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Swept away by L.A.: O's stumble and bumble way to latest loss

August 21, 2011, 2:13pm

Orioles

Swept away by L.A.: O's stumble and bumble way to latest loss

Probably the best thing that could be said about today's Orioles game is that it's over. In a game that featured a season-high four errors, shaky starting pitching, mental mistakes and overall lackluster play,the Los Angeles Angels beat the Orioles 7-1 to complete a three-game sweep. The Orioles have now allowed 38 runs during a five-game losing streak and fall to 47-77 on the year. They are 17-46 for a winning percentage of just .270 since June 10. Brian Matusz talks to Jim Hunter about...

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So what's next?

August 21, 2011, 1:57pm

Orioles

If you're a fan of the Seattle Seahawks, this tweet yesterday from ESPN's John Clayton (@claytonESPN) should send chills down your spine: "Tavaris Jackson remains the Seahawks starting QB, but Charlie Whitehurst is closing the gap" See you in the Super Bowl. In the darkest of seasons, fans usually can find a sliver of light. I'm just not sure what the Orioles have done this season to brighten your days. They're on pace for more than 100 losses, but at least ... I've got nothing. A...

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There are still at least a few reasons to watch the Orioles

August 21, 2011, 8:25pm

Orioles

This just in: Orioles games have become difficult to watch and some fans are tuning out early. How can that not be true of a team that is 17-46 over its last 63 games and played what sure looked like very uninspired baseball over the weekend? Today, I am going to take a shot at some reasons to continue to watch the Orioles and retain interest in the games. It is not the easiest exercise, but there are some things still worth watching and tracking. Here is my list: * Can Adam Jones finish...

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Weekend tormentor on Halos has a strong Orioles connection

August 22, 2011, 9:49am

Orioles

To answer one of the extra credit-seeking students at School of Roch, Angels outfielder - and weekend Orioles tormentor - Peter Bourjos does, indeed, have a Baltimore connection. Bourjos is the son of Orioles scout Chris Bourjos, who is based in Scottsdale, Ariz. The elder Bourjos is a former major leaguer, having had a cup of coffee with the San Francisco Giants in 1980. Chris Bourjos joined the Orioles' scouting staff in 2010 after serving in a similar capacity with the Blue Jays...

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Bell optioned to Triple-A Norfolk

August 22, 2011, 6:38am

Orioles

The Orioles announced after today's game that they have optioned third baseman Josh Bell to Triple-A Norfolk. Bell has batted .174 (8-46) in 17 games for the Orioles this season. A corresponding roster move will be announced at a later time.

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Matthew Taylor: Once intertwined O's careers take divergent paths

August 22, 2011, 5:13am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Once intertwined O's careers take divergent paths

Brian Roberts and Jerry Hairston Jr. were once part of the same sentence in Baltimore, two much-talked-about second basemen living less than a mile apart during the offseason and competing for the same roster spot when it came time to play ball. They were the Pepsi Challenge of Orioles baseball - Roberts or Hairston? You decide. Considering the similarities between the players, a fan's choice at second base largely became a matter of taste. Here's how a Washington Post writer described the...

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The ball found Blake Davis (again)

August 21, 2011, 11:57am

Orioles

You knew it would happen. Blake Davis is making his first major league appearance at third base today. The first ball put in play was a sharp bouncer to Davis. The baseball gods have a wicked sense of humor. The ball took a big hop and caromed off Davis' chest for an error, allowing Maicer Izturis to reach first base. He was erased at second on a force, but Howie Kendrick singled into right field to put runners on the corners against Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz. Matusz struck out the...

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Another game gets away, Adams joining O's, Bell optioned (O's lose 7-1)

August 21, 2011, 12:58pm

Orioles

Another game gets away, Adams joining O's, Bell optioned (O's lose 7-1)

Brian Matusz should have stayed in the team hotel or boarded the charter for Minnesota around noon. Making his second start since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, Matusz needed 50 pitches to get through the first two innings because the defense kept him on the mound. The Orioles had three errors in three innings, none by new first baseman Matt Wieters, who was supposed to be the weak link in the field. Blake Davis misplayed two bouncers at third and catcher Craig Tatum fired the ball...

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O's pondering AFL decision for Bundy

August 21, 2011, 7:45am

Orioles

It sounds like the Orioles are leaning toward sending their first-round draft pick, pitcher Dylan Bundy, to the Arizona Fall League, although a final decision has not been made. The AFL season runs from Oct. 4 through Nov. 17. If the Orioles make that move with Bundy, I would guess he would not throw many innings there. As they plan the next year for this young talent, they have to work off one fact: He pitched just 71 innings during his high school schedule this season in Oklahoma and did...

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Berken returning to Baltimore for MRA

August 21, 2011, 9:14am

Orioles

Reliever Jason Berken will undergo an MRA on his right elbow tomorrow in Baltimore while the Orioles' road trip continues in Minnesota. Berken is unavailable to pitch because of soreness in his elbow and he'll go on the disabled list to make room for Zach Britton, who will be activated tomorrow and start against the Twins. Berken is 1-2 with a 5.80 ERA in 35 games. He's been optioned twice to Triple-A Norfolk. The right-hander has made one appearance since Aug. 11, going one-third of an...

