Players react to Game 4 victory

Players react to Game 4 victory
NEW YORK - My favorite quote from the Orioles' clubhouse tonight was provided by shortstop J.J. Hardy, whose RBI double in the top of the 13th inning broke a 2-2 tie and allowed the Orioles to avoid elimination in the American League Division Series. The Orioles were hitting .208 in the Division Series coming into tonight, and the bats went cold again after Nate McLouth's home run in the fifth inning. "I don't know what it is," Hardy said. "Maybe it's the pressure, maybe it's the...

Showalter speaks after 2-1, 13-inning win

Showalter speaks after 2-1, 13-inning win
NEW YORK - The Orioles and Yankees have met 22 times this season and split the games right down the middle. It seems appropriate that they'll play again Friday afternoon with the winner advancing to the American League Championship Series. First pitch for Game 5 of the Division Series is set for 5:07 p.m. in the Bronx. Here's the transcript from manager Buck Showalter's late-night session with the media: Q. After the game, it seemed like a couple of your players were exhausted that we...

Game 4 goes into extra innings (O's force Game 5)

Game 4 goes into extra innings (O's force Game 5)
NEW YORK - Regulation can't hold these two teams. Darren O'Day induced a ground ball from pinch hitter Raul Ibanez to send Game 4 of the American League Division Series into extra innings. He also got rid of a royal pain for the Orioles. The Orioles are 16-3 in extras, with all three losses coming against the Yankees. They dropped two in April, and Ibanez hit a walk-off home run in the 12th last night. Jim Johnson and Pedro Strop are the only true relievers left in the Orioles' bullpen....

Orioles wasting early scoring chances (O'Day keeps game tied)

Orioles wasting early scoring chances (O'Day keeps game tied)
NEW YORK - After going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position last night, the Orioles are 0-for-6 through three innings tonight in Game 4 of the American League Division Series. Forget playing in Yankee Stadium. The Orioles have ventured into The Land of Missed Opportunities. Nate McLouth drew a leadoff walk against Yankees starter Phil Hughes in the top of the first inning, and he moved to second base on J.J. Hardy's bunt single. Chris Davis, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters flied out to kill...

McLouth talks about moving on from Game 3 defeat

McLouth talks about moving on from Game 3 defeat
NEW YORK - Left fielder Nate McLouth didn't rush back to his hotel room last night and stare at highlights from the Orioles' Game 3 loss to the Yankees in the American League Division Series. He didn't plop down on his bed with the remote and channel surf until he came upon SportsCenter, which kept replaying Raul Ibanez's two home runs. McLouth had a good reason, besides not wanting to relive the pain. "Well, my wife is on this trip, so I can promise you we're not watching many...

Showalter meets the press before Game 4

Showalter meets the press before Game 4
NEW YORK - The first question directed at Orioles manager Buck Showalter during today's pre-Game 4 interview session went as follows: "What's the mindset of your guys after last night?" Showalter's response: "To win." "Got to win a game," he continued. "We've been in this position before, and you know, see how it turns out. Our guys are the same ... in a good frame of mind. I always take a little pulse check. Not a whole lot going on different. But no, I feel good about where they...

Orioles and Yankees lineups (with additional notes)

Orioles and Yankees lineups (with additional notes)
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't overhaul his lineup or do any tweaking for Game 4 of the American League Division Series. Meanwhile, Derek Jeter will serve as the Yankees' designated hitter tonight. Alex Rodriguez moves down to fifth in the order. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Jim Thome DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Joe Saunders LHP For the Yankees: Derek Jeter DH Ichiro Suzuki LF Mark...

Does Johnson get the ball again tonight?

Does Johnson get the ball again tonight?
NEW YORK - It's a situation that manager Buck Showalter would sign up for in blood, to use one of his favorite expressions. The Orioles take a slim lead into the ninth inning tonight. Does Jim Johnson close Game 4 of the American League Division Series? Johnson threw 22 pitches last night, a fairly low total considering that he worked two innings. He's been kept busy lately, saving an Oct. 2 victory against the Rays, pitching the ninth inning in Friday's wild card game, losing Game 1 of...

For Orioles, it's win or go home

For Orioles, it's win or go home
NEW YORK - A guy who homers twice in a playoff game figures to start the following night, but the Yankees' Raul Ibanez could be the exception. Ibanez is 8-for-23 (.348) with a double, two homers and six RBIs lifetime against left-hander Joe Saunders, who starts Game 4 tonight for the Orioles. But he might be more valuable to manager Joe Girardi coming off the bench. The Orioles would like to put him on the D train to Coney Island. Orioles manager Buck Showalter chose Saunders over Chris...

Showalter speaks after Game 3 defeat

Showalter speaks after Game 3 defeat
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked tonight about the size of the knot in his stomach following a 3-2, 12-inning loss to the Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. "I don't have no knot in my stomach," he replied. Why not? "Why not?" he replied. "Is that what I'm supposed to do? Is that what conventional thinking is? Well, they may. We don't live in that world. We're so impressed with all our guys tonight. Played a great game in a tough situation,...

