Sifting through the options for Wednesday's starter

Sifting through the options for Wednesday's starter
As soon as manager Buck Showalter received yesterday's weather report, he began to consider his options for a Wednesday night starter against the Toronto Blue Jays. Showalter anticipated a postponement last night and a doubleheader today, which will require the club to find a starter from outside their current five-man rotation. They're considering all the possibilities at Triple-A Norfolk, which also was rained out last night. As I wrote this morning, Josh Stinson would have been working...

Lineups for Game 1 vs. Dodgers

Lineups for Game 1 vs. Dodgers
Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't make any changes to the lineup he posted last night before rain caused a postponement and today's split-admission doubleheader. Nick Markakis is still leading off against Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu. Steve Pearce remains the designated hitter and Nolan Reimold is starting in left field. Ryan Flaherty is on the bench again against a southpaw. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy...

Two for the price of two

Two for the price of two
The Orioles are playing a split-admission doubleheader today against the Los Angeles Dodgers, something that did not happen in the 1966 World Series. They weren't trying to be nostalgic. Doubleheaders can challenge even the best pitching staffs, and the Orioles' starters haven't been getting deep into games. Last night's postponement provided rest for the bullpen, but manager Buck Showalter needs Jason Hammel to give him innings this afternoon. Otherwise, the burden really falls upon Game...

Orioles-Dodgers postponed, doubleheader on Saturday (updated)

Orioles-Dodgers postponed, doubleheader on Saturday (updated)
Tonight's game between the Orioles and Dodgers has been postponed due to rain. The teams will play a split-admission doubleheader on Saturday, with the first game scheduled for 1:05 p.m. The second game will start at 7:05 p.m. The Earl Weaver tribute will take place as scheduled prior to the 7:05 p.m. game. Tickets for tonight's game will be honored for Saturday's 1:05 p.m. game. Gates for the 1:05 p.m. game will open at 11 a.m., and gates for the 7:05 p.m. game will be announced at the...

Wieters' success rate behind the plate and more in pregame notes (updated)

Wieters' success rate behind the plate and more in pregame notes (updated)
The Orioles are 8-for-9 (88.9 percent) in stolen base attempts this season following Chris Dickerson's swipe of second base last night, the second-best percentage in the American League behind the Toronto Blue Jays, who are 14-for-15 (93.3). On the flip side, the club's catchers have thrown out 8-of-10 runners to lead the majors at 80 percent. Matt Wieters has thrown out seven of the nine runners who have run on him, including Tampa Bay's Desmond Jennings last night. Credit goes to...

Showalter offers his own advice to Rex Ryan

Showalter offers his own advice to Rex Ryan
Orioles manager Buck Showalter bit his tongue today to avoid going on a prolonged rant about the recent comments made by Jets head coach Rex Ryan, but his point still came through loud and clear. Ryan told the New York Daily-News that it's "unfortunate" that the Orioles didn't move their Sept. 5 home game against the Chicago White Sox so that the Ravens could open their season that night at M&T Bank Stadium. Ryan ignored how the Orioles also would have needed the cooperation of the White...

Orioles-Dodgers lineups for Friday night

Orioles-Dodgers lineups for Friday night
Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu will oppose Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel in tonight's opener of a three-game interleague series at Camden Yards. It's the Dodgers' first visit to Baltimore since 2002 and the Orioles' first series against a National League club this season. Here are tonight's lineups: For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Steve Pearce DH Nolan Reimold LF Alexi Casilla 2B Jason Hammel RHP For the...

Showalter looking forward to reunion with Mattingly

Showalter looking forward to reunion with Mattingly
Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't typically spend 12 minutes on one topic while chatting with the media before games. Then again, the subject isn't usually one of his former teammates and players who just happens to be visiting Camden Yards this weekend. Don Mattingly is coming to Baltimore, and he's bringing the Los Angeles Dodgers with him. He'll always have Showalter's respect. Showalter can't say enough about Mattingly, as you're about to read. They were teammates in the...

Showalter speaks following 10-6 10-inning win

Showalter speaks following 10-6 10-inning win
The Tampa Bay Rays had five players in the infield as Matt Wieters stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the 10th inning. What's the best way to beat a five-man infield? Deposit the ball into the right field seats. Wieters flipped his bat and enjoyed the moment, his walk-off grand slam giving the Orioles a dramatic 10-6 win over the Rays. It was a rare on-field display of emotion from Wieters, who's batting .342 with 13 HRs lifetime against Tampa Bay. "I...

Matusz remains right as lefty in bullpen (Wieters grand slam ends game)

Matusz remains right as lefty in bullpen (Wieters grand slam ends game)
Miguel Gonzalez's final line tonight didn't need to be changed after Brian Matusz replaced him with two runners on base and two outs in the top of the sixth inning. Those runners didn't budge, which is typical when Matusz comes into a game with the bases littered. Matusz induced a fly ball from Kelly Johnson to strand Yunel Escobar and Desmond Jennings, who singled with two outs. Matusz has stranded all five runners he's inherited this season and all 19 since he moved to the bullpen last...

