Another check of the RISP stat

Another check of the RISP stat
It is not hard to figure out how the Orioles have lost three straight games by a combined score of 23-5. Not when you see their starting pitching ERA in those three games is 12.27 and they have hit just 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position in those games. As pointed out in my previous post, the O's need a starter not named Zach Britton or Jeremy Guthrie to step up soon and tonight with Jake Arrieta on the mound in New York would be a good place to start. Britton and Guthrie have pitched...
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Matthew Taylor: Recalling Rodriguez's long shot worthy of bronze

Matthew Taylor: Recalling Rodriguez's long shot worthy of bronze
Perhaps the best feature of Camden Yards is the bronze baseballs along Eutaw Street marking home runs that landed on the walkway during game action. Visitors who tour the ballpark inevitably wind up looking down at the pavement to find their favorite players and teams. The baseballs embedded in the sidewalk tell part of the story - team, player, date, and distance - but there's more to know. That's why I started writing the Eutaw Street Chronicles on Roar from 34. Monday was the anniversary...
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Is this three-game losing skid a bump in the road or a sign of bigger trouble?

Is this three-game losing skid a bump in the road or a sign of bigger trouble?
Let's see, the Orioles have lost one of their best starting pitchers to injury, their starting shortstop to injury and now they've lost three games in a row. A record of 6-4 after 10 games sounds pretty good - and is pretty good. The Birds still own a share of first place after losing Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium. But during a three-game slide in which they've gotten two very poor starting pitching efforts, maybe the O's are currently facing the first mini-crisis of the season. With...
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Trying times for Tillman

Trying times for Tillman
I have only one question regarding the Barry Bonds verdict: Is this another intentional walk? An Orioles-related question: Does it feel like they've lost three in a row? I have to remind myself because the first loss came in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader. Monday's open date and Tuesday's postponement have broken up the streak, but it does exist. I walked away from my television numerous times last night, and not just because I was doing laundry, washing dishes, straightening up and...
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Hardy placed on disabled list; Orioles recall Bergesen

Hardy placed on disabled list; Orioles recall Bergesen
The Orioles today announced that they have placed shortstop J.J. Hardy on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 10, with a strained left oblique. To replace Hardy on the 25-man roster, the Orioles recalled right-hander Brad Bergesen from Triple-A Norfolk. Hardy batted .200 (3-15) with three doubles and two RBI in six games for the Orioles. Bergesen started one game for the Orioles, allowing two earned runs in 3.2 innings of work to take the loss against the Detroit Tigers on April...
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Tillman's time was short tonight

Tillman's time was short tonight
Whether it was a lack of velocity or a lack of quality pitches, this was basically a disastrous outing for Chris Tillman tonight at New York. He got ahead of the first batter he faced, Brett Gardner at 0-2, but then threw a fastball right down the middle that went for a base hit. The Yankees kept hitting after that. Over just 1 2/3 innings, Tillman gave up nine hits and six runs, all earned. He walked one and fanned two, throwing 57 pitches, 33 for strikes. It seems hard to believe two starts...
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Bergesen officially on roster

Bergesen officially on roster
The Orioles must be confident that they'll play tonight, because they've officially recalled Brad Bergesen from Triple-A Norfolk and placed shortstop J.J. Hardy on the disabled list. Bergesen can pitch out of the bullpen tonight if he's needed, and he's slated to start Sunday in Cleveland. Bergesen was optioned to Norfolk over the weekend, but he never reported. He met the club in New York and waited to join the 25-man roster. A postponement tonight most likely would have caused the...
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Orioles and Yankees lineups

Orioles and Yankees lineups
The last time I checked, the sky over Yankee Stadium was gray. Looked like it could start pouring any second. Fingers crossed that we actually get to watch some baseball. If it happens, the Orioles will send out the following lineup against the Yankees. It looks the exact same as the one they tried to use last night: 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 Chris Tillman RHP Here's the...
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An outsider's view of Showalter

An outsider's view of Showalter
While I'm waiting to find out whether the Orioles will resume their season or go on hiatus like a low-rated sitcom - I just realized that "Mr. Sunshine" isn't following "Modern Family" tonight on ABC - I wanted to pass along a blog entry from Danny Knobler at cbssports.com. Knobler writes about manager Buck Showalter's attention to detail, and how it often seems to come out of nowhere. Those of us on the beat can relate. We witness this sort of thing just about every day. And I'm sure...
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Checking in with some stats and notes before the NY series opener

Checking in with some stats and notes before the NY series opener
Some stats, facts and notes to ponder as the Orioles and Yankees hope to begin their rain-delayed series tonight in The Bronx. *The Orioles are 40-26 since Buck Showalter took over as manager. They are six games better than the Yankees during that stretch. *Mark Reynolds is 5-for-9 on the year (.556) when batting with runners in scoring position. His career average is .266 when batting with RISP. *Of the Orioles' 35 runs scored on the year, they have scored 11 in the first three innings and...
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Matthew Taylor: Developing an appreciation for Rivera's talents

Matthew Taylor: Developing an appreciation for Rivera's talents
For an Orioles fan, deciding on your favorite Yankees player is like deciding on your favorite dental procedure. Nevertheless, I've come to acknowledge, appreciate, and admire - notice I never said like - the talents of Yankees closer Mariano Rivera during the 17 seasons he's been cutting up major league hitters. Rather than breeding contempt, familiarity with one of the game's greatest closers has produced respect. No team is more familiar with Rivera than the Orioles, and Buck Showalter...
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What's next for Bergesen?