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Starting still in Johnson's future

August 20, 2011, 7:21pm

Orioles

I woke up this morning and hoped that last night's game was just a bad dream, but I'm pretty sure it happened. I'm pretty sure the Orioles blew an 8-6 lead in the bottom of the 12th inning. I'm pretty sure the game was tied, the bases were loaded and we were still waiting for the Orioles to record an out. Bad pitching, bad defense. The usual recipe for disaster. Chris Jakubauskas dominated the 11th inning. He was pounding the strike zone. It was a thing of beauty. But I guess you're...

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Wieters starting at first, B. Davis at third, Pie in left

August 21, 2011, 7:07am

Orioles

Wieters starting at first, B. Davis at third, Pie in left

Call off the search. Felix Pie is in today's lineup. Pie is starting in left field, his first appearance since Aug. 13. Matt Wieters is making his first career start at first base. Mark Reynolds twisted his ankle last night in a collision in the 12th inning. I'm not sure whether Wieters is allowed to wear his mask and chest protector. Also, Blake Davis is starting at third base. Josh Bell takes a seat on the bench. Robert Andino is batting sixth. I wouldn't have predicted it back in...

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O's possible comeback win turns into a frustrating loss in the 12th at Anaheim

August 20, 2011, 8:58pm

Orioles

O's possible comeback win turns into a frustrating loss in the 12th at Anaheim

For a few minutes, anyway, it looked like the Orioles were changing the script. Down 5-3 after three innings and 6-4 in the eighth, they rallied to tie this game in the eighth and went ahead 8-6 in the top of the 12th on Adam Jones' fourth hit of the night. On came Kevin Gregg and the lead was soon gone and moments later a promising rally had turned into just another loss. Gregg gave up a single and a hit by pitch to the first two batters in the 12th to quickly put the tying runs on base. A...

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Orioles rally to tie (then blow lead and game in 12th)

August 20, 2011, 7:28pm

Orioles

The Orioles scored twice against the Angels' bullpen in the top of the eighth inning to wipe out a 6-4 deficit and spare Tommy Hunter the loss. Nick Markakis and Adam Jones singled off reliever Bobby Cassevah, and Markakis scored on Vladimir Guerrero's grounder to short. Buck Showalter meets with Jim Hunter following the O's 12-inning loss Closer Jordan Walden was summoned to get the five-out save, but Matt Wieters singled on the first pitch thrown to him - a 96 mph fastball - and Jones...

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Adam Jones comes up with rare road homer

August 20, 2011, 6:55pm

Orioles

Adam Jones comes up with rare road homer

When Adam Jones homered in the top of the fifth at Anaheim tonight, it was a bit of a rare occurrence. Jones' road home run. The solo shot brought the Orioles to within 5-4 in game two of this series. It was his 22nd homer of the year, adding to his career-high, but just his fourth all year on the road. It was his first road homer in just about two months. He hit all three in June, on the 1st at Seattle, the 18th at Washington and the 21st at Pittsburgh. Since then, his last ten homers all...

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Andino's still swinging a hot bat (updated twice)

August 20, 2011, 5:39pm

Orioles

Andino's still swinging a hot bat (updated twice)

The Orioles strung together three consecutive singles in the top of the first inning, but they didn't score. That's always a neat trick. Nick Markakis reached on an infield hit with one out. Adam Jones lined a single into left field and Vladimir Guerrero followed with a single to right, but Torii Hunter threw out Markakis at the plate. The Orioles also had three straight singles in the second inning, but they broke a scoreless tie. Mark Reynolds led off the inning with a single into left...

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Minor league news and notes

August 20, 2011, 3:23pm

Orioles

The Orioles are finalizing plans for their 2011 instructional league camp and workouts. Last year, they held a scaled-down version at Camden Yards while their Sarasota complex was being renovated. This year, the Orioles will hold instructional league workouts in Sarasota and they figure to host around 25 players from mid September to around October 5th or a few days later. The list of players that will take part has not been announced, but it figures to be a mix of some first-year players and...

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Orioles lineup against Angels

August 20, 2011, 1:57pm

Orioles

This lineup looks very familiar. J.J. Hardy is atop the order, Vladimir Guerrero is batting fourth and Robert Andino stays in the seventh slot. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 2B Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Tommy Hunter RHP

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Worth noting

August 20, 2011, 10:13am

Orioles

Four Orioles currently have hitting streaks of at least five games. Vladimir Guerrero (.379, 11-for-29) and Adam Jones (.417, 10-for-24) have hit safely in seven straight games. Robert Andino (.381, 8-for-21) and Nick Markakis (.429, 9-for-21) have hit in five straight games. The Orioles are batting .281 on this road trip and .387 (12-for-31) with runners in scoring position. Brad Bergesen tossed another scoreless inning last night. He's allowed just one earned run in his last five...

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Tommy Hunter gets the next chance to plug a hole in a very leaky rotation

August 20, 2011, 12:26pm

Orioles

Tommy Hunter gets the next chance to plug a hole in a very leaky rotation

When looking at how the Orioles are playing these days, it is hard to imagine that they were doing so well a year ago after Buck Showalter took over. They went 34-23 in the last 57 games under Buck last year. What's the difference? Easy, pitching. Orioles' starting pitchers worked to an ERA of 3.16 with 36 quality starts in those final 57 games of 2010. Contrast that with the mess the rotation has become now. Over the last 20 games, O's starters have just four quality starts and an ERA of...