Tillman takes his turn tonight in Boston

Tillman takes his turn tonight in Boston
With Tuesday's postponement and manager Buck Showalter's decision to push back everyone in the rotation, Chris Tillman gets the start for the Orioles tonight in the opener of a four-game series at Fenway Park. That's not a bad thing. Tillman is 4-2 with a 2.67 ERA in 12 career starts against the Red Sox, and 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA in five starts in Boston, with eight walks and 27 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings. There's also his red-hot start to the 2014 season. Tillman has held opponents to...

Machado has another good day in Sarasota

Machado has another good day in Sarasota
The news on Orioles third baseman Manny Machado remains encouraging, as he's been cleared to further increase his baseball activity before playing in his first game. Machado ran the bases again today and did very well. The same positive report as yesterday. Machado will slide on Friday for the first time, and is scheduled to begin participating in extended spring training games the following day. The Orioles now are estimating that Machado could play in three to five extended spring games...

Quick update on Machado

Quick update on Machado
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado ran the bases earlier today in Sarasota and did fine, according to a team official. Machado will be cutting the bases again on Thursday. Assuming there are no setbacks, he will be cleared to begin playing extended spring training games. Manager Buck Showalter estimated that Machado would play two or three games before going on an injury rehab assignment, which can last up to 20 days for position players. The Orioles would have to determine which...

This and that

This and that
Miguel Gonzalez was credited with the win yesterday and Tommy Hunter recorded the save, but Zach Britton garnered lots of attention following the Orioles' 3-0 win over the Rays. His three scoreless innings raised his total to 11 1/3, with only four hits allowed in six outings. His sinker and renewed confidence are the talk of the clubhouse. "He's been phenomenal," Gonzalez said. "I'm happy for him. He's got what he had in (2011) now. He worked hard this offseason and it's paid...

Britton stays on a roll

Britton stays on a roll
Left-hander Zach Britton gave the Orioles three more scoreless innings today, raising his total to 11 1/3 this season and creating more discussion over whether he should be starting. Manager Buck Showalter likes Britton in his current role. He's become quite a weapon out of the bullpen. "The first weapon is he can get right-handed and left-handed hitters out. That's huge for a reliever," Showalter said. "He's in a good place right now and you can see it. Presentation-wise as much as...

Showalter speaks after 3-0 win

Showalter speaks after 3-0 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter covered a variety of topics in his post-game interview following today's 3-0 win over the Ray. For example: The weather "That's why the whole pine tar thing and about gripping the ball and stuff ... to have as good a breaking ball, it amazes me that guys can throw a breaking ball at all in these type of temperatures. It all kind of evens out. The batters don't have a feel. Baseball is such a feel game, which really puts more emphasis on ... We played a really...

Hearing from Hunter, Wieters, Gonzalez and Jones

Hearing from Hunter, Wieters, Gonzalez and Jones
In his first outing today since blowing a save over the weekend against the Blue Jays, Tommy Hunter stranded a runner in the ninth inning and closed out the Orioles' 3-0 win over the Rays. Hunter said the game-tying home run by Toronto's Colby Rasmus wasn't on his mind today. "Still, I feel like I made pitches the other night," he said. "I feel like I had a game plan going in and I executed it to the best I could do. I said it the other day, 'Give the guy credit.' I think I got some...

Gonzalez goes five scoreless, Jones soaks up the sun (O's win 3-0)

Gonzalez goes five scoreless, Jones soaks up the sun (O's win 3-0)
Miguel Gonzalez didn't have a clean inning today. He also didn't give up a run. Gonzalez allowed three hits, walked three and struck out six over five scoreless innings for the Orioles, who continue to lead the Rays 3-0 at Camden Yards. He came out of the game only because of his pitch count, which stood at 98. That's what happens when the opponent puts a runner on base in each inning. Gonzalez has allowed three runs over 11 innings in his last two starts after surrendering seven runs and...

Game update and more notes (O's lead 2-0)

Game update and more notes (O's lead 2-0)
Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, working on six days rest this afternoon and braving a game-time temperature of 39 degrees, has tossed three scoreless innings against the Rays. Gonzalez has stranded a runner in each inning while allowing one hit, walking two and striking out three. He's thrown 63 pitches, 40 for strikes. Nick Markakis has the only hit for the Orioles in three innings, a leadoff single in the first. Rays starter Jake Odorizzi has retired nine in a row. Manager Buck...

Jones switched to designated hitter

Jones switched to designated hitter
Adam Jones no longer is listed as the Orioles' center fielder today. Manager Buck Showalter switched Jones to designated hitter, put David Lough in center and moved Nelson Cruz to left. Jones ran in the outfield earlier to gauge how much he's recovered from his virus. Jones, of course, wanted to play in center. "I want him to run around and see if he fatigues or anything," Showalter said earlier today. "He doesn't want to hear it." Jones wasn't in yesterday's lineup and had been...

