Tillman can't clear the fifth

Tillman can't clear the fifth
Alex Avila has struck again. Get this guy out of town. Avila homered and drove in five runs last night, and his solo homer tonight broke a 2-2 tie in the fifth inning. Keep in mind that Avila had one RBI before last night. A two-out double by Brennan Boesch scored Will Rhymes, who walked, and knocked Chris Tillman out of the game. Tillman threw 97 pitches, 59 for strikes, in 4 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs and six hits, with two walks and four strikeouts. His fastball stayed in that...

Bullpen not being saved (updated)

Bullpen not being saved (updated)
Manager Buck Showalter needs Chris Tillman to pitch deep into tonight's game and save his bullpen after Brad Bergesen's abbreviated start last night. So far, the plan isn't working. Tillman threw 32 pitches in the first inning, and the Tigers parlayed four singles into a 2-0 lead. Don Kelly bailed out Tillman by bouncing into a 6-3 double play to end the inning. The fourth single, by Victor Martinez, came on a ball that caromed off the out-of-town scoreboard in right. Will Rhymes,...

Izturis replaces Hardy

Izturis replaces Hardy
We have another lineup change. Shortstop J.J. Hardy is a late scratch. Cesar Izturis will replace him and bat ninth. We're waiting for an explanation. Also, if tomorrow night's game is postponed because of rain, the Orioles would play a day-night doubleheader on Saturday. The Rangers don't return to Camden Yards, so the game would have to be made up during this homestand. The Orioles have an open date on their schedule Monday, but the Rangers are in Detroit.

Scott added to lineup

Scott added to lineup
Luke Scott took batting practice, ran and threw without any issues. His groin injury has improved to the point where he can play tonight. Scott moves to left field, and Felix Pie goes to the bench. Here's the new lineup: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Tillman RHP

Pregame Showalter

Pregame Showalter
Jeremy Guthrie said his fever spiked at 103 degrees over the weekend. "Just a tick below my fastball," he said. Glad to see he hasn't lost his sense of humor. Guthrie is playing catch again today and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session tomorrow. The Orioles will have to determine afterward whether he's able to make Sunday's start, because they would need time to bring up his replacement from Triple-A Norfolk. One option is to push back Guthrie until Tuesday in New York. An early...

Quick hits and Tigers lineup

Quick hits and Tigers lineup
Luke Scott isn't in the lineup again tonight, but don't write it in ink. Manager Buck Showalter left open the possibility that Scott could replace Felix Pie in left field. It depends how Scott feels after batting practice. Showalter felt an obligation to post a lineup in fairness to his players, but he's ready to make the switch in left field if Scott is able to start. Also, Jeremy Guthrie will play catch again today and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session tomorrow. He's still a...

Tillman's time again

Tillman's time again
Chris Tillman competed for the job as the Orioles' fifth starter. Then he became the No. 3 starter. Then he became the No. 2 starter. Tonight, he's being asked to serve as the stopper. The Orioles already have a pitching coach, so that job is out, but it's been an interesting progression for the young right-hander. The club is coming off its first deficit of the 2011 season, followed by its first loss. Perfection is out of reach - something I learned at a very early age. Tillman is...

Showalter time

Showalter time
Maybe the off-day came at a bad time after all. The Orioles won't win every game this season. The 1972 Miami Dolphins can pop the corks on those chilled champagne bottles. Here are some comments from manager Buck Showalter after a 7-3 loss to the Tigers: Buck Showalter meets with the media after the O's first loss of the season On Brad Bergesen: "He hadn't pitched in a game in a long time. We were hoping to get him through four to six in that pitch count. He got some counts in his...

Guthrie unsure whether he'll start Sunday

Guthrie unsure whether he'll start Sunday
Jeremy Guthrie played catch from 90 feet today and will do more throwing tomorrow at Camden Yards. Otherwise, he says there is "no set plan." Guthrie told me a few minutes ago in a brief phone call that he's doing much better "after feeling the worst I ever felt Saturday night." However, he isn't sure whether he'll make Sunday's start. Guthrie, who began having aches and pains Saturday night, which led doctors to diagnose him with a form of pneumonia, said he doesn't know whether a...

162-0 in jeopardy, Lee homers (updated)

162-0 in jeopardy, Lee homers (updated)
If the Orioles plan on going undefeated this season, they'll need to tighten up the pitching and defense. At least the offense woke up. Justin Verlander retired the first 10 batters before Nick Markakis walked and Derrek Lee homered to right field. Lee's first homer and RBIs sliced the Tigers' lead to 4-2. Manager Buck Showalter said earlier today that "somebody's going to pay" because it looked like Lee's bat was coming around. I guess the Tigers were that somebody. Brad Bergesen...

