With the 6-2 victory tonight, their fourth in the past five games and their second straight over the reeling Chicago White Sox, the Orioles finished April with a 12-13 record. It is their most wins in the season's first month since the 2007 team also won 12 games.

Chris Tillman pitched five innings to claim his first win of the season, and Robert Andino, in addition to making a superb diving play to start a double play in the fourth, went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, two runs scored and a stolen base. Andino's baserunning keyed the Orioles' four-run eighth inning.

But as manager Buck Showalter pointed out, the star of this game was much-maligned lefty relief specialist Michael Gonzalez. After giving up runs in four consecutive outings and in six of his first seven this year, Gonzalez inherited Tillman's bases loaded and no-out mess in the sixth inning. The Orioles led by two runs and left-handed hitting slugger Adam Dunn was at the plate for the White Sox. When Showalter handed Gonzalez the ball, he told him, "Hey, you got nothing to lose, let it hang out, let’s go."

Gonzalez struck out Dunn looking. He then got Alex Rios to hit a flyball to medium center field. It should have meant the end of the inning because Adam Jones caught the ball and fired a perfect throw home that beat Alexei Ramirez, who tagged up from third. However, catcher Jake Fox dropped the ball. Still, Gonzalez fanned A.J. Pierzynski to end the inning, strand two White Sox and keep the Orioles' lead at 2-1.

"He’s got a new look," Showalter said. "We talked about it with you all after his last outing. He had good quality stuff. It was a big momentum swing there, him coming in to get Dunn there."

Gonzalez then pitched a perfect seventh, retiring two of the three White Sox that he faced on strikeouts. He was hitting 96 miles per hour on the stadium radar gun.

"Overall, it was a huge for me," he said. "Like I said, the last few outings I had I felt like I was a click, a tick away. It had nothing to do with velocity, velocity was good. It’s been good the whole year. It’s just been getting that rhythm. I felt the rhythm that last outing. I didn’t get the results I wanted. I was just so anxious to get out there tonight and show the rhythm I had."

Gonzalez had a 13.50 ERA entering the game, but he decided recently that he was going to go back to "square one" and his old style. That's why you saw the rocking on the mound, and all his clutching in his delivery. You also saw plenty of emotion with him on the mound.

"I think we all thought he threw the ball great the other time at home [against Boston]," second baseman Brian Roberts said. "I think that’s the first time I’ve seen the old Gonzo even though things didn’t go exactly his way that day. The ball was coming out of his hand really well. He talked to me about going back to his old ways and having that confidence and swagger. He seems to have that back hopefully. We could really use him. He’s a huge part of that bullpen."

Gonzalez, who many fans have been calling for his release, was hoping that tonight was just a start.

"This is, overall, the best I’ve felt arm-wise and everything," he said. "I’ve felt good the last few outings. But seriously since I got here to Baltimore, I hadn’t felt this good. And by that I mean mentally and rhythm wise. I hadn’t felt this good since Atlanta. So I’m definitely going to feed off of this."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said that he and the athletic training staff will monitor starter Jake Arrieta’s sore right hip, but he expects that the right-hander will make his next scheduled start Wednesday in Kansas City.

"He fought me tooth and nail last night about coming out of the game. In fact, he almost had me talked into to letting him get back out there and I thought better of it. I expect him to make his start, but I think that question is more pertinent probably the next couple of days when he
actually has his throw day."

At the team’s minor league complex in Sarasota today, Brian Matusz (strained left intercostal muscle) played long toss and did conditioning work. He’ll throw a 40 to 45-pitch bullpen session Sunday.

Fellow starter Justin Duchscherer (left hip strain) threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session for the first time in several weeks. He told team officials that he felt great and he’ll throw live batting practice again Tuesday. Shortstop J.J. Hardy (strained left oblique) hit off a tee, took groundballs and continues to progress in his rehab program.

One more item on Vladimir Guerrero's lack of a walk this year. If he doesn’t walk tonight in the Orioles' final game in April, it will mark the first time in any month in his career, where he’s played at least 10 games and hasn’t drawn at least one walk. That's rather significant when you consider that Guerrero has played 2,026 big league games over parts of 16 seasons.

Here's Showalter's take about giving catcher Matt Wieters the night off: “I think it’s tougher to jeopardize or risk losing Matt than it is to make decisions on whether to play him,” Showalter said. “We all know the level that he’s capable of playing at, which he is now. Sometime I think we should all go squat down for three hours and go back and forth for four or five days in a row and see how you feel, regardless if you’re 24 or 25 years old and 6-foot-4 or 6-foot-5 … We’ll continue to pick spots for him.”

And finally, Alfredo Simon pitched five innings in an extended spring training game today. He'll likely join one of the Orioles' minor league affiliates soon.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Here's the official release, sent out by the club this afternoon:

The Orioles today announced that they have received CA JOHN HESTER from the Arizona Diamondbacks to complete their December 2010 trade for 3B MARK REYNOLDS. Hester has been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.

A 13th-round selection out of Stanford University by the Diamondbacks in 2006, Hester has batted .263 (10-38) in 10 games with the Triple-A Reno Aces this season. In 300 career minor league games, he has thrown out 29% of baserunners.

Hester played in 53 major league games for Arizona in 2009 and 2010, batting .220 (27-123). He hit a two-run home run in his first major league at-bat on August 28, 2009 against the Houston Astros.

Posted by Chris Korman at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Jake Fox, C
Robert Andino, SS
Chris Tillman, SP

Not really a surprise that Matt Wieters isn't in the starting lineup. The Orioles have a day game tomorrow and frontline catchers usually only start one game in the day/night scenario. Wieters also has started 22 of the Orioles' first 24 games. I figured Orioles manager Buck Showalter would want to hold Wieters for Sunday to catch rookie lefty Zach Britton, who can be a tough assignment with those 90-plus miles an hour sinkers.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Vladimir Guerrero’s swing-at-everything style has been well documented over the years, but his aggressive approach this season has been excessive even by his standards.

Guerrero enters tonight’s game, the Orioles’ final one in April, without a walk in 100 plate appearances. He is the first non-pitcher in team history to not have at least one walk during that time. He also is the only qualifying player in the majors without a walk this season.

The standard to qualify is 3.1 plate appearances per team game. The Chicago White Sox’s Brent Morel also does not have a walk in 71 plate appearances, but he doesn’t qualify because Chicago has played 27 games.

Guerrero walked 35 times last season in 643 plate appearances for the Texas Rangers.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The Orioles are monitoring Kevin Millwood’s status, but I wouldn’t say that there is serious interest in a reunion with the team’s Opening Day starter last season. Millwood, currently pitching for the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, has an opt-out clause in his contract that he can exercise if he’s not promoted to the big leagues by Monday. He pitched poorly in his last Triple-A outing, allowing six runs and seven hits, including two homers, over two innings, fueling the belief that the Yankees won’t call him up by the deadline. The Orioles have not sent anybody to scout Millwood, though the word in scouting circles is that Millwood’s stuff hasn’t been crisp, and his velocity is down. I wouldn’t rule it out by any means because the Orioles are obviously concerned about their starting pitching depth, and they know well what Millwood can and cannot do. If Millwood is willing to sign a minor league deal with no promises, I could see that interesting the Orioles. Anything other than that, I think it would be unlikely pairing.

As I wrote in today’s notebook, Alfredo Simon is scheduled to throw five innings today in an extended spring training game. If all goes well, it will likely be Simon’s last outing at extended spring. The Orioles are prepared to take him off the restricted list and have him join the starting rotation of one of the club’s affiliates. They’d have to make a 40-man move to accommodate his return to the roster, but that shouldn’t be difficult as there are a couple of guys on the 40-man who clearly have fallen out of the team’s long-term plans. Simon, on the other hand, appears to be very much on the Orioles’ radar. He is in far better shape this year and the reports on his stuff have been positive. It’s pretty amazing how quickly this has come together, considering that the pitcher was still in a Dominican Republic prison about eight weeks ago.

For all the talk about Buck Showalter’s organization and leadership skills, the people I talked to when he was hired as Orioles manager really felt that he’d help the franchise most in one key area: evaluating its own talent. Let’s face it, the Orioles have mostly failed in that area in the recent past. I thought about that again last night while watching infielder Robert Andino get three hits, draw a walk and pretty much be in the center of every Oriole rally. He’s now hitting .333 and playing a pretty strong shortstop, the error last night notwithstanding. The Orioles had tired of Andino’s attitude and antics last year while he was with Triple-A Norfolk and were prepared to let him go. However, Showalter wanted to take a look at him before they did. A September call-up, Andino finished the 2010 season strong, made this year’s team out of spring training, and he’s really flourished in J.J. Hardy’s absence. All you’d need to do is watch Andino take groundballs for two minutes to determine a lack of talent is not his issue. He has good feet, lightning-quick hands, a good arm and a quick release. He handles the bat pretty well and has decent speed. He also has the type of attitude and swagger- Mark Teixeira found that out last week - that Showalter craves in his players. The problem for Andino has always been staying focused and playing hard. He’s been doing both and it certainly appears that Showalter has his attention. The most memorable interview I’ve done since spring training began was with Andino after he was informed that he had made the Orioles’ Opening Day roster. An emotional Andino talked about how proud he was of himself, and about how he felt it was one of the first times in his life that he didn’t screw up. I know there are a lot of Orioles right now that are real happy that he’s getting an opportunity and doing well.

I certainly wrote plenty about catcher Matt Wieters last night, both on the blog and in today’s paper. However, one aspect that we really haven’t discussed is how much Wieters is playing. He has started 22 of the Orioles’ 24 games behind the plate. Last year, Wieters also started 22 of the team’s first 24 games, prompting many to blame then manager Dave Trembley for playing the catcher too much and wearing him down. With a night game tonight and a day game Sunday, I bet Wieters gets one of the next two days off and Jake Fox will catch. I’m guessing it will be tonight because I think Showalter and pitching coach Mark Connor would prefer Wieters catching rookie Zach Britton Sunday.

The starting rotation has obviously pitched real well of late, compiling a 3.41 ERA over the last 10 games so I don’t want to nitpick. However, I don’t think I’m breaking any news here when I say that while the starters are giving the Orioles a chance to win most nights, they better start getting deeper in games. Oriole starters have pitched six innings or less in six straight games. Nine outs is a lot to get every night, especially when a couple of members of the bullpen have struggled and just aren’t trusted right now in tight spots. Jim Johnson and Jason Berken have both been getting a lot of work lately, even if it’s just been in the bullpen warming up. And while we are on the topic, I read some criticism of Showalter tonight after he yanked Jake Arrieta following five innings despite the fact that his pitch count was at 86. I agreed with the move even before Arrieta admitted that he was pitching with some right hip soreness. That was a big game, and after coming back from down three runs, it was important to start the road trip with a W. Arrieta battled and he surely has better days ahead, but he didn’t have it last night as evidenced by the countless balls that the White Sox either smoked right at Oriole defenders, or hit to the warning track. The ball wasn’t carrying much at U.S. Cellular, which worked in Arrieta’s favor.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (26)
        

Catcher Matt Wieters was the story in the Orioles' 10-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox tonight in the first game of a seven-game road trip. Wieters went 2-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs.

He broke a sixth-inning tie but slamming John Danks' 3-0 pitch into the left-field seats. He then was part of the Orioles' five-run seventh with a two-run double off tough lefty Chris Sale.

“I felt good all night,” said Wieters who was retired by Danks on deep fly outs in his first two at-bats. “I felt like I was putting good swings on the ball. I knew if I kept finding the barrel, it was going to pay off eventually.”

With the two big hits, Wieters improved to 9-for-10 with two doubles, three homers and 15 RBIs with runners in scoring position this season. With the two-run double in the seventh, Wieters now has 22 RBIs in 22 lifetime at-bats with the bases loaded. He entered the night just 2-for-15 with one RBI against left-handed pitching but both hits came off of southpaws.

“He’s in a good spot right now,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Wieters who is hitting .260 with four homers and 16 RBIs. “I’m just going to leave it at that. He’s worked very hard. Matty has put in a lot of time and everything in his background says that he has the potential to be an offensive force. Like I said all along, he’s going to be as good as he’s capable being. I just marvel at what he does behind the plate.”

Wieters also threw out the speedy Juan Pierre trying to steal to end Jake Arrieta’s difficult bottom of the second inning in which he allowed three runs,

Arrieta was removed from the game after five innings. He threw 86 pitches, but he really wasn't sharp as evidenced by the number of hard-hit balls that were caught by Oriole defenders. Arrieta said that he has been dealing with some right hip soreness the past couple of weeks, but he doesn't think that it is a big deal.

"I’ve had it for a couple weeks. That’s why it's not really a big concern," Arrieta said. "I think tonight maybe just staying warm was the issue. I tried to stay by the heater in the tunnel, moving around as much as I could, but it was really tightening up on me."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)
        

Starter Brian Matusz, who hasn’t pitched this season because of a strained left intercostal muscle and returned to the team’s spring training complex after throwing a bullpen at Camden Yards Thursday, is tentatively scheduled to throw two to three innings in an extended spring training game on May 7. After that, he could throw in another extended spring game or join one of the affiliates for a couple of more rehab starts. Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail estimated that if there are no setbacks, Matusz is still about three weeks away from joining the big league rotation.

“He’s got his schedule, he knows it, each day what he’s doing down there. There’s two dates if he stays on schedule that he could be there for us,” said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. “We’ve already tweaked it once or twice, but as long as he makes those goals physically, we can adjust it, but not until he gets a couple innings under his belt. I wouldn’t say you are starting over but he hasn’t had a ball in his hand for over four weeks, so you got to build his arm strength back up.”

Shortstop J.J. Hardy took swings off a tee and performed his latest rehab progression without any issues. The Orioles still haven’t set a date for Hardy to begin a rehab assignment, but it’s believed that he’s about two weeks away from rejoining the club.

And two other things real quick: Alfredo Simon is scheduled to throw five innings Saturday, which could be his last outing in an extended spring training game before he joins one of the minor league affiliates.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 8:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

As it turns out, Brian Roberts' back was not the reason that he was running so infrequently. A sore right hamstring is.

Roberts said today that he opted to mostly shut it down on the bases for the first couple of weeks of the season because he was hampered by right hamstring discomfort. Roberts said that his hamstring, which started hurting late in spring training, is feeling much better and he offered proof Thursday by stealing third in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox.

That was just Roberts' second stolen base of the season and his first since April 6, a span of 18 games. It was the Orioles first stolen base as a team since April 7.

"I wanted to be on the field and I knew if I was trying to run recklessly, I probably wouldn’t have been able to stay in the lineup, but it’s gotten a lot better," Roberts said. "Yesterday, was one of those times. I told [manager Buck Showalter] a long time ago, ‘Look, I want to play so I probably won’t be stealing much.’ Hopefully, that’s going to change now that I’m getting healthy."

Despite questions about his back, which limited him to 59 games last season, Roberts has played in the Orioles' first 23 games and he's in the lineup again tonight.

"I was trying to be smart so I can maybe steal 30 the last 120 games and not the first 10," he said. "I told [head athletic trainer Richie Bancells] the other day, I said, ‘I finally may have used my head for a week or two.’ I wanted to run but I sat there and said, ‘Is this smart?’ I want to play 162 games or 159 or whatever. Once I’m getting past that, no, I don’t want to be the new Brian Roberts quote unquote. I want to run and I think I still can run. I think I can still steal 30 bases and that’s what I’m hoping to do."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 5:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Robert Andino, SS
Jake Arrieta, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen will serve a two-game suspension, starting tonight against the Orioles,for his actions during the White Sox's game against the New York Yankees Wednesday.

Guillen was also fined for his actions, which included comments via Twitter following his ejection. Those were in violation of Major League Baseball's scoial media policy and other regulations regarding the use of electronic equipment during the course of a game.

Bench coach Joey Cora is expected to serve as Chicago's acting manager during the next two nights against the Orioles.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

One of the more interesting developments from Thursday’s game revolves around beleaguered reliever Michael Gonzalez.

The lefty had another rough outing on Thursday in the Orioles’ 6-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Three of the four batters he faced reached base. He gave up two singles, walked a guy and struck out one. He was charged with two runs and also allowed an inherited runner to score. Yet after the game, Gonzalez said he wasn’t frustrated.

Because he felt like he had it together, mentally and physically, for the first time this season.

“I felt really good today. I felt really comfortable and it just didn’t go my way,” he said. “But I will fight like this all day. I’ll go everyday to work like that feeling the way I felt today. No frustration whatsoever.”

Before you go, “whatttttt?” I guess you should know this: Gonzalez hit 94 and 95 mph multiple times with his four-seam fastball, up from the low 90s in previous outings, and that was noticed by manager Buck Showalter.

“I thought Gonzo probably had the best stuff he’s had this year, as far as just quality stuff,” Showalter said. “Because he’s having some struggles here and there, it’s tough to get him out there enough to get it under control like we know he’s capable of. It’s good to see his stuff get better tonight. If he keeps bringing that type of stuff, he’ll have some success.”

On the pitching side, Gonzalez has been the club’s biggest disappointment. He finished 2010 strong – after a rough and injury-riddled beginning – but couldn’t carry that over to this year. He said earlier this week that his confidence wasn’t shattered. And then said Thursday night that he was excited about how he felt on the mound, even as Showalter took him out and he walked off to what has become a familiar sound of boos from some in the home crowd.

“I was trying to just stay in the moment because I felt so good. I hadn’t felt like that all year. And like I said it had nothing to do with results. To me, it had nothing to do with velocity. To me, it was the way I felt, my rhythm, my motion, everything felt back to where it was before,” Gonzalez said. “Seriously, I didn’t even feel much of that last year when I came back. I am excited about that, I can’t lie. I’m excited about that. Obviously, you don’t want to give up a couple runs. That’s how it is, but to sacrifice a couple runs for the way I felt today, I will do that every day.”

Gonzalez’s ERA is now a robust 13.50. He has allowed runs in six of his seven appearances and doled out nine hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings. The problem for the Orioles is they have no left-handers to fill his place. The other lefty reliever, Clay Rapada, has a 21.60 ERA (four runs in 1 2/3 innings).

And don’t forget Gonzalez is making $6 million this year. The Orioles are on the hook for that if they cut him. But if he can work out his troubles – and we’re talking quickly here – it’s possible they can get some team to take the rest of that contract and maybe throw in a spare part in July. The best case scenario, of course, is that he turns it around and pitches well for the Orioles, justifying that lofty deal. It's hard to see, after Thursday's outing, that such a possibility is on the horizon.

Believe him or not, though, Gonzalez said he thinks that turnaround is coming.

“I feel bad about giving up that run of (Jim Johnson’s). I didn’t want to give up (Johnson’s) run. That’s what I feel bad about. The results, seriously, I don’t feel bad or frustrated whatsoever. What I wanted was to go out there and have my mindset.”

One last Gonzo quote. He was asked about looking angry on the mound Thursday, and this is what he said: “That’s me. That’s what I felt good about. It really wasn’t mad, it was aggressive. I am aggressive. I go right after you. I don’t know where I lost that. I am just glad I found that. Like I said, results are results. But I feel good about it.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)
        

Jim Johnson on the Pedroia’s tiebreaking dribbler hit: “I thought it was a pretty good pitch. He does that a lot it seems like. He’s a tough out. Give him credit.”

Buck Showalter on the game and Jon Lester: “I’m just proud that Brad kept us in it. (Guerrero) ran into one to tie it and Bergy had kind of emptied the tank there to get out of that jam and I was proud of that.”

Buck Showalter on Brad Bergesen: “Pretty good, pretty good. He gave us a good chance to win, something we talked about before the game. He made some pitches when he had to. I think Mark was looking at six or seven balls that they hit hard. They had a swinging bunt and a couple flares. We had some of that (Wednesday) night. It kind of evened out.”

Michael Gonzalez on his outing: “I feel bad about giving up that run of J.J.’s. I didn’t want to give up (Johnson’s) run. That’s what I feel bad about. The results, seriously, I don’t feel bad or frustrated whatsoever. … I felt really good today. I felt really comfortable and it just didn’t go my way. But I will fight like this all day. I’ll go everyday to work like that feeling the way I felt today. No frustration whatsoever.”

Bergesen on Boston’s infield hits: “It was tough luck for us. We knew they're things we can't control. A couple swinging base hits, there's nothing you can do about it. You just try to forget those as soon as you can.”

Bergesen on facing Adrian Gonzalez: “He's hitting 1.000 off me now. This is the first time I've faced him. I gave up three base hits and he seemed like he was all over it tonight. He was real tough for me tonight.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Derrek Lee’s RBI single in the first inning Thursday was his first hit with runners in scoring position, snapping an 0-for-14 skid as an Oriole.

It was his third RBI of the season and first since a two-run homer April 6.

Brian Roberts set it up. The leadoff hitter walked, moved to second on Nick Markakis' single, then stole third base.

Adam Jones hit into a double play to end the threat, but the Orioles at least tied the score, 1-1, against Jon Lester, who is 13-0 against the Orioles in his career.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Both Brian Matusz (left intercostal strain) and Chris Jakubauskas (right groin strain) completed 35-pitch bullpen sessions and proclaimed themselves pain-free Thursday afternoon.

Jakubauskas will join the Triple-A Norfolk club in Louisville and will pitch 2 to 3 innings Sunday in a rehab assignment. He is eligible to come off the 15-day DL Monday, and a decision has not been made whether he will be activated and join the Orioles or be activated and then returned to Norfolk.

Matusz will be sent back to Sarasota to continue his rehab. He will pitch in at least one extended spring game and make at least three rehab starts overall. But where those games will be has not been announced.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Highlights from Buck Showalter’s pre-game media briefing:

Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) threw from the mound today. He threw 35 pitches -- fastballs, and a few changeups and a curveballs -- without pain and is excited to face live hitters.

“Felt really good. No pain at all,” Matusz said. “Felt like I got stronger as I kept going. Once the bullpen was done, I was kind of like, I feel loose now. I’m ready to do more. Which is a good sign.”

Showalter said he would discuss Matusz’s next step at some point Thursday with pitching coach Mark Connor, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells.

Matusz is expected to head back to Sarasota, Fla., and pitch at least one game in extended spring training. He will make at least three rehab starts total before being activated. We may get more official word later today.

Showalter said he also expects to map out a plan for right-hander Chris Jakubauskas (groin strain) today.

According to Showalter, shortstop J.J. Hardy (oblique strain) took 15 dry swings; 25 off the tee with no problems, which is something he hasn’t done; threw from 120 feet; and ran sprints.

He is expected to hit soft toss and take grounders Friday in Sarasota.

Right-hander Justin Duchscherer (hip, back) is expected to throw live batting practice Saturday. He has pitched several times from a mound, Showalter said.

Here are today’s lineups:

Orioles: Roberts 4, Markakis 9, Lee 3, Guerrero DH, Jones 8, Wieters 2, Reynolds 5, Fox 7, Andino 6. Bergesen 1.

Red Sox: Ellsbury 8, Pedroia 4, Gonzalez 3, Youkilis 5, Ortiz DH, Drew 9, Saltalamacchia 2, Crawford 7, Scutaro 6. Lester 1.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 4:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Here's a look at what other media outlets have said about the Orioles in the past week:

• CSN Baltimore’s John Eisenberg writes that Orioles starter Zach Britton keeps rolling.

The rookie left-hander won again Tuesday night, pitching six strong innings in a 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. The Orioles are now 4-1 in his starts and 5-11 in games started by everyone else.

“You just don’t see a ball with that much movement very often,” said Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee, 35, a veteran who has seen a lot of pitchers. “He’s going to be tough all year.”
The Orioles are onto something here, folks. No rookie pitcher wearing their uniform had ever won four games in April until Britton did it this month. Tuesday night, with his sinking fastball constantly sawing off hitters, he allowed one run on five hits while lowering his ERA to 2.84.

• Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez is mentoring Orioles top prospect Manny Machado, and MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli spoke with both of them about their relationship.

Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez remembers the moment when the image on his childhood poster -- Orioles great Cal Ripken Jr. -- became reality for him in a relationship that intertwined a young boy's hero with a mentor and friend.

"I feel like this is an opportunity to do the same for another young fellow. So it's kind of a nice circle, a little energy going."

• Cliff Corcoran of Sports Illustrated had Britton second on his list of AL Rookie of Year candidates behind Seattle righty Michael Piñeda.

Piñeda has been the most impressive of the AL's rookie starters thus far. Rated the 16th-best prospect in baseball coming into the season by Baseball America, the 22-year-old, 6-foot-7, Dominican righty throws both his four and two-seam fastballs in the mid-to-upper 90s, averaging 96 miles per hour with the latter, and misses even more bats with his nasty slider, which has a sharp, downward break. His four starts this season have all been quality, and his earned runs allowed totals have been counting down from three in his major league debut on April 5, to two in his next outing, one in his third and none against the A's in his most recent start last Friday. Perhaps most impressively, he has recorded three of the Mariners' eight wins despite receiving an average of just 3.18 runs of support per start.

Britton didn't break camp with the Orioles, but when Brian Matusz went down with an intercostal strain, Britton was called up to start the third game of the season. The 23-year-old lefty allowed just one run in his first two major league starts, covering 13 2/3 innings, and three of his four starts thus far have been quality. A groundballer, Britton throws his low-90s sinker roughly two-thirds of the time, but also misses a lot of bats with a mid-80s changeup, leading some scouts to believe he has the stuff to be a Brandon Webb-style ace. He may already be the team's best starter; he has recorded two of the slumping Orioles' last three wins dating back to April 9.

• Dan Szymborski of Baseball Think Factory -- via ESPN.com -- says the 10-12 Orioles have time to turn things around -- and tough decisions ahead.

After a 6-1 start that had the Orioles in first place, the wheels came off the apple cart and the O's lost eight games in a row -- and 11 of 13 -- and find themselves in the familiar spot of last place.

Reynolds and Hardy are still young enough for the Orioles to hang onto going forward (there are no big third base prospects on the horizon and blue-chip shortstop prospect Manny Machado is a few years away), so Baltimore's biggest priority going forward is to evaluate who it wants to keep long-term and who it should be shopping in July.

• Heath Bintliff from Dempsey’s Army writes that Nolan Reimold is “ready enough for this team.”

Reimold was and is a viable option in this lineup and can help the team. There is no need to make him earn anything. If you feel he can help the team, you give him a spot. (Conversely, if you don't, maybe you should shop him around...) He shouldn't have to break down the door. It's better for the team if he's playing in Baltimore.

It is no secret that I was against the Vlad Guerrero signing. Not because I didn't like Vlad as a hitter at this point in his career (although I didn't) but because they had already signed Derrek Lee to play first base and that Vlad wasn't filling a hole but blocking an option that could be more valuable in the short term and certainly in the long term.

[Compiled by Matt Vensel]

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: What They're Saying about the O's
        

This was in my game story, but it’s certainly worth mentioning here: In their last 18 games against the Boston Red Sox, the Orioles are 11-7, including a 7-4 mark at Camden Yards. That’s significant when you consider that in the 28 previous meetings, the Orioles were 3-25, including 2-10 at home.

Quietly, the Orioles are starting to reap the benefits of some solid starting pitching. In the eight games during this homestand, Oriole starters have recorded seven quality starts. The starting staff’s ERA over that stretch is 3.26.

This is going to sound like a broken record, but it remains worth saying as long as it continues to affect the Orioles. Not having a left-handed reliever whom they trust helped contribute to the Orioles’ loss Sunday against the New York Yankees and nearly sunk them last night. With Jim Johnson unavailable, Orioles manager Buck Showalter brought Jeremy Accardo back for the eighth inning and his second inning of work. Left-handed hitter Jacoby Ellsbury led off the inning. Another left-handed hitter, Adrian Gonzalez, was due up third, and left-handed hitters David Ortiz and J.D Drew were fifth and sixth. The first two Red Sox reached base in the frame before Showalter brought in lefty Clay Rapada to face Gonzalez, who connected for an RBI single after getting ahead 3-0. Koji Uehara then allowed a game-tying, three-run homer to Kevin Youkilis. There are no excuses, but if Michael Gonzalez were pitching well, it’s hard to imagine that he wouldn’t have pitched in the inning and it would have even got to that point with Uehara facing Youkilis with no outs.

Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado, the Orioles' first-round pick last year and their top prospect, went 1-for-14 in a three-game stretch April 18-20. It’s fair to say that he’s out of the slump. In five games since, Machado has gone 8-for-20 with two doubles, three homers, six RBIs and three walks. He has also hit homers in three straight games against Savannah. For the season, he’s hitting .314 with three homers and 14 RBIs.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

The sentiment in the Orioles' clubhouse after tonight's 5-4 victory was predictable. Everyone felt that it was important to bounce back and reclaim the game after blowing a four-run lead in the eighth, and everyone agreed that Jeremy Guthrie got another raw deal after a solid six-inning performance.

"Jeremy threw the hell out of the ball,'' said Adam Jones, who hit his fifth home run in the fourth inning. "I wish he could have gotten the victory, but he threw the hell out of the ball."

Guthrie was satisfied with his performance but didn't curse the fates. He chose instead to point out that if he had been able to pitch a couple of more innings and turn the ball over to closer Kevin Gregg himself, he might have gotten the "W."

The problem was the high number of pitches fouled off by the tough Red Sox lineup, which ran up his pitch count and made it impractical for him to come back out for the seventh, but he chose to look on the bright side.

"Usually, they hit my pitches a lot farther,'' Guthrie said, "so I'll take the foul balls. If they're going backwards or straight up, we'll take 'em, or into Matt Wieters' glove as it was in one case tonight. Matt continues to do a great job. He makes a lot of plays that help us as pitchers."

Luke Scott, who got the Orioles on the board with a Eutaw Street shot with a runner on in the fourth, also appeared to get under the skin of Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, who appeared to be yelling at him as he rounded the bases.

"When I got into the dugout, the guys said he was yelling or something like that,'' Scott said. "I've got all the respect in the world for Josh Beckett. He's one of the best pitchers in the game. I respect every pitcher who takes the mound against me. He is a tremendous competitor, and there are emotions. I'm an emotional person, so I can understand people getting emotional."