Orioles can't get out of first inning clean (O's down 5-4 in sixth)

Orioles can't get out of first inning clean (O's down 5-4 in sixth)
It happened again. The Tampa Bay Rays have homered in the first inning in all three games of this series at Camden Yards. How often does that happen? Desmond Jennings walloped his second leadoff homer in three nights, and Evan Longoria added a two-out solo shot to give the Rays a 2-0 lead against Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez. The Orioles hadn't permitted a run in the first inning before this series. Now they've given up four. Kelly Johnson homered off Chris Tillman last night as the...

Notes on Pearce and Jackson

Notes on Pearce and Jackson
Steve Pearce gets the start as the Orioles' designated hitter tonight, just as manager Buck Showalter alluded to following last night's game. Pearce is 0-for-13 this season after hitting .340/.377/.851 with three doubles, seven homers and 18 RBIs in 26 exhibition games. He's 1-for-5 with an RBI against Tampa Bay left-hander David Price, who starts tonight. This isn't the first ace that Pearce has been dealt since the Orioles broke camp. "It's the job description. It's tough. That's...

Latest on S. Johnson, Wada, Roberts and Urrutia

Latest on S. Johnson, Wada, Roberts and Urrutia
Steve Johnson tossed four innings today in an extended spring training game in Fort Myers, throwing 70 pitches and withstanding a line drive off his thigh. The Orioles will send Johnson on a rehab assignment, with the affiliate to be determined. He's finally getting out of Florida. Johnson will be a starter during his assignment. No relief work, though he came out of the bullpen today. There's a good chance that Johnson will join Triple-A Norfolk and make a start in Charlotte. Manager Buck...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays (with Rays lineup)

Orioles lineup vs. Rays (with Rays lineup)
Steve Pearce is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter tonight against Tampa Bay Rays left-hander David Price. Nolan Reimold is starting in left field. Matt Wieters, 9-for-29 (.310) with three doubles and a home run lifetime against Price, is behind the plate. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Steve Pearce DH Nolan Reimold LF Alexi Casilla 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Rays Desmond Jennings CF Kelly Johnson...

DH for Orioles has meant "doesn't hit"

DH for Orioles has meant "doesn't hit"
Orioles manager Buck Showalter hinted at tonight's lineup while meeting with reporters yesterday in the auxiliary clubhouse at Camden Yards. Nolan Reimold is expected to start in left field against Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price. Steve Pearce is expected to serve as the designated hitter. Showalter is trying to squeeze some production out of the DH slot, and he's giving Pearce another turn. It's a tall order. The club's designated hitters are a combined 3-for-47 after Reimold struck...

Showalter speaks after 6-2 loss

Showalter speaks after 6-2 loss
The Orioles' No. 6 through No. 9 hitters in the lineup went 1-for-14 last night and 1-for-14 tonight. There's good consistency and bad consistency. There's also the postgame media session with manager Buck Showalter, who addressed his starters going five innings in back-to-back outings. "The off day and some of the good starts, we were in a position the last two days to cover it," Showalter said following tonight's 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. "Mac (T.J. McFarland) gave us some...

McFarland allows first run (O's lose 6-2)

McFarland allows first run (O's lose 6-2)
It hasn't been a good night for the Orioles and we still have three more innings to play. Or should I say, but we still have three more innings to play? Depends whether that glass is half full or empty. Chris Tillman became the latest Orioles starter to exit in the middle innings, lasting only five and departing with the Rays leading 4-2. Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland replaced him and gave up his first major league run in the sixth inning on a walk and two hits. McFarland had tossed 5 1/3...

Another slow start for Orioles (Rays lead 4-2, Tillman done)

Another slow start for Orioles (Rays lead 4-2, Tillman done)
The Orioles hadn't allowed a run in the first inning before last night. Now they can't stop doing it. Desmond Jennings led off last night's game with a home run. Kelly Johnson, the second batter tonight, homered to right field. I guess that's progress. Johnson has gone deep in back-to-back games. He hadn't faced Chris Tillman until tonight. All three outs recorded by Tillman came on fly balls to right fielder Nick Markakis. I'm not sure of the significance, but that's what...

Notes on S. Johnson, Wada, Urrutia, Davis, Strop, Borbon, lineup and more

Notes on S. Johnson, Wada,  Urrutia, Davis, Strop, Borbon, lineup and more
Not much news to report this afternoon from Camden Yards, but there are plenty of updates. Steve Johnson will pitch four innings on Thursday at extended spring training, and Tsuyoshi Wada will pitch three. Wada most likely will need at least one more outing before the Orioles consider sending him on an injury rehab assignment, but Johnson is likely to begin one after Thursday. Johnson could join any affiliate on a rehab assignment. Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia could be assigned to...

Markakis leading off, Casilla at second vs. Rays (and TB lineup)

Markakis leading off, Casilla at second vs. Rays (and TB lineup)
Buck Showalter has shuffled the Orioles' lineup after using the same order over the last three games. Nick Markakis moves up from third to leadoff. Nate McLouth slides from the top spot to seventh. Alexi Casilla is playing second base and batting ninth. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Nolan Reimold DH Alexi Casilla 2B Chris Tillman RHP For the Rays Desmond Jennings CF Kelly Johnson 2B Ben...