Graham back on the coaching staff tonight

Graham back on the coaching staff tonight
PITTSBURGH - Brian Graham, the Orioles director of player development, is coaching third base tonight. Bobby Dickerson left the team to attend his daughter Ashley's high school graduation. Graham tried to deflect any attention given to him tonight, just as he did Saturday while serving as bench coach in Kansas City for acting manager John Russell. Graham actually prepped for tonight's assignment by coaching for Single-A Delmarva last night in its game in Charleston, W.Va. "I love the...

Orioles and Pirates lineups

Orioles and Pirates lineups
PITTSBURGH - Nick Markakis leads all active players and ranks fourth all-time with a career .336 average in 532 at-bats in interleague play. Guess who's playing right field and leading off tonight for the Orioles? Adam Jones is tied with Paul Konerko and Marcus Thames for the most career homers off Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano (three). Jones (.886) leads the American League and is second to the Braves' Justin Upton (.964) in slugging percentage against left-handed pitching in...

Updating Bundy's start at extended spring training

Updating Bundy's start at extended spring training
PITTSBURGH - Dylan Bundy threw 18 pitches today in his first start in an extended spring training game in Sarasota. Bundy, who had progressed to throwing live batting practice before today, allowed two home runs on pitches up in the zone. His fastball was clocked at 90-92 mph. Bundy, 21, is scheduled to work two innings Saturday in another extended spring training game before the Orioles place him on a five-day starter's scheduled in Sarasota. He underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow...

Pitchers get to bat in Pittsburgh

Pitchers get to bat in Pittsburgh
Wave goodbye to the designated hitter for the next two nights. Enjoy watching Orioles pitchers try to lay down bunts without losing a finger. Zach Britton may get more save chances, but I'd bat him cleanup. He's 5-for-8 with a double and home run in the majors. Britton went 2-for-3 with a run scored in a June 22, 2011 game at PNC Park. Let him swing away. With Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano on the mound tonight, the Orioles' lineup most likely will include Nelson Cruz in left field,...

What's next for Pearce and Young?

What's next for Pearce and Young?
The Marlins released reliever Carlos Marmol today and signed veteran infielder Miguel Tejada to a minor league contract. That sound you hear is the balance of power shifting in the National League East. Or it's my sarcasm. Earlier today, I mentioned how Steve Pearce has practically disappeared since Chris Davis came off the disabled list. The same is true of Delmon Young, another right-handed hitter on the roster. Pearce is batting .271/.327/.521 with three doubles, three homers and six RBIs...

"Because You Asked" - Seventh Inning Fetch

"Because You Asked" - Seventh Inning Fetch
The Orioles don't have a game tonight and it has nothing to do with rain. There's an open date on their schedule. Triple-A Norfolk has one, as well, and should savor every second of it. After today, the Tides have one off-day scheduled prior to the All-Star break. They play on 54 of the next 55 days. Heath Bell made his Norfolk debut yesterday and retired the side in order on eight pitches, including six strikes. Fans ask why the Orioles would bother signing Bell, who hasn't really been good...

How to lose a lead (and a game 8-6)

How to lose a lead (and a game 8-6)
Start with playing on Sundays. What is it with the Orioles and Sundays? In the past, it could be traced to managers playing seldom-used reserves while resting certain regulars. Matt Wieters always seemed to sit on that day. That's not necessarily the case anymore, though Wieters has no choice while being on the disabled list. Doesn't matter who's in the lineup. The last day of the weekend brings the same old result. The Orioles lost five of their six Sunday games before today and they...

Orioles eliminate the drama in Kansas City (O's down 5-3)

Orioles eliminate the drama in Kansas City (O's down 5-3)
James Shields didn't flirt with perfection. Not even a wink. The Orioles didn't get their first baserunner off Royals left-hander Danny Duffy last night until Adam Jones singled with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. Shields retired the first six Orioles today before J.J. Hardy singled leading off the top of the third. That won't get your face slapped. David Lough singled, Jonathan Schoop reached on a bunt single and Nick Markakis delivered two runs with a single into right...

Orioles and Royals lineups

Orioles and Royals lineups
In 17 games this month, the Orioles rank third in the majors with a 3.02 ERA and a 2.87 starter ERA. Now, if they could start scoring some runs... The Orioles lost their first 1-0 game last night since Sept. 20, 2008 in the Bronx. It was their first 1-0 game since Oct. 2, 2012 at Tropicana Field, when Chris Davis homered off James Shields, who struck out 15 batters. Shields starts today for the Royals. The last time the Orioles lost a 1-0 game when the first batter of the game scored was...

Can Jimenez maintain his May magic?

Can Jimenez maintain his May magic?
The Orioles have been held to two runs or fewer in five of their last seven games, which tends to put more pressure on their starting pitchers. Such a small margin for error. It may not matter to Ubaldo Jimenez, who has been a completely different pitcher this month. He's no longer coming up small. Jimenez was 0-4 with a 6.59 ERA in five starts in April, with 17 walks and 21 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings. Opponents batted .300 against him. Check out what he's done in May. Jimenez is 2-0 with a...