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
        

Closer Kevin Gregg allowed Orioles fans to breathe a major sigh of relief in the ninth inning, retiring all three batters to record his fourth save and help lift the Orioles out of the AL East cellar.

Koji Uehara got the victory, which was something of an injustice after the way Jeremy Guthrie pitched, but the Orioles are on the threshold of a three-game sweep over the Red Sox. All they have to do is beat Jon Lester tomorrow night. That's all.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 9:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Nothing comes easy for the Orioles, who continue to find ways to help their opponents get out of trouble. In this case, Nick Markakis was tagged out trying to score on a passed ball with no outs in the bottom of the eighth.

The Orioles had runners at second and third with no one out, so they were in position to get a couple of runs and take some pressure off closer Kevin Gregg, who was coming in for the ninth either way. The out at the plate left Derrek Lee at third and Vladimir Guerrero singled through the drawn up infield to give the Orioles the lead, but it's going to be a tough finish with Marco Scutaro leading off and the top of the Red Sox order set to follow.

Fasten your seat belts.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 9:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Jeremy Guthrie had to throw a ton of pitches to get out of the first inning, but he sharpened up dramatically after that and pitched six shutout innings to whittle his ERA to an impressive 2.53. He allowed seven hits, struck out six and walked just one.

He was replaced in the seventh by reliever Jeremy Accardo, who retired the Red Sox in very short order and remained in the game to start the eighth.

Instant update: Of course, Guthrie is not going to get the victory. Koji Uehara just gave up a three-run home run to Kevin Youkilis to tie the game with no one out in the eighth inning. The Orioles have blown another big lead with a series victory in sight. Not good, but they've still got more outs left than the Red Sox.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The O's played some successful little ball in the bottom of the fifth, when Robert Andino followed up a Matt Wieters single with a perfect bunt for a hit. Both runners moved up on wild pitch by a suddenly shaky Josh Beckett and the Orioles tacked on a fourth run on a sacrifice fly by Brian Roberts.

If you're a fan of fundamental baseball, that was the fourth sacrifice fly by the Orioles in the series, but they should have gotten one more. With Andino at third and one out, Nick Markakis grounded out to second and Derrek Lee grounded out to short to waste the opportunity.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 8:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Two batters after the Red Sox defense allowed a pop fly by Derrek Lee to drop in short center field for a double in the bottom of the fourth inning, Luke Scott slammed as two-run homer onto Eutaw Street and Adam Jones followed with a shot that barely cleared the left field fence to give the Orioles a 3-0 lead against Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett.

It was the first set of back-to-back home runs for the Orioles since Aug. 21 of last year, when Ty Wigginton and Scott hit consecutive bombs against the Texas Rangers.

The most interesting thing about Scott's homer was the aftermath. He watched it a little longer than usual and Beckett appeared to be yelling at him as he rounded the bases. Beckett also had words with home plate umpire Fieldin Culbreath as he walked off the field at the end of the inning.

Scott's homer traveled 426 feet and was his fifth Eutaw St. homer, tying Rafael Palmeiro for the all-time club lead.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 8:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Here is your latest on the injured Orioles: Shortstop J.J. Hardy had a light day today after experiencing some soreness in his left oblique area. Manager Buck Showalter wouldn't describe it as a setback, saying it was just "normal soreness" from Hardy's increasing his level of activity in recent days. ... Chris Tillman (right groin soreness) got through his bullpen session today and will start Saturday in Chicago. ... Brian Matusz (strained left intercostal) and Chris Jakubauskas (right groin strain) are scheduled to throw bullpen sessions tomorrow, and the Orioles will decide where they'll be sent from there. ... Justin Duchscherer (left hip strain) is throwing from off the mound and told pitching coach Mark Connor that he should be ready when he's able to come off the disabled list May 30.

Showalter also confirmed what had become obvious about an hour earlier with Cesar Izturis catching Tillman's bullpen. Izturis is the team's emergency catcher. "He enjoys the equipment and the look and everything," Showalter said. "I don’t know how much he’ll like the practice of doing it in the game. I hope that doesn’t happen." Izturis said he hasn't caught since Little League, but he wants to practice it once in a while in case an emergency situation arises in a game and he is needed behind the plate.

Not only did Zach Britton, who beat the Red Sox last night, become the first rookie starter in franchise history to win four games in April, but he also became just the fourth rookie starter in baseball history to accomplish that feat. The other three were Gustavo Chacin (Toronto, 2005), Jason Dickson (Anaheim, 1997) and Jerry Garvin (Toronto, 1997).

The Orioles have the fewest stolen bases in baseball (four), and every other team has at least as many successful steals as the Orioles have attempts (five). Showalter said that during the team's advance meeting before last night's series opener, the coaching staff encouraged several players to be more aggressive on the base paths. Showalter didn't want to give up too much information on whether there are any limitations on Brian Roberts ' running because of his back issues, but it's clear that is a factor.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 4:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has been mum on who would be the team's emergency third catcher, but I think we have our answer. Utility infielder Cesar Izturis currently has the catcher's equipment on as he catches Chris Tillman's bullpen session.

Orioles third base coach and catching instructor John Russell has stood closely by and offered Izturis a few tips. I'm not going to read too much into it. Showalter is always looking to increase the versatility of some players, along with his options.

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Robert Andino, SS
Jeremy Guthrie, SP

RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
J.D. Drew, RF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Jason Varitek, C
Josh Beckett, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

With his one-run, sixth-inning performance against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, Zach Britton became the first rookie in Orioles’ modern-day history (dating back to 1954) to win four starts in April.

Sorry Willis Roberts, you are now officially out of the record books.

Britton is carving out a heck of a start to his Orioles career. But we do need to show some restraint here. One good month doesn’t make a career or even a season (didn’t Josh Towers and Travis Driskill start their Orioles’ careers 5-0?)

The great thing about Britton is that he gets that. He’s not patting himself on the back. He’s looking to his next start. We asked him about the rookie record and his ERA (2.84) and he quickly turned it into a team answer.

“It is not about setting a record for wins in a month for a rookie or anything like that. It’s not about having a sub-3.00 ERA,” Britton said. “It’s about keeping our team in the game every time out and that’s what I am hoping to continue to do.”

Our Sun colleague Kevin Van Valkenburg wrote a great feature on Britton for Tuesday and here’s an interesting quote from it: "I asked all our coaches the question in spring training ‘Who is he comparable to?’” Orioles pitching coach Mark Connor said about Britton. “No one could remember one. The only guy who comes close is Mike Hampton, but I don't think he threw with that velocity.”

We have played this game in the press box, too: Who does Britton remind you of? My baseball colleague, Jeff Zrebiec, says Tampa Bay’s David Price, just not as overpowering.

One scout who has watched him a lot calls Britton a left-handed Brandon Webb.

I like the Hampton comp, but I’ve said for two years now that Britton reminds me of a left-handed Josh Beckett. Not his stuff, really, but his baby face and his complete confidence at such a young age.

Britton is a really nice kid, but he’s just got that confident swagger that he can beat anyone. And Beckett has that.

Now I am throwing it to you.

Daily Think Special: What pitcher, past or present, would you compare to Zach Britton?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (83)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

Here’s some reaction after 23-year-old lefty Zach Britton’s performance against the Boston Red Sox (one run, five hits in six innings). It was Britton’s fourth win in five starts. The rest of the Orioles’ pitchers have five wins.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” catcher Matt Wieters said. “What is he, 23, 24? He’s doing a heck of a job going against some tough talent. And the good thing is the more (experience) he gets up here, the better, I think, he’s going to get.”

Here’s what Orioles manager Buck Showalter said: “So far he’s been good. He’s handled it pretty well for a guy with limited experience. We like the things he’s doing right now.”

Showalter, however, said he still needs to do more of the little things to be a complete pitcher, like holding Dustin Pedroia on second base in Tuesday’s fourth. Pedroia easily stole third and scored Boston’s lone run on a sacrifice fly.

“Pedroia one out, second base, knowing he was going to run there,” Showalter said when asked if Britton had any flaws Tuesday. “Had some deep counts. You’d like to see him be able to take that stuff over another inning or so.”

Here’s Jim Johnson on Britton’s composure: “In pressure situations, that’s when a hanging curveball or poor execution often come in, but he beared down. It’s a little clichéd to say that he stays within himself, but really, one of the hardest things to do in baseball is to take that foot off the gas pedal instead of overdoing it, and overthrowing, and trying to do too much in that situation. He did a great job of it.”

Adam Jones on Britton’s challenge to continue maturing: “I want to see the progression. He’s still young, he still has a ceiling or whatever that saying it is. He has very good stuff and he’s been throwing well for us. It’s a matter of continuing to make adjustments because other teams are going to continue to make the adjustments against him.”

And Jones on Britton’s fortitude: “He’s got (guts). I said that earlier today. Every time he walks on that mound, he goes out there and gives it his all. That’s really all you can ask.”

Here is Britton on his outing and what he needs to do: “I thought I kept us in the game, which is big. I still think there's a lot of stuff I need to improve on. Getting in deep counts with that good of a team, I think later in the game they were able to put some good swings on the ball. I was fortunate to get out of some of those jams.”

Here’s Britton on being the first Orioles rookie to win four games in April: “Obviously, I didn’t know that. It’s pretty special, obviously. The fact I am here is awesome. I was expecting to be down in Norfolk, but I am just trying to make the best of the opportunity. And I think I have done that so far.”

And Britton on not feeling like a rookie: “I really don’t get that nervous out there. I don’t know what it is. It is not that I have a huge ego or anything. I just don’t get nervous out there. I have a lot of confidence that I can get out of the jams and if I am out there getting all worried I think the situations blow up. So I try to take my time and take a couple breaths and get after it.”

Lastly, here is Boston manager Terry Francona on the suggestion that Britton was going to be good: “I didn’t suggest anything. I was hoping we’d kick his ass. But I can see why they like him.”

More from Francona: “He has got velocity really good sink and poise. He was impressive. … He has got that two-seamer with velocity. He stays down. And he is 90-95 (mph), left-handed with movement. That’s pretty good right there.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Orioles PR just announced the attendance for tonight’s game: 18,938.

It’s a Tuesday night in April, a school night, so perhaps expecting more is unrealistic.

But this should have been a better attended game.

It’s a beautiful night for baseball: 76 degrees at first pitch. The Red Sox are in for their first game here this season and Orioles’ impressive rookie Zach Britton started.

Should have been a recipe for 25,000 or more. Although, as we know, the Orioles are 8-12 and are potentially facing another losing season.

But here’s what I think is the real cause for the low number tonight: The Red Sox fans aren’t here like they usually are. Why? I don’t know (can it really be their slow start?) You can actually see orange in the crowd. You can actually hear cheers when the Orioles make a key play.

Those that are here, however, are watching a pretty good game.

By the way, Britton’s night is over. He allowed one run and five hits in six innings in his first start against the Red Sox. Jim Johnson entered in the seventh and had a perfect inning, throwing eight pitches, seven for strikes.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

Zach Britton has allowed just one run and one hit through four innings.

And he’s probably kicking himself after giving up that run in the fourth. Because he pitched well enough to keep the shutout, but the little things that often plague pitchers – especially young pitchers -- cost him.

First, Britton had Dustin Pedroia down 0-2 and couldn’t put him away, with Pedroia singling for the Red Sox first hit of the evening. No shame there, Pedroia has done that to plenty pitchers over the years.

But Britton, whose sinker was in overdrive, then got the comebacker he wanted off the bat of Adrian Gonzalez. Britton, however, gloved it, but couldn’t hold on and eventually had to settle for the out at first instead of a double play.

With Kevin Youkilis up, Britton didn’t keep tabs on Pedroia on second and the scrappy second baseman stole third when Britton threw a pitch in the dirt to Youkilis, who then hit a sacrifice fly to score Pedroia.

It was classic Red Sox, but it’s also an example of how hard it is to be a great major-league pitcher. Not only does a pitcher have to throw strikes, change speeds and all that other stuff pitching coaches preach, but he also has to field the position and hold runners and put guys away 0-2.

All that said, Britton has looked good through four innings against a very difficult lineup. The Orioles are up 2-1 heading into the fifth.

Matt Wieters has a RBI single (that hit the first base bag and bounced away) and Adam Jones has a sacrifice fly against Clay Buchholz.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Here are some things from Buck Showalter’s afternoon media conference:

Lefty Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) played catch in the outfield with Chris Tillman, then went into the bullpen and threw from “halfway down the mound; that went real well.” Showalter said Matusz will throw Thursday off the mound in a conventional bullpen session. He will throw between 30 and 35 pitches and mix in his full arsenal. The next step has not been announced, but he is expected to pitch several rehab games in the minors, including “at least” one start in extended spring.

Chris Jakubauskas (strained right groin) threw a bullpen session today, and “he felt good. … He is close to being ready to pitch.” He will throw another bullpen Thursday and could go on a rehab assignment after that. He is eligible to come of the DL on May 2, and the Orioles could activate him or option him to Triple-A Norfolk.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy (strained oblique) “responded well” to doing baseball activities in Sarasota.

“He came in today and felt no repercussions from it, so he went from dry swings to increasing the intensity of the swings.” A timetable for Hardy’s return is not set.

Showalter did not tweak his lineup for Tuesday’s game despite a struggling offense. If he chooses to make changes, he is not going to advertise it in advance.

“I wouldn’t tip my hand if I was [considering changes],” he said. “They certainly don’t need to be seeing and reading and whatever about it. I trust them, but they understand at some point we are going to have to be a little better.”

He was asked whether he has concerns about Nick Markakis' struggles this month.

"He’ll be there. It’s not hard to keep the faith, to keep confidence in a guy like Nick. It’s not hard for me at all, especially when you see the preparation and the things he does to try to get back there. He will."

Showalter said he would like to get fourth outfielder Felix Pie more starts but is still trying to get him into games on a nightly basis.

“He seems to find his way into every game, so he is getting a lot of game [experience], but we would like to figure out a way to do it more. It just hasn’t presented itself yet, especially after a day off. But I like the things he can bring for us, and we’ll continue to look for ways to take advantage of that. But it is a long season, and I think he’ll end up getting his share of playing time before it is all over.”

With the Boston Red Sox in town, Showalter again was asked about his comments to Men’s Journal magazine about the Red Sox, their robust payroll and the reputation of Boston general manager Theo Epstein. He was asked whether it is a dead issue.

“Well if it was, then why did you bring it up? No, I don’t know. That’s not up to me.” “We’ll see. … It’s not really a topic of conversation for us. But if it is, it is. It’s not their fault, it’s my fault.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

A couple of minutes ago, pitchers Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman were having a catch under the watchful eye of pitching coach Mark Connor. Matusz then went to the bullpen to throw some more. I couldn't see exactly what part of the mound that he was standing on, but he certainly looked free and easy in my view from the press box.

That was Matusz's first time throwing from the mound since going on the disabled list with a strained left intercostal muscle. After he was done, he exchanged fist bumps with bullpen catcher Ronnie Deck. He appeared to be in good spirits, which is a great sign for the Orioles.

As for the lineups, there will be no juggling today for the series opener against the Red Sox.

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones CF,
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Robert Andino, SS
Zach Britton, SP

RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Jed Lowrie, SS
J.D. Drew, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Jason Varitek, C
Clay Buchholz, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

Unlike the Minnesota Twins, who came to Camden Yards to start this homestand with a lineup depleted by injuries and illness, the Orioles aren’t exactly catching the Boston Red Sox at the right time. After starting the season 0-6, the Red Sox have won five straight games and eight of their past nine.

They are coming off a series in which they outscored the Los Angeles Angels 20-5 in securing their first four-game sweep in Anaheim since 1980. Boston’s pitching staff has hurled 19 consecutive scoreless innings and posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since June 19-20, 2007.

Over the past nine games, Red Sox starters are 7-0 with an 0.88 ERA.

Did I mention it’s not a good time for the Orioles to be running into the Red Sox, who with a victory tonight would reach the .500 mark for the first time this season?

The good news is that the Orioles have Zach Britton on the mound tonight and Jeremy Guthrie tomorrow, followed by Brad Bergesen on Thursday.

The bad news is that the three pitchers they face -- Clay Buchholz tonight, Josh Beckett Wednesday and Jon Lester Thursday -- are a combined 24-5 in 39 career outings against the Orioles with a 2.93 ERA. Lester has done the most damage with a 13-0 record and a 2.33 ERA in 16 career starts versus Baltimore.

Buchholz is probably the most vulnerable of the three. The young right-hander has failed to go six innings in each of his past three starts. He has also walked 12 batters in his past 14 innings. But he has certainly been tough on the Orioles, going 5-2 with a 2.98 ERA and one no-hitter in nine career outings versus them.

Is this the day manager Buck Showalter juggles his lineup and perhaps moves struggling first baseman Derrek Lee out of the No. 3 hole? It wouldn’t shock me, but Showalter has rebuked questions about juggling the lineup. Is there any chance Showalter gives scuffling right fielder Nick Markakis the day off? I’d say no, but Markakis is 2-for-20 with four strikeouts and a double-play ball in his career against Buchholz. Fellow outfielder Luke Scott is just as bad, with a 1-for-16 line against Buchholz with four strikeouts and two double plays.

On the other end of the spectrum, Brian Roberts is 7-for-18 with five walks against Buchholz, while Vladimir Guerrero is 4-for-9.

The Orioles have lost 11 of 13, and their great start, which seemed to energize the fan base, is a distant memory. With Camden Yards likely to be infiltrated by Red Sox fans over the next three days, things could get really ugly around here for the home fans if the Orioles don’t start hitting the ball and playing better baseball.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)
        

My colleague, Kevin Van Valkenburg, is doing a profile on Orioles rookie pitcher Zach Britton that should be on our website later and will be in Tuesday’s edition of The Baltimore Sun so I urge you guys to check that out. It also seems to be an appropriate time to update everyone on the performance so far of the Orioles’ top 10 prospects, at least according to Baseball America. I’m hoping that the update will become a semi-regular feature here on Insider. All stats are through Sunday:

1. Manny Machado, 18, SS (Single-A Delmarva): .276 avg. (16-for-58), 0 HRs, 8 RBIs, 4 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 10 BBs, 9 Ks, 1 SB.

2. Zach Britton, 23, SP (Orioles): 3-1, 3.16 ERA, 25 2/3 IP, 9 ERs, 20 Hs, 2 HRs, 10 BBs, 17 Ks.

3. Xavier Avery, 21, OF (Double-A Bowie): .200 avg. (12-for-60), 1 2B, 0 HRs, 1 RBI, 4 BBs, 22 Ks, 12 SBs.

4. L.J. Hoes, 21, 2B (Single-A Frederick): .180 avg. (9-for-50), 3 2Bs, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 5 BBs, 8 Ks, 2 SBs

5. Dan Klein, 22, RP (Single-A Frederick): 0-1, 1.64 ERA, 11 IPs, 2 ERs, 2 HRs, 2 BBs, 15 Ks

6. Wynn Pelzer, 24, SP/RP (Double-A Bowie): 1-0. 0.64 ERA, 14 IPs, 1 ER, 3 Hs, 0 HRs, 8 BBs, 13 Ks

7. Mychal Givens, 20, 2B/SS (Single-A Delmarva): .136 avg. (8-for-59), 0 2Bs, 0 HRs, 3 RBIs, 3 BBs, 13 Ks, 1 SB

8. Ryan Adams, 24, 2B (Triple-A Norfolk): .258 (16-for-62), 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HRs, 1 RBI, 4 BBs, 19 Ks, 1 SB.

9. Ryan Berry, 22, SP (Single-A Frederick): Has not pitched after shoulder procedure.

10. Jonathan Schoop, 19, 3B/SS (Single-A Delmarva): .338 (22-for-65), 3 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs, 8 BBs, 8 Ks, 1 SB.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (37)
        

There was a lot to digest from the Orioles' 6-3 loss to the New York Yankees yesterday in 11 innings. You had a couple of home runs, two key plays at the plate, a blown save by arguably the greatest closer of all time, an extra-innings weather delay and a yet another Orioles loss to a team they can’t seem to beat. Below are five things that may not have been discussed much in the hours after the game but certainly shouldn’t go unnoticed.

The Orioles managed only two Luke Scott singles in six innings against Freddy Garcia
When it happens against the likes of CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander, it’s excusable. However, the Orioles were dominated yesterday by Freddy Garcia. I’m not convinced that we would have had any of the late-game drama if Yankees manager Joe Girardi had left Garcia in for at least one more inning rather than yanking him with his pitch count at 90. For six innings against Garcia, the Orioles didn’t even look like they stood a chance. I understand that Garcia has had a nice career and he how to pitch, but he is 34 and mostly reliant on soft stuff at this point. Right now, the Orioles’ No. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 hitters are batting below .230. Mark Viviano, one of the best in the business at WJZ-TV and 105.7 The Fan, pointed out that the Orioles' 3-4-5 hitters (Lee, Guerrero, Scott) have a combined six homers and 15 RBIs while the Yankees' 7-8-9 hitters (Posada, Martin, Gardner) have a combined 13 homers and 31 RBIs. You’d think facing another team’s fourth or fifth starter would get the Orioles going a little bit, but nothing seems to be working. The Orioles have scored just two first-inning runs in 20 games. A couple of early runs might not work wonders only for them, but also for their young pitching staff.

The at-bats against Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning are worth replicating
As powerless as they looked for six innings against Garcia, the Orioles strung together some sensational at-bats against Rivera, a future Hall of Famer, in the ninth. Adam Jones set the tone with a gritty 10-pitch at-bat that resulted in a leadoff walk. Jones fell behind 1-2, fouled one off, took two balls, fouled three off and then took ball four. Mark Reynolds and Matt Wieters followed with strikeouts, but both were seven pitch at-bats, so they at least made Rivera work. Jake Fox came off the bench, fell behind 0-1 and then lined a single to right field to keep the game alive. Brian Roberts watched Rivera throw three straight balls. He took a strike, then hit the game-tying double. In the inning, the Orioles took some close pitches, made Rivera work and ultimately were rewarded. Their approach in the inning appeared to be similar to when they knocked around the Minnesota Twins' Carl Pavano during their 11-0 victory April 19. Coincidence? I would bet not.

Nick Markakis squaring for a bunt probably speaks volumes
I’m not sure I can remember the last time Nick Markakis squared for a bunt as he did in the 10th inning yesterday against lefty Boone Logan. He pulled the bat back instead of offering, so perhaps he was just trying to get the Yankees' infield to move a bit. Some people will probably applaud the move and say Markakis is just trying to find a way to get on base as the leadoff man in a tie game in extra innings. I guess I can live with that. However, my initial thought was that Markakis, who pounded left-handed pitching all last season, must be really struggling with his confidence to even consider dropping down a bunt at that point. I’d certainly prefer the team’s best all-around hitter to attempt to drive a ball somewhere. Derrek Lee, who has two RBIs all season, and Felix Pie, a late-game replacement, were following Markakis in the order, so it’s not like he was attempting to set the table for hot hitters. I’ve had people around the team the past couple of weeks ask me what is wrong with Markakis. I don’t know the answer, but he appears to be frustrated and in a malaise. He seems to get in these extended funks every year, and they prevent him from getting the All-Star recognition that his teammates feel is long overdue.

Michael Gonzalez’s struggles and the Orioles' lack of confidence in him were evident yesterday
Fans have been criticizing manager Buck Showalter for a while now for using Michael Gonzalez in key spots despite the fact that he clearly is struggling. Well, Showalter didn’t use him or fellow lefty Clay Rapada, who threw 17 pitches a night earlier and had already warmed up yesterday, during the 11th inning, and that didn’t work out well either. I have little doubt that if Gonzalez were going better, he would have probably been in the game instead of right-hander Jason Berken. The left-handed-hitting Robinson Cano led off in the inning for the Yankees. Nick Swisher, a switch-hitter who is more dangerous power-wise from the left side of the plate, was scheduled to hit second. The right-handed-hitting Eduardo Nunez was due up third, though he was going to be pinch-hit for by either Eric Chavez or Andruw Jones. Righty Russell Martin was due up fourth and left-handed-hitting Brett Gardner fifth. But the key outs in the inning were Cano and Swisher, and if the Orioles had a lefty who was really doing well in their bullpen, I would think that he would have gotten the nod over Berken.

Jake Arrieta has good stuff, and he should trust it more
The Orioles right-hander was obviously shaky at the start, allowing Curtis Granderson’s two-run homer on his fourth pitch, and the first four Yankees he faced to reach base. He ultimately settled down and allowed just the three runs over six innings while striking out a career-high nine. He got many of those strikeouts on curveballs, clearly his best pitch yesterday. Arrieta has a good fastball and a couple of nice weapons to get big league hitters out. His problems seem to arise when he starts nibbling and walking guys. Arrieta is a smart kid and he competes hard, and ultimately, I think results like what he got today will provide yet another reminder that he’s tough for anybody to hit when he’s throwing strikes. I know he has a 4.94 ERA over five starts, but aside from that one terrible inning against the Texas Rangers, I’ve been very impressed with Arrieta this year, though he obviously needs to start getting deeper in games.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (59)
        

To their credit, the Orioles didn't cry over their poor fortune after Sunday's exciting and frustrating 6-3 loss to the New York Yankees, nor did they bother to wonder what might have been.

"We played our butts off," center fielder Adam Jones said. "At the end, it wasn't enough. We went down swinging."

The Orioles lost the game of inches again, and that did not go unnoticed, but the Yankees are a superior team that makes plenty of its own luck.

"It pisses me off," Jones said, "but there's nothing you can do about that. It sucks, but we're going to keep playing. We've got 14 more games against them, and our goal is to whip their butts 14 times."

Manager Buck Showalter, who has been on that side of the fence, said he doesn't have time to curse the fates after a few breaks go one way or the other.

"For the most part," he said, "you create that karma and that good fortune."

First baseman Derrek Lee said the Orioles would not let this loss linger, though it certainly seemed like the frustrating come-from-ahead loss to the Yankees this month carried over into the following series. The Orioles cannot afford to let that happen ahead of a series against the Boston Red Sox.

"It's disappointing," Lee said, "but we've got to turn the page and come back on Tuesday. It was a tough loss, and it seemed like everything went their way today. That's baseball."

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 6:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

The Yankees turned a series of infield hits into three runs in the 11th, aided by a defensive meltdown that included a wide pickoff throw by Matt Wieters and infield throwaways by Robert Andino and Mark Reynolds.

A sloppy ending to another very exciting game -- up until the rain delay. The Yankees are the superior team, which accounts for a lot of what we call luck, but how many times is Derek Jeter going to miss a pitch so bad that the ball barely travels 45 feet and turns into a huge base hit?

The answer: twice today.

Meanwhile, when Brian Roberts doubles down the right field line, the ball comes off the wall so perfectly that Nick Swisher can make a great throw and Robinson Cano can put the ball right on home plate to cut down the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. And Brett Garder has just enough glove to snag Luke Scott's potential game-turning line drive in left field in the bottom of the eighth.

In the game of inches, the Yankees seem to have have their own tape measure. Tip your hat to them and get them the hell out of town.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

The Orioles came back in the ninth inning against Mariano Rivera (How often does that happen?), but the game goes on because of a great relay by Robinson Cano that cut down the sudden-death run at the plate.

So what happens in the 10th? Reliever Jeremy Accardo gets into a jam and gets bailed out in dramatic fashion when Adam Jones sets up perfectly for a medium-depth fly ball by Alex Rodriguez and guns down Derek Jeter at the plate to end the threat.

What a finish to a game that started so inauspiciously for pitcher Jake Arrieta, who allowed a single and a home run to start the first inning but battled back to throw six scoreless innings before leaving down by three runs.

Classic Orioles/Yankees baseball. Big relief efforts by Koji Uehara, Jim Johnson and Kevin Gregg. Big plays by both teams in a taut game that is heading into the 11th inning under dark clouds, with lightning all around and the grounds crew poised to put out the tarp. Really, what a game!

Instant update: The clouds have opened up and the game has been delayed with no one out in the top of the 11th, but it probably will be resumed today. The storm cell appears -- on radar -- to be relatively small.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Jake Arrieta has done a good job of pulling things together after that rocky first inning -- much like Brad Bergesen did after giving up three runs in the first on Saturday night -- but the Yankees aren't going to wait around forever for the Orioles' offense to get into the game.

Once again, the Orioles are doing nothing at the plate, but this time it's against a guy (Freddy Garcia) who doesn't throw hard anymore and had thrown as many balls as strikes through the first three innings.

So far, the only Oriole with a hit against him is Luke Scott, who has hit two sharp singles to right field. Everybody else has looked pretty helpless.

Arrieta finally blinked again in the fifth, but the run that crossed the plate was not his fault. He got Alex Rodriguez to hit a room service double-play ball that should have ended another scoreless inning, but Cesar Izturis had trouble getting the ball out of his glove and had to settle for just the force at second, which allowed Curtis Granderson to score the Yankees' third run.

The game isn't over, but there just isn't anything happening that would lead you to believe the Orioles are going to mount a comeback. Frankly, they look beaten.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Derek Jeter came into today's game with just one extra-base hit all year and needing two hits to tie Frank Robinson for 31st on baseball's all-time hit list. So, how long do you think it took him to get both hits and double his extra-base hit total?

The answer: There were two outs in the second inning when Jeter accomplished both.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 2:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

On Friday night, it took just 10 pitches from Brad Bergesen for the Orioles to be in a two-run hole, which eventually expanded to three runs before the first inning was over.

Today, it was just four pitches from Jake Arrieta for the Yankees to take a 2-0 lead. Derek Jeter led off the first inning with a single on Arrieta's first pitch and then Curtis Granderson drove a 1-1 offering into the right-field seats.

Arrieta proceeded to walk the next two hitters - Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez - before retiring three straight guys to keep the Orioles' deficit at two runs.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

A day after the Orioles absorbed a 15-3 beating from the New York Yankees, it was a pretty quiet clubhouse and very little came to light in the pre-game session with manager Buck Showalter.

