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Busy Saturday: Two losses, two trades for the Orioles

July 31, 2011, 5:59am

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On a day they gave up 25 runs, 35 hits, 12 runs in one inning and lost a doubleheader, I guess it wasn't all bad on Saturday for the Orioles. Most fans seem excited about the acquisitions the Orioles got from Texas for Koji Uehara in Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter. No, they are not stars and no one knows if they will prove to be answers to some of this organization's many questions, but I don't see how anyone can find much fault with the deal. This being a public forum, some of you have....

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Arrieta flirted with disaster and got slapped (updated twice)

July 31, 2011, 10:43am

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Arrieta flirted with disaster and got slapped (updated twice)

If Jake Arrieta is going to keep loading the bases, bad things are going to happen. A three-run triple by Brett Gardner qualifies as a bad thing. A walk, error and single filled the bases with no outs in the fourth inning, and Gardner emptied them with a shot down the right field line. Gardner scored with one out on Curtis Granderson's grounder to first. Yankees 4, Orioles 1. J.J. Hardy's miscue on a potential double play ball was critical. Now Hardy's in a fielding slump. What's...

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Davis whiffs in debut at-bat (F-7 in next one)

July 31, 2011, 9:38am

Orioles

Davis whiffs in debut at-bat (F-7 in next one)

New Orioles first baseman Chris Davis led off the top of the second inning today by chasing a 2-2 changeup from Yankees starter Freddy Garcia and swinging through it. Get used to it. Davis strikes out a lot. He also hits tape-measure home runs. You could say he's a left-handed version of Mark Reynolds, who followed Davis to the plate and also struck out. Davis has struck out 303 times in 954 plate appearances over parts of four major league seasons. He also will bounce a few baseballs on...

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A couple of words about Mike Ballard and Pedro Viola

July 31, 2011, 9:57am

Orioles

A couple of words about Mike Ballard and Pedro Viola

The Orioles' ever-changing roster changed again today. As for the pitching staff, as Jason Berken got optioned out, Mike Ballard joined the team and Pedro Viola rejoined the team. I recently wrote about how Ballard's pitching had been a big part of Bowie's recent winning ways and talked with Baysox pitching coach Kennie Steenstra about his. Ballard, a 27-year-old lefty, began the season with Triple-A Norfolk and moved to Bowie in early June. Ballard was 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA for the Baysox....

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Britton done after 10 batters (Yankees score 12 in 1st)

July 30, 2011, 3:52pm

Orioles

Britton done after 10 batters (Yankees score 12 in 1st)

Did they really need to play both ends of this doubleheader? Zach Britton lasted only two-thirds of an inning in his last start with the Orioles, on July 8 in Boston, before they optioned him to Double-A Bowie. Tonight, he exited after retiring one batter. Britton was charged with seven earned runs (eight total) and six hits in Boston. He's allowed seven so far tonight in New York, and he leaves with runners on second and third and still only one out. The rookie surrendered seven hits and...

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Davis starting at first base

July 31, 2011, 7:03am

Orioles

Chris Davis will make his Orioles debut today at first base. He's batting fifth behind Vladimir Guerrero. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Chris Davis 1B Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie LF Craig Tatum C Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP

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Orioles option Berken to Triple-A Norfolk, recall LHP Viola and bring up LHP Ballard

July 31, 2011, 8:33am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned RHP Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk, recalled LHP Pedro Viola from Double-A Bowie and selected the contract of LHP Mike Ballard. Berken, 27, has gone 1-2 with a 6.27 ERA (37.1IP, 26ER) in 31 games with the Orioles this season. Viola, 28, went 3-1 with three saves and a 2.10 ERA (30.0IP, 7ER) in 28 games for the Baysox. He pitched to a 9.82 ERA (3.2IP, 4ER) in four games for the Orioles earlier this season. He will wear #47. Ballard,...

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Orioles acquire 1B Aaron Baker from Pirates in exchange for Derrek Lee

July 31, 2011, 8:31am

Orioles

The Orioles tonight announced that they have acquired minor league 1B Aaron Baker from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for 1B Derrek Lee. Baker will be assigned to Single-A Frederick. Baker, 23, has batted .285/.353/.474 with 21 doubles, 15 home runs and 72 RBI in 102 games for Single-A Bradenton this season. The Pirates' 11th round pick in the 2009 First Year Player Draft, Baker has batted .263/.344/.452 with 70 doubles, 36 home runs and 183 RBI in 289 games over three minor league...

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Berken optioned to Norfolk

July 31, 2011, 7:58am

Orioles

The Orioles optioned reliever Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk, recalled left-hander Pedro Viola from Double-A Bowie and purchased left-hander Mike Ballard's contract from the Baysox. Berken gave up seven runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings in Game 2 last night. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in New York that there were two reasons for Berken's demotion. "We have a need for pitchers," Showalter said, "and he hasn't pitched well." Berken was optioned earlier this season. He's...

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O's lose nightcap, 17-3, MacPhail talks about trade, Lee trade official

July 30, 2011, 6:39pm

Orioles

O's lose nightcap, 17-3, MacPhail talks about trade, Lee trade official

The Yankees completed their doubleheader sweep with a 17-3 victory in Game 2. They only outscored the Orioles 5-3 after the first inning, so the game was closer than...never mind. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail talked about the appeal of trading for first baseman Chris Davis and pitcher Tommy Hunter, who will join the Orioles tomorrow in New York. Buck Showalter talks with Gary Thorne about the Orioles' 17-3 loss to the Yankees "We got two 25-year-old players who have...

