Pie injured, Orioles hang on for 3-2 win

Pie injured, Orioles hang on for 3-2 win
Triple-A Norfolk center fielder Felix Pie left tonight's game in the top of the fourth inning with a strained hamstring. My guess is he'll be listed as day-to-day. Pie grounded to short to end the bottom of the third, making him 0-for-2 and leaving his average at .250. Tyler Henson moved to center as Pie's replacement, Brandon Snyder went from first base to left field, and Adam Donachie took over as the first baseman and leadoff hitter - something you're not likely to see happen again with...

A different Britton in first inning

A different Britton in first inning

Orioles lineup against Rays, Roberts update

Orioles lineup against Rays, Roberts update
For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 3B Nolan Reimold LF Ryan Adams 2B Zach Britton LHP Brian Roberts is at Tropicana Field. He's scheduled to meet with reporters in manager Buck Showalter's office around 5:10 p.m. His interview will air on O's Xtra on MASN2, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Update: Roberts told reporters that he's continuing to progress, but while he hasn't ruled out playing...

Navigating through 40-man confusion

Navigating through 40-man confusion
I've warned you that math isn't my thing, and it challenged me again this week during the flurry of 40-man roster moves. It reminded me of the ol' shell game. Guys were moving on and off the roster so fast, my eyes began to cross. I thought Mark Hendrickson's addition after his 48-hour removal, and the Michael Gonzalez trade, left the Orioles without any more room for an outsider. I had Hendrickson pegged as the 40th. Mike Ballard and Mitch Atkins came off, Kyle Hudson and Rick VandenHurk...

Reynolds, the roster and the rotation

Reynolds, the roster and the rotation
I'm dealing with serious laptop issues today, so you'll have to be patient with me. I had to borrow my daughter's computer, which made her a little uncomfortable. I could tell. And I don't know why. It's not like a teenage girl has anything to hide from her father. I had to charge the battery, download Verizon wireless and basically bring it back to life. Unfortunately, it doesn't have everything that I need to make this blog function at its usual efficiency, but I'm getting some...

Matusz skipped, Johnson avoided (Tommy Hunter update)

Matusz skipped, Johnson avoided (Tommy Hunter update)
The starter for Saturday's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field is listed as TBA, but Alfredo Simon will get the call. He's wedged between Zach Britton tomorrow and Jeremy Guthrie Sunday. So what happens to Brian Matusz? The Orioles aren't going with a six-man rotation, so Matusz is being skipped. Matusz is 1-7 with a 9.07 ERA. Simon has two straight quality starts. No word on when Matusz will rejoin the rotation. Keep in mind that Jim Johnson could get some starts this...

Hunter taken to hospital (with Showalter quote)

Hunter taken to hospital (with Showalter quote)
Orioles pitcher Tommy Hunter was taken to a nearby hospital after informing the club that he was feeling ill, and he won't make the trip to Tampa Bay. Hunter told manager Buck Showalter and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells that he became ill in the third inning. He lasted through the sixth, but was vomiting after leaving the game. Buck Showalter meets with the media after the Birds' 8-6 loss to Toronto Hunter may have become dehydrated. We'll know more later. Hunter allowed five...

Strop to join Orioles at The Trop (Jays lead 8-6)

Strop to join Orioles at The Trop (Jays lead 8-6)
The Orioles claimed minor league pitcher Pedro Strop off waivers from the Texas Rangers to complete yesterday's trade of left-hander Michael Gonzalez. Strop will join the team this weekend for its series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The ballpark is in St. Petersburg and the team hotel is in St. Petersburg, but the Orioles fly in and out of Tampa. I'm going with The Trop in my headline. Strop is regarded as the player to be named later in the trade, but here's what...

Game update and more stuff (and more and more)

Game update and more stuff (and more and more)
The Orioles grabbed a 1-0 lead against the Blue Jays in the bottom of the second inning on consecutive one-out doubles by Vladimir Guerrero and Matt Wieters. It lasted three batters. Orioles starter Tommy Hunter walked No. 9 hitter Mike McCoy, who eventually scored after Yunel Escobar's double and Eric Thames' ground ball. Not satisfied with a tie, the Blue Jays pushed across the go-ahead run on Jose Bautista's single. Remember how Toronto rookie Henderson Alvarez recorded 22 of his 24...

Notes and quotes before today's game

Notes and quotes before today's game
Let's get the important stuff out of the way first. Rick VandenHurk is wearing No. 54. Kyle Hudson is wearing No. 51. VandenHurk was 9-13 with a 4.43 ERA in 26 starts with Triple-A Norfolk. He's 8-10 with a 5.86 ERA in 42 major league games, including 33 starts, with the Marlins and Orioles. VandenHurk was outrighted during spring training because he was still challenged to throw strikes. The Orioles officially purchased his contract today after he walked 40 and struck out 108 in 154 1/3...

