Berken extended to 84 pitches; Reynolds' slam gives O's 5-3 lead

Berken extended to 84 pitches; Reynolds' slam gives O's 5-3 lead
The Orioles wanted to stretch out Jason Berken at Triple-A Norfolk to make him a more effective long reliever and give them the option of starting him if the need arises later this summer. Berken threw 84 pitches over 5 2/3 innings tonight, so the plan with Berken most definitely has not changed. Berken allowed two runs and five hits, with one walk and five strikeouts, and he left with Norfolk trailing Rochester, 2-1. The 5 2/3 innings matches Berken's total in his first two starts with the...

Reynolds talks about the rap that produced four O's runs

Reynolds talks about the rap that produced four O's runs
Mark Reynolds came to the plate with the bases loaded in the sixth inning tonight, but he wasn't thinking about trying to hit a grand slam. "No, I wasn't," he said. "That would be the best result possible, but I was trying to get a pitch to hit, trying to barrel the ball. The home run was a bonus. I was just trying to hit a hard ground ball up the middle or shoot a gap, just tie the game. It's a bonus that the ball went out." It did and, with one swing, Reynolds produced his first...

A few firsts (updated)

A few firsts (updated)
Jake Arrieta threw 11 of his 15 pitches for strikes in the first inning. Unfortunately, one of them landed on the flag court. Former Oriole Corey Patterson homered in his first career at-bat against Arrieta, giving Toronto a quick 1-0 lead. Arrieta is coming off the shortest outing of his career, when he lasted only 2 1/3 innings in a 4-3 loss in Seattle. He allowed four runs and four hits, with four walks and three strikeouts, and threw 68 pitches before leaving the game. Eight of the 17...

More on Reynolds' slam

More on Reynolds' slam
Before tonight, Mark Reynolds was 6-for-52 with 26 strikeouts lifetime with the bases loaded. Make it 7-for-53 with 26 strikeouts. And one home run. Reynolds received a huge ovation as he circled the bases and disappeared into the dugout. It doesn't happen often around here. He's hitting .190, and he struck out for the 57th time this season, but none of that matters at the moment. Jim Johnson needed six pitches to get through the seventh after replacing starter Jake Arrieta, but manager...

Minor league leaders

Minor league leaders
Orioles farm clubs have a combined record of 106-114 beginning play tonight after going 2-2 last night. Single-A Frederick has the best record at 32-22 and is leading its division by 2 1/2 games in the Carolina League North. Here are some O's minor league leaders through Friday's games. Homer leaders: 9 - Josh Bell (Norfolk) and Tyler Townsend (Frederick) 8 - Ronnie Welty (Bowie) 7 - Jonathan Schoop (Delmarva) and Brandon Snyder (Norfolk) RBI leaders: 46 - Kipp Schutz (Frederick) 33 -...

Lee talks about returning to the Orioles

Lee talks about returning to the Orioles
For the first time since May 16, first baseman Derrek Lee is expected back in the Orioles' lineup tonight. If he comes through batting practice fine, he will officially be back on the roster. He is listed on tonight's lineup card, batting fifth. Lee spent some time in extended spring training in Sarasota and then played for Double-A Bowie last night, going 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk. "I just felt like swinging was the big deal. If I could do that with full force, then I could...

O's challenge tonight: Romero is on a roll

O's challenge tonight: Romero is on a roll
If the Orioles are to get their struggling offense going tonight here at Camden Yards, they'll have to do it against left-hander Ricky Romero, who is pitching very well right now. Over his last four starts, Romero is 3-0 with an ERA of 1.21 and a .194 batting average against. He has needed just 13.9 pitches per inning in that stretch. Romero is 5-4 with an ERA of 2.88 overall that is 10th best in the American League on the season and is 3-2 with an ERA of 3.60 in eight career starts against...

O's activate Lee from DL, option Viola to Bowie

O's activate Lee from DL, option Viola to Bowie
The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated first baseman Derrek Lee from the 15-day disabled list. Lee was placed on the DL on May 19, retroactive to May 17, with a strained left oblique. To make room for Lee on the 25-man roster, left-hander Pedro Viola has been optioned to Double-A Bowie. Lee has batted .231 (36-156) with six doubles, four home runs and 14 RBI in 40 games for the Orioles. Viola appeared in one game for the Orioles, May 30 at Seattle, and struck out two in 1.2...

Keith Law with a take on Joe Jordan

Keith Law with a take on Joe Jordan
I published some comments today from ESPN's Keith Law as he sized up some of the best pitching prospects in this year's draft, which begins Monday. Law appeared on my radio show this week on 105.7 FM The Fan in Baltimore. While he was on air, I asked his opinion of Orioles' scouting director Joe Jordan. Law said overall Jordan has a done a good job with more successes than failures and he talked about his selections of Billy Rowell and Matt Hobgood. You can hear that comment below. ...

Quick Lee update

Quick Lee update
Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee will begin his injury rehab assignment tonight at Double-A Bowie. Lee was supposed to report to the Baysox last night, but took some time to attend to his family after his grandfather passed away. Lee has been on the disabled list since May 17 with a strained left oblique. The veteran first baseman is hitting .231 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 40 games this season.

