orioles

Another Hardy homer (with Matusz updates)

July 05, 2011, 4:40pm

Orioles

Another Hardy homer (with Matusz updates)

Shortstop J.J. Hardy turned the second pitch of tonight's game into his 13th home run, giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead against Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison. Hardy's hitting .298 with 32 RBIs. I still believe that he was worth giving up minor league relievers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson. Don't try to talk me out of it. Down on the farm, Brian Matusz is making his first start with Triple-A Norfolk since being optioned. He's allowed two runs (one on a home run) and four hits in four...

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Orioles lineup against Rangers (and Scott update)

July 05, 2011, 12:45pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold is making back-to-back starts in left field. Vladimir Guerrero continues to bat cleanup. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Derrek Lee 1B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Mitch Atkins RHP I wrote earlier today about Luke Scott going on the disabled list, but I forgot to mention that he'll undergo an MRA Friday in Baltimore. That's what happens when you trust your memory instead of your...

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As the rotation turns

July 04, 2011, 7:50pm

Orioles

I didn't need to leave my house last night to watch fireworks. Thanks to MASN, they were set off in my living room. My blinds are still scorched and my ceiling fan ... well ... I wouldn't pull the chain. Sometimes, I think the Orioles are pulling my chain. I wish they'd stop. The Rangers lit up Orioles pitching for 13 runs last night, making them the latest team to torch the rotation. Chris Jakubauskas surrendered six of them and didn't record an out in the third inning. Orioles...

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Showalter says Atkins most likely will start

July 04, 2011, 7:16pm

Orioles

Showalter says Atkins most likely will start

Orioles manager Buck Showalter told MASN's Jim Hunter that the "tentative plan" calls for

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Atkins the likely starter tomorrow night (updated twice)

July 04, 2011, 5:09pm

Orioles

Atkins the likely starter tomorrow night (updated twice)

Alfredo Simon has replaced starter Chris Jakubauskas in the third inning, which eliminates him from consideration for tomorrow night's assignment. Mitch Atkins is in Arlington and could have his contract purchased after tonight's game. Jakubauskas is charged with six runs and seven hits in two-plus innings. Adrian Beltre delivered the knockout punch with a two-run homer. Jakubaukas threw 45 pitches, 31 for strikes. His ERA ballooned to 6.75. The rotation remains a mess. Jakubauskas has...

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Reynolds homers again (Rangers take lead)

July 04, 2011, 4:37pm

Orioles

Reynolds homers again (Rangers take lead)

Mark Reynolds is staying hot, no matter where he hits in the lineup. Reynolds just belted his 19th home run, a two-run shot in the second inning that gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Rangers starter Colby Lewis hit Vladimir Guerrero on the left shoulder, and Reynolds followed with his third homer in three games and his fifth in five games. And like the others, it was a no-doubt shot to left field. Estimated distance: 407 feet. Reynolds, batting fifth tonight, has matched his error total with...

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Keep Reynolds wrapped in cleanup

July 03, 2011, 8:30pm

Orioles

If you thought that the Orioles would go 0-10 on this road trip, well, you were just plain wrong. They won yesterday, so there's no need for all that negativity. I'm not one to overreact - OK, I'm famous for overreacting - but there's no way I'd remove Mark Reynolds from the cleanup spot. Reynolds hit a two-run homer and had a sacrifice fly yesterday in the Orioles' 5-4 victory over the Braves. He has six homers over his last 13 games, and a team-leading 18 for the season. The...

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Reynolds gives Orioles lead (updated)

July 03, 2011, 11:58am

Orioles

Say this about Mark Reynolds: None of his home runs are cheap ones. Nick Markakis collected his fourth hit of the day, and Reynolds collected his 18th home run of the season. It was an absolute bomb, which is typical of Reynolds. He doesn't need a gust of wind - except for the one that his swing creates. Reynolds gave the Orioles a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning. Now it's up to the Orioles' bullpen, which has been so good, to make it hold up. Reynolds is only the second player to homer...

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Britton gets another hit and a scare (Braves lead 4-3)

July 03, 2011, 11:00am

Orioles

Britton gets another hit and a scare (Braves lead 4-3)

Zach Britton is 2-for-2 today after reaching on an infield hit in the fifth inning, but he stumbled after crossing first base and looked like he injured his leg. Fortunately for the Orioles, he was laughing after returning to the bag and stayed in the game. He's the only one laughing. Britton scored on Nick Markakis' third hit, a double. Markakis' average is up to .292. Blake Davis has made two outstanding plays at second base. Adam Jones is 0-for-3 and has left six runners on base. He...

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Britton makes argument against DH (updated)

July 03, 2011, 10:18am

Orioles

Britton makes argument against DH (updated)

I mentioned earlier today that Zach Britton's .600 batting average (3-for-5) was the fourth-highest for an American League pitcher. You can add a home run to that tally. Britton gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning with his first major league home run. He pulled a pitch from Braves starter Brandon Beachy over the right field fence. An Orioles pitcher hadn't homered since Kris Benson on June 17, 2006 against the Mets. Beachy recorded five strikeouts in the first two...

