Matusz talks about outing

Matusz talks about outing
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Twins took a 3-1 lead against the Orioles in the top of the seventh on Jeff Bailey's two-out, two-run single off Jason Berken. They had two runners in scoring position because Luke Scott fielded Matt Tolbert's single to left and tried to cut down Trevor Plouffe at third base. Tolbert raced to second and scored on Bailey's hit. Scott tried to atone for his mistake by lining an RBI double into left-center field in the bottom of the seventh. Scott was 2-for-32 with one RBI...

Matusz through the third (updated)

Matusz through the third (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Time to take a closer look at Brian Matusz after three innings. The young left-hander has allowed one run to the Twins, on shortstop Matt Tolbert's first spring homer, and four hits. Luke Hughes led off the second with a bunt single and Steve Holm doubled with two outs, but the Twins didn't break through until one out in the third. Matusz has struck out six batters, raising his spring total to 11 in 10 2/3 innings. His changeup has been especially impressive. He's thrown...

Pregame Showalter (and Lee update)

Pregame Showalter (and Lee update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - First baseman Derrek Lee took batting practice outdoors and said his right wrist felt fine. He isn't sure about tomorrow's schedule, however. He'll see how the wrist responds overnight. He could take live BP again or possibly make his Orioles debut. Also, the Orioles aren't currently interested in second baseman Luis Castillo, released earlier today by the Mets. Here are a few comments from manager Buck Showalter, which were delivered while the Orioles took batting...

Roster cuts tomorrow

Roster cuts tomorrow
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will make another round of roster cuts tomorrow morning. Manager Buck Showalter said the total will be "more than three, less than 10." Justin Duchscherer threw off flat ground from 120-130 feet. Yesterday, he threw from 100 feet. I'm not good at math, but it sounds like he threw from a greater distance today. Derrek Lee and Brian Roberts are taking live batting practice. They haven't been ruled out for tomorrow's game against the Phillies in Sarasota....

Two quick injury updates (with Duchscherer quotes)

Two quick injury updates (with Duchscherer quotes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - A day without injury updates is like a day without sunshine. Justin Duchscherer threw off flat ground from 100 feet yesterday, and he'll do the exact same thing today. That's as much as we know about his schedule. Duchscherer is still confident that he will be ready by the April 1 opener. He isn't worried about logging enough innings. Manager Buck Showalter may feel differently, but we'll see how it all plays out. Duchscherer is being treated for some tightness in his...

Tonight's lineup

Tonight's lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - Here's the Orioles lineup for tonight's game vs. the Twins: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Luke Scott LF Jake Fox 1B Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis 2B Brian Matusz LHP
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Decisions looming two weeks before the opener

Decisions looming two weeks before the opener
SARASOTA, Fla. - We're under the lights again tonight, which means the clubhouse won't open to the media until 2 p.m. You know the drill. The Twins are coming to town, and left-hander Francisco Liriano will try to forget about his last visit to Sarasota. He allowed six runs in 1 2/3 innings back on March 9 in an 11-2 loss to the Orioles. Joe Nathan also is scheduled to pitch for the Twins. Left-hander Brian Matusz will make his fourth appearance for the Orioles. He's allowed four earned...

The last words on 13-3 win

The last words on 13-3 win
BRADENTON, Fla. - It never fails. A team is almost no-hit one night, and it erupts for 13 runs the next day. Josh Rupe extended his scoreless innings streak to 11 2/3 by completing the last three today. I guess we can't eliminate him from the bullpen discussion. Manager Buck Showalter playfully reminded reporters that he batted Matt Wieters fourth today. Showalter didn't seem real sympathetic about the higher bullpen mound and how it distracted Chris Tillman. "I don't really want to...

Fox trots

Fox trots
BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles pushed across three runs against left-hander Joe Beimel in the top of the eighth to increase their lead to 12-3. Matt Angle had an RBI single. Nick Green and Brendan Harris drove in runs with ground balls. Robert Andino's RBI triple in the eighth upped the lead to 13-3. Pirates right fielder Miles Durham crashed into the fence and had to leave the game after staying down for several minutes. Matt Wieters has four hits to raise his average from .207 to...

Fox does it again, Tillman talks (updated)

Fox does it again, Tillman talks (updated)
BRADENTON, Fla. - Jake Fox is out of control. Fox homered for the second time today, and the seventh time this spring. It was another two-run shot that easily cleared the left field fence. Contact was so loud, he made heads turn all the way down in Fort Lauderdale. Matt Wieters has three hits, including two doubles. He reached second base in the top of the seventh and trotted home on Fox's blast. Update: Wieters just reached on an infield single, his fourth hit of the game. Fox leads all...

Josh Bell's wild ride (with Britton update)

Josh Bell's wild ride (with Britton update)
BRADENTON, Fla. - With the time change last weekend, Josh Bell might want to set his clock back 24 hours. He's having a bad, bad day. I already wrote about Bell's error and his mental lapse on a rundown. He just got tagged out in the fourth inning as Felix Pie drew a walk. Bell was running on the pitch, slid into second and assumed that he was out. He didn't realize that Pie had taken ball four. Bell got up and started to jog toward the dugout, realized his mistake and got caught in a...

