Meet MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski at Hightopps on Monday, May 16

Meet MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski at Hightopps on Monday, May 16
Meet MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski at Hightopps Backstage Grille in Timonium on Monday, May 16 from 7-8 p.m. He'll be at HIghtopps, 2306 York Road (just north of the Timonium Fairgrounds) to meet and greet O's fans, watch some of the 7 p.m. Orioles-Red Sox game airing on MASN/MASN HD and give away some prizes. HIghtopps boasts some of the frostiest cold beverages and tastiest food this side of Camden Yards, and the atmosphere is decidedly family friendly, so feel free to join in the...

Matthew Taylor: Recalling O's first trip to The Trop

Matthew Taylor: Recalling O's first trip to The Trop
The third-place Orioles head to Tampa Bay this weekend looking to avenge last week's three-game sweep at the hands of the Rays. Thirteen years ago, the Birds flew south for their first-ever series in St. Petersburg from May 8-10, 1998. The O's took two of three at The Trop that weekend behind their veteran players. Baltimore batted around and scored five runs in the seventh inning of the series opener to break open a tight ballgame they ultimately won 8-2. Eric Davis got things started with...

Make mine a double play (updated)

Make mine a double play (updated)
The Orioles have hit into three double plays in the first three innings. That's the maximum allowed, as far as I know. Brian Roberts singled in the first inning, and Nick Markakis grounded into a DP. Adam Jones and Matt Wieters singled in the second inning, and J.J. Hardy grounded into a DP. Robert Andino singled in the third - and you wanted him out of the lineup! - and Roberts grounded into a DP. The Orioles have stranded only one runner in three innings, so let's choose to look on the...

Some Orioles & Mariners game notes

Some Orioles & Mariners game notes
*The Orioles are looking tonight to end this homestand with a three-game sweep after it started with Tampa sweeping them three straight. The last time the O's were swept in three or more games to start a homestand and then swept the next opponent on the stand was from June 26-July 2, 1997. They were swept by Toronto, but then swept the Phillies. *M's starter Jason Vargas is 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA in four career starts against Baltimore. He was taken in the second round of the 2004 draft, 68th...

A few pregame comments from Showalter (updated)

A few pregame comments from Showalter (updated)
In my "1993 brawl" entry, I meant to point out that Cal Ripken's streak almost ended because of a knee injury sustained when he got caught in the bottom of a pile. Thanks to TomD for the reminder. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells worked on the knee the next day after Ripken said he wouldn't be able to play. The rest is baseball history. The Sun didn't report the injury because it went unnoticed with all the fights that broke out that afternoon. Once I joined the beat fulltime in...

Remembering the first brawl at Camden Yards

Remembering the first brawl at Camden Yards
Brian Roberts, in a 1-for-34 slump, is doing some early hitting on the field with Jim Presley, who's tossing him the ball underhand from halfway between the mound and the plate. Watching Felix Pie go nose-to-nose with Seattle first baseman Justin Smoak Tuesday night might have brought back a few memories of the infamous 1993 brawl between the same two teams at Camden Yards. I wasn't on the beat back then, but I sure do remember it. Mike Mussina drilled Mariners catcher Bill Hasselman, later...

Andino in left field tonight

Andino in left field tonight
J.J. Hardy moves up to seventh in the lineup after batting ninth and eighth this season, and Robert Andino replaces Luke Scott in left field against Mariners left-hander Jason Vargas. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino LF Zach Britton LHP For the Mariners: Ichiro RF Figgins 3B Smoak 1B Olivo C Cust DH M. Wilson LF J. Wilson 2B Rodriguez SS Saunders CF...
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Orioles-Yankees makeup date announced

Orioles-Yankees makeup date announced
The Orioles announced today that their April 22 postponed game against the New York Yankees will be made up at 1:05 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 as part of a day-night doubleheader at Camden Yards. The originally scheduled game for Aug. 27 will still be played at 7:05 p.m. that evening. Tickets dated April 22 will be accepted only at the 1:05 game Aug. 27; fans should simply bring their tickets from the April 22 game to the ballpark gates that day for admission. No exchange is necessary. Parking...

April 22 postponed Yankees-O's game rescheduled for Aug. 27, 1:05 p.m.

April 22 postponed Yankees-O's game rescheduled for Aug. 27, 1:05 p.m.
The Orioles announced today that their April 22 postponed game against the New York Yankees will be made up at 1:05 p.m. on Saturday, August 27 as part of a day-night doubleheader at Camden Yards. The originally scheduled game for August 27 will still be played at 7:05 p.m. that evening. Tickets dated April 22 will be accepted only at the 1:05 game on August 27; fans should simply bring their tickets from the April 22 game to the ballpark gates that day for admission. No exchange is...

Roberts' slump continues

Roberts' slump continues
The first 10,000 fans 15 and over who attend tonight's game will receive a Vladimir Guerrero T-shirt. Just be careful when wearing it in a bar. It'll chase anything. The Orioles have scored 11 runs in the last two games, which seems like an embarrassment of riches. Every starter had a hit last night except for Brian Roberts and Robert Andino - and Mariners second baseman Adam Kennedy robbed Andino by gloving his scorching ground ball while falling backward and starting a double...

