orioles

Scott MRA doesn't show additional damage

July 08, 2011, 2:07pm

Orioles

Scott MRA doesn't show additional damage

I swapped text messages a few minutes ago with outfielder Luke Scott, who was relieved that the MRA taken earlier today didn't reveal a more significant tear in his right shoulder. The Orioles think it's possible that Scott will be ready to come off the disabled list when he's eligible on July 19. The MRA is similar to an MRI, except dye is injected into the shoulder. Scott went on the disabled list retroactive to Monday when the Orioles needed to clear room on the 25-man roster for...

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Talking about Adair and accountability

July 07, 2011, 7:39pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter is taking heat from a lot of fans for the Orioles' collapse, if that's what we're calling it, as we near the All-Star break, but I'll give him major props for not burning out his bullpen. He's on the phone more than a teenage girl. I'm waiting for him to start texting instructions to bullpen coach Don Werner. "OMG, get JJ 4 me. LOL!!" Jason Berken replaced starter Jake Arrieta last night and gave up a home run. Pedro Viola replaced Berken and gave up a home...

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Errors in their way (Arrieta exits)

July 07, 2011, 4:47pm

Orioles

The Orioles committed 18 errors in their last 23 games before tonight. And that total didn't include plays that should have been made and were scored as hits. Jake Arrieta and Nick Markakis were charged with errors in the fourth inning tonight, and the Red Sox reclaimed the lead 4-3. Arrieta missed the bag after taking Derrek Lee's flip, allowing Josh Reddick to reach, though I swore that his heel nicked it. Jarrod Saltalamacchia followed with a single into right field, and Reddick took...

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Pitching a poor fit

July 06, 2011, 8:05pm

Orioles

I could keep beating the same drum about the Orioles' poor starting pitching, but it's starting to sound like a Neil Peart solo. And I'm not getting a Rush from it. See what I did there? Oriole starters have posted an 8.19 ERA in the last 12 games. You can find more distasteful stats if you go back further, but really, why do that to yourselves? "It needs to do better," president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said earlier this week. "I feel pretty good when (Jake) Arrieta,...

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The less said, the better

July 06, 2011, 7:06pm

Orioles

The Rangers completed their sweep of this three-game series tonight with a 13-5 victory over the Orioles. It wasn't that close. Orioles pitching allowed 18 hits to go with those 13 runs. Jim Hunter asks Buck Showalter his thoughts on the Birds' 13-5 loss to Texas Jeremy Guthrie surrendered six runs and eight hits in five innings. Michael Gonzalez gave up two runs and three hits in one inning. Brad Bergesen allowed four runs and four hits - including Mike Napoli's three-run shot - in one...

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Guthrie done, Orioles trail by six (Vlad homers)

July 06, 2011, 6:00pm

Orioles

Jeremy Guthrie settled down after allowing four runs in the first inning, but the Rangers scored twice with two outs in the bottom of the fifth to increase their lead to 6-2. Michael Gonzalez replaced Guthrie in the sixth. Guthrie allowed six runs and eight hits, increasing his ERA to 4.23. He threw 101 pitches, 60 for strikes. The Orioles had runners on first and second with no outs in the top of the sixth and failed to score. That won't help their runners in scoring position...

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Rough start for Guthrie (updated)

July 06, 2011, 4:38pm

Orioles

When a pitcher loads the bases with no outs, he figures to sit in the dugout after the inning and count all the runs he surrendered. Jeremy Guthrie was hoping to count his blessings, maybe hold the Rangers to one run. It didn't happen. The Rangers scored four runs in the bottom of the first to put the Orioles in a big, early hole. Guthrie gave up a leadoff double to Ian Kinsler and issued back-to-back walks to Elvis Andrus and Josh Hamilton. He lost Hamilton after getting ahead,...

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Atkins leaves with lead, Johnson can't hold it

July 05, 2011, 6:26pm

Orioles

Atkins leaves with lead, Johnson can't hold it

I'm not ready to name Mitch Atkins the opening day starter in 2012, but he held a potent Rangers lineup to one run over six innings in his first major league start. I'd say he's earned another opportunity. Atkins scattered eight hits - which is what you do when you give up only one run - didn't walk a batter and struck out four. The fact that he didn't issue a walk might be the most impressive aspect of his night. Atkins retired the side in order only once in six innings. He didn't...

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Another Hardy homer (with Matusz updates)

July 05, 2011, 4:40pm

Orioles

Another Hardy homer (with Matusz updates)

Shortstop J.J. Hardy turned the second pitch of tonight's game into his 13th home run, giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead against Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison. Hardy's hitting .298 with 32 RBIs. I still believe that he was worth giving up minor league relievers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson. Don't try to talk me out of it. Down on the farm, Brian Matusz is making his first start with Triple-A Norfolk since being optioned. He's allowed two runs (one on a home run) and four hits in four...

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Orioles lineup against Rangers (and Scott update)

July 05, 2011, 12:45pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold is making back-to-back starts in left field. Vladimir Guerrero continues to bat cleanup. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Derrek Lee 1B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Mitch Atkins RHP I wrote earlier today about Luke Scott going on the disabled list, but I forgot to mention that he'll undergo an MRA Friday in Baltimore. That's what happens when you trust your memory instead of your...

