orioles

Winning is nice, but enough about the spoiler's role already

September 20, 2011, 9:20pm

Orioles

Winning is nice, but enough about the spoiler's role already

This is just the way an Orioles fan probably envisioned it several weeks ago. Rick VandenHurk would not make it into the fourth inning. But Willie Eyre would come on to get the win. Pedro Strop would pitch a shutout eighth inning. Jim Johnson would get a save and, of course, Jo-Jo Reyes would pitch three key shutout innings. To top if off, Robert Andino would end Jonathan Papelbon's 22-inning scoreless streak and 25 straight saves run with a three-run double. To the off field. Yeah, that's...

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Daniel Moroz: Matusz's nosedive has been historically horrible

September 21, 2011, 5:02am

Orioles

Daniel Moroz: Matusz's nosedive has been historically horrible

To say that Brian Matusz has had a rough season is probably an understatement. The injury to start the year; the June return and subsequent shellacking, resulting in a trip down to the minors; the August call-up and subsequent shellacking. It was all capped off by his recent starts in New York and Boston (wasn't there a way to work Matusz in so that he wasn't facing two of the majors' best offenses on the road?) in which he didn't get out of the second inning in either start and allowed...

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Andino's clutch three-run double gives O's a come-from-behind win over Boston

September 20, 2011, 6:46pm

Orioles

Andino's clutch three-run double gives O's a come-from-behind win over Boston

The Boston Red Sox asked Jonathan Papelbon, a pitcher that had converted a career-best 25 straight save chances since May 13, to try and get a five-out save on Tuesday night against the Orioles. He couldn't do it. With Boston leading 5-4, Papelbon came in with two on and one out in the top of the eighth. He fanned Chris Davis for the second out, but Nolan Reimold's single to left loaded the bases. Robert Andino came up and the count went full. Andino then ripped a three-run double down the...

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Case closed for Johnson

September 19, 2011, 7:20pm

Orioles

Should we believe that Jim Johnson is going to make a start before the 2011 season comes to a merciful end? It's not necessary. The Orioles can decide over the winter that Johnson belongs in the rotation. They can put him on a starter's schedule in spring training. They can change their minds at any time and return him to the bullpen. It's not like he'll be stretched out so far that he can't snap back to a short-relief role. He's not a rubber band. Johnson hasn't been formally named...

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VandenHurk not nugget-like tonight (Showalter ejected)

September 20, 2011, 4:59pm

Orioles

VandenHurk not nugget-like tonight (Showalter ejected)

Rick VandenHurk's second start with the Orioles this month didn't do much to enhance his standing within the organization. VandenHurk couldn't record an out in the fourth inning and he couldn't hold a 4-1 lead. Jo-Jo Reyes replaced him with runners on first and second, no outs and the Orioles ahead, 4-3. Jacoby Ellsbury singled to load the bases. Reyes struck out Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Gonzalez appeared to bounce into a 3-6-3 double play, but first baseman Mark Reynolds missed catcher...

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VandenHurk's latest audition starts poorly (O's lead, 4-3)

September 20, 2011, 3:39pm

Orioles

VandenHurk's latest audition starts poorly (O's lead, 4-3)

Rick VandenHurk fell behind, 1-0, tonight after facing three Red Sox batters. Back-to-back one-out doubles by Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Gonzalez in the first inning gave Boston an early lead. Gonzalez is 3-for-4 with two doubles and a home run lifetime against VandenHurk, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 10 in Toronto. That's what you would call extended rest. VandenHurk lasted only 2 1/3 innings in his last start, allowing three runs and three hits - including two home runs - and walking...

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Jones and Reynolds return to lineup (Adams update)

September 20, 2011, 12:35pm

Orioles

Jones and Reynolds return to lineup (Adams update)

Adam Jones is starting in center field tonight and Mark Reynolds is back at first base. The lineup looks fairly normal again. Jones hasn't started since Sept. 9 because of a sprained right thumb. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis 3B Nolan Reimold LF Rick VandenHurk RHP VandenHurk hasn't pitched since Sept. 10 in Toronto, when he allowed three runs and three hits, including two...

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Just the stats

September 20, 2011, 12:16pm

Orioles

Checking in with some stats and notes before the Orioles and Red Sox meet in Game 3 of their series tonight. * Over his last six games, Chris Davis is 9-for-24 (.375) with a homer and four RBIs. Over his last 10 games, Davis is batting .395 (15-for-38) with six doubles, a homer, seven RBIs and five multi-hit games. * Vlad Guerrero is batting .406 (13-for-32) during an eight-game batting streak. Over his past 14 games, Guerrero is 25-for-58 for an average of .431 with five doubles, one triple,...

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A few random thoughts

September 20, 2011, 6:07am

Orioles

A couple of random thoughts while pondering another poor night for Brian Matusz. Hard to believe what we saw from him this time last year and contrast that with how he is pitching now. * Chris Davis has some impressive power. He has hit some balls to left field lately that really show his strength. A scout mentioned to me how impressed he is with Davis' power potential. As it stands now, I can clearly see Davis as an everyday player on next year's team. I hope his recent DL trip due to his...

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Lauren Tilley: The O's woes

September 20, 2011, 4:43am

Orioles

The Orioles have been playing like a playoff team lately, winning back-to-back series for the first time since May 21-26, which included taking two of three from Washington and sweeping Kansas City in a three-game set. Not only is that a major feat in itself for this team, but these consecutive series wins came against two teams vying for a postseason berth: the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels. This past week has been pretty impressive in Baltimore and it seems like it's going to...

