ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - One game, one win.
That's perfection in my book.
Of course, a franchise with 13 straight losing seasons can't function without a little adversity. The entire front office might break out in a rash if all the news is good.
The revelation about Brian Matusz's back and the MRI result put a real damper on last night's festivities. Jeremy Guthrie should have been the center of attention. He was brilliant.
"I've seen him pretty good, last August and September, but...
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz won't make tomorrow night's start against the Rays because of soreness on the left side of his back.
Matusz is scheduled to undergo an MRI at 5:30 p.m.. The disabled list is a possibility, though manager Buck Showalter didn't want to venture into that territory without getting the results.
Chris Tillman is one candidate to replace Matusz tomorrow night. Brad Bergesen and Jake Arrieta aren't available.
The Orioles also could choose to bring...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz won't throw today after being hit on the left biceps during yesterday's simulated game. He's wearing an ice pack on his arm to reduce the inflammation, but he told reporters this morning that there's only a small bruise. No pain that should keep him from pitching Saturday.
Matusz is hoping to throw tomorrow, as long as the inflammation stays down.
"I feel pretty good about it today," he said. "It's not too swollen. It's a little bit black and blue....
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles' lineup for tomorrow night's regular-season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field should look pretty familiar to you, with one exception. Adam Jones moves up ahead of Luke Scott against left-hander David Price.
Brian Roberts 2B
Nick Markakis RF
Derrek Lee 1B
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Adam Jones CF
Luke Scott LF
Mark Reynolds 3B
Matt Wieters C
J.J. Hardy SS
Jeremy Guthrie RHP
NOTE: Forgot to mention it earlier. Manager Buck Showalter says former...
Adam Jones has a lot on his mind today down in St. Petersburg, Fla., where the Orioles are getting ready to open their 2011 season against the Tampa Bay Rays. But the Orioles center fielder has enough of a sense of Baltimore baseball history to have tweeted get well wishes to hospitalized Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, who is recovering from a high fever and infection at Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
"Stay strong my man. ... the O's family is with you and your family," Jones wrote on...
Want to go to the Orioles' home opener April 4? Don't have tickets, you say? Well, MASNsports.com will give you the opportunity to win a pair of opening day tickets Friday night at Hightopps Backstage Grille in Timonium.
Steve Melewski and yours truly will be hosting another in our series of baseball chats that evening, from 6-7 p.m. At 7 p.m., we'll tune Hightopps' many televisions to the O's game in St. Petersburg, Fla., against the Rays on MASN. What better way to celebrate the start...
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson was hospitalized earlier today, which always brings a wave of concern - and maybe panic - over all of us, but he released a statement saying he's doing fine and it's not related to his cancer surgery.
Here's the statement:
"Thank you for your outpouring of concern. I was originally scheduled for a routine outpatient procedure at Greater Baltimore Medical Center on Thursday, March 31, 2011. The evening before surgery, I developed a fever...
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - We can still hear thunder rumbling outside the dome.
I'm just relieved the roof hasn't collapsed.
Speaking of thunderous echos, the Orioles are taking batting practice while I file this blog entry. Nick Markakis is knocking the paint off a few of the seats in right field.
Luke Scott just bounced a ball off the back of the restaurant roof directly below the scoreboard in center field.
Manager Buck Showalter said he won't rest any of his regulars during this...
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter won't post his opening night lineup until after today's workout, but he told reporters not to expect any surprises. I'd assume that means he's using the same lineup that we saw at the end of the exhibition schedule: Roberts, Markakis, Lee, Guerrero, Scott, Jones, Reynolds, Wieters and Hardy. I'll pass along the official one later.
Showalter explained why he chose Chris Tillman over Brad Bergesen for Sunday's start against the Rays.
"I...
It's become a pretty important part of sports-talk on radio. That's the call-in show where fans and listeners can vent, analyze the game and react right after the game ends.
Well, this year, after Orioles' games, you will have your chance to do just that and I will be the voice at the other end of the phone line.
I am thrilled to officially announce that I will be hosting the "Baltimore Baseball Tonight" postgame edition on weeknights this year on 105.7 FM, The Fan in Baltimore. The show...