Matthew Taylor: Will Adam Jones ever homer against Seattle, his former team?

Matthew Taylor: Will Adam Jones ever homer against Seattle, his former team?
Adam Jones has seven hits in 10 at-bats in the past two games against the Mariners. With four singles, two doubles and a triple, he's nearly hit for the cycle in this series. All that's missing is a home run, which should come as no surprise. Jones has never homered in 29 games versus the Mariners, who made him a first-round draft pick in 2003. It's a quirky outlier among Jones' career numbers. He has homered at least once against every other team that he's faced more than six times. So...

Diary of a bad inning (updated twice)

Diary of a bad inning (updated twice)
The Mariners scored once in the top of the third inning to take a 1-0 lead, which might not seem too bad on the surface. Let's dig a little deeper. Chris Tillman hadn't allowed a hit in the first two innings, but he threw 38 pitches. My math tells me that's 19 pitches per inning. That doesn't add up to quick outs. Tillman opened the third by hitting No. 8 hitter Brendan Ryan (.208) and walking No. 9 hitter Michael Saunders (.180). I don't have to tell you the flaws in that...

No roster move in the works

No roster move in the works
The Orioles had considered bringing up another reliever for tonight's game against the Mariners, but they apparently will stick with their current group. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail met with manager Buck Showalter after last night's 7-6, 13-inning victory to discuss the possibility of adding a fresh arm. Rather than make a roster move, they're "holding at present," according to a team official. Starter Jake Arrieta went six innings, which led to a parade of five...

Matthew Taylor: O's walk-off against Mariners extends streak that began in 1954

Matthew Taylor: O's walk-off against Mariners extends streak that began in 1954
The Orioles earned their first walk-off win of the 2011 season Tuesday night with a two-run rally in the bottom of the 13th inning against the Mariners. The victory keeps alive a streak that has been in existence as long as the team itself. The Orioles have had a least one walk-off win every year since the St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore in 1954. They don't call it Orioles Magic for nothing. Seattle was among the Orioles' walk-off victims last year, as well, thanks to Adam Jones'...

Will the bullpen and lineup change?

Will the bullpen and lineup change?
I had this crazy dream last night that the Orioles rallied to win a game in 13 innings after almost being arrested for littering the bases. The Orioles were 8-for-21 with runners in scoring position, and they stranded 16 runners. They ran into outs. They fought back to take leads and gave them up. They should have won, they should have lost, they should have won, they should have lost... Keep plucking the petals off that daisy. The Orioles were 0-17 before last night when trailing after...

The unlucky 13th (is now lucky)

The unlucky 13th (is now lucky)
The Orioles had another chance to win this game, but they're more determined to empty their bullpen and leave Chris Tillman without much support tomorrow night. Good thing they went back to a 12-man pitching staff, right? Nice timing. Felix Pie doubled to lead off the 12th inning, and the Orioles loaded the bases with two outs on an intentional walk to Adam Jones - which brought former Oriole Chris Ray into the game - and J.J. Hardy's two-out infield hit. Hardy has a home run, three...

It's called a "lead," and now it's gone (updated)

It's called a "lead," and now it's gone (updated)
Adam Jones' two-out, two-run double in the sixth moved the Orioles ahead of the Mariners, 3-2. Jones ended a streak of 40 straight innings for the Orioles without a lead. They hadn't held one since the first inning of a May 5 game against the Royals. Rookie Michael Pineda retired the first two batters before Vladimir Guerrero and Luke Scott singled. Jones followed with a double to left, giving him 18 RBIs this season. Jake Arrieta was in line to get the win, but his replacement, Michael...

Did you know?

Did you know?
The Orioles are one of seven teams in the majors that haven't won a game when trailing after seven innings, going 0-17 in that span. They join the Red Sox, Indians, Rockies, Angels, Dodgers and Rangers. None of the Orioles' starting pitchers in this series have faced the Mariners. Jake Arrieta is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in five career starts against the American League West. Brian Roberts is in a 1-for-26 slump since May 1. Mark Reynolds is 9-for-65 (.138). He has five RBIs in his last 22...

Josh Rupe designated for assignment (updated)

Josh Rupe designated for assignment (updated)
The Orioles activated shortstop J.J. Hardy from the disabled list earlier today. To make room on the 25-man roster, the club has designated long reliever Josh Rupe for assignment. Rupe allowed nine earned runs and 16 hits in 14 1/3 innings for a 5.65 ERA. In his last outing, he held Kansas City to one hit in 3 2/3 scoreless innings. The Orioles decided to keep two left-handers in their bullpen. Jason Berken is the only long reliever. The two moves leave the Orioles with a 12-man pitching...

Monday Memory: Tom Hanks channels Wild Bill Hagy at Camden Yards

Monday Memory: Tom Hanks channels Wild Bill Hagy at Camden Yards
Newcomers to Birdland might be surprised to learn that Camden Yards was once a mecca for all sorts of stars and personalities. Almost as soon as the downtown ballpark opened in April 1992, a steady stream of celebrities, entertainers, athletes and heads of state have made a beeline for Oriole Park to watch the Birds, chow down on Boog's and take in the Baltimore skyline. Rocker Joan Jett was a familiar presence in the years immediately after Camden Yards opened. Before he was a "Celebrity...