Showalter was asked if he'd expect any retaliation from the Yankees after Russell Martin, who hit two homers earlier in the game, was nailed between his shoulder blades by a Josh Rupe pitch. Rupe said that there was no intent to the pitch at all, while the Yankees were steaming mad after the game, claiming that Rupe intentionally threw at Martin.

Showalter basically said stuck by his comments from the previous night, saying that he knows that it didn't look good, but he believes Rupe, who told the manager that he didn't do it intentionally.

Asked about the Yankees possibly retaliating, Showalter said, "We'll deal with it. It's self-inflicted."

Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail was in Showalter's office this morning discussing numerous things, including the potential of dropping a pitcher and adding another bench player. However, Showalter said that he doesn't believe such a move is imminent.

The Orioles considered flip-flopping Zach Britton and Jeremy Guthrie's spot in the rotation, but they won't. Britton will start Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox and Guthrie will take the ball on Wednesday.

Brian Matusz threw from flat ground this morning, getting as far back as 120 feet, and it went well. He made 60 tosses in increments of 15. He'll have a light day tomorrow and then do the same thing that he did today on Tuesday.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Cesar Izturis, SS
Jake Arrieta, SP

YANKEES
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Jorge Posada, DH
Russell Martin, C
Brett Gardner, LF
Freddy Garcia, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

So much went in tonight's game - and I'm sure just about all of it made Oriole fans sick - so I'm not going to rehash all the details of the Yankees latest beatdown of the Orioles. If you are counting, the Yankees are now 40-17 against the Orioles since the start of the 2008 season. I will, however, provide quotes from various people from both clubhouses.

ORIOLES MANAGER BUCK SHOWALTER
On how tough was it to watch game get out of hand: “I’m glad they don’t carry over. I’m glad in a way that we’ve got a day game. We’ll have a challenge tomorrow and we’ll see if we’re up to it.”

On Yankees lineup: “I don’t think that’s news. I’m more concerned about the Baltimore Orioles. I think that’s a given, with the things they’re able to do, and I respect them. They’re a challenge for anybody, but we’ll get after it again tomorrow and hopefully Jake [Arrieta] pitches well and gives us a chance.”

On Rupe drilling Martin with pitch: “We asked him after the game. He said, ‘I know what it looked like. I was trying to go in.’ It did not look good. I didn’t like it at all. But I choose to believe my pitcher and I’ve known Josh for a long time. I think he’d be very straight with me. But I do understand what it looked like and it didn’t look good. Martin had a great night tonight. He’s had a good season for them, was a great pickup. He’s hard enough to get out without the way it looked. They responded the way good teams do. That’s why they’re as good a team as they are and are going to be. That’s a good example of it.”

ORIOLES RELIEVER JOSH RUPE
On whether there was Intent with pitch that hit Martin in back: “Not at all. Trust me, that’s the last thing that I want to do. I know how it looked and for me, and a lot of these guys on this team, I pitch in. That’s what I do when I’m coming out of the pen. I’ve already given up a home run and yeah, I was really pissed off. But I’m not going to resort to possibly hurting a guy, and end his career or anything like that. There’s no reason for me to do that. I’m not that type of guy. I’m trying to pitch in and get people out and I didn’t do a good job at all tonight. I was all over the map.”

Do you understand that it looked bad: “Yeah, when I threw the pitch and saw what happened, obviously I had no intent to hit him. Then I came back and looked at the video and it didn’t look good. There’s no way that I would do that and intentionally go at somebody’s head or go way up there. I know how to hit a guy when the situation calls for it and that wasn’t it. No, I wouldn’t do it.”

ORIOLES STARTER BRAD BERGESEN
On challenge of facing Yankees lineup: "It's a great hitting lineup, and like I said, a couple pitches they really made it hurt tonight. This lineup, you're not going to get away with a whole lot and it was evident tonight."

On how tough it was to get blown out in front of so many Yankee fans at home park: "It's really tough to swallow. To get beat by 12 runs tonight with that many Yankee fans, it's not fun whatsoever."

ORIOLES SHORTSTOP ROBERT ANDINO
On incident at second base with Teixeira: "He came in and slid and when he came up, he came up with a little shoulder (push) and I just told him, ‘Hey, Relax. I’m just putting on a tag on you.’ That’s it. We talked when I got to first base (in the sixth). Everything is cool."

ORIOLES CATCHER MATT WIETERS
On whether that was as good as he's ever seen Sabathia pitch: “He was good tonight. He’s good a lot of nights, but that’s probably the best I’ve seen all three of his pitches working at the same time. His breaking ball, his changeup, he had his fastball working. He was just sitting on the outside corner and he’s tough to beat when you do that. He’s also tough to beat if you give him 15 runs.”

YANKEES FIRST BASEMAN MARK TEIXEIRA
On Rupe hitting Martin: "That's not baseball. There's no place for it."

YANKEES MANAGER JOE GIRARDI
On Brett Gardner's homer that followed Martin hit-by-pitch: "That was beautiful."
On Rupe hitting Martin: "It was right at his head."

YANKEES CATCHER RUSSELL MARTIN
On whether he thought there was intent on Rupe pitch: "Yes. There's no doubt about it. I want to stay in the lineup so I'm not going to do anything stupid, but I wouldn't recommend him doing that again."

Was location the reason you're sure it was on purpose: "It was the two home runs before, and then the pitch afterward. It made me feel a lot better when Gardner hit a home run after that."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
        

Orioles starter Brad Bergesen had a bad beginning, a great middle, and a terrible ending to his outing against the New York Yankees tonight.

Overall, he allowed six earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings.

He allowed four of the first five hitters that he faced to get hits as the Yankees raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Bergesen then retired 14 of 17 batters heading into the sixth inning.

However in the sixth, Bergesen allowed a ladoff single to Robinson Cano, a walk to Nick Swisher and after a strikeout of Jorge Posada, a long three-run homer to Russell Martin.

The Yankees took a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh but Adam Jones just hit a three-run homer off CC Sabathia to cut the advantage in half.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Mark Teixeira heard his annual chorus of boos when he came up for his first at-bat at Camden Yards. He then got an earful from Orioles shortstop Robert Andino after he slid into second base following a double.

Andino, who can be emotional at times, appeared to be angry with the way Teixeira popped up into him after sliding into second base. Teixeira said something to Andino, and then quieted down as Andino continued to yap.

Meanwhile, the Yankees already have a 3-0 lead as Bergesen allowed three runs and four hits in the first. Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run double that right fielder Nick Markakis couldn't catch. Robinson Cano made it 3-0 with an RBI single.

Not only will the Orioles have to erase a 3-0 lead, they'll have to do it against CC Sabathia, who is 14-2 in his career against them.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that injured starter Brian Matusz will be out until at least mid-May as he recovers from a strained left intercostal muscle.

Matusz, who is throwing only from flat ground, is scheduled to throw bullpen sessions from off the mound on Tuesday and Thursday of next week. He'll then report back to the team's spring training complex in Sarasota to continue his throwing program.

Showalter said that Matusz will probably pitch two innings in an extended spring training game before joining one of the Orioles' affiliates for some rehab appearances. Showalter said that Matusz will have to make at least three rehab starts before rejoining the club.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who has a strained left oblique, is expected to start taking some dry swings on Monday. Showalter said that Hardy would probably need to play at least two rehab games at an affiliate before he's activated from the disabled list.

Chris TIllman, whose start was skipped tonight as he deals with groin soreness, will be avavilable in the bullpen, but Showalter said that he's hoping to stay off the pitcher until he's fully recovered.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 4:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

The sun is shining, and there is no tarp on the field. Facing CC Sabathia, the Orioles will go with the same lineup that was scheduled before last night's rainout.

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Jake Fox, LF
Robert Andino, SS
Brad Bergesen, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

I’m not exactly breaking news with the above statement, but two things that Buck Showalter said last night served as a sobering reminder that if the Orioles lose another pitcher to injury or illness in the next couple of weeks, they are in a whole lot of trouble.

One, Showalter said that if Chris Tillman was unable to make his next start, which was originally scheduled for tonight, the club was prepared to hold back Triple-A Norfolk’s starter on Friday night and promote him to the big leagues in Tillman’s place. It’s a moot point now because the rainout allowed the club to skip Tillman, who has been dealing with groin soreness, and push back his next start to next weekend. But of course, we noted anyway that the Tides’ starter last night was left-hander Mike Ballard. I mean absolutely no disrespect to Ballard, who had some nice outings this spring, but he is a 27-year-old who last year went 6-8 with a 5.09 ERA in 29 appearances for Oklahoma City, the Texas Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate. He technically didn’t get a big league invite to spring training, though he spent most of his time at Twin Lakes Park. In three starts for Norfolk, including one last night, Ballard has a 4.85 ERA and has allowed 15 hits and seven walks in 13 innings. Batters are also hitting .300 against him. And one more thing: he would have been making his big league debut against the Yankees on Saturday if Tillman couldn’t go.

Two, Showalter brought up the fact that Alfredo Simon has had two outings in extended spring and is scheduled for a three-inning stint in his next appearance. He noted that the Orioles are stretching Simon out to try to create some starting pitching depth. There’s no question that Simon has the stuff to get big league hitters out, though consistency on the mound is obviously the question. There is also the issue that up until about seven weeks ago, Simon remained jailed in Dominican Republic as the chief suspect in a fatal shooting on New Year’s Day. At the time, Oriole officials were essentially saying that they weren’t counting on Simon at all during the 2011 season. Now, he could wind up being a key call-up if the Orioles need a starter.

Brian Matusz’s return from a left intercostal strain could force either Tillman or Brad Bergesen to the bullpen, thus creating some depth. However, Matusz won’t throw off the mound until next Tuesday at the earliest and even the most optimistic expectations don’t have him making his 2011 big league debut for about three more weeks. Justin Duchscherer (left hip strain) also is now on the 60-day disabled list, meaning he won’t be even eligible to come off until one of the final days of May. Another potential fill-in, Chris Jakubauskas, is also on the disabled list with a groin injury.

What does that leave in the mean time if one of the Oriole starters happen to get injured or continue to struggle in Tillman and Bergesen’s case? Beyond Ballard, I’m not really sure.

Veteran Ryan Drese has a 9.37 ERA in three starts for Norfolk, and has allowed 27 hits and five walks in 16 1/3 innings. The other Norfolk starters are Chorye Spoone (6.75 ERA), Rick VandenHurk (8.16 ERA) and Steve Johnson (10.57 ERA). Double-A Bowie’s rotation also lacks a potential big league replacement.

Showalter is fond of talking about all the “What Ifs” and making sure the club has contingency plans for pretty much anything. I’m sure they do in this case. I’m just not sure what it is if they happen to lose another starter in the next couple of weeks.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)
        

The Orioles are advising that fans, who are looking to purchase tickets for Saturday night's game against the New York Yankees, arrive early to beat the rush.

They are anticipating a large walk-up crowd, which will create significant wait times at all points of sale at Camden Yards.

Oriole officials are advising that whenever possible, fans should stop by the box office in the morning or early to mid-afternoon to purchase their tickets. Fans arriving after 5 p.m. may experience long lines.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)
        

Game One of the Orioles-Yankees series, scheduled for tonight, has been postponed for a later date because of rain. The club still hasn't set a makeup date.

Brad Bergesen, who was scheduled to start tonight, will now pitch tomorrow night. Jake Arrieta will stay on schedule and pitch in Sunday's series finale.

Chris Tillman, who was initially scheduled to start tomorrow, will have his next turn in the rotation skipped. Tillman has been dealing with some groin soreness, so the club will use the rainout as an opportunity to give him a few extra days off. Showalter said that Tillman will be available in the bullpen for the time being.

This is the second Yankees-Orioles game that has been postponed this season. Neither has been rescheduled at this point.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Assuming tonight's game is played, Robert Andino will start his fifth straight game at shortstop with Cesar Izturis beginning the game on the bench. J.J. Hardy, who is on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, has been sidelined for 11 consecutive games, and Andino has started at shortstop in seven of them.

When the season started, it was believed that Izturis was the Orioles' prime backup at shortstop, but that's not how it has played out. While wanting to play and help the team, Izturis is not complaining.

"I think he deserves a chance and he’s proven that so far," Izturis said of Andino. "It doesn’t bother me at all. Definitely, I want to play and I believe I’ll have a chance to play. We’ll see what happens, but he deserves to play. He’s been doing a great job. It’s fair. You play good, you deserve to play."

Izturis' reaction is typical of the veteran and one of the reasons why he is probably the most popular teammate in the Orioles' clubhouse.

"Izzy is like having a seventh coach," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He gets it, he understands the game. He’s going to do this for a long time when he quits playing. He’s going to help us on the field, in the clubhouse or in the dugout. He’s locked into every pitch. I can always go down there and bounce something off him from a player’s perspective, and he’s great for all our players. He’s a voice of reality. If you want to hear what you need to hear not what you want to hear, Izzy is the guy to go to. He’s sharp, really sharp. You know what I think of him. He’s pretty special people.

"He’s actually played pretty well for us, too. Hopefully as Robert’s career goes forward, he’ll look back at his time with Izzy as being a part of that. He’s going to play some to. He’s not some ceremonial whatever. He’s going to play. He’ll probably play tomorrow. We’ll see."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Orioles starter Brian Matusz (strained left intercostal) had a pain free flat ground session today, throwing from up to 120 feet. He'll take Saturday off, throw from flat ground again Sunday, and then potentially graduate to throwing from the mound on Tuesday.

Alfredo Simon has thrown twice in extended spring training games. His last outing covered two innings, and he is scheduled to go three the next time out. Orioles manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Mark Connor watched video of Simon's recent outing after last night's game. Simon, who was the Orioles closer at one point last season, is being stretched out as a starter. Showalter said that he has lost 30 pounds.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy (strained left oblique) could start baseball activities in the next couple of days.

Minor league pitcher Mitch Atkins, who missed just about all of spring training with an oblique injury, is scheduled to pitch for Single-A Frederick tomorrow.

The tarp is still on the field at Camden Yards, but Showalter was told by heads groundskeeper Nicole Sherry that there is a good chance tonight's game will be played. Here are the lineups:

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Jake Fox, LF
Robert Andino, SS
Brad Bergesen, SP

YANKEES
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Jorge Posada, DH
Russell Martin, C
Brett Gardner, LF
CC Sabathia, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

There’s been a whole lot of discussion in the bar recently about the back end of the Orioles’ bullpen and especially new closer Kevin Gregg.

Gregg has two saves in three opportunities this season and has been an adventure in several other outings. That’s sort of been his history. He isn’t always easy to watch, but he’s been fairly effective – the man saved 37 games last season.

He has converted 81 percent of his career opportunities (124 of 153), which means he gets his job done a lot more often than not.

But, yeah, he can make you a nervous wreck watching (especially if you are writing on deadline, I might add). Most closers can, really, since the game is almost always on the line when they are in.

On Thursday, I began my twice weekly gig with “Mark and The Bulldog” on 105.7 The Fan (Mondays and Thursdays at noon) and they were discussing a perfect topic for Connolly’s Bar. And I am stealing it, now that I am part of their family.

Inspired by Gregg, they wanted to know which Baltimore athletes make fans the most nervous.

Gregg is probably the easy answer right now. And you can fill in the blank with plenty of Orioles’ closers over the years (Jorge Julio, George Sherrill, Ryan Kohlmeier, Chris Ray, etc).

Obviously, Don Stanhouse is probably in the Baltimore Nervous Hall of Fame. He might have his own wing.

Going away from baseball, Viv and the Bulldog mentioned former Ravens’ QB Kyle Boller. And I’ll throw Vinny Testaverde on the list – it seemed like he was just one bonehead play away from a good game, every game, with the Ravens.

I have another name for you: Maryland point guard Terrell Stokes, back in the 1990s. He was a fearless leader, a great passer and court thief, but every time he had the ball in his hands with the game on the line, I’d say a quick novena that he wouldn’t think about shooting. Please, Terrell, just pass.

That was nervous overdrive.

So here’s what I want from you: Name the current Baltimore athlete that makes you most nervous and give me one all-timer.

This could be a fun day at the bar.

Daily Think Special: Which current Baltimore athlete is the most nerve-wracking to watch?

Daily Think Special: Who is the most nerve-wracking athlete in Baltimore history?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (60)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

After the Orioles lost 3-1 to a depleted Minnesota Twins team Thursday night, starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie placed the blame on himself.

Guthrie allowed two runs on seven hits – including a solo homer by Jim Thome – in seven innings, walking none and striking out four. Pretty solid outing.

But Minnesota’s Scott Baker was better, allowing just four hits and fanning nine in seven scoreless innings.

“I was outpitched tonight. I didn’t make the big pitches where I needed to,” said Guthrie, who dropped to 1-3 despite a 3.12 ERA in his first four starts of 2011. “It is a reoccurring thing and it’s not good enough, not good enough tonight, not good enough last time, not good enough the time before. So we’ll work on it. Try to get better, make better pitches.”

The good news for Guthrie is that he is feeling better after being weakened the past two weeks due to pneumonia.

“I felt much stronger today than I felt the previous two outings. I think that’s a good thing for me, to feel better,” Guthrie said. “I felt good going into the last start, but you get a few pitches into it and you realize the body maybe isn’t all the way back. So tonight I felt as good as I felt in that first game, so hopefully that continues and the body is all the way back.”

The Orioles split the series with the Twins, despite Minnesota coming into the four games with a depleted lineup. The Orioles had a chance to win the series, but couldn’t solve Baker.

“They are missing big, big parts of their lineup. So to not be able to get that win tonight is huge,” Guthrie said. “I have all the respect in the world, though, for Baker. … He did what a (No.) 1 does tonight. He held the team to zero runs and pitched great and pitched out of jams when he needed to. So you tip the cap to him and hopefully I can be better. It is expected of me.”

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he thought tonight that Guthrie is back to full strength after the energy-sapping pneumonia.

“His health, he’s turned the corner. He’s in good shape. He gave us a real chance to win. Deserves a better fate. Just ran up against a guy who was as good as he was tonight, and maybe a little better.”

Here’s what Showalter said about the lack of run support for Guthrie: “We just didn’t put much together offensively. We didn’t square up many balls at all. We knew Baker was going to present a challenge coming in, locating the fastball, especially on the inner half. A two-seamer running in there. We got some balls we put in play, but you could just tell they weren’t squared up.”

The Twins tacked on a key run in the eighth when Michael Cuddyer hit a solo homer against Michael Gonzalez, who has allowed runs in five of his six outings.

“Changeup. We gave up two home runs on changeups tonight. Mike’s had four days off,” Showalter said. “Obviously, that wasn’t the story of why we lost, but we know Mike’s capable of pitching better. It’s going to be hard doing it just sitting down there. But he’s better than that. He showed that the last month or so of the season. But we’ll see. He’s got to get better and he knows that.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

Jeremy Guthrie made it through seven innings on Thursday, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out four and walking none. He allowed a homer to Jim Thome and he also hit two batters.

Lefty Michael Gonzalez came in to start the eighth and gave up a solo shot to the second batter he faced, Michael Cuddyer to make it 3-0 Twins. Gonzalez has now allowed runs in five of his six outings this season.

Guthrie was facing a depleted Twins lineup that was without four regulars. But he did what he needed to do to keep the Orioles in the game in a solid performance.

The offense, however, failed to get anything going against Scott Baker, who entered the night 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA.

Baker has allowed just four hits in seven scoreless innings. He has struck out nine Orioles in seven innings after striking out 15 batters in 18 previous innings this season.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Here's a look at what other media outlets have said about the Orioles in the past week:

• For a profile of Orioles left fielder Luke Scott, ESPN’s Amy K. Nelson spoke with Scott in spring training about his offseason comments about President Barack Obama not being born in the United States.

During a three-hour drive from a spring training game to the home in De Leon Springs, Fla., just north of Orlando, Scott talks about politics, race and religion. His tone is professorial, but the new mandate has had an effect: Scott says he can't talk about anybody by name, that he doesn't want to cause a distraction to his team.

"Our forefathers got it; they got it, man," Scott says. "They took godly principles and they put them into action, and they developed our Constitution -- the land of freedom where each man is accountable and responsible for his actions. By the sweat of his brow and the effort he makes he can mark out his future, regardless of opportunity.”

• NESN’s Tony Lee says the recent struggles of the Orioles’ rotation were expected.

Nobody expected the O's pitching staff to keep up its early pace. Baltimore allowed one run in each of its first four games of the season and then had a shutout against high-powered Texas last weekend. Since then, opponents are averaging seven runs a game and the young arms that impressed so early have become hittable.

There's promise in this group, but there will be some growing pains along the way, and all those that had the Orioles tabbed for 90-plus wins after their extremely fast start should expect some bumps in the road.

• PressBox’s Stan Charles writes that the Orioles could save money by extending Jeremy Guthrie now.

Talk about a yin and yang start to a season for Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie.During one four-day period, No. 46 went from pitching perhaps the best game of his big-league career to being hospitalized with pneumonia. And when he got out of the hospital, Guthrie didn't skip a beat.

You won't hear a peep out of Guthrie, however. He lets confidence in his performance speak volumes and also raises the ante for his first foray into arbitration eligibility after this season.

• ESPN’s Jayson Stark thinks the Orioles will be "one of the most active teams" at the trading deadline.

One AL exec says he expects the Orioles to be "one of the most active teams" at the trading deadline -- but probably not the way you think. If their hot start doesn't last, they could be the most popular sellers in either league. By loading up on players in the last year of their contracts, they could potentially dangle Vladimir Guerrero, Derrek Lee, J.J. Hardy, Luke Scott, Koji Uehara, Mike Gonzalez and possibly Jeremy Guthrie. "If they decide to sell," the exec says, "they've got a lot of attractive pieces."

• Josh Land of The Carroll County Times writes that Orioles catcher Matt Wieters isn’t a bust yet.
Granted, his offense is slow-developing, but just as [Baseball Prospectus writer Steven] Goldman pointed out, Wieters is less than a month into his age-25 season. He's a veteran of just 236 major-league games and in only his second full year in the bigs.

Just look at how far he has come on the other side of the ball. Wieters' defense and game-calling draws raves. Baltimore manager Buck Showalter praised Wieters' handling of the pitchers during the first homestand.

[Compiled by Matt Vensel]

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 7:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: What They're Saying about the O's
        

Brian Matusz, whose enthusiasm for being in the big leagues doesn’t seem to wane, said he was excited to be back in the Orioles clubhouse and to be closer to a return to the team.

When that is going to be, however, is still in the discussion mode.

“[I’m] Just staying positive about the whole situation. I want to get out there as soon as I can, as fast as possible,” Matusz said. “But at the same time, I don’t want to take any steps backwards.”

Matusz has been on the disabled list since the season began with a strain of an intercostal muscle in his back. He had been playing catch but felt some discomfort several days ago and was told to rest briefly. He’s back to throwing now and said he is pain-free.

“I feel really good. I played catch three days in a row now, and I feel like I am on track. I really held back … where I had thrown two days in a row and I went to throw the third day and it just didn’t feel comfortable. It wasn’t hurting or anything, I just felt discomfort,” Matusz said. “At that point, we took a couple more days off for precautionary reasons, and the last three days have been really good.”

He will throw from 120 feet Friday, will throw again Sunday and then be re-evaluated. He’s not sure when he’ll be able to get on a mound or when he’ll be able to face live competition. He’ll stay with the club until the homestand ends next Thursday. Then the organization will decide whether he will continue his rehab on the road with the team, go back to Sarasota, Fla., or begin a minor league rehab stint.

He would prefer going on a rehab assignment soon, but that’s not his decision.

“I get so excited, I just want to get out there and I’ve just got to be able to take it day by day, and that’s all we can do,” he said. “I can’t start planning things out saying, oh, this is the day I want to be on the mound or this is when I want to be in a game, because every day is different.”

His pitching this spring was limited because of surgery to remove a wart from his left hand and an incident in a simulated game in which he was hit on the arm with a liner. He said those setbacks shouldn’t affect how long he needs to pitch in the minors before coming off the DL.

“I don’t think that’s the case because I was built up, I was ready to go for that first start in Tampa. I know there were a couple setbacks with the line drive and the wart and things like that,” he said. “But when it comes down to it, I was still on my regular routine, getting my bullpen sessions in and throwing every day and built up to a good point. I am not sure how that is going to change me coming back now, but I don’t think it’s going to be as long as it would have been if I didn’t build myself up in the spring.”

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game against the Twins. Notice Justin Morneau (flu symptoms) and Delmon Young (rib soreness) are not in the lineup again. Morneau had a setback on Wednesday and was left in the hotel Thursday to try and recuperate. The Twins are also without Joe Mauer (bilateral leg weakness) and Tsuyoshi Nishioka (broken leg).

Twins: Span CF, Casilla SS, Kubel RF, Cuddyer 1B, Thome DH, Valencia 3B, Hughes 2B, Butera C, Repko LF. Baker P.

Orioles: Roberts 2B, Markakis RF, Lee 1B, Guerrero DH, Scott LF, Jones CF, Reynolds 3B, Wieters C, Andino SS. Guthrie P.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Robert Andino, SS
Jeremy Guthrie, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Adam Jones may be the team’s most polarizing player among Oriole fans, but even his biggest critics would have to acknowledge that he’s been playing a very good center field right now. He’s playing at a much higher level defensively than even he was during his Gold Glove season in 2009. His game-ending catch of Denard Span’s drive to the right center-field wall last night was just the latest example and it wasn’t even his biggest highlight from the 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Jones has some at-bats where you start thinking that everything is starting to click. In the second inning last night, he got ahead of Nick Blackburn whose wild pitch with Jones at the plate put runners on second and third with one out. Jones swung and missed at a high fastball and then chastised himself for expanding the strike zone. On the next pitch, a 2-2 offering, Blackburn threw an 88 miles an hour fastball on the outside corner that Jones redirected down the right-field line for a two-run double. It was a great piece of hitting as Jones covered the strike zone and didn’t try to do too much with a tough pitch. Fans love to express their frustration with all the times Jones flails at a slider out of the zone, but at-bats like that one have to be really encouraging for those waiting to see Jones make the next step to being a perennial All-Star.

Showalter certainly opened up himself for questioning last night when he didn’t send Jim Johnson back out for the eighth inning despite the fact that he was dominant in the seventh, needing only eight pitches (six strikes) to dispose of three Twins batters. Showalter explained the decision after the game, pointing out Johnson had warmed up – or “gotten hot” in baseball parlance – two of the last three days. He also wanted to make sure Johnson is available if the Orioles need him to hold down a lead in tonight’s series finale. Also, by using Johnson, Koji Uehara and Kevin Gregg each for one inning last night, the Orioles have their full bullpen available tonight. I’ll be honest, I was a little surprised that Showalter didn’t stick with Johnson for another inning just because how difficult wins have been to come by lately for this club, and when you get a chance for one, you have to make sure you nail it down. I’m sure nobody wants me to bring up last Thursday’s disaster in the Bronx. However, I have a sneaking suspicion if the Orioles’ opponent was the Yankees last night, you probably would have seen Johnson back out there.

I know I run the risk of being called a Derrek Lee apologist for dwelling on the positives with him again, but while there are justifiable questions about his bat speed and his power, he remains ridiculously good defensively at first base. In the fifth inning last night with Matt Tolbert running down the line, Lee scooped a hard bouncing Robert Andino throw and he made it look so easy that it was almost comical. It’s nearly a nightly occurrence for him to save one of his fellow Oriole infielders of an error. I’m sure you’d much prefer see him get in a few more hits and RBIS, but it certainly is fun to watch a first baseman look as smooth defensively as Lee does.

The Orioles are a superstitious group these days. Vladimir Guerrero, who went with the high sock look Tuesday and hit a homer, stayed with it Wednesday and homered again. First and third base coaches Wayne Kirby and John Russell went back to the cartoon bird helmets and the club has since won two in a row and is undefeated when the base coaches wear those helmets. I would also expect to see the black alternate jerseys soon after the Orioles broke those out with their losing streak at eight and have promptly won two straight.

Here was an interesting statistic that I saw yesterday courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information. Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who struck out with the bases loaded on Tuesday, is just 6-for-51 (.118) in his career with the bases loaded. He is also hitless and has 18 strikeouts in his last 26 at-bats (excluding sacrifice flies) with the bases loaded. He has fanned in five of his six plate appearances with the bases loaded and fewer than two outs. Just something to keep in mind next time you see Reynolds come up with the sacks full.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (28)
        

Rookie lefty Zach Britton lasted six innings and allowed three runs against Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night for his third win and third quality start in four big-league outings.

Afterward, Britton barely could speak. But not because he was choked with emotion. He said he has been dealing with flu-like symptoms for a couple days. He said he felt fine and he was never in danger of missing the start. But he was spent after throwing 88 pitches.

“Yeah, I am exhausted. I was hacking up I don’t even know what in the dugout. I am pretty weak,” Britton said. “My body felt really good. It’s really my throat and obviously my voice is gone, but I felt pretty good. But now I am feeling worn out.”

He didn’t have his best command. His pitchers were up in the strike zone more than usual, but he battled through and got the win.

And, perhaps even more impressive, he made no excuses after allowing three earned runs, five hits and three walks in six innings in the Orioles’ 5-3 win.

“I wasn’t happy with the walks especially with the 5-1 lead and you put guys on base and it ends up being a close game like that, so I wasn’t happy with the wildness. But we scored a lot of runs and kept us in the game.”

Here’s what Buck Showalter had to say about Britton: “He obviously wasn’t 100 percent tonight. You could hear him in the dugout, and when Mark (Connor) went out to visit him, he was wheezing pretty good. But I’m sure the Minnesota Twins don’t want to hear it. Like I said earlier, everybody’s got people who aren’t 100 percent and you’ve got to work your way through it. For him to give us that many innings, we were fortunate.”

Showalter admitted that he normally may have left Britton in to start the seventh with just 88 pitches, but he knew his 23-year-old rookie was spent.

“He’s bullet-proof right now. We all were that way when we were 23, 24 and he won’t agree with me and that’s OK. I’d rather him come out in that situation and let (Jim Johnson) start clean as opposed to going out there and creating some issues and health really becoming a factor.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

One of the old baseball adages is that you can tell when a pitcher is good when he does well without his best stuff.

