Bergesen in Baltimore, good news on Hardy (updated twice)

Bergesen in Baltimore, good news on Hardy (updated twice)
Brad Bergesen hasn't reported to Triple-A Norfolk and won't make tonight's scheduled start in Gwinnett. He's still in Baltimore, waiting to find out whether he'll be recalled to start Wednesday night in New York. A team official said a final decision hasn't been made, but it's fair to speculate that Bergesen will get the assignment. The Orioles can recall Bergesen in fewer than 10 days because he'll be replacing shortstop J.J. Hardy, who will go on the disabled list. An MRI today...
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Matthew Taylor: Here's hoping Birds take wing in The Bronx

Matthew Taylor: Here's hoping Birds take wing in The Bronx
The Orioles begin their season series with the Yankees on Tuesday. The last time the teams met, the O's posted an improbable 4-3 victory in 11 innings at Camden Yards. Luke Scott homered off Mariano Rivera in the ninth, and the Birds used good fortune - and even better managing - to escape unscathed in the 11th inning after the Yankees put a runner on third with nobody out. It was a thrilling game, made more special for me by the fact that I was there with my dad and my wife. Dad and I still...
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Ripken reflects

Ripken reflects
The Orioles aren't playing tonight, so they'll need to wait a little longer to end the first losing streak of 2011. I'm still impressed that Jeremy Guthrie gave the Orioles six quality innings yesterday, less than a week after being hospitalized with pneumonia. That was one of the guttier performances we'll witness on this club in any season. If I had a vote, I'd want the Orioles to recall Brad Bergesen to make Wednesday's start in New York. I think he gives you a better chance to...
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Markakis: "The first week we did pretty damn good."

Markakis: "The first week we did pretty damn good."
One year after dealing with a miserable 2-16 start, these are better times for the Orioles. Even after losing the last two games against Texas, the club is off to a 6-3 start and in first place in their division. "I say it's good," O's outfielder Nick Markakis said of the club's start. "We've got a winning record and we just played a really good ballclub. It's not like we got blown out, we played close games with the exception of one. I think, overall in the first week we did pretty...
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Guthrie talks about his outing vs. Texas

Guthrie talks about his outing vs. Texas
Pitching just a couple of days after getting out of the hospital, O's right-hander Jeremy Guthrie threw well versus Texas Sunday, even if he didn't feel 100 percent or have some of his usual velocity. "Legs felt good, but it's a strange feeling. I don't breathe very well and I get tired," said Guthrie, who had a form of pneumonia. "It's like you running a few sprints and being tired. Normally I can run a bunch of sprints before I get tired, now one of them makes me tired. It takes a...
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Postgame Showalter

Postgame Showalter
Manager Buck Showalter summed up a 3-0 loss to the Rangers that included Ian Kinsler's two-run shot off Jim Johnson in the seventh inning and left the Orioles 3-3 on their first homestand of 2011. "Home runs hurt us today," Showalter said. "Obviously, we gave in a little bit there on Kinsler. I like our chances there 1-0. But we had the tying run at the plate more than once and some good people there who over the course of the season will deliver." Buck Showalter meets with the media to...
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Two-thirds of the rotation for New York

Two-thirds of the rotation for New York
Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Chris Tillman is the likely starter for Tuesday night's series opener against the Yankees. Jake Arrieta will start Thursday over left-hander Zach Britton, who will take the ball Friday in Cleveland. Showalter wants to give Britton an extra day to rest after his extended Game 1 start yesterday. The Orioles are still listing Wednesday's starter as TBA. Chris Jakubauskas is one possibility if they stay in-house, but they also could call up a pitcher while...
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Guthrie returns, but Rangers beat O's to take series finale

Guthrie returns, but Rangers beat O's to take series finale
Jeremy Guthrie returned to the mound for the first time since the O's season opener today. He pitched well, but it did not lead to a win. Texas takes two of three from the Orioles, winning 3-0 today behind Derek Holland in front of 21,452 at Camden Yards. The Orioles, who begin a series Tuesday in New York, fall to 6-3 while the Rangers are 8-1. The Orioles scored five runs over the first three innings Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader. But since that point, they have scored just...
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Will Britton face the Yankees?

Will Britton face the Yankees?
The never-ending saga of the changing Orioles rotation will play out next in New York as the O's begin a series at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. All the starters for that series are officially listed right now as TBA. Manager Buck Showalter said today that Chris Tillman will pitch either Tuesday or Wednesday. It could be that Brad Bergesen's time in the minors will be very short and he returns to pitch the other game. Bergesen was just sent out yesterday, but could return before 10 days...
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Texas hold 'em (updated)

Texas hold 'em (updated)
The Orioles almost scored the tying run in the fifth inning. Then they didn't. Then they almost did again. They they didn't. John Russell held up his arms to hold Nick Markakis at third base on Derrek Lee's two-out double into the left-field corner. Markakis, his head down, initially ran through the stop sign, then slammed on the brakes and started back toward third. The relay throw skipped past Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba, causing Markakis to take a few strides toward home again. He...
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The RISP stat

