Orioles not liking what they CC

Orioles not liking what they CC
CC what I did there? So how exactly did CC Sabathia end up on the mound tonight for the Yankees? Why is this man making another start at Camden Yards? The Yankees-Blue Jays game was postponed yesterday because of rain, which Orioles manager Buck Showalter referenced following a 3-1 loss to the Rays. "They somehow got rained out in New York," he said. I see what he did there. Sabathia's start was pushed back to tonight, against a team that's lost five games in a row, all of them at...

Showalter says umpires "got it right"

Showalter says umpires "got it right"
Upon further review, Orioles manager Buck Showalter agreed with the umpires' decision to award a home run to Tampa Bay's Matt Joyce in the top of the sixth inning. Joyce initially was given a double, and he remained on the bag during a lengthy delay that ultimately included a review. "I think Joe (Maddon) was just waiting to get the right call out of the dugout, because you can only get them to review it if you think it was a home run. You don't want to penalize fair or foul," Showalter...

Tillman through the sixth (O's lose 3-1)

Tillman through the sixth (O's lose 3-1)
An Orioles starter has exceeded five innings for the second time in the last eight games. It's Chris Tillman again today. Tillman has allowed three runs and five hits over six innings, with one walk, four strikeouts and two home runs. He's thrown 111 pitches, 71 for strikes. The Rays expanded their lead to 3-1 in the sixth on a controversial home run by Matt Joyce. The umpires ruled it a double. Orioles manager Buck Showalter thought the ball was foul. Rays manager Joe Maddon thought it...

Tillman through three innings, and more pregame notes (O's down 2-1)

Tillman through three innings, and more pregame notes (O's down 2-1)
Chris Tillman retired the first eight Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon before walking No. 9 hitter Yunel Escobar. You can guess what happened next. Desmond Jennings ran the count full and doubled to left, giving the Rays a 1-0 lead at Camden Yards. Tillman retired the side in order in the top of the first, getting a fly ball, pop-up and grounder. The first two batters, Jennings and Matt Joyce, each worked him for seven pitches. He breezed through the second before issuing the free pass to...

Garcia expected to start Monday (with more notes)

Garcia expected to start Monday (with more notes)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Freddy Garcia remains the scheduled starter for Monday's series opener against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. Jake Arrieta also was a consideration, but Garcia apparently will pitch on normal rest. "Freddy's scheduled right now," Showalter said. Garcia has allowed eight runs and 12 hits in 9 2/3 innings over his last two starts after taking a perfect game into the seventh inning in his Orioles debut in Anaheim. Miguel Gonzalez will come off...

Valencia in the lineup

Valencia in the lineup
Danny Valencia will serve as the designated hitter today, as the Orioles try to avoid being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards. Valencia is wearing No. 35. Steve Pearce is playing left field and Chris Snyder is catcher. Matt Wieters gets the day off despite being 6-for-11 with two home runs lifetime against Tampa Bay left-hander Matt Moore. Yamaico Navarro gets his third consecutive start at second base. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis...

Orioles turning to Tillman

Orioles turning to Tillman
Orioles starters have gone more than five innings only once in the last seven games. That starter is on the mound today. Chris Tillman held the Padres to one run over seven innings Tuesday night, allowing four hits, walking two and striking out seven. The Orioles lost 3-2 when Jim Johnson blew the save - the beginning of a four-game losing streak that they will try to stamp out this afternoon. Tillman has to play the role of stopper today. He's registered five straight quality starts in a...

Flaherty talks about his demotion

Flaherty talks about his demotion
Second baseman Ryan Flaherty was called into manager Buck Showalter's office after last night's game and given the news. To break out of his season-long slump, he would need to go back down to the minors. Flaherty wasn't exactly floored by the Orioles' decision to option him to Triple-A Norfolk. He was batting .133/.228/.233 with two homers and six RBIs in 30 games. He had 26 strikeouts in 90 at-bats. He had run out of chances. "It was obvious that I was kind of struggling and it could...

Showalter speaks after 10-6 loss

Showalter speaks after 10-6 loss
Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked again tonight about closer Jim Johnson, who blew his second straight save opportunity in a 10-6 loss to the Rays. "He had little command issues, but he usually works his way through them, like a lot of our pitchers, like all pitchers in the major leagues do at times," Showalter said. Showalter mentioned Desmond Jennings' broken-bat single into left field that loaded the bases with one out and the Orioles clinging to a one-run lead. But it wasn't...

Orioles option Flaherty, Valencia expected to be recalled

Orioles option Flaherty, Valencia expected to be recalled
The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Triple-A Norfolk. Flaherty, 26, is batting .133/.228/.233 in 30 games for the Orioles this season. Flaherty played second base in the ninth inning today in a 10-6 loss to the Rays. Yamaico Navarro started for the second consecutive game. A corresponding roster move will be announced on Sunday, and it figures to be another position player. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the club didn't need...

