Orioles announce new military appreciation program

Orioles announce new military appreciation program
The Orioles are fortunate to be surrounded by dedicated military personnel throughout the region, and the organization is grateful for all of those who risk their lives each day for our country. In that spirit, as we approach Memorial Day, the club is proud to announce support for military members and their families through a variety of exclusive ticket offers, suite donations and special gameday activities. ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM TICKET DISCOUNTS AT EVERY GAME: The Orioles...

Great news for the Frederick Keys franchise

Great news for the Frederick Keys franchise
The news came out yesterday, not long after I wrote this story about concern over the future for the Single-A Frederick Keys. The City of Frederick yesterday selected the Keys over an Atlantic League team to negotiate a new lease with to play in Harry Grove Stadium starting next year. This comes as great news and should mean the Keys, who have played as an Orioles' affiliate in Frederick since 1989, should continue there and remain aligned with the Orioles - hopefully for many, many years to...

Baltimore left quite an impression on ex-Oriole Jackie Brandt

Baltimore left quite an impression on ex-Oriole Jackie Brandt
For his involvement in some of baseball's most memorable moments and his associations with some of the game's greats, ex-Orioles outfielder Jackie Brandt's career as a baseball journeyman was anything but ordinary. As a rookie in 1956, he lockered next to Stan Musial with the St. Louis Cardinals. As a San Francisco Giant, he played in the outfield alongside Willie Mays. In Baltimore, Brooks Robinson was a teammate. Ted Williams' fabled home run in his final career at-bat in 1960 sailed...

Anthony Amobi: Future is uncertain, but Britton's present is certainly enjoyable

Anthony Amobi: Future is uncertain, but Britton's present is certainly enjoyable
It's way too soon to christen Zach Britton the ace of a pitching staff. However, based on his starts for the Orioles so far, he may be it. As of right now, it is accurate to say that he is exceeding expectations. Most thought that Britton would be solid, perhaps go through the school of hard knocks at the major league level. Rather than coming off as a fresh-faced rookie - which Britton basically still is - he's pitching like a tenured, proven major league veteran at the moment. To win...

Wieters, Jones have emerged as real bright spots

Wieters, Jones have emerged as real bright spots
A caller to my radio show last night on the 105.7 FM The Fan in Baltimore asked me a question: Which ending was more exciting - Matt Wieters' caught stealing double play that ended Sunday's game or Adam Jones' walk-off homer last night in the ninth against Kansas City? Both were exciting finishes, but that was an easy one for me. I went with the walk-off homer. As this season marches on and the Orioles are past the quarter-pole and approaching the one-third point into this season, the...

Decision day is getting close for the future of the Frederick Keys (with update)

Decision day is getting close for the future of the Frederick Keys (with update)
There will be an important decision coming soon that could impact the Orioles' minor leagues: whether the Single-A Frederick Keys will continue to play in Frederick and at Harry Grove Stadium beyond this season. The City of Frederick sought and received two requests for proposals that seek to be awarded the lease to play in that stadium in 2012. The Keys filed a request and so did the independent Atlantic League, through owner Peter Kirk. The city will pick one of the two that filed requests...

Tuesdays with worry (plus notes)

Tuesdays with worry (plus notes)
We made it through an entire day and night without a roster move, though I set my alarm for 11:59 p.m. in case the Orioles were trying to sneak a press release past me. It should be fairly quiet today. No game, no players sent packing, no medical examinations, no injury rehab starts. If I'm keeping track properly, infielder Cesar Izturis will undergo his elbow surgery tomorrow in Baltimore. Second baseman Brian Roberts will be examined by a concussion specialist tomorrow in Pittsburgh....

Anthony Amobi: Are Roberts' injuries an ominous sign?

Anthony Amobi: Are Roberts' injuries an ominous sign?
It's been a frustrating past two seasons for Brian Roberts. For the most part, he's one the most prominent faces of the franchise and the longest-tenured Oriole on the roster. However, he's not played much due to back issues, concussions and various illnesses that have popped up. It's been a hard road for the second baseman and I'm sure Roberts must be far angrier by the state of his own affairs than even the most ardent Orioles fan. At the moment, he is on the seven-day disabled list...

Monday Memory: When battles between Baltimore, D.C. were commonplace

Monday Memory: When battles between Baltimore, D.C. were commonplace
The first weekend of interleague play is over, and any further bragging rights associated with the Battle of the Beltways will have to hold off until the Orioles travel to the banks of the Anacostia River to face the Nationals June 17-19. It's going to take some time before Major League Baseball gets it wish, a thriving rivalry between two teams separated by about 35 miles of the Gladys Noon Spellman Memorial Parkway (or the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Route 295, to those of you who didn't...

Anthony Amobi: Guerrero has been an entertaining addition for O's

Anthony Amobi: Guerrero has been an entertaining addition for O's
Most fans know that Vladmir Guerrero will be headed to the Hall of Fame at some point. Guerrero's tenure with the Baltimore Orioles will be a pit stop en route to baseball immortality in a career filled with a World Series appearance, big hits, a golden arm and the ability to hit the ball thrown anywhere within a hitter's zone, or out of it. At one time, he rivaled anyone in the sport's history before his knees gave out. Any coach in the sport would never teach Guerrero's approach at the...