The RISP stat
The Orioles entered today with a team batting average of just .220, but they were batting .400 with runners in scoring position at 18-for-45 through eight games. You can't keep that pace up and they haven't. Today they are 0-for-2 with RISP and Mark Reynolds has been the guy up both times. Reynolds, after getting several clutch hits the last few days, today struck out with runners on first and third in the first. He then grounded out with second and third in the third. Keep in mind,...
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Guthrie through three (updated)

Guthrie through three (updated)
Jeremy Guthrie has allowed one hit and walked a batter in three innings in his first start since April 1. His fastball is clocked at 91-92 mph. Adrian Beltre reached on Mark Reynolds' throwing error leading off the second. Ian Kinsler lined a single to center with two outs in the third and Michael Young walked on four pitches. Josh Hamilton followed with a long drive to right, but Nick Markakis made a nice grab against the fence to end the rally. Markakis didn't budge for a few seconds...
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O's select contract of Jakubauskas, send Bergesen to Triple-A Norfolk

O's select contract of Jakubauskas, send Bergesen to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Chris Jakubauskas and added him to the 40-man roster. To make room for Jakubauskas on the 25-man roster, they have optioned right-hander Brad Bergesen to Triple-A Norfolk. Jakubauskas appeared in five games for the Orioles in spring training, allowing no runs and four hits in 6.1 innings of work. In 36 career games over two major league seasons with the Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates, Jakubauskas is 6-8...
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Talking to Showalter

Talking to Showalter
Manager Buck Showalter took a seat in the interview room this morning, saw the recorders lined up in front of him and said, "I don't think anything's changed since three hours ago." Showalter advised us last night to "sleep fast." It's been a quick turnaround since Game 2. Here are some topics that Showalter covered while the Orioles and Rangers took batting practice: On waiting until tomorrow or early Tuesday to make a roster move: "We'll see how we get through today's games and...
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Manny Machado gets off to a good start with Delmarva

Manny Machado gets off to a good start with Delmarva
O's top shortstop prospect Manny Machado has gotten his first full season of minor league baseball off to a good start. He is 3-for-7 through three games with Single-A Delmarva with a triple and three RBIs. He has already walked five times in the three games and has an OPS of 1.381. He served as the DH in Game Two of their twin bill last night. Delmarva is 2-1 with a 2.25 team ERA and will send Jacob Pettit to the mound today at home against Greensboro. Triple-A Norfolk was rained out last...
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A few pregame notes

A few pregame notes
Brad Bergesen could be recalled to start one of the games in New York while shortstop J.J. Hardy goes on the disabled list. Bergesen wouldn't have to stay in the minors for the minimum 10 days if he's replacing an injured player. Chris Tillman will start Tuesday or Wednesday in New York. Bergesen could take the other turn. We definitely know that Jeremy Guthrie is starting today. The rest will be sorted out later. Manager Buck Showalter must decide between Zach Britton or Jake Arrieta for...
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Matusz gets set to take the next step in Sarasota

Matusz gets set to take the next step in Sarasota
Brian Matusz said he is optimistic about his rehab process, which will continue starting tomorrow at the Orioles' spring home in Sarasota, Fla. Matusz went on the disabled list April 3, retroactive to March 30, with a strained left intercostal muscle. He said he has not had any pain for the last four days, yet he has not yet been cleared to throw or even play catch. Matusz is not sure when he might get back with the team and take the mound again. "I honestly don't know," he said. "I...
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Monday Memory: Welcome home, Natty Boh!

Monday Memory: Welcome home, Natty Boh!
Judging solely by the number of people clamoring to have their photo taken with Mr. Boh on opening day, I'd say the return of National Bohemian - Natty Boh for short - to Camden Yards for the first time since 1992 is a toast-worthy occasion. So hoist your frosty, cold mug o' brew (and, for a moment, conveniently ignore that the beer once brewed on the shores of the Chesapeake, well, isn't any longer) and enjoy this 1960s television ad for what was once the official frothy libation of the...
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Today's lineup includes Fox in LF (with Rangers lineup)

Today's lineup includes Fox in LF (with Rangers lineup)
Jake Fox is getting another start today, but it's in left field against Rangers left-hander Derek Holland. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Adam Jones CF Jake Fox LF Matt Wieters C Robert Andino SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP Here's the Rangers lineup: Ian Kinsler 2B Michael Young DH Josh Hamilton LF Adrian Beltre 3B Nelson Cruz RF Mitch Moreland 1B Yorvit Torrealba C Andres Blanco SS Julio Borbon CF Derek Holland LHP
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No roster move today

No roster move today
Unless something changes abruptly, the Orioles won't make a roster move today. They're inclined to wait until tomorrow's off-day to place shortstop J.J. Hardy on the disabled list. Hardy is scheduled to undergo an MRI tomorrow after being diagnosed last night with a strained left oblique, an injury that routinely leads a player to the DL. The Orioles must decide on a corresponding roster move. It could involve a pitcher or backup catcher Craig Tatum. One reason why the Orioles don't...
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