Players react to 3-2, 12-inning loss

Players react to 3-2, 12-inning loss
NEW YORK - The Orioles had won 16 straight extra-inning games. They were 76-0 when leading after the seventh inning, including two playoff wins. Two streaks ended in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. "It's a tough loss, but we play again tomorrow and there's nothing this team is prepared more for than getting ready to go the next day after a tough loss," said catcher Matt Wieters, who was behind the plate when Raul Ibanez homered in the ninth and 12th innings. Ibanez...

Saunders will start Game 4

Saunders will start Game 4
NEW YORK - Left-hander Joe Saunders will take the ball again for the Orioles in a must-win situation. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Saunders will start Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Thursday, with the Orioles pushed to the brink of elimination after tonight's 3-2, 12-inning loss to the Yankees. Saunders also started the wild card game in Texas and allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings for his first postseason victory. Saunders is 3-1 with a 5.82 ERA in six career...

Bats have gone silent (Ibanez with walk-off home run)

Bats have gone silent (Ibanez with walk-off home run)
NEW YORK - We've moved to the top of the 12th inning at Yankee Stadium. Maybe the Orioles will bring their bats. The Orioles have one hit since Manny Machado's home run in the fifth inning, and it came from a player who wasn't in the starting lineup. Robert Andino, a defensive replacement for Ryan Flaherty, singled in the 10th and moved to second on Machado's sacrifice bunt. Nate McLouth lined into a double play to keep the score tied. Endy Chavez also entered the game as a defensive...

Flaherty ends Orioles' postseason home run drought (we're tied)

Flaherty ends Orioles' postseason home run drought (we're tied)
NEW YORK - I've had numerous people ask me via Twitter and the blog why Robert Andino isn't starting tonight. Manager Buck Showalter has been platooning him at second base, using him only against left-handed starters. And Showalter must have known that Ryan Flaherty was going to hit a home run. The guy's always one step ahead of everyone else. Flaherty broke a scoreless tie in the third inning tonight with a solo shot off Yankees right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, the ball clearing the short...

Saunders and Tillman: The two-headed Game 4 starter

Saunders and Tillman: The two-headed Game 4 starter
NEW YORK - Manager Buck Showalter walked out of the interview room at Yankee Stadium this afternoon, and pitchers Joe Saunders and Chris Tillman took a seat at the head table. One of them will start Game 4 of the American League Division Series. It's just not public information at this hour. "We were kind of hoping you would tell us, because we don't know yet," Saunders said, bringing laughter from reporters. "Whoever it is, me or Chris, we're going to go out there and do our...

Hammel would start Game 5

Hammel would start Game 5
NEW YORK - Right-hander Jason Hammel will start Game 5 of the American League Division Series if needed. Hammel would be working on normal rest after starting Game 1 at Camden Yards and allowing two runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. The Game 4 starter remains a mystery. Chris Tillman and Joe Saunders followed manager Buck Showalter into the interview room today and claimed that they hadn't been told who would get Thursday's assignment. Showalter has made a decision, but he's waiting...

Orioles and Yankees lineups (updated)

Orioles and Yankees lineups (updated)
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is breaking out a familiar lineup for Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Jim Thome is serving as the designated hitter against Yankees right-hander Hiroki Kuroda. Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Jim Thome DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Yankees: Derek Jeter SS Ichiro Suzuki LF Alex...

Jones named finalist for Hank Aaron Award

Jones named finalist for Hank Aaron Award
NEW YORK - Seventeen All-Stars from the 2012 season, including Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, have been named finalists for the Hank Aaron Award. Beginning today and continuing through Oct. 16, fans will have the opportunity to select one American League and one National League winner. The winners of the 2012 Hank Aaron Award will be announced during the World Series. "Named in honor of one of the greatest hitters and competitors of all-time, the Hank Aaron Award recognizes each...

Checking out Gonzalez's splits

Checking out Gonzalez's splits
NEW YORK - Chris Tillman and Joe Saunders are scheduled to appear in the interview room today as potential Game 4 starters for the Orioles in the American League Division Series. It's like a game show. Maybe they'll both stand for a few minutes, and the first one to sit is confirmed for Thursday. There's no mystery for tonight. Miguel Gonzalez is starting Game 3, his third assignment against the Yankees in his rookie season. You want small sample sizes? Nick Swisher is 0-for-6 with five...

Gonzalez ready for latest Yankee Stadium challenge

Gonzalez ready for latest Yankee Stadium challenge
NEW YORK - Miguel Gonzalez loves pitching in important games. The bigger the crowd and the stakes, the more he welcomes it. He's just doing it in the U.S. this year. That's the only real difference. "That's what I've been doing for the last eight years here and in Mexico, especially," he said earlier today during a conference call with reporters. "I have a little bit of experience in the playoffs in Mexico. I just stay within myself, make good pitches and try to get guys out as fast as...