orioles

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles featured_sidebar jeremy guthrie

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles jeremy guthrie

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,...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles jeremy guthrie

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles2 jim johnson mitch atkins

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles brian matusz j.j. hardy

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles luke scott

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles1 michael gonzalez

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

Comments

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3 mitch atkins

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles1 chris jakubauskas mitch atkins

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar mark reynolds

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles1 mark reynolds

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar mark reynolds

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles zach britton

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar zach britton

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3 adam jones matt wieters

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...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2 brian roberts cesar izturis justin duchscherer

It won't get any easier with Hudson

July 02, 2011, 10:21am

Orioles

Think the Orioles had problems at the plate last night? Now they have to deal with Braves right-hander Tim Hudson, who's 9-2 with a 2.53 ERA in 11 career starts against them. Hudson's allowed 64 hits in 74 2/3 innings, with 19 walks and 45 strikeouts. The Orioles are hitting .232 against him. This season, Hudson is 6-6 with a 3.51 ERA, 24 walks and 70 strikeouts. Hudson hasn't allowed an earned run in his last two starts covering 14 innings, with four walks and 16 strikeouts. He's...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles3 jake arrieta

Viola headed to Atlanta, Rapada clears waivers

July 01, 2011, 10:06am

Orioles

Viola headed to Atlanta, Rapada clears waivers

The Orioles haven't announced the transaction, but left-hander Pedro Viola will join the team in Atlanta and be officially recalled from Double-A Bowie. Viola will replace Brian Matusz on the 25-man roster. This is a short-term move. Viola will give the Orioles an extra southpaw in the bullpen to counter the Braves' left-handed hitters, but he's not expected to stay long. Viola made one appearance with the Orioles this season, retiring all five Seattle Mariners that he faced. He joined...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles2 clay rapada pedro viola

Looking back at a loss and an option

June 30, 2011, 7:37pm

Orioles

Well, so much for finishing the homestand on a high note. The Orioles tied their season high by hitting into four double plays last night, and the Cardinals completed their first road sweep of the season. Brian Matusz was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the game, a move that couldn't have come as much of a surprise. Manager Buck Showalter wanted Matusz to work through his issues here, but he needed to see some results. Fastball command and velocity aren't where they need to be, and the...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles2 brian matusz

Matusz talks about his demotion

June 30, 2011, 7:06pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz expressed confidence tonight that he'll regain his effectiveness once he's at Triple-A Norfolk. He sounds like he's in a good frame of mind. "Absolutely," he said. "It's going to be tough. I'm not getting it done up here. It's not fair for the team. Every fifth day I go out there and make starts like this. It's just motivation for me to get down there and work with Mike Griffin, the pitching coach, and get myself back to regular form. Brian Matusz speaks to the media...