Nick in the day (updated with Tillman's line)

Nick in the day (updated with Tillman's line)
The long-awaited resurgence of Nick Markakis' bat may be underway. Maybe now I won't get any comments from fans that want him waived to help the club get out from under his contract. After driving in two runs last night, one with a homer, Markakis has singled in his first two trips this afternoon at Kansas City. His average is now at .229, meaning plenty of more hits should be forthcoming as well over the next few weeks. Have I mentioned six or eight or 20 times recently that I feel no...
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A lead that didn't last long

A lead that didn't last long
The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first today at Kansas City. But the Royals came right back and got four off Chris Tillman in the last of the first to lead 4-1. Nick Markakis singled in the first with one out and later scored on an Adam Jones single. It's Jones' 16th RBI. He now has eight hits over his past 15 at bats. But the first three hitters reached for the Royals as they took the lead. Chris Getz led off with an infield single to short. Robert Andino double-clutched...
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Simon talks about today's start

Simon talks about today's start
Alfredo Simon threw 81 pitches in five innings today in his first start on his rehab assignment, which ended with Harrisburg defeating Bowie, 8-6. The Senators scored twice in the ninth off Brandon Cooney. Simon read his prepared statement in one of the third-level suites at Prince George's Stadium and took questions from reporters related to today's outing. The entire session lasted about six minutes. Alfredo Simon talks about his rehab start with Double-A Bowie "I feel great. My pitches...
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Statement from Simon

Statement from Simon
Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon read the following statement concerning his legal issues in the Dominican Republic. He later took baseball-related questions from a small group of reporters at Prince George's Stadium: "Today is the day that I'm addressing everyone in my personal and professional life. "I want to take this opportunity to apologize to my sport, to the entire Baltimore Orioles organization, the owner, general manager, the front office, the coaches, my teammates, sponsors, and...
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MacPhail on Simon; O's-Royals should start at 2:45 p.m. on MASN

MacPhail on Simon; O's-Royals should start at 2:45 p.m. on MASN
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said pitcher Alfredo Simon will make his next start with Double-A Bowie next week at Prince George's Stadium. The Orioles have an agreement with Major League Baseball that Simon can remain on the restricted list and continue his assignment as if he's going through a regular spring training. "I think the deal that was worked out in New York is pretty reflective of what you'd expect for spring training. That's how much time he gets, what a...
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Simon done after five innings

Simon done after five innings
Alfredo Simon threw 81 pitches in five innings, and a reliever is warming in Double-A Bowie's bullpen. It looks like his first start in an affiliated game is over. Simon is charged with four runs (three earned) and six hits, with no walks and five strikeouts. He also hit a batter and threw two wild pitches. We had trouble getting an accurate read on the speed of his pitches. One fastball was clocked at 122 mph on the ballpark's radar gun. Another ball, which Harrisburg No. 9 hitter Archie...
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Fox catching today for Orioles (Simon update)

Fox catching today for Orioles (Simon update)
The Orioles just passed along their lineup from Kansas City, and it includes Jake Fox behind the plate. Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Adam Jones CF Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Jake Fox C Robert Andino SS Chris Tillman RHP Alfredo Simon allowed a leadoff double in the second inning, but he retired the next three batters, getting a called third strike on Tim Pahuta. Simon has allowed one run and three hits, and struck out four, over two innings....
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Simon strikes out three in first inning

Simon strikes out three in first inning
Alfredo Simon, pitching for Double-A Bowie in his first affiliated game since being jailed in the Dominican for almost two months, struck out three Harrisburg batters in the top of the first inning. Simon threw 23 pitches, 18 for strikes. His fastball topped out at 95 mph and was mostly in the 92-93 range. Simon also allowed a run on two hits, though the RBI double by Tyler Moore should have been ruled an error. Xavier Avery ran down the ball in right-center field, and it bounced out of his...
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More pregame notes from Bowie

More pregame notes from Bowie
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, director of baseball operations Matt Klentak and director of player development John Stockstill are in Bowie. So is instructor Mike Bordick. Alfredo Simon is on a pitch count of 75-80 today. Double-A Bowie manager Gary Kendall isn't sure how long Simon will remain on the roster. "It's a stop along the way," Kendall said. "We didn't know if it was going to be one or maybe two starts. I don't have that information. But we're happy to...
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Baysox lineup

Baysox lineup
Alfredo Simon looks thinner, and we've been told that he dropped around 30 pounds over the winter. He doesn't look that much thinner, but there's a noticeable difference. Here's the Bowie Baysox's lineup: Xavier Avery CF Greg Miclat 2B Robbie Widlansky 1B Brandon Waring 3B Ronnie Welty RF Steve Lerud C Carlos Rojas SS Adam Donachie DH Kyle Hudson LF Alfredo Simon RHP Dan Klein (UCLA) is expected to pitch today. Donachie was added to the Bowie roster from extended spring training....
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Some notes as the O's and K.C. get set for day baseball

Some notes as the O's and K.C. get set for day baseball
Having already secured a winning road trip at 4-2, the Orioles play at Kansas City this afternoon at 2:10 p.m. in the final game of this trip. Here are some notes on the Orioles: * The Orioles picked up their 14th win last night. Last year, they didn't win their 14th game until May 21.They improved to 7-7 on the road last night and last year didn't win their seventh road game until June 15. * Nick Markakis entered Wednesday's game with just one extra-base hit and just three RBIs during his...
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Arrieta with another good outing as O's top K.C.

