Pregame notes on Machado, Patton, Schoop and more

Pregame notes on Machado, Patton, Schoop and more
BOSTON - Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has normal soreness today "in the right places," according to manager Buck Showalter, following yesterday's extended spring training game in Sarasota. Machado will play seven innings at third base on Monday and serve as the designated hitter on Tuesday. He could begin his minor league injury rehab assignment later in the week, with the affiliate still undetermined. "I think when he gets that nine-inning game under his belt in extended spring,...

Hardy on his health, his slow start and his contract status

Hardy on his health, his slow start and his contract status
BOSTON - The temperature in Boston is supposed to climb into the mid-60s on Monday. And as the weather heats up, Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy hopes to do the same. Hardy is 10-for-41 with no home runs and three RBIs heading into tonight's game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. A career .219 hitter in March/April, he's grown somewhat accustomed to slow starts. The spasms in Hardy's lower back have subsided, but he's still not completely healed. "It sucks because this spring was probably...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Jonathan Schoop is starting at second base tonight for the Orioles, and Ryan Flaherty gets the nod at third base. Nelson Cruz is batting second as the designated hitter. David Lough is in left field. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS David Lough LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Ryan Flaherty 3B Ubaldo Jimenez RHP For the Red Sox Grady Sizemore CF Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Mike Napoli 1B Jonny Gomes LF Daniel Nava...

Orioles having a power outage

Orioles having a power outage
BOSTON - The Orioles led the majors in home runs last season with 212, and they signed Nelson Cruz during spring training. Power didn't figure to be in short supply. Go figure. The Orioles rank 29th in home runs with nine in their first 16 games. Only the Royals (five) have hit fewer in the majors. The Angels rank first with 29, followed by the Braves and Pirates with 23. Matt Wieters leads the Orioles with three homers, followed by Cruz with two and Chris Davis, Adam Jones, Jonathan Schoop...

A few odds and ends (Tigers released Gonzalez)

A few odds and ends (Tigers released Gonzalez)
BOSTON - If the benches empty tonight at Fenway Park, it's only because both teams realize they have an 11 a.m. game the following morning and are in a rush to get out of there. Seriously, who made up this schedule? What's next, a night game at Camden Yards followed by breakfast at Wimbledon? It's probably too soon to put heavy emphasis on a start, but Ubaldo Jimenez could use a quality one. He's 0-3 with a 7.31 ERA in his first three outings, with 13 runs and 23 hits in 16 innings....

Sweeping out the clubhouse following 4-2 loss

Sweeping out the clubhouse following 4-2 loss
BOSTON - There was more to talk about today other than the dugouts emptying in the seventh inning and Orioles starter Bud Norris wondering why Red Sox catcher David Ross took exception to an inside pitch. Norris took the loss after being charged with four runs in 6 1/3 innings. The last two scored in the turbulent seventh. "I think their gun's a little high here, but still he was crisp," said manager Buck Showalter. "He was good. He deserved a better fate. We just weren't able to do a...

Davis: "If somebody wants to run their mouths, we'll stand up to them"

Davis: "If somebody wants to run their mouths, we'll stand up to them"
BOSTON - David Ross wanted to lay down a sacrifice bunt today with a runner on first base and nobody out in the seventh inning of a tie game. Orioles pitcher Bud Norris says he wanted to take the out. So exactly what happened to make Ross yell at Norris? And to make Orioles catcher Matt Wieters get in Ross' face? Ross apparently didn't like a pitch that rode up and in, and he let Norris know about it. "He yelled, 'Make an adjustment,' " Norris said following the Orioles' 4-2 loss at...

It's a challenge for Cruz to reach RBI milestone (dugouts empty, O's lose 4-2)

It's a challenge for Cruz to reach RBI milestone (dugouts empty, O's lose 4-2)
BOSTON - Nelson Cruz picked up his second RBI today and the 500th of his career. It came in unorthodox fashion. Cruz was called out on a bouncer behind third base with runners on the corners and two outs in the top of the sixth inning. He immediately signaled that he was safe and manager Buck Showalter strolled onto the field to give Adam Gladstone - who was hired this season to check the video for possible challenges - enough time to review the play. Gladstone doesn't have a formal title....

The defense rests in the first inning (updated)

The defense rests in the first inning (updated)
BOSTON - The Orioles no longer have three errors this season. And I'm no longer welcome in manager Buck Showalter's office. Kidding. He doesn't really believe in jinxes. Right? Jonathan Schoop mishandled Mike Napoli's grounder with runners on the corners and one out in the bottom of the first inning, and Dustin Pedroia crossed the plate with the tying run. Schoop was most likely thinking about a double play, especially with David Ortiz lumbering to second base. The Orioles now have...

Showalter gets defensive

Showalter gets defensive
BOSTON - Steve Clevenger will start behind the plate Monday morning in the series finale against the Red Sox. Matt Wieters is catching this afternoon following a night game. "We talked about it before," said manager Buck Showalter. "We came in with the off-day and it was cool, not very taxing last night. We talked to Matt before this whole thing started and he thought he'd catch the three after the off-day." If the Orioles commit an error today, Showalter is bound to glance up at the...