Orioles take lead in 3rd, Fox homers

Orioles take lead in 3rd, Fox homers
BRADENTON, Fla. - Jake Fox completed a six-run third inning with a mammoth two-run shot to left field off Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf. That's six homers for Fox. If you connected them, they would reach my townhouse in Sykesville. This ball bounced off the roof of a building that sits beyond the fence. If I were Fox, I'd still be striking a pose at home plate. Fox followed Matt Wieters' two-run double to left, though that one was charitable. Jose Tabata should have made the catch, but...

Lapses in first inning (and second)

Lapses in first inning (and second)
BRADENTON, Fla. - I'm not sure how Chris Tillman got out of the first inning without allowing a run. Tillman walked the leadoff hitter, Jose Tabata, and another batter reached on an error. Another play wasn't made cleanly, and the Orioles almost botched a rundown. Still scoreless as we head to the bottom of the first. Neil Walker followed Tabata's walk with a grounder to shortstop J.J. Hardy, who bobbled the ball and settled for the force at second base. Andrew McCutchen reached on third...

Pre-game Showalter (and Pirates lineup)

Pre-game Showalter (and Pirates lineup)
BRADENTON, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter met with reporters in his office before heading to McKechnie Field for today's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. I passed along the highlights, but here are some quotes to go with them. On Derrek Lee taking batting practice today: "He feels really good today. It's different from some things in the past. So far so good." On Lee's game schedule once he starts playing: "It's not going to be every day. Keep in mind, we can create as many at-bats...

Roberts 50-50 for weekend

Roberts 50-50 for weekend
SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts is scheduled to hit soft toss and off a tee this morning, and also participate in defensive drills. Manager Buck Showalter said Roberts is "50-50" to return to the lineup this weekend. Roberts hasn't played since March 7 because of back spasms. First baseman Derrek Lee will take batting practice in the indoor cage today off former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick. Lee could end up playing in Monday's minor league game that Showalter has...

Today's lineup

Today's lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - Top of the morning to you. I'm leaving in an hour to make my third trip to Bradenton this spring. Don't be green with envy. For the Orioles: Felix Pie CF J.J. Hardy SS Nolan Reimold LF Matt Wieters DH Jake Fox C Randy Winn RF Brendan Harris 2B Josh Bell 3B Brandon Snyder 1B Chris Tillman RHP Josh Rupe and Jeremy Accardo also are scheduled to pitch. The Pirates are listing Ross Ohlendorf, Evan Meek (still trying to inherit the earth) and Joe Beimel. Left-hander Zach...
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Final thoughts on 10-0 loss

Final thoughts on 10-0 loss
TAMPA, Fla. - I'll be brief, and not because I'm facing an hour drive back to Sarasota. The Orioles were held to one hit, Vladimir Guerrero's double off Mariano Rivera with two outs in the seventh. If you love a parade, you were in heaven with all the relievers used tonight. "Some guys threw the ball well, some guys struggled," manager Buck Showalter said. "We didn't swing the bats very well. Another day. We'll see more games, see more people play." The Orioles need to see better...

VandenHurk ineffective again

VandenHurk ineffective again
TAMPA, Fla. - Rick VandenHurk faced six batters tonight and retired none of them. VandenHurk was removed after allowing three runs. Armando Gabino inherited a bases loaded mess, so his line wasn't officially complete. It is now. Another run scored on a fielder's choice grounder from Alex Rodriguez. Robinson Cano followed with an RBI single. Five runs charged to VandenHurk. Yankees 9, Orioles 0 VandenHurk gave up three hits, walked three batters and threw a wild pitch. He's surrendered...

There goes the no-no

There goes the no-no
TAMPA, Fla. - The Orioles were spared the indignity of being no-hit in an exhibition game. They just needed someone named Mariano Rivera to replace Ivan Nova. Vladimir Guerrero doubled to right-center field off the Yankees' closer with two outs in the seventh. Finally, a hit. Nova hit a batter and walked one through the sixth. He threw only 59 pitches. The Yankees were going to push him to 75, but I guess they wanted this Rivera kid to get some work. Guerrero flied out and struck out...

Johnson on Johnson (updated twice)

Johnson on Johnson (updated twice)
TAMPA, Fla. - Jim Johnson was amused to find two reporters waiting for him outside the clubhouse after tonight's start. "Are you kidding?" he asked with a grin. Nope. We needed the starter, and Johnson qualified tonight. Johnson allowed one run on three hits. Derek Jeter reached on an infield hit after the ball deflected off Johnson's glove. Nick Swisher singled on a hit-and-run, and Mark Teixeira doubled for a 1-0 lead. "Oh, I was so nervous," Johnson said, clearly in jest. He...
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