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Lapses in first inning (and second)

March 17, 2011, 9:31am

Orioles

BRADENTON, Fla. - I'm not sure how Chris Tillman got out of the first inning without allowing a run. Tillman walked the leadoff hitter, Jose Tabata, and another batter reached on an error. Another play wasn't made cleanly, and the Orioles almost botched a rundown. Still scoreless as we head to the bottom of the first. Neil Walker followed Tabata's walk with a grounder to shortstop J.J. Hardy, who bobbled the ball and settled for the force at second base. Andrew McCutchen reached on third...

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Josh Bell's wild ride (with Britton update)

March 17, 2011, 10:31am

Orioles

Josh Bell's wild ride (with Britton update)

BRADENTON, Fla. - With the time change last weekend, Josh Bell might want to set his clock back 24 hours. He's having a bad, bad day. I already wrote about Bell's error and his mental lapse on a rundown. He just got tagged out in the fourth inning as Felix Pie drew a walk. Bell was running on the pitch, slid into second and assumed that he was out. He didn't realize that Pie had taken ball four. Bell got up and started to jog toward the dugout, realized his mistake and got caught in a...

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Orioles and Delaware North Sportservice previewing new signature menu items

March 17, 2011, 11:35am

Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles and Delaware North Companies Sportservice will hold a food tasting of new signature menu items for media at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Representatives of the news media and blogs that focus on the Orioles or regional food tastes will have the opportunity to sample the menu items, most of which will be available to all fans in general concessions, and ask questions of Orioles and Sportservice representatives. Scheduled to attend are...

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Orioles take lead in 3rd, Fox homers

March 17, 2011, 10:12am

Orioles

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jake Fox completed a six-run third inning with a mammoth two-run shot to left field off Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf. That's six homers for Fox. If you connected them, they would reach my townhouse in Sykesville. This ball bounced off the roof of a building that sits beyond the fence. If I were Fox, I'd still be striking a pose at home plate. Fox followed Matt Wieters' two-run double to left, though that one was charitable. Jose Tabata should have made the catch, but...

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Roberts 50-50 for weekend

March 17, 2011, 6:40am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts is scheduled to hit soft toss and off a tee this morning, and also participate in defensive drills. Manager Buck Showalter said Roberts is "50-50" to return to the lineup this weekend. Roberts hasn't played since March 7 because of back spasms. First baseman Derrek Lee will take batting practice in the indoor cage today off former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick. Lee could end up playing in Monday's minor league game that Showalter has...

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Pre-game Showalter (and Pirates lineup)

March 17, 2011, 8:16am

Orioles

BRADENTON, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter met with reporters in his office before heading to McKechnie Field for today's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. I passed along the highlights, but here are some quotes to go with them. On Derrek Lee taking batting practice today: "He feels really good today. It's different from some things in the past. So far so good." On Lee's game schedule once he starts playing: "It's not going to be every day. Keep in mind, we can create as many at-bats...

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MLB Network talks Orioles

March 16, 2011, 7:25pm

Orioles

The Orioles were the featured team last night on MLB Network's 30 in 30 club previews. Analysts John Hart and Dan Plesac had several positive comments about the club and its outlook for 2011. "There should be a lot of excitement with the finish they had with Buck Showalter," Hart said. "There used to be a time when the Oriole Way really meant something. I see that coming back with Showalter - attention to detail, fundamentals. I think they are really going to make an improvement, even...

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Today's lineup

March 17, 2011, 4:49am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Top of the morning to you. I'm leaving in an hour to make my third trip to Bradenton this spring. Don't be green with envy. For the Orioles: Felix Pie CF J.J. Hardy SS Nolan Reimold LF Matt Wieters DH Jake Fox C Randy Winn RF Brendan Harris 2B Josh Bell 3B Brandon Snyder 1B Chris Tillman RHP Josh Rupe and Jeremy Accardo also are scheduled to pitch. The Pirates are listing Ross Ohlendorf, Evan Meek (still trying to inherit the earth) and Joe Beimel. Left-hander Zach...

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Final thoughts on 10-0 loss

March 16, 2011, 5:51pm

Orioles

TAMPA, Fla. - I'll be brief, and not because I'm facing an hour drive back to Sarasota. The Orioles were held to one hit, Vladimir Guerrero's double off Mariano Rivera with two outs in the seventh. If you love a parade, you were in heaven with all the relievers used tonight. "Some guys threw the ball well, some guys struggled," manager Buck Showalter said. "We didn't swing the bats very well. Another day. We'll see more games, see more people play." The Orioles need to see better...

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There goes the no-no

March 16, 2011, 4:44pm

Orioles

TAMPA, Fla. - The Orioles were spared the indignity of being no-hit in an exhibition game. They just needed someone named Mariano Rivera to replace Ivan Nova. Vladimir Guerrero doubled to right-center field off the Yankees' closer with two outs in the seventh. Finally, a hit. Nova hit a batter and walked one through the sixth. He threw only 59 pitches. The Yankees were going to push him to 75, but I guess they wanted this Rivera kid to get some work. Guerrero flied out and struck out...