Jones returns to lineup

Jones returns to lineup
The grounds crew at Camden Yards scraped the ice off the tarp and the infield this morning. The sun is shining and we're starting on time. Adam Jones will patrol center field today for the Orioles. He's feeling better after yesterday's bout with the virus that's sweeping through the clubhouse. Reliever Evan Meek also is in the clubhouse. He's a little better, but clearly not 100 percent. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C...

Orioles and Rays butting heads again

Orioles and Rays butting heads again
Do you get the feeling that the Rays are evolving into the kind of rival for the Orioles that can, well, rival any other team in their division? Yes, I know that's saying a lot. I don't toss it out there lightly. Tampa Bay had a great deal of catching up to do, of course, and manager Buck Showalter is still loath to heap praise on the Red Sox and Yankees. He's not going to genuflect at the mere mention of their names. However, he clearly was irritated yesterday by the Rays lack of...

Gonzalez gets Wednesday's start

Gonzalez gets Wednesday's start
The Orioles have decided to start Miguel Gonzalez in Wednesday afternoon's game against the Rays, rather than push him back or skip his turn following today's postponement. Gonzalez will oppose Tampa Bay right-hander Jake Odorizzi, who was supposed to start today before being scratched. Manager Buck Showalter hasn't revealed how the rotation is impacted for the upcoming series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. He's scheduled to meet with reporters Wednesday at 11 a.m., at which point he...

Tonight's game has been postponed (no DH tomorrow)

Tonight's game has been postponed (no DH tomorrow)
The Orioles haven't made an official announcement, but tonight's game against the Rays has been postponed. More details to come. Update: Now, it's official. The game has been postponed and a makeup date will be announced later. Fans are encouraged to keep their tickets and parking passes until more information becomes available. Also, the Jackie Robinson tribute jerseys will be worn at a later date. Update II: The Orioles won't play a doubleheader on Wednesday. The makeup date will be...

Jones also sent home, and other notes

Jones also sent home, and other notes
Center fielder Adam Jones has also been sent home with flu-like symptoms that are sweeping through the Orioles' clubhouse. Players are covering their noses and constantly using the hand-sanitizing dispenser mounted on a wall across from manager Buck Showalter's office. The timing is especially bad for Jones because of his desire to play on Jackie Robinson Day. Reliever Evan Meek also was sent home due to an illness. Showalter was going to give him a few days off. No word on whether the...

Jones, Meek ill (with Rays-Orioles lineups)

Jones, Meek ill (with Rays-Orioles lineups)
Adam Jones and Evan Meek are the latest victims of the virus that's been making the rounds in the Orioles clubhouse. The illness has forced Jones from tonight's lineup and caused the Orioles to send Meek home after he arrived at Camden Yards. David Lough will shift to center field in Jones' place. Here are tonight's lineups: For the Rays:Ben Zobrist 2BWil Myers RFMatt Joyce DHEvan Longoria 3BJames Loney 1BDesmond Jennings CFDavid DeJesus LFYunel Escobar SSJose Molina C Brandon Gomes RHP For...

Weather update: It's raining

Weather update: It's raining
That's all I've got, folks. The rain stopped for a while and now it's started up again. The tarp is on the field at Camden Yards. Needless to say - though I'm saying it anyway - the Orioles will hit indoors. Batting practice outside isn't an option. Also, no official word on whether the Orioles would schedule a doubleheader Wednesday if tonight's game is postponed. It hasn't been ruled out as a possibility. That, too, is pending. It doesn't sound as though the Rays are excited about...

Schoop taking advantage of his opportunity

Schoop taking advantage of his opportunity
A quick scan of the weather forecast today has the chance of showers ranging from 70 to 100 percent throughout the day. If there's a window, it better be shut. I can't imagine that the Orioles would play a doubleheader on Wednesday if tonight's game is postponed, since the Rays return to Baltimore in June and August, but we'll find out. Rookie Jonathan Schoop wasn't in last night's lineup. Ryan Flaherty got the start at third base for the Orioles and had a pair of RBI singles, along...

Showalter speaks after 7-1 win

Showalter speaks after 7-1 win
Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen picked up the win tonight after allowing one run over 6 1/3 innings. That's a quality start. That's also the result of pitching with a solid defense behind him, one that kept making plays and frustrating the Tampa Bay hitters. "I thought balls went right at some fielders," said manager Buck Showalter following a 7-1 victory over the Rays at Camden Yards. "We played real good defense. I didn't think he was particularly ... I thought they centered a lot of...

Chen a big hit so far tonight (Chen goes 6 1/3, O's win 7-1)

Chen a big hit so far tonight (Chen goes 6 1/3, O's win 7-1)
Wei-Yin Chen retired 12 of the first 13 Tampa Bay batters tonight, the only baserunner coming on Desmond Jenning's walk with one out in the fourth. Too soon for players in the dugout to ignore him? Chen's flirtation with a no-hitter ended with one out in the fifth, when James Loney doubled to right-center field. Fans applauded Chen. It was fun while it lasted. Brandon Guyer reached on an infield hit, but Yunel Escobar grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the fifth and keep Chen's shutout...