Tonight's game postponed; no makeup date announced

Tonight's game postponed; no makeup date announced
Tonight's game between the Orioles and Yankees at Camden Yards has been postponed because of rain. A makeup date will be announced at a later time. Fans are advised to keep their tickets. That's all the information I can provide at the moment.

Feeling fine with five

Feeling fine with five
When the Orioles opened the 2011 season, it was expected the offense would be greatly improved and, as a result, the team would score more runs. Even with the slow start at the plate, I still expect that will be the case. The everyday lineup has too many proven hitters with consistent track records. But the slow start does highlight the importance of how scoring five runs in a game drastically increases the O's chances to win games. Let's first look back to last season. The Orioles finished...

Stepping inside Buck Showalter's office for his inaugural video blog

Stepping inside Buck Showalter's office for his inaugural video blog
The 2011 season has been a bit of a roller coaster ride for Orioles manager Buck Showalter, whose team started off 6-1, then lost eight in a row before snapping the lengthy losing streak at home. With the O's in the middle of a 10-game homestand, Showalter took some time out of his busy schedule and welcomed me into his office for his inaugural MASNsports.com video blog. The O's manager talked about the continued efforts to get a winning culture established in Baltimore, and how he uses the...

Tonight's lineup against the Yankees

Tonight's lineup against the Yankees
The tarp's on the field and a light rain continues to fall, but at least the lineup is posted. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Jake Fox LF Robert Andino SS Brad Bergesen RHP
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Orioles lineup against Twins

Orioles lineup against Twins
The Orioles are trotting out a familiar lineup for tonight's series finale against the Twins at Camden Yards. They've scored 16 runs in the last two games, so they're not going to shake it up. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Robert Andino SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP

Gregg will be a key to the Orioles bullpen

Gregg will be a key to the Orioles bullpen
While Kevin Gregg may have already fallen out of favor with some fans, I'm sure Orioles manager Buck Showalter looks at the situation differently, He knows Gregg will be an important piece in his bullpen and that he has to get him right. Showalter has to help him to start pitching well. Maybe last night was a start. Despite a loud out that ended the game, Gregg did pitch a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up his second O's save in three chances. He got the job done, even if the fans' hearts...

Heath Bintliff: How Britton's start stacks up to other O's southpaws

Heath Bintliff: How Britton's start stacks up to other O's southpaws
Orioles rookie southpaw Zach Britton moved his record to 3-1 last night as the Orioles narrowly beat the Twins 5-4. Britton gave up three runs over his six innings, giving him three quality starts over his first four career starts. I was curious how Britton's hot start compared to other Oriole lefty starters throughout franchise history. Here's how Britton stacks up to their first four starts (or significant relief appearances, since some of these guys pitched under Earl Weaver, you...

Heath Bintliff: Let's let Jake Fox sit against lefties

Heath Bintliff: Let's let Jake Fox sit against lefties
Hi, Buck. I'm a big fan. Truly, I am. But I have a bone to pick with you. It's about Jake Fox. I completely understand sacrificing defense for offense, especially when you are in a scoring drought like the Orioles were just slogging through before last night's 11-0 win. (Although, do you have to put him if left with Chris Tillman is on the mound? That kid needs all the help he can get.) And Fox can help with that. But Fox can't hit lefties. So stop letting him. I know he's a...

A few updates

A few updates
Robert Andino is 3-for-3 with a walk tonight. He has seven hits and two walks in his last 10 trips to the plate. Is that good? Derrek Lee singled twice tonight, but he fell to 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position after flying out in the eighth inning. Vladimir Guerrero followed with a three-run homer off former Twins closer Joe Nathan, making him 4-for-15. The Orioles have four extra-base hits this season with two outs and RISP. Three of them came tonight. Jason Berken tossed two...
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Scott returns to lineup

Scott returns to lineup
It's raining and the tarp's on the field. The clouds seem to be breaking up and we see some clearing. Early word is the storm will pass by 5 p.m., but I've been fooled many times in the past - and that includes the weather. Here's the Orioles' lineup, which includes Luke Scott in left field: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Robert Andino SS Jake Arrieta RHP

Heath Bintliff: The longest game in pro ball, 30 years later

Heath Bintliff: The longest game in pro ball, 30 years later
Thirty years ago this morning, the longest game in professional baseball history was suspended. At 4:07 a.m., after 32 innings of play, umpires finally called the game, still tied at 2, between the Rochester Red Wings, the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate, and the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League. Famously, future Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr. and Wade Boggs played the entire game, both manning third base for their respective teams. But there were other players of note on the field...

