The ball found Blake Davis (again)

The ball found Blake Davis (again)
You knew it would happen. Blake Davis is making his first major league appearance at third base today. The first ball put in play was a sharp bouncer to Davis. The baseball gods have a wicked sense of humor. The ball took a big hop and caromed off Davis' chest for an error, allowing Maicer Izturis to reach first base. He was erased at second on a force, but Howie Kendrick singled into right field to put runners on the corners against Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz. Matusz struck out the...

Berken returning to Baltimore for MRA

Berken returning to Baltimore for MRA
Reliever Jason Berken will undergo an MRA on his right elbow tomorrow in Baltimore while the Orioles' road trip continues in Minnesota. Berken is unavailable to pitch because of soreness in his elbow and he'll go on the disabled list to make room for Zach Britton, who will be activated tomorrow and start against the Twins. Berken is 1-2 with a 5.80 ERA in 35 games. He's been optioned twice to Triple-A Norfolk. The right-hander has made one appearance since Aug. 11, going one-third of an...

Wieters starting at first, B. Davis at third, Pie in left

Wieters starting at first, B. Davis at third, Pie in left
Call off the search. Felix Pie is in today's lineup. Pie is starting in left field, his first appearance since Aug. 13. Matt Wieters is making his first career start at first base. Mark Reynolds twisted his ankle last night in a collision in the 12th inning. I'm not sure whether Wieters is allowed to wear his mask and chest protector. Also, Blake Davis is starting at third base. Josh Bell takes a seat on the bench. Robert Andino is batting sixth. I wouldn't have predicted it back in...

Orioles rally to tie (then blow lead and game in 12th)

Orioles rally to tie (then blow lead and game in 12th)
The Orioles scored twice against the Angels' bullpen in the top of the eighth inning to wipe out a 6-4 deficit and spare Tommy Hunter the loss. Nick Markakis and Adam Jones singled off reliever Bobby Cassevah, and Markakis scored on Vladimir Guerrero's grounder to short. Buck Showalter meets with Jim Hunter following the O's 12-inning loss Closer Jordan Walden was summoned to get the five-out save, but Matt Wieters singled on the first pitch thrown to him - a 96 mph fastball - and Jones...

Starting still in Johnson's future

Starting still in Johnson's future
I woke up this morning and hoped that last night's game was just a bad dream, but I'm pretty sure it happened. I'm pretty sure the Orioles blew an 8-6 lead in the bottom of the 12th inning. I'm pretty sure the game was tied, the bases were loaded and we were still waiting for the Orioles to record an out. Bad pitching, bad defense. The usual recipe for disaster. Chris Jakubauskas dominated the 11th inning. He was pounding the strike zone. It was a thing of beauty. But I guess you're...

Andino's still swinging a hot bat (updated twice)

Andino's still swinging a hot bat (updated twice)
The Orioles strung together three consecutive singles in the top of the first inning, but they didn't score. That's always a neat trick. Nick Markakis reached on an infield hit with one out. Adam Jones lined a single into left field and Vladimir Guerrero followed with a single to right, but Torii Hunter threw out Markakis at the plate. The Orioles also had three straight singles in the second inning, but they broke a scoreless tie. Mark Reynolds led off the inning with a single into left...

Orioles lineup against Angels

Orioles lineup against Angels
This lineup looks very familiar. J.J. Hardy is atop the order, Vladimir Guerrero is batting fourth and Robert Andino stays in the seventh slot. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 2B Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Tommy Hunter RHP

Worth noting

Worth noting
Four Orioles currently have hitting streaks of at least five games. Vladimir Guerrero (.379, 11-for-29) and Adam Jones (.417, 10-for-24) have hit safely in seven straight games. Robert Andino (.381, 8-for-21) and Nick Markakis (.429, 9-for-21) have hit in five straight games. The Orioles are batting .281 on this road trip and .387 (12-for-31) with runners in scoring position. Brad Bergesen tossed another scoreless inning last night. He's allowed just one earned run in his last five...

Reyes gets through fifth (O's lose 8-3)

Reyes gets through fifth (O's lose 8-3)
Jo-Jo Reyes almost gave up another run with two outs in the fifth inning, but Nick Markakis fielded Erick Aybar's single and threw out Torii Hunter at the plate for his 12th outfield assist. Brad Bergesen was warming in the bullpen and Reyes was probably facing his last batter. The left-hander has allowed five runs and eight hits in five innings, with three walks and six strikeouts. He's thrown 97 pitches, 65 for strikes. Four of those runs scored in the first inning. Jo-Jo Reyes talks to...

