orioles

Postgame Showalter

May 08, 2011, 1:18pm

Orioles

The Orioles were swept at home in a three-game series for the first time since Buck Showalter took over as manager. They haven't held a lead for 35 straight innings. Brad Bergesen is 0-5 with a 9.13 ERA in five career starts against the Rays. He allowed five runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings today. He'll need to do a lot better or he could lose his rotation spot when Brian Matusz and Alfredo Simon are ready. The same is true for Chris Tillman, who starts again on Wednesday. Buck...

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Going good for Gonzalez

May 08, 2011, 12:06pm

Orioles

Today's attendance: 16,359 Michael Gonzalez tossed another scoreless inning today, getting a dazzling double play to end the eighth inning. Reid Brignac singled with one out, but John Jaso grounded into a 6-4-3 DP. Cesar Izturis ranged up the middle and flipped the ball to Brian Roberts, who snatched it with his bare hand and threw to first base. Gonzalez hasn't allowed a run in his last five outings covering 5 1/3 innings. He's given up three hits, walked none and struck out seven, and...

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Bergesen done after 4 2/3 innings (updated)

May 08, 2011, 11:13am

Orioles

Bergesen done after 4 2/3 innings (updated)

This game took a sudden, nasty turn for Brad Bergesen. Bergesen had retired nine of 10 batters, but he's done with two outs in the fifth and the Orioles trailing, 5-2. He allowed nine hits, walked two, struck out one and threw 85 pitches. B.J. Upton drove in two more runs with a two-out single. Matt Wieters went to the mound to give Clay Rapada more time to warm up, and manager Buck Showalter finally came out of the dugout. They had stalled long enough. Bergesen hasn't gone more than five...

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Bergesen was cruising until wheels fell off (updated)

May 08, 2011, 10:44am

Orioles

Bergesen was cruising until wheels fell off (updated)

Brad Bergesen had retired nine of 10 batters, the only baserunner coming on an intentional walk, but the first five Rays reached in the fourth inning, and the Orioles are behind, 3-0. Johnny Damon led off the inning with a double to left. Luke Scott didn't take the ideal route to the ball. Evan Longoria followed with a bloop single to center, and Damon scored when Adam Jones couldn't field the ball cleanly. No error charged, but there would have been a play at the plate. Matt Joyce...

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Matusz will pitch at Frederick (Rays lineup)

May 08, 2011, 7:42am

Orioles

Matusz will pitch at Frederick (Rays lineup)

Left-hander Brian Matusz will make his first injury rehab start on May 16 at Single-A Frederick. Matusz threw two innings yesterday in an extended spring training game in Sarasota. He'll throw a 35-pitch bullpen session tomorrow and go three innings Wednesday in another extended game. Assuming there are no setbacks, he'll pitch for the Keys at Harry Grove Stadium in his first affiliated game. Also, manager Buck Showalter indicated that his starters will probably stay in turn after Monday's...

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Checking on J.J. Hardy

May 07, 2011, 7:28pm

Orioles

Playing in his second injury rehab game tonight, Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Triple-A Norfolk's 5-2 victory over Indianapolis. Hardy, on the disabled list with a strained left oblique, was 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored in Friday night's game. The Orioles are expected to activate Hardy before Tuesday's game against the Mariners at Camden Yards. Left-hander Chris George was credited with the win tonight after holding Indianapolis to...

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Quick Matusz update (plus Hardy and Machado)

May 07, 2011, 7:50am

Orioles

Quick Matusz update (plus Hardy and Machado)

Brian Matusz went two innings today in an extended spring training game in Sarasota, and he threw 12-15 pitches in each inning. He faced six batters, and more important, he felt good. Matusz is scheduled to pitch again on Wednesday, and he'll go three innings. If Matusz stays on schedule, he could be activated on May 21 or 26. He would be limited to five innings (depending on pitch count) if he comes off the disabled list on the earlier date, so the condition of the bullpen could play a big...

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Showalter speaks after 6-2 loss

May 06, 2011, 6:49pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter wasn't going to use the rain as an excuse for tonight's 6-2 loss. It's not like the Rays were inside a dome. Buck Showalter meets with the media to discuss the Birds' 6-2 loss to the Rays "This is not a perfect-condition sport," he said. "You have to deal with all of it - cold, wind, rain. It's part of it. We've played in a lot worse." The Orioles are 2-14 when scoring three runs or fewer. Showalter was asked whether he's concerned that the lack...

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Berken a little better, Hardy update (and Uehara)

May 06, 2011, 5:20pm

Orioles

Berken a little better, Hardy update (and Uehara)

Reliever Jason Berken didn't allow a run tonight, which is significant if you consider that he permitted seven in his last five appearances. It wasn't exactly a clean outing for Berken, who gave up three hits, issued an intentional walk and struck out two in 1 1/3 innings, but his ERA is down to 5.02. He had surrendered 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings in those five previous games. That qualifies as a slump. Berken replaced Zach Britton with one out in the sixth and allowed two straight singles. He...