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Orioles end Lackey's quality starts streak

September 19, 2011, 4:52pm

Orioles

I certainly was not aware of this stat, but Boston pitcher John Lackey entered tonight's start against the Orioles with 15 straight quality starts against the Birds since August 3, 2005. That is the longest run ever against the Orioles. The good news is the O's ended the run tonight. The bad news is Lackey has a 11-5 lead after the third inning. He can still be the winning pitcher in this game. He had allowed more then three earned runs just once in 18 career starts against the Orioles,...

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No more for Matusz? (O's trying to rally)

September 19, 2011, 4:35pm

Orioles

No more for Matusz? (O's trying to rally)

I predicted in spring training that left-hander Brian Matusz would emerge as the staff ace. Then I thought the Orioles would keep in at Triple-A Norfolk for an extended period, but they recalled him. Then I thought they would continue to send him to the mound every five days, but they pulled him from the rotation after his Sept. 5 start in New York. Then I thought they would keep him in the bullpen for the rest of the season, but they gave him the start tonight in Game 2 of a doubleheader in...

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Has Matusz made progress? Fenway Park awaits (updated)

September 19, 2011, 1:35pm

Orioles

Has Matusz made progress? Fenway Park awaits (updated)

Brian Matusz will be back on the mound tonight in the evening portion of the doubleheader at Fenway Park. Matusz has not pitched in two weeks since he gave up five runs in just 1 1/3 innings against the Yankees. He said yesterday at Camden Yards that he feels like he has made some progress in his recent side sessions, working with pitching coach Rick Adair. "I feel like I've definitely made strides in terms of going out there and getting a good feel in the bullpen and working," Matusz...

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Orioles carry momentum into Game 2 (updated)

September 19, 2011, 3:35pm

Orioles

No lead is safe at Fenway Park, but the Orioles are bold enough to try. They jumped on right-hander John Lackey for three runs in the top of the first inning, bringing more angst to Red Sox Nation. Matt Angle singled and stole his eighth base. J.J. Hardy walked, and Angle sprinted home on Nick Markakis' single. That's 1-0. Vladimir Guerrero lined a sacrifice fly to right field - if you can line a fly ball. I've never heard of a sacrifice line drive. That's 2-0. Chris Davis drove in...

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Jones also out of Game 2 lineup (with Red Sox lineup)

September 19, 2011, 1:53pm

Orioles

Jones also out of Game 2 lineup (with Red Sox lineup)

Maybe Adam Jones can get back into the lineup tomorrow night. He's missing again in Game 2. Jones was a defensive replacement in Game 1. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 3B Nolan Reimold LF Ryan Adams 2B Craig Tatum C Brian Matusz LHP For the Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury CF Marco Scutaro SS Adrian Gonzalez 1B Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Jed Lowrie 3B Conor Jackson LF Jason Varitek C Darnell McDonald...

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Orioles use three homers to take Game 1 at Fenway, 6-5

September 19, 2011, 11:56am

Orioles

Robert Andino, Nolan Reimold and J.J. Hardy homered as the Orioles beat the Red Sox 6-5 in Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader at Fenway Park. The struggling Sox saw their lead for the wild card berth over idle Tampa fall to a game and a half. Boston has lost 10 of its last 12 games and is 4-14 in September. Matt Angle's two-run double in the third gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead and gave Angle his first career multi-RBI game. Jim Hunter asks Buck Showalter to give his thoughts on the O's 6-5...

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'Pen is mightier in eighth (O's win 6-5)

September 19, 2011, 11:44am

Orioles

'Pen is mightier in eighth (O's win 6-5)

Manager Buck Showalter played the matchup game in the eighth inning with the Orioles clinging to a 6-5 lead. He won. Now, the Orioles will try to do the same. Clay Rapada faced David Ortiz to open the bottom of the eighth and retired him on one pitch, which resulted in a liner to short. Left-handed hitters are 4-for-43 against Rapada this season and 5-for-62 over the past two seasons. Right-handers are batting .692 this year, so Showalter brought in Pedro Strop to face pinch hitter Ryan...

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It's not a fly ball, it's an adventure (O's clinging to 6-5 lead)

September 19, 2011, 10:47am

Orioles

It's not a fly ball, it's an adventure (O's clinging to 6-5 lead)

Now it's Matt Angle's turn to fight the sun and whatever else is distracting the outfielders today at Fenway Park. Angle misplayed Dustin Pedroia's long fly ball to center field in the fifth inning, resulting in a triple that scored Adrian Gonzalez and reduced the Orioles' lead to 6-4. Jeremy Guthrie got the first two outs, fell behind 3-0 to Marco Scutaro and walked him with the count full by missing with a slider. Gonzalez followed with an RBI double - Angle had trouble picking up the...

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Left field hurts and helps Orioles (Andino, Reimold and Hardy homer)

September 19, 2011, 9:50am

Orioles

Nolan Reimold misplayed a ball in left field today because of the bright sun at Fenway Park. The Red Sox couldn't take advantage and stranded four runners in two innings. Darnell McDonald, who joined the Rex Sox's lineup late after Carl Crawford was scratched, misplayed two straight fly balls in the top of the third, as the Orioles took a 2-0 lead on Matt Angle's two-run double. Both starters need to concentrate on ground balls. McDonald,a former first-round pick by the Orioles, led off...

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No Reynolds or Jones for Game 1

September 19, 2011, 7:17am

Orioles

Mark Reynolds confirmed to reporters in Boston that he'll sit out today's doubleheader after being hit in the head Saturday night. Manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that Reynolds could remain on the bench until Tuesday. Showalter was hoping to start Adam Jones in at least one of the games. It won't be the opener. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy SS, Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Jeremy...