Showalter speaks after 11-2 loss

Showalter speaks after 11-2 loss
Alfredo Simon allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings today, including three home runs that helped the Angels take an 11-2 victory over the Orioles before an announced 27,471 at Camden Yards. That's a touchdown, two-point conversion and field goal for the Angels. "I think today was, what, his 14th start?" Showalter said. "We keep looking for guys to step up and put themselves in a position where you feel like you can trust them. Some starts make you feel better about that than...

Simon hit hard as Angels avoid sweep against the Orioles

Simon hit hard as Angels avoid sweep against the Orioles
The Orioles' run of solid starting pitching that had carried them to four straight wins over playoff contenders ended this afternoon at Camden Yards. Alfredo Simon gave up six runs and eight hits over five innings as the Angels beat the Orioles 11-2 at Camden Yards to keep the Orioles from their sixth series sweep of the season. Angels leadoff hitter Erick Aybar went 4-for-4 with two doubles, two homers, five runs scored and four RBIs for Los Angeles which also got a two-run double from...

Simon still searching for consistency (Guerrero ties Bagwell)

Simon still searching for consistency (Guerrero ties Bagwell)
Alfredo Simon has come back out to start the fifth inning, but he's already allowed two home runs to Erick Aybar and one to Vernon Wells, and the Orioles trail the Angels, 6-1, in a game that's moving slower than the Griswolds after they arrive at Wally World. Manager Buck Showalter has Brad Bergesen warming in the bullpen again, so Simon is near the end of a very disappointing afternoon. He's surrendered six runs and seven hits, with one walk, four strikeouts, a wild pitch and a hit...

Both benches warned (O's down 2-1)

Both benches warned (O's down 2-1)
That didn't take long. Alfredo Simon drilled Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo in the back pocket with a 95 mph fastball in the first inning, and plate umpire Laz Diaz jumped out from behind home plate and issued warnings to both benches. It's fair to assume that Simon was retaliating after Angels starter Ervin Santana hit Nolan Reimold and Mark Reynolds last night. Reynolds was drilled above the left temple, and he's out of today's lineup. Simon walked leadoff hitter Erick Aybar on four...

O's have a chance to sweep the Angels today & other notes

O's have a chance to sweep the Angels today & other notes
Some notes as the Orioles and Angels wrap up a series today and the Orioles end a six-game homestand. * Today the Orioles have a chance for their sixth series sweep of the season and first since they took four in a row at Minnesota in late August. The Orioles' five series sweeps this year: April 1-3: 3 games at Tampa. May 10-12: 3 games vs. Seattle. May 24-26: 3 games vs. Kansas City. June 6-8: 3 games vs. Oakland August 22-25: 4 games at Minnesota * The Orioles have now won four games in a...

Matusz talks about his start Monday night in Boston

Matusz talks about his start Monday night in Boston
When Brian Matusz takes the mound in Fenway Park on Monday night, it will have been two weeks since he last pitched in a game. He gave up five runs in just 1 1/3 innings on September 5 at New York and now he is slated to start the evening game of Monday's day-night doubleheader at Boston. "Yeah, I'm excited to get out there and just getting another opportunity is a good feeling. I just want to go out, compete, pound the zone and get ahead." Matusz feels he has had a few productive side...

Reynolds talks about beaning (Jones update)

Reynolds talks about beaning (Jones update)
Mark Reynolds joked with teammates this morning that they need to go easy on him because he's "concussed." At least he's able to laugh about it. Reynolds says he's fine and thought he might be in the lineup today, but a reporter broke the news that he's on the bench. "Oh, there's a lineup up? Then I'm probably not playing," he said. "I was going to go beg Buck (Showalter)." Reynolds was hit above the left temple by an Ervin Santana pitch in the third inning last night and left...

Reynolds out of lineup

Reynolds out of lineup
Mark Reynolds will spend today's game on the bench after being hit in the head last night by an Ervin Santana pitch. Reynolds says he's fine and could play, but manager Buck Showalter is starting Chris Davis at first base and Josh Bell at third. Reynolds expects to be in the lineup for tomorrow's doubleheader in Boston. Reynolds said he believes that Santana hit him on purpose, but he doesn't think the right-hander was aiming for his head. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy...

O's use Britton and longball combo to top the Angels

O's use Britton and longball combo to top the Angels
Zach Britton had given up eight runs in 10 innings over his last two starts, but tonight the rookie lefty had an excellent outing against the Los Angeles Angels, pitching the Orioles to a 6-2 win at Camden Yards. Britton took a no-hitter into the fifth and gave up just three hits and one run over seven innings. He improves to 10-10 with an ERA of 4.28 after his 105-pitch outing. Britton walked two and fanned a career-high seven batters. That makes four straight games where the Orioles'...

Social Media Weekend gives fans a chance to win big from Sept. 16-18 at Camden Yards

Social Media Weekend gives fans a chance to win big from Sept. 16-18 at Camden Yards
It's been a big year as far as social media is concerned at MASNsports.com. We've kept you informed via our new mobile alert text-messaging system, interacted with you over Twitter and engaged in discussions on Facebook. Along the way, we've used these burgeoning technologies to allow you to meet your favorite Orioles players, and to win memorabilia and unique fan experiences in special contests. This weekend, as a thank you to its loyal social media followers, MASN will reward tech-savvy...