Arrieta with another good outing as O's top K.C.
When Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta threw a staggering total of 35 pitches in the second inning Wednesday night at Kansas City, it sure didn't look like he would be able to pitch seven innings in the game. But from the third through fifth innings, Arrieta needed only 35 more pitches and he was on his way to another solid outing for the Birds. Arrieta pitched a season-high seven innings, allowing just three hits and one run in the Orioles' 3-2 win. He threw 105 pitches and fanned eight, one...
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Heads-up play by Jones, Gonzo great again (O's win)

Heads-up play by Jones, Gonzo great again (O's win)
Adam Jones took a huge risk in the bottom of the eighth inning by holding up his arms and calling for time as the ball Mike Aviles hit wedged underneath the padding on the left-center field fence. Jones wanted a ground-rule double, which would have forced Alcides Escobar to stop at third base and Aviles to hold at second with one out and the Orioles clinging to a 3-1 lead. Both runners crossed the plate while Jones waited for the umpires to make the call. Jim and Rick talk with Adam Jones...
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Markakis having a night (updated)

Markakis having a night (updated)
Nick Markakis has a run-scoring single and solo home run tonight, and the Orioles have knocked out Kyle Davies in a game they lead, 3-1, in the top of the seventh. Before tonight, Markakis was in a 12-for-70 (.171) slump that had dropped his average from .268 to .207. Fans want him lowered in the order. They want him benched. They want him placed on waivers and let go like Alex Rios. I doubt that tonight's game will silence the critics. He'll need to heat to a boil for that to happen. But...
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Waiting to find out what Simon says (updated)

Waiting to find out what Simon says (updated)
I'll point out one more time that "Modern Family" is the funniest show on television, and I'll wrestle anyone who disputes this indisputable fact. If you missed last night's episode and you treat DVR the way I treat splitting the atom ... or DVR ... that's too bad. Another classic. Anyway, I'm heading down to Bowie for today's 11:05 a.m. game between the Baysox and the Harrisburg Senators. Alfredo Simon is pitching, so I figure it's a good idea to check on him. Simon will issue a...
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Lee and Markakis with early RBIs for the Orioles

Lee and Markakis with early RBIs for the Orioles
Nick Markakis and Derrek Lee tried to quiet their critics with RBIs in the early innings tonight at Kansas City. The Orioles lead 2-1 in the third inning. Lee's sac fly in the first scored Brian Roberts, who had doubled and advanced to third on a fly ball. It was Lee's seventh RBI on the year and his fifth over the past seven games. Markakis had an RBI single in the second which, at that point, gave the O's a 2-0 lead. He entered tonight with just three RBIs over his last 17 games and in a...
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Reynolds wrapped in 8th spot

Reynolds wrapped in 8th spot
Mark Reynolds is batting eighth tonight for only the fourth time in his career. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Kansas City that Reynolds will be hitting in another spot tomorrow afternoon. But he also pointed out that Reynolds' slotting is up to the third baseman, who began tonight batting .168 with three homers and 15 RBIs. Reynolds is in a 3-for-25 slump. Or it's a 5-for-36 slump if you go back to his last 10 games. Or it's a 7-for-62 slump if you go back to April 14. Reynolds...
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Mummey's tweet

Mummey's tweet
There are some encouraging words late this afternoon coming from Single-A Frederick Keys outfielder Trent Mummey after his scare during today's game at Harry Grove Stadium. Mummey tweeted this via his Twitter account a few moments ago: Thanks for all the wishful thoughts! Scary moment but I'm thanking god that everything is going to be ok. #countingmyblessings Mummey's head hit the outfield wall in the top of the second as he dove for a ball. He was down for several minutes and taken off...
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Roberts returns to Orioles' lineup

Roberts returns to Orioles' lineup
Second baseman Brian Roberts is back in the lineup after missing last night's game in Kansas City following a root canal. Vladimir Guerrero will sit for the first time. Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Felix Pie LF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino SS Jake Arrieta RHP Here's the Royals' lineup: Aviles 2B Cabrera CF Gordon LF Butler DH Francoeur RF Betemit 3B Ka'aihue 1B Treanor C Escobar SS Davies RHP Arrieta is 3-0 with a 2.12...
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Another look at the offense

Another look at the offense
The Orioles offense continues to be a mixed bag of some good and some not so good. After last night's loss in Kansas City, the team batting average is .238 and the club is averaging 4.2 runs per game. The Orioles have scored 29 runs in the five games of the road trip. After getting double-figure hits just five times as team over the first 20 games, they have had 10 or more hits five times over the last eight games. They still don't steal many bases, but Adam Jones got one last night. The...
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