orioles

Scott and Jones go back-to-back

April 27, 2011, 4:29pm

Orioles

The Orioles gave Jeremy Guthrie a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning. Somebody pass the smelling salts. Luke Scott hit a two-run shot with two outs, the ball traveling an estimated 426 feet before landing on Eutaw St. Adam Jones followed with a drive that barely cleared the left field fence, but it also counted. Scott admired his shot, and Josh Beckett made sure the entire Orioles dugout knew that he didn't appreciate it. Plate umpire Fieldin Culbreth had to calm him down. Could get very...

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Guthrie in a groove (updated)

April 27, 2011, 4:00pm

Orioles

Jeremy Guthrie fell into an early jam tonight, putting runners on second and third with one out in the top of the first inning. But he struck out Kevin Youkilis and retired David Ortiz on a shallow fly ball to left field, leaving the game scoreless and his pitch count at 24. It's mostly been a breeze for Guthrie since the first. He's retired seven of the last eight batters, striking out five. He got Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia looking to end the third after Jason Varitek went down...

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Not born to run in 2011

April 27, 2011, 1:58pm

Orioles

The Orioles have four stolen bases in five attempts this season to rank last in the majors. It hasn't gone unnoticed by manager Buck Showalter and his coaching staff. "We talked about it a little yesterday in the advanced meeting, but you'd probably be surprised how many guys are on their own to run," Showalter said. "You know what happens a lot is guys don't want to take the bat out of this guys hand, or 'I want to give him this hole to shoot.' You always have that, you can talk...

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Notes and quotes before tonight's game

April 27, 2011, 1:00pm

Orioles

In Jeremy Guthrie's 17 losses since the start of the 2010 season, the Orioles have scored 24 runs while he was in the game (1.41 runs per game), and 39 total (2.29 runs per game). They've scored three runs or fewer in 21 of his 36 starts, and eight runs in his four starts this year. They've scored two runs in his last three starts while he's been in the game. Guthrie has lost seven straight games to the Red Sox, and the Orioles have lost his last nine starts against them. "I think...

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Injury updates

April 27, 2011, 12:33pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz (intercostal) and Chris Jakubauskas (groin) will throw full bullpen sessions tomorrow. Matusz threw off the front of the mound yesterday and said he's pain-free and simply trying to build up his arm. Jakubauskas threw in the bullpen this week, but he didn't use all of his pitches, so tomorrow represents his first regular session. Both pitchers will have to go on injury rehab assignments. Matusz will report to the minor league complex this weekend while the Orioles are in...

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Bell listed as day-to-day

April 27, 2011, 7:14am

Orioles

Just a quick note to update you on Triple-A Norfolk third baseman Josh Bell, who left last night's game in Indianapolis in the fifth inning after a hard slide into second base. Bell is considered day-to-day after experiencing some swelling in his left knee. He's available tonight if needed, but is expected to miss one or two games. Bell is

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Looking back and ahead

April 26, 2011, 8:55pm

Orioles

While wondering exactly when Carl Crawford stopped being good ... There were plenty of things to like about last night's 4-1 win over the Red Sox, and we pretty much covered all of them over the course of the evening. I'll go back to that 11-pitch at-bat from Adam Jones in the second inning. He struck out, but he also seemed to get Clay Buchholz out of rhythm after the Boston right-hander had retired the first five batters on only nine pitches. You can see Jones maturing offensively....

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A little more postgame chatter

April 26, 2011, 7:43pm

Orioles

Adam Jones talked about his 11-pitch at-bat against Clay Buchholz in the second inning. "That set the tone," he said. "Everybody was able to see everything that he threw and he really didn't fool a lot of guys. He's still good. He still held this team to four runs, but it was a lengthy at-bat. I wish it had a better result. "It's good to see us swinging the bats. You have Vladi. As soon as he got that last hit, I said, 'Don't let that man get hot.' He's the one guy that you do not...

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Britton reflects on tonight's 4-1 win

April 26, 2011, 6:45pm

Orioles

Zach Britton became the fifth American League rookie since 1980 to win four games by the end of April. He set the Orioles' record for wins by a rookie starting pitcher in the season's first month. Zach Britton recaps his performance and his fourth win of the season "Obviously, I didn't know that," he said. "It's pretty special, obviously. The fact I'm here is awesome. I was expecting to be down in Norfolk, but I'm just trying to make the best of the opportunity, and I think I've...

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Showalter speaks after 4-1 win

April 26, 2011, 6:31pm

Orioles

If manager Buck Showalter had to pick out any flaws from Zach Britton's performance tonight, he'd focus on the rookie allowing Dustin Pedroia to easily steal third base in the fourth inning, and all the deep counts. That's about it. Buck Showalter analyzes Zach Britton's start following the O's 4-1 win "You'd like to see him be able to take that stuff over another inning or so, but I thought the bullpen was really good tonight, J.J. and Kevin," Showalter said. "And I've got to...