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Brad Bergesen is "a candidate" to start the April 10 game against the Rangers at Camden Yards, according to manager Buck Showalter. Not necessarily the leading candidate. Just a candidate.
Showalter is hesitant to name Bergesen the starter until making sure the Orioles aren't rained out Monday for their home-opener against the Tigers.
Bergesen talked about being in the bullpen to begin the season.
"I had the meeting with Buck and Goose (Mark Connor) yesterday and...
SARASOTA, Fla. - One last report from Sarasota.
Pitcher Justin Duchscherer was sent to a chiropractor yesterday after complaining of back soreness.
Apparently, his left hip is fine, but he's dealing with another setback.
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said the club will wait 24 hours "and see how it is."
"I'm not sure where we are right now," MacPhail said. "I think we're 24 hours from knowing the severity."
Duchscherer threw two innings Tuesday in a simulated game...
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I drove through the worst rainstorm of my life to get here. Those tornado warnings are no joke.
I was gripping the steering wheel so tightly, it's almost bent in half. Good luck with that one, Avis.
I was pretty sure a traffic light turned green, but I couldn't move. Visibility was at an all-time low. But at least the water on the streets covered my tires.
My GPS told me to turn right, and I yelled, "Where's the right?"
I didn't need a GPS. I needed a...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Counted among the yearly traditions of spring training is the sudden realization that I can't consume all of the food that I bought during my seven-week stay.
How many packets of oatmeal can I possibly eat before check-out this morning? And honesty, the bags of frozen broccoli and Brussels sprouts seemed like a good idea at the time. No way they're coming with me to St. Petersburg.
I'm down to three bottled waters. I think I timed that one just about right.
Anyway, the...
With the start of a new baseball season, MASN is expanding its coverage of the Orioles and Nationals.
The network that brings you 324 game telecasts of two teams in six states now adds "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report," a new 90-minute show each weekday at 5 p.m. The show makes its debut Thursday after the Nationals game and the "Nats Xtra" postgame telecast.
Veteran broadcaster Tom Davis, who has been with MASN since its start in 2007, will host the show and will be joined by Dave...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Enjoy that dateline while you can, because it changes starting tomorrow.
The Orioles will break camp later today. Naturally, manager Buck Showalter scheduled a simulated game first. I almost expect Craig Tatum to hit off a tee tomorrow in between his wife's contractions.
A group of minor leaguers will take a bus to Ed Smith Stadium, then take their swings against Brad Bergesen and Jake Arrieta. I normally wouldn't care much, but I need to find out whether Bergesen is...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the April 4 home opener at Camden Yards.
Current manager Buck Showalter will catch it.
I love the idea. And it seems appropriate, given the excitement that greeted Showalter's arrival in Baltimore last August and the frequent comparisons to Weaver.
Showalter invited Weaver to speak to his coaches this spring. It also allowed Weaver to autograph the circular No. 4 sign that hangs in his honor...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rick VandenHurk cleared waivers and remains in the organization. He's in uniform for today's minor league game.
VandenHurk had control issues that knocked him out of the running for a rotation or bullpen slot. He'll be outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk and join a rotation that includes Zach Britton and Ryan Drese.
VandenHurk allowed 12 runs (nine earned) and 10 hits, with eight walks and four strikeouts, in six innings.
Also, Jake Arrieta and Brad Bergesen are starting the...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Right-hander Chris Tillman will start Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, following Jeremy Guthrie and Brian Matusz in the rotation.
Tillman went 2-0 with a 3.93 ERA in five games this spring. He allowed 20 hits, walked nine and struck out 10 in 18 1/3 innings. He also gave up one run over six innings in a minor league game, which doesn't count in the official Grapefruit League statistics.
Brad Bergesen, who threw two innings in today's minor...
If you're lucky enough to be coming to the Orioles' home opener on Monday, you'll be interested in a variety of special plans the team announced today.
First, when you come through the gates, you'll receive a 2011 schedule/car magnet, courtesy of Brothers Services. To allow for maximum fan enjoyment, the games for the 3:05 p.m. game will open at noon, and roving musical groups will entertain on Eutaw Street and the main concourse.
Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 2:30 p.m. for...



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