Rookie Zach Britton, in his fourth major-league start, was not crisp on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins. The sinkerballer had trouble keeping many of his pitches down, but he walked off the mound after six innings with the Orioles leading, 5-3.

He gave up five hits – including a homer to Michael Cuddyer – and three runs in six innings while walking three and striking out three. He threw 88 pitches, 50 for strikes, against a Twins lineup that was without four regulars.

Yet if it weren’t for a two-run, two-out single up the middle by Danny Valencia in the sixth, Britton’s line would have been rather strong. Still, he recorded his third quality start in four big-league appearances.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Here are highlights from Orioles manager Buck Showalter’s pre-game session:

Left-hander Brian Matusz (intercostal muscle strain) will fly back to Baltimore from Sarasota, Fla., on Thursday and is expected to throw Friday at Camden Yards from 120 feet. He'll take Saturday of, throw again Sunday from 120 feet and then will be re-evaluated, likely Monday.

Matusz will stay with the Orioles through the homestand, then the club will decide on one of three options: send him back to Sarasota or more rehab, have him go with the club on their road trip so he can stay with the Orioles’ medical team or have him go on a rehab assignment to a minor league affiliate.

Sending him out on a rehab assignment would be the best-case scenario and get him closer to returning to the team. He has been out since the season began April 1.

“We hope it is the third one, but we’ll see,” Showalter said.

Showalter said he spoke to J.J. Hardy (oblique strain) today and said his injured shortstop is “doing good.” He is in Sarasota working out with the medical staff there and has been able to complete most exercises without pain, though he still feels discomfort while “rotating the trunk” during one twisting exercise.

Once he can do that without lingering pain, he will begin baseball activities, something he has not done since straining the left oblique April 10. There is still no timetable for his return.

Showalter was asked about Adam Jones and how he ignited a rally Tuesday night by beating out a single.

“I don’t think anybody has played harder since Day One of spring training than Adam Jones,” Showalter said. “I am sure you all are watching, he has brought a great level of effort since Day One of spring training.”

Showalter made a point of singling out Jones’ effort with two outs in the fifth. Jones was on first base when Matt Wieters hit a full-count double to right field that smashed against the out-of-town scoreboard.

Jones took off on the pitch, didn’t slow down and scored from first.

“You’ll see a lot of people, because they are running on the pitch, just casually start running to second base," Showalter said. "He took off like he was trying to steal second base. And he scored standing up. I cannot tell you how many people in the major leagues that do not score from first base on that ball as quick as it got off the wall. And he made it easily.”

ESPN is here to broadcast tonight’s game between the Orioles and Twins. Former Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who used to routinely terrorize the Orioles at Camden Yards, is part of the broadcast team and was inside the home clubhouse before the game.

Here are the lineups for Wednesday’s game:
Orioles: Roberts 2B, Markakis RF, Lee 1B, Guerrero DH, Scott LF, Jones CF, Reynolds 3B, Wieters C, Andino SS. Britton P.

Twins: Span CF, Repko LF, Kubel RF, Cuddyer 1B, Thome DH, Valencia 3B, Hughes 2B, Holm C, Tolbert SS. Blackburn P.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

Matt Wieters had a big game Tuesday night with a clutch three-run double and a key RBI single. He is now 5-for-5 with eight RBIs with runners in scoring position.

With the Orioles struggling to score runs, I have been asked by some whether I think Wieters should be moved up in the lineup.

Tough call.

He is batting just .239 with a .314 on-base percentage and a .435 slugging percentage. He had just five RBIs heading into Tuesday.

With Wieters being 24 years old and with so many veterans in the lineup, I have no problem with his batting deep in the lineup, where there is less pressure to perform. Eighth is fine with me -- at least for now, though everyone would like to see him drive the ball more often and become a middle-of-the-order hitter in the future.

I am sure there’s a contingent that wants to see Wieters moved up to get a few more RBI opportunities and maybe jump-start a little more confidence at the plate.

For the record, he has started 11 games this season in the eighth spot, three times batting fifth. He hasn’t started anywhere else in the lineup this season.

In his brief career, he has batted seventh the most times -- but his slash lines of .241/.304/.401 are worse there than they are at sixth and fifth spots. His best slashes are in the sixth spot, where he has started 49 games and batted .313 with a .371 on-base percentage and a .423 slugging percentage.

Maybe that’s all coincidence. Maybe where someone bats doesn’t really matter (there are, obviously, a lot of variables involved).

But I am curious. Where would you bat Matt Wieters right now in this lineup?

Daily Think Special: Where do you bat Matt Wieters?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (51)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

Manager Buck Showalter was singing the praises of catcher Matt Wieters after the game, and why not? Wieters drove in four runs with an RBI single in the second and a three-run double in the fifth, the bases-clearing shot breaking the game open.

"We strung a lot of good at-bats together -- a lot of two-out hits,'' Showalter said. "Wieters had a big night. Clutch hits. Two of them. He hit that single to center that broke the ice and gave us our first lead, then he hit that ball off the wall. It looked like they might get out of the inning, and that really opened it up a little bit. He was really outstanding with Jake, too."

Arrieta pitched six scoreless innings and gave up four hits on the way to his second victory in three decisions. He ran up his pitch count but continues to show why he's got such a big upside.

"Jake's got the potential to be pretty good,'' Showalter said. "He's very focused. He's driven to be very good. He holds himself to a high standard, sometimes too high, but I'm not going to keep him from doing that. He's going to give himself a chance to be successful, and you can't always say that about everybody. Plus, he's got pretty good stuff. That helps."

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Vladimir Guerrero's three-run homer in the eighth inning sent the Orioles into the ninth inning with an 11-0 lead. That's the most runs scored by the Orioles in a game this year, superseding their previous high of nine runs April 7 and allowing them to end their eight-game losing streak without undue suspense.

The homer was Guerrero's second of the season and gave him seven RBIs. The Orioles clearly need him to bust out at the plate if they are going to hold their own for the rest of this difficult homestand.

Statistical highlight: Robert Andino has reached base nine times in his past 10 plate appearances. He has seven singles and two walks over that span.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 9:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

Catcher Matt Wieters just lined a three-run double off the out-of-town scoreboard to jack up the lead to seven runs and produce an interesting stat. It was only the third extra-base hit this season with two outs and runners in scoring position.

It was, however, the second tonight. Brian Roberts delivered a two-out RBI double an inning earlier.

Instant update: Vladimir Guerrero's three-run homer in the eighth was the third two-out extra-base hit with RISP of the evening.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 8:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

The Orioles just tacked a run onto their first lead since last Thursday, but Jake Arrieta flirted with danger in the fifth. He walked two guys in a row with one out to get into the meet of the Twins order, but struck out Matt Tolbert and got Jason Kubel on a soft fly ball to left to end the inning.

Arrieta is getting close to the end of a very solid performance. He has thrown 92 pitches so far, so he'll have to be very efficient to stick around beyond the sixth.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Matt Wieters line-drive single in the second inning, which drove in Adam Jones from second base, gave Baltimore its first lead in game since April 14. That drought -- a span of 39 innings -- dates back to the eighth inning of the series finale against the Yankees, when the Orioles led 5-4 before Kevin Gregg gave up a game-tying home run to Jorge Posada.

The Orioles scored two more times in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead, getting two more runs on a 2-out single from Brian Roberts, a hit that drove in Mark Reynolds and Matt Wieters.

Baltimore has not scored more than three runs in a game since that April 14 game against the Yankees.

Posted by Kevin Van Valkenburg at 7:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Although manager Buck Showalter did express concern recently that his team might be trying to hard to bust out of its eight-game losing streak, the Orioles didn't look like a team that was moping or obsessing over its hitting woes Tuesday in the clubhouse.

Brian Roberts and Mark Reynolds faced off in a spirited game of pingpong. Vladimir Guerrero, dressed in a blue Superman t-shirt, bobbed his head as Latin music blared from the clubhouse stereo. Chris Jakubauskus surfed the Web and MLBTradeRumors.com, and even Showalter joked about being bummed out that the daytime soap opera "All My Children" got canceled.

It's clear the Orioles aren't panicking yet, especially considering how long the major league baseball season is, and they feel they have enough veterans with proven track records and enough young players with budding talent that they'll come out of this rough stretch relatively soon.

Showalter specifically made that point about reliever Kevin Gregg, who had a shaky outing Monday against the Minnesota Twins, giving up two runs in the ninth inning. That was coming off the heels of a blown save against the New York Yankees, in which he gave up a game-tying home run to Jorge Posada. The veteran reliever, who saved 37 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last year, heard a smattering of boos when he left the mound against the Twins.

"Kevin has a pretty long track record," Showalter said. "We have a pretty good idea of where it's going to be at the end of the season. He's had experience [getting booed]. There are expectations of everybody being good every night. ... When the game's over, you have to look at the bigger picture."

Showalter also said he wasn't too concerned about Jake Arrieta, who has been both good and bad in three starts this year. Arrieta gave up just one run over six innings in his first start of 2011, a win against the Detroit Tigers, but he was shelled by the Texas Rangers in his second outing, giving up eight runs in three innings. He pitched well against the Yankees and left the game after the sixth inning with Baltimore holding a 5-3 lead, but the bullpen let New York rally. On the year, Arrieta has a 7.04 ERA.

"I was looking at it on plane coming back [from Cleveland], and Jake hasn't pitched like a guy carrying around that ERA," Showalter said. "I know he's anxious to get out there again. I think he's going to have a good year."

Showalter said Brian Matusz will throw from 120 feet on Wednesday as another step in his rehab of a intercostal muscle strain. Shortstop J.J. Hardy also experienced his second straight day without pain in his oblique.

Orioles lineup:

1. Roberts - 2B
2. Markakis - RF
3. Lee - 1B
4. Guerrero - DH
5. Scott - LF
6. Jones - CF
7. Reynolds - 3B
8. Wieters - C
9. Andino - SS

Posted by Kevin Van Valkenburg at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)
        

We were trying to be optimistic at the bar, say, roughly, eight games ago. You know, feeling that 6-1 start and the new vibe and some old whiskey.

But it is hard to keep feeling that after the Orioles have lost eight straight and tumbled back into Groundhog Day, Part 14.

It’s a long season. There are more talented players on this team than there have been in years. And Buck Showalter is a good manager and will get a lot out of this club – eventually.

Realistically speaking, the Orioles aren’t as good as they started and they are not as bad as this stretch may suggest.

But there are some real concerns right now.

How about the fact that the only regular batting over .260 is Brian Roberts, and because he has just one walk, his on-base percentage sits at .288?

Or Nick Markakis’ struggles (.211/.281/.351) in what seemed like the perfect spot in the order for him?

Or the fact that the big foursome, Derrek Lee, Vladimir Guerrero, Mark Reynolds and an injured J.J. Hardy, has combined to hit .222 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 15 games?

There's also pitching concerns: Several of the young starters have struggled, closer Kevin Gregg has allowed 12 baserunners in five innings and Michael Gonzalez has been a disaster early on.

The key phrase, of course, is early on. It’s a 162-game season and everything could change again in a week. Heck, a few great games and those batting averages, for instance, could skyrocket.

But since I asked about your thoughts during a somewhat positive time last week, I want to know what worries you the most now. What one component are you most afraid will not turn around this season?

Daily Think Special: What has you most concerned during this eight-game skid?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (118)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

Orioles principal owner Peter Angelos on the death of former mayor and governor William Donald Schaefer:

“Words are very inadequate to be an appropriate tribute to Donald Schaefer. He was somebody who dedicated his entire life for the betterment of Baltimore, the citizens of this city and the state of the Maryland. He was a great friend and an extraordinary public servant.”

-- Jeff Zrebiec

Posted by Ron Fritz at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Orioles have hired long-time baseball executive Doug Duennes to supervise its business operations, a post once held by Joe Foss.

Duennes has an extensive background in baseball/business operations, working from 1995 to 2005 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was the Dodgers vice president of stadium operations when he was fired by Dodgers owner Frank McCourt in April 2005.

He also spent eight years with the San Diego Padres and 12 years with the Cincinnati Reds, mostly as stadium operations director with both organizations.

He also was the senior vice president of operations for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority and spent the last year as general manager with Centerplate at the Baltimore Convention Center.

He is currently working with the Orioles and will oversee the club’s business operations. John P. Angelos remains the club’s executive vice president, the club said through a spokesman.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

The moves we expected are official.

Lefty Clay Rapada’s contract has been purchased from Triple-A Norfolk and Chris Jakubauskas, who has been dealing with tightness in his right groin, has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Rapada wasn’t on the 40-man roster, so to make room for him, the club moved Justin Duchscherer from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. It’s really just a procedural move; it would have been tough to expect him to be ready any sooner than May 30. Duchscherer (hip, back) threw just two innings in a big-league spring training game.

The 30-year-old Rapada is 3-0 with a 4.22 ERA in 46 major-league games that span parts of four major-league seasons. Last year, Rapada pitched in 13 games with the Texas Rangers, compiling no record and a 4.00 ERA in nine innings. He signed as a non-roster free agent, and within a month has made the club as a lefty specialist.

“I am happy to be here. If they want me to pick up the (trash) cans, I’ll be like, ‘Hey, no problem,’” he joked.

Rapada said he saw an opportunity with the Orioles and had a relationship with current Orioles’ pitching coach Mark Connor, who was a special assistant in player development with the Rangers.

“When I was going through the offers (this offseason) opportunity to make the big-league team was my number one priority. And when it came down to it, I definitely felt this was my best chance,” Rapada said. “Having a relationship with Mark Connor, he was like, ‘You have the opportunity to win a job here.”

Jakubauskas said he was frustrated that his time with the Orioles lasted just a week, but he said the injury isn’t serious and expects to be ready when eligible to come off the DL.

“It’s more frustrating than anything. This is not how I want to start the year, but things happen. I am just glad it is not as bad as I thought it was,” Jakubauskas said. “It was pretty sore in New York, but it has gotten progressively better every day. But it is not to the point where I can go out and let it go 100 percent. I have two weeks to get it healthy and let it get stronger.”

Orioles manager Buck Showalter gave some updates on other injured players. He said Brian Matusz (intercostals muscle strain) threw between 60 and 90 feet today without pain in Sarasota and they’ll have a better idea how he is progressing on Tuesday.

There is still a possibility he’ll fly up during this homestand to meet with coaches and trainers, but Showalter said the club will proceed cautiously with Matusz. He said it won’t be a situation where he makes one rehab start and is back, so there is no set timetable for his return, Showalter said.

“I would caution everybody that even when he gets to a point where he can throw off a mound there are a lot of steps he is going to have to cross over before he can be a pitcher here again,” Showalter said.

J.J. Hardy (oblique strain) showed marked improvement today, but has not started baseball activities.

Showalter tweaked the lineup a bit, with Mark Reynolds batting fifth and Luke Scott sitting against lefty Francisco Liriano. Showalter said the move was to give right-hander Jake Fox another start in left while resting Scott another day. Scott had been hobbled previously with groin tightness. He was available to pinch-hit today.

Here is the lineup: Roberts 2b, Markakis rf, Lee 1b, Guerrero dh, Reynolds 3B, Jones cf, Fox lf, Wieters c, Andino ss. Tillman is pitching

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

The Orioles purchased the contract of left-handed reliever Clay Rapada today and placed righty Chris Jakubauskas on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, with a strained right groin.

To make room for Rapada on the 40-man roster, the Orioles moved righty Justin Duchscherer (left hip, back issues) from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. That means he won't be eligible to pitch in the big leagues until the end of May, which seems logical since he has faced big league hitters once (two innings in a March exhibition game) this calendar year and will need time to get ready once he is relatively pain-free.

Rapada, 30, is 3-0 with a 4.22 ERA in 46 major league games that span parts of four seasons. Last year, Rapada pitched in 13 games with the Texas Rangers, compiling no record and a 4.00 ERA in nine innings.

He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three and picking up a save in two scoreless innings for Triple-A Norfolk this season.

The sidearmer is considered a lefty specialist, and in his big league career, left-handers have hit just .186 off of him (with a .305 on-base percentage) in 83 plate appearances. In comparison, right-handers have hit .292 (with a .418 on-base percentage) in 79 plate appearances. He allowed just one hit and two walks while facing 21 lefties last year for the Rangers.

Jakubauskas, 32, allowed six runs in 7 1/3 innings in three games with the Orioles this month. On April 19, he made his first big league appearance since April 24, 2010, when he was struck in the head with a line drive in his only game with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

I’m not sure how severe Chris Jakubauskas’ groin injury is, but bringing up another left-handed reliever in Clay Rapada makes a lot of sense during this home stand. First of all, Michael Gonzalez is really struggling, making it tough for manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Mark Connor to trust him right now in a tough spot. Second, the three teams that the Orioles play over the next 11 days – the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox – are absolutely loaded with left-handed hitters so having two lefties in the bullpen could be crucial.

Rapada signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in January and is not on the 40-man so the Orioles will have to make a 40-man roster to accommodate him. I don’t like speculating on who could be jettisoned, but all it would take is one glance at the roster and you’d see a couple of people that have fallen down the organization’s depth chart and would probably be viewed as replaceable. Also, I don’t have any inside knowledge on this but another option would be transferring injured starter Justin Duchscherer (left hip strain) to the 60-day disabled list. Duchscherer’s DL-stint is backdated to March 29. If he’s transferred to the 60-day, that would mean he’d be eligible to come off during the weekend of May 28-30. That seems like a long way off, but the reality is Duchscherer isn’t even throwing from off the mound yet and he barely pitched this spring. So even when he starts throwing from the mound, he’s still going to have to make a bunch of rehab appearances. Again, I don’t know if that’s what the Orioles will do to free up a 40-man spot. But it is an option I’m sure they are at least considering.

A couple of minor league injury updates: Single-A Frederick right-handed starter Bobby Bundy left his outing today with right forearm soreness. However, Orioles Director of Player Development John Stockstill said that they don’t believe the injury to be serious and as of now, they expect Bundy to make his next start … Double-A first baseman Joe Mahoney still hasn’t been able to pass all his physical tests to return from a quadriceps strain and now it appears that he’ll be out until late this week.

And finally, just a quick rant from me: I’ve seen several blog posts on this and I’ve also received a handful of emails criticizing Derrek Lee for being indifferent and playing with no intensity, and essentially alleging that he’s just in Baltimore to collect one more paycheck. Lee obviously is not getting the job done right now as he’s hitting .212 with two RBIs in 14 games. Complaining about his play is understandable, but the criticism about Lee not caring and just going through the motions is ridiculous. The guy spends hours before the game in the video room studying the pitchers that he is about to face. After spending his whole career in the National League, these pitchers are mostly unfamiliar to him. He also took plenty of accountability yesterday. Asked about the offense’s struggles, he said, “Me sitting in the middle of the lineup and not getting on base doesn’t help anything.” Lee is an intense guy who takes pride in performing up to his standards. Just because you don’t see him whipping helmets and carrying on in the dugout doesn’t mean he doesn’t care and he’s just going through the motions.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (35)
        

By now, you are probably aware that the Orioles lost, 4-2, today to the Cleveland Indians to complete a humbling series sweep. They finished the road trip with an 0-5 record, and they are now bringing home a seven-game losing streak for the start of a 10-game home stand.

Here are a couple of other discouraging statistics:
The Orioles offense has scored just 17 runs in the seven-game skid.
The Orioles were outscored by the first-place Indians 20-7 in the series and never led in any of the games.
On the winless trip that included two losses to the New York Yankees in a rain-abbreviated series, the Orioles were outscored 33-16.
The Orioles said that their blown 5-0 fifth-inning lead on Thursday in New York wouldn’t linger, but they were outscored 26-7 on the trip after that point.
The Orioles were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position today and just 5-for-24 in such situations in the series
The 51 runs the Orioles have scored are the second fewest in the American League, ahead of only the Minnesota Twins
Oriole starters have an 8.45 ERA during the losing streak and have logged just 33 innings in seven games.

In other news:
Koji Uehara said that the end of his streak of 36 appearances without a walk was “nothing to really dwell on,” and proved that he wasn’t too bothered after the game by playfully chiding a reporter for not writing more about it.

When Uehara’s full-count pitch to Shin-Soo Choo with one out in the eighth inning was called a ball by home plate umpire Ed Hickox, the third longest streak of appearances without a walk in Major League Baseball since 1954 ended. Uehara had not walked a batter since he issued a free pass to the Toronto Blue Jays Fred Lewis in the ninth inning last July 16.

The only longer streaks were authored by Dennis Eckersley who did not issue a walk in 41 straight games from Aug.1 7, 1989 to June 10, 1990; and John Smoltz who did not walk a batter in 38 games from July 24, 2003 to June 8, 2004.

The Orioles were none too pleased with Hickox’s strike zone for much of the day, prompting Showalter to say, “I’m not so sure it was a walk either … I wasn’t even aware of it, but it doesn’t surprise me at all.”

Asked about Hickox’s strike zone during the at-bat, which started with three straight balls, Uehara said through interpreter Jiwon Bang: “I think it wasn’t going well with the umpires today.”

Two batters later, Uehara issued another walk to Travis Hafner before striking out Orlando Cabrera to end the inning. His 29-pitch outing today was four pitches fewer than Uehara had made in his first 4 2/3 innings this season, though Uehara said that he felt strong physically.

“I wasn’t burdened at all,” he said. “I’ll be ready to go [Monday].”

With Michael Gonzalez struggling, the Orioles will select the contract of another left-handed reliever, Clay Rapada, before the start of a four-game series against the Minnesota Twins Monday. Long man Chris Jakubauskas will go to the 15-day disabled list with a groin injury to make room on the 25-man roster, but the Orioles will still have to make a 40-man move to accommodate Rapada.

Jakubauskas made three appearances for the Orioles and allowed six earned runs on nine hits and four walks over 7 1/3 innings. Rapada, who signed a minor league deal with the club in January, pitched two scoreless innings and notched a save for the Tides, allowing one hit, one walk and striking out three.

He made 13 relief appearances for the Texas Rangers last year and left-handed hitters went just 1-for-19 against him.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

MASN analyst Jim Palmer just pointed out again what's ailing the Orioles lineup. Too many hitters aren't willing to work the count and accept a walk. In the middle of his diatribe, Felix Pie presented an audio-visual aid, fouling off a 3-1 pitch out of the strike zone before making flying out.

"It's so much tougher to pitch when you know you have to throw strikes," Palmer said.

Palmer's point has been made plenty of times. The two most successful AL East teams over the past decade -- the Red Sox and the Yankees -- are also the two teams that are known for their patience at the plate. The 2011 Orioles, meanwhile, are already gaining a reputation for helping starters keep their pitch counts down, which allows them to stay in the game longer.

No one should be too surprised. The addition of Vladimir Guerrero almost guaranteed it, since he is a notorious bad-ball hitter and, so far, has not been a particularly effective one.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 2:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (43)
        

Brad Bergesen appears to have pretty good command today, but he has been victimized by a pair of no-doubt home runs in the first three innings. He allowed a second-inning shot to young catcher Carlos Santana and a third-inning bomb to Grady Sizemore, who is just back from the disabled list.

Once again, an opposing pitcher looks overpowering, but it's fair to wonder if the Orioles are just making every Indians pitcher look like Bob Feller. Don't want to take anything away from Fausto Carmona, but the newlook Orioles offense has yet to make a major statement this season.

MASN just posted some stats about the Orioles 3-4-5 hitters, the most damning their total of 10 RBI, which ranks last in the major leagues.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

Starting pitcher Brian Matusz, who is on the disabled list with a strained left intercostal muscle, has not had a setback, but he's still not ready to rejoin the club to start throwing bullpens in front of pitching coach Mark Connor and bullpen coach Rick Adair.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said that on a one-to-10 scale, the discomfort that Matusz is currently feeling is a "one." However, the Orioles are taking no chances with one of their best young starters. Showalter did not rule out Matusz rejoining the club at some point this homestand, but it won't be in the next couple of days.

Several Orioles are sick, including leadoff man Brian Roberts, but Showalter applauded their desire to remain in the lineup. Today's lineup has only one change: Felix Pie is starting in center field and Adam Jones is on the bench. Showalter wants to keep Luke Scott's bat in the lineup because he's had some success against Indians starter Fausto Carmona, and he feels that Pie needs to play. Grady Sizemore is making his season debut for the Indians today.

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Felix Pie, CF
Matt Wieters, C
Cesar Izturis, SS
Brad Bergesen, SP

INDIANS
Grady Sizemore, CF
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
Carlos Santana, C
Travis Hafner, DH
Orlando Cabrera, 2B
Travis Buck, LF
Matt LaPorta, 1B
Jack Hannahan, 3B
Fausto Carmona, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)
        

I’m not sure how severe Chris Jakubauskas’ groin injury is, but bringing up another left-handed reliever in Clay Rapada makes a lot of sense during this home stand. First of all, Michael Gonzalez is really struggling, making it tough for manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Mark Connor to trust him right now in a tough spot. Second, the three teams that the Orioles play over the next 11 days – the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox – are absolutely loaded with left-handed hitters so having two lefties in the bullpen could be crucial.

Rapada signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in January and is not on the 40-man so the Orioles will have to make a 40-man roster to accommodate him. I don’t like speculating on who could be jettisoned, but all it would take is one glance at the roster and you’d see a couple of people that have fallen down the organization’s depth chart and would probably be viewed as replaceable. Also, I don’t have any inside knowledge on this but another option would be transferring injured starter Justin Duchscherer (left hip strain) to the 60-day disabled list. Duchscherer’s DL-stint is backdated to March 29. If he’s transferred to the 60-day, that would mean he’d be eligible to come off during the weekend of May 28-30. That seems like a long way off, but the reality is Duchscherer isn’t even throwing from off the mound yet and he barely pitched this spring. So even when he starts throwing from the mound, he’s still going to have to make a bunch of rehab appearances. Again, I don’t know if that’s what the Orioles will do to free up a 40-man spot. But it is an option I’m sure they are at least considering.

A couple of minor league injury updates: Single-A Frederick right-handed starter Bobby Bundy left his outing today with right forearm soreness. However, Orioles Director of Player Development John Stockstill said that they don’t believe the injury to be serious and as of now, they expect Bundy to make his next start … Double-A first baseman Joe Mahoney still hasn’t been able to pass all his physical tests to return from a quadriceps strain and now it appears that he’ll be out until late this week.

And finally, just a quick rant from me: I’ve seen several blog posts on this and I’ve also received a handful of emails criticizing Derrek Lee for being indifferent and playing with no intensity, and essentially alleging that he’s just in Baltimore to collect one more paycheck. Lee obviously is not getting the job done right now as he’s hitting .212 with two RBIs in 14 games. Complaining about his play is understandable, but the criticism about Lee not caring and just going through the motions is ridiculous. The guy spends hours before the game in the video room studying the pitchers that he is about to face. After spending his whole career in the National League, these pitchers are mostly unfamiliar to him. He also took plenty of accountability yesterday. Asked about the offense’s struggles, he said, “Me sitting in the middle of the lineup and not getting on base doesn’t help anything.” Lee is an intense guy who takes pride in performing up to his standards. Just because you don’t see him whipping helmets and carrying on in the dugout doesn’t mean he doesn’t care and he’s just going through the motions.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Orioles said that their 6-5 loss in 10 innings to the New York Yankees on Thursday in a game that they led by five runs wouldn’t linger. However, I certainly haven’t seen all that much energy in the two games since. Perhaps, it’s purely coincidental. Perhaps, they just look flat because the team that they are playing is clicking on all cylinders right now. Perhaps, it’s because their starters are giving up too many early runs and not getting deep in the game, and some of their top hitters are carrying slumps. Either way, I just haven’t seen much energy and spark from the Orioles over the last two days. Even on Wednesday in New York when Chris Tillman put them in a six-run hole, they clawed back and ultimately made the Yankees bring in their closer, Mariano Rivera, in a save situation. I just haven’t sensed that same urgency here.

Jeremy Guthrie had plenty of problems today in giving up six runs over five innings. The Indians got 10 hits and hit a ton of balls hard, a sign that Guthrie’s location just wasn’t good. He also never looked quite in sync with catcher Jake Fox, who also committed two passed balls. In his Fox’s two starts behind the plate – Jake Arrieta on April 9 and Guthrie today – Oriole starters have allowed 14 earned runs, 16 hits and three walks in 8 1/3 innings. Please don’t misunderstand: I’m not blaming Fox’s for the problems of the two starters though I don’t think you can completely ignore it either as neither Arrieta or Guthrie appeared comfortable. Team officials were concerned how Fox would do calling games and handling pitchers, but ultimately they decided his bat was worth carrying on the club. Fox proved why today by smashing a homer and a triple. I’ve said this before, but I believe Fox can be a very valuable member of the club, but it should be in a utility role and not as a back-up catcher. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Craig Tatum, a more traditional backup catcher, is on the 25-man roster very soon.

I don’t want this entry to look like the Jeremy Guthrie excuse edition, but don’t discount his recovery from pneumonia as a potential cause of his struggles either. Orioles manager Buck Showalter noted that Guthrie’s pitches lacked a little finish and crispness, and reminded reporters that the right-hander is still recovering after he got out of the hospital about 10 days ago. Guthrie admitted that he still doesn’t feel like he has his strength back. Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts can relate as he was struggling with pneumonia last year. Roberts said that he felt the effects of pneumonia for “several weeks.”

As poorly as left-handed reliever Michael Gonzalez has pitched this season and he does have a 10.38 ERA and has been scored upon in four of his five outings, it would be foolish to just dump him, like many fans are currently calling for the Orioles to do. Perhaps, Orioles manager Buck Showalter can look for less-pressurized spots to use Gonzalez in, but really the only thing that the Orioles can do is keep sending him out there. As big of a disaster as Gonzalez’s first season with the Orioles was and as regrettable as his two-year, $12 million contract will likely turn out to be, he was pretty effective after returning from the elbow injury, pitching to a 2.78 ERA in 26 games after the All-Star break. He deserves a little more time to see if he can discover what made him such a weapon against left-handed hitters in the past. And the Orioles still owe him $5.5 million so it makes no sense to give up on him two weeks into the 2011 season.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (31)
        

The rain and storms appear to have finally passed as the Indians have announced that today's game with the Orioles will begin approximately at 3:05 p.m.

