This Bud's for you (Davis homers for 100th RBI, O's win 6-3)

This Bud's for you (Davis homers for 100th RBI, O's win 6-3)
It was bound to happen. May as well get it out of the way now. Bud Norris turned in a quality start tonight in his Orioles debut, allowing two runs and four hits over six innings, with two walks and a season-high eight strikeouts. Both runs came on homers by Brett Wallace and Marc Krauss. Norris was removed after 104 pitches, including 65 for strikes. He had thrown 120 and 119 in his last two starts and was working on seven days rest, but manager Buck Showalter turned the game over to Tommy...

Norris allows two home runs in first four innings (O's lead 3-2)

Norris allows two home runs in first four innings  (O's lead 3-2)
Outfielder LJ Hoes collected his first major league hit tonight off right-hander Bud Norris. Who knew that it would happen with Hoes playing for the Astros and Norris making his debut with the Orioles? Baseball is a funny game. Hoes lined a two-out single into right field in the top of the third inning after grounding out in his first at-bat. Norris gave up a home run to Brett Wallace leading off the second, giving Houston a 1-0 lead. Wallace jumped on a 93 mph fastball in his first career...

Showalter updates injuries and explains Wieters/Yankees comment

Showalter updates injuries and explains Wieters/Yankees comment
Infielder Wilson Betemit is scheduled to begin an injury-rehab assignment on Aug. 6 with the Gulf Coast League Orioles in Sarasota, according to manager Buck Showalter. Betemit hasn't played since tearing the PCL in his right knee during an exhibition game at Ed Smith Stadium. His recovery has been slow, considering that he had hoped to come off the disabled list shortly after the All-Star break. "We'll kind of test drive it a little bit to make sure everything's all right before we take...

Orioles lineup vs. Astros

Orioles lineup vs. Astros
Bud Norris will be working on seven days rest when he makes his Orioles debut tonight against his former team, the Houston Astros, at Camden Yards. Norris is 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA in 15 career starts with six-plus days of rest. Bud Norris will be the 14th pitcher to start for the Orioles this season. There have been only three others with more than 14, topping out at 19 in 1955. Henry Urrutia is serving as the designated hitter tonight. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick...

Fighting a non-waiver trade deadline hangover

Fighting a non-waiver trade deadline hangover
I won't challenge today to be more hectic than yesterday because it might take me up on the offer. I'm just going to quietly assume that it won't happen. I ventured inside manager Buck Showalter's office with WBAL Radio's Casey Willett shortly before 3:30 p.m. to tape his pregame show. Before we could get started, Orioles advance scouting coordinator Ben Werthan handed Showalter his cell phone so he could read a text message. Showalter turned to the wall that contains the names of every...

Showalter speaks after 11-0 loss

Showalter speaks after 11-0 loss
The Orioles suffered their fifth shutout of the season tonight and their second of the homestand. They were 7-0 all-time against the Astros at home. Tonight marked the first time that Miguel Gonzalez lost consecutive decisions in 34 career starts, leaving him tied with Ken Dixon for the franchise record. Gonzalez allowed nine runs (four earned) and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. His issue? "Command," manager Buck Showalter said following an 11-0 loss. "I think he threw about 68 pitches last...

Steve Johnson and game updates (O's lose 11-0)

Steve Johnson and game updates (O's lose 11-0)
Pitcher Steve Johnson will take his injury-rehab assignment to Double-A Bowie for Saturday's game against Portland at Prince George's County Stadium. Johnson, on the disabled list with a strained left oblique, was 1-2 with a 5.49 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Norfolk. He threw two shutout innings with the Gulf Coast League Orioles to start his rehab assignment and allowed two runs in six innings in two starts with short-season Single-A Aberdeen. OK, I've stalled long enough... Miguel...

O's down 4-0, pregame quotes from Showalter

O's down 4-0, pregame quotes from Showalter
Well, that escalated quickly. Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez retired the Astros in order on only five pitches in the top of the first inning. He gave up four runs on two doubles, a single and a home run while throwing 24 pitches in the second. Catcher Jason Castro led off the inning with a double, but Gonzalez retired the next two batters on pop ups. Brandon Barnes doubled in a run, Matt Dominguez grounded a single up the middle to score a run and No. 9 hitter Robbie Grossman belted his...

Updated rotation, and Duquette talks about trade

Updated rotation, and Duquette talks about trade
Right-hander Bud Norris will make his Orioles debut on Thursday against the Astros. They should be familiar with him. Chris Tillman is being pushed back to Friday against the Mariners - his former organization - at Camden Yards followed by Scott Feldman on Saturday and Wei-Yin Chen on Sunday. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette met with reporters in the back of the press box at 6 p.m. and discussed today's trade that sent outfielder LJ Hoes and left-hander Josh Hader to Houston...

Hammel on injury

Hammel on injury
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel met with reporters in the home dugout during batting practice. Here's a sampling: "It started in spring training. I've been dealing with it all year," he said. "It's not really a pain thing. It's more of an uncomfortable thing. Hopefully tomorrow, the MRI will tell me something. When something doesn't hurt, it's confusing. When you feel all right to a certain extent and then things change as you get a little deeper into your outing. "Very disappointing....

