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...

Heath Bintliff: Why I'm enjoying this team

Heath Bintliff: Why I'm enjoying this team
This is going to sound strange after the last three games, but I'm going to say it anyway. I like this team. Sure, the Orioles have their flaws. Yes, I would probably have slightly different personnel on the roster if I were the general manager, but all in all, I like this team. Here are a few reasons why: I like the homegrown rotation. This rotation has had and will continue to have growing pains. But it's virtually all homegrown talent. When's the last time the Orioles could say that?...

The numbers tell the tale against the Yankees

The numbers tell the tale against the Yankees
So the Orioles lost big tonight versus New York by a score of 13-2. They fall to 0-6 on the year against the Yankees and have been outscored 51-18 in those games. The Orioles are 7-6 this year against Boston and Tampa, but winless versus New York. Tampa can beat New York and the Orioles can beat Tampa. Boston recently owns New York and the Orioles can beat Boston. But the Orioles, with this game, have now lost 30 of the last 37 in this series and are just 6-20 in their last 26 home games...

Jakubauskas optioned to Triple-A Norfolk

Jakubauskas optioned to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned right-hander Chris Jakubauskas to Triple-A Norfolk. Jakubauskas has appeared in four games for the Orioles and posted a 7.59 ERA (10.2IP, 9ER). A corresponding roster move will be announced at a later time.

Checking on some Orioles and Yankees stats and notes

Checking on some Orioles and Yankees stats and notes
Some notes as the Orioles try for their first win of the year after an 0-5 start against New York. * After getting 12 hits last night, the Orioles team batting average is now .288 over the last eight games. They are hitting .311 with runners in scoring position during that stretch. * The last two Orioles games, one each with Boston and New York, have lasted a total of eight hours and 49 minutes. * The Yankees are 10-8 on the year against the American League East and 9-8 on the road. They...

While the rain falls, do you have a question?

While the rain falls, do you have a question?
As we are now in a rain delay, and who knows how long it will last, I would love to get some questions or comments in this space while we wait out the rain drops at Camden Yards. Feel free to leave it here now. As a college basketball coach I know used to say, "I'd be happy to answer any questions you care to pose." Here is a stat for you. Mariano Rivera, most career blown saves against: 13 - Boston 8 - Orioles & Angels He has six career blown saves in 43 chances at Camden Yards.

O's place Roberts, Lee on DL; recall Jakubauskas, Patton

O's place Roberts, Lee on DL; recall Jakubauskas, Patton
The Orioles today announced that they have placed second baseman Brian Roberts on the seven-day disabled list, retroactive to May 17, due to a concussion. The club has also placed first baseman Derrek Lee on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 17, with a left oblique muscle strain. Right-handed pitcher Chris Jakubauskas and left-handed pitcher Troy Patton have been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and will be in uniform for tonight's game against the New York Yankees. Jakubauskas was 0-1 with a...

Heath Bintliff: Orioles need some Yankee killers

Heath Bintliff: Orioles need some Yankee killers
As the Orioles struggled to put up runs in a 15 innings struggle last night, it got me thinking that we really needed a Yankee killer to come to the plate and put this one away. Someone. Anyone to get that big hit. So who are/were the greatest Yankee killers in Oriole history? I looked up the Baltimore players who racked up the most big games against the Bronx Bombers in Orioles history Multiple HR games Boog Powell 4 Brooks Robinson 2 Ramon Hernandez ...

Heath Bintliff: Orioles bullpen has been a money pit

Heath Bintliff: Orioles bullpen has been a money pit
Monday night in Boston, $16.5 million worth of relievers conspired to give up eight runs and blow a 6-run lead. You would think that the Orioles would have learned by now. You can't fix your bullpen by spending big buck in free agency. And trying to do so has contributed a bunch to the 13 years of losing. A look at some of the free agent relievers over the last 10 years: G ERA Total Salary (in millions) Mike Gonzalez 44 5.54 ...

For the Orioles, it was just more frustration against New York

For the Orioles, it was just more frustration against New York
Maybe the most frustrating thing about the last two games is that the Orioles' starters gave up just one run - it was unearned - and they wasted those efforts by losing both games. Orioles starters have now pitched to an ERA of just 1.29 over the last eight games, but the Orioles have lost three of those eight. The starters have allowed two earned runs or less in seven of the last eight games. One of the best things about baseball is you get to play just about every day, so the Orioles...

And so it continues ...

And so it continues ...
The Orioles loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the 11th inning, but they couldn't score against Yankees left-hander Boone Logan. Logan replaced Luis Ayala with the sacks full and struck out Luke Scott. He fell behind, 2-0, to Matt Wieters, who swung at the next pitch and flied to right. If it's me, I'm taking on 2-0, but what do I know? First baseman Mark Teixeira kept the game tied with a lunging catch of Alex Rodriguez's wild throw as Vladimir Guerrero reached on an infield...

After holding their own with Boston and Tampa, can the O's take down NY?

After holding their own with Boston and Tampa, can the O's take down NY?
The Orioles have won two of three series this year against Tampa Bay, the current American League East leader. They won their first series of the year versus Boston. They are 21-21 against the AL East since Buck Showalter took over as manager. But if they really wanted to get their fans' attention they may need to do something else - beat the Yankees. The Orioles are 7-6 this season versus Tampa and Boston but are 0-4 against New York and went just 3-15 against the Yanks last year. They...