orioles

Getting caught in the draft (updated)

June 02, 2011, 10:41am

Orioles

The amateur baseball draft - and we're required here at MASNsports.com to refer to it strictly as the First-Year Player Draft because it's that important - will begin on Monday. The Orioles will make their selections in Sarasota instead of Baltimore. I guess they were seeking a cooler climate. Our own Steve Melewski has been doing the heavy lifting in the days leading up to the draft, but since everyone else is chiming in, I'll take a few seconds to do the same. It's either that or try...

Comments

Tags:

orioles joe jordan frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles3 matt hobgood

A first for Markakis (and much more)

June 01, 2011, 6:46pm

Orioles

No game today. No position changes, no roster moves - well, I'm going out on a limb here by predicting that the roster stays the same - and no lineup shuffling. I'll revel in the calm and wait for the next storm. I had planned on driving to Double-A Bowie tonight for Derrek Lee's first injury rehab game, but manager Buck Showalter told reporters yesterday that Lee's grandfather passed away. The first baseman's assignment will be delayed for a few days. So far, 2011 has been an...

Comments

Tags:

orioles brian matusz derrek lee featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3 nick markakis

Checking on Tillman (updated)

June 01, 2011, 5:00pm

Orioles

Chris Tillman is making his first start tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, opposing former Orioles pitcher Kevin Millwood, who signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox and was assigned to Pawtucket. Millwood lasted only 2 2/3 innings, allowing four runs and five hits, walking two, striking out three and hitting a batter. He threw 61 pitches, 36 for strikes. Josh Bell was 2-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. Rhyne Hughes and Brendan Harris also drove in runs. Tillman had a 4-0 lead going into...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles1 featured_sidebar chris tillman

Matusz done after 5 2/3 innings (O's take lead)

June 01, 2011, 1:21pm

Orioles

Matusz done after 5 2/3 innings (O's take lead)

I thought the Orioles would push Brian Matusz a little farther today after he threw 83 pitches in his final injury rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk. Matusz was removed today after 84 pitches, including 52 strikes. He held the Mariners to one run and four hits, with no walks and three strikeouts. Matusz would have completed six innings, except first baseman Nick Markakis - it still feels weird typing that position for him - couldn't pull down third baseman Mark Reynolds' high throw with two...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles1 adam jones brian matusz

Matusz through the third

June 01, 2011, 12:39pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz doesn't necessarily have his best stuff today. He's hung a few changeups, including one that Jack Wilson ripped into center field for an RBI single. His fastball looks like it's topping out at 88 mph. But Matusz is a pitcher. He's not just a thrower. And he's held the Mariners to that one run over three innings. Matusz, in his first start this season, has allowed four hits, walked none and struck out two. He's thrown 44 pitches, including 28 for strikes. The Orioles might...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles1 brian matusz

Wieters not catching on with voters (updated)

June 01, 2011, 11:58am

Orioles

Wieters not catching on with voters (updated)

Nick Markakis flied to center field in his first professional at-bat as a first baseman. Matt Wieters struck out in his first at-bat this season as the cleanup hitter. That's it, trash the experiments immediately. Oh wait, Markakis just scooped out a throw in the dirt to complete a double play. Keep him there. Wieters is hitting fourth in his fourth major league game. He's 1-for-13 with a walk and 2 RBIs. Major League Baseball released its All-Star voting for the American League, and...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles matt wieters

Talking about Fox, Jones and Markakis

May 30, 2011, 6:17pm

Orioles

While wondering if former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel's next contract will include a vesting option ... And while wondering if anyone got that joke ... If I'm Jake Fox, I'm wondering where I fit on this team. Fox didn't pinch-hit yesterday despite having a few opportunities. I explained in one entry why he isn't an automatic choice with a left-hander on the mound, considering that he's 3-for-28 against them this season and is a career .206 hitter against them. But playing...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2 adam jones jake fox nick markakis

Simon keeps it simple (Orioles lose 4-3)

May 30, 2011, 2:20pm

Orioles

Alfredo Simon kept today's game at Safeco Field from spinning out of control. If the Orioles brought their bats, he might be in line to get the win. Simon struck out the first two batters he faced to leave the bases loaded in the third inning and keep Jake Arrieta's line from growing uglier. He gave manager Buck Showalter 3 1/2 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits, walking one and striking out four. Just what the doctor ordered. And the manager. Simon threw 55 pitches over two...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles1 featured_sidebar alfredo simon

Another bullpen day? (updated twice)

May 30, 2011, 12:38pm

Orioles

While wondering why Major League Baseball insists that teams celebrate Memorial Day by wearing ugly caps... Matt Wieters commits his first error and Jack Cust triples. So it's going to be that kind of a day? Jake Arrieta threw 24 pitches in the first inning while surrendering two runs to the Mariners and putting the Orioles in an early hole. Arrieta receives a lot of run support. He'll need at least three today. Arrieta gave up two hits, including Cust's first three-bagger, and...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles3 jake arrieta

Orioles lineup doesn't include Jones

May 30, 2011, 10:57am

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter waited longer than usual to post his lineup today. He had to check on Adam Jones, who apparently needed one more day to lessen the discomfort in his right shoulder. For the Orioles: Felix Pie CF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Luke Scott 1B Nolan Reimold LF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP Also, the Orioles made their roster move official earlier today by announcing that they recalled pitcher Chris...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles2 adam jones chris jakubauskas

Tillman also optioned, Jones update

May 29, 2011, 3:17pm

Orioles

Chris Tillman beat out Brad Bergesen for a spot in the Orioles' rotation. That victory lasted one day. Manager Buck Showalter hinted earlier today that another roster move could be coming, and it happened after the game with Tillman being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec and MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli tweeted that Chris Jakubauskas is expected to join the team in Seattle, giving Showalter another long reliever. The Orioles have five open dates on their June schedule...