Orioles need a local Yocum

Orioles need a local Yocum
When I grow up, I want to be Dr. Lewis Yocum. He's a renowned orthopedist, in case you didn't know. Yocum also has become the personal physician of the Baltimore Orioles. He's the doctor to the scars - elbow, shoulders, etc. In case you're scoring at home, Yocum has removed a bone spur from Jake Arrieta's elbow, inserted an anchor in Dan Klein's shoulder and examined Chris Davis' shoulder within the span of a week. He'll examine Jason Berken's sore right elbow this weekend. Did he...

Four runs off Reyes before first out (updated twice)

Four runs off Reyes before first out (updated twice)
Jo-Jo Reyes held the Tigers to one run over six innings in his last start. He gave up a run tonight after three batters, and four runs after four batters. The Angels worked Reyes for 34 pitches while taking a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Reyes surrendered a double, single, Howie Kendrick's RBI single and Torii Hunter's three-run homer. Vernon Wells singled with one out for the Angels' fifth hit of the inning. Hunter is 3-for-7 with two homers lifetime against...

Guerrero back in cleanup spot (Berken injured)

Guerrero back in cleanup spot (Berken injured)
J.J. Hardy is batting leadoff tonight and Vladimir Guerrero has returned to cleanup. Robert Andino is batting seventh. His name has appeared in the seventh spot once this season, but he doesn't have an official at-bat. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 2B Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Jo-Jo Reyes LHP Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Oakland that reliever Jason Berken has a sore...

Worth noting

Worth noting
Reliever

Who's the MVO?

Who's the MVO?
Even the teams with the worst records in baseball name a Most Valuable Player. I think it's the law. In Baltimore, that honor is known as Most Valuable Oriole - or MVO if you'd like to save space. I'm always reminded of the year that the media bestowed that honor upon B.J. Surhoff. Reporters gathered at his locker after a game, seeking his reaction to the news. He looked up from his stool and said, "I know why you chose me. Cal's hurt and you hate Albert." An instant classic. We still...

Your incremental Davis update

Your incremental Davis update
First baseman Chris Davis had his right shoulder examined earlier today by Dr. Lewis Yocum, who has cleared his schedule in case the Orioles need him. Yocum confirmed the original diagnosis that Davis has a small tear in his right shoulder. The plan for now is to have Davis rehab it rather than undergo surgery. Davis was placed on the 15-day disabled list after being scratched from Tuesday's lineup because of continuing soreness in the shoulder. At that moment, doubts rose whether Davis...

Your incremental Roberts update

Your incremental Roberts update
I'm not a big fan of incremental updates that don't really advance a story, but it's been a slow day and I feel guilty for posting only one entry, so here's a little something for you. Try to control your breathing and not be overcome by the excitement. Second baseman Brian Roberts made another visit yesterday to Dr. Michael Collins, who's billed as a sports-concussion specialist. I've never read his business card, but I assume that title appears on it. I'm told by a team official that...

What are we saying about Simon? (Orioles lose 6-5)

What are we saying about Simon? (Orioles lose 6-5)
In his last three starts, Alfredo Simon has gone 4 2/3, 5 2/3 and 5 1/3 innings. He's allowed four earned runs, four earned runs (six total) and five earned runs (six total). He's also served up four home runs in those three games. Simon will get another loss today unless the Orioles rally from a 6-4 deficit in the eighth inning. He didn't bring his best stuff, as evidenced by the two homers he surrendered to Kurt Suzuki, the eight hits, two walks, hit batter and pitch count that...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles have a day off in Anaheim before beginning a three-game series tomorrow night against the Angels. Maybe a few players will head over to Disneyland, which would be an appropriate place for them, considering that (insert your own joke here). The rotation is an absolute mess again, which is reason No. 1 why this season swirled down the drain. Jeremy Guthrie's bothered by some stiffness in his right shoulder. The club doesn't think it's serious, which means he'll probably have...

Guerrero seeing doubles (updated twice)

Guerrero seeing doubles (updated twice)
Vladimir Guerrero has collected three doubles in the past two games, the most recent coming today in the first inning. A run scored as Guerrero found another gap in the Athletics' outfield, increasing the Orioles' lead to 2-0 before starter Alfredo Simon had thrown a pitch. Before arriving in Oakland, Guerrero hadn't registered a double since Aug. 4 in Kansas City. He totaled only one since July 30. Guerrero is 9-for-21 with seven RBIs since Aug. 11. Could moving down one spot in the...

Orioles and Athletics lineups

Orioles and Athletics lineups
The Orioles are facing a right-handed pitcher today, Oakland's Brandon McCarthy, but they're leaning heavily to the right with today's lineup, which includes Robert Andino leading off and Nolan Reimold in left field. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 1B Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Craig Tatum C Alfredo Simon RHP Felix Pie hasn't played since going 0-for-4 on Saturday. Guerrero is 5-for-15 with a...