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Bell hurts knee in AAA game

April 26, 2011, 5:25pm

Orioles

Triple-A Norfolk third baseman Josh Bell left tonight's game in Indianapolis in the fifth inning with mild swelling in his left knee. He'll be reevaluated tomorrow. Nolan Reimold hit into a force play in the top of the fifth, and Bell injured his knee with a hard slide into second base. Blake Davis replaced him. Bell is batting .273 for the Tides. Vladimir Guerrero has three hits tonight to raise his average to .287. He just scored on Mark Reynolds' sacrifice fly after he singled and took...

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Britton escapes another jam (and he's done)

April 26, 2011, 5:01pm

Orioles

Britton escapes another jam (and he's done)

The Red Sox put two more runners on base in the sixth, but Zach Britton retired Carl Crawford on a fly ball to center field on his 94th pitch of the night. Britton appears to be done. Jim Johnson is throwing with a purpose in the bullpen. Britton has four quality starts in five outings. He's held the Red Sox to one run and five hits, with two walks and two strikeouts. On the season, Britton has allowed 10 runs and 25 hits 31 2/3 innings. He's walked 12 and struck out 19. Johnson is...

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Gut-check time for Britton (updated)

April 26, 2011, 4:46pm

Orioles

Say this for Zach Britton: The kid doesn't pitch like he's scared. Britton loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth on a single, double and four-pitch walk. Adrian Gonzalez stepped to the plate. Britton had a crisis on his young hands. Rather than buckle, he got ahead, 1-2, and retired Gonzalez on a bouncer to second baseman Brian Roberts, who flipped to Robert Andino for the force. Britton has thrown 84 pitches, 51 for strikes. Derrek Lee is 2-for-3 tonight, with singles to left and...

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Machado homers again (updated)

April 26, 2011, 4:07pm

Orioles

Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado has hit his second home run in two nights. He's still not ready to replace the injured J.J. Hardy in Baltimore, but he's an exciting prospect. Mike Flacco, the brother of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, hit his first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the first inning against Savannah. Buck Britton, the brother of Orioles pitcher Zach Britton, has an RBI tonight for Single-A Frederick. Tyler Townsend has a double and RBI. Robbie...

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Matusz and Jakubauskas updates

April 26, 2011, 1:45pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz will throw a bullpen session Thursday, though manager Buck Showalter is hesitant to call it a conventional one because the left-hander might not use maximum effort. Matusz will throw 30-35 pitches from the rubber, and he won't be limited to fastballs. He'll be allowed to "spin" some balls, according to pitching coach Mark Connor. Matusz is still expected to report to the minor league complex in Sarasota this weekend. Chris Jakubauskas will throw another bullpen session...

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Matusz: "The pain's gone"

April 26, 2011, 12:32pm

Orioles

The look on Brian Matusz's face earlier today made it obvious that he felt good throwing in the outfield and from the front of the bullpen mound. He was grinning and eager to talk about the sessions. He also gave teammate Chris Tillman an enthusiastic fist bump before heading back inside the clubhouse. Matusz and Tillman did some long-tossing from 120 feet. Matusz threw 15-20 light pitches in the bullpen before returning to his locker. "I felt really good. I felt good health-wise and I felt...

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Hardy increases workload

April 26, 2011, 12:23pm

Orioles

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy didn't report any discomfort after swinging a bat yesterday for the first time since going on the disabled list with a strained left oblique. Hardy increased the intensity of his activities today, which included running and throwing. Hardy eventually will go on an injury rehab assignment. The initial plan called for him to play at least two games in the minors. Brian Matusz (strained left intercostal) threw from a slight incline on the lower portion of the...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups (with Matusz update)

April 26, 2011, 11:14am

Orioles

The Orioles are sending out their regular lineup again tonight against the Red Sox. Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Robert Andino SS Zach Britton LHP For the Red Sox: Ellsbury CF Pedroia 2B Gonzalez 1B Youkilis 3B Ortiz DH Lowrie SS Drew RF Crawford LF Varitek C Buchholz RHP Also, Brian Matusz played catch in the outfield and did some throwing in the bullpen, though it's impossible to...

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Trying to change these Sox (with Mahoney update)

April 26, 2011, 5:11am

Orioles

Trying to change these Sox (with Mahoney update)

If you need some good news to perk you up, the Yankee fans left Baltimore after Sunday's game. They had to make room for all the Red Sox fans. Didn't perk you up? Sorry. The Orioles have lost 11 of 13. The Red Sox have won five in a row and eight of nine. I'm really doing a lousy job of improving your moods. Again, sorry. As I mentioned yesterday, the Orioles have been outscored 10-2 in the first inning this season. Boston has pitched back-to-back shutouts. Probably not a good idea...

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Machado hits second professional home run

April 25, 2011, 5:38pm

Orioles

Machado hits second professional home run

I can't let you go to bed without a Manny Machado update. I'd never forgive myself if you tossed and turned all night. Machado hit his first home run in the South Atlantic League, and his second as a professional, in Single-A Delmarva's 7-3 victory over Savannah. Machado, who hit one home run in the Gulf Coast League last year, in his first at-bat on Aug. 28 after being the third-overall pick in the draft, went 2-for-4 with three RBIs to leave his average at .290. All three RBIs came on...