orioles

Orioles need the 'pen to be mightier

May 16, 2011, 8:11pm

Orioles

I should have stayed in Frederick last night. The Single-A Keys rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and defeated Potomac, 3-2. Left-hander Brian Matusz was spared the loss in his first injury rehab start when Jacob Julius stroked a pinch-hit, game-tying single and Buck Britton followed with a two-run single. Brother Zach would be proud. Yes, I should have hung around Harry Grove Stadium on Bark in the Park night. And yes, I'm trying to come up with a dog-related joke...

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Tillman left game with back tightness

May 16, 2011, 7:33pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter used six relievers tonight. That's a lot of baton passing. Kevin Gregg finally dropped it at the end, walking two batters and surrendering Adrian Gonzalez's two-run double. Oriole relievers allowed five earned runs (eight total) and 10 hits, with four walks, in 3 1/3 innings. So why did Showalter remove starter Chris Tillman after five innings and 88 pitches? It's always a good idea to wait for the explanation instead of immediately ripping a decision. Showalter...

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Gonzalez and Accardo continue to struggle (O's lose 8-7)

May 16, 2011, 6:28pm

Orioles

Gonzalez and Accardo continue to struggle (O's lose 8-7)

A 6-0 lead wasn't passed to steady hands. Michael Gonzalez replaced Chris Tillman in the bottom of the sixth and allowed four runs (one earned) and three hits in one-third of an inning. Jeremy Accardo replaced him and let two inherited runners score, along with one of his own. Gonzalez has allowed runs in his last three outings and hits in his last five. In five appearances covering four innings, he's surrendered seven runs (four earned) and 10 hits. Accardo has allowed runs in five...

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Strange happenings in Boston

May 16, 2011, 5:32pm

Orioles

I tried listening to the Orioles game on my ride home from Harry Grove Stadium, but I kept losing the signal. I heard enough to know that first baseman Derrek Lee left the game with a strained left oblique, which a team spokesman confirmed in a quick phone call to the Fenway Park press box. The Orioles are listing him as day-to-day. I've been asked on Twitter about the severity of the injury. It just happened a few innings ago and I was in Frederick, so a definite answer isn't coming...

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Simon back in U.S., Matusz talks about outing

May 16, 2011, 4:22pm

Orioles

Simon back in U.S., Matusz talks about outing

FREDERICK, Md. - Alfredo Simon has returned to the U.S. tonight after flying to the Dominican Republic on Saturday. He's expected back in Baltimore around 10:30 p.m. and will pitch for Double-A Bowie tomorrow night in Richmond. This will be Simon's third rehab start with the Baysox. Brian Matusz said he felt good tonight while throwing 60 pitches in four innings against the Single-A Potomac Nationals, "but I felt better in the bullpen warming up before the game." Matusz allowed one run...

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Matusz has scoreless 3rd (and 4th)

May 16, 2011, 3:40pm

Orioles

FREDERICK, Md. - Brian Matusz stranded a runner on third base in the third inning, getting a strikeout and fly ball. He threw 10 pitches, six for strikes. Matusz has thrown 47 pitches, 29 for strikes. He's on a 55-60 pitch limit. Potomac's No. 9 hitter, Eury Perez, reached on a bunt single, stole second with one out and took third on catcher Brian Ward's throwing error. Jeff Kobernus struck out and Destin Hood flied to center. Matusz is working quickly, and he's not getting much rest....

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Matusz breezes through 1st inning (but not the 2nd)

May 16, 2011, 3:06pm

Orioles

Matusz breezes through 1st inning (but not the 2nd)

FREDERICK. Md. - Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz retired the side in order in the top of the first inning, throwing 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes. Cutter Dykstra, son of former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra, flied to center field on a 1-1 pitch. Jeff Kobernus struck out on three pitches, and Destin Hood shattered his bat while grounding to third base on a 2-2 pitch. The radar gun readings that are posted on the scoreboard don't appear to be accurate. One pitch was clocked at 51 mph. A...

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Matusz returns to Carolina League, Simon update

May 16, 2011, 1:33pm

Orioles

Matusz returns to Carolina League, Simon update

FREDERICK. Md. - The Single-A Frederick Keys are done taking batting practice and have returned to the home clubhouse at Harry Grove Stadium. The players wear shorts during pregame workouts. Maybe the Orioles should consider doing the same on those really humid days. Brian Matusz is scheduled to throw 55-60 pitches against the Potomac Nationals. The Orioles want him to go at least four innings so he'll get enough "ups," but it depends on his pitch count. I'm told that Matusz is excited...

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Hardy and Arrieta talk about Sunday's game

May 15, 2011, 2:05pm

Orioles

Hardy and Arrieta talk about Sunday's game

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I'm having my own rain delay at the Tampa airport. My 6:55 p.m. flight is now scheduled to leave at 9:30 p.m. for weather-related reasons back in Baltimore. A storm is headed that way if it hasn't already arrived. I'm told that air traffic control could lift the delay, reduce it or extend it. I'm also told the bar's still open at Chili's Too that's a short walk from my gate. Here are some quotes from shortstop J.J. Hardy, whose grand slam broke open today's...