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Jim Duquette: Some scouts amazed at the haul the Orioles brought back in Uehara deal

July 30, 2011, 3:31pm

Orioles

Jim Duquette is a pretty well-respected guy in baseball circles. The former Orioles vice president of baseball operations from late 2005 through 2007 said the Orioles got very good value in return from Texas for Koji Uehara with the acquisitions of Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter. "I think the value is great," Duquette said. "I was surprised. I have called a couple of scouts in the industry checking on what they are hearing (about deadline deals) and it was three different scouts I spoke with...

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Viola meeting Orioles in New York (Ballard, too)

July 31, 2011, 5:55am

Orioles

The Orioles have summoned left-hander Pedro Viola from Double-A Bowie, but no decision has been made whether to recall him for today's game against the Yankees. Viola knows the drill. He's been through it before. The bullpen was abused in yesterday's doubleheader, and it didn't help that Mark Hendrickson and Michael Gonzalez were hit by comebackers in the nightcap. Troy Patton pitched both ends. Jason Berken took a beating after replacing rookie Zach Britton. The Orioles could make...

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We said it wouldn't get weird (trade official)

July 30, 2011, 5:17pm

Orioles

We said it wouldn't get weird (trade official)

The Yankees scored 12 runs in the first inning of Game 2. Then they added those all-important tack-on runs. Their lead has grown to 16-1 as we head to the top of the sixth inning. Slightly awkward. Zach Britton allowed nine runs (six earned) and seven hits in one-third of an inning. Jason Berken gave up seven runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings. Chris Jakubauskas allowed three hits in the fourth without a run scoring. Jakubauskas retired the side in order in the fifth. He's got my vote...

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Lee to Pirates close, Guthrie likely to stay, Gonzalez hurt

July 30, 2011, 6:11pm

Orioles

Lee to Pirates close, Guthrie likely to stay, Gonzalez hurt

The Orioles are getting close to a trade that would send first baseman Derrek Lee to the Pirates for a lower-level minor league player. They'd like to get it done before tomorrow. Either way, first baseman Chris Davis and pitcher Tommy Hunter are joining the Orioles in New York tomorrow. Hunter will take Koji Uehara's place on the roster. Davis would replace Lee if the Orioles can complete the deal with Pittsburgh. Nothing is finalized, but it's the next logical step after today's trade...

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Uehara headed to Texas (Tillman optioned)

July 30, 2011, 1:31pm

Orioles

Uehara headed to Texas (Tillman optioned)

The Orioles have reached agreement with the Rangers on a trade that would send reliever Koji Uehara to Texas for first baseman Chris Davis and pitcher Tommy Hunter, according to multiple sources. Uehara is 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 43 games, with only 25 hits allowed, eight walks and 62 strikeouts in 47 innings. He hasn't allowed a run in 10 appearances this month covering 11 innings, with four hits, one walk and 15 strikeouts. Uehara is 12 appearances shy of having his $4 million vesting...

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Hunter and Davis is a pretty good return for Uehara

July 30, 2011, 1:47pm

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Hunter and Davis is a pretty good return for Uehara

Acquiring a young pitcher and a young first baseman that have already had some major league success for Koji Uehara looks like possibly a great trade at this point for the Orioles. The O's acquired pitcher Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis for Uehara, who heads to the Rangers. The sides have reached an agreement on the deal, first reported by The Baltimore Sun, but it has not yet officially been announced. I'm looking for the downside and having a hard time finding any right now, but this news...

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O's acquire RHP Tommy Hunter & INF Chris Davis from Rangers in exchange for RHP Koji Uehara

July 30, 2011, 6:15pm

Orioles

O's acquire RHP Tommy Hunter & INF Chris Davis from Rangers in exchange for RHP Koji Uehara

The Orioles tonight announced that they have acquired RHP Tommy Hunter and INF Chris Davis from the Texas Rangers in exchange for RHP Koji Uehara. Hunter, 25, is 23-13 with a 4.36 ERA (266.1IP, 129ER) and 151 strikeouts in 53 career games (44 starts) over parts of four seasons with Texas, including 13-4 with a 3.73 ERA (128.0IP, 53ER) and 68 strikeouts in 23 games (22 starts) in 2010. A Rangers' first round draft pick (54th overall selection) in the 2007 First Year Player Draft, Hunter went...

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Orioles option RHP Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk, recall LHP Zach Britton from Double-A Bowie

July 30, 2011, 6:12pm

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The Orioles announced after today's first game that they have optioned RHP Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk and recalled LHP Zach Britton from Double-A Bowie. Britton will start the second game of today's doubleheader. Britton, 23, is 6-7 with a 4.05 ERA (104.1IP, 47ER) in 18 starts for the Orioles this season. Tillman, 23, started today against the Yankees in game one of the doubleheader and took the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) in 4.1 innings. He went 3-3 with a 4.17 ERA...

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Lee not in Game 2 lineup (more)

July 30, 2011, 1:49pm

Orioles

Mark Reynolds is starting at first base in Game 2 of today's doubleheader. Let the speculation continue. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 1B Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Robert Andino 2B Zach Britton LHP It's obvious that the Orioles are trying to move Lee to another team, and they must be close if he's not in the lineup. They'll gladly take the salary relief, as well as free up a spot for Chris...

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Yankees top Tillman, Orioles, 8-3 in game one

July 30, 2011, 12:11pm

Orioles

Chris Tillman retired the first six Yankees on just 24 pitches today with four strikeouts. But New York scored eight runs over its next three at bats this afternoon to beat the Orioles 8-3 in game one of a day-night doubleheader. Buck Showalter talks about the O's loss in the first game of a doubleheader in New York After the Orioles got RBI groundouts by Craig Tatum and J.J. Hardy to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the fourth, New York went ahead 5-2 in the last of the frame, which...