Reynolds hits No. 35 (Boston leads 4-2)

Reynolds hits No. 35 (Boston leads 4-2)
Mark Reynolds homered off Josh Beckett with two outs in the top of the second inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. Reynolds pulled a 91 mph cutter to left field, easily clearing the Green Monster after Beckett got ahead, 0-2, in the count. Reynolds sat out two games after being drilled in the helmet by an Ervin Santana pitch Saturday night, but he's 6-for-11 in his last four. He's homered in three of those games and driven in seven runs. He won't get much love in the Most Valuable...

Did you know ...?

Did you know ...?
The Orioles are looking to win their first four-game series at Fenway Park since Aug. 8-10, 2003, when they took three of four. Their last series win in Boston was Sept. 20-22, 2010, when they took two of three. The Orioles are going for their fifth road series win of the season. A win tonight would give the Orioles their third consecutive series win, a feat they haven't accomplished since Sept. 3-15, 2010, when they won four straight series (vs. Tampa Bay, at New York, at Detroit and vs....

Jones and Reynolds remain in lineup

Jones and Reynolds remain in lineup
Adam Jones and Mark Reynolds are making back-to-back starts after returning to the Orioles' lineup last night. Matt Angle gets the start in left field. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis 3B Matt Angle LF Tommy Hunter RHP For the Red Sox: Ellsbury CF Aviles 3B Gonzalez 1B Ortiz DH Pedroia 2B Reddick RF Crawford LF Scutaro SS Varitek C Beckett RHP

Andino clears the bases in eighth (O's win 7-5)

Andino clears the bases in eighth (O's win 7-5)
Red Sox manager Terry Francona called upon closer Jonathan Papelbon to get a five-out save tonight. He got a blown save instead. Robert Andino lined a three-run double into the right field corner with two outs and the count full to give the Orioles a 7-5 lead in the eighth inning. Matt Wieters and Mark Reynolds singled off Daniel Bard. Francona brought in Papelbon with one out, and the right-hander responded by getting a called third strike on Chris Davis. Plate umpire Mark Wegner's...

VandenHurk not nugget-like tonight (Showalter ejected)

VandenHurk not nugget-like tonight (Showalter ejected)
Rick VandenHurk's second start with the Orioles this month didn't do much to enhance his standing within the organization. VandenHurk couldn't record an out in the fourth inning and he couldn't hold a 4-1 lead. Jo-Jo Reyes replaced him with runners on first and second, no outs and the Orioles ahead, 4-3. Jacoby Ellsbury singled to load the bases. Reyes struck out Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Gonzalez appeared to bounce into a 3-6-3 double play, but first baseman Mark Reynolds missed catcher...

Rethinking the MVO

Rethinking the MVO
It's tough to get a group of sportswriters and broadcasters to agree on anything, but I don't recall many divided opinions in the Most Valuable Oriole voting that takes place during the final month of every season. The second- and third-place finishers can bring a heated debate, but the winner usually takes the honor by a fairly wide margin. Luke Scott was the overwhelming choice last year, though at least two voters refused to pick him. Something about his .214 average with runners in...

VandenHurk's latest audition starts poorly (O's lead, 4-3)

VandenHurk's latest audition starts poorly (O's lead, 4-3)
Rick VandenHurk fell behind, 1-0, tonight after facing three Red Sox batters. Back-to-back one-out doubles by Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Gonzalez in the first inning gave Boston an early lead. Gonzalez is 3-for-4 with two doubles and a home run lifetime against VandenHurk, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 10 in Toronto. That's what you would call extended rest. VandenHurk lasted only 2 1/3 innings in his last start, allowing three runs and three hits - including two home runs - and walking...

Jones and Reynolds return to lineup (Adams update)

Jones and Reynolds return to lineup (Adams update)
Adam Jones is starting in center field tonight and Mark Reynolds is back at first base. The lineup looks fairly normal again. Jones hasn't started since Sept. 9 because of a sprained right thumb. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis 3B Nolan Reimold LF Rick VandenHurk RHP VandenHurk hasn't pitched since Sept. 10 in Toronto, when he allowed three runs and three hits, including two...

Case closed for Johnson

Case closed for Johnson
Should we believe that Jim Johnson is going to make a start before the 2011 season comes to a merciful end? It's not necessary. The Orioles can decide over the winter that Johnson belongs in the rotation. They can put him on a starter's schedule in spring training. They can change their minds at any time and return him to the bullpen. It's not like he'll be stretched out so far that he can't snap back to a short-relief role. He's not a rubber band. Johnson hasn't been formally named...

Matusz makes wrong kind of history (it's really 18-9)

Matusz makes wrong kind of history (it's really 18-9)
Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz might not pitch again this season, which would deny him the chance to lower his ERA and avoid a most dubious distinction. According to STATSPASS, Matusz's 10.68 ERA is the highest in major league history for any pitcher with at least 10 starts. I'm providing the Top 10 below. I'm only including the number of starts, not relief appearances. Keep in mind that his record hasn't been updated. He's facing another loss unless the Orioles rally tonight. They...