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Britton turns in shortest outing (updated)

May 06, 2011, 4:42pm

Orioles

Britton turns in shortest outing (updated)

You can't count on anything these days. Zach Britton failed to make it through the sixth inning tonight for the first time in seven major league starts. He retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced, but manager Buck Showalter went to his bullpen with the left-hander's pitch count at 95. Jason Berken replaced Britton, who allowed all three runs and all four hits in the second inning. Britton walked one and struck out four. James Shields continues to blank the Orioles on one hit, Vladimir...

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Tatum removed for pinch-hitter (updated)

May 06, 2011, 4:11pm

Orioles

Tatum removed for pinch-hitter (updated)

There's always intrigue down on the farm. Craig Tatum was catching tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, but backup John Hester pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the second inning. Tatum never received an at-bat in the game. Is he hurt? Did the Orioles pull him from the game so they could make a roster move? Wouldn't they have held him out of the starting lineup if that were the case? Am I speculating too much? Update: I'm told that Tatum was removed because of slight shoulder soreness. Back...

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Britton gives up three runs, Hardy walks

May 06, 2011, 3:34pm

Orioles

Britton gives up three runs, Hardy walks

Zach Britton was impressive in the first inning, retiring the side in order on 12 pitches, but he allowed back-to-back doubles and a two-run homer leading off the second to fall behind, 3-0. Britton got a grounder and two fly balls in the first. The first two fly balls in the second, from Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton, reached the right field fence. The fly ball from Brandon Guyer cleared the left-center field fence. That's not nearly as good. Guyer was batting for the first time in the...

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Machado has dislocated kneecap

May 06, 2011, 2:48pm

Orioles

Orioles shortstop prospect Manny Machado dislocated his kneecap last night and will likely go on the seven-day disabled list. Machado, playing for Single-A Delmarva, suffered the injury in the first inning while running to third base. He was carried off the field and underwent an MRI today that confirmed the dislocation. Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens will examine Machado on Monday or Tuesday. The Orioles are optimistic that he'll be ready to play again before the seven days are...

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Rays lineup, more stuff

May 06, 2011, 1:01pm

Orioles

For Tampa Bay: Sean Rodriguez 2B Ben Zobrist RF Johnny Damon DH Evan Longoria 3B B.J. Upton CF Brandon Guyer LF Kelly Shoppach C Dan Johnson 1B Elliot Johnson SS James Shields RHP Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't seem concerned about minor league shortstop Manny Machado's left knee. He's waiting for the results of today's MRI, but conversations with team officials didn't send up any red flags. "Initially, they didn't think it was anything serious," Showalter said. "They were...

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Updates on Matusz and Hardy

May 06, 2011, 12:34pm

Orioles

Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz will pitch twice at extended spring training, his first start coming tomorrow, before he reports to one of the affiliates on his injury rehab assignment. Matusz will make his first start for an affiliate on May 16, according to manager Buck Showalter. As the plan is currently constructed, Matusz will throw two to three innings tomorrow at Twin Lakes Park and three to four innings in his next start. He'll go at least four innings in his first start with a...

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Early news on Machado encouraging

May 06, 2011, 11:25am

Orioles

The Orioles are encouraged by the preliminary reports on Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado's left knee. The club will know more after receiving the results of Machado's MRI, but director of player development John Stockstill is hopeful that it's a "few days" thing. Machado will undergo an MRI in Asheville, N.C. this afternoon, and team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens will view the results later tonight and lay out a diagnosis. Machado was walking around fairly easily last night...

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Rupe a silver lining in 9-1 loss (updated)

May 05, 2011, 1:36pm

Orioles

Rupe a silver lining in 9-1 loss (updated)

It's hard to find anything positive to say about a 9-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, but I'll focus on reliever Josh Rupe. Rupe replaced starter Chris Tillman in the fourth and tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed only one hit, walked one and struck out two, and lowered his ERA from 7.59 to 5.65. Welcome back to Kansas City, Josh. Rupe had surrendered nine earned runs and 15 hits in his last seven appearances covering 9 2/3 innings. Clay Rapada replaced Rupe and served up Melky...

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Tillman gone after 3 2/3 innings

May 05, 2011, 12:29pm

Orioles

I didn't make it back home from Bowie before Chris Tillman had walked off the mound for the last time. Tillman lasted only 3 2/3 innings in today's start in Kansas City, allowing eight runs and 10 hits to raise his ERA to 7.16. I wonder if manager Buck Showalter will mention pitch sequences again in his post-game session with the media. Tillman threw a flat breaking ball on a 2-2 count to the Royals' No. 8 hitter, Brayan Pena, in the fourth inning. He threw the same pitch with the count...

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Statement from Simon

May 05, 2011, 10:45am

Orioles

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...