Hearing from Tillman, Davis and Jones

Hearing from Tillman, Davis and Jones
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chris Tillman couldn't locate his fastball to right-handed hitters tonight, which Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria - a right-handed hitter who feasts on misplaced fastballs - could easily attest. Tillman served up two home runs to Longoria and another to Ryan Roberts in a 4-1 loss to the Rays. "I didn't make my pitches," Tillman said. "I was trying to go away on him with all of them and just couldn't locate the ball to my glove side. I left the ball up in the zone....

Showalter speaks after 4-1 loss

Showalter speaks after 4-1 loss
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter had a few words for his players tonight before leaving the clubhouse to do his postgame interview on MASN and meet with reporters. "I told our guys how proud I am, and just to be associated with this bunch," he said following a 4-1 loss to the Rays that forced the Orioles onto the road for Friday night's wild card game. "They're a baseball-playing bunch of guys. They'll let it rip in Texas and it won't be from timidness. I can tell you...

Orioles' tentative travel schedule comes into focus (O's lose 4-1)

Orioles' tentative travel schedule comes into focus (O's lose 4-1)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The playoff picture became a lot clearer this afternoon with the Athletics completing their improbable run toward the American League West title. The A's have been in first place for one day - today. They fell behind, 5-1, and stormed back for a 12-5 win that pushed the Rangers into the wild card and a possible matchup with the Orioles. To review: If the Orioles and Yankees win tonight, the Orioles would host the Rangers in the one-game wild card. If the Orioles lose,...

MLB announces playoff times (and notes)

MLB announces playoff times (and notes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - If the Orioles and Yankees finish tied for first place in the American League East, a one-game playoff will begin Thursday night at 7:10 p.m. at Camden Yards. For this scenario to unfold, the Orioles must win tonight and the Yankees must lose to the Red Sox. The American League wild card game will start at 8:37 p.m. on Friday. The Orioles would host it if they win tonight and the Yankees defeat the Red Sox. Game 1 of the AL Division Series will begin at 6:07 p.m....

Steve Johnson tests knee and says he's ready to pitch (updated)

Steve Johnson tests knee and says he's ready to pitch (updated)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Steve Johnson threw a light bullpen session today and did some fielding drills to test his left knee. Johnson said he felt "really good" and is ready to pitch if the Orioles need him. Johnson is wearing a "Hammel brace," as he called it, similar to the one used by Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel. "It was just to get off a mound and see how everything felt and it was really good, didn't feel it one time," Johnson said. "So, just going to continue treatment, too, and...

Orioles lineup against Rays (corrected)

Orioles lineup against Rays (corrected)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chris Davis will attempt tonight to become the first Oriole to homer in seven straight games. Davis is 5-for-13 with a double lifetime against Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson. 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 Chris Tillman RHP Jones is 8-for-26 with a double and three homers against Hellickson.

Was Tillman the right choice tonight?

Was Tillman the right choice tonight?
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I'm getting ready to check out of my hotel, grab lunch, head to Tropicana Field for the game, drop off my rental car and check into the Marriott hotel inside the Tampa airport. I've got an early-morning flight home tomorrow, but my plans will change if the Orioles lose tonight. It's a must-win game for the Orioles if they've got any chance of winning the division or hosting a wild card game, not to mention simplifying my travel schedule, which probably isn't one...

Setting up the playoff roster

Setting up the playoff roster
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles remain one game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East with one game to play. They could at least guarantee the top wild card seeding with a victory tonight. They could end up tied with the Yankees and force a one-game playoff Thursday in Baltimore. They could lose and end up in Oakland or Texas for the wild card game. Manager Buck Showalter isn't sure when or where the Orioles will play after tonight, but he's still meeting this morning...

Hearing from Gonzalez, Davis and Johnson (Yankees win)

Hearing from Gonzalez, Davis and Johnson (Yankees win)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez pitched extremely well tonight, but he had to appreciate the gem spun by Tampa Bay's James Shields. "I was like, 'He's doing great. I've got to do better than him,' " Gonzalez said. "I think he did a pretty good job going out there and throwing a complete game. I'm happy for him. Fifteen strikeouts for him. He did a great job tonight." Gonzalez is so calm on the mound, I keep waiting for a member of the medical staff to rush out...

Showalter speaks after 1-0 victory

Showalter speaks after 1-0 victory
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter called James Shields' performance tonight for Tampa Bay "probably the best-pitched game that we've had pitched against us all year." Fortunately for the Orioles, it didn't result in a loss. Chris Davis' home run off the roof of the restaurant in center field held up. One run was all that the Orioles needed. Shields was masterful with 15 strikeouts and only two hits allowed in nine innings. He threw 106 pitches, 70 for strikes. "To have...

