Steve Melewski

Wrapping up a series sweep from Houston

April 04, 2018, 2:21pm

Orioles

HOUSTON - The defending World Series champs got the big hit when they needed it most and the Orioles did not. That was a key difference today, and during this series, as Houston beat the Orioles 3-2 this afternoon to sweep the three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The Orioles fall to 1-5 as they head to Yankee Stadium. Their stretch of playing 10 straight against 2017 playoff teams to begin the new season will continue Thursday night. Today, they went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position....

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Orioles fall 3-2 to Houston, get swept in three-game series

April 04, 2018, 12:55pm

Orioles

HOUSTON - The Orioles were hoping opening day starter Dylan Bundy could give them a big effort today and take them deep into the game. If he could, they might leave Houston with at least one win. Bundy pitched well and through the sixth inning. But as they did all series, the Astros came up with offense when they needed it. They pushed across a run against reliever Miguel Castro in the last of the seventh to snap a 2-2 tie and pick up a 3-2 win. Houston (6-1) sweeps the three-game series. It's...

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Showalter's props for Rasmus and a game update

April 04, 2018, 11:08am

Orioles

Showalter's props for Rasmus and a game update

HOUSTON - Outfielder Colby Rasmus has not gotten off to a hot hitting start for the Orioles. He has a lot of company in that regard. He is 1-for-13 and has struck out eight times. This after he hit .281/.318/.579 in 37 games with Tampa Bay in 2017 with nine homers and 23 RBIs. He figures to see a lot of time in right field this season, but is not starting today versus the Houston lefty Dallas Keuchel. But it's clear that Houston fans like Rasmus. He played here in 2015 and 2016 and got a real...

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Showalter pregame on the lineup decisions and Rule 5 pitchers

April 04, 2018, 9:39am

Orioles

Showalter pregame on the lineup decisions and Rule 5 pitchers

HOUSTON - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is not in the starting lineup today against Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel. Davis is 1-for-8 in this series and 1-for-20 (.050) with no homers or RBIs on the season. He was 0-for-5 last night with four strikeouts after having struck out just once in the season's first four games. Manager Buck Showalter said Davis is fine physically after he dealt with a right forearm/elbow issue during spring training. So just a day off for Davis? "For the most...

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O's game blog: Dylan Bundy on the mound in Houston

April 04, 2018, 7:27am

Orioles

O's game blog: Dylan Bundy on the mound in Houston

HOUSTON - The Orioles' road trip has begun with back-to-back losses here. They need a win this afternoon at Minute Maid Park to avoid getting swept before the trip moves on to Yankee Stadium. Opening day starter Dylan Bundy returns to the mound this afternoon, pitching with an extra day of rest. Against the Twins on Thursday, Bundy threw seven scoreless innings in a no-decision. The Orioles won in 11 innings on Adam Jones' walk-off home run. Bundy gave up just five singles in the opener. He...

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Outing in Houston provides Wright something to build on

April 03, 2018, 10:45pm

Orioles

Outing in Houston provides Wright something to build on

HOUSTON - Orioles right-hander Mike Wright Jr. was making his first start for the club since June 17, 2016. Taking the mound with a career ERA of 6.32 in 21 previous major league starts, the expectations were not exactly high among some in Birdland as Wright prepared to face the defending World Series champs. But when Mychal Givens replaced Wright to start the last of the sixth last night, Wright was in line to be the winning pitcher. The winner in a game where the other starter was Justin...

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Wrapping up the Orioles' 10-6 loss at Houston

April 03, 2018, 8:54pm

Orioles

HOUSTON - The Orioles scored as many runs tonight as they had in the previous four games. And right-hander Mike Wright Jr. allowed one fewer run than Justin Verlander. But in the end, the Orioles could not stop the defending World Series champions from doing what they do best - piling up runs. Rule 5 pitchers Pedro Araujo and Nestor Cortes Jr. were put in a very tough spot tonight: facing Houston late in the contest with the game tied. They began the night with a combined three major league...

