orioles

Calling Triple-A

April 17, 2011, 10:58am

Orioles

No, the Orioles aren't calling up anyone from Triple-A Norfolk. The Tides, off to a 1-8 start, are leading Charlotte, 8-1, in the bottom of the fifth inning. That's what I call a reversal. Mike Ballard has allowed one run and four hits, walked one and struck out seven. He signed a minor league deal and didn't receive a spring training invite, though he got into five games and racked up a 10.00 ERA. Nick Green and Brendan Harris have homered today for the Tides. Green has four...

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Bergesen's day is done (updated)

April 17, 2011, 10:31am

Orioles

Brad Bergesen is shaking hands in the dugout and seeking warmth beneath a sweatshirt, so we'll assume that he's finished for the day. Bergesen threw two innings on Wednesday and was making his first start since April 6. He's registered the Orioles' last three complete games, but manager Buck Showalter told reporters earlier today that the right-hander wasn't going nine innings. Showalter settled for 88 pitches in five. Bergesen is charged with two earned runs. A third run scored after...

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Today's silver lining (updated)

April 17, 2011, 9:43am

Orioles

The Orioles are losing again today, 1-0, on a Carlos Santana home run leading off the second inning. They're in another early hole, though not as deep as we've seen in other games on this awful road trip. Here's the good news: Brad Bergesen is mostly forcing the Indians to hit the ball on the ground. Of the six outs he's recorded, five have come on ground balls. He also struck out Matt LaPorta to end the second. When Bergesen makes hitters pound the ball into the ground, he usually wins...

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Matusz staying in Sarasota

April 17, 2011, 8:00am

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Cleveland that Brian Matusz is making progress in his throwing program in Sarasota, Fla., but there are no immediate plans to bring the left-hander to Baltimore. There was early talk of Matusz throwing a bullpen session this week for pitching coach Mark Connor and bullpen coach Rick Adair, but he hasn't advanced enough to schedule one. Showalter wouldn't commit to a date or speculate whether Matusz might remain at the minor league complex throughout...

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Fox trots around the bases (updated 3 times)

April 16, 2011, 11:48am

Orioles

Fox trots around the bases (updated 3 times)

Jake Fox provided the first run today and some comic relief. Fox homered in the third inning to reduce the Indians' lead to 2-1 over the Orioles. Fox stumbled as he rounded first base and had to go back to make sure he touched the bag and avoid an embarrassing appeal and out. Players were laughing in the dugout as he came down the steps. You'll recall that Fox had 10 home runs in spring training, 11 if you count the interleague game. He was 0-for-7 before today's game. Fox is making his...

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Orioles lineup vs. Indians (and more Guthrie)

April 16, 2011, 5:58am

Orioles

Jeremy Guthrie will take the mound today as the Orioles attempt to halt a five-game losing streak. Guthrie has got to play stopper today, and he seems the most qualified on the staff. He's allowed one run and seven hits in 14 innings, and he should have better stamina today. Here's the Orioles' lineup, which includes Jake Fox behind the plate: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Jake Fox C Robert Andino...

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Now you can worry

April 15, 2011, 5:38pm

Orioles

Oh sure, now Koji Uehara pitches. Uehara took care of the eighth inning tonight, long after the Indians took care of the Orioles. We're talking five straight losses and a .500 record. And it doesn't sting any less to me when it's a blowout. There isn't as much to second-guess, but it's still painful. Zach Britton is human. Pass the word. He allowed five runs and eight hits in six innings. There were bound to be nights like this one. It just would have been more convenient if it...

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Closing argument

April 15, 2011, 4:07am

Orioles

So is the honeymoon period over for manager Buck Showalter? I've never seen him second-guessed to this extent since he was named manager Aug. 2. It was bound to happen. Earl Weaver would have been questioned and criticized during the blog and Twitter era. That's all part of the game. I don't think anyone is jumping off the Showalter bandwagon, but he made two decisions last night that clearly irked readers of this blog. (And I'm trying to remember the last time I used the word...

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Blown lead, blown save (good news on Brooks Robinson)

April 14, 2011, 6:07pm

Orioles

Blown lead, blown save (good news on Brooks Robinson)

So much for my foot-on-their-throats suggestion. The Yankees scored once in the fifth, twice in the sixth and once in the seventh to reduce the Orioles' lead to 5-4. You had to know what was coming next. Kevin Gregg entered in the bottom of the ninth and lost the lead on one pitch. Jorge Posada, an all-or-nothing guy in the first two weeks of the season, homered to tied the game, 5-5. Kevin Gregg talks about blowing his first safe of the season in a loss to the Yankees A lost lead in...

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Arrieta dealing early (updated)

April 14, 2011, 4:36pm

Orioles

I fired up my laptop after the top of the fifth inning - just in time for Jake Arrieta to give up a run on his first two hits. I blame myself. Again. Alex Rodriguez broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff double. Tears were shed, but I quickly pulled myself together. The Orioles need a quality start from Arrieta after Chris Tillman lasted only 1 2/3 innings last night. Manager Buck Showalter has talked about the risks involved with having young starters go back-to-back. When I mentioned it...