Norris' ERA and the Orioles fall tonight

Norris' ERA and the Orioles fall tonight
I'll continue to insist that I don't possess the powers to jinx anyone or anything, but as soon as I tweeted tonight that the Orioles didn't have a baserunner through the sixth inning against the Royals, Adam Jones singled up the middle to destroy Danny Duffy's bid for a perfect game. Pure coincidence, but also uncanny. I take a night off and the Orioles almost became a part of history. Duffy, making only his third start this season, retired the first 20 batters. It started to get real...

Orioles lineup vs. Royals

Orioles lineup vs.  Royals
The Orioles are breaking out their right-handed lineup tonight against Royals left-hander Danny Duffy. Jonathan Schoop starts at second base and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Nelson Cruz is in left field and Delmon Young is serving as the designated hitter. Brian Graham, serving as bench coach tonight, is wearing No. 43 if you're into that sort of thing. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz LF J.J. Hardy SS Delmon Young DH Jonathan...
Tags:

A few pregame notes and Royals lineup

A few pregame notes and Royals lineup
Bench coach John Russell will manage the Orioles tonight in Kansas City while Buck Showalter attends his daughter Allie's graduation from law school at Southern Methodist University. Director of player development Brian Graham will serve as bench coach. Graham will coach third base Tuesday in Pittsburgh while Bobby Dickerson attends his daughter Ashley's graduation. Adam Jones is batting .469/.514/.938 against left-handed pitching this season, leading the majors in average, slugging and OPS...

Norris set to face the Royals (Meek clears waivers)

Norris set to face the Royals (Meek clears waivers)
Bud Norris hopes history repeats itself tonight in Kansas City, but only to a point. In his only career appearance against the Royals on May 21, 2013, Norris tossed six scoreless innings before the Astros bullpen blew a 3-0 lead. Norris is making his fifth road start tonight for the Orioles. He's 1-2 with a 5.48 ERA away from home. In his last outing, Norris was working on a quality start until Detroit's Ian Kinsler hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning. Norris hit Torii Hunter, the...

About last night ...

About last night ...
Are the Orioles slumping or surging? I can't keep it straight. The rotation is a concern because the starters aren't working deep enough in games, except for Chris Tillman tossing a nine-inning shutout last night in a 4-0 victory over the Royals. The offense is ice cold, except for Chris Davis homering last night, Nelson Cruz producing two more RBIs and the Orioles actually scoring in three different innings. This is a hard team to figure out. Zach Britton still appears to be the closer,...

Orioles confirm Bell signing, Tillman shuts out Royals

Orioles confirm Bell signing, Tillman shuts out Royals
The Orioles made their agreement with Heath Bell official tonight, saying via Twitter that the veteran reliever will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, pending a physical. Hold the Grant Balfour jokes, please. Most of these guys actually pass the physical. "Bell is a proven veteran pitcher with experience who has agreed to a Triple-A deal," executive vice president Dan Duquette tweeted tonight. "We believe he can help our major league club later this season." According to...

Orioles sign Heath Bell to minor league deal (O's lead 4-0)

Orioles sign Heath Bell to minor league deal (O's lead 4-0)
Seeking to improve their bullpen depth and provide options at closer down the road, the Orioles have agreed to terms with veteran right-hander Heath Bell on a minor league contract and will assign him to Triple-A Norfolk. Bell is expected to sign his contract later tonight. Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed the agreement in a text message, referring to Bell as "an interesting sign for 3A." The Orioles didn't have much interest in Bell, 36, over the winter after the Rays...

Tillman's slow starts, Steve Johnson update, today's roster move and more

Tillman's slow starts, Steve Johnson update, today's roster move and more
The outcome of tonight's game between the Orioles and Royals may be determined in the first few innings. Chris Tillman takes the mound tonight at Kauffman Stadium. In the first two innings of his eight starts in 2014, Tillman has posted a 7.31 ERA by allowing 13 earned runs in 16 innings. From the third inning on, he's posted a 2.27 ERA by allowing eight earned runs over 31 2/3 innings. Pitcher Steve Johnson underwent an MRI on his right shoulder yesterday in Baltimore that didn't reveal...

Orioles recall Brach (updated)

Orioles recall Brach (updated)
The Orioles made another adjustment to their bullpen today, recalling Brad Brach from Triple-A Norfolk and designating Evan Meek for assignment off the 25-man roster. Meek remains in the organization and will be assigned to Norfolk on Saturday after clearing option waivers. It's a confusing procedural move. Brach, 28, is 3-1 with a 3.26 ERA, five walks and 38 strikeouts in 15 appearances for the Tides covering 19 1/3 innings. He appeared in two games for the Orioles earlier this season and...

Orioles and Royals lineups and update on Johan Santana

Orioles and Royals lineups and update on Johan Santana
David Lough is getting another start in left field tonight and Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base, as the Orioles and Royals play the second game of a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Nelson Cruz is serving as the designated hitter again after belting his team-leading 12th home run last night, a two-run shot that keyed the Orioles' 2-1 win. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz DH Steve Clevenger C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B...