Hearing from Showalter, Johnson, Markakis and Jimenez after 5-4 win

Hearing from Showalter, Johnson, Markakis and Jimenez after 5-4 win
NEW YORK - Having already clinched their division, the Orioles knew it was time to rediscover their winning ways after losing three of their past four games. Zach Britton picked up his 36th save in 40 opportunities tonight by striking out Derek Jeter on three pitches to strand the tying run and complete the Orioles' 5-4 victory over the Yankees. The Orioles are 9-2 this season after being shut out in the previous game. They're 26-0 when hitting three or more home runs. Nelson Cruz belted...

Cruz hits 40th home run (O's win 5-4)

Cruz hits 40th home run (O's win 5-4)
NEW YORK - Remember when Nelson Cruz stayed on the free-agent market into spring training and it seemed as though nobody wanted him? Remember when fans and media debated whether the Orioles should sign Cruz or Kendrys Morales? Has it really been seven months? Cruz just hit his 40th home run leading off the top of the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 5-1 lead over the Yankees. Cruz becomes the sixth Oriole to hit 40 or more home runs in a season, joining Chris Davis (53 in 2013), Brady...

Kelly Johnson hits first home run as Oriole (Markakis homers)

Kelly Johnson hits first home run as Oriole (Markakis homers)
NEW YORK - To find Kelly Johnson's last home run before tonight, you've got to flip the calendar back to July 11. Back to Camden Yards with Miguel Gonzalez on the mound for the Orioles. It's a small baseball world, my friends. Try not to flip over it. Johnson was playing for the Yankees, the first of his three teams this season. He's hit seven home runs, three against the Orioles. Johnson hit his first as an Oriole tonight leading off the top of the second inning. He's starting in the...

Showalter talks about his decision to start Tillman in Game 1

Showalter talks about his decision to start Tillman in Game 1
NEW YORK - Chris Tillman didn't pitch in the 2012 Division Series against the Yankees. He's come a long way in two years. Tillman was named the opening day starter and he's taking the mound for Game 1 of the Division Series on Oct. 2 at Camden Yards - opponent to be determined. "Just like the first game he pitched this year, he carries that torch well," said manager Buck Showalter. "This gives him the option of pitching two games in the first round. "He's pitched 200 innings two...

Tillman named Game 1 starter

Tillman named Game 1 starter
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter made the expected announcement today, naming Chris Tillman the Game 1 starter in the Division Series on Oct. 2 at Camden Yards. Showalter didn't reveal the other names, saying again that he's considering all the matchup possibilities while waiting on the opponent. However, Wei-Yin Chen is likely to start Game 2. It's just not official. Tillman is 13-5 with a 3.26 ERA in 33 starts. He's eclipsed 200 innings for the second year in a row. Tillman...

Orioles and Yankees lineups

Orioles and Yankees lineups
NEW YORK - Steve Pearce is out of the Orioles lineup for a fourth straight game with a sore right wrist. Pearce said he expects to play Wednesday after receiving a cortisone injection over the weekend. With Pearce still sidelined, the Orioles are fielding an unusual infield alignment for tonight's game at Yankee Stadium. Ryan Flaherty is at first base for the third time this season and 10th time in his career. Kelly Johnson is at second base for the first time as an Oriole. He has played...

Orioles release 2015 spring training schedule

Orioles release 2015 spring training schedule
NEW YORK - We interrupt your obsession with October baseball to bring you the Orioles' 2015 spring training schedule. The Orioles' first Grapefruit League game is March 3 against the Tigers in Lakeland. The home opener at Ed Smith Stadium is March 4 against the Tigers. The Orioles will face 10 different teams as part of their 16-game home schedule. They will host the Rays and Blue Jays three times each and the Twins and Pirates twice. They will play the Braves, Red Sox, Tigers, Yankees,...
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Orioles have been beasts against the East until recently

Orioles have been beasts against the East until recently
NEW YORK - The Orioles lost two out of three games to the Red Sox to conclude the home portion of their regular season schedule, and they dropped the series opener to the Yankees last night. That's not typically how the American League East has treated the Orioles this season. Quite the opposite. The division used to give the Orioles wet willies and hang their underwear from a flag pole. It used to push them in the girls bathroom and hold the door shut. #HighSchoolFlashbacks The Orioles...

Showalter, Chen and Hardy speak after 5-0 loss

Showalter, Chen and Hardy speak after 5-0 loss
NEW YORK - The Yankees scored five runs tonight. The Orioles had three baserunners. It's easy to figure out which team was victorious. The Orioles were held to one hit, J.J. Hardy's single in the fifth inning, in a 5-0 loss at Yankee Stadium. Michael Pineda retired 22 of 24 batters, and the Orioles lost for the third time in their last four games. Wei-Yin Chen allowed four runs (two earned) in six innings. He's scheduled to start again on Saturday, which lines him up to pitch Game 2 of...

Showalter confident Chen will return in 2015 (O's lose 5-0)

Showalter confident Chen will return in 2015 (O's lose 5-0)
NEW YORK - Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen needed only seven pitches tonight to retire the Yankees in order in the first inning. Now, he needs an Orioles rally after giving up two runs in the third. Both runs were unearned after Ryan Flaherty's throwing error to start the inning. Jose Pirela, making his major league debut, tripled to left-center field, and he scored on Derek Jeter's bouncer to short. Pirela is the 57th player used by the Yankees, setting a franchise record for the most in a...

