Taking a glance at Hobgood

Taking a glance at Hobgood
Matt Hobgood took the mound today for the Gulf Coast League Orioles and made quick work of the GCL Twins, retiring the side in order in the first inning on three ground balls. Ryan Berry, a ninth-round pick out of Rice in 2009, replaced him in the second. Hobgood, 20, had been rehabbing a strained rotator cuff at extended spring training. Today marked his return to affiliated game action. Afterward, he tweeted the following on @Matt_Hobgood48: "Feels great to be back in games again. Arm was...

Anthony Amobi: Should O's fans be worried about Brian Matusz?

Anthony Amobi: Should O's fans be worried about Brian Matusz?
There's been a lot said about the Orioles' Brian Matusz going into this season. As the O's are still in a rebuilding phase - despite the addition of talent onto the roster - how they will do next season and beyond will depend on their pitching. Well, Matusz is an essential part of that and everyone is hoping for the best for him and the young supply of arms in the organization. Although Matusz started 2010 on a pretty rough note, and included a stretch where he only won one start in the...

For the O's, usually the first is the worst

For the O's, usually the first is the worst
The Orioles, who took a 5-0 lead in the first inning tonight at Pittsburgh, began this game as major league's lowest-scoring first inning team. They come in averaging just 0.26 first-inning runs per game to rank last in the majors. 0.26 - Orioles 0.29 - Seattle 0.32 - Oakland 0.36 - Kansas City and Washington The Yankees lead the majors in scoring with 0.76 first inning runs per game. The O's got five runs on six hits in the big inning as Adam Jones delivered a two-run single and they got...

A fresh realignment proposal courtesy of Tom Davis

A fresh realignment proposal courtesy of Tom Davis
With the Basic Agreement expiring at the end of the season, players and team owners are thinking about realignment. The reason this is being discussed is that both sides want more equity within division races. The thought is that it is unfair for six teams in the National League Central to compete for a title while the American League West has four teams. Realignment ideas range from blowing up both leagues as we know them and creating new divisions to moving one NL team to the AL. For...

Checking on the Pirates past and present

Checking on the Pirates past and present
The Orioles have lost two World Series against the Pirates, in 1971 and 1979. Tomorrow night, before Game Two of their series with the Orioles, the Pirates will celebrate the 40th anniversary of that 1971 team. The Orioles won the first two games, by scores of 5-3 and 11-3 at home, but then lost three straight in Pittsburgh. When that series returned to Baltimore, the O's Game Six win was followed by a 2-1 Game Seven loss with Steve Blass besting Mike Cuellar. The Orioles and Pirates will...

Orioles and Pirates lineups

Orioles and Pirates lineups
Luke Scott told reporters in Pittsburgh that his back feels better, but Felix Pie gets the start tonight in left field. Also, the Sun's Jeff Zrebiec tweeted that Brian Matusz expects to start Friday night against the Reds at Camden Yards. He says the hamstring is 100 percent. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Derrek Lee 1B Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie LF Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP For the Pirates: Jose Tabata LF Josh Harrison 3B Andrew...

Monday Memory: Earl Weaver's swansong in 1982

Monday Memory: Earl Weaver's swansong in 1982
For a generation of Orioles fans, watching former O's skipper Earl Weaver throw out of the first pitch at the 2011 home opener at Camden Yards probably wasn't all that nostalgic. After all, do they really remember the fiery manager who routinely won American League pennants and pushed the buttons that allowed the Orioles to reach four World Series during his Hall of Fame tenure? Back in December, no less a journalistic authority than the New York Times mistakenly reported that Weaver had...

Anthony Amobi: Grateful for my all-time favorite ballplayer

Anthony Amobi: Grateful for my all-time favorite ballplayer
As long as I have been an Orioles fan, I have always had one name in my mind: Frank Robinson. For me growing up, Frank Robinson was an iconic symbol unlike any other. I always tell everyone Cal Ripken Jr. was my favorite all-time Oriole growing up, but Frank was my all-time favorite ballplayer. Honestly, due to my age, I really didn't see him play at all - well, except on videotape. Really, the only link to his legend for me as a fan was hearing stories about him from other fans that had...

Chance for big inning fizzles (updated three times)

Chance for big inning fizzles (updated three times)
WASHINGTON - The Orioles can't seem to get that one big hit that opens the flood gates. They loaded the bases with no outs in the second inning on Derrek Lee's leadoff single - his eighth hit of the series - third baseman Ryan Zimmerman's throwing error and Mark Reynolds' infield hit. Craig Tatum, batting seventh, grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Lee scored, but he was the only one. Robert Andino grounded out to end the inning. Opportunity wasted. In case you're wondering, Tatum is...

Matusz update, Derrek Lee batting cleanup today

Matusz update, Derrek Lee batting cleanup today
WASHINGTON - The Orioles will try to avoid a sweep today while anointing Chris Jakubauskas the stopper in this rotation - at least for a day. Brian Matusz says his left hamstring is a little sore today, as expected, but he feels much better, his mobility is good and he expects to make his next start. He'll play catch today. "It feels good," he said. "It's a little sore today, but my mobility's really good. My flexiblity's there. It's just a little sore from the cramping. We're going...