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Houston gets big inning against Rule 5 pitchers for 10-6 win

April 03, 2018, 7:31pm

Orioles

Houston gets big inning against Rule 5 pitchers for 10-6 win

HOUSTON - Mike Wright Jr. pitched capably and left with a lead. Adam Jones homered and drove in three. The Orioles finally scored off a starting pitcher. But would it add up to a victory? Not tonight for the Orioles. With the game tied 5-5 entering the last of the seventh, Houston scored five times off Rule 5 pitchers Pedro Araujo and Nestor Cortes Jr. to rally for a 10-6 win. The Orioles fall to 1-4 and have lost eight in a row at Minute Maid Park. Houston is 5-1. The Orioles got the lead...

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Rasmus gets nice reception in Houston (plus game update)

April 03, 2018, 5:20pm

Orioles

Rasmus gets nice reception in Houston (plus game update)

HOUSTON - During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the Houston Astros were becoming a pretty good team. They won 86 games in 2015, won the AL wild card game and advanced to the AL Division Series. They won 84 the next year but missed the playoffs. A key member of the Houston outfield those two seasons was Colby Rasmus, who is starting as the DH for the Orioles tonight. When the Orioles were introduced yesterday, Rasmus got a nice welcome back reception from the fans at Minute Maid Park. "I really...

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Showalter pregame on Cobb and Sisco on catching Wright

April 03, 2018, 3:09pm

Orioles

Showalter pregame on Cobb and Sisco on catching Wright

HOUSTON - Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb it seems will have the most input as to when he makes his debut for the club. Cobb is scheduled to pitch a five-inning simulated game in Florida tomorrow. He has already had outings of three and four innings. Manager Buck Showalter will get the video from that outing and then talk with Cobb after his workday this weekend that follows tomorrow's start. At that point it's time to decide whether Cobb pitches one more time in Florida, going six innings, or...

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O's game blog: Wright Jr. faces Verlander in Game 2 in Houston

April 03, 2018, 10:35am

Orioles

O's game blog: Wright Jr. faces Verlander in Game 2 in Houston

HOUSTON - As the Orioles offense looks to break out tonight in Houston, the challenge on this Tuesday is vast. They face right-hander Justin Verlander, who has been brilliant since the Astros acquired him in a deal with Detroit last Aug. 31. Verlander made his season debut and got the win Thursday at Texas when he allowed four hits over six scoreless in a 4-1 victory. That night Verlander became the 18th pitcher in major league history to make 10 career opening day starts. That lists includes...

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Buck Showalter on the decision to give Dylan Bundy extra rest

April 03, 2018, 10:28am

Orioles

Buck Showalter on the decision to give Dylan Bundy extra rest

HOUSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter has had to make several important decisions already, despite the fact that the 2018 season is just four games old. He had to decide whether to bat Chris Davis first and now he has to weigh when and/or if to make any lineup changes for a slumbering offense. But he made an interesting decision involving opening day starter Dylan Bundy. Bundy pitched seven scoreless on Thursday in Baltimore in the opening win over Minnesota. His fifth day to pitch would be...

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A look at an ugly three-game losing streak and a beautiful first pitch

April 02, 2018, 10:00pm

Orioles

A look at an ugly three-game losing streak and a beautiful first pitch

HOUSTON - Unfortunately for the Orioles, a three-game losing streak has truly been a team effort. Has the offense or the starting pitching been worse? They have both been pretty bad and that is why they've been outscored 19-3 in losing the last three games. The O's offense has produced one run the last two games and three runs on 12 hits the past three. During the same span, O's starting pitchers have allowed 15 runs (14 earned) on 20 hits, with seven homers allowed over 13 innings. On top...