Showalter talks rotations and more

Showalter talks rotations and more
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter hasn't passed along his rotation for the Division Series, but he confirmed that he's going to use four starters. Showalter joked that the Game 1 starter is obvious. It's going to be Chris Tillman. I believe that Wei-Yin Chen will start Game 2, followed by Miguel Gonzalez in Game 3 and Bud Norris in Game 4. However, changes are possible depending on the opponent. Nothing is official or etched in stone. Showalter has his rotation lined up for the...

Pearce: "It feels night and day better"

Pearce: "It feels night and day better"
NEW YORK - The Orioles slowly are regaining their health. Nick Markakis has returned to the lineup after being sidelined with a bruised right shoulder, and Steve Pearce expects to play Wednesday night after receiving a cortisone injection in his right wrist. Pearce was scratched from Friday's lineup after batting practice. "They said I'll either play tomorrow or the following day. I don't know. The way it sounds, most likely the following day," Pearce said. "Everything's fine. We...

Orioles and Yankees lineups

Orioles and Yankees lineups
NEW YORK - Nick Markakis returns to the Orioles lineup tonight after missing four games with a bruised right shoulder. He's been out since being hit by a pitch from Toronto's Aaron Loup on Tuesday. He'll lead off and play right field. Wei-Yin Chen comes into tonight's start with 16 wins, the most by an Orioles left-hander in a single season since Jeff Ballard went 18-8 in 1989. Mike Cuellar and Dave McNally share the single-season club record for wins by a southpaw with 24 in 1970. For the...

Jimenez starting Tuesday vs. Yankees

Jimenez starting Tuesday vs. Yankees
NEW YORK - The Orioles' starters for the last three games of their series against the Yankees are no longer listed as TBA. Ubaldo Jimenez will take the mound Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, a game that's now going to air on ESPN. Bud Norris starts Wednesday afternoon and Kevin Gausman starts Thursday night. (ESPN refers to Tuesday's matchup as a "Postseason Impact Game," which is an odd way of spelling "Jeter.") Manager Buck Showalter wants to provide an extra day of rest for his...

Looking at starter vs. opponent matchups in anticipation of Division Series

Looking at starter vs. opponent matchups in anticipation of Division Series
The Orioles took a train to New York last night for a four-game series against the Yankees. Four more chances to talk about Derek Jeter. To think about him. To smell his scent. Buck Showalter will be asked again about his memories of Jeter, about being the shortstop's first manager with the Yankees. Showalter will praise Jeter and immediately point out that the Orioles also have statues and a proud history. Sorry to ruin the ending for you. I should have included a spoiler alert. Players were...

Showalter speaks after 3-2 loss

Showalter speaks after 3-2 loss
The Orioles started slowly at home this season before finishing 50-31. The record is paired nicely with their 43-31 mark on the road. "You try to trust the people and kind of the long haul of what you think will be, but it's always something," said manager Buck Showalter following a 3-2 loss to the Red Sox. "There's always something you get a little better at and you just try to let the season play out. If I had a choice coming in that I could have a bird in hand, it would be playing well...

Game update and more notes and quotes (O's lose 3-2)

Game update and more notes and quotes (O's lose 3-2)
Mookie Betts led off today's game with a home run off Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead at Camden Yards. Gonzalez had surrendered just one home run in his last three starts. The Red Sox had three hits in the inning and Gonzalez threw 23 pitches, 17 for strikes. The choice of Nelson Cruz as Most Valuable Oriole naturally has sparked a debate among fans. It's good that the club had so many legitimate choices. Cruz leads the majors with 39 home runs and also has...

Showalter provides updates on Markakis and Pearce

Showalter provides updates on Markakis and Pearce
Earlier today, Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked whether he's concerned about Nick Markakis and Steve Pearce being available for the Division Series. "Not at this point," he replied." "Nick came in today when I first saw him and he was going to play. 'I'd like to play if it's OK with you.' Whatever. And then I said, 'Why don't you go down to the cage and see how everything is.' After the cage ... He's getting better every day. That's why I'm not at this point. "More of...

Notes on Markakis, Pearce, Cruz, the playoff rotation and more

Notes on Markakis, Pearce, Cruz, the playoff rotation and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he expects Nick Markakis and Steve Pearce to play in the four-game series in New York that starts Monday. Pearce won't be ready before Tuesday, though he wants to play. He needs an extra day after receiving a cortisone injection yesterday in his right elbow. Markakis tried to get into the lineup today, but his right shoulder remained sore while he swung in the cage. "He's getting better every day," Showalter said. Showalter said "it's hard to...

Cruz named MVO, Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Cruz named MVO, Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Nelson Cruz has been chosen Most Valuable Oriole by members of the media who cover the team. Adam Jones finished second and Zach Britton third. Cruz enters today's game leading the major leagues with 39 home runs, and he's surpassed the 100-RBI mark for the first time in his career. His 39 homers are the second-most by a first-year Oriole in club history, trailing only Frank Robinson's 49 in 1966. Cruz also became the sixth different Oriole to record a season of 35 or more home runs and...