Reimold talks about going on DL

Reimold talks about going on DL
Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold is hopeful that he can return from the disabled list as soon as he's eligible on May 27, but there's no way to be certain on this day. He's going to continue receiving treatment on his right hamstring and see how it responds. Reimold hasn't played since last Saturday. The Orioles placed him on the 15-day DL today after manager Buck Showalter talked it over with Reimold. "I had those days off where I hadn't played, and then when I did play, I wasn't...

More on Jurrjens and the game (O's lose 10-6)

More on Jurrjens and the game (O's lose 10-6)
Jair Jurrjens made Orioles history today. Jurrjens allowed the most extra-base hits (six) without a single in an Orioles debut in franchise history, according to the club's PR department. The Rays collected five doubles and a home run over five innings. Also, Jurrjens' six extra-base allowed are the second-most for an Oriole in his debut. John O'Donoghue allowed seven - four doubles and three home runs - on June 27, 1993 vs. the Yankees. Tommy Hunter has thrown two scoreless innings as...

Orioles give Jurrjens early lead (O's lead 6-4)

Orioles give Jurrjens early lead (O's lead 6-4)
If the Orioles aren't careful, Jair Jurrjens may expect this kind of offensive support in every start. The Orioles scored four runs off Rays starter Roberto Hernandez in the bottom of the first inning to give Jurrjens an early cushion in his debut with the club. Nick Markakis had an RBI double that scored Nate McLouth, who led off with a single, and Adam Jones and Chris Davis hit back-to-back home runs. Jones launched an 0-2 changeup into the left field seats. Davis crushed a 92 mph sinker,...

Showalter on Reimold, Arrieta and more

Showalter on Reimold, Arrieta and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter considered bringing in his reserves last night as the Tampa Bay Rays built an eight-run lead, but Nolan Reimold wasn't going to leave the bench. Reimold has been unavailable because of a strained right hamstring - news that Showalter didn't want spreading to the opposing manager's office - and the Orioles were debating whether to place him on the 15-day disabled list. The move couldn't be backdated to Sunday if Reimold played last night. Showalter checked...

A few pregame notes

A few pregame notes
The Orioles will try to avoid their first four-game losing streak of the season today when they host the Tampa Bay Rays. Nolan Reimold's move to the disabled list is backdated to last Sunday. His hamstring has been bothering him since spring training, to varying degrees, and he may not be ready when he's eligible to be activated. The cold weather has been a challenge for Reimold, who's batting .188 with four homers and nine RBIs in 31 games. Reimold will remain with the club through the...

Jurrjens making O's debut, Arrieta back in Baltimore (with notes)

Jurrjens making O's debut, Arrieta back in Baltimore (with notes)
Jair Jurrjens is set to make his Orioles debut for today's 4:05 p.m. start vs. the Rays. After hitting a three-run home run in last night's game, Chris Dickerson will get another start. He'll DH, batting eighth. Yamaico Navarro will get his second consecutive start at second, batting ninth. He went 2-4 with a triple and a run yesterday. For the Rays Desmond Jennings CF Matt Joyce RF Ben Zobrist 2B Evan Longoria 3B James Loney 1B Luke Scott DH Kelly Johnson LF Jose Molina C Yunel Escobar...

Pitching woes for the O's

Pitching woes for the O's
Want to view the glass as half full? The Orioles scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning last night and brought the tying run to the plate. They had no business being in that game. Except that they truly believe that they're in every game, no matter the deficit or the inning. Want to view the glass as half empty? The rotation is a royal mess. Starters have gone five innings or fewer in five of the last six games. That's quite alarming. Jason Hammel has a 5.72 ERA, and Wei-Yin...

Showalter speaks after 12-10 loss

Showalter speaks after 12-10 loss
The Orioles are discussing whether they need to make two roster moves following tonight's 12-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. One player must be removed from the 25-man roster to make room for starter Jair Jurrjens, and the Orioles might need another bullpen arm after Alex Burnett threw 28 pitches and Troy Patton threw 40. "We were starting to talk about it a little bit," said manager Buck Showalter. "It's hard to talk during the game. I'm aware of what went on in Norfolk, and Bowie for...

Hammel's struggles continue in big way (O's lose 12-10)

Hammel's struggles continue in big way (O's lose 12-10)
Jason Hammel retired the side in order in the fourth, the only time tonight that he posted a clean inning. By the fifth, his start had completely unraveled. Hammel is charged with seven runs and 10 hits, both season highs, in 4 2/3 innings, with two walks, four strikeouts and a home run. He threw 99 pitches, 58 for strikes. Reliever Alex Burnett inherited a runner and promptly issued a walk and gave up a ground-rule double to No. 9 hitter Yunel Escobar that completed Hammel's line....

Early innings continue to trip up Hammel, Rays lead 5-3

Early innings continue to trip up Hammel, Rays lead 5-3
Jason Hammel has allowed 29 runs in nine starts this season, including tonight's outing against the Tampa Bay Rays. Fifteen of them have scored in the first two innings. Hammel threw 21 pitches in the opening frame tonight and fell behind 1-0 on Evan Longoria's sacrifice fly to right field. Matt Joyce singled with one out and Ben Zobrist doubled to left, with Chris Dickerson slipping on the warning track. Joyce held at third and scored easily on Longoria's fly ball. The Rays almost added...