked him on the 3-2 pitch which missed outside. On a 1-1 pitch to third hitter Josh Burrus, Ramirez was thrown out stealing by catcher Phil Britton, who made a strong and...
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Live from Bowie where Koji pitches at 11 am

Live from Bowie where Koji pitches at 11 am
I have arrived at the press box at Prince Georges Stadium for today's Bowie Baysox vs. Erie game. Koji Uehara will start for the Baysox and we are not sure if he will pitch just one inning or more. Lefty Zach Britton will follow him on the mound. Koji has not pitched for the O's in the regular season and went on the DL March 26th with a left hamstring strain. He pitched a scoreless inning for the Baysox on Tuesday here, throwing 15 pitches, 11 for strikes. Today's game is a special 11...
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Audio from Chris Tillman's no-hitter

Audio from Chris Tillman's no-hitter
Chris Tillman pitched a no-hitter for the Norfolk Tides Wednesday night as the Tides won at Gwinnett 6-0. The 22-year-old right-hander walked one and fanned six and threw 63 of his 105 pitches for strikes. It was Norfolk's first nine-inning no-hitter since Dave Telgheder threw one on May 15, 1992 vs. Pawtucket. Audio: Tides broadcaster Bob Socci calls the final out of Chris Tillman's no-hitter The only trouble Tillman ran into came in the fifth inning, as Brent Clevlan worked a leadoff...
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Guthrie apologizes to fans and teammates for his poor outing

Guthrie apologizes to fans and teammates for his poor outing
A somewhat despondent Jeremy Guthrie met with reporters a few minutes ago in the O's clubhouse, saying he was embarrassed by his performance and he apologized to teammates and fans for his outing tonight. "Let me start by saying, I'm embarrassed by the way the game started. I'm embarrassed by the way the game finished. I'm embarrassed that I had to run the bullpen out there for 4 1/3 innings because I was not able to keep the pitch count down. "I'm apologetic to fans that come and...
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Looks like the win streak will end at two

Looks like the win streak will end at two
Maybe the Yankees were still mad at Jeremy Guthrie after he hit Mark Teixeira in spring training. Maybe they were upset with their play last night or the loss last night or all of the above. They lead tonight 6-1 after four. A Lou Montanez error in left helped New York to two runs in the first and Guthrie hit the leadoff batter in the second and later Nick Swisher tripled in two. Robinson Cano's solo homer in the third produced New York's sixth run. Guthrie has thrown 80 pitches and the...
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Sizing up Guthrie and Sabathia

Sizing up Guthrie and Sabathia
Jeremy Guthrie (0-2, 3.46) tonight makes his fifth start. He has posted four straight quality starts to begin this season. Last year he picked up his 4th quality start in his 10th outing. Guthrie is 3-6, 4.92 in 11 career starts vs. NY. The Orioles have scored a total of ten runs in his four starts in 2010. Guthrie has not allowed a first-inning run this season after allowing 29 last year. Right-handed hitters are batting .204 vs. Guthrie this year while lefties are hitting...
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Millwood: "I'll get my share of wins."

Millwood:  "I'll get my share of wins."
When Kevin Millwood was traded to the Orioles in December, he joined the club with 155 career wins to his credit. Despite pitching well in five starts so far where he has kept his team in the game, he doesn't have a single win yet this year. He is 0-3, 3.38 in 32 innings. But he doesn't sound the least bit discouraged by his personal record at this point. "There is really not much you can do about it. Any time I pitch, I try to give us a chance to win and that's all you can do. I...
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Playing good ball vs. Boston and New York

Playing good ball vs. Boston and New York
Here's a strange thought. At 4-16, the 2010 Orioles look less overmatched by the Red Sox and Yankees than the 2009 Orioles did. They went a combined 7-29 vs. New York and Boston last year and now are 2-2 vs. the big two in a stretch of 12 straight against them. Perhaps it won't be long before those teams assert their usual and expected dominance over the Birds of Baltimore, but the Orioles have sure gone toe to toe with them the last four games. They are 2-2 in this stretch and the O's...
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