No more for Matusz? (O's trying to rally)

No more for Matusz? (O's trying to rally)
I predicted in spring training that left-hander Brian Matusz would emerge as the staff ace. Then I thought the Orioles would keep in at Triple-A Norfolk for an extended period, but they recalled him. Then I thought they would continue to send him to the mound every five days, but they pulled him from the rotation after his Sept. 5 start in New York. Then I thought they would keep him in the bullpen for the rest of the season, but they gave him the start tonight in Game 2 of a doubleheader in...

Orioles carry momentum into Game 2 (updated)

Orioles carry momentum into Game 2 (updated)
No lead is safe at Fenway Park, but the Orioles are bold enough to try. They jumped on right-hander John Lackey for three runs in the top of the first inning, bringing more angst to Red Sox Nation. Matt Angle singled and stole his eighth base. J.J. Hardy walked, and Angle sprinted home on Nick Markakis' single. That's 1-0. Vladimir Guerrero lined a sacrifice fly to right field - if you can line a fly ball. I've never heard of a sacrifice line drive. That's 2-0. Chris Davis drove in...

Jones also out of Game 2 lineup (with Red Sox lineup)

Jones also out of Game 2 lineup (with Red Sox lineup)
Maybe Adam Jones can get back into the lineup tomorrow night. He's missing again in Game 2. Jones was a defensive replacement in Game 1. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 3B Nolan Reimold LF Ryan Adams 2B Craig Tatum C Brian Matusz LHP For the Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury CF Marco Scutaro SS Adrian Gonzalez 1B Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Jed Lowrie 3B Conor Jackson LF Jason Varitek C Darnell McDonald...

'Pen is mightier in eighth (O's win 6-5)

'Pen is mightier in eighth (O's win 6-5)
Manager Buck Showalter played the matchup game in the eighth inning with the Orioles clinging to a 6-5 lead. He won. Now, the Orioles will try to do the same. Clay Rapada faced David Ortiz to open the bottom of the eighth and retired him on one pitch, which resulted in a liner to short. Left-handed hitters are 4-for-43 against Rapada this season and 5-for-62 over the past two seasons. Right-handers are batting .692 this year, so Showalter brought in Pedro Strop to face pinch hitter Ryan...

It's not a fly ball, it's an adventure (O's clinging to 6-5 lead)

It's not a fly ball, it's an adventure (O's clinging to 6-5 lead)
Now it's Matt Angle's turn to fight the sun and whatever else is distracting the outfielders today at Fenway Park. Angle misplayed Dustin Pedroia's long fly ball to center field in the fifth inning, resulting in a triple that scored Adrian Gonzalez and reduced the Orioles' lead to 6-4. Jeremy Guthrie got the first two outs, fell behind 3-0 to Marco Scutaro and walked him with the count full by missing with a slider. Gonzalez followed with an RBI double - Angle had trouble picking up the...

Left field hurts and helps Orioles (Andino, Reimold and Hardy homer)

Left field hurts and helps Orioles (Andino, Reimold and Hardy homer)
Nolan Reimold misplayed a ball in left field today because of the bright sun at Fenway Park. The Red Sox couldn't take advantage and stranded four runners in two innings. Darnell McDonald, who joined the Rex Sox's lineup late after Carl Crawford was scratched, misplayed two straight fly balls in the top of the third, as the Orioles took a 2-0 lead on Matt Angle's two-run double. Both starters need to concentrate on ground balls. McDonald,a former first-round pick by the Orioles, led off...

No Reynolds or Jones for Game 1

No Reynolds or Jones for Game 1
Mark Reynolds confirmed to reporters in Boston that he'll sit out today's doubleheader after being hit in the head Saturday night. Manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that Reynolds could remain on the bench until Tuesday. Showalter was hoping to start Adam Jones in at least one of the games. It won't be the opener. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy SS, Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Jeremy...

While waiting for the Game 1 lineup ...

While waiting for the Game 1 lineup ...
The Orioles are playing two games in Boston today because of the May 17 postponement. At least, I think that's the reason. There have been so many rainouts, I've lost track of the dates. Boston has lost 11 of its last 14 games, and Tampa Bay has closed to within two games in the wild card race. Game 1 starter Jeremy Guthrie is 2-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 18 career appearances (16 starts) against the Red Sox. Jacoby Ellsbury is 14-for-35 (.400) lifetime against Guthrie. David Ortiz is 12-for-35...

Showalter speaks after 11-2 loss

Showalter speaks after 11-2 loss
Alfredo Simon allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings today, including three home runs that helped the Angels take an 11-2 victory over the Orioles before an announced 27,471 at Camden Yards. That's a touchdown, two-point conversion and field goal for the Angels. "I think today was, what, his 14th start?" Showalter said. "We keep looking for guys to step up and put themselves in a position where you feel like you can trust them. Some starts make you feel better about that than...

Simon still searching for consistency (Guerrero ties Bagwell)

Simon still searching for consistency (Guerrero ties Bagwell)
Alfredo Simon has come back out to start the fifth inning, but he's already allowed two home runs to Erick Aybar and one to Vernon Wells, and the Orioles trail the Angels, 6-1, in a game that's moving slower than the Griswolds after they arrive at Wally World. Manager Buck Showalter has Brad Bergesen warming in the bullpen again, so Simon is near the end of a very disappointing afternoon. He's surrendered six runs and seven hits, with one walk, four strikeouts, a wild pitch and a hit...