Stacey Long: A frustrating loss still provides hope

Stacey Long: A frustrating loss still provides hope
Last night's game was one of the more frustrating losses of the year. The Orioles had baserunners in every inning, usually more than one. They had so many chances to score runs and just couldn't do it. It was a hard game to watch. But it's also the kind of game that, in retrospect, has a lot of positives to take from it. It's easy to say that the Orioles couldn't come through in the clutch, but the fact is that usually when a team gets 15 baserunners, they'll score more than two runs. So...
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Bullpen speculation and another lefty opponent

Bullpen speculation and another lefty opponent
I guess a four-game sweep in Chicago was being greedy. Taking three of four is acceptable. Josh Rupe served up Paul Konerko's second home run last night, increasing the White Sox's lead to 6-0 in the eighth inning. He allowed two runs in 14 2/3 innings in spring training, but he's carrying a 7.59 ERA in 10 2/3 innings this season. Rupe also let an inherited runner score on Konerko's homer, which left Clay Rapada's ERA at 16.20 in 3 1/3 innings. If the Orioles make any changes to their...
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Showalter provides update on Markakis

Showalter provides update on Markakis
Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't seem concerned about Nick Markakis' right hand during his postgame interview with MASN's Gary Thorne. Markakis was hit by a Chris Sale fastball with two outs and left the game, but he returned to the bench and watched the final out. "It was more of a pinch than it was a direct blow, so we got lucky there," Showalter said. Markakis apparently banged his right knee on a sprinkler head while diving for a ball, which could present more of an issue than...
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No support for Guthrie, Orioles lose 6-2

No support for Guthrie, Orioles lose 6-2
Jeremy Guthrie gave up another run in the sixth inning, but you have to wonder if it matters anymore. He'd have to throw a shutout just to break even. The Orioles have put approximately 500 runners on base in six innings against Mark Buehrle, but the Chicago left-hander is shutting them out. They're 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and have stranded nine. In Guthrie's 17 losses since the start of 2010, the Orioles have scored 24 runs while he was in the game (1.41 runs per game),...
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This and that - the sequel (updated)

This and that - the sequel (updated)
The Orioles continue to trail the White Sox, 2-0, in the top of the fifth because left fielder Juan Pierre made a diving catch near the line to rob Brian Roberts of two RBIs. Paul Konerko homered with two outs in the bottom of the fourth to pad Chicago's lead. Luke Scott leaped at the fence and hung on it for a few seconds. At some point, the Orioles will start scoring runs for Jeremy Guthrie. Maybe not tonight, but it's bound to happen. Be sure to DVR the game so you can show your friends,...
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O's activate, option right-hander Jakubauskas

O's activate, option right-hander Jakubauskas
The Orioles today announced that they have activated right-hander Chris Jakubauskas from the 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Jakubauskas was placed on the DL on April 18, retroactive to April 17, with a strained right groin. He appeared in three games for the Orioles, pitching to a 7.36 ERA (7.1IP, 6ER) and twice going at least 3.0 innings.
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Saying goodbye to my biggest fan

Saying goodbye to my biggest fan
Some of you may have noticed that I have not been filing the usual number of blog entries and stories recently. That is because I have been busy with something else over these past few days. Last Friday morning at 6:35 a.m., my Mom died. She and our family had been dealing with Mom's Alzheimer's disease for more than 10 years. It was, as some have labeled it, a long goodbye. The last few years were such that our Mom didn't know our names and we could not even really have a conversation...
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This and that (updated)

This and that (updated)
The Orioles will activate pitcher Chris Jakubauskas from the disabled list and option him to Triple-A Norfolk, improving their rotation depth at the upper levels of their minor league system. Jakubauskas made an injury rehab start yesterday for the Tides, allowing one run and three hits with one walk and two strikeouts, in 1 1/3 innings. He allowed six runs and nine hits in 7 1/3 innings in three relief appearances with the Orioles before going on the disabled list with a groin...
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Orioles and White Sox lineups

Orioles and White Sox lineups
Here's the lineup that manager Buck Showalter hopes can enable the Orioles to complete a four-game sweep of the White Sox - along with another quality start from Jeremy Guthrie: 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 Jeremy Guthrie RHP Here's the White Sox's lineup: Pierre LF Ramirez SS Dunn DH Konerko 1B Quentin RF Pierzynski C Rios CF Teahen 3B Beckham 2B Buehrle LHP
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Pregame notes, Machado and Clark honored

Pregame notes, Machado and Clark honored
The Orioles are seeking their 14th victory of the season tonight after not winning their 14th game in 2010 until May 21. Their next road victory will be their seventh after not winning their seventh road game in 2010 until June 15. The Orioles are going for their first sweep of a four-game set on Chicago's South Side since July 6-9, 1995. Their last four-game sweep was July 8-11, 2010 at Texas. The Orioles are 14-6 against the American League Central under manager Buck Showalter, winning all...
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Stacey Long: Volatile bullpen a case of dollars spent unwisely

