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Rowell had solid finish at Frederick

September 16, 2010, 8:58am

Orioles

After three seasons and 348 games in a Frederick Keys uniform, Billy Rowell is more than ready to play for a different minor league team. For the first time in a few years, Rowell's career move be on the move upward. The O's first-round pick in 2006, Rowell hit .275-11-61 this year with 25 doubles in 117 Keys games. His average was up from last season's .225 and his OPS increased from .620 to .756. "I just wanted to stay consistent throughout the second half. Consistency is part of the...

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The Best Around Oriole Park

September 14, 2010, 12:14pm

Orioles

Yahoo! is teaming up with MLB.com to provide a feature on teams' official websites called "Best around the Ballparks". In this case, of course, we're talking about the "Best Around Oriole Park". Yahoo! and Orioles.com have teamed up to give their top five restaurants, bars, places to park, and attractions close to the Yard. If you aren't a frequent fan, the following list might help you plan a day at the ballpark, and if you are an everyday O's fan, you might have your own thoughts...

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The four seamer helps Bergy get on a roll

September 16, 2010, 5:45am

Orioles

The four seamer helps Bergy get on a roll

Blame Yunel Escobar. If he didn't hit a liner off Brian Matusz's left triceps Tuesday night, the Orioles might have a streak of nine straight quality starts right now. We don't know how well Matusz would have done had he stayed in that game, but he's been pitching well, so I'd like his chances to get it done. O's starting pitching has gone from good to great. Here are the latest numbers: *ERA of 0.56 in the Toronto series. *ERA of 0.61 over last five games. *Starters are 5-0, 1.66 the...

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Did you see...

September 16, 2010, 6:05am

Orioles

...the segment that ran on O's Xtra last night with Brady Anderson and Luke Scott? Former Oriole Brady Anderson headed into the batting cages with current O's slugger Luke Scott to work through a hitting drill and to take a look at Scott's home run swing. It's a short video, but fun to get a behind the scenes look at a former Oriole working casually in the cages with a current player, and knowing how methodical Scott's approach to the game is, it's neat to have an inside look at how he...

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Bergesen on his gem over the Jays

September 15, 2010, 6:11pm

Orioles

After one inning tonight, Brad Bergesen had thrown 20 pitches and allowed a homer. We didn't know then that he would need just 75 more pitches over the next eight innings and that he would pitch an at times dominant game vs. Toronto. But Bergesen produced his second complete game of the year and third of his career, with a 95-pitch, seven-hitter as the Orioles beat Toronto 3-1 to complete a three-game sweep. He threw 68 of his 95 pitches for strikes, with no walks and three...

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Bergesen dominant in O's 3-1 win over Toronto

September 15, 2010, 5:06pm

Orioles

Bergesen dominant in O's 3-1 win over Toronto

Kyle Drabek pitched pretty well at Camden Yards tonight in his Major League debut. But Brad Bergesen was better. The O's great run of starting pitching continued Wednesday night as the Orioles beat Toronto 3-1 on Bergesen's seven-hitter to complete a three-game sweep. Bergesen improves to 7-10, 5.03 and pitched his second complete game of the season and the Orioles third. Buck Showalter talks with the media after the O's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays He got plenty of defensive help as...

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Drabek's debut

September 15, 2010, 4:49pm

Orioles

Kyle Drabek sure handled himself well and was pretty impressive in his Major League debut tonight. He leaves trailing 3-1 to Brad Bergesen and the Orioles as the O's bat in the seventh. He gave up nine hits and three runs, throwing 88 pitches through six frames. He showed a low 90's fastball and two pretty good curveballs. He limited damage during a couple of jams and fanned five. Bergesen has worked fast, throwing strikes tonight and his defense has been stellar, turning two double...

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Bautista vs. Baltimore

September 15, 2010, 3:41pm

Orioles

Jose Bautista, who did not homer in 11 Orioles at bats in 2004, tonight hit his seventh homer this year against Baltimore pitching. Bautista has 17 hits this year vs. the O's and 14 have gone for extra-bases after he homered off Brad Bergesen in the first tonight. He is 17 for 55 (.309) vs. the O's in 2010 with six doubles, a triple, seven homers and 16 RBI. He began this game with an OPS of 1.159 vs. Orioles pitching. He also has homered six times on the season vs. the Red Sox and...

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Preparing to face Kyle Drabek

September 15, 2010, 1:11pm

Orioles

His father made his first-ever Major League start in Baltimore and Kyle Drabek will do the same tonight, pitching for Toronto vs. the Orioles. After pitching four times in relief, former Cy Young winner Doug Drabek, who was an Oriole himself in 1998, made his first career start for the Yankees at Memorial Stadium on June 15, 1986. This will be the younger Drabek's Major League debut. The 22-year-old Drabek was the Eastern League pitcher of the year this season, going 14-9, 2.94 over 27...

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Andino gets a chance to make an impression for 2011

September 15, 2010, 7:12am

Orioles

Andino gets a chance to make an impression for 2011

The end of this season is turning out better for Robert Andino than the beginning. Andino was designated for assignment by the Orioles on April 3rd. But he cleared waivers, went to Triple-A and put up enough numbers to get a September recall. Now he has started the last three games, going 4 for 15 and had a big three-run double in last night's win. He may be playing his way back into the O's picture as at least a candidate for the utility infielder job next season. "I'm just trying not...

