Steve Melewski

Saturday night baseball: Angels at Orioles

April 04, 2010, 6:27pm

Orioles

Game Preview LA Angels (68-45) at Orioles (48-67) After a night of amazing offense and a 16-6 win on Friday over the Los Angeles Angels, the Orioles will look for two staright in the series when the clubs meet at 7:05 p.m. Saturday night. Brian Matusz (1-1, 7.04) pitches for the Orioles vs. John Lackey (5-5, 3.88). The Orioles have won two in a row just once since the All-Star game. They posted back-to-back wins on July 29 and 30 vs. Kansas City. Felix Pie became the fourth Oriole to ever...

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steve melewski orioles

The day after for Felix Pie

April 04, 2010, 6:27pm

Orioles

Yesterday Felix Pie was just another reserve player on the Orioles. Today, his cleats are headed to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The Hall has something from each of the seven Major League players that have hit for the cycle this year and last night Pie became lucky number seven. "I'm excited and happy. I never thought anything like that would happen in my life," Pie said. Pie has never been to the Hall. "This is my first time. I'll go check it out later this year now." The...

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steve melewski orioles

Some excerpts from the "State of the Orioles" address

April 04, 2010, 6:26pm

Orioles

O's president Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley took some questions here today at Camden Yards from season ticket holders as part of their latest "State of the Orioles" address. Here are some of the questions and their answers. MacPhail was asked about Rhyne Hughes, the player the O's got today as the player to be named later for Gregg Zaun. AM - "We were able to finish that deal today and acquire a left-handed hitting first baseman that was with Tampa's Triple-A club named Rhyne...

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steve melewski orioles

Tonight's pitchers: Matusz vs. Lackey

April 04, 2010, 6:25pm

Orioles

LHP Brian Matusz (1-1, 7.04) tonight makes his 3rd start of the season, his 1st at home and the 1st of his career vs. the Angels. Matusz's first two starts: Aug 4 at Det: 5IP, 6H, 1R-ER, 3B, 5K, 99 pitches Aug 9 at Tor: 2 2/3IP, 7H, 5R-ER, 2B, 1K, 62 pitches Matsuz has faced almost all right-handed batters so far and the righty hitters are batting .406 (13 for 32) against him while lefties are at .000 (0 for 2). Opponents are hitting .200 off him (2 for 10) when batting with runners in...

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steve melewski orioles

Off target at the Yard (updated with Matusz's line)

April 04, 2010, 6:24pm

Orioles

Off target at the Yard (updated with Matusz's line)

I feel for Brian Matusz, who walked three in the third inning tonight leading to a five-run inning by the Angels. They are a team that will take a crack and turn it into a three-foot hole. Matusz opened the door big time when he walked three of four hitters. That stat sheet won't show the close pitches to Bobby Abreu that were not called strikes although they sure looked like they were. I guess at Double-A ball, similar pitches would have resulted in an out. But Major League hitters take...

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steve melewski orioles

Matusz and O's fall 5-1 to Los Angeles

April 04, 2010, 6:24pm

Orioles

It was an inning where the LA Angels, one of the Major League's best hitting clubs, put together three singles, three walks and an error and turned that into five runs. The five-run third vs. Brian Matusz carried LA to a 5-1 win over the Orioles, in front of 28,770 at Camden Yards on Saturday night. Matusz pitched out of trouble in other innings, but in that third, with one out, a single and two walks loaded the bases and the Angels went on to score five times. Matusz falls to 1-2, 6.75. ...

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steve melewski orioles

Post-game and minor league notes plus Matusz quotes

April 04, 2010, 6:23pm

Orioles

Post-game and minor league notes plus Matusz quotes

Not tonight - One night after producing 12 extra-base hits and 19 hits in a 16-6 romp over the Angels, the O's were held to one run on nine hits. They went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position after going 11 for 22 Friday. The O's have scored three runs or less in six of seven and eight of the last ten games. They have done that in 15 of 28 games in the second-half and are 1-14 in those contests. Melvin Mora went 3 for 4, it was his 6th three-hit game of the year. He is 9 for 18...

