Orioles lineups for Thursday vs. Tigers
Orioles lineups for Thursday vs. Tigers
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Here is the Orioles' lineup for tonight's 7:05 p.m. game, the finale of the first three-game series of the season at Camden Yards: For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Tillman RHP
Reimold homers in Norfolk loss
Reimold homers in Norfolk loss
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Nolan Reimold hit a game-tying, bases-empty home run today for Triple-A Norfolk, but the Tides lost to Charlotte 4-3 in the season opener for both teams. Reimold went 2-for-4. Brendan Harris was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Tyler Henson, playing his first Triple-A game, went 2-for-3. Brandon Snyder was 1-for-4. Ryan Adams, also playing his first Triple-A game, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Ryan Drese allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings, striking out three. Mark...
Taking the Keys from Rowell
Taking the Keys from Rowell
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Double-A Bowie Baysox revealed their 2011 roster earlier today, and it's no surprise that former first-round pick Billy Rowell is included. Rowell finally graduated from Single-A Frederick, where he spent the past three seasons. His cap and gown are backordered. Here's the Baysox roster: Pitchers: Tim Bascom, Zach Clark, Brandon Cooney, Jose Diaz, Eddie Gamboa, Steve Johnson, Wynn Pelzer, Raul Rivero, Chorye Spoone, Ryohei Tanaka, Pedro Viola and Rick Zagone Infielders: Pedro...
Stacey Long: The importance of Josh Rupe
Stacey Long: The importance of Josh Rupe
Josh Land
Orioles
In last night's loss to the Detroit Tigers, Josh Rupe pitched in relief and had what appeared to be a subpar outing. While he did give up two runs in three innings, Rupe actually saved the bullpen from what could have been a very taxing evening and subsequently a rough weekend. With starter Brad Bergesen unable to make it out of the fourth inning, the Orioles' bullpen was called on to pitch 5 1/3 innings in relief, not an easy task. With another game against the Tigers today and a weekend...
Dave Nichols: Morgan's departure forces tough fit at leadoff spot
Dave Nichols: Morgan's departure forces tough fit at leadoff spot
Josh Land
Nationals
When the Nationals traded Nyjer Morgan to the Milwaukee Brewers this spring, manager Jim Riggleman was left with an interesting decision. Having no prototypical leadoff hitter on the roster, who would he slot in that position? It's not like Morgan was the perfect choice. Once heralded as the center fielder of the present and future by general manager Mike Rizzo, Morgan has some serious flaws as a player and some will cite his erratic behavior last season, saying he may have significant...
After no-hit outing, Tillman gets another turn (updated)
After no-hit outing, Tillman gets another turn (updated)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When watching Chris Tillman pitch on Saturday against Tampa in his first 2011 start, it seemed to me that Tillman was not throwing with the velocity he once had shown. Tillman's first-inning fastball at times was in the high 80s and there didn't seem to be too many mid-90s heaters during that game. The right-hander said if anyone wondered if he were pitching with less velocity now than he did at times at Triple-A, that might just be true. "It might be, but I am more working on commanding...
Tillman's time again
Tillman's time again
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Chris Tillman competed for the job as the Orioles' fifth starter. Then he became the No. 3 starter. Then he became the No. 2 starter. Tonight, he's being asked to serve as the stopper. The Orioles already have a pitching coach, so that job is out, but it's been an interesting progression for the young right-hander. The club is coming off its first deficit of the 2011 season, followed by its first loss. Perfection is out of reach - something I learned at a very early age. Tillman is...
Checking in on some stats after the first loss of the season
Checking in on some stats after the first loss of the season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles missed out on their chance for the second 5-0 start in team history with last night's 7-3 loss to Detroit. The Birds fall to 4-1 and are tied for first in the American League East with Toronto. Here are more stats from the game and season so far: Batting notes: The O's have scored just 20 runs in five games with a team batting average of .217. They have had six hits or less three times. Player hitting notes: Vlad Guerrero had his first two-hit game as an Oriole and his two...
More postgame chatter
More postgame chatter
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Tonight's attendance: 12,451 Brad Bergesen hadn't pitched in a game since going two innings against a collection of minor leaguers on March 30. He hadn't faced major league hitters since March 25, and he threw only four pitches before Denard Span's line drive slammed off his right forearm. The layoff probably didn't do him any favors tonight. "I mean, it is tough, but (I'm) definitely not going to sit here and use it as an excuse," he said after allowing four runs (two earned) and...
Showalter time
Showalter time
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Maybe the off-day came at a bad time after all. The Orioles won't win every game this season. The 1972 Miami Dolphins can pop the corks on those chilled champagne bottles. Here are some comments from manager Buck Showalter after a 7-3 loss to the Tigers: Buck Showalter meets with the media after the O's first loss of the season On Brad Bergesen: "He hadn't pitched in a game in a long time. We were hoping to get him through four to six in that pitch count. He got some counts in his...