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Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

September 13, 2010, 7:20am

Orioles

Welcome back for another week of 'Where in the Yard?' here in the Orioles Buzz. I wound up stumping quite a few of you last week, so this time around, we'll go with something that might not be the most glamorous feature of Oriole Park, but it's something you've almost certainly seen around the Yard. We have a few weeks left before the end of the regular season, so don't miss your chance to be crowned September's 'Where in the Yard?' Winner and to take home the MLB gift card that...

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Gonzalez settling in as a set up man

September 14, 2010, 5:10pm

Orioles

The Orioles signed Michael Gonzalez to a two-year contract this offseason. He got off to a shaky start with his new team because he was injured. Since his return from the disabled list, Michael has had a change in his role. He was signed to be a closer, but has been in more of a set up role recently. He doesn't think he's at the point in his career where he needs to be a left-handed specialist and likes pitching a full inning. For the entire interview, watch the video below.

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Pitching leads the way in the 25-15 run under Showalter

September 14, 2010, 9:23pm

Orioles

Pitching leads the way in the 25-15 run under Showalter

So the Orioles have now won four series in a row for the first time since August 3-15, 2004. Overall, they have won eight of their last ten and 12 of the last 17 games. They are 6-1 in their last seven games vs. the AL East. There are so many positive individual and team stats right now, it is even hard for a reporter like yours truly who enjoys keeping up with stats and trends. But, hey, I'll work at it. Then there is this note. The Orioles have now played 40 games under Buck Showalter...

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Arrieta on silencing the Jays and his innings total

September 14, 2010, 7:24pm

Orioles

Arrieta on silencing the Jays and his innings total

Buck Showalter says players don't get stronger this time of year, some just hold up better than others. Jake Arrieta seems to be one of those players. Even though he is now 22 innings over his 2009 total, Arrieta is thriving and tonight pitched six shutout innings in the O's 11-3 romp over Toronto. He is now 6-6, 4.66 in 18 starts and is 2-0, 2.60 over his past three starts. This was his first start as a Major Leaguer where he did not allow a run. Jake Arrieta discusses his outing with...

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Arrieta with six scoreless as O's romp 11-3 over the Jays

September 14, 2010, 6:25pm

Orioles

Arrieta with six scoreless as O's romp 11-3 over the Jays

The Orioles used a big inning and a big pitching performance to post another win over Toronto on Tuesday night. Jake Arrieta pitched six scoreless innings and the O's added to a 3-0 lead with a six-run 7th in an 11-3 romp over the Jays. The Orioles have now won four series in a row for the first time since August 3-15, 2004. Buck Showalter meets with the media after the O's 11-3 win over the Blue Jays An enthusiastic crowd of 16,589 saw it on Buck Showalter T-shirt Tuesday. The Orioles...

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Showalter's O's looking for strong finish

September 07, 2010, 6:36pm

Orioles

Showalter's O's looking for strong finish

There's no question the Orioles are a different team since Buck Showalter took over as manager on August 3. Showalter has pointed out that he has had the benefits of a healthy roster with key players like Brian Roberts contributing to the success. And while that is accurate, Showalter's contributions to the improved consistency and winning are critical. With a three-year contract, the players know that Showalter is in charge and he will have a big say in the roster changes that will...

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Fox adjusting to a part-time role

September 14, 2010, 5:03pm

Orioles

Jake Fox is the O's super utility player, but has been rarely used since being acquired from the Oakland Athletics. Jim asked Jake about staying sharp in his part-time role and how he's adjusted to his role. Jake thinks his versatility is beneficial to the Orioles. For more of Jake's thoughts, watch the video below.

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Bell's struggles

September 14, 2010, 4:29pm

Orioles

Josh Bell continues to strike out too much. He has fanned twice tonight vs. Shawn Hill. He has swung at six pitches and missed them all. He has now fanned 49 times and walked just twice in 141 Major League at bats. Yes, that is an alarming rate of strikeouts. This is not to bash Bell because his defense has improved and over the last few weeks he made a few plays to help this team win. And I can still remember sitting in this exact press box seat when he mashed two homers off Cliff...

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Minor League honors coming on Friday

September 14, 2010, 1:16pm

Orioles

The Orioles will announce their minor league player and pitcher of the year award winners this Friday and the players will be introduced to the crowd that night when the O's host the Yankees. Barring an upset, it appears that Joe Mahoney is the top candidate for the Brooks Robinson player award and Zach Britton for the Jim Palmer pitcher honor. The 23-year-old Mahoney, a sixth-round pick in 2007, hit .307-18-78 this year with 30 doubles between Frederick and Bowie. After his promotion to...

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The day after for Matusz

September 14, 2010, 12:53pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz said today he hasn't yet met with Rick Kranitz and/or Buck Showalter to discuss whether he will make his next start. He and the O's expect that he will after Matusz suffered a left triceps contusion last night vs. Toronto and pitched just one inning vs. the Jays. "It feels good, still a little bit swollen and bruised up a little bit. We are going to continue to do treatment with ice, stim and go from there. Keep a pressure pad on it to get the swelling down. I am not going...