Weather won't influence ceremony for Frank Robinson

Weather won't influence ceremony for Frank Robinson
Because so many fans have asked, the Orioles will unveil the statue honoring Frank Robinson in a ceremony that begins at 5:15 p.m., rain or shine. And it hasn't been decided whether the teams would play a doubleheader tomorrow if weather forces a postponement tonight, but since the Athletics return to Baltimore July 27-29, my guess is we'd have a single game tomorrow. The gates open today at 5 p.m., with the festivities taking place in the bullpen area. The special guests include Hank Aaron,...

Matusz and Anderson: A Glove Story

Matusz and Anderson: A Glove Story
I can only assume that the MASN cameras must have focused on Brady Anderson's name inscribed on the glove of Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz. Or perhaps the announcers talked about it. I'm not quite sure, but I've received a ton of inquiries about it. I wouldn't have noticed it from my seat in the press box, and the media isn't allowed to poke through the players' lockers. I could only take your words for it until finally approaching Matusz yesterday afternoon. "Hey Brian, I've got a...

Showalter speaks after 5-2 loss

Showalter speaks after 5-2 loss
Orioles manager Buck Showalter gave a figurative tip of the cap to Oakland starter Brandon McCarthy following a 5-2 loss at Camden Yards. He also talked about his own starter, Jake Arrieta, who didn't make it through the sixth inning. "We didn't do much off McCarthy," Showalter said. "I think that was a big part of it. Jake almost got through six innings. He never really got in sync rhythm-wise. His command wasn't what it's capable of, but he kept us in the ballgame. I thought the two...

Gregg returns to mound (O's lose 5-2)

Gregg returns to mound (O's lose 5-2)
Kevin Gregg made his first appearance tonight since April 18 in Chicago, his introduction greeted with boos from what remained of an announced crowd of 18,297. By the third out, they were applauding Gregg, who struck out the first two batters he faced in the ninth inning and induced a fly ball to shallow right field. Gregg threw 10 pitches, seven for strikes, and lowered his ERA from 9.64 to 7.94. Gregg has turned in two straight scoreless outings since allowing six of seven Blue Jays to...

Arrieta can't complete the sixth (O's trail 4-2, ump tackles fan)

Arrieta can't complete the sixth (O's trail 4-2, ump tackles fan)
Jake Arrieta threw 70 pitches through the third inning tonight, giving the impression that he wouldn't stick around much longer and the Orioles would make some feeble attempt to retrieve Jason Berken before he unpacked his bags in Norfolk. Arrieta needed 15 pitches to complete the fourth and nine to get through the fifth. The A's were doing him a favor by no longer making him work. Well, they worked him over a bit in the sixth, and he's out of the game. Josh Reddick homered with one out...

Reimold's running produces run (O's down 3-1)

Reimold's running produces run (O's down 3-1)
The Orioles have jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, and full credit goes to leadoff hitter Nolan Reimold. Reimold doubled to right-center field off Oakland starter Brandon McCarthy, hustling into second base ahead of the throw. Reimold tagged and took third on J.J. Hardy's fly ball to left - something you don't always see on a ball hit to that side - and he tagged again and scored on Nick Markaki's liner to medium left. Reimold slid wide of catcher Kurt Suzuki's attempted tag,...

Berken headed back to Norfolk

Berken headed back to Norfolk
The Orioles made room for second baseman Robert Andino on their 25-man roster today by optioning pitcher Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk. Andino rejoined the team today after spending two days in Miami for the birth of his third child and first daughter. He's starting at second base tonight. Manager Buck Showalter wanted to make sure there wouldn't be a corresponding move involving the disabled list before Berken came off the roster. Jim Johnson was discharged from Saint Agnes Hospital...

Waiting on the roster move

Waiting on the roster move
Orioles manager Buck Showalter will wait until after batting practice to announce today's roster move. Showalter is playing it safe, saying he's been burned in the past by revealing the move and having a player injured in batting practice. He'll make sure everyone is off the field safely. Look for an announcement around 5:30 p.m. Kevin Gregg and pitching coach Rick Adair met with Showalter behind closed doors this afternoon, but the reliever isn't headed to the disabled list. Gregg had...

Andino returns, Flaherty stays in lineup

Andino returns, Flaherty stays in lineup
Robert Andino is starting at second base tonight after missing the last two games while being on paternity leave. The Orioles haven't announced a corresponding roster move, but reliever Jason Berken is expected to return to Triple-A Norfolk if no one goes on the disabled list. Berken is at the ballpark, probably in a holding pattern. Also, Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty, who started at second base in Andino's absence, moves to third base tonight. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Oakland Athletics are here for a three-game series that begins tonight, and Jake Arrieta gets first crack at them. Arrieta has made one career start against Oakland, taking the loss after allowing three earned runs (four total) and six hits in seven innings. Oakland's Brandon McCarthy is winless in three decisions this year despite a 3.38 ERA. He's 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA in seven career appearances (five starts) against the Orioles, with 36 hits, 14 walks and 16 strikeouts in 29 innings....