Guerrero batting fifth today

Guerrero batting fifth today
For the Orioles: Robert Andino 3B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Nolan Reimold LF Ryan Adams 2B
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Orioles find their pass-catching outfielder

Orioles find their pass-catching outfielder

Kyle Hudson was open at his locker, but the Orioles couldn't get him the ball.A few players were tossing around a football in the clubhouse this morning, which brought a smile to Hudson's face. He spent three seasons as a receiver on the University of Illinois football team. Jason Berken was a quarterback on his high school team, and a pretty good one, too. But Hudson insisted, in a voice loud enough for Berken to hear, that he was the better passer during his prep days before changing positions and leading Illinois in receptions twice in his three collegiate seasons. Berken wasn't buying it."He tried to tell me how good he was," Hudson said, grinning.The Orioles have purchased Hudson's contract, completing his rapid rise through the system this season. Hudson began the year at Single-A Frederick. Now he's a major leaguer.Hudson was told about his promotion after last night's doubleheader at Triple-A Norfolk. Manager Gary Allenson notified him that the Orioles were adding him to their expanded roster."I was pretty excited, pretty shocked," said Hudson, a fourth-round pick in 2008. "I felt like I've done a pretty good job this season, but I never really thought, starting the season at Frederick, that I'd be here. I've come a long way. I'm happy to be here. I'm here to work and help the team win some ballgames."Hudson, who was batting .297 with seven doubles, one triple, 11 RBIs, 26 steals and one error in 68 games with Norfolk, made a bunch of calls to family and friends after getting the news."It kept me up so late, trying to let everybody know and getting everything packed up, that I probably got about three minutes of sleep," he said. "I'm running on fumes right now, but I'm ready."It's very exciting. I'm just happy to get an opportunity to do it, and like I'm said, I'm here to work and get better and learn from all the guys here."

While waiting for the lineup ...

While waiting for the lineup ...
It's going to be a long wait. I'm told that the manager's office is empty, though I haven't gone downstairs. That's because I just got here after leaving my Sykesville house at 8:25 a.m. I'm counting five people in the press box. The first guy arrived about 15 minutes ago - 45 minutes after the clubhouse opened to the media. Players will have major problems getting to Camden Yards. It's total gridlock downtown and in the surrounding areas. Has a game ever been postponed because of...

Hudson joining Orioles tomorrow

Hudson joining Orioles tomorrow
The Orioles will fill up their 40-man roster tomorrow by purchasing outfielder Kyle Hudson's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. Hudson went 1-for-2 with a walk, run scored and two stolen bases tonight while leading off for the Tides in their 2-1 victory over Gwinnett. He's batting .297 with seven doubles, one triple, 11 RBIs and 26 steals in 68 games. It's been quite a climb for Hudson this season. He played in 23 games at Single-A Frederick this season, and 28 at Double-A Bowie, before...
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Showalter and Reyes speak after 13-0 loss

Showalter and Reyes speak after 13-0 loss
It was just one of those nights. The Orioles didn't pitch, they didn't hit and they didn't stay in the game for very long. The Orioles allowed 10 runs or more for the 13th time this season. "We made a lot of bad pitches," manager Buck Showalter said following a 13-0 loss to the Blue Jays. "When you give up 20 hits ... Jo-Jo (Reyes) was pretty flat. Didn't have much angle going tonight. Didn't pitch well, obviously. "I was impressed with their kid (Henderson Alvarez). It goes without...

Bench-clearing time (Reynolds gets record)

Bench-clearing time (Reynolds gets record)
We don't have a brawl at Camden Yards. Just a blowout. Manager Buck Showalter sent up Matt Angle to pinch-hit for J.J. Hardy in the bottom of the seventh, and Angle reached on a throwing error by shortstop Yunel Escobar - and a horrible call by first base umpire Joe West. Jake Fox pinch-hit for Nick Markakis and bounced into a double play. Matt Wieters is the only reserve left on the bench, and Showalter won't use him tonight. Nolan Riemold moves from left to right field. Angle is playing...

Bundy introduced, Reyes torched (O's down 13-0)

Bundy introduced, Reyes torched (O's down 13-0)
The Orioles introduced their first-round draft pick, pitcher Dylan Bundy, to the small gathering here at Camden Yards before the bottom of the second inning. Bundy acknowledge the ovation with a wave of his right hand before disappearing through the home plate tunnel. Earlier today, Bundy talked about how rapidly he wants to reach the majors. He's 18 and fresh out of high school, but he doesn't expect the process to drag out. Orioles' first-round pick Dylan Bundy gets introduced to the...

Orioles will receive Strop in Gonzalez deal

Orioles will receive Strop in Gonzalez deal
According to an Orioles official, the club will receive pitcher Pedro Strop, 26, from the Rangers as the player to be named later in the Michael Gonzalez deal. Strop was 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA in 11 relief appearances with the Rangers this season. He's 0-1 with a 7.24 ERA in 33 major league games spread over parts of three seasons. Strop is 4-4 with 11 saves and a 3.59 ERA in 39 games with Triple-A Round Rock, with 53 hits, 24 walks, 55 strikeouts and two home runs in 47 2/3 innings. A native...

VandenHurk confirmed, quotes from and about Gonzalez

VandenHurk confirmed, quotes from and about Gonzalez
The Orioles have purchased pitcher Rick VandenHurk's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. He's heading to Baltimore and will take one of the openings on the 40-man roster. VandenHurk, acquired from the Marlins at last summer's non-waiver trade deadline for reliever Will Ohman, is 9-13 with a 4.43 ERA, 40 walks and 108 strikeouts in 154 1/3 innings. He's allowed one earned run or fewer in each of his last three starts. Manager Buck Showalter offered his thoughts on reliever Michael...

Talking about Gonzalez, VandenHurk and more

Talking about Gonzalez, VandenHurk and more
The Yankees also were involved in trade talks with the Orioles for left-hander Michael Gonzalez, but president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail preferred the pitcher coming back from the Rangers. It's a player to be named later, which means I don't have a name right now. The Orioles knew last night that Gonzalez was going to Texas, which made him unavailable for their 10-inning game against the Blue Jays. The Orioles have two openings on their 40-man roster after trading Gonzalez and...