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steve melewski orioles

Sunday baseball: Angels at Orioles

April 04, 2010, 6:22pm

Orioles

Game Preview LA Angels (69-45) at Orioles (48-68) The Orioles and Angels each have one win in their four-game series that continues today at 1:35 p.m. at Camden Yards. Jeremy Guthrie (7-12, 5.43) pitches for the Orioles vs. LA's Sean O'Sullivan (3-1, 5.12). The Birds had 12 extra-base hits in Friday's 16-6 win over the Angels, but last night the O's were held to one run in the Angels 5-1 win. One night after going 11 for 22 with runners in scoring position, the Birds were 1 for 9...

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steve melewski orioles

Today's pitchers: Guthrie vs. O'Sullivan

April 04, 2010, 6:21pm

Orioles

Today's pitchers: Guthrie vs. O'Sullivan

RHP Jeremy Guthrie (7-12, 5.43) today makes his 24th start of this season, his 13th at home and the 5th of his career vs. the Angels. Guthrie has lost four straight decisions. He is 0-4, 6.75 over those last four starts. Guthrie has been hurt by the long ball this year, allowing an AL-high 27 homers. He has given up at least one homer in 17 starts and eight times has allowed at least two homers in a game. Guthrie, 2009 season: First half: 6-8, 5.35 in 18 starts Second half: 1-4, 5.67 in...

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steve melewski orioles

Updating the homers

April 04, 2010, 6:21pm

Orioles

Coming into today's game, the Orioles had hit just three homers in their last nine games and three over the last 81 innings. When Nick Markakis connected for a two-run homer in the last of the 5th to tie today's game at 6-6, the O's had hit three homers over their last three innings. Today's longballs: Brian Roberts, his 10th, a two-run shot in the 3rd off O'Sullivan Luke Scott, his 20th, a solo shot in the 4th off O'Sullivan Nick Markakis, his 14th, a two-run shot in the 5th off...

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steve melewski orioles

Angels score nine in 13th, to beat Birds, 17-8

April 04, 2010, 6:20pm

Orioles

Angels score nine in 13th, to beat Birds, 17-8

They lost a lead in the ninth inning, but not the game. The LA Angels scored nine runs on eight hits off Brian Bass and Matt Albers in the top of 13th to post a somewhat rare, extra-inning rout, 17-8. Torri Hunter's RBI single made it 9-8, then Erick Aybar's two-run single gave LA a three-run lead. Later, Juan Rivera capped the inning with a three-run homer. It was the O's longest game of the year by innings and time. Down 8-6 after seven, the O's tied the game. Matt Wieters'...

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steve melewski orioles

Post-game Notes: O's fall in 13

April 04, 2010, 6:18pm

Orioles

Not his year - O's starter Jeremy Guthrie struggled again. He gave up ten hits and seven runs (all earned) over 5 2/3 innings. Guthrie's ERA is now 5.66. It was his most earned runs allowed since he also gave up seven on 8-29-08 vs. Tampa. Over his last five starts, he is 0-4, 7.55. Over his last two starts, Guthrie has given up 12ER and 21 hits over 10 1/3 for an ERA of 10.45. He leads the American League with 28 homers allowed. Guthrie has allowed five runs or more 10 times this...

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steve melewski orioles

Series finale: Los Angeles at Orioles

April 04, 2010, 6:16pm

Orioles

Game Preview LA Angels (70-45) at Orioles (48-69) After giving up nine runs in the 13th inning to lose on Sunday afternoon, the Orioles host the LA Angels tonight at 7:05 p.m. needing a win to even the four-game series at two wins each. RHP David Hernandez (4-4, 3.81) will make the start for the Orioles and RHP Ervin Santana (5-6, 6.38) takes the mound for Los Angeles. After the Orioles 16-6 romp over the Angels on Friday, LA has come back to win the last two games of the series. The Angels...