Stacey Long: Volatile bullpen a case of dollars spent unwisely
It's no secret the that Orioles' bullpen hasn't been all that reliable through the first month of the season. Even when he gets the job done, closer Kevin Gregg raises the stress level in Birdland to epic proportions. Mike Gonzalez's last outing was fantastic, but given his other performances this year it was still a little hard to watch. Koji Uehara is walking people, Jim Johnson is giving up home runs, Josh Rupe has been a disaster. With the starting pitching having success, it's even...
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Going for the sweep, Minor on Machado

Going for the sweep, Minor on Machado
The Orioles will attempt to break out the brooms tonight in an unusual four-game series that started on Friday. How often does a team play a road game on Sunday and remain in the city overnight? Better to do it in Chicago than, say, Detroit. Jeremy Guthrie is sporting a 1-3 record, which clashes with his 2.53 ERA. He's allowed two runs or fewer in four of his five starts. Guthrie is 3-4 with a 4.36 ERA lifetime against the White Sox. Paul Konerko is 5-for-24 with a double and two homers....
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Machado homers again (Klein moves up)

Machado homers again (Klein moves up)
Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado hit his fifth home run today, a two-run shot that raised his RBI total to 20. He's batting .337. Machado has five homers and 12 RBIs in his last seven games. Believe the hype. Jacob Pettit, a 42nd-round pick from Western Oregon State College, struck out eight over eight scoreless innings. Chris Jakubauskas, on an injury-rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk, allowed one run and three hits in 1 1/3 innings. He threw 37 pitches, 21 for strikes. Nolan...
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Gregg, Orioles hang on for 6-4 win

Gregg, Orioles hang on for 6-4 win
The Orioles have taken the first three games of this series after today's tense, 6-4 victory over the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Kevin Gregg made it interesting, to say the least, by walking leadoff hitter Alexei Ramirez and giving up a single to Carlos Quentin before recording his first out in the ninth inning - a called third strike on Paul Konerko. Buck Showalter talks with Gary Thorne about the amount of walks in the Birds' 6-4 win Gregg fell behind, 3-1, to Alex Rios before...
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Britton does it again (updated)

Britton does it again (updated)
Zach Britton is lined up for his fifth win of the season, which again comes across as pretty impressive for a guy who wasn't supposed to be in the majors. Britton held the White Sox to one run over six innings, allowing five hits, walking three and striking out one. He threw 96 pitches and lowered his ERA to 2.63. This wasn't Britton at his best, but the Orioles will take it. At some point, the starters will need to get deeper in these games. There are no rules against going eight...
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Updating Simon and Matusz (more on Simon)

Updating Simon and Matusz (more on Simon)
Pitcher Alfredo Simon faced 19 batters and threw 64 pitches yesterday in an extended spring training game at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, Fla. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Chicago that Simon didn't allow a run, struck out six averaged 94 mph with his fastball. Simon will pitch again on Thursday, though the Orioles haven't determined whether it will happen in Sarasota or with one of their minor league affiliates, according to a team official. Also, Brian Matusz had a good...
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Pie in today's lineup

Pie in today's lineup
I pointed out earlier today that Felix Pie is 5-for-9 lifetime against White Sox's starter Gavin Floyd. Orioles manager Buck Showalter saw the same stat. Look who's in today's lineup: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie CF Robert Andino SS Zach Britton LHP Pie is making his first start since April 17. He has three at-bats since that game in Cleveland.
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April in the rear view mirror

April in the rear view mirror
Maybe it's just my sense of humor, but I think the Orioles should make Vladimir Guerrero walk to U.S. Cellular field today. No team shuttle, no cabs. Guerrero went the entire month of April without a walk. And without a 3-0 count. At some point this season, a manager will order an intentional walk with first base open, and Guerrero will swing at two of the pitches. Maybe three. The Orioles finished the month of April with a 12-13 record, their most wins in the first month since 2007. That...
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Orioles news and notes

Orioles news and notes
A couple of Orioles stats and facts to check out as Zach Britton takes the mound in Chicago today in Game 3 of a four-game series in search of his fifth win. * When starting pitcher Chris Tillman gave up just one earned run over five innings last night, it was the sixth time over the last 11 games an O's starter allowed two earned runs or fewer. They have had eight quality starts in that stretch and the starters' ERA is 3.29 over the 11 games. * In this series, the Orioles' bullpen has...
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Orioles top White Sox 6-2 to take first two games of series

Orioles top White Sox 6-2 to take first two games of series
The Orioles have started a seven-game road trip with back-to-back wins at Chicago after tonight's 6-2 victory. The Orioles end April with a record of 12-13 after going 5-18 through April last year. The Birds have won four of their last five games. Not a bad April record, considering they lost eight in a row at one point in the month. Buck Showalter talks with Gary Thorne about Michael Gonzalez's outing in the O's 6-2 win Chris Tillman allowed just one run over five-plus innings in his...
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