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As if Buck Showalter hasn't already done enough to get Orioles fans energized and excited for the new season, now there is this:
Although, the headline on ESPN.com may be a bit misleading. Showalter didn't exactly "rip" Derek Jeter.
"The first time we went to Yankee Stadium, I screamed at Derek Jeter from the dugout. Our guys are thinking, 'Wow, he's screaming at Derek Jeter.' Well, he's always jumping back from balls just off the plate. I know how many calls that team gets - and...
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The ninth inning took on special meaning tonight because shortstop Manny Machado stepped to the plate against Twins reliever Chuck James.
Of course, it happened while reporters were racing down from the press box to the seats beside the Orioles' dugout.
Machado grounded to short in the Orioles' 5-2 loss at Hammond Stadium.
Nervous?
"No, not really," he said. "I was just a little too patient."
Machado, the third overall pick in last June's draft, didn't know he...
FORT MYERS, Fla. - It wasn't until left-hander Brian Matusz returned to the bullpen to continue throwing that he salvaged part of his night.
Matusz recorded only four outs and allowed four runs and four hits, with three walks and no strikeouts. He threw 56 pitches, but the most important ones came afterward.
That's when Matusz says he found the rhythm that abandoned him while the Twins were teeing off and home plate kept moving on him.
"From the get-go, warming up, I couldn't find my...
FORT MYERS, Fla. - It was hardly worth the drive over here.
Left-hander Brian Matusz recorded only four outs tonight and was charged with four runs and five hits, with three walks and no strikeouts. The Twins lead, 4-1, in the third inning.
Manager Buck Showalter summoned left-hander Alberto Castillo after Joe Mauer's two-run single, which came on Matusz's 56th pitch. The ball slammed off the left-center field fence, but Tsuyoshi Nishioka inexplicably stopped at second base.
Matusz went to...
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Good thing the Orioles relaxed their facial-hair policy, or half the team would be in violation right now.
The Twins forced Brian Matusz to throw 34 pitches in the first inning, 18 for strikes. Matusz had four full counts, walked two batters, gave up a hit and fell behind, 1-0.
Denard Span walked and stole second base without a throw. Tsuyoshi Nishioka laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Span scored on Joe Mauer's sharp grounder down the third base line.
Mark Reynolds made a...
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Since manager Buck Showalter is all about finding nuggets, I wanted to pass along a few from today's pre-game media session.
On Brian Roberts making the trip:
"We were going to wait until after (yesterday's) game was over. Robby and I talked about 6 o'clock last night at the stadium. He wanted to get some right-handed at-bats, Obviously, (Francisco) Liriano presents that. It was probably more his idea than mine. I think it's a great idea."
On the number of cuts that...
On Wednesday afternoon, the Nationals announced some new details about NatsFest, scheduled for Wednesday, March 30 from 4-8 p.m. at Nationals Park. According to the release, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Derek Norris, Chien-Ming Wang and Cole Kimball are all scheduled to attend the team's third annual NatsFest celebration.
Upon entering the ballpark at 4 p.m., fans can watch the Nationals take batting practice until 5:45 p.m. Following practice, at approximately 6:15 p.m., fans will be...
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Justin Duchscherer threw the first part of today's bullpen session on a half mound and the rest on a full mound.
Manager Buck Showalter said Duchscherer felt "really good," and the club will have a more definite plan for him tomorrow.
Koji Uehara will pitch in a Triple-A game on Friday. Showalter still believes that Uehara will be ready for the April 1 opener against the Rays.
Brendan Harris will be sidelined one or two more days after having a mole removed from his...
With Opening Day nearly a week away, the Washington Nationals today announced the official schedule of events for the 2011 NatsFest, set to take place on Wednesday, March 30 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. For the first time in team history, the Nats will hold their annual fan appreciation festival the day before Opening Day.
The third annual NatsFest will feature activities for fans of all ages and offer unprecedented access to Nationals players, prospects, coaches and executives. Future Nationals...
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gregg stayed back in camp today after pitching yesterday in a minor league game at Twin Lakes Park.
Gregg faced five batters yesterday, allowing two hits, striking out two and hitting a batter. He threw 23 pitches, 16 for strikes.
Gregg made an adjustment in his mechanics earlier in camp, leaning forward as he delivered the ball rather than staying back. He wasn't happy with the results - he gave up eight earned runs (nine total) in two appearances over 1 1/3 innings...