A few thoughts on Jim Johnson and the closer situation

A few thoughts on Jim Johnson and the closer situation
I hadn't intended to write about Jim Johnson this morning. The subject was covered quite thoroughly again yesterday after his third consecutive blown save. But I'll offer my two cents here before finding another topic. First of all, anyone suggesting that the Orioles should release Johnson - or cut him, as if it were the NFL - needs to get a clue. There's no reason to do it and he's too good for such treatment, no matter how much he's scuffling at the moment. At his best, Johnson has...

Norris makes second relief appearance (O's lose 5-4 in 14 innings)

Norris makes second relief appearance (O's lose 5-4 in 14 innings)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is going to his bullpen again. He's also going to his rotation. At the same time. Bud Norris will replace Tommy Hunter in the bottom of the 14th inning with the score tied 4-4. Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland is next in line. Then bullpen coach Billy Castro, who will have to come out of retirement. Norris has appeared in 122 major league games, including 121 as a starter. His lone relief appearance came in his debut on July 29, 2009 in Chicago while pitching for the...

Eliminating today's closer candidates (heading to the 14th)

Eliminating today's closer candidates (heading to the 14th)
Darren O'Day pitched the seventh inning today, allowing an inherited runner to score. Francisco Rodriguez pitched the eighth, stranding the potential tying run in scoring position. The Orioles are clinging to a one-run lead and Jim Johnson is warming in the bullpen. It figured to be Johnson in a save situation. Manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to make a change. He's standing firmly in Johnson's corner. Johnson, of course, has blown two straight save chances after converting 10 in a...

Orioles having a Teagarden party (O's lead 4-3)

Orioles having a Teagarden party (O's lead 4-3)
Before today, Orioles backup catcher Taylor Teagarden was 6-for-48 this season. Plenty of fans questioned why Matt Wieters needed a day off following last night's game, with an open date on the schedule Thursday. Manager Buck Showalter wants to give players back-to-back days off to freshen their legs. He also consulted with a psychic late last night who told him that Teagarden would collect three hits today. I made up the last part. Actually, Showalter is the psychic - except when it's time...

Bottom of order dials it up (more on Machado home run)

Bottom of order dials it up (more on Machado home run)
The Orioles fell behind 1-0 in the first inning today on a two-out infield hit by Diamondbacks third baseman Matt Davidson that scored Martin Prado, who had doubled off Orioles starter Chris Tillman. Tillman had allowed only four runs in the first inning before today. Manny Machado made a spectacular diving stop along the line and threw from his knees to almost retire Davidson. It was more highlight reel material. Real good. Not that anyone is dwelling on it besides myself after Machado...

Markakis leading off, Pearce in left field (with note)

Markakis leading off, Pearce in left field (with note)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter has moved Nick Markakis atop the order again today against a left-handed starter, Arizona's Patrick Corbin. Steve Pearce is in left field. Taylor Teagarden is behind the plate. Markakis is batting .328/.358/.377 with six doubles, 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 29 games as the leadoff hitter this season. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Steve Pearce LF Taylor Teagarden C Brian Roberts 2B Chris...

Pregame notes and Diamondbacks lineup

Pregame notes and Diamondbacks lineup
Over his last 162 games since Aug. 8, 2012, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is batting .298/.371/.663 with 39 doubles, 59 home runs, 142 RBIs, 177 hits and 115 runs scored. He struck out 198 times in those 162 games. According to STATS, the only American League players since 1921 with 44 or more home runs through Aug. 13 are Davis (44), Babe Ruth (44 in 1921), Roger Maris (45 in 1961) and Mickey Mantle (45 in 1961). In 2001, Arizona's Luis Gonzalez had 44 through Aug. 13, a franchise record...

Will the Orioles add a reliever for today's game? (updated)

Will the Orioles add a reliever for today's game? (updated)
The Orioles may need a bullpen arm for this afternoon's series finale against the Diamondbacks, which also concludes their three-city road trip. Miguel Gonzalez worked seven innings last night, but the game carried into the 11th before Paul Goldschmidt hit a walk-off home run off left-hander T.J. McFarland, who was making his first appearance since Aug. 3. Kevin Gausman is listed as tonight's starter for Triple-A Norfolk, but the Orioles could redirect him to Phoenix. The Tides are in...

Gonzalez strong through six, buckles in seventh (O's lose 4-3 in 11th)

Gonzalez strong through six, buckles in seventh (O's lose 4-3 in 11th)
The last two Orioles starters had worked five and 5 1/3 innings. The bullpen was taxed. Miguel Gonzalez needed to step up tonight and get deep into the game. He needed to provide his own relief. Gonzalez has completed seven innings, but he just allowed two runs to reduce the Orioles' lead to 3-2. He's surrendered five hits - including three in the seventh - walked none and struck out three. Gerardo Parra homered with two outs to bring the Diamondbacks within a run. Wil Nieves followed with...

Davis hits No. 44 (Hardy hits No. 22)

Davis hits No. 44 (Hardy hits No. 22)
The Orioles had a runner on second base and two outs in the fourth inning tonight, and Diamondbacks starter Randall Delgado decided to challenge Chris Davis with a fastball. Delgado lost. Davis hit his 44th home run to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Nick Markakis walked with one out and moved up on a wild pitch. Adam Jones grounded out and Davis hit a big fly ball, allowing him to pass Rafael Palmeiro for the most single-season home runs in franchise history. Jim Gentile is next with 46,...