The grounds crew has removed the tarp for a second time and is now clearing some puddles in the outfield.

Jeremy Guthrie will start for the Orioles opposite Indians' right-hander Josh Tomlin. The Orioles have lost five in a row to fall to 6-6 on the season. The Indians broke a two-game losing streak with Friday's 8-2 victory over the Orioles and their rookie pitcher, Zach Britton. They are tied with the also-surprising Kansas City Royals for first place in the A.L. Central with a 9-4 record.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 2:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

The Orioles-Indians game is obviously not going to start at 1:05 today. However, it appears that we may see some baseball after all.

The rain has let up and the grounds crew has peeled the tarp off the field and is currenty working on preparing the infield.

However, there is apparently a violent storm still on its way in so despite the fact that it is sunny and not raining, the Indians have not annnounced a start time.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

It's coming down pretty hard right now at Progressive Field and the tarp is on the field. However, from what I'm hearing, the forecast does improve steadily throughout the day. I'll let you know any weather updates as I get them.

Through his translator, reliever Koji Uehara has notified manager Buck Showalter that he is ready to start pitching on back-to-back days. Uehara threw only five pitches last night, so he's probably available today. However, Showalter said that the club will still be very cautious with the reliever. "Keep in mind the short spring that he had," Showalter said. "We’re trying to keep him around for the long haul. He just got to the point yesterday where he needed to pitch."

Jake Fox is catching Jeremy Guthrie today because it's a day game after a night game and Showalter felt it was important to have Wieters catch rookie Zach Britton last night. "Jake is our second catcher and this is where he has to catch and needs to catch. That’s why we caught him an inning last night. It’s in fairness to Matt as much as anything to protect him," Showalter said.

The club still hasn't decided whether Brian Matusz will join the team on the home stand, which begins Monday. As Showalter said yesterday, Matusz will have to be cleared to start throwing from the mound for him to rejoin the club.

Showalter isn't a big believer in juggling the batting order just because of a small sample size so I wouldn't expect any major changes with the Orioles lineup any time soon. "Keep in mind with the batting average, one hit, it will go 20 points," he said. "You can look at every batting lineup and you’ll find a guy like that. A guy gets a couple of hits then [you] move onto the next thing. It’s not going to be a perfect world where everybody is going to be in tune every day, every game. It’s too difficult. But I have a lot of faith in their track record and it will be there for us. We don’t seem to talk about things that guys do out of the ordinary. Nobody expected Brian Roberts to have 10 RBIs or whatever he’s got. I don’t dwell on those things. That’s something I’m not really concerned with at this point.”

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

The tarp is still on the field here, though it hasn't started raining yet. If they get the game in, here is the Orioles lineup.

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Jake Fox, C
Robert Andino, SS
Jeremy Guthrie, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

I abstain from giving any weather reports or making any foolish predictions about whether the Orioles will play or get rained out. However, I can say that the consensus from many at Progressive Field last night was that it may be very tough to get today’s game in because the amount of rain in the forecast. I can’t say I’ve seen any of these forecasts or even checked weather.com. The extent of my reporting on this topic came when I noticed before I walked out of the stadium late last night that the Indians’ grounds crew had already applied the tarp, always an ominous sign. If they don’t get the game in, I’m assuming that there will be a doubleheader tomorrow because this is the Orioles only trip here. Stay tuned.

I don’t like spending too much time obsessing over statistics the first couple weeks of the season, but it’s kind of hard not to at Progressive Field, where the huge JumboTron updates the batting averages and ERAs after every at-bat. I guess this is not exactly a newsflash but I looked up as the Indians were putting the finishing touches on the win and I was a little taken aback by the averages of the Oriole regulars. Unless you include Cesar Izturis who is hitting .286 while subbing for injured shortstop J.J. Hardy, there is not a single Oriole regular hitting above .260, Vladimir Guerrero’s current average. Adam Jones and Matt Wieters are hitting .194 and .200 respectively. Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis are at .235 and .244. Derrek Lee, Guerrero and Luke Scott – the Orioles two, three and four hitters – have combined for two homers and seven RBIs. I asked manager Buck Showalter last night if there is any concern about the slumping offense and he said, ““We’ll be fine. We’ll be a good offensive team. Batting averages fluctuate 20 points per at-bat right now. I don’t spend a lot of time on it. I’m aware of what our guys track records are more than what they are doing now.” That, of course, is all true. However, the Orioles simply have to start getting some consistent production from their lineup. This was supposed to be the strength of the team and through a dozen games – aside from a couple of big homers - it’s pretty much been the biggest weakness. And it’s not going to get any easier as the Orioles face Josh Tomlin, Fausto Carmona, Francisco Liriano and Carl Pavano over the next four days.

Even when the Orioles try to get Koji Uehara work, the reliever barely breaks a sweat. Uehara hadn’t pitched in seven days when Showalter gave him the ball last night in the eighth inning of a seven-run game just so he’d get some work in. Five pitches – and no splitters – later, Uehara was back in the dugout, having retired the Indians in order. Uehara has faced 12 hitters spanning four appearances and retired 11 of them. He also told Japanese reporters after the game that he feels ready to start pitching in back-to-back games. If there is a game today and the Orioles have a late lead, you’d like to think he’d be available. After all, his appearance last night didn’t last much longer than a Guerrero at-bat.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (19)
        

The consensus in the Orioles clubhouse was that if this was one of Zach Britton's bad starts, the rookie left-hander is going to be in pretty good shape.

In the Orioles' fifth straight loss, an 8-2 defeat that got out of hand late due to Josh Rupe's struggles, Britton allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out six. But not only did Orioles manager Buck Showalter point out that much of the damage on the rookie came on well-placed singles, he liked how Britton responded following the Indians' four-run and six-hit third inning.

“He’s going to have some bumps. He’s not going to be perfect,” Showalter said. “He was pretty good tonight. I was proud of him … He kept pitching. Some of our guys haven’t shown the ability to get through that at times. He did tonight. It’s a process for him.”

Britton lamented catching the plate with too many pitches and his inability to finish off Cleveland hitters. However what disappointed him most was the fact that he had a chance to be the stopper of the Orioles' four-game losing streak and he came up short.

“I’m a little more disappointed right now because I had a good opportunity, I felt like, to get us back on track and I really didn’t do my part,” said Britton. “That’s frustrating, but I’m not going to remember this start going into the next one. I’m going to keep focusing on keeping the ball down, getting groundballs and I think more times than not, I’ll have success when I do that.”

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

In his first 15 2/3 big league innings, including two tonight, Orioles rookie left-hander Zach Britton allowed just one run on seven hits.

In the third inning alone tonight against the Cleveland Indians, Britton was touched for four runs and six hits.

True, aside from Matt LaPorta's leadoff triple, which should have been an out but third baseman Mark Reynolds couldn't handle left fielder Luke Scott's throw, there wasn't any ball hit particularly hard.

However, the Indians were able to find holes, resulting in six straight hits at one point. It actually could have been worse for Britton, who already trailed 3-0 and had the bases loaded and no outs. But he struck out Shelley Duncan for the first out and then Travis Hafner hit a sacrifice fly to right to make it 4-0. However, the Orioles appealed that Asdrubal Cabrera left second too early on his way to tagging up, and second base umpire Ed Hickox called him out to end the inning.

The Orioles just got on the board in the top of the fourth on Luke Scott's two-out RBI single off Justin Masterson. They trail 4-1 with Britton heading to the mound for the bottom of the fourth.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

A day after Kevin Gregg squandered a one-run lead in a loss to the New York Yankees, Orioles manager Buck Showalter wouldn’t change his stance on the team’s closer situation.

He also didn’t publicly endorse Gregg as his exclusive closer, even though all signs point to that being the case. Gregg has been on the mound in both of the Orioles’ ninth-inning save opportunities, and he’s also warmed up two other times for a save situation that never came.

“In my mind, I know where we are, just because we don’t make a formal announcement on what we’re doing every day,” Showalter said. “We’ll still kind of go with where we are [situation-wise], but we’re too young in a season. We feel like we have some people capable of doing the job and Gregg’s pitched pretty well for us. When Koji [Uehara] gets right, he’ll figure more into the equation when he gets physically where he needs to be.”

Uehara, who has dealt with both elbow and hamstring problems the past couple of seasons, still isn’t available to pitch on back-to-back days. However, Showalter and pitching coach Mark Connor have been regularly checking in with the pitcher and Showalter thinks the right-hander could be ready to go back-to-back by early next month.

Asked how much does Uehara’s health factor in his decisions on the closer role, Showalter said, “Somewhat, and Kevin is pretty good at it. He’s had three scoreless outings until [Thursday] night. I was most impressed with how he handled the adversity after the fact.”

In other news, starter Brian Matusz, who is on the disabled list with a strained left intercostal muscle, still hasn’t been cleared to resume throwing from the mound. The plan remains for Matusz to rejoin the club when it returns home next week and throw some bullpen sessions in front of Connor and bullpen coach Rick Adair, but that will only happen if the lefty gets clearance to start pitching from off the mound.

“He’s alright, he’s progressing,” Showalter said. “We’re not going to push it. He still feels it a little bit, but he’s getting pretty close. We’ll err on the side of caution, that’s for sure.”

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Cesar Izturis, SS
Zach Britton, SP

INDIANS
Michael Brantley, CF
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
Shelley Duncan, LF
Travis Hafner, DH
Orlando Cabrera, 2B
Matt LaPorta, 1B
Lou Marson, C
Adam Everett, 3B
Justin Masterson, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

I’m sure there is still plenty of discussion about some of manager Buck Showalter’s decisions late in the game in the Orioles’ 6-5 loss last night to the New York Yankees in 10 innings. Showalter was asked why he went to Michael Gonzalez in the 10th rather than Koji Uehara, and why he opted to pitch to both Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher rather than walking them to load the bases and set up the force at home. With the first question, he went to Gonzalez and not Uehara because he wanted Mark Teixeira, who led off the inning, and Swisher, who was due up fourth, to hit from the right side because they are way more dangerous home run threats as left-handed hitters. Swisher has 36 career home runs against left-handed pitchers compared to 126 against right-handers. Teixeira has 72 homers versus left-handed pitching and 207 against right-handers. Also, Alex Rodriguez, who was due up second in the inning, and Swisher hit game-winning homers off Uehara last year. Ultimately, the Orioles were hoping to get out of that inning, score a run in the top of the 11th and then bring on Uehara to close the game. As for pitching to Cano and Swisher, Showalter simply didn’t want to put Gonzalez in a situation where a walk would have ended the game. Gonzalez’s command obviously comes and goes so Showalter didn’t think it was the best option to make him pitch with the bases loaded. “You don’t want to paint a guy in the corner,” Showalter said. “Command was an issue with the first hitter. You want to make sure you give him some margin of error.”

I know what else you are thinking: why was Kevin Gregg given the ball in the ninth inning rather than Uehara? Showalter has declined from publicly naming a closer, or weighing the pros and cons of Gregg and Uehara in that role. So before you ask, I can’t tell you why Showalter feels more comfortable with Gregg in those situations. Gregg has been shaky in both save opportunities. He converted the first one only after Nick Markakis made a miraculous catch at the right-field wall on Ben Zobrist’s extra-base hit bid that would have at least tied the game. And last night, he blew the save on one pitch when Jorge Posada swatted a fastball into the Yankees’ bullpen. It will be interesting to see who is on the mound the next time the Orioles have a one or two-run lead in the ninth inning. They simply can’t afford to give up games that their starting pitching puts them in position to win.

It was mentioned in the press box by several people, and I’m sure it was brought up in plenty of living rooms throughout the Baltimore area. Felix Pie probably catches both those hits that dropped either in front of left fielder Luke Scott or behind him and led to Yankee runs. Cano doubled just beyond Scott’s reach to plate New York’s first run in the fifth. In the sixth, Russell Martin led off with a broken-bat single that just bounced in front of a diving Scott. It was laid out pretty clearly here and everywhere else when the fans were so adamant about the club signing Vladimir Guerrero. While it would help their lineup, it certainly would weaken their defense in left field. I don’t think Scott is as poor defensively as scouts and other baseball pundits think he is, but he simply doesn’t get to balls that Pie catches. And it doesn’t help that Scott is still clearly hobbled by that sore groin. It wouldn’t surprise me if Showalter gives Scott a day or two off in Cleveland to rest it because he’s clearly tentative right now when he has to sprint.

Orioles hitting coach Jim Presley doesn’t want to tinker too much with Nick Markakis simply because the right fielder has a great approach. However, one of the things that he has encouraged is for Markakis to be a little more aggressive early in counts. His homer last night off of a very hittable Phil Hughes was on the first pitch. His other homer this season off the Texas Rangers’ Colby Lewis was on the second pitch. Markakis is still going to spray the ball around and hit to all fields because that’s what he does and that’s what kind of hitter he is. But it sure seems to me that he’s trying to pull the ball a little more and is taking a few more shots at the right-field seats.

And finally, I know Jim Johnson gave up back-to-back two out and two-strike hits in a scoreless eighth inning. However, you'll rarely see a one-inning reliever produce the number of ugly swings from great hitters that Johnson produced last night. He overmatched Teixeira with a changeup to strike him out. He also got a series of ugly swings from Rodriguez, Cano and Swisher. Johnson is still trying to gain some consistency, but there are some nights when he’s out there, where his stuff is so nasty, it’s almost humorous to watch the opposition try to hit it.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (60)
        

One of the first things manager Buck Showalter said after meeting with the media after tonight's grueling 6-5 loss to the New York Yankees in 10 innings was that the Orioles are not going to feel sorry for themselves.

“Whatever problems you have on a given night, a lot of people are glad that you got them,” Showalter said. “There’s no self-pity. It’s a tough, competitive place in the American League East. We got close and didn’t close the door, and we move on to Cleveland. It’s part of the job description, it’s part of the equation. You win some that you probably shouldn’t, and some others go the other way.”

This one clearly hurts far more than any of the others during the four-game losing streak. The Orioles got a great offensive game from Nick Markakis, who went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs. They got a gutty start from young right-hander Jake Arrieta, who allowed three runs in six innings and didn't blink several times when it appeared the Yankees were a hit away from either tying the score or taking the lead.

Showalter made sure to point out the positives, but it's hard not to dwell on the Orioles' blowing a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning and losing to the Yankees for the 26th time in the past 33 meetings between the clubs.

The Orioles just didn't do enough offensively after knocking out a shaky Phil Hughes with one out in the fourth inning. Felix Pie allowed himself to get knocked off the plate by Joba Chamberlain, who prevented the Oriole from scoring from third base on a wild pitch with one out in the eighth inning. That run would have given the Orioles an all-important two-run lead.

And of course, there was closer Kevin Gregg's allowing a game-tying homer to Jorge Posada in his first pitch of the ninth inning and blowing his first save in two opportunities.

“I basically got ambushed [and] didn’t make a good pitch,” Gregg said. “I think at this point Posada has to do a lot of things right to hit a ball like that, and he did. I was able to come back and not let them get away that inning. But it basically cost us the game.”

The game ended in the 10th when Michael Gonzalez issued a leadoff walk to Mark Teixeira and then a double to Alex Rodriguez. Robinson Cano lined out to shortstop Cesar Izturis for the first out, but then Nick Swisher won the game with a sacrifice fly to right field.

“It’s definitely disappointing,” said Gonzalez, who was used in the 10th over Koji Uehara because Showalter wanted to make both Teixeira and Swisher bat right-handed and force the left-handed-hitting Cano into a matchup with a lefty pitcher. “We obviously wanted to show these guys that we can compete, we can contend with these guys and it’s definitely disappointing from my standpoint. We were leading the game by five. But the good thing is its early in the year and we are going to go out there and keep competing.”

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Hall of Fame Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson has been discharged from Greater Baltimore Medical Center, the hospital announced Thursday night.

Robinson had been hospitalized at GMBC since March 30, a day before he was scheduled to have an outpatient procedure there, while recovering from an infection.

The 73-year-old released the following statement: “I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and outpouring of compassion and concern during my recent illness. The doctors, nurses and staff at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center did an outstanding job of caring for me and I am well on my way to a full recovery.

“[His wife] Connie and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we received. The staff at GBMC assembled several books of emails received from around the world and we have spent countless hours reading your kind words of encouragement. We wish that we could personally respond to everyone with our gratitude.”

Robinson received 530 get-well emails, the hospital said.

The third baseman played 23 seasons for the Orioles, playing in 2,896 games. He made the American League All-Star team 15 straight years from 1960 to 1974, also winning the Gold Glove each of those years, as well as in 1975.

Robinson was the league's Most Valuable Player in 1964 and helped lead the Orioles to World Series appearances in 1969 and 1971 and world championships in 1966 and 1970.

Posted by Steve Gould at 9:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Cesar Izturis, SS
Jake Arrieta, SP

YANKEES
Brett Gardner, LF
Derek Jeter, SS
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Jorge Posada, DH
Curtis Granderson, CF
Russell Martin, C
Phil Hughes, SP

In other news, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Brad Bergesen will start Sunday's series finale in Cleveland barring any rainouts before that. Struggling starter Chris Tillman remains on schedule to pitch Monday at home against the Minnesota Twins.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

With his early-season slump deepening and the outside criticism about his offense growing by the day, Orioles catcher Matt Wieters turned to the videotape to try to get some positive reinforcement.

What he and first-year Orioles hitting coach Jim Presley found instead was a reminder of a time when Wieters felt a whole lot more comfortable at the plate than he has recently.

“I went back and watched some tapes from ’09 and some earlier times in my career, and I think I got a little bit spread out,” Wieters said. “I’m just trying to get back to where I used to be. If you go through a long enough stretch and you have some success, you don’t really go and look back at the tape and see what you are doing different. With the struggles that I’ve had going on lately, I went back and looked at the tape, and I was probably a little bit more stand up and my feet were a little closer together. That’s what we’ve been trying to work on the last few days. It feels good.”

With a more upright stance and his feet closer together at the plate, Wieters went 2-for-3 with a double, home run and a walk in the Orioles’ 7-4 loss in the series opener against the New York Yankees on Wednesday.

His fifth-inning double was a line shot to right field, and it came off of a 92 mph fastball from A.J. Burnett. His two-run homer in the seventh off Burnett, which sailed deep into the right-field seats, was on a 2-0, 93 mph fastball.

That’s significant because Wieters, for much of his young big league career, has had trouble handling good fastballs, and Burnett certainly has one. Orioles manager Buck Showalter remarked after the game that Wieters looks “real hitter-ish up there right now,” and attributed it to work the catcher has put in recently with Presley.

Wieters and Presley have been spending a lot of time together the past couple of days in the indoor batting cage at Yankee Stadium. The focus has been on trying to get Wieters more comfortable at the plate and in a better position to drive the ball.

“Just trying to get back to that good feel at the plate,” said Wieters, who enters tonight's game batting .241 with a homer and four RBIs in nine games. “Maybe instead of trying to be so mechanical up there, [I’m] just trying to get that feel of where it used to be. Some of the work we put in the last two days in the cage I think has really helped. I think I was getting spread out where I really wasn’t getting enough of a load.

“It’s sort of going back to when it was more natural for me. I was doing things that weren’t comfortable probably all the way through spring training. It wasn’t like I had to go back and change everything, but to be able to get back to the way I felt in '09 and '08, it feels good to go back to that way.”

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)
        

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was noncommittal after the game when he was asked whether Chris Tillman will make his next scheduled start Monday against the Minnesota Twins in the first of a 10-game homestand. “I’m not at that point now. We just got through a game,” he said. He did make what was perhaps a telling comment when he said, “There’s always options if you have to make an adjustment.” I’m pretty sure that the same fans who were railing on Tillman last night would still rather watch the soon-to-be 23-year-old pitch every five days rather than a veteran journeyman like Ryan Drese or Chris George. However, I don’t think that will matter at all to Showalter or pitching coach Mark Connor. They’re not going to continue to watch a pitcher put the team in a multi-run hole and tax the bullpen every fifth day. Even during his six shutout and hitless innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second game of the season, Orioles officials saw plenty from Tillman that concerned them, including too many missed locations, falling behind in counts and experiencing other command issues. The Rays didn’t exploit him, but let’s be honest, their lineup -- Ben Zobrist aside -- couldn’t hit a beach ball for the first week of the season.

By the way, there has been plenty written about Tillman’s dip in velocity, both on this blog and in other places. However, after watching Tillman pitch last night, I was reminded that the focus on the right-hander’s velocity is probably misplaced. Sure, if he threw harder, Tillman would get away with more mistakes over the plate. But his biggest problem is he can’t command his fastball in the strike zone or get ahead with it early in counts. He’s a great kid who works hard, but it just doesn’t appear that he has enough weapons right now to get big league hitters out on a consistent basis.

On a positive pitching note from last night, Brad Bergesen threw two perfect innings in his return to the club. He struck out two, got three groundouts and a foulout, and threw 16 of his 24 pitches for strikes. Bergesen is expected to pitch in Sunday’s series finale in Cleveland, though that isn’t a sure thing with bad weather predicted this weekend. If he does pitch and turns in a quality outing, I’d have to think he’ll look back fondly at last night’s outing. Bergesen puts on a good face for the most part, but I can’t imagine his confidence has been very high with his limited workload, inconsistent results and three demotions in a year’s span. Last night was a perfect spot to put him in to knock off some of the rust and start rebuilding his confidence.

One final comment on the pitching: Brian Matusz expanded his rehab program yesterday, throwing from 90 feet. Showalter said that assuming there are no setbacks, the young lefty will rejoin the club next week to throw in front of Connor and bullpen coach Rick Adair. This is obviously good news. I’m sure people are already envisioning a rotation that includes Jeremy Guthrie, Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton and Matusz. I don’t want to temper that enthusiasm, especially after last night’s downer, but I do want to point out that Matusz is still a couple of weeks away. Showalter said it’s too early to know whether Matusz will be cleared to throw off the mound next week. Also, even after he throws a couple of bullpen sessions, he’ll still need a multi-start rehab assignment. Remember, Matusz didn’t log many innings during spring training. He’s not starting from scratch, but it’s not a situation where he’ll make one three-inning rehab start and rejoin the club. I would think he’d probably make at least three. That’s a week and a half right there. My guess is we’re still looking at early to mid-May for his return.

Vladimir Guerrero has hit 437 career home runs with his unique swing-at-everything-and-anything style. I thoroughly enjoy watching him hit, and I’m the last person who has any business criticizing his approach. However, I can’t help but wonder sometimes if things would be a little different if he was a little more patient. Last night, the Orioles trailed by three runs in the eighth inning, and they obviously needed base runners. Rafael Soriano was pitching, and he’s a guy that has had one brutal outing already and is a leadoff walk or hit away from starting to hear murmurs from the hard-to-please paying customers in the Bronx. However, the Orioles never really gave him a chance to get in trouble. Guerrero took a wild swing at Soriano’s first-pitch curveball and popped it up to Alex Rodriguez in foul territory. Luke Scott followed with a single, but Soriano needed just 11 pitches to record a scoreless eighth.

Adam Jones gets some criticism here and other places for his occasional lapses defensively, but he has played a really good center field through the Orioles’ first 10 games. His diving catch last night on Jorge Posada’s blooper with the bases loaded in the second inning was one of the better catches that you’ll see from an Oriole this year. He got a good jump on it and made a fearless swan dive on a wet and miserable night to catch the ball. That he saved two runs on the play shouldn’t be overlooked.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (30)
        

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was pretty succint in summing up Chris Tillman's outing tonight in the Orioles 7-4 loss to the New York Yankees.

"Not good, not good enough," Showalter said.

On this night, that may have even been an understatement. Tillman allowed six earned runs on nine hits and a walk in just 1 2/3 innings. I was a little surprised to hear both him and catcher Matt Wieters say that Tillman had pretty good stuff and just made a few bad pitches in hitter counts.

I take what Wieters says with a grain of salt because I'm sure the catcher, who got TIllman one of his five outs by throwing out Brett Gardner trying to steal second in the first inning, doesn't want to further bury the confidence of the 22-year-old pitcher.

What I saw was a pitcher who fell behind too often, didn't have a put-away pitch when he got two strikes and was leaving too many pitches over the heart of the plate. Apparently, Showalter agreed.

"The big thing is three out of the first 17 hitters were all he got strike one on," Showalter said. "That’s tough to do with any team, especially with these hitters. I don’t care who you are. He’s obviously a guy that doesn’t have a lot of experience. You’re going to have some innings. You just can’t let them get away from you and keep the team in the game. It was 6-0 there, 3-0 you take. But he didn’t make a lot of good pitches and he paid for it."

Asked if Tillman will make his next scheduled start on Monday, Showalter was non-commital, saying, "There’s always options if you have to make an adjustment. We hope not. I’m not at that point now. We just go through a game. He pitched one good game statistically, so-so in the other one and struggled tonight."

Tillman was lamenting his poor two-strike pitches more than anything.

“The results are results. I think anybody would be disappointed in this, you know?,” said Tillman who has made 26 career big league starts. “I’m more disappointed that I made some good pitches and when it counted, I didn’t make those pitches. I missed middle almost every single one of those pitches whether it was up or down. It just goes to show, that’s not going to cut it here.”

Asked what kind of setback an outing like this was, Tillman said, "I’m going to run with the positives. That’s all you can do. I’m told I had good stuff tonight. Just go to take that into my side session and take it out on the next opponent we face."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

Chris Tillman night just came to a merciful end when he was pulled from the game following Robinson Cano's two-run double with two outs in the second that made the score 6-0.

Tillman was awful in the first inning, allowing three runs on five hits. He was just as bad - if not worse - in the second inning when he allowed three more runs on four hits and a walk.

His final line was six runs, nine hits, and a walk in 1 2/3 innings. He also threw 57 pitches, 33 of them for strikes.

His line could have been even worse had Adam Jones not made a diving catch in center field to take away what surely would have been a two-run single by Jorge Posada for the final out of the second.

Chris Jakubauskas is now in the game as the Orioles trail 6-0 heading into the bottom of the third.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 8:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

In his last start against the Detroit Tigers, Chris TIllman allowed two runs in a 32-pitch first inning.

Tonight, he struggled again in the first, this time allowing three runs and needing 29 pitches to get out of it.

And it could have been worse had catcher Matt Wieters not made a perfect throw to nail Brett Gardner trying to steal second base.

Derek Jeter followed with a single to right and then Mark Teixeira did the same. TIllman then fell behind Alex Rodriguez 2-0 before the Yankees third baseman drove a fastball into the right-field seats to give New York a 3-0 lead.

Tillman allowed five hits in the first and the single to Teixeira broke an 0-for-18 skid for the former Mount St. Joseph star.

I saw Tillman hit 91 miles per hour once on the stadium radar gun, but he's mostly sitting at 88 or 89 miles per hour with his fastball.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Brad Bergesen was officially added to the Orioles’ active roster today, replacing J.J. Hardy, who moved to the disabled list with a strained left oblique.

But the question remains whether Bergesen, who is scheduled to start Sunday’s series finale in Cleveland, can show enough consistency to remain in the rotation. When he was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday to make room for Chris Jakubauskas, it marked Bergesen’s third demotion in about a year.

“It’s a huge challenge,” Bergesen said. “It’s something that I was faced with last year and learned the tough way. I’m really just hoping to get back on track and hopefully prove that I am able to be part of the rotation and just contribute to this team.”

What may help Bergesen most is just getting a steady workload and an opportunity to log some innings. The 25-year-old right-hander had his preparation for the season cut short when he was drilled in the right forearm by a liner off the bat of the Minnesota Twins’ Denard Span on March 25, his outing lasting just four pitches.

He threw two innings against Orioles minor leaguers March 30, the final day before the team broke camp and headed to St. Petersburg, Fla., to start the season. But that wasn’t exactly ideal preparation for his first big league start against the Detroit Tigers on April 6. Bergesen lasted just 3 2/3 innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks. He started that game only after Jeremy Guthrie was hospitalized with pneumonia.

Asked about not being able to get in a routine, Bergesen said: “It’s been tough, but it’s the hand that I was dealt, and I’m just trying to make the most of it. Whatever they need me or whenever they need me, I’m just trying to prepare as much as possible.”

Bergesen is available tonight to pitch in relief if Chris Tillman has an abbreviated outing. However, if he doesn’t, he’ll likely be held back until Sunday, where he’ll be pitching for just the second time in an 18-day span.

“Let’s let that play out,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “With the injuries and all the things that we’ve had creep up, it’s not an ideal world. But there’s an excuse around every corner if you want to take it.”

As for the game, there is no tarp on the field and it appears that it will start on time.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Here are the starting lineups for Wednesday night's Orioles-Yankees game.

ORIOLES
Roberts, 2B
Markakis, RF
Lee, 1B
Guerrero, DH
Scott, LF
Jones, CF
Reynolds, 3B
Wieters, C
Andino, SS
Tillman, SP

It's the same lineup the Orioles had posted before Tuesday night's game was postponed because of rain.

YANKEES
Gardner, LF
Jeter, SS
Teixeira, 1B
Rodriguez, 3B
Cano, 2B
Swisher, RF
Posada, DH
Granderson, CF
Martin, C
Burnett, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The tarp is off the field and some of the Yankees, including Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada, are on it, doing some early hitting work.

It’s cold, and rain is in the forecast for later this evening.

It’s possible that after last night’s postponement, the teams could face delays tonight.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

If the rain ever stops – and apparently it’s supposed to – Chris Tillman will be on mound tonight as the Orioles face the New York Yankees a day after Game One of the series was postponed because of inclement weather.

Tillman was scheduled to pitch last night so he should be pretty prepared against a Yankees team that has knocked him around in the past. Tillman, who turns 23 on Friday, is 1-1 with a 5.52 ERA in three starts against the Yankees and he’s allowed 20 hits and 11 walks in 14 2/3 innings. The Yankees’ middle of the order – Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano – are a combined 14-for-25 against him with one homer and six RBIs.