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VandenHurk ineffective again

March 16, 2011, 5:09pm

Orioles

TAMPA, Fla. - Rick VandenHurk faced six batters tonight and retired none of them. VandenHurk was removed after allowing three runs. Armando Gabino inherited a bases loaded mess, so his line wasn't officially complete. It is now. Another run scored on a fielder's choice grounder from Alex Rodriguez. Robinson Cano followed with an RBI single. Five runs charged to VandenHurk. Yankees 9, Orioles 0 VandenHurk gave up three hits, walked three batters and threw a wild pitch. He's surrendered...

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Tatum sits and waits

March 16, 2011, 3:24pm

Orioles

TAMPA, Fla. - Craig Tatum doesn't like missing games unless it's part of his life as a backup catcher. Tatum remains shut down with tightness in his right oblique. He hopes to take batting practice tomorrow. Tatum sustained the injury while slipping on the plate during an infield drill, and he aggravated it while rounding third base in Saturday's game in Kissimmee. "Buck (Showalter) asked me if I could play and I was like, 'Yeah, I can play.' And they were like, 'We're going to shut...

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Johnson on Johnson (updated twice)

March 16, 2011, 4:03pm

Orioles

TAMPA, Fla. - Jim Johnson was amused to find two reporters waiting for him outside the clubhouse after tonight's start. "Are you kidding?" he asked with a grin. Nope. We needed the starter, and Johnson qualified tonight. Johnson allowed one run on three hits. Derek Jeter reached on an infield hit after the ball deflected off Johnson's glove. Nick Swisher singled on a hit-and-run, and Mark Teixeira doubled for a 1-0 lead. "Oh, I was so nervous," Johnson said, clearly in jest. He...

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More injury updates (updated)

March 16, 2011, 2:28pm

Orioles

TAMPA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter indicated that Brian Roberts, Derrek Lee and Koji Uehara could appear in games this weekend. Roberts hit off a tee from both sides of the "plate" and is encouraged by his progression. Lee didn't take live bating practice, instead hitting soft toss, but it could happen tomorrow. His debut is tentatively set for this weekend. Koji Uehara had another positive bullpen session and is close to appearing in his second spring game. "I've got all three...

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Reynolds trying to get untracked

March 16, 2011, 5:22am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - After a nice stretch of home cooking, the Orioles hit the road again for another game played under the lights. The clubhouse opens to the media at 2 p.m. and I'll be Tampa-bound about an hour later for tonight's matchup with the Yankees. Since Jeremy Guthrie is getting his innings at the minor league complex, the Orioles will dip into their bullpen for tonight's game. Jim Johnson, Rick VandenHurk, Mark Hendrickson, Michael Gonzalez, David Riske and Clay Rapada are making...

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Tonight's lineups

March 16, 2011, 9:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Josh Bell 1B Cesar Izturis SS Jim Johnson RHP No, the Orioles aren't considering a role change for Johnson. It's just a bullpen game while Jeremy Guthrie threw five innings against a bunch of Red Sox Triple-A hitters at Twins Lake Park. Guthrie allowed two runs and six hits, with two walks and one strikeout. He induced three double play...

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Draft could be focus in baseball labor talks

March 16, 2011, 5:51am

Orioles

Draft could be focus in baseball labor talks

No one is talking about any strikes or lockouts in Major League Baseball, but the collective bargaining agreement in the sport does expire after this coming season in December. The sides have already had labor talks in Florida and they are expected to resume soon in Arizona. Orioles scouting director Joe Jordan expects discussion about the First-Year Player Draft and the possible changes to it to be on the table over the next several months. "Yeah, I do. I don't know necessarily what...

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Joe Mahoney: It was a good first impression

March 14, 2011, 7:20pm

Orioles

Joe Mahoney: It was a good first impression

After producing seven hits in 17 at-bats for a .412 batting average in his first major league spring training camp, Orioles' first base prospect Joe Mahoney seems to have made the most of his initial chance to play for the Birds. "It was a great experience. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot," Mahoney said last night. "I was fortunate enough to play well and hopefully make a good first impression with both the coaching staff and management." "I think he's primed to have that year...

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Encouraging news on Roberts, Duchscherer, Lee, Uehara

March 15, 2011, 7:14am

Orioles

Encouraging news on Roberts, Duchscherer, Lee, Uehara

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter provided a quick health update during batting practice. It never gets old. Showalter said the MRI on Brian Roberts' back didn't show anything new. He still believes that Roberts, who's visiting a back specialist this morning, could be ready for the April 1 opener. "I'm going to speak to Robby at lunch time," Showalter said. "I know talking to Richie (Bancells) that the MRI was nothing new there to speak of, so that's good news. Hopefully, we're...

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Roberts starts progression toward opener

March 15, 2011, 8:15am

Orioles

Roberts starts progression toward opener

SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts returned to the clubhouse after visiting a back specialist today. He described his back as feeling "much better, definitely. Quite a bit better." And he remains hopeful of starting the April 1 opener after assuring reporters following yesterday's MRI that the discomfort wasn't related to his herniated disk. "Saw the doc today and got good, encouraging news, so I'll start to try to progress starting today," Roberts said. "He just said that...