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Postgame Showalter following 9-3 win

May 15, 2011, 12:55pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I'm racing out of here to drop off my rental car and catch my flight back to Baltimore, but I wanted to pass along a little postgame Buck Showalter for you. On Jake Arrieta: "He had great stuff early. Hopefully, he'll get to a point where he can kind of maximize his pitches a little bit more and get deeper. He had a great fastball today." On J.J. Hardy's grand slam: "You're going to need it against any club and especially here in their ballpark. There were a lot...

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A Hardy "hello" for Rays reliever (Arrieta done)

May 15, 2011, 11:30am

Orioles

A Hardy "hello" for Rays reliever (Arrieta done)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Tampa Bay left-hander Cesar Ramos entered today's game in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and no outs. The bases were cleared after three pitches. Shortstop J.J. Hardy hit his third career grand slam, and first since May 12, 2007 off the Mets' Joe Smith. Orioles 8, Rays 2. Right-hander Rob Delaney walked the bases loaded - one free pass was intentional - before Ramos replaced him. Hardy gave him quite a greeting. The No. 9 hitter in this lineup must be...

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Lee comes through with RISP (updated)

May 15, 2011, 10:35am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Before yesterday's game, Derrek Lee was 2-for-28 with runners in scoring position, ranking last in average among American League hitters with at least 25 at-bats. He was 3-for-31 (.097) with five RBIs before today. Better, but still not good. He continued to rank last among active players. Detroit's Magglio Ordonez is worse, but he's also on the disabled list. Lee came up big in the third inning today, driving in two runs with a single off Rays starter Andy...

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Wieters, Arrieta off to good starts

May 15, 2011, 10:03am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Matt Wieters gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the second inning with a two-out single that scored Vladimir Guerrero, who led off with a double and moved to third on a ground ball. Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach set up outside with Guerrero batting. Andy Sonnanstine hit the target and Guerrero reached for the ball and poked it down the right field line. Not a bad pitch, just a good bad-ball hitter. Wieters is 13-for-23 (.565) with three doubles, three homers and 20 RBIs with...

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A few early notes

May 15, 2011, 8:41am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz will be restricted to 55-60 pitches tomorrow night at Single-A Frederick. The Orioles would like to get at least four innings out of him, but it depends on his pitch count. Matusz will be extended to 75-80 pitches in his next start on Saturday. The Orioles haven't decided whether he'll join Triple-A Norfolk or Double-A Bowie. Justin Duchscherer will go three innings Wednesday in a simulated game in Sarasota, and four innings in the next...

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It's a start

May 15, 2011, 4:52am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.- I'll be checking out of my hotel and heading to Tropicana Field in the next hour. It seems like I just got here. I didn't bother to unpack my suitcase. Do you realize that the Orioles haven't used their bullpen in regulation in the last three games? Kevin Gregg and Jim Johnson followed Zach Britton to the mound on Thursday after the rookie tossed nine scoreless innings. Jeremy Guthrie and Brad Bergesen went the distance in the first two games of the Rays series. The...

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Showalter speaks after 6-0 win

May 14, 2011, 3:58pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter addressed a few topics in his postgame session with the media, but Brad Bergesen was the focal point. "He keeps battling through it and he doesn't wallow around in self-pity, and that's a big thing of mine," Showalter said. "Nobody really cares. We do, but the opposition doesn't. He pitched pretty well the last time against Tampa, too. I thought he and Jake (Fox) had a real good tempo going. And he had command of his fastball. Something I...

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Bergesen on Bergesen

May 14, 2011, 3:42pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Brad Bergesen earned his first win of the season by tossing his first career shutout and fourth complete game. Escaping that jam in the first inning propelled him in the right direction. "It was a really good feeling," he said. "To have those couple pitches go your way or to be able to make those crucial pitches, especially early on and getting out of a couple jams, it is a huge momentum shift that goes in your favor. And to be able to put up zeroes after we score,...

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Fox talks about Bergesen and his home run

May 14, 2011, 3:24pm

Orioles

Fox talks about Bergesen and his home run

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It looks like the Orioles can turn in a quality start with Jake Fox behind the plate. Just when you think you've got this game figured out... Brad Bergesen shut out the Rays on four hits, retiring 20 of the last 22 batters he faced in a 6-0 victory. The Rays didn't have a hit after Sam Fuld's single with one out in the third inning. Jake Fox talks about his big 2-run HR and how he battled within that at-bat "I think Brad showed what he's capable of tonight,"...

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Bergesen blanks Rays

May 14, 2011, 2:43pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Brad Bergesen escaped jams in the first three innings, retired 11 in a row and won his first game of the season, 6-0, over the Rays at Tropicana Field. Bergesen retired 17 of 18 going into the bottom of the ninth. He walked leadoff hitter Ben Zobrist on four pitches, but retired the next three batters. He allowed four hits, walked one and struck out five. He threw 103 pitches, 68 for strikes. The Orioles had lost the last nine games that Bergesen pitched, including a...

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The Fox and the Home Run

May 14, 2011, 1:46pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jake Fox has taken his share of heat, but he's catching a shutout and padding a lead today. Fox is giving the signs to Brad Bergesen, who's blanking the Rays on four hits over six innings. And he gave the Orioles a 4-0 lead with a two-run homer in the sixth that drove Rays starter Wade Davis from the game. Fox won a 10-pitch battle with Davis by launching his first home run since April 16 in Cleveland. It was a no-doubter. Davis had allowed two homers in seven career...