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Wrapping up the series-opening 6-1 loss at Houston

April 02, 2018, 7:35pm

Orioles

Wrapping up the series-opening 6-1 loss at Houston

HOUSTON - Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman remains convinced he will be a much better pitcher in 2018 than he was last year. While his results tonight looked too much like 2017, he doesn't feel his season will ultimately go poorly again. Tonight, Tillman allowed back-to-back doubles to start his night and he gave up four runs over four innings plus one batter as Houston beat the Orioles 6-1 to start the club's seven-game road trip. Tillman felt like he might be settling in tonight. Down 1-0...

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Chris Tillman takes the loss as O's drop road-trip opener

April 02, 2018, 6:16pm

Orioles

Chris Tillman takes the loss as O's drop road-trip opener

HOUSTON - The Orioles came here looking to jump start their offense. Chris Tillman took the mound looking to reclaim his pre-2017 form. Neither happened however as the Orioles lost the series opener to the defending World Series champion Astros. Tillman allowed a run two batters into his night and gave up four runs on the evening as Houston beat the Orioles 6-1 at Minute Maid Park. The Orioles fall to 1-3 and they've been outscored 19-3 with just 12 hits in the last three games. A sellout...

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Showalter pregame on Cobb, Sisco and more (game update)

April 02, 2018, 2:35pm

Orioles

Showalter pregame on Cobb, Sisco and more (game update)

HOUSTON - Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb is inching closer to his first game action for the Orioles. He threw his latest bullpen session yesterday in Florida. He has thrown a pair of simulated games, one for three innings and his second for four innings. That last outing was a 48-pitch effort last Friday. His next game in Florida will be on Wednesday. "The decision will be made after his workday following that start whether he'll pitch (his next start) for us or wait another turn," manager...

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Chris Davis comes to the support of O's catcher Chance Sisco

April 02, 2018, 1:15pm

Orioles

Chris Davis comes to the support of O's catcher Chance Sisco

HOUSTON - The Orioles, to say the least, are ready to move on from yesterday's postgame comments out of the Minnesota clubhouse. The Twins, particularly second baseman Brian Dozier, criticized O's catcher Chance Sisco for bunting against the shift in the ninth inning. Sisco singled to start a bases loaded rally in the 7-0 loss to the Twins. One of the O's veterans that Dozier said would "address that" with Sisco is first baseman Chris Davis. He did address it with the young O's catcher,...

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O's game blog: O's play at Houston in road opener

April 02, 2018, 11:17am

Orioles

O's game blog: O's play at Houston in road opener

HOUSTON - The Orioles, who went 29-52 on the road last season, begin the new season's first road trip tonight as they open a three-game series with Houston. The defending World Series champion Astros are unveiling their championship banner as part of a pre-game ceremony before their home opener. Right-hander Chris Tillman will make his season debut tonight. The Orioles' opening day starter three straight years from 2014-2016, Tillman went 1-7 with a 7.84 ERA last year. He allowed 12.1 hits...

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After lackluster losses, the O's hit the road for Houston and New York

April 01, 2018, 10:12pm

Orioles

After lackluster losses, the O's hit the road for Houston and New York

HOUSTON - The Orioles could not score off any of the Minnesota Twins starting pitchers in the season's first series. Over 21 combined innings, Jake Odorizzi, Kyle Gibson and JosÃ© BerrÃos allowed just five hits and struck out 19. The Orioles looked bad in the back-to-back losses to the Twins in the last two days and tonight they begin their first road trip against the two teams that played in the American League Championship Series last season. It starts tonight with three games at World...

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Kevin Gausman on his outing, Chris Davis on the offense

April 01, 2018, 1:09pm

Orioles

Kevin Gausman on his outing, Chris Davis on the offense

Over the last two games, Orioles starters allowed 11 runs and six homers over nine innings. Meanwhile, Orioles batters produced two runs and six hits in 6-2 and 7-0 losses to Minnesota. The Orioles will take a 1-2 record to Houston and begin a series with the World Series champion Astros on Monday night at Minute Maid Park. Several Orioles are not hitting, including first baseman Chris Davis, who went 0-for-12 in the series from the leadoff spot. "Well, not a lot of production," Davis said of...