The young right-hander has shown signs of growth in certain areas, but his diminished velocity has become a concern and he still falls behind too frequently and gets into too many deep counts. If he does those things continue against the Yankees, it’s going to be a long night in the Bronx even without any rain delays.

“It’s a work-in progress,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Tillman last night. “He’s got some deception in his delivery, but he’s got into some counts that show you over the course of the season, it’s going to be a challenge for him. We’d like to see him get a little bit better at that. Our guys who have seen him pitch realize that he was a little fortunate in some situations that over the course of the season, might bite you. But he does have some weapons to get you out with and some deception in his delivery. We’ll see. I don’t think he’s near the deer in the headlights that he was last year. Hopefully, he’s growing a little bit.”

In his last start against the Detroit Tigers, Tillman allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings. His fastball was in the 86 to 89 mile per hour range throughout, which has to be concerning for Oriole officials simply because Tillman’s command hasn’t been great, and his secondary pitches remain a work-in progress. That’s not enough fastball to consistently get by when you consider the rest of his repertoire.

Tillman says that he has never felt better and his lack of velocity was more a result of him struggling to get loose. However, a high 80’s fastball has been the norm rather than the exception for a little while now. There are many theories why, but my personal opinion is that Tillman is so concerned about his command and not walking people, that he’s not letting the ball go. Pitching coach Mark Connor had Tillman doing a lot of long toss over the last week to try to build up some more arm strength and get back some of the velocity.

Either way, in talking to scouts after his last start, they agreed that Tillman’s diminished velocity was a concern. However, they also noted that he’s competing much better, his mound presence has improved and he’s learning how to pitch. One noted that the 2010 version of Tillman probably would have been knocked out of the game in the first inning against the Tigers. Instead, he threw 32 pitches but got out of the frame, and nearly was able to go five complete innings.

That’s obviously not going to get it done in the long haul, but when it comes to Tillman, it’s been all about small steps of progress.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)
        

Not that much really, though if there is another rainout tomorrow night -- and there is rain in the forecast for part of the day -- then all bets are off.

For now, Chris TIllman, scheduled to pitch in tonight's postponed game, will start tomorrow night opposite New York Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett. Jake Arrieta will stay on turn and pitch Thursday night in a matchup with Phil Hughes.

Zach Britton and Jeremy Guthrie remain in line to start Friday and Saturday in Cleveland.

Brad Bergesen, who was expected to be recalled to take J.J. Hardy's spot on the roster and start on Wednesday, is now tentatively scheduled to start Sunday in the series and road trip finale in Cleveland. That is the next time the Orioles need a fifth starter.

Still, Bergesen, most likely, will be recalled tomorrow with Hardy going on the disabled list. That would allow Bergesen to be available in the bullpen if Tillman has an abbreviated outing against the Yankees.

Unfortunately for the Orioles, the only way to get Bergesen on the roster in time for Sunday's start is for him to fill Hardy's spot. A player has to spend 10 full days in the minors after a demotion, and Bergesen just got optioned Saturday. However, that doesn't apply if that player is replacing an injured player.

Ideally, the Orioles would like to give Bergesen an opportunity to go to the minors and log some innings before coming back up, but they simply don't have that luxury right now.

If tomorrow's game is postponed and there is no immediate doubleheader planned, they can keep Bergesen in the minors and bring him up next week when they need a fifth starter. By then, the 10 days will have elapsed.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 9:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Tuesday night's opener of the Orioles' series with the Yankees in New York has been postponed because of rain.

The game will be made up in July or August.

It's the second postponement for the Orioles in the past five days. Friday's game against the Rangers at Camden Yards was pushed to the next day because of rain.

Chris Tillman had been scheduled to oppose the Yankees' A.J. Burnett on Tuesday. Tillman will now start Wednesday's game instead of Brad Bergesen.

Jake Arrieta will start Thursday, as previously scheduled.

Posted by Steve Gould at 6:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

The tarp is on the field at Yankee Stadium and the forecast isn't great for baseball, but here is the Orioles' lineup against the Yankees tonight in the series opener.

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Robert Andino, SS
Chris Tillman, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

Here’s a scary thought if you watched Zach Britton’s first two Major League starts: The left-hander was not even the top starter on his high school summer league team in 2005. That honor for the Dallas Baseball Academy of Texas Mustangs went to Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles’ Dodgers ace. Britton and Kershaw remain close friends and talk regularly. They also could have been college teammates at Texas A&M before both eschewed college to sign professionally. Kershaw was drafted in the first round by the Dodgers in 2006 and Britton was selected by the Orioles in the third round that year.

With Brian Matusz and Justin Duchscherer not really close to coming off the disabled list, the Orioles are entering a crucial stretch as far as establishing a five-man rotation. Starting Tuesday in New York, they play 26 games in 27 days with the lone offday coming on April 25 between home series against the Yankees and Boston Red Sox. That stretch includes two series against the Yankees and one against Boston, Minnesota, the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians, a team playing as well as anybody right now. There won’t be any days to skip a starter or piece together a game through the bullpen. There are really no intriguing options down at Double or Triple-A now that it appears that Brad Bergesen will rejoin the rotation either today or tomorrow and fill J.J. Hardy’s roster spot. The Orioles will have to go with a steady five and it will be up to those guys to pitch well to make sure they continue to get the ball every five days. If Arrieta, Bergesen and Tillman are going to morph into reliable and consistent starters, now would be a good time to take the next step.

Hardy’s injury is a serious blow both to the shortstop, who finally felt healthy again, and the Orioles’ lineup which benefitted greatly from having a threat in the No.9 spot. If there is any positive that comes from the injury, it will give the Orioles the option of bringing up a true back-up catcher in Craig Tatum and allow Jake Fox to be used more in a utility role. For now, the Orioles will use the extra roster spot to add another bullpen arm and Tatum will remain at Triple-A Norfolk. However, if some of the younger pitchers start getting deeper in the game, it won’t be long before Tatum joins the club. It was clear on Saturday night that Jake Arrieta and Fox weren’t totally in sync, which is understandable considering they haven’t worked together much. One head-scratching sequence came in the Texas Rangers’ six-run third inning against Arrieta. With runners on first and third and no outs and the Orioles leading 1-0, Arrieta fell behind No.9 hitter Mitch Moreland 3-0. He proceeded to throw back-to-back offspeed pitches on 3-1 and 3-2, issuing a walk. Moreland is a good-looking young hitter, but with the dangerous Ian Kinsler on deck and the Rangers’ vaunted lineup turning over, you absolutely have to challenge Moreland with the fastball in that situation. Now, the responsibility – and the blame in this case - doesn’t fall all on Fox’s shoulder. Arrieta has the ball and ultimately could shake the catcher off and get the sign that he wants. I assume that was one of the things that manager Buck Showalter was telling them during that long conversation that TV cameras picked up later in that game.Showalter’s comment later that Arrieta had too good stuff to have an outcome like that probably alluded to several things, including Fox’s game calling Either way, Fox is a valuable player to have on the roster, but that value is with his ability to play multiple positions and bring a power bat off the bench. It’s not behind the plate.

Orioles top prospect Manny Machado is certainly off to a good start in his first full professional season. Playing for Single-A Delmarva, the 18-year-old shortstop is 7-for-15 (.467) with two doubles, a triple, three RBIs, seven walks and a stolen base in five games. I think the Orioles will preach patience with the third overall pick in last year’s draft, but I’d be surprised if Machado has too many issues with the competition in the South Atlantic League. I’d be absolutely shocked if Machado finishes the season with Delmarva. Heck, he may not finish the month in the South Atlantic League if this continues.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)
        

President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail didn't want to characterize J.J. Hardy's MRI results, which revealed a left oblique strain, as good news because the Orioles will now be without their starting shortstop for between two to three weeks and it could be even longer. However, he admitted that there was some concern before the results that Hardy could be out even longer.

"With the nature of this injury, nobody knows for certain what the duration is going to be, but certainly the news could have been worse," MacPhail said.

The immediate result is that Cesar Izturis and Robert Andino will both get time as the starting shortstop. It also means that the Orioles will likely go with 13 pitchers for a little while until the rotation gets a little more healthy and starts getting deeper in games.

Team officials are saying that they haven't officially decided on Wednesday's starter, but Brad Bergesen is in line for the start. Bergesen was just demoted to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday. However, he wouldn't have to spend the normally required 10 days in the minors because he's replacing a player headed to the disabled list. The Orioles will put Hardy on the disabled list either Tuesday or Wednesday, leading to Bergesen's arrival.

With Bergesen back in the rotation and Chris Jakubauskas remaining in a relief role, the Orioles would have an eight-man bullpen of Kevin Gregg, Koji Uehara, Jim Johnson, Michael Gonzalez, Jason Berken, Jeremy Accardo, Josh Rupe and Jakubauskas.

They would certainly like to bring back Craig Tatum to serve as a more natural back-up catcher and allow Jake Fox to occupy more of a utility role. However, they apparently feel that having an extra bullpen arm on the roster is a little more important right now.

If some of the starters prove they are healthy and start getting deep in games, I don't think it would be too long for them to return to a more traditional seven-man bullpen and 12-man pitching staff.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 2:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

A magnetic resonance imaging taken today on J.J. Hardy revealed that the shortstop has a left oblique strain.

Hardy will be out between two to three weeks, said Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail.

Hardy missed two games last week because of tightness in his left side. He returned to the starting lineup for the second game of the Orioles doubleheader with the Texas Rangers Saturday, and was removed from the game after one at-bat.

He was hurt while fouling a ball off against Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison. He did not swing anymore in that at-bat, which resulted in a strikeout.

Hardy, who was acquired this offseason from the Minnesota Twins, will head to the team's spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla. to begin the rehab process. Cesar Izturis and Robert Andino will both be given opportunities to play shortstop in his absence.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

The Orioles completed their first homestand of 2011. They went 3-3. No ticker-tape parades yet.

But this club is 6-3 and atop the American League East for now. That's a big jump from last year's 2-16 start.

There have been some positives: The young starting pitching has done fairly well, the defense is solid and the offense has shown some life.

And some negatives: plenty of injuries, the bullpen has some cracks and the offense has scored one run in the past 24 innings.

All in all, it's tough to nitpick too much considering where this franchise has been. Maybe that tune will change after three games at Yankee Stadium.

But right now, after their first full week of the season, I want to know your thoughts on the Orioles.

Encouraged? Not convinced? Worried?

Daily Think Special: What are your thoughts on the Orioles so far?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (50)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

Sunday's box score will show that Jeremy Guthrie was charged with the loss against Texas, allowing four hits, one walk and a solo homer to Adrian Beltre.

Solid enough line.

But the fact that Guthrie lasted six innings, threw 84 pitches and wanted only one back is pretty impressive considering his situation. He was in the hospital Monday through Wednesday with pneumonia. He didn't know he absolutely was going to start Sunday until Saturday.

And he held the mighty Rangers to just one run.

"This guy spent a couple nights in the hospital," manager Buck Showalter said. "It’s a grind sport. You play every day, and you’ve got to be able to turn the page on successes and failures and realize that people don’t really care about any challenges that you’re having injury-wise, and most of them are pretty happy that you’ve got them. It’s not for the weak of heart."

Truth be told, Guthrie gave up some loud outs Sunday. And Nick Markakis made another great catch in right field to save a couple of runs. But the fact that Guthrie competed given how much his energy was sapped was not lost on his teammates.

“A few days out of the hospital, that guy is unbelievable,” Orioles starter Chris Tillman said. “No complaints, no excuses. He just went out there and competed. That’s the kind of guy he is. I think all of us young guys are trying to be like Jeremy Guthrie.”

Said Orioles closer Kevin Gregg: "That’s why he is our No. 1. He is going to go out there when he doesn’t have his 'A' game and he is going to give us a chance to win. He did that today. ... To bear down and take the ball and give us that outing today was huge. I like what he brings to the table and the tone that he sets for the entire staff."

Posted by Dan Connolly at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Jeremy Guthrie’s first start after his hospitalization for pneumonia went about as well as the Orioles could have hoped.

He lasted six innings and allowed just one run to the mighty Texas Rangers offense. He wasn’t overpowering, though he did reach 94 mph with his fastball on the stadium radar gun.

He allowed four hits, one walk and one strikeout while throwing 84 pitches, 49 for strikes. The one mistake he made was a belt-high, 92 mph fastball that Adrian Beltre crushed for a solo homer in the fourth.

Overall, Guthrie pitched well considering he spent Monday night and Tuesday night in the hospital with pneumonia. It doesn’t matter if he gets the loss, he showed plenty to his young rotation mates.

Jim Johnson entered in the seventh and allowed a two-run homer to Ian Kinsler to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 3:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Buck Showalter is about to speak to the media this morning.

Here’s the lineup:
Roberts 4, Markakis 9, Lee 3, Guerrero DH, Reynolds 5, Jones 8, Fox 7, Wieters 2, Andino 6. Guthrie P.

Obviously, Hardy is out. He is expected to go on the disabled list once a MRI on Monday shows what everyone expects, that Hardy has a strained oblique.

A DL move will follow Monday or before Tuesday’s game. It will either be a reliever or catcher Craig Tatum will be summoned from Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles would like to get a natural catcher to backup Matt Wieters. Jake Fox is in the majors for his bat and can catch in a pinch. But they'd rather not have that happen too often, it seems.

Speaking of Fox, he is in the lineup, batting seventh and playing left field. It’s a way to get his right-handed-hitting bat in the order.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Buck Showalter said unless there is a major change, J.J. is likely headed to the DL with an oblique strain. Showalter said he really hurt it on a swing in the second inning.

"Unless something in the early diagnosis is way off, it looks like he is headed to the DL," Showalter said.

It is in a slightly different spot than the previous muscle soreness that cost Hardy to miss two games.

"It sucks. I came in today feeling like everything was gone, it was nothing. I took some swings in the cage and everything was gone. I took that first swing in the game and it just kind of grabbed on me," Hardy said. "It’s a little bit further in the back than kind of on the side where it was. I think it still could be the same oblique, just maybe a different spot. I don’t know."

Hardy will have a MRI on Monday, but expect a DL stint. A corresponding move is still being hashed out -- either a pitcher or maybe a catcher.

"We are going to talk some more but (Andy MacPhail) has had seven innings to think about it. So I am sure he has his hands around what our best move is," Showalter said.

Jeremy Guthrie will start Sunday. Wednesday's starter is undecided. Chris Tillman likely will pitch Tuesday's series opener at Yankee Stadium.

"As we said before, (the rotation) will be a moving target for a few days until we get our arms around Guthrie. He feels good, doctors feel good about it and he is ready to go tomorrow," Showalter said.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
        

Well, Chris Jakubauskas has come in to pitch the seventh tonight. So the assumption can be made that Jeremy Guthrie will start Sunday.

Chris Tillman is scheduled to start Tuesday, which will leave Wednesday's starter up in the air for now.

This is a big moment for Jakubauskas. He hasn't pitched in the majors since April 24, 2010, when he was struck in the head by a liner.

The first batter he faced was Texas slugger Josh Hamilton and he struck him out on three pitches. Pretty cool.

So there is a silver lining for Orioles fans in this beating on Saturday night.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

A few things worth talking about in the back end of this doubleheader.

First, shortstop J.J. Hardy leaving with a left oblique strain is not good news. It could be mild, we don’t know yet. And it’s obviously the same thing that bothered him on Thursday and caused him to miss two games.

He called it minor then, but any time the phrase “oblique strain” is mentioned, it is always concerning. Those injuries linger. And they are painful for people who swing a bat for a living. If there is any silver lining, it’s that the Orioles have two other middle infielders on the roster in Robert Andino and Cesar Izturis.

So if this a DL situation, the Orioles can call up someone that can help them with another deficiency, such as catcher Craig Tatum or another reliever. The Orioles would love to have Tatum back, so they could use Jake Fox as a pinch-hitter instead of a backup catcher, which is not his strength.

Chris Jakubauskas warmed up briefly in the third inning of the night game, but didn’t enter. Orioles manager Buck Showalter chose to call on Josh Rupe instead. Jakubauskas warmed up again in the sixth, making it highly unlikely he will start Sunday’s game. Just don’t see that happening now, so you can pencil in Jeremy Guthrie for Sunday (with that subject to change, of course) and Chris Tillman for Tuesday. Still not sure who would pitch Wednesday in New York under that scenario.

Arrieta’s eight runs allowed is a career worst. He allowed six hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings. All eight baserunners scored.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who returned to the lineup tonight after missing two games with tightness in his left side, lasted just one at-bat before he was removed from the game.

Hardy struck out looking to end the second inning. He fouled a ball off earlier in the at-bat and looked to be clearly uncomfortable in doing so.

When the top of the third started, Felix Pie ran out to left field and Robert Andino moved to shortstop.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 8:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Zach Britton met with the media after his Saturday afternoon gem in which he threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings against the impressive Texas Rangers’ offense.

Here is what the 23-year-old lefty had to say about his performance:

Do you get more satisfaction beating a team like Texas?
“You do and you don’t. It doesn’t really matter how we are facing. My job today was to go out there and give us a lot of innings because we have a doubleheader. So, just save the bullpen. My job going in was to go as deep as I can. And that’s what my mindset was. Just keep us in the game and log innings. I’m happy we won. I think we showed we can compete with a good team. We played really good baseball today and that’s what this is all about is playing good baseball. What I did was just icing on the cake.”

Did it get easier after the first start on Sunday?
“Yeah, definitely. Getting that first one out of the way in Tampa, I feel really comfortable out on the mound lately. I think I'm more nervous before the game when I'm getting warmed up. But once I get on the mound and the first hitter's in there, I feel good.”

What were your thoughts on the standing ovation in the eighth?
“It felt really good. Just kind of shows that the fans are behind you. There was a couple times with two strikes, they got pretty loud. I got goosebumps there, it takes a little bit to get used to. But it’s exciting.”

How important were the three double plays?
“Real big. I felt like I had a pretty good sinker today. Command of it wasn’t great but I tried to change my sights, throw it over the plate and hope they beat it into the ground and we played great defense. All-around this team. And that helps me a lot, too. I’m confident in getting ground balls when you have guys behind you like that.”

What was it like pitching with a 5-run lead?
“I mean it is two different worlds when you are pitching with a lead and then you are pitching behind. I wouldn’t care if I give up a home run on the first pitch. I’ll go right after them. If they hit it out, they hit it out. If they get a hit, they get a hit. If you have a 5-0 lead, my job is to go out there and pitch quick innings and get us back in the dugout.”

Were you using all pitches?
“I really pitched my four-seam sinker and my changeup today. Threw a couple sliders, but I had a good feel for the changeup today which really helped me.”

You looked serious as the ovation was going on. When did you notice it?
“I knew they were on their feet the whole time. I just don’t feel like I should be running in all happy with guys on base and not being able to finish that inning. My job is to finish that inning, get the out. I didn’t do it, so I wasn’t too happy about that. But we won so that’s the big thing.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Jake Fox, C
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Robert Andino, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Jake Arrieta, SP

RANGERS
Ian Kinsler, DH
Elvis Andrus, SS
Josh Hamilton, CF
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Michael Young, 2B
Nelson Cruz, RF
David Murphy, LF
Mike Napoli, C
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Matt Harrison, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

It was a pretty tough task to ask of a 23-year-old in just his second game in the big leagues and first before the home crowd.

Pitch deep into the game against the undefeated Texas Rangers, arguably the scariest offense in the American League.

Mission accomplished for Orioles’ lefty Zach Britton. The legend grows.

Mixing his pitches effectively all game, Britton allowed just four hits in 7 2/3 scoreless innings. He walked three and struck out two. He threw 103 pitches, 63 for strikes.

He has allowed one run on seven hits and six walks in 13 2/3 innings (0.66 ERA) in his first two big-league games.

On Saturday, the sinkerballer induced three double play balls. He actually got four, but third baseman Mark Reynolds briefly flubbed a grounder in the eighth and could only get one out.

Britton left with two outs and two on in the eighth, and received a standing ovation from the Camden Yards crowd.

Jason Berken entered in relief and got Ian Kinsler to ground out to preserve Britton's shutout.

Another impressive performance by Britton.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The Orioles' pitching situation is coming into focus.

Brad Bergesen was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

Chris Jakubauskas was added to the 40-man and 25-man rosters and will pitch Sunday against the Texas Rangers. The Orioles were at 39 before today, so they don't have to remove anyone from their 40-man roster.

Jeremy Guthrie will pitch Tuesday against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Buck Showalter confirmed it all during his pre-game news conference. He said there was a possibility -- in an emergency -- that Jakubauskas could be forced into one of the games today and Guthrie could pitch Sunday. That, though, is an unlikely scenario.

Also, Brian Roberts said tests on his stomach were negative and he hopes to play both games of today's doubleheader. He is starting Game 1.

Bergesen pitched just one game so far this season, starting against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. He allowed four runs (two earned) in 3 2/3 innings. Given the state of the bullpen, the Orioles decided to send him down and bring up a fresh starter.

Bergesen, 25, had a 5.82 ERA in six games this spring. He declined to comment shortly after he was told the news.

Jakubauskas, 32, pitched in five spring games with the Orioles, allowing no runs, one walk and four hits while striking out seven. He last pitched in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010. He pitched in one game, allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning. In that game, he was hit in the head with a liner off the bat of the Houston Astros' Lance Berkman. He hadn't pitched in a big league game since.

He pitched 35 games with the Seattle Mariners in 2009, going 6-7 with a 5.32 ERA. He signed with the Orioles as a nonroster invitee. His pitching coach in Seattle was Rick Adair, the Orioles' bullpen coach.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

All the tests done on Brian Roberts' stomach ailment have come back negative, and he has been cleared to resume playing, according to a team official.

We won't have the lineups for Game 1 of today's doubleheader between the Orioles and Texas Rangers for a couple of hours, so I'm not sure if manager Buck Showalter will opt to give the second baseman and leadoff hitter a day of rest or what. That will depend on how Roberts is feeling when he gets to the park.

However, it's certainly good news this morning after Roberts was a late scratch last night and taken to the hospital for further testing.

Roberts leads the club with two homers and eight RBIs. His absence, coupled with the uncertainty of J.J. Hardy's status with tightness in his left ribcage area -- would certainly take some luster off of the team's 5-1 start.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

There are so many roster possibilities and scenarios ahead of today’s doubleheader that it would probably make more sense for me to just let it play out rather than to try and handicap them. However, for the sake of having a blog entry up before I head out to the park for a long day of baseball, I’ll try and sum up some of the decisions that manager Buck Showalter and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail may have to make over the next couple of days.

INFIELD
This is totally dependent on how second baseman Brian Roberts and shortstop J.J. Hardy feel today. Roberts went to the hospital last night because he was dealing with stomach pain, while Hardy was scheduled to miss a second straight game with tightness in his left side. In a perfect world, I think the Orioles, who do have both Cesar Izturis and Robert Andino on the roster, would be fine with holding out Hardy through Monday’s offday so he’s ready for Tuesday’s series opener in New York. However, they may not have the luxury with Roberts ailing as well. The hope obviously is that Roberts is just dealing with a 24-hour stomach virus, which might allow him to play one of the two games today. If it’s more serious, the Orioles would obviously have to consider putting their leadoff man on the disabled list and potentially calling up one of their veteran infielders from Triple-A, such as Brendan Harris or Nick Green. If it’s a day-to-day thing, like Hardy is dealing with, you could be looking at a double-play combination of Izturis and Andino for both games today. Even if Roberts and Hardy are much improved and available today, the reality is that they probably wouldn’t start both games, meaning that Andino could be in line for his first start of the season.

OUTFIELD
With Luke Scott back from his groin issue, there is really not much to be decided here. The guess is that Adam Jones and Nick Markakis will start both games of the doubleheader and Scott and Felix Pie will each start one game each in left field. I doubt Showalter wants Scott, who just returned to the lineup Thursday, playing 18 innings with that sore groin.

CATCHER It’s hard to foresee any other scenario but Matt Wieters starting the first game and catching Zach Britton and Jake Fox making his first start this year catching Jake Arrieta in the second game. You’d think that Showalter wants Wieters catching Britton to help the young lefty get through any nerves in his home debut. Also, Britton can be a handful to catch with that hard and darting sinker, and Wieters is the far better defensive option than Fox. Also, if Wieters catches the afternoon game, perhaps Showalter would have him catch Sunday afternoon as well with Monday’s offday looming.

STARTING PITCHING
As I mentioned above, Britton is starting in the first game and Arrieta in the second. The interesting question is who starts Sunday’s series finale for the Orioles. If Jeremy Guthrie feels fine today after his 40-pitch bullpen Friday, it will likely be him. But the right-hander is less than 72 hours removed from being in the hospital with pneumonia so it wouldn’t be the worst thing to push him back perhaps until Tuesday, giving him an extra 48 hours to recoup some energy and strength. However, that would probably require the Orioles making a move to bring in a starter from Triple-A – Chris Jakubauskas is the most likely candidate – and the club has so little roster flexibility now that a move like that may not be feasible unless Guthrie goes to the disabled list to create a spot. Another bi-product of the doubleheader is the Orioles won’t be able to skip either Chris Tillman or Brad Bergesen’s next start, which would have been doable with Monday’s offday had they got in Game One of the series last night. With Britton and Arrieta starting tonight and possibly Guthrie Sunday, the Orioles would have to pitch Bergesen and Tillman Tuesday and Wednesday in New York before going back to either Britton or Arrieta on Thursday. This matters primarily because both Bergesen and Tillman were candidates to be sent down to open up a roster spot if the club needed another arm to boost their taxed bullpen. Now, if either is sent down, the Orioles are going to need to call up another starter to take their place within a couple of days.

BULLPEN
There is obviously a school of thought that last night’s rainout was good for the busy relief corps because it gave everybody a day off and it should mean that it’s all hands on deck today. However, Showalter was concerned about covering the 18 innings today. This could become a moot point if both Britton and Arrieta pitch six or seven innings, and the bullpen isn’t abused too much. However, if Britton is shown an early shower by a potent Rangers lineup in Game One, and Showalter needs the bullpen to cover four or five innings in the afternoon game, the Orioles could make a roster move before the second game to add another reliever. Troy Patton is just a phone call away, but to add him, the Orioles would have to play somebody (Roberts?, Hardy?, Guthrie?) on the disabled list because Patton is on the 40-man roster and he hasn’t been down in the minor leagues for the prerequisite 10 days yet. Jakubauskas is not on the 40-man so he could be added without a DL-trip for another player. However, the Orioles would still have to make a roster move to accommodate him, and there are no obvious ones to make.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts was officially scratched from the lineup about 20 minutes before tonight's scheduled first pitch because he was dealing with some stomach pain.

Roberts went to the hospital for some further testing and at this point, team officials are unsure what it is that is ailing the second baseman.

It's far too early to speculate whether Roberts will be able to play in tomorrow's doubleheader.

The first game will start at 4:35 and it will feature tonight's scheduled pitching matchup between Zach Britton and Colby Lewis. The pitching matchup in the second game is Jake Arrieta versus Matt Harrison.

The Orioles will be able to make a roster move between games if the bullpen is further taxed after Game One.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 8:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

Game One of the series between the Orioles and Texas Rangers has been postponed tonight due to the rain.

The Orioles and Rangers will play a doubleheader tomorrow with the first game starting at 4:35 p.m. It's considered a straight doubleheader meaning that it's single admission and there is a short break between Game One and Game Two.

Zach Britton and Jake Arrieta are scheduled to pitch the two games for the Orioles. Colby Lewis and Matt Harrison will go for the Rangers.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)
        

The Orioles and Texas Rangers game tonight at Camden Yards will be delayed because of inclement weather.

Team officials are still optimistic that there will be baseball tonight, but an estimated start time has not been announced, and the tarp remains on the field.

We've just been told that a decision is expected around 8 p.m.

Zach Britton is scheduled to start for the Orioles, while Colby Lewis will get the ball for the Rangers.

At 6-0, Texas is the only undefeated team in baseball. The Orioles have the second best record in the Americacn League with a 5-1 mark.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 6:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The tarp is still on the field, but if there is a game - and that remains the expectation here - below are the lineups for both clubs.

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Cesar Izturis, SS
Zach Britton, SP

RANGERS
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Josh Hamilton, LF
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Michael Young, DH
Nelson Cruz, RF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Yorvit Torrealba, C
Julio Borbon, CF
Colby Lewis, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 5:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Not a whole lot of news from Buck Showalter’s pre-game press conference.

Here are the highlights:

He doesn’t think J.J. Hardy’s situation – a tightness in his left side that cost him last night’s game – is serious. He called it day-to-day. That said, Showalter said he is leaning toward not playing Hardy today. An official lineup has not been posted.

“It’s kind of a day-to-day thing,” Showalter said. “I think we might have caught it before.”

If the Orioles are rained out today – and it looks like there is the legendary window which allow the teams attempt to get the game in – it causes even more problems for the Orioles’ pitching.

Basically, with Josh Rupe and Jeremy Accardo having extended outings in the past two days, the only real long man available is Jason Berken. If there is a doubleheader on Saturday, the Orioles would certainly have to add a pitcher to the bullpen.

“Andy (MacPhail) and I have been talking a lot – after the game last night and today – about a lot of different plans and contingency stuff,” Showalter said. “It’s kind of a moving target right now. We’ll see how we get out of this game tonight.”

If there is a game today, and Zach Britton can’t go deep against a tough Texas Rangers lineup, the Orioles will have to add a reliever. The most obvious candidate is lefty Troy Patton, who is on the 40-man roster, didn’t pitch for Norfolk on Thursday and has been used as insurance before. Last year, he was called up three times and pitched one game.

Showalter didn’t name names, but he said if a move has to be made to add a pitcher, it wouldn’t affect the club’s bench. The Orioles’ reserves, Cesar Izturis, Robert Andino, Jake Fox and Felix Pie, all would have to clear waivers before being sent to the minors, so they will not be involved in this potential move, Showalter said.