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As the rotation turns

July 04, 2011, 7:50pm

Orioles

I didn't need to leave my house last night to watch fireworks. Thanks to MASN, they were set off in my living room. My blinds are still scorched and my ceiling fan ... well ... I wouldn't pull the chain. Sometimes, I think the Orioles are pulling my chain. I wish they'd stop. The Rangers lit up Orioles pitching for 13 runs last night, making them the latest team to torch the rotation. Chris Jakubauskas surrendered six of them and didn't record an out in the third inning. Orioles...

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Showalter says Atkins most likely will start

July 04, 2011, 7:16pm

Orioles

Showalter says Atkins most likely will start

Orioles manager Buck Showalter told MASN's Jim Hunter that the "tentative plan" calls for

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Atkins the likely starter tomorrow night (updated twice)

July 04, 2011, 5:09pm

Orioles

Atkins the likely starter tomorrow night (updated twice)

Alfredo Simon has replaced starter Chris Jakubauskas in the third inning, which eliminates him from consideration for tomorrow night's assignment. Mitch Atkins is in Arlington and could have his contract purchased after tonight's game. Jakubauskas is charged with six runs and seven hits in two-plus innings. Adrian Beltre delivered the knockout punch with a two-run homer. Jakubaukas threw 45 pitches, 31 for strikes. His ERA ballooned to 6.75. The rotation remains a mess. Jakubauskas has...

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Reynolds homers again (Rangers take lead)

July 04, 2011, 4:37pm

Orioles

Reynolds homers again (Rangers take lead)

Mark Reynolds is staying hot, no matter where he hits in the lineup. Reynolds just belted his 19th home run, a two-run shot in the second inning that gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Rangers starter Colby Lewis hit Vladimir Guerrero on the left shoulder, and Reynolds followed with his third homer in three games and his fifth in five games. And like the others, it was a no-doubt shot to left field. Estimated distance: 407 feet. Reynolds, batting fifth tonight, has matched his error total with...

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Keep Reynolds wrapped in cleanup

July 03, 2011, 8:30pm

Orioles

If you thought that the Orioles would go 0-10 on this road trip, well, you were just plain wrong. They won yesterday, so there's no need for all that negativity. I'm not one to overreact - OK, I'm famous for overreacting - but there's no way I'd remove Mark Reynolds from the cleanup spot. Reynolds hit a two-run homer and had a sacrifice fly yesterday in the Orioles' 5-4 victory over the Braves. He has six homers over his last 13 games, and a team-leading 18 for the season. The...

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Reynolds gives Orioles lead (updated)

July 03, 2011, 11:58am

Orioles

Say this about Mark Reynolds: None of his home runs are cheap ones. Nick Markakis collected his fourth hit of the day, and Reynolds collected his 18th home run of the season. It was an absolute bomb, which is typical of Reynolds. He doesn't need a gust of wind - except for the one that his swing creates. Reynolds gave the Orioles a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning. Now it's up to the Orioles' bullpen, which has been so good, to make it hold up. Reynolds is only the second player to homer...

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Britton gets another hit and a scare (Braves lead 4-3)

July 03, 2011, 11:00am

Orioles

Britton gets another hit and a scare (Braves lead 4-3)

Zach Britton is 2-for-2 today after reaching on an infield hit in the fifth inning, but he stumbled after crossing first base and looked like he injured his leg. Fortunately for the Orioles, he was laughing after returning to the bag and stayed in the game. He's the only one laughing. Britton scored on Nick Markakis' third hit, a double. Markakis' average is up to .292. Blake Davis has made two outstanding plays at second base. Adam Jones is 0-for-3 and has left six runners on base. He...

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Britton makes argument against DH (updated)

July 03, 2011, 10:18am

Orioles

Britton makes argument against DH (updated)

I mentioned earlier today that Zach Britton's .600 batting average (3-for-5) was the fourth-highest for an American League pitcher. You can add a home run to that tally. Britton gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning with his first major league home run. He pulled a pitch from Braves starter Brandon Beachy over the right field fence. An Orioles pitcher hadn't homered since Kris Benson on June 17, 2006 against the Mets. Beachy recorded five strikeouts in the first two...

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Wieters is an All-Star

July 03, 2011, 5:29am

Orioles

Catcher Matt Wieters will be the Orioles' lone representative for the July 12 All-Star Game in Arizona. Wieters is batting .262 with 13 doubles, seven homers and 33 RBIs in 71 games, but his selection is based heavily on his work defensively. Wieters leads all major league catchers in runners caught stealing (23) and in fielding percentage (.998, one error) and is the only catcher with more than 40 starts who has not been charged with a passed ball. Wieters has caught the second-most...

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Quick injury updates

July 02, 2011, 2:24pm

Orioles

I'm going to make another attempt to go off campus and watch the Orioles-Braves game, though I'm packing up the laptop in case of baseball emergency. Before I head out, I want to pass along three injury updates that manager Buck Showalter relayed to reporters in Hot-lanta. Brian Roberts could start swinging a bat early next week. He's had two good days in a row, getting through his conditioning work and limited baseball activities without headaches or dizziness. Showalter confirmed in his...