Orioles lineup vs. Diamondbacks

Orioles lineup vs. Diamondbacks
No surprises in the Orioles lineup tonight. The Diamondbacks are starting a right-hander, Randall Delgado, which means Nate McLouth moves to the top of the order and Nick Markakis drops down to third. Adam Jones remains the cleanup hitter, with Chris Davis batting fifth and Matt Wieters sixth. Standard stuff, really. Miguel Gonzalez is pitching in his second interleague game. He's 0-for-1 with a sacrifice in his first two career plate appearances. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny...
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A few pregame notes and Diamondbacks lineup

A few pregame notes and Diamondbacks lineup
Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez is facing the Diamondbacks for the first time tonight. In 12 career outings when starting against an opponent for the first time, Gonzalez is 6-4 with a 4.67 ERA and the Orioles are 7-5 in those games. Gonzalez is 11-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 23 career outings against an opponent he's faced in the past, and the Orioles are 16-7 in those 23 games. The Orioles are 5-11 in games when Matt Wieters hits a home run. They're .500 or better when every other player...

Notes on Palmer and the 'pen (and Paulino)

Notes on Palmer and the 'pen (and Paulino)
Anyone know the significance of today's date in Orioles history? I'm sure it will be discussed later in the MASN booth. On Aug. 13, 1969, Jim Palmer tossed a no-hitter to defeat the Athletics 8-0 at Memorial Stadium. He walked six, including Reggie Jackson three times, and struck out eight while improving to 11-2 with a 1.77 ERA. I look at that record and ERA and just shake my head. Amazing. Palmer helped his own cause with two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Brooks Robinson belted...

The defense doesn't rest

The defense doesn't rest
During my phone-in segment yesterday on "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" on MASN - a delayed shameless plug - I was asked about shortstop J.J. Hardy's overall value to the Orioles. The 21 home runs immediately come to mind. He's joined Cal Ripken Jr. and Miguel Tejada as the only Orioles shortstops with three straight seasons of 20-plus homers. You won't find Kiko Garcia or Bob Bonner on that list. However, anything that Hardy does offensively is gravy. Really good, thick gravy. In my...

Feldman goes 5 1/3 tonight in Arizona (O'Day allows walk-off HR)

Feldman goes 5 1/3 tonight in Arizona (O'Day allows walk-off HR)
So, what grade do you give Scott Feldman tonight? Feldman lasted only 5 1/3 innings and threw 109 pitches, including 63 for strikes. But he allowed only one earned run - two total - and left with the Orioles leading 4-2. Matt Wieters hit his 16th home run with two outs in the top of the sixth inning - his sixth from the right side of the plate. He crushed it. Feldman gave up four hits, walked two and struck out eight - his highest total in seven starts with the Orioles. Feldman escaped a...

Markakis remains a hit atop the order (O's lead 3-2)

Markakis remains a hit atop the order (O's lead 3-2)
During his pregame session with the media this afternoon, part of which aired on "O's Xtra" on MASN, manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles have discussed Mark Reynolds and will do so again. Showalter wasn't aware until told by a reporter that the Indians had released Reynolds earlier today. He expects to hear again from executive vice president Dan Duquette. Though the Orioles continue to check the market for available hitters, Showalter said, "We like our roster." He likes Nick...

Orioles lineup vs. Diamondbacks (and update on Bananagate)

Orioles lineup vs. Diamondbacks (and update on Bananagate)
The Orioles begin a three-game set tonight with the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Baltimore will be facing left-hander Wade Miley, meaning Steve Pearce will get the start in left field in favor of Nate McLouth. Nick Markakis will be leading off. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Matt Wieters C Steve Pearce LF Brian Roberts 2B Scott Feldman RHP The fan who threw a banana on the field during the ninth inning of Sunday's Orioles-Giants...

Orioles notes and Diamondbacks lineup

Orioles notes and Diamondbacks lineup
A win tonight in Arizona would move the Orioles 14 games above .500 for the second time this season. They also were 57-43. Adam Jones has hit safely in nine straight games since Aug. 1, tying his season-high streak (also April 2-11, April 20-28 and June 12-21). Jones is batting .472 (17-for-36) with four doubles, two homers, 11 RBIs and nine runs during his current streak. Jones is one of three major leaguers with four or more nine-game hitting streaks this year, joining Jacoby Ellsbury...

Wada turns in another impressive outing (Betemit note)

Wada turns in another impressive outing (Betemit note)
Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada made another push for a major league promotion today, holding Triple-A Rochester to one run over seven innings and leaving with Norfolk ahead 3-1. Wada allowed five hits, walked one and struck out three. He threw 90 pitches, 62 for strikes. The only run off him scored in the seventh. Wada has limited opponents to one run and 14 hits in his last three starts covering 18 2/3 innings. He's walked three and struck out 20. If nothing else, Wada will be added to the...

Giants issue statement regarding incident involving Jones

Giants issue statement regarding incident involving Jones
Less than 24 hours after Orioles center fielder Adam Jones revealed on Twitter that a fan at AT&T Park threw a banana at him in the ninth inning of yesterday's game, the San Francisco Giants have issued a statement that includes an apology and an update on the investigation. Thus far, the Giants have not been able to identify the person responsible. We were extremely disappointed to learn about the incident involving Adam Jones at AT&T Park yesterday. The Giants have a zero tolerance policy...