Multiple at-bats helping Stairs get back into a rhythm

Multiple at-bats helping Stairs get back into a rhythm
BALTIMORE - The Nationals found themselves down Saturday 4-2 in the top of the sixth inning against Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie. Following an Ian Desmond line out, Laynce Nix drew a walk and Jayson Werth smacked a solid single to get men on first and second. Designated hitter Matt Stairs stepped in and had a chance to get Washington back in the game. But Stairs grounded into an inning ending 4-6-3 double play. It was one of the few opportunities against Guthrie that the Nationals were...

Orioles and Nationals lineups

Orioles and Nationals lineups
For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Luke Scott 1B Mark Reynolds 3B J.J. Hardy SS Robert Andino 2B Chris Tillman RHP For the Nationals: Bernadina CF Desmond SS Nix LF Werth RF Ramos DH Morse 1B Espinosa 2B Rodriguez C Cora 3B Zimmermann P

Guthrie gets first win since April 1

Guthrie gets first win since April 1
Left-hander Brian Matusz has held Erie to two hits over four scoreless innings tonight at Double-A Bowie. He's walked one and struck out none. I don't know if it qualified as a monkey on Jeremy Guthrie's back, or the weight of the world, but he should feel a bit lighter after today's 8-3 victory over the Nationals. Guthrie hadn't won since the season opener at Tropicana Field. It sure helps when a team scores runs for you. If you doubted it, well, here's your proof. "The team swung...

Matusz talks about his six shutout innings tonight at Bowie

Matusz talks about his six shutout innings tonight at Bowie
BOWIE, Md. - Brian Matusz has completed his work tonight at Double-A Bowie and left with a three-hit shutout and 2-0 lead after six innings and 70 pitches. Matusz gave up a bunt single in the second, a double in the fourth and an infield single in the sixth. Only three runners reached second base against him and two of those did that with stolen bases. He will meet with Buck Showalter and pitching coach Mark Connor tomorrow at Camden Yards to determine whether his next start will be in the...

O's activate Simon from restricted list, move Izturis to 60-day DL

O's activate Simon from restricted list, move Izturis to 60-day DL
The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated right-hander Alfredo Simon from the Restricted List. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, infielder Cesar Izturis has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Simon made three rehab starts at Double-A Bowie, going 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA (16.0IP, 6ER), striking out 17 and walking five. He saved 17 games for the O's in 2010 after having his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk on April 27. Izturis was placed on the 15-day...

Marquis upset, but understands pitching change against Orioles

Marquis upset, but understands pitching change against Orioles
BALTIMORE, Md. - Nationals starter Jason Marquis was the beneficiary of six runs early on from the offense for his second straight start, but this time he was not around long enough to factor into the decision. It was the first no decision for Marquis since way back on April 10. Marquis managed to get through the first two frames unscathed, but the Orioles scored three runs in the third inning, benefiting from a Roger Bernadina misplay in center field that allowed two runs to score with two...

Jason Berken optioned to Triple-A Norfolk

Jason Berken optioned to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned right-handed pitcher Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk. Berken appeared in 15 games for the Orioles and was 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA (17.0IP, 15 ER). A corresponding roster move will be announced at a later time.

Orioles select contract of Adams, recall Reimold; Patton designated for assignment

Orioles select contract of Adams, recall Reimold; Patton designated for assignment
The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of infielder Ryan Adams from Triple-A Norfolk and recalled outfielder Nolan Reimold from the Tides. In addition, left-handed pitcher Troy Patton has been designated for assignment off the 25-man roster. Adams batted .303/.373/.434 in 39 games for the Tides and will make his major league debut with the Orioles. He batted .526/.550/.947 with two doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs in 17 spring training games as a non-roster...

Adams in lineup (with Nationals lineup)

Adams in lineup (with Nationals lineup)
The Orioles haven't announced today's roster moves, but check out who's starting at second base. For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Luke Scott 1B J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 3B Ryan Adams 2B Jake Arrieta RHP Adams is wearing No. 6. Reimold retained No. 14. For the Nationals: Roger Bernadina CF Ian Desmond SS Laynce Nix LF Jayson Werth RF Matt Stairs DH Adam LaRoche 1B Wilson Ramos C Danny Espinosa 2B Jerry Hairston...

Looking back and ahead

Looking back and ahead
So Michael Gonzalez gets ejected for hitting Chris Dickerson without intent, but CC Sabathia only gets a warning for drilling Nick Markakis in the back - which he clearly intended to do - and Amaury Sanit isn't ejected for hitting Brandon Snyder despite both benches being warned. It's left to the discretion of the plate umpire. I guess that explains it. I've heard that the television camera adds 10 pounds. I just wonder how many cameras were pointed at CC Sabathia last night. Sabathia...