Orioles lineup

Orioles lineup
Here's the Orioles' lineup for today's game against the Blue Jays: LF Felix Pie CF Adam Jones RF Nick Markakis DH Vladimir Guerrero C Matt Wieters SS J.J. Hardy 1B Luke Scott 3B Mark Reynolds 2B Robert Andino P Zach Britton

Stacey Long: Talented starting pitchers deserve some offensive support

Stacey Long: Talented starting pitchers deserve some offensive support
Brian Matusz and Zach Britton currently are pitching back-to-back in the rotation. Yes, the rotation is in a bit of a shambles, what with it only having four members, one of whom is just back from the disabled list. But Matusz and Britton are pitching back-to-back in the Orioles rotation. Two lefties who are renowned around baseball just happen to be pitching consecutive games for the Orioles. When looking ahead to upcoming series, Orioles fans often see two lefties pitching for an opposing...

Fox DFA to make room for Matusz

Fox DFA to make room for Matusz
Rather than send down a reliever to make room on the 25-man roster for left-hander Brian Matusz, the Orioles have designated utility infielder Jake Fox for assignment. The Orioles would like Fox to clear waivers so he can be outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. "I don't know how likely that is, but that's our preference," said president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Otherwise, MacPhail will attempt to trade Fox and get something in return. First baseman Derrek Lee is close to going...

Markakis starting at first base (updated)

Markakis starting at first base (updated)
You want a different lineup? How about Nick Markakis making his first professional start at first base, Felix Pie playing right field, Luke Scott serving as the designated hitter and Matt Wieters batting cleanup? For the Orioles: Felix Pie RF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis 1B Matt Wieters C Luke Scott DH J.J. Hardy SS Nolan Reimold LF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP Update: Vladimir Guerrero is getting a day off. His exclusion from the lineup isn't related to an...

Matusz on the mound

Matusz on the mound
In case you're having trouble keeping track of all the starting times on this road trip, today's game in Seattle begins at 3:40 p.m. on the East Coast. Welcome back, Brian Matusz. I've written this before, but I can't believe it's been two months since Matusz was supposed to make his 2011 debut at Tropicana Field. It was April 2, to be exact, and Matusz was inconsolable after being scratched from his start, sent for an MRI and placed on the disabled list. A wart, a line drive off his...

O's activate Matusz from disabled list, Fox designated for assignment

O's activate Matusz from disabled list, Fox designated for assignment
The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated left-hander Brian Matusz from the 15-day disabled list. Matusz was placed on the disabled list retroactive to March 30 with a strained left intercostal muscle. Matusz is scheduled to make his season debut for the Orioles today in Seattle. In order to make room for Matusz on the 25-man roster, the Orioles designated catcher Jake Fox for assignment. Fox batted .188 (9-48) with two home runs and four RBI in 19 games for the Orioles.

Stacey Long: O's should consider dealing Guthrie

Stacey Long: O's should consider dealing Guthrie
Jeremy Guthrie pitched an amazing baseball game last night. Undone in the eighth inning, Orioles fans who stayed up past midnight hoping for a win will only remember the crushing home run by Justin Smoak, but Guthrie was fantastic. He's been fantastic for most of this year, and for much of his time in Baltimore. But with one year left on his contract, Guthrie could bring back to the Orioles pieces that will help the team in the future. The Orioles are improved this year, there is no denying...

O's offense didn't produce much in April, and May was not any better

O's offense didn't produce much in April, and May was not any better
The Orioles have now lost all five games on this road trip by a combined 10 runs. They have lost the last four by two, two, one and one run. It is big-time frustrating to lose close games and they are now 11-11 on the year in games decided by two runs or less. A batting average of .158 (6-for-38) on this trip with runners in scoring position has been a major factor contributing to the close losses as the Orioles have scored just 13 runs in Oakland and Seattle. The concern level for the...

And when the Smoak clears ... (updated)

And when the Smoak clears ... (updated)
Jeremy Guthrie took a three-hit shutout into the eighth inning, retired the first two batters, committed an error, gave up a single and hung a changeup. This is how losing streaks continue and why fans curse their decision to stay awake. Justin Smoak hit a towering three-run homer off Guthrie to give Seattle a 3-2 lead. Koji Uehara grabbed his glove after Brendan Ryan's single into right field, but he barely had time to step on the bullpen mound before Smoak destroyed the Orioles, 2-0...

Bedard not making it easy (updated twice)

Bedard not making it easy (updated twice)
Former Oriole Erik Bedard has struck out five batters over three scoreless innings tonight. He's thrown 32 strikes among his 44 pitches, and the only hit off him is Nick Markakis' single with two outs in the first. Bedard was 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA in his last five starts before tonight. He's thrown 18 consecutive scoreless innings, including the three tonight. I guess he's healthy again. If Jeremy Guthrie thought this would be the night that he'd get a generous amount of run support,...