Zach Britton on his outing against the Angels

Zach Britton on his outing against the Angels
After he pitched the Orioles to a 6-2 win over Los Angeles, Zach Britton talked about his seven-inning outing where he gave up just three hits and one run. Zach Britton speaks with the media after a solid performance in the O's win over the Angels "It's good. I know I'm capable of it," Britton said. "The last couple outings it just came down to fastball command. It was better tonight. Obviously it can still improve, but it allowed me to go deeper in the game. So I feel like I've had...

Matusz expected to start Monday

Matusz expected to start Monday
Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz is scheduled to start Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Jeremy Guthrie will start Game 1. Matusz hasn't pitched since allowing five runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings in a Sept. 5 game at Yankee Stadium. He's 1-7 with a 9.84 ERA in 43 innings, with 68 hits, 19 walks, 33 strikeouts and a 2.02 WHIP. He's allowed five earned runs or more in his last six starts, and six earned runs or more in four of six. Matusz has...

Showalter with an update on Reynolds and other postgame comments

Showalter with an update on Reynolds and other postgame comments
After tonight's win over the Angels, manager Buck Showalter provided an update on Mark Reynolds who was hit in the batting helmet in the third inning and left the game in the fifth. "They took Mark down to University for a CT scan. Just precautionary and we'll see how he is tomorrow," Showalter said. "Doctor looked at him up the runway, just thought from a precautionary standpoint to evaluate him for about an hour. He wasn't having any symptoms, everything was fine. But just wanted to...

Showalter speaks before tonight's game (first pitch delayed)

Showalter speaks before tonight's game (first pitch delayed)
Manager Buck Showalter fielded a variety of questions during his pregame session with the media, beginning with the latest on center fielder Adam Jones. I'll pass along a few of his quotes. "Adam had an MRI at 2:30 and I have not heard the results of that," Showalter said. "I don't think he's here yet, so who knows? That lineup could change back to him being in it. I don't know. "We could have pushed it. Different situation, he'd probably try to play through it, but I do think the...

Hardy and Reynolds homer in first

Hardy and Reynolds homer in first
So much for playing small ball. The Orioles tried it in the third inning last night, scored twice, and decided to go back to mashing tonight. J.J. Hardy's two-run shot in the first inning gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead against Angels starter Ervin Santana, and gave Hardy a career-high 27 home runs. Mark Reynolds hit his 34th homer later in the inning, a three-run shot that increased the lead to 5-0. Reynolds ties Miguel Tejada (2004) for the most home runs by an Oriole in a single season in...
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Britton is strong early against the Angels and Reynolds exits (updated)

Britton is strong early against the Angels and Reynolds exits (updated)
Zach Britton is trying to make it four straight quality starts for the Orioles' pitching staff tonight against the Angels. Over the last three games Alfredo Simon, Jeremy Guthrie and Tommy Hunter have worked to a combined ERA of 1.71. They have pitched a total of 21 innings giving up 16 hits and four runs with seven walks and 24 strikeouts. So far, Britton has blanked the Angels through three innings on 52 pitches. He threw 17 in the first, 10 in the second and 25 in the third when he...

Angle using speed and bunting ability to make an impression

Angle using speed and bunting ability to make an impression
The Orioles have four sacrifice bunts in the entire month of September and Matt Angle has two of them. He also had a bunt single and double in Wednesday's win over Tampa Bay and is 6-for-7 stealing bases for the Orioles. While Angle is hitting just .173, at 9-for-52 in 19 major league games, he has made a positive impact on this team with his speed and defense. "Power has never been a huge part of my game at any level so I've had to try and adapt. Use speed and use it any way I can,...

Showalter talks about Frederick's Machado and Schoop

Showalter talks about Frederick's Machado and Schoop
Buck Showalter mentioned the Single-A Frederick Keys in his postgame comments last night and he spent some time today talking about the new Carolina League champions, who wrapped up their series with Kinston winning 11-3 last night. Showalter had praise for the talented 19-year-old, middle infield duo of shortstop Manny Machado and second baseman Jonathan Schoop. "I was thinking today about Machado and Schoop, They have probably played close to 150 games counting the playoffs," Showalter...

Orioles lineup against Angels

Orioles lineup against Angels
Adam Jones isn't in tonight's lineup. He's having an MRI on his right thumb today. Matt Angle gets the start in center field. Nolan Reimold is starting in left. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Zach Britton LHP

With his outing, Hunter helped his former and current teams

With his outing, Hunter helped his former and current teams
The Texas Rangers are trying to hold off the Angels and win the American League West. Tonight, a former Ranger provided Texas a lift. Tommy Hunter pitched seven shutout innings as the Orioles beat the Angels 8-3 at Camden Yards. Even before Hunter did his postgame interview he had heard from some of the Rangers. "They texted me," Hunter said. "I looked at my phone and and I just started smiling. I wish those guys the best, hope they make a deep run in the playoffs and don't forget...