Jeremy Guthrie (pneumonia) played long toss outside and threw a side session inside this afternoon. He was “a little winded,” Showalter said, but seemed to be OK. A decision on whether he can pitch Sunday, Tuesday or will have to be placed on the DL will be made either tonight or Saturday afternoon.

“As good as can be expected. A little winded, a little weak. He threw the ball OK. It’s more of an endurance thing now,” Showalter said of Guthrie. “We’ll try not to push him too much where he’d have any form of setbacks. I think we’ll probably make a definitive call on that after the game. It could be tomorrow, but we’ll probably do it after the game tonight.”

Showalter also added that Duchscherer (sore hip, back tightness) had the ablation procedure to his back and is feeling better and Matusz (muscle strain) “feels really good today. The last two days have been a real good turn for him.” He goes to Sarasota on Monday for the next step in his rehab.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 4:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Jeremy Guthrie, whose Twitter page is becoming a must read for the reporters that cover the team, just tweeted that he threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session in the indoor cage/mound at Camden Yards.

That is his first throwing session from the mound since he tossed eight scoreless innings against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 1. He was hospitalized for two days earlier this week with pneumonia.

"My stamina was good & I threw all of my pitches," Guthrie tweeted. "Next step is to see how I feel tomorrow."

If Guthrie is OK tomorrow, he'll likely make Sunday's start in the series finale against the Texas Rangers. If not, the Orioles could be forced to call on Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Chris Jakubauskas.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Buck Showalter said Thursday night that it was possible the club would have to make a roster move today to beef up its bullpen.

It’s still possible. But hasn’t yet been determined.

A lot has to do with the weather. Some has to do with Jeremy Guthrie. Maybe a little has to do with J.J. Hardy.

Stick with me.

If the Orioles get the game in tonight, and Zach Britton pitches deep enough so that the bullpen doesn’t get further taxed, all should be well.

But if tonight’s game is rained out, there almost certainly would be a doubleheader on Saturday, since the Texas Rangers don’t come to Baltimore again this year. Given that the starter the past two games didn’t make it through the fifth, the bullpen probably can’t handle the prospect of a doubleheader with the arms currently available.

So they would have to call up a reliever.

The corresponding move gets tricky. If Jeremy Guthrie (pneumonia) isn’t ready for Sunday or Tuesday’s start, he could be put on the DL, backdated to April 2. That would open up a roster spot, but it would also create a rotation hole (and the team likely would recall Chris Jakubauskas to fill that). However, it's important to point out that Guthrie is throwing long toss as we speak and he said about two hours ago on his twitter account that "I feel like myself again!"

If J.J. Hardy’s side muscle tightness worsens, he could be a DL situation and, with infielders Cesar Izturis and Robert Andino already on the roster, there would be no need to call up another hitter. But Hardy didn‘t think it was that serious Thursday night.

So a lot depends on the weather and health.

If the Orioles need a reliever, lefty Troy Patton will ge the call.

Patton is on the 40-man roster, didn’t pitch in Norfolk’s opener (as Mark Hendrickson did) and is used to this waiting game. He was called up three times last year and pitched in just one game.

MLB.com is reporting that Patton is on his way to Baltimore today. He likely will just wait until the Orioles see what happens with the rain.

So that’s where it all stands right now. Or at least as best as we can tell.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Orioles may have dodged another injury bullet, this time involving shortstop J.J. Hardy.

We’ll know more this afternoon.

It’s also possible they make a roster move today to get another pitcher in the bullpen after Josh Rupe and Jeremy Accardo were called on to pitch in long relief Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, and with the slugging Texas Rangers coming to town today.

“We’re going to examine whether or not we’re going to need a pitcher for [Friday] because Rupe and Accardo both are down for [Friday],” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

Just when it seems they get one player back, another gets scratched. This time it’s not all about pitching, either (although Jeremy Guthrie is still questionable for his start Sunday after dealing with pneumonia this week).

On Thursday, roughly an hour before game time, Luke Scott (right groin) gave Showalter the thumbs-up that he would be able to return to the lineup.

About 50 minutes later, Showalter learned that shortstop J.J. Hardy felt some tightness in his left side, near the ribcage. Hardy said he really felt it when he swung hard. But he still told the club’s athletic trainers. And they told Showalter.

“By the time I got all this information, it was 6:50 p.m.,” Showalter said. “I went out and had a conversation with [Hardy] on the field. With the cold weather, I didn’t feel like it was worth the risk, so [I] made the switch to [Cesar Izturis].

Hardy feels it’s a day-to-day injury and insists he could have played Thursday. He’ll be re-evaluated today.

“I was going to play through it, playing catch, doing everything, getting ready for the game. I wanted to put a little bit of Icy Hot on it just to keep it warm,” Hardy said. “At that point, it got back to Buck that it was tight, it was sore, and he came out and talked to me when I was playing catch getting ready for the game. He didn't like it, thought it was better to be safe than sorry. I think it was the right decision.”

The Orioles have Izturis and Robert Andino to play shortstop if Hardy’s injury is serious. Hardy had three hits and four runs in his first 14 at-bats this season.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Third baseman Mark Reynolds came to Baltimore with a reputation for hitting lots of home runs and swinging at lots of air, but -- through the first week of the season -- he has proven to be a very clutch hitter with runners in scoring position.

He hasn't hit his first homer for the O's, but he has delivered four run-scoring hits in the last four games, including an RBI single and a big two-run double tonight. Several of those hits came with two strikes, even though Reynolds is baseball's all-time single-season strikeout king.

"That's how I make my money,'' he said. "I've got to drive in runs. I wish I could put my finger on it. I don't know if I concentrate more or have a better idea of what the pitcher is trying to do. I definitely go out there and I know that's my job to knock those runs in."

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 11:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

Not sure why, but Cesar Izturis is now making his first start at shortstop. J.J. Hardy has been scratched right before the start of the game.

Will blog more when we hear something.

Here is more: Hardy felt a tightness is left side pre-game. He took some swings and felt it when he swung hard. He told manager Buck Showalter, and since it was cold and Hardy has never had something like this before, Showalter decided to err on the side of caution.

He's day-to-day right now, but more will be known Friday.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Luke Scott (right groin) ran and felt fine so he is in the lineup tonight batting fifth and playing left field. Felix Pie is now out of the lineup.

Here's the new one:

2B Brian Roberts
RF Nick Markakis
1B Derrek Lee
DH Vladimir Guerrero
LF Luke Scott
CF Adam Jones
3B Mark Reynolds
C Matt Wieters
SS J.J. Hardy
SP Chris Tillman

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz had his first day without pain Thursday, something manager Buck Showalter interpreted as a positive sign in his recovery from a muscle injury near his ribs.

"He was showing us some things in the office that he's been working on," Showalter said. "That's a good sign. We just don't want to get too quick."

Matusz will head to Sarasota, Florida on Monday to continue his rehab. His injury, an intercostal strain, is expected to keep him out three to four weeks. Matusz also had a wart removed from his left middle finger this week. He tried to have the wart removed in March, but needed additional laser treatment.

Posted by Kevin Van Valkenburg at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Orioles pitcher Justin Duschscherer was scheduled to have a medical procedure on his lower back today, which doctors hope will relieve pain that has sidelined him since spring training.

The procedure, an ablation, involves using radio frequency waves to heat up the nerves, which can provide temporary relief from the painful area. Duchscherer has had the procedure in the past, and gone pain free for several months, so the team is hopeful he can still contribute and be a part of the rotation this year.

Showalter said his expectations for Duchscherer haven't changed this year. The Orioles understood that signing him was a bit of a risk considering his injury history.

"We came into it looking through clear glasses knowing some of the challenges he's had," Showalter said. "We were hoping we could get to a point where he could manage it. And we still hold out that hope. I think we'll know a little bit better what we're dealing with after we go through this procedure. We were willing to take the risk."

Posted by Kevin Van Valkenburg at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Jeremy Guthrie says he's mentally preparing to pitch on Sunday against the Texas Rangers, and will do his best to convince Buck Showalter and the Orioles medical staff that he's ready, but ultimately he'll leave the decision up to them. Guthrie was released from the hospital on Wednesday after spending several days in bed getting treatment for pneumonia.

"Even when I was sick and getting IV-ed up, I was thinking about Texas," Guthrie said Thursday prior to the Orioles game with the Detroit Tigers. "But it's totally undecided. It will depend on how the body reacts. We probably won't have an answer until Saturday, but that's what I'm preparing for. If I can't make it, then it will be another day."

Guthrie started feeling sick the night of April 2, while the team was still in Tampa. But his symptoms faded somewhat, and by Sunday night, he says he felt fine. Early Monday morning, however, after the team returned to Balitmore, Guthrie again felt achy, his stomach hurt, and he had a serious headache. His temperature climbed to 103 degrees.

"Just a few ticks slower than my fastball. In kilometers," Guthrie joked.

Still, he was surprised when doctors told him he had pneumonia.

"I thought it was kind of overkill to go to the emergency room," Guthrie said. "It turned out to be a pretty good decision. But that's why other people make those decisions and not yourself. You think you're already and that you'll probably get over it."

Guthrie said he was pretty disappointed that he didn't get to participate in the home opener. He watched the game on television from his hospital bed.

"It's good to be back," he said. "I feel like I haven't really been a part of the team since we came home, which I haven't. It will be fun to be out there."

Posted by Kevin Van Valkenburg at 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

If it is decided that Jeremy Guthrie is unable to start Sunday – and that’s certainly not a huge leap as the right-hander is just playing catch at this point as he recovers from a bout with pneumonia – you’d have to think that the Orioles would just DL him to give him a little more time to get ready. A DL trip could be backdated to April 1, Guthrie’s last start, meaning that he’d be eligible to come off the list and pitch on April 17. Guthrie could make one minor league start in the middle of next week and join his teammates for next Sunday’s start in Cleveland. Meanwhile, Chris Jakubauskas could temporarily take his roster spot and start this Sunday in the series finale against the Texas Rangers. He’s not on the 40-man roster, but the Orioles have one open spot anyway so getting him on wouldn’t require a roster move in addition to sending Guthrie to the DL.

Double-A Bowie unveiled its Opening Day roster today. It is as follows: Infielders – Pedro Florimon, Joe Mahoney, Greg Miclat, Carlos Rojas, Billy Rowell and Brandon Waring; Outfielders –Xavier Avery, Jeff Fiorentino, Ronnie Welty and Robbie Widlanksy; Catchers – Caleb Joseph and Steven Lerud; 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. Disabled list – Casey Lambert, Luis Lebron, Joel Polanco and Jordan Wolf.

And before I go, I want to mention a nice event that is worthy of support. The NephCure Foundation, the only organization solely committed to finding the cause and a cure for the kidney diseases FSGS and Nephrotic Syndrome, will host Countdown to a Cure on Sunday at the Pier 5 Hotel in Baltimore starting at 5:30 p.m. The foundation, which is chaired by former Orioles executive Jim Duquette whose daughter suffers from the kidney disease, will also host a NephCure walk prior to the Orioles’ scheduled 1:35 game against the Rangers that day. To register for the walk or for more information, visit www.nephcurewalk.org. Tickets to the Orioles’ game are included for people fundraising or donating. The Countdown to a Cure will be emceed by Oriole broadcasters Tom Davis and Fred Manfra, and feature guest appearances by Jim Palmer, Rick Dempsey, B.J. Surhoff and Mike Flanagan among others. To purchase tickets to Countdown to a Cure and receive sponsorship information, contact Joanna Dauber at 866-NEPHCURE ext.15 or at jdauber@nephcure.org. Tickets start at $75 per person and $150 for the VIP reception.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

I had a chance to talk briefly Wednesday with Detroit’s Victor Martinez, a couple hours before he had a double, single and homer in the Tigers’ 7-3 win against the Orioles at Camden Yards.

Martinez, if you remember, was the Orioles’ No. 1 target this winter. They offered him $48 million over four years to be their everyday first baseman, but instead he took the Tigers’ four-year, $50 million contract.

“I really appreciated the amount of interest the Orioles had in me,” Martinez said. “It was a pretty tough decision.”

Really, the deck was stacked against the Orioles getting Martinez. The Tigers have won more recently, they are in a division that isn’t as deep, they gave him more of an opportunity to catch and several of Detroit’s team leaders are fellow Venezuelans.

There’s also the fact that the Tigers train each spring in Lakeland, which isn’t that far from his home in Orlando. And, yes, the bottom line is Detroit also offered more money.

Eventually, the Orioles found the help they needed from the right side of the plate (Martinez is a switch-hitter) by trading for J.J. Hardy and Mark Reynolds and signing Derrek Lee and Vladimir Guerrero.

Martinez, 32, is a career .300 hitter in more than 1,000 games played. He’s also just one guy, and the Orioles added four. That said, Martinez would have been locked up for four seasons; of the new quartet, only Reynolds is guaranteed to be here beyond 2011.

So I want you to look at this team now. And think about what they did in the offseason. And then tell me, in retrospect, did the Orioles make a mistake by not upping their offer and signing Martinez to be their first baseman/DH/backup catcher through 2014?

Or, given what they did after Martinez signed with Detroit in November, is it OK with you that he went elsewhere?

Daily Think Special: Did the Orioles swing and miss by not signing Victor Martinez?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (42)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

You could see this one coming

The Orioles had won four straight for the first time since 1997, but you had to think this would have been a tough night to make it five straight and tie the 1970 Orioles for the franchise best to start a season.

Detroit’s Justin Verlander is one of the best pitchers in the American League, and he has handled the Orioles in his career, winning five times in seven starts heading into Wednesday.

On the other side was Brad Bergesen, who hadn’t thrown a pitch against a major leaguer since a liner struck him on the right forearm on March 25 during a spring training game.

The results were predictable.

Verlander retired 10 straight to start the game and cruised into the eighth, allowing four hits, two walks and three runs. He struck out nine and improved to 6-0 with a 2.64 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 58 innings against the Orioles.

On the flip side, Bergesen lasted just 3 2/3 innings, giving up five hits, two walks and four runs (two earned). Brian Roberts’ error set up the Tigers’ two-run second inning.

Bergesen wasn’t effective, but he probably did about as good as one could have expected given the layoff.

And the Orioles’ perfect season has ended with a 7-3 defeat. Somewhere, the 1972 Miami Dolphins are celebrating.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

Through four games, the Orioles defense has been nearly flawless but it let them down in a key spot in the second inning tonight.

On his way to an easy second inning, Brad Bergesen got Brennan Boesch to hit a soft pop-up in shallow right field. Second baseman Brian Roberts went back on the ball and right fielder Nick Markakis came forward. It appeared to be Markakis' ball, but he didn't call Roberts off and the ball hit off Roberts' glove for an error.

Bergesen walked the next batter, Jhonny Peralta, and then Alex Avila hit a two-run double off the scoreboard in right field. The Orioles trail 2-0, their first deficit in 2011.

Bergesen should have been out of the inning on 32 pitches. Instead, his pitch count was at 49 heading into the top of the third. That obviously matters because he'll be restricted to 80 to 85 pitches tonight.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The Orioles lineup for tonight's game:

1. Roberts
2. Markakis
3. Lee
4. Guerrero
5. Wieters
6. Jones
7. Reynolds
8. Pie
9. Hardy

Pitching: Brad Bergesen

-- Manager Buck Showalter said he would try to limit pitcher Brad Bergesen to between 85 and 90 pitches.

-- Jeremy Guthrie is out of the hospital, and slowly recovering from pneumonia. "I'm not sure if he's going to show up at the ball park tonight," Showalter said. "Our team physician is kind seeing how he does. Obviously our next [potential start] would be Sunday, so that's very tentative. Until we get an idea of who we're dealing with the next couple days, we'll have a couple contingency plans in place for starting if Jeremy is not able to go."

Orioles pitcher Chris Jakubauskas pitched Tuesday for Norfolk against Norfolk State, and therefor would be the most likely candidate to take Gutherie's spot in the rotation because that Sunday game against the Texas Rangers would be his regular turn in the minor leagues.

-- Luke Scott, Showalter said, feels a lot better after treatment on his groin injury, and he could be used as a pinch hitter tonight if necessary. "I feel like he's getting close," Showalter said. "He's gone out and run some. He came in yesterday for treatment."

-- Showalter said he doesn't believe Justin Duchscherer has had the ablation procedure on his lower back yet, but that the pitcher and his agent were handling the next step in his recovery.

Posted by Kevin Van Valkenburg at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

Orioles top starter Jeremy Guthrie announced on his twitter feed that he has been released from the hospital, where he stayed for two nights after he was diagnosed with pneumonia.

"I'm free!," Guthrie tweeted. "On my way out of hospital & on the road to recovery. Special thanx to the nurses, doctors & my sweet wife. Thanks for your prayers."

Guthrie was originally scheduled to start tonight against the Detroit Tigers, but he was scratched and Brad Bergesen will now get the ball in Game Two of the series. The club is hoping that Guthrie will recover in time to start Sunday's series finale against the Texas Rangers.

Guthrie threw eight shutout and three-hit innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Orioles' season-opening victory.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Right-handed reliever Alfredo Simon is in Florida, has passed his physical and will work out at the Orioles’ minor-league complex in Sarasota.

That much we know. The rest is still sketchy.

Simon, who had been detained for more than two months in the fatal shooting of his cousin during a New Year’s Day celebration in the Dominican Republic, arrived in Florida on Saturday with a work visa. That gave the appearance that he wouldn’t be charged in the murder.

But the case’s lead prosecutor told CNN that a forensics investigation has afforded his office “enough to proceed” with charges, and that they could come as early as this week.

One of Simon’s Dominican attorneys, however, told CNN that the forensics reports favor her client and that the prosecutor’s office is being pressured by the Dominican media to press charges.

Simon, his American agents and the Orioles are not commenting on the case. There is some sense among Simon’s camp that if charges are not filed this week, they will not be. However, timelines and reports of charges have fluctuated dramatically during the case.

In January, several outlets alleged that Simon had been charged with murder, while his representation continually denied those reports, saying he was being held in custody without proper charges, which is not unusual in the Dominican.

Simon is currently on baseball’s restricted list.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

The Orioles saw significant increases over last season in the television ratings for their first four games.

This season’s first four games, all broadcast on MASN or MASN2, garnered an average household rating of 7.72, a 32 percent increase over last year’s 5.87. Monday’s home opener, broadcast on WJZ in addition to MASN, posted a 11.98 household rating, 55 percent higher than last year’s. Ratings measure the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned in to a program.

The team also saw large increases among key demographics, particularly among female viewers. The home opener did a 3.41 rating among women ages 25 to 54 and a 2.93 rating among women ages 18 to 49, increases of 263 percent and 127 percent, respectively, over last year’s game. The first four games averaged a 1.81 rating among women ages 25 to 54 and 2.04 among those ages 18 to 49, 63 percent and 56 percent higher than last year, respectively.

Increases were also made among the following demographics: adults ages 18 to 49 (28 percent), adults ages 25 to 54 (20 percent), men ages 18 to 49 (17 percent) and men ages 25 to 54 (8 percent).

Posted by Steve Gould at 6:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
        

Triple-A Norfolk will officially begin the regular season Thursday at Charlotte. There still might be tweaks with the Tides’ roster, especially if the Orioles need to make a move to get a starter up to take Jeremy Guthrie’s next scheduled outing Sunday. But below is what will likely resemble the Tides’ Opening Day roster.

INFIELDERS: Brandon Snyder (1B), Ryan Adams (2B), Nick Green (2B/SS/3B), Brendan Harris (2B/SS/3B), Josh Bell (3B)
OUTFIELDERS: Matt Angle, Tyler Henson, Rhyne Hughes, Nolan Reimold.
CATCHERS: Adam Donachie, Craig Tatum, Michel Hernandez
PITCHERS: Ryan Drese, Michael Ballard, Chris Jakubauskas, Mark Hendrickson, Alberto Castillo, Troy Patton, Rick VandenHurk, Clay Rapada, Armando Gabino, Mark Worrell, Pat Egan, Chris George

As for Double-A Bowie, the Baysox’s infield will include Joe Mahoney, Brandon Waring and Billy Rowell. Xavier Avery will man center field. Caleb Joseph will catch, and the starting rotation will be anchored by former local standouts Chorye Spoone and Steve Johnson. Wynn Pelzer will pitch for the Baysox out of the bullpen.

Second baseman L.J. Hoes, the Orioles’ fourth-ranked prospect according to Baseball America, will return to Single-A Frederick. Pitcher Dan Klein, the organization’s fifth-ranked prospect and a third-round pick last year out of UCLA, will also begin with the Keys.

Shortstop Manny Machado, the Orioles' first-round pick in 2010 and one of baseball’s best prospects, will begin at Low-A Delmarva with fellow middle-infield prospects Jonathan Schoop and Mychal Givens.

Matt Hobgood, the team’s top selection in 2009, began started a throwing program last week. After being sidelined for much of spring with an ailing right shoulder, Hobgood likely won’t see game action for eight more weeks.

Right-handed pitcher Ryan Berry, the Orioles’ ninth-best prospect according to Baseball America, had a ganglion cyst drained from his right shoulder late last month. He’s expected to begin a long-toss program shortly.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 4:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (44)
        

Orioles top starter Jeremy Guthrie is expected to spend one more night in the hospital as he recovers from a form of pneumonia.

The veteran right-hander, who turns 32 on Friday, started feeling ill about a day after he threw eight shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Orioles' opener last Friday. He was admitted to the hospital Monday and was not at Camden Yards for the home opener festivities.

Guthrie did watch the home opener from the hospital, where his wife, Jenny, has been with him. He was scratched from Wednesday's start against the Detroit Tigers, which will go to Brad Bergesen instead.

He tweeted earlier today: "Still feeling pretty crummy this am. Thanks for all the thoughts & prayers. My wife & hospital staff are taking really good care of me!"

Doctors are saying it will be a five-to-seven-day recovery for Guthrie, who is tentatively scheduled to start Sunday against the Texas Rangers. However, that will depend on how he is feeling.

If Guthrie is unable to pitch Sunday, the Orioles would likely make a roster move and call up one of their starters at Triple-A Norfolk to take his place, with Chris Jakubauskas and Ryan Drese the front-runners.

In other Orioles news, pitcher Alfredo Simon passed his physical and has been cleared to begin a throwing program. Simon, on baseball's restricted list, will be stretched out as a starter.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 2:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
        

So Opening Day is now done. The Orioles’ winning streak isn’t.

They are now 4-0, the first time they started a season with that record since the wire-to-wire 1997 team.

As the local chairman of the Baseball Writers Association of America, I haven’t been asked to do the playoff seating chart at Camden Yards just yet.

There are still, well, 158 games to play. So let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s see this for what it is: a good start in a long season. It’s a start that is particularly promising because it has been triggered not by the revamped offense but by the young pitching, which is the biggest question mark heading into this season.

The four starters – Jeremy Guthrie, Chris Tillman, Zach Britton and Jake Arrieta – turned in quality starts and have combined to allow just two runs and 12 hits in 26 innings pitched (0.69). It’s been even more impressive knowing that Brian Matusz (back muscle strain) and Justin Duchscherer (left hip, back) are on the disabled list.

And now Guthrie will miss Wednesday’s start with a form of pneumonia.

This team already has been challenged and has responded. And the much ballyhooed offense has averaged more than four runs a game despite getting just two homers, both from leadoff hitter Brian Roberts.

There have been a lot of good things happening during this exceptionally small sample size. I want to know what has you most excited about this club and its fast start.

Daily Think Special: What’s been the best part of the Orioles’ quick start?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (40)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

Jeremy Guthrie will spend Monday night in the hospital with what Buck Showalter said has been diagnosed as a form of pneumonia.

He will not make Wednesday’s start, but the Orioles are hopeful he will be able to pitch on April 10 against the Texas Rangers. It is not a disabled list situation right now.

Brad Bergesen, who was in the bullpen until April 10, will instead make Wednesday’s start against the Tigers.

It is the fourth injury/illness situation the Orioles’ starting rotation has dealt with in the past few weeks.

Brian Matusz (back muscle strain) and Justin Duchscherer (sore left hip) are on the disabled list and Bergesen had to deal with a liner to his forearm that set him back several days during spring training.

Guthrie pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing just three hits on Opening Day against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 6:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

Some Orioles Opening Day pre-game observations:

First, the run down the orange carpet, the fighter jet flyover and Richard Troxell’s pipes always make for great pre-game festivities. Say what you want about the Orioles, but they always do celebrations right.

That said, as Earl Weaver, the greatest manager in Orioles’ history, threw out the ceremonial first pitch, the video scoreboard showed a picture of Weaver with “Orioles general manager” under it. As Buck Showalter would say, “Really?” That’s awful.

Showalter caught Weaver’s dribbler, all the while the fans were on their feet cheering. Tigers manager Jim Leyland was on the top dugout step clapping, and briefly followed Weaver into the tunnel to shake his hand.

Besides Weaver, Showalter got the biggest ovation during pre-game introductions. Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis were probably the next closest, though all the starters were warmly received. Of the reserves, Zach Britton probably received the loudest cheers.

The Orioles are honoring late umpires’ attendant Ernie Tyler with a plaque on the door of the newly named Ernie Tyler Umpires’ Room. The umpires will also wear wrist bands with Tyler’s initials. Tyler died Feb.11 at age 86.

First pitch, a ball from Jake Arrieta to Austin Jackson, arrived at 3:07 p.m. Game-time temperature: 76 degrees. Couldn't be more beautiful out here.

By the way, Jake Arrieta just got out of the first by throwing a 93-mph fastball past Miguel Cabrera.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 3:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

At his pre-game news conference this afternoon, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said starter Jeremy Guthrie went to the hospital today with a fever and viral infection, and his status to pitch Wednesday is a bit uncertain.

If he’s not available – and they still hope he will be – Brad Bergesen would take the start.

“He started running a fever yesterday,” Showalter said. “We thought we got it under control. Talking to him last night when we got here, he felt pretty good, but somewhere between that and today, his fever spiked back up. He's over there now (at the hospital) trying to get a grip on what we're dealing with.”

Guthrie was hoping to be at the park for Opening Day introductions, but that’s in question right now.

“I'm not sure if he'll be here or not. I expect him to probably come in and give us an update on where he is with it, but right now he's still tentatively scheduled to pitch on Wednesday,” Showalter said. “We'll see what the next couple of days bring. We'll probably make a decision on that tomorrow.”

If he can’t go, Bergesen, who was put in the bullpen to being the season, would make Wednesday’s start.

“Mark (Connor) is going to give Bergy a light day today in case we're going to need him on Wednesday,” Showalter said.

In other pre-game news, Luke Scott is not in the starting lineup against Detroit right-hander Rick Porcello because of a strained right groin. Showalter said he’d like to stay away from him today, but would use Scott as a pinch-hitter if the game dictates it.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

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
Jake Arrieta, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Not much has to be said here today.

Opening Day in Baltimore is always special. And today is going to be particularly fun, because the Orioles are 3-0 heading into this afternoon’s game.

There was going to be some excitement surrounding this game anyway: It’s Buck Showalter’s first opener as Orioles manager. The young pitching is, at least, in place. And the new additions will make this offense much better than last year’s version.

All of the real problems surrounding this club – depth, division, inconsistency of young pitching, injuries – will be pushed aside today.

Really, it’s a holiday in Baltimore. I know, I skipped school each Opening Day for about eight years running to go to Memorial Stadium (and look how I turned out? I run a fictional bar. Child psychologists may want to contact me at The Sun of a more in-depth study).

So enjoy the day, tip your hats (and your bartenders) and give me three predictions:

I want to know the final score and who is the hero of the day. I also want to know who gets the loudest pre-game ovation.

My guesses: Orioles 6, Tigers 4. J.J. Hardy hits his first Orioles’ homer, a three-run shot, and is the player of the game. And Showalter is the pre-game toast of the town, edging out Vladimir Guerrero and Zach Britton.

Daily Think Special: Predict the score and hero of today’s opener.

Bonus Think Special: Who gets the loudest pre-game ovation?

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (56)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

There were a lot of things that got overlooked today as the Orioles closed out a three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays with a 5-1 victory. That was going to happen whether Zach Britton pitched well, or he pitched poorly. Fortunately for the Orioles, he was real solid as he allowed just the one run over six innings in his Major League debut. With all due respect to the young man, I think we’ve written plenty about him over the last 72 hours. My observations will focus on other matters as the Orioles ready for Opening Day in Baltimore.

In his first regular season outing since August 12 last year, reliever Jason Berken was in fine form, striking out the side and throwing 10 of his 15 pitches in the seventh inning for strikes. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked after the game if he considered sending the converted starter out for another inning and he said that “There’s something to be said for a guy who pitched real well and feels real good about himself, getting him out of there before something changes. You think about all Berk’s come back from. I want him getting on that plane thinking, ‘OK, this is pretty good.’” First of all, you do have to feel good for Berken, one of the team’s nicest guys, for busting his butt, getting in great shape and coming back from a significant shoulder injury, Second, if Berken emerges like he did last year before the injury hit, he’ll become a huge weapon in the Orioles’ bullpen. The Orioles need those bridge guys, like Berken, Jeremy Accardo and Josh Rupe, to pitch well and take some of the burden off the back-end guys. Today was a good start for Berken, whose offspeed stuff was filthy.

Catcher Matt Wieters certainly has gotten plenty of ink here and everywhere else, but it’s worth nothing again how much he has improved with his defense, leadership and game-calling. It was striking how in control that he was over the past three days, including today, when he guided Britton through despite the fact that the young lefty essentially didn’t have his best pitch at his disposal. You couldn’t speak to an Oriole pitcher or coach this weekend who wasn’t raving about Wieters. Several Rays were also talking about how Oriole pitchers did a great job in attacking their weaknesses and Wieters obviously has to get some credit for that. Chris Tillman admitted that he was in shock with how in sync that he was with Wieters on Saturday despite the fact that the two hadn’t been paired too much over the last year or so. But the greatest compliment of all came today from veteran pitching coach Mark Connor, who isn’t easily impressed. “I’ll tell you what, Matt Wieters just does a tremendous job with those guys,” Connor said. “He’s not going to let these guys get beat with something they shouldn’t get beat with. For three nights, I sat there and just marveled at the way he called the ball game.” I think it’s fair to say that Wieters is quickly becoming one of the best defensive catchers in the game. While he hasn’t produced nearly as much offensive as I expected him to so far in his brief career, he’s far more advanced defensively than I would have ever imagined.