Machado gets four at-bats in extended spring training (update)

Machado gets four at-bats in extended spring training (update)
BOSTON - Manny Machado played five innings at third base this morning in his first extended spring training game. He also received four at-bats and didn't experience any issues with his left knee or calf. Machado hit into a fielder's choice, doubled, struck out and singled. The Orioles don't have an extended game scheduled for Sunday, but they could create one for Machado. Manager Buck Showalter is hopeful that Machado will report to an affiliate next week and begin an injury rehab...

Orioles, Red Sox lineups and a bunch of notes

Orioles, Red Sox lineups and a bunch of notes
BOSTON - The Orioles are 16-9 at Fenway Park since the altercation between former reliever Kevin Gregg and David Ortiz on July 8, 2011. Coincidence? Probably, but it's still an interesting note. The Orioles are going for their fourth straight victory today, their longest streak since they won five in a row from July 14-22, 2013. Chris Davis is 8-for-18 with a home run against Red Sox left-hander Felix Doubront, and Nick Markakis is 6-for-13. However, Adam Jones is 2-for-19, Matt Wieters...

Lough trying to raise his game

Lough trying to raise his game
BOSTON - With left-hander Felix Doubront on the mound for the Red Sox this afternoon, there's a good chance that David Lough will begin the game on the bench. The Orioles are more likely to put Nelson Cruz or Delmon Young in left field, which would put Lough on the list of reserves. Lough wasn't in last night's lineup, though the Red Sox started right-hander John Lackey. Manager Buck Showalter went with the hotter hand of Young. Lough is 4-for-32 in 11 games, with a triple, two RBIs, two...

Hearing from Tillman, Schoop and Matusz

Hearing from Tillman, Schoop and Matusz
BOSTON - Chris Tillman keeps beating the Red Sox and they keep working him over. Tillman was pushed to 122 pitches in five innings in an 8-4 win over the Red Sox, who lost to him for the fourth time in five decisions since the beginning of 2013. He's posted a 2.85 ERA in that span. "It was a struggle," he said. "I knew it was going to be a struggle from the get-go. It was a night where I was battling myself the whole time. Luckily, I was able to execute some pitches when I was in trouble...

Showalter speaks after 8-4 win

Showalter speaks after 8-4 win
BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter tried hard to get starter Chris Tillman through five innings tonight, knowing his bullpen could easily burn out in a four-game series. Tillman needed 122 pitches to clear the fifth, and he earned the win in the Orioles' 8-4 victory over the Red Sox. "You're trying not to use four or five guys out of the 'pen in the first game," Showalter said. "We've got Toronto behind them and they're tough everywhere, especially up there. That was something I...

Tillman throws 122 pitches in five innings (O's win 8-4)

Tillman throws 122 pitches in five innings (O's win 8-4)
BOSTON - Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman threw 122 pitches tonight, three short of his career high. And he did it in only five innings. The Red Sox do have a knack for driving up a pitch count. Tillman allowed three runs and seven hits, walked four and struck out five. Seventy-one of his 122 pitches were strikes. Tillman threw 125 pitches in 8 1/3 innings on July 4, 2012 in Seattle. Tillman has gone seven innings or more in seven of his last 12 starts. Of the five starts when he...

Markakis ties Palmeiro and scores game's first run (updated)

Markakis ties Palmeiro and scores game's first run (updated)
BOSTON - The Red Sox held a moment of silence before the game for former Orioles public relations director Monica Pence Barlow. Her photo appeared on the video board in center field. Well done. The temperature at first pitch was 39 degrees - same as Wednesday's game at Camden Yards. Nick Markakis doubled on the first offering from John Lackey, bringing the quickest challenge of the season. Boston manager John Farrell thought the ball hit outside the left field line, but the call stood....

More notes and quotes from Boston

More notes and quotes from Boston
BOSTON - I don't know the projected game time temperature tonight at Fenway Park. However, after doing extensive research, I can confirm that it's bitter cold. There's a rumor circulating that a polar bear will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. While wearing a scarf and mittens. The temperature for Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay at Camden Yards was 39 degrees, believed to be the coldest in Baltimore since at least 1988, when first pitch temperature was recorded regularly. The...

Machado makes extended spring debut on Saturday

Machado makes extended spring debut on Saturday
BOSTON - Manny Machado made it through his sliding drills today without a hitch, and he's scheduled to play five innings at third base on Saturday in an extended spring training game in Sarasota. Machado also ran the bases again and took batting practice and infield. No issues with his left knee or calf. "I talked to him today," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's upbeat and ready to go." Showalter estimates that Machado will play three to five games at extended spring training before...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - For tonight's series opener against the Red Sox, Adam Jones is back in center field one day after serving as the designated hitter. Delmon Young is in left with Nelson Cruz at DH. Chris Tillman takes the mound opposite Boston's John Lackey as the Orioles look to start the series on the right foot. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Delmon Young LF Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Steve Lombardozzi 2B Jonathan Schoop 3B Chris Tillman RHP For...