Comments

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2 Chris Tillman adam jones

A career day for Zach Britton

May 29, 2011, 2:08pm

Orioles

I don't mean it in a good way. Zach Britton allowed a career-high six runs and 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings today before Jeremy Accardo replaced him. Britton gave up five runs on April 15 in Cleveland. He surrendered nine hits in his last start against the Royals at Camden Yards. Britton threw 97 pitches today, 57 for strikes. And once again, manager Buck Showalter is forced to go to his bullpen earlier than desired. In this series, Orioles' starters have logged 4 1/3, 5 2/3 and 5 2/3...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles zach britton

Orioles take lead, lose Jones (and lose lead)

May 29, 2011, 1:25pm

Orioles

The Orioles have gotten pretty good at loading the bases with no outs. This time, they did more than come away frustrated. They're taking a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth. J.J. Hardy reached on an infield hit to open the fifth. Mark Reynolds grounded a single into left field and Robert Andino reached on a fielder's choice after laying down a bunt that was meant to advance two runners. Oakland starter Guillermo Moscoso tried unsuccessfully for the out at third. Felix Pie followed...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles2 zach britton

The Matusz-Britton connection (updated)

May 29, 2011, 12:05pm

Orioles

They're left-handed and their paychecks are distributed by the Orioles, but there's more to the connection between Brian Matusz and Zach Britton. Britton wouldn't have made his major league debut April 3 without Matusz going on the disabled list. The Orioles are 1-11 in Oakland since 2008. The one victory was provided by Matusz. And I seem to recall guaranteeing it. Matusz threw a bullpen session today in Oakland, the last step before making his 2011 debut Wednesday in Seattle. It...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles brian matusz zach britton

Viola will replace Bergesen (officially)

May 29, 2011, 2:49am

Orioles

Viola will replace Bergesen (officially)

I wrote in my last entry that Brad Bergesen didn't look like a pitcher who had saved his spot in the rotation. The frustration was written all over his face as he stood on the mound, waiting for manager Buck Showalter to take the ball. Bergesen obviously knew what was coming, and it wasn't just his manager. The Orioles sent out a press release at 3:15 a.m. announcing that Bergesen was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Left-hander Pedro Viola is in Oakland and will be officially recalled before...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2 brad bergesen pedro viola

Talking about Gonzalez and Bergesen (updated)

May 28, 2011, 5:16am

Orioles

Talking about Gonzalez and Bergesen (updated)

I had to "sleep fast," as manager Buck Showalter always says. These West Coast games are exhausting, even when you're not on the trip. The Orioles have another 10:07 p.m. start tonight in Oakland - no one rounds off these times anymore - and we'll find out later today whether a roster move is made. Double-A Bowie left-hander Pedro Viola was rushed to Oakland, and that decision was made before Alfredo Simon threw 55 pitches and took the loss last night and Michael Gonzalez followed with...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles1 brad bergesen michael gonzalez pedro viola

Tillman doesn't take the fifth (updated)

May 27, 2011, 8:16pm

Orioles

Tillman doesn't take the fifth (updated)

On the same night that left-hander Brian Matusz was apparently making his last injury rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk, his good friend Chris Tillman couldn't get out of the fifth inning in Oakland. Tillman has allowed one earned run or fewer in four consecutive starts and five of six. However, his rising pitch counts continue to force him out of games in the middle innings and lead to a parade of relievers. He threw 102 tonight before heading to the bench for good. This is the third-shortest...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles chris tillman

Food drive at Camden Yards during this weekend's games

July 12, 2011, 10:36am

Orioles

Food drive at Camden Yards during this weekend's games

This weekend, while the Orioles host the Cleveland Indians, fans will have an opportunity to help the less fortunate. For the 25th straight season, the Orioles will host a canned food drive from July 15-17, and they are encouraging fans to donate non-perishable foodstuffs and money at the gates when they enter Camden Yards. The collection is sponsored by the O's, Orioles Wives, Oriole Advocates, WJZ-TV and the Maryland Food Bank. What's needed? Peanut butter, canned chicken, canned tuna,...

Comments

Tags:

orioles orioles buzz pete kerzel

Viola headed to Oakland

May 27, 2011, 6:59pm

Orioles

The Orioles are prepared to make another roster move, with Double-A Bowie left-hander

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles1 pedro viola

Checking on Matusz (rehab assignment appears over)

May 27, 2011, 4:15pm

Orioles

Checking on Matusz (rehab assignment appears over)

Left-hander Brian Matusz has completed four innings tonight at Triple-A Norfolk, and he's working on a two-hit shutout against the Columbus Clippers. Matusz has walked one batter and struck out six. He's thrown 66 pitches, including 42 for strikes. The Orioles are hoping to get seven innings out of Matusz. As always, the pitch count will dictate how far he goes. Matusz struck out three batters in the second, but he also issued a walk. This is Matusz's third start on his injury rehab...