Checking on Guthrie (and game update)

Checking on Guthrie (and game update)
I'm still not a huge fan of Twitter, though I know it's necessary in this day and age and it's slowly winning me over, but it's become a convenient tool for tracking Jeremy Guthrie's health. Guthrie just, yes, tweeted the following: "Just got cleared to play short distance catch today by team Dr...yeeaa! Will take things slowly this week and see how body reacts." My question is, how slowly? He's tentatively scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Rangers at Camden Yards, but he'll...

Scott available to pinch-hit tonight (updated)

Scott available to pinch-hit tonight (updated)
Tonight's lineup doesn't include Luke Scott, but his groin injury has improved enough that he's available to pinch-hit if needed. Scott hasn't played since leaving Saturday night's game for a pinch-runner. "Luke feels a lot better today," Showalter said. "I feel like he's getting close. I could probably use him to pinch-hit tonight. It's something I didn't feel real comfortable with the day before yesterday. He's gone out and run some with Richie (Bancells). Came in yesterday for...

Guthrie "very tentative" for Sunday

Guthrie "very tentative" for Sunday
Orioles manager Buck Showalter listed Jeremy Guthrie as "very tentative" for Sunday's start against the Rangers at Camden Yards. Guthrie was released from the hospital earlier today after being treated for a form of pneumonia. Brad Bergesen is taking Guthrie's turn on the mound tonight. "I'm not sure if he's going to show up at the park or not," Showalter said of Guthrie, who tossed eight scoreless innings in Friday night's season-opener against the Rays. "Dr. (William) Goldiner,...

It's Bergesen's turn (updated)

It's Bergesen's turn (updated)
My off-day is over and it's back to work. The two entries I filed yesterday, plus calling into "The John Riggins Show" on MASN and Steve Melewski's show on 105.7 The Fan, seemed more like a mini-vacation compared to the spring training and opening day workloads. I swung by Liberatore's to say hello to a few people and pick up cream of crab soup for my daughter - one of her favorites - and received a tab that included $2,700 for "lost revenue." That trip to Sarasota was more costly...

Guthrie remains hospitalized

Guthrie remains hospitalized
Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail received an encouraging report from head athletic trainer Richie Bancell earlier today concerning pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, who missed the home opener after being diagnosed with a form of pneumonia. "I was told there's no infection, which is good news. Nothing terribly contagious. He's doing better. All of that is a plus," MacPhail said. Guthrie is expected to remain hospitalized overnight, but could be released tomorrow. Brad...

Orioles have four shining moments

Orioles have four shining moments
My one shining moment came when I missed the first half of last night's UConn-Butler game. What a stinker. I've seen better basketball at the local Y. Jeremy Guthrie is remaining in good spirits despite missing the Orioles' home opener. He tweeted the following last night: "Initially thought I had BieberFever but turns out I have pneumonia. Feeling better but got myself an overnight stay at hospital. Go #Orioles." You can follow him: @JGuthrie46. And myself, of course: @masnRoch....

Showalter talks about Weaver and Tyler

Showalter talks about Weaver and Tyler
I can't pack up and leave the press box without passing along manager Buck Showalter's thoughts on catching the ceremonial first pitch from Earl Weaver and watching the video tribute to Ernie Tyler, who passed away in February. "Looking at the emotion in Earl there and how much he means to the people here in Baltimore and how special the time was that he allowed us to spend with him in spring training...there's a lot of vinegar there," Showalter said. "You can tell how much the Orioles...

Showalter time

Showalter time
Manager Buck Showalter hit on a variety of topics after today's 5-1 victory over the Tigers. Here's a sampler platter for you. It's made for sharing. No napkins required. Showalter couldn't possibly ask any more from his starters after four games. "No, you couldn't, especially with some of the challenges we've faced with Matusz and Duchscherer and a couple line drives off pitching arms toward the end of spring training," he said. "And now Bergy's going to have to pick up the slack...

Guthrie diagnosed with form of pneumonia

Guthrie diagnosed with form of pneumonia
Jeremy Guthrie will remain hospitalized overnight after being diagnosed with a form of pneumonia, according to manager Buck Showalter. Guthrie has been scratched from Wednesday's start against the Tigers at Camden Yards. Brad Bergesen will take his place. The Orioles are hoping that Guthrie can take the ball on April 10, the original date that Bergesen was supposed to debut, against the Rangers at Camden Yards. No roster move is forthcoming. Guthrie blanked the Rays on three hits over eight...

Arrieta follows tough acts

Arrieta follows tough acts
Earl Weaver has to be loving this team. A four-man rotation and three-run homers. It could be 1970. Koji Uehara has the sideburns for it. Jake Arrieta held the Tigers to one run and six hits over six innings, with two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 99 pitches, 60 for strikes. Not a particularly clean outing, but it was quality. Orioles starters have allowed two runs and 12 hits in 26 innings through four games. Remember when the rotation was the No. 1 concern as the Orioles broke...