Tillman gets the ball Wednesday night

Tillman gets the ball Wednesday night
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Every television in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field is tuned to the Yankees-Red Sox game. Brian Roberts sat on one of the chairs, watching as the Red Sox tried to hold a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. They couldn't do it. Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer to tie the game. Chris Tillman is the confirmed starter for Wednesday night. No matter what happens in the Bronx, he's taking the mound at Tropicana Field. "It's exciting," he said. "I've...

Chris Davis joins Reggie Jackson in Orioles history (O's win 1-0)

Chris Davis joins Reggie Jackson in Orioles history (O's win 1-0)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Is Chris Davis the straw that stirs the Orioles' drink? Davis has joined Reggie Jackson as the only players in Orioles history to homer in six straight games. He drove a ball off the roof of the restaurant in center field after Rays starter James Shields retired the first 11 batters to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. Davis has hit seven homers in the last six games, passing Adam Jones for the team lead with 33 for the season. Davis was named American League co-Player of...

Gausman gets his chance to hang out with the Orioles

Gausman gets his chance to hang out with the Orioles
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter expects to announce Wednesday's starter after tonight's game against the Rays, and all signs point to Chris Tillman because of the importance attached to the regular season finale. That is, if it's the last regular season game. The Orioles could finish tied with the Yankees for first place in the American League East and meet Thursday in Baltimore. Showalter's head must be spinning. He had no idea that the forecast in New York tonight...

Hammel: "If needed, I'm ready to go"

Hammel: "If needed, I'm ready to go"
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jason Hammel said his right knee feels great after yesterday's simulated game in Sarasota, where he threw 73 pitches in five innings. He may throw a bullpen session on Wednesday and will be available to start for the Orioles beginning on Saturday. "As of today, for the day after, it feels great. No setbacks, no soreness, no swelling," he said. "If needed, I'm ready to go. I feel good. I'd say right now it's as good as it's going to get before a full rest in the...

Orioles lineup against Rays

Orioles lineup against Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are breaking out a familiar lineup tonight against Rays right-hander James Shields. 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 The Orioles are still listing Wednesday night's starter as TBA. With a win tonight, Gonzalez would have a victory against every American League East team in his rookie season. According to...

Gonzalez the right man on the mound

Gonzalez the right man on the mound
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Miguel Gonzalez is the only confirmed starter for the Orioles the rest of the week. He's taking the mound tonight. When it comes to revealing his other starters, manager Buck Showalter is taking the fifth. I've broken down the possible scenarios, including Chris Tillman starting on Wednesday in a must-win situation. Confirmation should come later today. Showalter dropped Dylan Bundy's name on reporters yesterday, a sly grin spreading across his face. He decided to...

Orioles only worried about themselves

Orioles only worried about themselves
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Yankees won again last night, and the Orioles didn't seem to care in the least. The Red Sox rolled over again, like a puppy begging to have its belly rubbed. They're not exactly rallying around embattled manager Bobby Valentine. Instead, they're holding the door open and giving him a shove. He's the only guy they can get out these days. When the result of last night's Yankees game was relayed to center fielder Adam Jones, he replied, "We don't care." He...

Machado won't make excuses for error

Machado won't make excuses for error
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Rays scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning tonight to break a 1-1 tie, and a Manny Machado error on Evan Lorgoria's bouncer to third base ignited the rally. "Should have caught it," Machado said. "Took a little side spin on me, ate me up. Should've taken a step forward, but I should have made the out." Machado didn't think he could throw out Longoria once the ball skipped off his glove. "I don't think so," he said. "I couldn't find the...

Showalter and Chen speak after 5-3 loss

Showalter and Chen speak after 5-3 loss
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he wasn't aware of the Yankees-Red Sox score tonight. He was too preoccupied with his own team, which lost to the Rays, 5-3, at Tropicana Field. The Yankees throttled the Red Sox, 10-2, leaving the Orioles one game back in the American League East. "They win?" Showalter asked. "That's a given. They're playing home the rest of their games, so you know that's a given. We'll do what we can do." The Orioles couldn't do much...

Long ball bug bites Chen again (Davis homers again in 5-3 loss)

Long ball bug bites Chen again (Davis homers again in 5-3 loss)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen surrendered his 29th home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Ben Zobrist taking him deep to break a scoreless tie. Chen has surrendered six homers in his last four starts, and at least one in six of his last seven outings. Zobrist also singled in the first inning and is 7-for-14 lifetime against Chen. The Orioles' offense tends to fade when Chen pitches, and their bats must have been left behind in Jacksonville. They have one hit...