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Wieters is an All-Star

July 03, 2011, 5:29am

Orioles

Catcher Matt Wieters will be the Orioles' lone representative for the July 12 All-Star Game in Arizona. Wieters is batting .262 with 13 doubles, seven homers and 33 RBIs in 71 games, but his selection is based heavily on his work defensively. Wieters leads all major league catchers in runners caught stealing (23) and in fielding percentage (.998, one error) and is the only catcher with more than 40 starts who has not been charged with a passed ball. Wieters has caught the second-most...

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Quick injury updates

July 02, 2011, 2:24pm

Orioles

I'm going to make another attempt to go off campus and watch the Orioles-Braves game, though I'm packing up the laptop in case of baseball emergency. Before I head out, I want to pass along three injury updates that manager Buck Showalter relayed to reporters in Hot-lanta. Brian Roberts could start swinging a bat early next week. He's had two good days in a row, getting through his conditioning work and limited baseball activities without headaches or dizziness. Showalter confirmed in his...

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It won't get any easier with Hudson

July 02, 2011, 10:21am

Orioles

Think the Orioles had problems at the plate last night? Now they have to deal with Braves right-hander Tim Hudson, who's 9-2 with a 2.53 ERA in 11 career starts against them. Hudson's allowed 64 hits in 74 2/3 innings, with 19 walks and 45 strikeouts. The Orioles are hitting .232 against him. This season, Hudson is 6-6 with a 3.51 ERA, 24 walks and 70 strikeouts. Hudson hasn't allowed an earned run in his last two starts covering 14 innings, with four walks and 16 strikeouts. He's...

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Viola headed to Atlanta, Rapada clears waivers

July 01, 2011, 10:06am

Orioles

Viola headed to Atlanta, Rapada clears waivers

The Orioles haven't announced the transaction, but left-hander Pedro Viola will join the team in Atlanta and be officially recalled from Double-A Bowie. Viola will replace Brian Matusz on the 25-man roster. This is a short-term move. Viola will give the Orioles an extra southpaw in the bullpen to counter the Braves' left-handed hitters, but he's not expected to stay long. Viola made one appearance with the Orioles this season, retiring all five Seattle Mariners that he faced. He joined...

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Looking back at a loss and an option

June 30, 2011, 7:37pm

Orioles

Well, so much for finishing the homestand on a high note. The Orioles tied their season high by hitting into four double plays last night, and the Cardinals completed their first road sweep of the season. Brian Matusz was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the game, a move that couldn't have come as much of a surprise. Manager Buck Showalter wanted Matusz to work through his issues here, but he needed to see some results. Fastball command and velocity aren't where they need to be, and the...

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Matusz talks about his demotion

June 30, 2011, 7:06pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz expressed confidence tonight that he'll regain his effectiveness once he's at Triple-A Norfolk. He sounds like he's in a good frame of mind. "Absolutely," he said. "It's going to be tough. I'm not getting it done up here. It's not fair for the team. Every fifth day I go out there and make starts like this. It's just motivation for me to get down there and work with Mike Griffin, the pitching coach, and get myself back to regular form. Brian Matusz speaks to the media...

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Matusz optioned to Triple-A Norfolk (with quotes)

June 30, 2011, 6:29pm

Orioles

Matusz optioned to Triple-A Norfolk (with quotes)

The Orioles optioned left-hander Brian Matusz to Triple-A Norfolk after tonight's game. A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow. Matusz is 1-4 with an 8.77 ERA in six starts since coming off the disabled list. He allowed eight runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings tonight in the Orioles' 9-6 loss to the Cardinals. Manager Buck Showalter said he's not angry with Matusz. "I just know he's capable of better," Showalter said. Showalter also said that Norfolk will be a "better...

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More on Simon, Berkman and the farm (updated)

June 30, 2011, 5:26pm

Orioles

More on Simon, Berkman and the farm (updated)

Tonight's attendance: 28,340 Alfredo Simon had retired eight of nine batters before Lance Berkman led off the top of the seventh inning with his second home run of the night and his 20th this season. David Freese followed with a double, and Simon was out of the game. Michael Gonzalez walked Colby Rasmus to put runners on first and second with no outs, but he escaped the jam without another run scoring. Berkman is the first Cardinals player to homer from both sides of the plate since...

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Another short night for Matusz (updated twice)

June 30, 2011, 4:28pm

Orioles

Another short night for Matusz (updated twice)

Brian Matusz's sixth start didn't bring any comfort to the Orioles or the young left-hander. Matusz allowed eight runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings, with one walk, two strikeouts and two home runs. He threw 70 pitches, the last resulting in Jon Jay's three-run homer. Alfredo Simon replaced Matusz, who has surrendered 14 runs and 18 hits in his last two starts covering eight innings. Rick Adair and catcher Matt Wieters both made trips to the mound in the fourth - Adair after No. 9...

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Showalter talks about Matusz (O's trail 4-0)

June 30, 2011, 3:09pm

Orioles

Showalter talks about Matusz (O's trail 4-0)

Manager Buck Showalter was asked what he needs to see from Brian Matusz tonight to be convinced that the left-hander is moving in the right direction. It won't be velocity. "I know what everybody's going to be looking at the first time he throws a fastball - second time, third time," Showalter said. "I think command and his secondary pitches, so that thick or thin he'll be able to defend himself. Going back through the tape and stuff, you see a lot of those pitches were center cut. That...