Showalter speaks after 4-2 loss

Showalter speaks after 4-2 loss
WASHINGTON - The Orioles have lost four of five games on this road trip and are a season-high six games under .500, but at least they're not healthy. Let's review today's physical issues: Luke Scott left the game with back spasms and is day-to-day. Brian Matusz left the game with cramping in his left hamstring and is questionable to make his next start, though manager Buck Showalter seemed encouraged after today's 4-2 loss to the Nationals. Buck Showalter gives updates for several...

Matusz leaves game with hamstring cramping

Matusz leaves game with hamstring cramping
WASHINGTON - A fairly promising start for Brian Matusz, at least statistically, has ended prematurely when he walked off the field with head athletic trainer Richie Bancells in the bottom of the sixth. The game was tied 1-1 heading into the inning. Ryan Zimmerman doubled with one out and Michael Morse hit an opposite-field two-run homer to give Washington a 3-1 lead. Danny Espinosa singled and stole second base as left-hander Clay Rapada began to warm up. With a 3-1 count on Jerry Hairston...

Scott leaves game (updated), Matusz through third, Bergesen talks

Scott leaves game (updated), Matusz through third, Bergesen talks
WASHINGTON - Derrek Lee is 2-for-2 today, making him 7-for-7 in this series. Felix Pie pinch-hit for Luke Scott in the fourth inning and singled to right field to move Lee to third base after a one-out double. No word yet on why Scott came out of the game. Update: Scott left the game with mid-back spasms. He's day-to-day. Maybe Jeremy Guthrie is contagious. Brian Matusz has allowed one run in three innings, on Ryan Zimmerman's shot into the last row of seats in left field, and it's a...

Nationals and Orioles all even at 1-1 early

Nationals and Orioles all even at 1-1 early
The Nationals and Orioles under way in their fifth meeting of the season. Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz is facing Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmerman. With a victory, the Nationals can guarantee at least a season split with the Birds. Washington has won both series hold on,openers by a combined score of 25-9. The Orioles got to Zimmermann early with a solo homer by Adam Jones in the top of the first. The blast to left field came with two men out. The Nationals countered with the...

Davis ready to debut

Davis ready to debut
WASHINGTON - Blake Davis didn't receive an invitation to spring training this year. He remained in a utility role at Triple-A Norfolk, mostly playing right field but also getting starts in the infield. He wasn't a leading candidate to make his major league debut this summer. Anything can happen in this game. Davis, 27, had his contract purchased and will be on the bench for today's game against the Nationals. He batted .284 (52-for-183) with five home runs and 24 RBIs in 49 games with the...

Orioles and Nationals lineups

Orioles and Nationals lineups
WASHINGTON - Blake Davis will wear No. 28. Following in the footsteps of Radhames Dykoff. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Derrek Lee 1B Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP For the Nationals: Werth RF Desmond SS Zimmerman 3B Morse 1B Espinosa 2B Hairston LF Rodriguez C Zimmermann RHP Bernadina CF

O's recall Bergesen, select Davis' contract from Triple-A Norfolk

O's recall Bergesen, select Davis' contract from Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles announced today that they have recalled right-hander Brad Bergesen and selected the contract of infielder Blake Davis from Triple-A Norfolk. To make room for Bergesen and Davis, the Orioles optioned infielder Ryan Adams to Norfolk and designated right-hander Jeremy Accardo for assignment. Bergesen, 25, has appeared in 10 games (nine starts) for the Orioles this year, going 1-6 with a 5.36 ERA (50.1IP, 30ER). In three starts for the Tides, Bergesen was 2-1 with a 1.64 ERA (22.0IP,...

Here today, gone today (updated)

Here today, gone today (updated)
I left my house yesterday at 1:32 p.m. I arrived home at 1:32 a.m. I didn't plan it that way. Manager Buck Showalter suggests that we "sleep fast." Well, it went quickly for me. I'm ready to get back in my car and make the hour-long drive to Nationals Park, where the clubhouse will have a different look. Brad Bergesen is back. That shuttle must be getting old for him. And Blake Davis has reached the majors for the first time after being a fourth-round pick in 2006 out of Cal-State...

No relief in sight

No relief in sight
WASHINGTON - Jeremy Accardo replaced Zach Britton and retired one of the four batters he faced. He issued a leadoff walk to Wilson Ramos, gave up a double to former Oriole Jerry Hairston Jr. and walked reliever Sean Burnett before Roger Bernadina flied to left. Accardo is charged with three runs after Jayson Werth's RBI single and Ian Desmond's sacrifice fly off reliever Jason Berken. Nationals 7, Orioles 4. Accardo has been scored upon in four straight appearances and five of six, and his...

Orioles tie game, waste more chances

Orioles tie game, waste more chances
WASHINGTON - Welcome to National League baseball, where the starting pitcher is removed after five innings and 81 pitches, and another pitcher is used as a pinch-runner. Vladimir Guerrero batted for Zach Britton in the top of the sixth and lined an RBI single into center field off reliever Todd Coffey. Chris Jakubauskas, scheduled to face the Nationals on Sunday, pinch-ran for him. J.J. Hardy's sacrifice fly scored Robert Andino, who doubled with one out, to tie the game, 4-4. The Orioles...