Early opportunities lost (updated)

Early opportunities lost (updated)
The Orioles put two runners on base with one out in the first inning on Brian Roberts' leadoff single and Derrek Lee's walk. Francisco Liriano retired the next two batters on a ground ball and called third strike. Jake Fox walked with one out in the second inning, but Matt Wieters grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. Again, the Orioles just can't seem to get that one big hit. Chris Tillman was much better in the third inning, retiring the side in order. He got two ground balls and struck...

Twins AL East-like schedule continues in Baltimore

Twins AL East-like schedule continues in Baltimore
The Minnesota Twins have not moved to the American League East, but it just seems like they are always playing someone from this division. Of the Twins' 15 games this season, 10 have come against AL East clubs and they will add to that total by starting a four-game series tonight in Baltimore. Minnesota is 5-10 and lost two of three versus New York and Toronto before going 1-3 in its most recent series on the road against Tampa. The Twins lost the first three games to the Rays by 4-3, 5-2...

Lining up your suggestions

Lining up your suggestions
Are the Twins going to be the team to revive the Orioles? They're sitting in last place in the AL Central. They haven't won a series this year. They've scored only 45 runs, six fewer than the Orioles, who have become allergic to home plate. Catcher Joe Mauer is on the disabled list with a viral infection and first baseman Justin Morneau sat out yesterday's game with an illness that makes him questionable for tonight. A closer controversy culminated with Matt Capps unseating Joe...

Orioles to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day at Camden Yards

Orioles to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day at Camden Yards
In recognition of the 64th anniversary of Jackie Robinson becoming the first African-American player in Major League Baseball, the Orioles will honor a Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar in a special pre-game ceremony before their game Monday, April 18 against the Minnesota Twins. Kapria Lee, a student at the University of Maryland and a Baltimore native, will be presented with a #42 jersey by Orioles OF Adam Jones. Lee was one of over 1,300 young men and women who were able to attend college...

Heath Bintliff: Orioles offense offers more of the same

Heath Bintliff: Orioles offense offers more of the same
Hello, MASNsports.com readers. My name is Heath Bintliff and I have been writing Dempsey's Army, a Baltimore Orioles blog, since 2006. Although I grew up in Maryland, I now live in Atlanta and have been away from Maryland for 11 years. As you might imagine, there are not a lot of O's fans down here in Georgia, so I needed an outlet for my Orioles thoughts and the blog was born. Dempsey's Army offers statistical analysis, historical perspective, commentary, prospect watching and various...

Orioles lineup against Indians

Orioles lineup against Indians
Can Brad Bergesen be the stopper today? Someone has to apply the brakes on this six-game losing streak. Here's the Orioles' lineup for the final game of their miserable road trip, which doesn't include Adam Jones: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie CF Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP The Indians activated Grady Sizemore from the disabled list. He'll bat leadoff and play center field...

The O's have earned their way to six straight losses

The O's have earned their way to six straight losses
Maybe that old baseball saying that "you are never as good as you look when you are winning and never as bad as you look when you are losing," applies to these Orioles. They sure looked good during a 6-1 start. We can only hope they are not as bad as they have looked during the 0-6 run since. They sure have looked bad. In three of the losses, they were pretty much blown out. That would be the last two days and the 13-1 loss to Texas. In the 7-4 loss in game one at Yankee Stadium, it was...

Offense has been all wet

Offense has been all wet
The sun came out in Cleveland and then it disappeared again. Another bad storm moved through the area, but they're projecting a 3:05 p.m. start at Progressive Field. How are the bats supposed to heat up in these conditions? The Orioles rank 24th in the majors with a .226 average. They've scored 46 runs, more than only four teams. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters earlier today that he doesn't have any immediate plans to juggle the lineup. He believes in track records and figures that...

Fox on the run (updated with final score)

Fox on the run (updated with final score)
Just once, I'd like for Tim Belcher to have a mound conference with Nick Bierbrodt. I think it would be a gas. OK, sorry. Jake Fox started a seventh-inning rally with a triple into left-center field. Taking third base was a huge gamble on Fox's part, considering that the Orioles were down by four runs. If he's out, he may as well keep walking into the clubhouse. And make sure not to pass manager Buck Showalter in the dugout. Fox made it safely on a close play and scored on Brian...