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Orioles lineup against Yankees

April 14, 2011, 11:43am

Orioles

Here's the Orioles lineup for tonight's series-finale against the Yankees: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Jake Arrieta RHP Also, in case you missed it, the Orioles promoted Steve Johnson, son of former Orioles' pitcher Dave Johnson, to Triple-A Norfolk. And Double-A Bowie first baseman Joe Mahoney has been placed on the seven-day disabled list with an injured quadriceps...

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Bergesen brings a silver lining

April 14, 2011, 9:27am

Orioles

Before you completely erase last night's game from your memory, you might want to pause and reflect on Brad Bergesen's effort. The night wasn't all bad. Bergesen gave the Orioles two scoreless and hitless innings, striking out two and lowering his ERA to 3.18 in two appearances. I guess that wasn't two much to ask (see what I did there?) Bergesen was officially recalled from Triple-A Norfolk earlier in the day, though he never wore a Tides uniform. I'm not sure he even washed one in...

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Trying times for Tillman

April 13, 2011, 6:48pm

Orioles

I have only one question regarding the Barry Bonds verdict: Is this another intentional walk? An Orioles-related question: Does it feel like they've lost three in a row? I have to remind myself because the first loss came in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader. Monday's open date and Tuesday's postponement have broken up the streak, but it does exist. I walked away from my television numerous times last night, and not just because I was doing laundry, washing dishes, straightening up and...

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Bergesen officially on roster

April 13, 2011, 2:34pm

Orioles

The Orioles must be confident that they'll play tonight, because they've officially recalled Brad Bergesen from Triple-A Norfolk and placed shortstop J.J. Hardy on the disabled list. Bergesen can pitch out of the bullpen tonight if he's needed, and he's slated to start Sunday in Cleveland. Bergesen was optioned to Norfolk over the weekend, but he never reported. He met the club in New York and waited to join the 25-man roster. A postponement tonight most likely would have caused the...

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An outsider's view of Showalter

April 13, 2011, 9:36am

Orioles

While I'm waiting to find out whether the Orioles will resume their season or go on hiatus like a low-rated sitcom - I just realized that "Mr. Sunshine" isn't following "Modern Family" tonight on ABC - I wanted to pass along a blog entry from Danny Knobler at cbssports.com. Knobler writes about manager Buck Showalter's attention to detail, and how it often seems to come out of nowhere. Those of us on the beat can relate. We witness this sort of thing just about every day. And I'm sure...

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What's next for Bergesen?

April 12, 2011, 6:06pm

Orioles

The Orioles didn't really need a rainout last night, but they got one anyway. The bullpen rested on Monday. The rotation was set, with Brad Bergesen on the verge of being recalled to start tonight. It was time to play ball. If you wanted Bergesen to avoid the Yankees, your wish was granted. He's being skipped, with Chris Tillman scheduled to pitch tonight and Jake Arrieta taking the ball tomorrow night. Bergesen is 0-2 with a 6.60 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees, with 14 hits...

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Quick Matusz update (game postponed)

April 12, 2011, 1:42pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz threw off flat ground today at the Orioles' minor league complex in Sarasota. It's a positive first step in his recovery from a strained left intercostal muscle. Matusz said he played catch from 60 feet. He made 25 throws without any pain. There's a chance that Matusz will rejoin the Orioles after they return from Cleveland and throw in the bullpen for pitching coach Mark Connor. Matusz went on the disabled list retroactive to March 30. Zach Britton took his place in the...

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Patton headed to DL

April 12, 2011, 12:59pm

Orioles

The Orioles will put left-hander Troy Patton on the disabled list later today with a slight shoulder strain. He's expected to miss only one start, though that will become more apparent after he's examined tomorrow. Patton didn't throw today, but he might be cleared for long toss on Thursday. John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of player development, said Patton most likely will be set back "three or four days." Patton left last night's start against the Gwinnett Braves after facing...

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Bergesen in NY as expected

April 12, 2011, 7:00am

Orioles

Pitcher Brad Bergesen joined the Orioles in New York, another sign that he's starting Wednesday night's game at Yankee Stadium. However, nothing has come easily to Bergesen, so he'll naturally be at the mercy of the weather. It isn't raining in New York as I type this entry, but the forecast is ominous. We'll find out later how a postponement tonight would affect the rotation for the rest of the series. It isn't any better in Baltimore. Too bad the Orioles couldn't escape the...

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This and that

April 11, 2011, 6:08pm

Orioles

Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado went 3-for-4 with a double, walk and run scored last night, leaving his average at .467 with two doubles, a triple, three RBIs and seven walks in five games. . This just in: The kid is good. He should be in the Carolina League no later than the midway point of the season. The Orioles will play the 10th game of their season tonight in New York. Do the first 10 really mean anything? You decide. Since baseball switched to a three-division alignment...