The starting pitching was obviously unbelievable this series and that was the most encouraging thing for Showalter and the coaching staff. However, another uplifting sign was the two RBI doubles today from third baseman Mark Reynolds. If there is anybody in the Orioles’ lineup that needs to get off to a solid start, it is Reynolds. The last thing Oriole officials want to see is the average to hover near .200 for the first month and the strikeouts to pile up at an alarming rate. That still may happen, but the two clutch hits could go a long way in helping Reynolds get comfortable. A guy with 35-plus homer capabilities hitting in the seventh slot is a pretty nice luxury.

And just to close the entry, I’m currently on a Southwest flight coming back from Tampa Bay, and pretty much half the flight is filled with Orioles’ fans who are smiling ear-to-ear. It is indeed nice to see so much excitement for this team. I look forward to Opening Day every year in Baltimore because the organization does a great job with all their pre-game festivities and such. But I can’t recall anticipating an Opening Day in Baltimore more than this one.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 9:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
        

Maybe it wasn't a perfect outing by Orioles rookie Zach Britton, but it was a very solid one in what should have been a nerve-shattering situation. He took the mound with a chance to complete a three-game weekend sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays and impressed all of his teammates with the way he managed his emotions and the Rays lineup.

"I have been impressed with him every outing I have seen,'' said shortstop J.J. Hardy. "Even in spring training. He has opened a lot of eyes and to go out there and do this in his first start is pretty awesome. He seemed very calm and right in his element. I looked over at him while he was throwing his bullpen and he looked calm like he has been doing it for years. That was a good sign to see."

Pitching coach Mark Connor said that he could tell that Britton was in the right frame of mind when he took the mound.

"He had a good look in his eye and everything," Connor said. "It wasn’t like the world was spinning around him or anything."

Connor, however, gave a lot of the credit for Britton's success to catcher Matt Wieters, who was the one constant in a weekend of terrific and resourceful pitching out of both the starting rotation and the bullpen.

"I'll tell you what, Matt Wieters just does a tremendous job with those guys,'' Connor said. "He doesn’t let them get withered...just keeps throwing fastballs and changes speed with them and gets them back into counts. He’s not going to let these guys get beat with something they shouldn’t get beat with. For three nights, I sat there and just marveled at the way he called the ball game."

Getty Images (file photo)

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

The Orioles just broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning by scoring three times off Rays starter Wade Davis.

Matt Wieters led off the inning with a single and Adam Jones followed with a single, ending his 0-for-10 to start the season.

Mark Reynolds made it 2-1 with a double down the left-field line, giving the third baseman his first RBI as an Oriole. Two batters later, J.J. Hardy ripped a one-out double down the left-field line, driving in two and expanding the Orioles' lead to 4-1.

Hardy was thrown out at the plate to end the inning trying to score on Nick Markakis' single to left.

Zach Britton is out of the game in position to get his first Major League victory. He allowed one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Orioles top pitching prospect Zach Britton's first pitch was an 89 miles per hour fastball that Tampa Bay Rays leadoff man B.J. Upton fouled straight back.

Upton would up grounding out on a diving play by third baseman Mark Reynolds. Britton struck out the next batter, fooling Elliot Johnson on a 92 miles per hour sinker. Ben Zobrist, who the Orioles can't seem to get out this series, doubled into left center field. Manny Ramirez then smoked a liner but it was right at Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy, who caught it for the final out of the bottom of the first.

Britton wasn't that sharp, but he did a good job dealing with his nerves in the first. He threw first-pitch strikes to three of the four hitters that he faced and he found the strike zone with 11 of his 18 pitches.

Orioles are up 1-0 thanks to Matt Wieters' RBI bloop single in the first.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 2:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

Justin Duchscherer will have an ablation procedure on his lower back, around the SI joint, which will likely shut him down for about four or five days.

The procedure, as explained to the reporters, involves using radio frequency waves to heat up the nerves, which in gets the pain out of that particular area. Duchscherer has had the procedure before and it has helped him out.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter did not rule out Luke Scott (sore right groin) from pinch hitting today. Scott said that Wednesday would be the more likely date for his return to the lineup, though Showalter is not ruling anything out.

Asked if he worries about top pitching prospect Zach Britton trying to do too much today in his Major League debut, Showalter said, "Sure. He’s got a tough act to follow. I’ll promise you this, after today’s game is over, I will say the same about Zach Britton as I did before the game starts. You take a lot of things in consideration about what’s going on today. You have a team pretty hungry over there to win a game. He’s got his work cut out for him. That’s why they call it the big leagues. There’s somewhat of development going on, but it’s about giving the Orioles a chance to win a baseball game."

Britton will face a pretty makeshift Rays' lineup. Johnny Damon was a late scratch with calf soreness and Evan Longoria is headed to the disabled list with an oblique injury. Below is the revised Rays lineup.

B.J. Upton, CF
Elliot Johnson, SS
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Manny Ramirez, DH
Kelly Shoppach, C
Sean Rodriguez, 3B
Dan Johnson, 1B
Matt Joyce, RF
Sam Fuld, LF
Wade Davis, SP

Speaking of lineups, Showalter moved up Matt Wieters to the fifth spot for today's game and subsequently moved back Adam Jones and Mark Reynolds. Felix Pie, who is getting his first start this season in place of Scott, is hitting eighth, just in front of J.J. Hardy.

"It’s more about, at this point where we are, who is going to protect Vlad the most, and kind of the way Tampa would look at it," Showalter said. "I think in Pie’s first start, it would be a little tough to push him there right now. We think Matt’s our best option there."

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

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
Zach Britton, SP

The Rays have made a couple of changes this morning. Johnny Damon was a late scratch with calf soreness and third baseman Evan Longoria is headed to the disabled list with an oblique injury. Below is their updated lineup:

RAYS
B.J. Upton, CF
Elliot Johnson, SS
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Manny Ramirez, DH
Kelly Shoppach, C
Sean Rodriguez, 3B
Dan Johnson, 1B
Matt Joyce, RF
Sam Fuld, LF
Wade Davis, SP

I'm sure you've noticed that Luke Scott is not in the Orioles' lineup. That will likely be the case until at least Wednesday. Scott is dealing with some tightness in his right groin that started about four or five days ago. He felt it while trying to beat out a double play last night. Scott does not believe it is a disabled list situation.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

One quick piece of injury news from Saturday’s 3-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Luke Scott, who was pinch-ran for in the seventh inning, left with a strained right groin, the Orioles announced after the game. He is listed as day-to-day.

Earlier, I gave Orioles manager Buck Showalter credit for making such a shrewd move in the seventh – pinch-running Felix Pie for Scott and then leaving Pie in the game in left to make a key throw to save a run in the bottom of the inning.

But apparently Scott was hurting as he pushed out of the batter’s box on a fielder’s choice.

Brian Roberts, whose three-run blast off reliever Jake McGee was the difference in the game, had plenty to say afterward.

Here’s Roberts on his homer:
“I was fortunate, I guess, to have the chance to face him last night. I only saw one pitch, but I at least had an idea and, definitely, you’re just looking for something to hit. I was just trying to put the barrel on it and try to score one and somehow I found the barrel and scored three.”

Here’s Roberts on Nick Markakis’ game-saving catch in the bottom of the ninth: “I have said over and over again it’s a crime that he hasn’t won a Gold Glove by this point. To me, he is the best right fielder in the game. I have watched it for six years. If you didn’t believe me before now, I hope you do now.”

Here’s Roberts on Chris Tillman: “What more can you ask for from your starting pitchers? Chris was as good as I have ever seen him here. I know he has pitched well in the minor leagues before, but I mean that’s as good as I have ever seen him throw the ball. So it is exciting to get off to that kind of start with your starting pitching.”

Lastly, here’s Roberts on winning two early games in a tough place to play for the Orioles: “You start to have flashbacks of other years. You just know how difficult it is to win here. The atmosphere, the way their team sets up, they always play well late in the game. So for us to get two early, in close games, is great.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Great play in the bottom of the seventh to keep the game tied at 0-0.

After Tillman's six hitless innings, Jeremy Accardo entered and retired two batters before B.J. Upton ended the potential combined no-hitter with a single to center.

Upton stole second and Accardo intentionally walked Matt Joyce to face Kelly Shoppach, who singled to left.

Pie grabbed the ball and fired a one-hop strike home where Matt Wieters blocked the plate and tagged Upton.

Great play. But give manager Buck Showalter an assist here. He lifted Scott for Pie as a pinch-runner in the top of the seventh and Pie stayed in the game in left.

Pie has a stronger arm than Scott. Can't see Scott getting the speedy Upton on that play.

The game within the game here is that previous managers probably wouldn't have taken out Scott in the seventh considering he might have another at-bat remaining and he can change the game with a swing. But Showalter made the call and it worked out.

And for those of you wondering why Showalter pulled Tillman in the midst of a no-hitter, remember, he had thrown 101 pitches and it was his first start of the regular season. A no-brainer.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

But Jeremy Accardo has.

With two outs in the seventh, B.J. Upton singles up the middle to end the Orioles' potential combined no-hitter against the Rays.

Orioles starter Chris Tillman wasn't exactly dominant tonight.

He walked three. And his pitch count was way too high, throwing 101 pitches and just 58 strikes in six innings.

But this is his line, and read it carefully: 6 IP, 0H, 0R, 3BB, 5Ks.

Jeremy Accardo entered in the seventh and retired two before Upton's single.

This wasn't new territory for the 22-year-old Tillman. He threw a Triple-A no-hitter against Gwinnett last April 28. And he threw 6 1/3 hitless innings against Texas on July 10 on his way to a two-hit performance.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

An Orioles source confirmed tonight that pitcher Alfredo Simon arrived in Tampa on Saturday afternoon and will work out at the team’s minor-league complex within the next few days.

Simon, who was detained in his native Dominican Republic since January as a suspect in the shooting death of his cousin in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, is currently on the inactive list and is not part of the 40-man roster.

It is unclear at this time whether his involvement in the incident officially has been resolved, but the fact he received his visa and traveled out of the country is an encouraging sign for the 29-year-old reliever.

The Orioles have not made an official comment on Simon and the fatal shooting, preferring to wait until the matter is resolved legally.

Phil Isaac, Simon’s U.S.-based agent, would not comment further, except to confirm that Simon is out of the Dominican and in Florida.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 7:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Is left-hander Zach Britton excited for his major-league debut tomorrow against the Tampa Bay Rays?

Yeah, you could say that.

“So far it’s been everything I thought it would be,” Britton told the Baltimore media before Saturday’s game. “Obviously, tomorrow will be a very special moment, not just for me but for my family. Everyone’s here, so it’ll really be exciting tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it.”

He had to get about 30 tickets for the game, because much of his family flew in from Texas on “some pretty expensive flights. But they all made it.”

Before Saturday’s game, he walked around the left field stands at Tropicana Field. The only other time he had been to this ballpark was Aug. 6, 1999, the day before Wade Boggs recorded his 3,000 hit at the Trop.

Britton wanted to remember what that vantage point was like.

“I went up to where I was sitting to just kind of remember that moment,” he said. “It’s great to be here.”

Britton is both wide-eyed and confident. The former third-rounder in 2006 feels he has what it takes to pitch in the majors and admits he “was bummed” when he was sent down to Triple-A camp on Monday.

Part of the reason was because by having him in the minors for at least 20 days, the Orioles could delay his free-agent eligibility for a year. But those plans were scrapped when No. 2 starter Brian Matusz suffered a muscle strain.

“I was shocked,” Britton said of learning he was recalled. “I had 20 days imprinted in my mind, or whatever it was going to be, so I was not expecting it at all. I felt like I was way down on the totem pole and they had a lot of options before they were going to bring me up. But unfortunately, Brian’s injury I guess made them rethink that and I’m thankful that I’m here.”

Earlier last week, Britton went to lunch in Sarasota with veteran pitcher Mark Hendrickson, who also was sent to minor-league camp. Hendrickson gave Britton some advice.

“Mark took me out to lunch and sat me down and just told me you can’t really control that stuff,” Britton said. “We thought I was going to be in Norfolk and he told me to go down there and take care of my business, and when it was my time to be up, be up. I think that really helped me. The next day in camp, I came in there and took care of my business. Then, obviously, this happened and I came here.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 4:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Luke Scott, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
J.J. Hardy, SS
Chris Tillman, SP

RAYS
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Johnny Damon, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Manny Ramirez, DH
Dan Johnson, 1B
B.J. Upton, CF
Matt Joyce, RF
Kelly Shoppach, C
Reid Brignac, SS
James Shields, SP

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Phil Isaac, the agent for pitcher Alfredo Simon, said today that the reliever will arrive in Florida this afternoon. An Orioles' official with knowledge of the situation confirmed that Simon is expected to be in the United States shortly, though he offered no further details.

The right-handed reliever is currently on Major League Baseball's restricted list. He was recently released from a Dominican Republic prison on bail as he awaited word on whether he'll be charged for a New Year's Day shooting that killed one man and injured another.

Simon hasn't been totally absolved for the incident. However, he has been able to secure a Visa which allowed him to travel to the United States.

Simon was granted bail by an appeals court in the Dominican Republic on March 3. He had been incarcerated since January 3.

It's far too early to speculate about his availability, but he'll obviously begain a throwing program here and begin preparing for the 2011 season.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 1:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

I'm sure that it was discussed during the MASN game broadcast last night, but it kind of was lost postgame with Jeremy Guthrie's strong performance and the news that Zach Britton was coming up to the big leagues and Brian Matusz was headed to the disabled list. However, I'd say that it was a little telling when after Ben Zobrist hit a homer off Jim Johnson to lead off the ninth inning and make it a three-run game, it was Kevin Gregg that started getting warm and not Koji Uehara. Orioles manager Buck Showalter has declined to reveal his regular closer, but the consensus in the clubhouse all along was that Gregg would be the guy. Perhaps last night was more proof of that.

You continue to hear Oriole coaches and players rave about the strides Matt Wieters is making behind the plate. There was another example last night that stood out to Showalter. After allowing the homer to Zobrist, Johnson fell behind Johnny Damon 1-0. With a three-run lead, the last thing the Orioles wanted was to allow another baserunner and get the crowd at the Tropicana Field more involved, believing that a comeback was possible. Damon obviously was aware of this and was ready to take a nice hack at a fastball. Instead, Wieters called for a changeup, Johnson threw it and it completely fooled Damon who mustered only a weak and confused swing. Johnson struck out Damon, fanned Evan Longoria and then got Manny Ramirez to ground out to end the game. It was a nice sequence by Wieters and a nice comeback for Johnson. And speaking of Wieters, he and Guthrie had a tremendous tempo working all night. I guess that's easy to do when Guthrie is throwing every pitch for a strike, but it was nice to see nonetheless.

That Oriole officials were willing to call up Britton shows just how important they believe it is to get off to a decent start and continue the momentum that they built last year with the final two months under Showalter. I was told by pretty much anyone and everyone in the team's front office that it was a no brainer decision and they would not bring Britton up and blow a year of service time for the sake of having him in the rotation two weeks early. It eventually took three injuries to change their minds. Justin Duchscherer is currently shut down with back and hip injuries. Matusz will be out anywhere from three to six weeks with a left intercostal strain. And Brad Bergesen is technically not injured, but him getting drilled by the Denard Span liner set him back to the point where the Orioles don't believe he is stretched out enough to pitch late in games right now. Enter Britton. I have mixed feelings on this decision, but it is indeed hard to criticize a move that makes the Orioles a better team in the present. And just because he is up now doesn't mean he'll be guaranteed to use the full year of service time.

All the talk about the Orioles strengthening the middle of their lineup with the Derrek Lee, Vladimir Guerrero and Mark Reynolds additions is obviously appropriate. But the thing that struck me most last night was how much tougher the bottom of the order got with the addition of J.J. Hardy. Not only did he hit the double and then score the Orioles first run, but he worked David Price for a walk to set the table for Brian Roberts' two-run triple. And that defense play he made in the hole in the seventh inning was a thing of beauty as well. With Reynolds hitting seventh, Wieters eighth and Hardy ninth, there will be no easy innings for an opposing pitcher. They are going to be unable to relax at any point. It's hard to underestimate that factor.

I know it was just one game, but it didn't surprise me at all to see Nick Markakis have two quality at-bats against a really tough lefty. That single in the third inning to drive in the Orioles' first run was vintage Markakis, who didn't try to do too much with a tough pitch and just lined it into left center field. The sacrifice fly later in the game was just a professional at-bat. I watched Markakis last spring and predicted that he would have a monster year. We obviously know how that ended up so I've abstained from making any grand pronouncements about the Orioles right fielder. However, I will say that the guy looked like he was ready to start the season four weeks ago. He's been locked in since the moment he set foot in Sarasota.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)
        

On Friday, we gave you some Orioles info/predictions from a productive dinner I had with columnist Pete Schmuck and O’s beat writer Jeff Zrebiec.

It was productive because we made a series of prognostications, not because Schmuck picked up the tab (I wrote productive, not unprecedented).

Here is what we came up with for the 2011 baseball season. We’d like to see your predictions as well.

AL East winner: Red Sox (Jeff); Red Sox (Dan); Red Sox (Pete)

AL Central winner: Tigers (Jeff); White Sox (Dan); White Sox (Pete)

AL West winner: Rangers (Jeff); A's (Dan); Angels (Pete)

AL Wild Card: Yankees (Jeff); Yankees (Dan); Twins (Pete)

AL Champion: Red Sox (Jeff); White Sox (Dan); White Sox (Pete)

NL East winner: Phillies (Jeff); Phillies (Dan); Phillies (Pete)

NL Central winner: Cardinals (Jeff); Brewers (Dan); Brewers (Pete)

NL West winner: Dodgers (Jeff); Giants (Dan); Dodgers (Pete)

NL Wild Card: Braves (Jeff); Marlins (Dan); Reds (Pete)

NL Champion: Phillies (Jeff); Phillies (Dan); Phillies (Pete)

World Series champion: Red Sox (Jeff); White Sox (Dan); Phillies (Pete)

AL Manager: Leyland (Jeff); Francona (Dan); Maddon (Pete)

NL Manager: Mattingly (Jeff); Rodriguez (Dan); Roenicke (Pete)

AL Rookie: Hellickson (Jeff); Morel (Dan); Britton (Pete)

NL Rookie: Freeman (Jeff); Kimbrel (Dan); Belt (Pete)

AL MVP: Cano (Jeff); Ad. Gonzalez (Dan); Quentin (Pete)

NL MVP: Pujols (Jeff); Han. Ramirez (Dan); Fielder (Pete)

AL Cy Young: Verlander (Jeff); Lester (Dan); Price (Pete)

NL Cy Young: Carpenter (Jeff); Oswalt (Dan); Kershaw (Pete)

AL Comeback Player: Man. Ramirez (Jeff); Bedard (Dan); Ellsbury (Pete)

NL Comeback Player: P Chris Young (Jeff); Chip. Jones (Dan); Berkman (Pete)

First manager fired: Geren (Jeff); Riggleman (Dan); Quade (Pete)

Daily Think Special: Make your 2011 MLB predictions

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
        

Top pitching prospect Zach Britton learned just before 10 p.m. Friday night that he will be making his major-league debut Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

A few moments later he relayd his thoughts:

“Shocked, I guess that’s the only way to say it,” Britton said.

He's getting the opportunity because Brian Matusz has a strained intercostals muscle and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list. He was supposed to start Saturday, but Chris Tillman will pitch Saturday and Britton on Sunday.

“I have no words right now. I have no idea (what to say)," Britton said. "Obviously, someone had to get hurt and I am not happy about that. I’d rather wait my time in Triple-A than have someone get hurt. But I will try to fill in as best I can.”

Here’s Matt Wieters on Britton: “I think he’s ready. There is always going to be learning things he’s going to go through the first couple of times through the league. But his stuff plays at this level just as well as anybody’s. He’s going to go through the growing pains like everybody does, like I did, like Brian (Matusz) did, like everybody. It’s going to be a learning experience for him, but his stuff plays real well at this level.”

Here’s Matusz on Britton: “I didn’t know Zach was getting the opportunity, but he’s definitely ready. He showed us in spring how good he is. Unfortunately for me, I can’t go, but it’s a great opportunity for Zach. He’s going to step up and do what he did in spring and be just fine.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)
        

Andy MacPhail just told us that Zach Britton will pitch Sunday and Brian Matusz is being placed on the DL with an intercostal strain.

He will be out anywhere between "3 to 5 weeks, 4 to 6 weeks" MacPhail said.

MacPhail said it just made too much sense to bring up Britton given the rotation situation.

Here are Andy's quotes after the game:

"With the duration that we think it is likely Brian will be out, we are going to need the fifth starter. So we might as well just plug Zach in now as opposed to waiting until the 9th or 10th."

On leaving Britton down to preserve service time?

"Sometimes fates just don’t allow it and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. We thought we had five starters and Zach would be sixth and Justin seven. Unfortunately we lost one before we threw a pitch. And we just have to adjust. In my view Chris’s day is tomorrow, he can pitch tomorrow. Zach is eligible to pitch on Sunday and we can sort of keep things in-line."

Why Britton?
"And the kid had a good spring and deserves the opportunity. As the season evolves we’ll just see how everybody does."

Matusz update?
Intercostal strain. Could be anywhere from three to five to four to six weeks, you’ve just got to play it out.

He will go on the DL and that’s how we will get Zach back up here.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 9:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

Chris Tillman, who was on the roster bubble until the end of camp, is now pitching the Orioles' second game of the season, Saturday, against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Brian Matusz was scratched with a back injury, and Tillman, who was supposed to pitch game three, has been moved up a slot.

The club is still undecided for Sunday. Choices likely include Brad Bergsesen or someone in the minor leagues: Chris Jakubauskas, Zach Britton and Ryan Drese are possibilities.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Jeremy Guthrie said he was ready after his last outing in Dunedin, Fla., on Sunday.

He apparently was right.

Guthrie, who had a 6.43 ERA in four major-league starts this spring, is mowing down the Tampa Bay Rays tonight.

He has pitched eight innings, thown 94 pitches, and allowed just three hits. Jim Johnson is warming up in the Orioles' bullpen.

He just escaped a potentially rough inning, when B.J. Upton got picked off second base. J.J. Hardy ran into Upton during the rundown, but interference was not called.

The Orioles are leading 4-0 heading into the ninth. Brian Roberts has a two-run triple. Nick Markakis has a sacrifice fly and RBI single.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 8:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

At long last, the Orioles 2011 season is officially underway.

At 7:13 p,m., about 10 minutes after the Tampa Bay Rays' 2010 American League East champions banner was raised to the rafters at Tropicana Field, young ace David Price fired a ball to Brian Roberts.

The Orioles are 35-22 on Opening Day all-time. However, they've lost their last three such contests on the road.

Enjoy the game,enjoy the ride.

Posted by Jeff Zrebiec at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The big question with Brian Matusz’s injury – to the intercostal muscle in the left middle part of his back -- is whether it could change the club’s stance on lefty Zach Britton, who was sent to Triple-A Norfolk to start the season despite having the best spring of any Orioles’ starter.

The simple answer is yes, it could.

“It could depending on what kind of news we get (on Matusz) and how long term we’re looking,” Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said.

The Orioles were expected to keep Britton, 23, down in the minors for at least 20 days, which would stop his big-league service clock from registering a full season in 2011 – meaning he wouldn’t be eligible for free agency until 2017 (instead of 2016).

But with Matusz, the club’s No. 2 starter potentially heading to the disabled list, the Orioles could be forced to bring up Britton.

The Orioles will know more after a MRI today on Matusz, who, according to manager Buck Showalter, was in acute pain today after playing catch.

“I was hoping it was an April Fool’s joke,” MacPhail said about Matusz’s injury. “It’s just one of those things. You get these throughout the course of the year. You just have to deal with them as best as you can.”

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

Buck Showalter confirmed that Brian Matusz has soreness in the middle of his back, left side, and definitely will not make his Saturday start.

He did not name Saturday's starter. One possibility is Chris Tillman, who was slated to pitch Sunday. Brad Bergesen will not start Saturday's game either.

It's possible that they dip into the minor leagues -- especially if it is a disabled list situation -- and if they do, Chris Jakubauskas is one possibility.

Showalter would not speculate whether a DL trip was likely, but it wouldn't be surprising.

Matusz will have an MRI today at 5:30 p.m.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 5:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Some bad news for the Orioles before the first pitch of this season is thrown.

Left-hander Brian Matusz, who is supposed to start Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays, is dealing with upper-back soreness, and it looks like his outing this weekend could be in jeopardy.

He had been dressed to stretch with the Orioles but switched to street clothes, an indication he may be leaving the clubhouse before the game starts. He declined to comment on the situation.

One option is for Chris Tillman, who is slated to pitch Sunday, to be moved up a day and make Saturday’s start.

Brad Bergesen, who is expected to move from the bullpen to the starting rotation on April 10 when the Orioles need a fifth starter, also could be pushed into a starting role earlier than expected.

Matusz’s situation is believed to be a lat muscle issue, although its severity is not known. The media is expected to speak with manager Buck Showalter within the next hour or so.

Matusz took a liner to his left biceps in a simulated game Monday but declared himself ready to pitch on Wednesday.

Posted by Dan Connolly at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Whether or not you agree with the Orioles' decision to have their games broadcast on WBAL this year instead of 105.7 The Fan, the move has provided WBAL with an opportunity to showcase some of it's younger on-air talent in covering the team.

Brett Hollander -- who has been hosting "Sportsline," the station's weeknight call-in talk show from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. -- will also become a regular part of the Orioles pre-game coverage as the host of the nightly program "O's On-Deck."

The 15-minute show, which debuts tonight and will end 15 minutes prior to the team's official pre-game show with Joe Angel and Fred Manfra, will focus on bringing listeners in-depth interviews and features about the team.

Hollander, a Baltimore native who went to Gilman before pursuing his passion for sports broadcasting at Dickinson College, believes the show will give Orioles fans even more of a window into the locker room and the inner workings of the team.

"Every night we're going to try and have a feature story on a player or an aspect of the club, from the major leagues to the minor leagues, that we think people will find interesting," Hollander said. "We're going to try and take you beyond who the starting pitcher is and really look at things from every angle."

Hollander's debut feature will be on O's pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, and the responsibility he feels having been the Orioles Opening Day starter three times in the past four seasons.

"We feel we have the best sports staff in town, and that we have a lot we can bring to the table," Hollander said. "Over the course of the year, that's going to speak for itself."

Posted by Kevin Van Valkenburg at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Jeff Zrebiec, Pete Schmuck and I had so much fun making Orioles’ predictions at dinner Thursday night that we are giving you a second wave.

OK, that’s not completely true. We’ve spent so much time together during spring training that we had nothing left to talk about at dinner. Thank goodness Jeff had a pencil and the waiter brought us some paper.

Here’s round two of our Orioles’ predictions. We’ll have our major-league predictions in a bar blog this weekend. Enjoy.

Markakis' average: .313 (Jeff); .322 (Dan); .309 (Pete)

Gregg's saves: 27 (Jeff); 24 (Dan); 29 (Pete)

Reynolds' strikeouts: 207 (Jeff); 211 (Dan); 178 (Pete)

Guerrero's homers: 25 (Jeff); 32 (Dan); 23 (Pete)

Wieters' average: .265 (Jeff); .278 (Dan); .290 (Pete)

Scott's homers: 24 (Jeff); 22 (Dan); 19 (Pete)

Guthrie's ERA: 4.23 (Jeff); 4.12 (Dan); 4.01 (Pete)

Fox's homers: 9 (Jeff); 12 (Dan); 5 (Pete)

Most Valuable Oriole: Markakis (Jeff); Markakis (Dan); Guerrero (Pete)

First player ejected: Reynolds (Jeff); Andino (Dan); Lee (Pete)

Daily Think Special: Prediction Friday: Quick-fire Orioles Prognostications

Posted by Dan Connolly at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)
        

With the Orioles' season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field a mere 12 hours away, I thought it would be fun to look at the best Orioles Opening Day in the past 25 years and the worst.

Here's how they rank for me:

THE BEST
April 6, 1992: Rick Sutcliffe pitches a gem in the inaugural game at Camden Yards, allowing five hits in shutting out the Cleveland Indians in the Orioles' 2-0 win. Chris Hoiles' RBI ground-rule double and Bill Ripken's suicide-squeeze bunt provided Sutcliffe will all the run support he would need.

Note: For me, this narrowly beat out the Orioles' season opener on April 9, 1990, in which they defeated Kansas City, 7-6, in 11 innings at Royals Stadium. Cal Ripken Jr.'s line single to right field scored Joe Orsulak for the winning run, and designated hitter Sam Horn hit not one but two three-run homers, accounting for every one of the Orioles' runs in regulation.

The WORST
April 4, 1988: In a fitting start to the worst season in Orioles history, the team is clobbered, 12-0, by the Milwaukee Brewers at Memorial Stadium. The Orioles managed just five hits, while Mike Boddicker, Oswaldo Peraza and Dave Schmidt combined to surrender 16.

What about you? What do you consider the best and worst Orioles season openers of the past 25 years? Heck, if you feel like going even further back than that, go for it.

Note: An overwhelming number of people have commented that 1989 was their favorite Orioles opener. Certainly a worthy choice, and I should probably point out now, since I forgot to originally, that it was also a finalist for me. Also receiving consideration was the stretch from 2001 to 2003, when the Orioles had three straight memorable openers (respectively, beating Boston, 2-1, on Brady Anderson's 11th-inning RBI single; routing the Yankees, 10-3, in a game that featured Tony Batista's grand slam off Roger Clemens; and edging the Indians, 6-5, in 13 innings, with Gary Matthews Jr. scoring the tying run in the 12th and plating the winning run in the 13th.

Posted by Steve Gould at 7:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (47)