What's next for Bergesen?
The Orioles didn't really need a rainout last night, but they got one anyway. The bullpen rested on Monday. The rotation was set, with Brad Bergesen on the verge of being recalled to start tonight. It was time to play ball. If you wanted Bergesen to avoid the Yankees, your wish was granted. He's being skipped, with Chris Tillman scheduled to pitch tonight and Jake Arrieta taking the ball tomorrow night. Bergesen is 0-2 with a 6.60 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees, with 14 hits...
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Denny Hocking with some candid comments on Rowell and Mahoney

Denny Hocking with some candid comments on Rowell and Mahoney
One of the pleasures of this job as it relates to the minor leagues has been the chance to get to know and interview some interesting people. That includes coaches and players. I have met many in the minors that would classify as a great interview. I can now add Bowie Baysox coach
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Quick Matusz update (game postponed)

Quick Matusz update (game postponed)
Brian Matusz threw off flat ground today at the Orioles' minor league complex in Sarasota. It's a positive first step in his recovery from a strained left intercostal muscle. Matusz said he played catch from 60 feet. He made 25 throws without any pain. There's a chance that Matusz will rejoin the Orioles after they return from Cleveland and throw in the bullpen for pitching coach Mark Connor. Matusz went on the disabled list retroactive to March 30. Zach Britton took his place in the...
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Patton headed to DL

Patton headed to DL
The Orioles will put left-hander Troy Patton on the disabled list later today with a slight shoulder strain. He's expected to miss only one start, though that will become more apparent after he's examined tomorrow. Patton didn't throw today, but he might be cleared for long toss on Thursday. John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of player development, said Patton most likely will be set back "three or four days." Patton left last night's start against the Gwinnett Braves after facing...
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Orioles lineup vs. Yankees (and Spoone note)

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees (and Spoone note)
If the weather cooperates, the Orioles will run out the following lineup against A.J. Burnett and the New York Yankees: 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 Chris Tillman RHP Why Andino over Cesar Izturis? Maybe it's because Andino is 3-for-8 with a home run and two RBIs lifetime against Burnett. Izturis is 6-for-27. J.J. Hardy is 5-for-10 with two doubles and two RBIs, but...
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Talking with Tillman and the subject is his velocity

Talking with Tillman and the subject is his velocity
When Chris Tillman takes the mound in New York tonight, there may be some fans checking the radar gun readings almost as much as they check the ball and strike count. There has been a lot of discussion among the fans that Tillman's velocity may be down and they are wondering if that impacts his pitching and not in a good way. Some fans cited a lack of his normal velocity as a reason why Tillman gave up four runs in his start against Detroit, but he seemed to be throwing with similar velocity...
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Yankees series could serve as an early measuring stick

Yankees series could serve as an early measuring stick
So far this season, the Orioles have looked like contenders, a team that on any night can compete with the top rosters in the American League. They swept the suddenly hapless Rays, took two of three from Detroit, and hung with the defending AL champion Rangers - with the exception of that ugly Saturday night beatdown. But nine games is a pretty small sample size. We've seen Orioles teams get off to hot starts in the past, and then fall apart down the stretch. It's impossible to predict...
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Bergesen in NY as expected

Bergesen in NY as expected
Pitcher Brad Bergesen joined the Orioles in New York, another sign that he's starting Wednesday night's game at Yankee Stadium. However, nothing has come easily to Bergesen, so he'll naturally be at the mercy of the weather. It isn't raining in New York as I type this entry, but the forecast is ominous. We'll find out later how a postponement tonight would affect the rotation for the rest of the series. It isn't any better in Baltimore. Too bad the Orioles couldn't escape the...
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Buck made the call and Britton will miss NYY series

Buck made the call and Britton will miss NYY series
Orioles rookie pitcher Zach Britton faced the Yankees in spring training, but his first outing against them that counts will have to wait. Manager Buck Showalter had two choices for a starting pitcher for the Thursday game in the Bronx because both Jake Arrieta and Britton pitched in the Saturday doubleheader and would be on normal rest for Thursday. But Showalter said Arrieta will start that game and Britton will pitch the series opener on Friday at Cleveland. It's probably a little...
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