Pearce batting ninth

Pearce batting ninth
Steve Pearce is in the new Orioles lineup, batting ninth and serving as the designated hitter. Adam Jones is in center field and Nate McLouth is in left. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Brian Roberts 2B Steve Pearce DH Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Astros Jonathan Villar SS LJ Hoes RF Jose Altuve 2B Jason Castro C Chris Carter DH Brett Wallace 1B Brandon Barnes CF Matt Dominguez 3B Robbie Grossman...

Showalter on Hammel

Showalter on Hammel
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel hasn't won since May 27. It's going to be a while before he can make another attempt to end the streak. Hammel was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to July 29, with a right flexor mass strain. In 21 starts for the Orioles, Hammel is 7-8 with a 5.20 ERA over 123 innings. "He's eligible on the 13th (of August), which is the first day we'd need a fifth starter if we want to use the off-days," Showalter said. "He's had some flexor mass tenderness...

Hammel going on disabled list (updated)

Hammel going on disabled list  (updated)
The news is coming in waves at Camden Yards. The Orioles acquired pitcher Bud Norris and International Signing Bonus Slot No. 91 from the Astros this afternoon for outfielder LJ Hoes and minor league left-hander Josh Hader - both local products - and the 2014 Draft Competitive Balance Pick-Round A, Selection No 2. That's not all. Jason Hammel is being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right arm. He's eligible to return on Aug. 13. Also, outfielder Steve Pearce will be taken...

Orioles acquire pitcher Bud Norris from Astros (updated)

Orioles acquire pitcher Bud Norris from Astros (updated)
The Orioles have acquired right-hander Bud Norris from the Astros ahead of the 4 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline. To get the veteran starter, they had to part with outfielder LJ Hoes and minor league pitcher Josh Hader, a left-hander who was a 19th-round draft pick in 2012. In the trade, consummated at about 3:30 p.m., that the Orioles also sent the Astros the second selection in Round A of the competitive balance lottery in the 2014 draft. The deal will require Hoes and Norris to switch...

Jones the DH, McLouth in center field

Jones the DH, McLouth in center field
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is providing a little rest for Adam Jones, making him the designated hitter tonight against the Astros at Camden Yards. Jones will be serving as the DH for the fifth time this season. Nate McLouth is starting in center field tonight. LJ Hoes is back in left field. For the Astros Jonathan Villar SS Jose Altuve 2B Jason Castro C Chris Carter DH Brett Wallace 1B Marc Krauss RF Brandon Barnes CF Matt Dominguez 3B Robbie Grossman LF Brett Oberholtzer LHP For...

Oberholtzer starting against Orioles

Oberholtzer starting against Orioles
The Orioles will face a left-hander tonight. It just won't be Erik Bedard. The Astros have scratched Bedard and will give the ball to rookie Brett Oberholtzer, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. McTaggart adds that Bedard hasn't been traded, though he's on the block. And I should emphasis that I mean the trading block. We are, after all, in Baltimore. Oberholtzer, 24, has allowed six runs and 11 hits in 7 1/3 innings over three relief appearances for a 7.36 ERA. He's walked none,...
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As the deadline approaches ...

As the deadline approaches ...
I'm getting ready to make the drive to Camden Yards, which should ensure that news breaks while I'm behind the wheel. The only question is whether it happens while I'm on Rt. 32, 70, 695 or 95. Take your pick. As far as we know, left-hander Erik Bedard remains the scheduled starter tonight for the Astros, but Bud Norris will take his place if the right-hander isn't traded. Orioles manager Buck Showalter has made out at least two lineups. He's ready for anything. An industry source...

What should the Orioles do with Schoop?

What should the Orioles do with Schoop?
Jonathan Schoop hit a home run last night for Triple-A Norfolk. Schoop had three hits on Monday, including a home run. This Schoop kid is pretty good. Just ask any team that's trying to work a trade with the Orioles. Up to this point, the Orioles have been reluctant to part with him, whether it's for Joe Blanton or Bud Norris or another available arm or bat. His name always comes up in discussions. The Orioles always say, "No." ESPN's Jim Bowden tweeted last night that the Orioles...

Showalter speaks after 4-3 win

Showalter speaks after 4-3 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter never second-guessed his decision tonight to send Wei-Yin Chen back to the mound in the top of the eighth inning, and to leave the left-hander out there with the tying run on base. Chen struck out Jason Castro, and Darren O'Day retired the next two batters to preserve a one-run lead. "There were a lot of key outs. It was a close game," Showalter said after the Orioles' 4-3 win over the Astros at Camden Yards. "Just felt like he was still carrying his...

Showalter stays with Chen (O's win 4-3)

Showalter stays with Chen (O's win 4-3)
Just as he did in Kansas City, Orioles manager Buck Showalter allowed left-hander Wei-Yin Chen to return for the eighth inning tonight at Camden Yards. Just as he did in Kansas City, Showalter allowed Chen to face a left-handed hitter with the tying run on base. The second-guessers where sharpening their knives, or at least their tongues, but Chen didn't repeat his mistake in Kansas City, when Eric Hosmer homered in the Royals' 4-3 victory. Chen struck out Astros catcher Jason Castro on...