Showalter talks about Johnson and Johnson after 5-2 win

Showalter talks about Johnson and Johnson after 5-2 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter passed along some good news on Jim Johnson and some words of encouragement regarding first baseman Nick Johnson. First, the closer, who remains hospitalized but is apparently close to being sent home. Buck Showalter speaks with the media following the Orioles' 5-2 win over the Blue Jays "We're looking forward to getting J.J. back, and the hope is that he gets out tomorrow morning if he keeps his food down," Showalter said. "I know he ate tonight and has a...

A crazy, crazy sixth inning (scoring change and O's lead)

A crazy, crazy sixth inning (scoring change and O's lead)
Let's recap what happened in the sixth inning - the good, the bad and the ugly. Brian Matusz lost his shutout with two outs in the top half when first baseman Nick Johnson failed to backhand Eric Thames' bouncer along the line. Johnson, known for his defense and on-base percentage, whiffed on the ball as two runs scored. Thames was given a triple. Johnson was given an earful by fans already agitated by his failures at the plate. A single and walk put Matusz in hot water, but Edwin...

Matusz's hot start, Johnson's dubious mark, Flaherty's achievement

Matusz's hot start, Johnson's dubious mark, Flaherty's achievement
Brian Matusz hasn't gone more than 5 2/3 innings in his first three starts, but he needs three outs tonight to clear the sixth. Matusz is shutting out the Blue Jays on three hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. He's thrown 71 pitches, 50 for strikes. It would be great for Matusz to keep it going, but no matter what happens from here, it's been an encouraging start. He's only had one clean inning - the third - but he got a double play in the first after a leadoff walk, got two outs...

Pineiro headed to Norfolk, and other notes

Pineiro headed to Norfolk, and other notes
Joel Pineiro threw a five-inning simulated game today at the minor league complex and is headed to Triple-A Norfolk. Pineiro will be available to start for the Tides in five days, so a roster move is pending. The Orioles have a little more time to figure out how to make room for him. I told you earlier that Jim Johnson could be released from the hospital tomorrow morning. Here's a comment from manager Buck Showalter. The last line amuses me. "Talked to Jimmy today," Showalter said. "Not...

Updates on Johnson, Wada, Andino, Teagarden and more

Updates on Johnson, Wada, Andino, Teagarden and more
Jim Johnson's condition has improved, and he could be released from the hospital later tonight or, more likely, tomorrow morning. Johnson will attempt to eat today. If he can hold down his food, his chances increase of being sent home. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't know whether Johnson would be available to pitch tomorrow night if he returns to Camden Yards. Tsuyoshi Wada will fly into Los Angeles on Sunday and have his left elbow examined the following day by renowned orthopedist Dr....

Reimold returns to lineup

Reimold returns to lineup
After missing the last four games, Nolan Reimold is back in left field tonight for the Orioles. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 3B Nick Johnson 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Brian Matusz LHP For the Jays: Escobar SS Lawrie 3B Bautista RF Encarnacion 1B Thames LF Francisco DH Davis CF Arencibia C Vizquel 2B Hutchison RHP

Off to a Rockies start

Off to a Rockies start
How many Orioles fans were outraged by the February trade that sent No. 1 starter Jeremy Guthrie to the Colorado Rockies for pitchers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom? How many national publications ripped it to shreds - one of them calling it the worst deal of the offseason? It's too early to evaluate any trade made over the winter. We're 18 games into the 2012 season. But Hammel improved to 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA last night after tossing seven shutout innings, and Lindstrom struck out two in...

What does Berken's arrival really mean?

What does Berken's arrival really mean?
Here's what we know about Jason Berken: The Orioles called him up from Triple-A Norfolk yesterday to take second baseman Robert Andino's spot on the 25-man roster. Andino will miss at least two games after going on paternity leave. Here's what we don't know about Jason Berken: How long he's going to stay with the Orioles. Berken has no idea. He's just been told to be ready if he's needed. He'll be the long man if left-hander Brian Matusz makes an early exit tonight. Manager Buck...

Hearing from Hammel

Hearing from Hammel
Each start from Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel brings the same questions about the differences between then and now, what's made him better, what he's doing differently, how much confidence he's gained. He's going to have to start mixing his answers like he does his pitches. "I continue to work hard, pay attention to the league," he said after tonight's 3-0 victory over Toronto. "I'm still learning a new league and see what everybody else is doing. Apply my game where it applies....

Showalter speaks after 3-0 win

Showalter speaks after 3-0 win
The Orioles have claimed consecutive series wins over the Blue Jays for the first time since May 25-27 and July 10-12, 2009. Jason Hammel is 4-0 in seven career starts against the Jays, and his teams have won all seven games. The Orioles have won all four games that Hammel has started this season. He blanked the Jays on four hits over seven innings tonight, with one walk and seven strikeouts. "Hammel was good," manager Buck Showalter said. "The two-seamer and the four-seamer. He's got a...