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steve melewski orioles

Still a no-go on Givens (Ohlman money update)

April 04, 2010, 6:14pm

Orioles

Still a no-go on Givens (Ohlman money update)

The Orioles have a contract offer back on the table, should second-round draft pick Mychal Givens accept it before tonight's midnight deadline to sign draft picks. But O's scouting director Joe Jordan does not expect that to happen. "I'm not very optimistic. Both sides are pretty set where they are. I don't have any reason to think that will change. The final decision is up to them now." With the official signings today of 11th-round pick, catcher Micheal Ohlman from Bradenton,...

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steve melewski orioles

Andy MacPhail's comments on the Huff trade

April 04, 2010, 6:13pm

Orioles

Andy MacPhail's comments on the Huff trade

Here are some comments from O's team president Andy MacPhail on the Aubrey Huff trade. "This has more to do with the status that he is going to be a free agent in six weeks. There are a couple of benefits to this including sending the player to a first-place team. "From a self-interest standpoint, this is probably a time when you can get a prospect from a club because a game or two might make all the difference to them. The Tigers have plenty of good arms, relievers that are...

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steve melewski orioles

Tonight's pitchers: Hernandez vs. Santana

April 04, 2010, 6:08pm

Orioles

Tonight's pitchers: Hernandez vs. Santana

RHP David Hernandez (4-4, 3.81) tonight makes his 11th start of this season, his 5th at home and his 2nd this year vs. Los Angeles. He is coming off of a win on Tuesday vs. Oakland. He gave up six hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings, throwing 106 pitches. Over his last six starts, Hernandez is 2-2, 3.55. He has recorded five quality starts on the year and all five have come over his last seven starts. In four home starts, Hernandez is 2-2, 3.22. Right-handed batters are hitting .287 off...

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steve melewski orioles

Matt Albers talks about his struggles

April 04, 2010, 6:07pm

Orioles

The pitcher's mound had to be a lonely place for Matt Albers in the top of the 13th inning on Sunday. Not only did he let in some inherited runs, but he gave up five of his own over just one inning. Earlier this year, Albers had a stretch where he did not allow an earned run in 17 of 21 appearances. His ERA was 2.12 during the stretch. But now he has been hit for 17ER over six innings over his last seven appearances. "I had a good talk with Rick Kranitz and went over a few things,"...

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steve melewski orioles

Guerrero goes deep twice as Angels top O's

April 04, 2010, 6:06pm

Orioles

Guerrero goes deep twice as Angels top O's

Vladimir Guerrero, struggling to hit homers earlier in the season, hit two tonight leading the LA Angels to an 8-5 win over the Orioles as the Angels won the final three games of the four-game series. After Maicer Izturis hit a solo homer to give LA a 3-2 lead in the 6th, Guerrero hit a two-run shot two batters later for a 5-2 lead. In inning later, he hit a three-run shot. It was Guerrero's 9th and 10th homers of the season and this is his 38th career multi-homer game. Losing pitcher...

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steve melewski orioles

Post-game Notes: Angels take series finale

April 04, 2010, 6:05pm

Orioles

Post-game Notes: Angels take series finale

The Orioles ended this homestand with two wins in seven games vs. Oakland and Los Angeles. They are now 30-31 at home on the year and 48-70 overall. Nick Markakis went 2 for 4 with a double, homer and two RBI. He now has 84 RBI. Markakis extended his current hitting streak to ten games. During the streak, he is batting .378 (17 for 45) with two homers and 8 RBI. For Markakis, 21 of his last 37 hits have gone for extra bases. He has now reached base in 37 consecutive games - the longest...

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steve melewski orioles

Series preview: O's at Tampa

April 04, 2010, 6:03pm

Orioles

Game Preview Orioles (48-70) at Tampa Bay (63-54) After winning just two of seven games on a homestand that ended with Monday's loss to the Angels, the Orioles begin a nine-game road trip tonight at Tampa Bay. After three games with the Rays, the road trip takes to the Orioles on to Chicago and Minnesota. The O's are just 18-39 on the road this season and are just 3-18 on the road vs. the AL East. Series Pitching Matchups; Mon, 7:08p - Jason Berken (2-10, 6.63) v. David Price (5-5,...