Wieters, Cruz continue to rake as Orioles take 3-0 lead (O's win 3-0)

Wieters, Cruz continue to rake as Orioles take 3-0 lead (O's win 3-0)
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is on a serious roll. Wieters has now registered six multi-hit games in the last seven, going 13-for-30 with three doubles, two homers and eight RBIs in that stretch. His run-scoring double in the fourth inning tonight, a shot off the fence in center field, scored Nelson Cruz for a 1-0 lead over the Twins at Target Field. Cruz led off with a double, but Twins left fielder Jason Kubel played the ball like a live grenade. You may remember that the Orioles had...

Gausman diagnosed with pneumonia, not intercostal strain

Gausman diagnosed with pneumonia, not intercostal strain
Kevin Gausman just confirmed that his MRI today revealed he has pneumonia, not an intercostal strain. Gausman, the Orioles' second-ranked prospect by Baseball America, was placed on the minor league disabled list earlier today because of the illness. Coughing certainly caused him to feel pain in that area, also leading him to have trouble breathing overnight Wednesday. Gausman said he was sick about 2 1/2 weeks ago and recently felt better, but then the cough returned. The 23-year-old spoke...

Orioles-Twins lineups and notes (Gausman on DL)

Orioles-Twins lineups and notes (Gausman on DL)
The Orioles have gone 14-6 against the Twins dating back to April 19, 2011 and are 10-5 at Target Field since it opened in 2010. Will they continue to trend upward? Will Ubaldo Jimenez win his first game with the Orioles? Stay tuned. Manny Machado is starting at third base and batting second again tonight. Steve Pearce gets another start at first base. The Orioles confirmed that they recalled reliever Brad Brach from Triple-A Norfolk. He's wearing No. 35. For the Orioles Nick Markakis...

Gausman: "I was freaking out because I thought that I was having a heart attack"

Gausman: "I was freaking out because I thought that I was having a heart attack"
If pitcher Kevin Gausman wants to curse the timing of what may be an intercostal muscle injury, he could vent in a couple of directions. The Orioles would have recalled a healthy Gausman for tonight's series opener in Minnesota. And after being on a strict pitch count for his first five starts with Triple-A Norfolk, he was cleared to throw up to 90 for the Tides tonight until being scratched and replaced by knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa. "So ... of course," Gausman said today in a phone...

More on Gausman

More on Gausman
The Orioles are trying to get their top pitching prospects on the same healthy road back to the majors. Dylan Bundy continues to progress from last summer's ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and should be pitching in extended spring training games by the middle of the month. He's heading in one direction. Kevin Gausman just took a U-turn. Gausman will go on the seven-day minor league disabled list with an oblique injury. He's already been scratched from tonight's start...

Brach meeting Orioles in Minnesota

Brach meeting Orioles in Minnesota
While the Orioles decide whether to place pitcher Kevin Gausman on the minor league disabled list with an intercostal strain, they decided early this morning to recall reliever Brad Brach from Triple-A Norfolk. Brach replaces Evan Meek, who was optioned following the Orioles' 6-5, 10-inning victory over the Pirates in Game 2 of a doubleheader at Camden Yards. The doubleheader sweep taxed the bullpen, with Ryan Webb, Darren O'Day, Brian Matusz and Tommy Hunter pitching in both ends. Brach,...

More banter about the bullpen and tonight's game

More banter about the bullpen and tonight's game
The Orioles will open a three-game series tonight in Minnesota, where they only have to worry about frostbite and a smoldering bullpen. They didn't have enough pitching to make it to Target Field without another roster move. Not a chance. And Evan Meek was the most vulnerable reliever, which is why he's headed to Triple-A Norfolk. Early this morning, I tossed out some possible names to join the Orioles - Preston Guilmet, Suk-min Yoon and Tim Berry. Kevin Gausman was the obvious choice until...

Gausman injury prevents a call-up (Meek optioned)

Gausman injury prevents a call-up (Meek optioned)
The Orioles are expected to bring up a reliever for the trip to Minnesota after tonight's doubleheader sweep. The bullpen needs a fresh arm. It won't belong to Kevin Gausman. Gausman was scheduled to start tonight for Triple-A Norfolk - yes, we're past midnight - but an X-ray today revealed a strained intercostal muscle that could force him on the minor league disabled list. Gausman, who's 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts, would have been the likely choice without the injury. Manager...

Markakis muscles up (walk-off home run for Wieters)

Markakis muscles up (walk-off home run for Wieters)
No need to wonder when Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis is going to hit his first home run. Or his second. Today's doubleheader took care of both questions. Markakis has homered in both ends, his solo shot tying Game 2, 5-5, in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Pirates took a 5-4 lead in the top half on Starling Marte's RBI single off Ryan Webb, who replaced left-hander Troy Patton. But the Orioles have tied the game for the second time tonight. Jane, how do you stop this crazy...

Notes on Tillman and Jones (we're tied)

Notes on Tillman and Jones (we're tied)
Orioles starter Chris Tillman has made it through four innings tonight in Game 2. No one is warming in the bullpen, so Tillman will return for the fifth with his pitch count at 94, including 58 strikes. He's allowed two runs and four hits, walked three and struck out seven. Tillman has struck out six of the last 12 Pirates that he's faced. Tillman threw 49 pitches in the top of the first inning tonight. According to Elias, the last Oriole to throw 49 or more pitches in an inning also was...

Tillman tosses 49 pitches in first inning

Tillman tosses 49 pitches in first inning
How many innings will Orioles starter Chris Tillman work tonight in Game 2 of a doubleheader? Tillman threw 49 pitches in the top of the first, issuing two-out bases-loaded walks to Neil Walker and Starling Marte. The Pirates fouled off 16 pitches in the inning. Gaby Sanchez worked Tillman for 13 pitches before popping up to second base for the second out. Just as it appeared that Tillman might get away without allowing a run - a major accomplishment - he lost the plate against Walker and...

Showalter speaks after 5-1 win in Game 1

Showalter speaks after 5-1 win in Game 1
The rain has let up and the tarp finally is coming off the field. Approximate start time for Game 2 is 8:55 p.m. Orioles manager Buck Showalter had a few minutes to meet with reporters before rushing back into the clubhouse to prepare for the nightcap. One of his favorites, Steve Pearce, went 3-for-4 with two RBIs in his first at-bats since April 13. Pearce has six career three-hit games on his resume. "Stevie gave us a real lift," Showalter said. "Made a couple nice plays at first, too....

Stinson outrighted to Norfolk, Game 2 lineups

Stinson outrighted to Norfolk, Game 2 lineups
The Orioles reinstated left-hander Troy Patton from the restricted list and outrighted reliever Josh Stinson to Triple-A Norfolk. Stinson already has cleared waivers. Patton, 28, went 2-0 with a 3.70 ERA in a career-high 56 appearances for the Orioles in 2013. He made four rehab appearances with Norfolk on his rehab assignment, allowing two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Patton served a 25-game suspension for amphetamine use. Stinson, 26, allowed nine earned runs on 16 hits and six walks...

Pearce having a Game 1 to remember (Markakis homers, O's win 5-1)

Pearce having a Game 1 to remember (Markakis homers, O's win 5-1)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter refers to Steve Pearce as a "professional hitter," a guy who can sit for long stretches without complaint and still make solid contact at the plate. Pearce is providing a nice little demonstration today in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Pirates. Pearce was 1-for-7 before the Orioles designated him for assignment last week. He's 3-for-3 today with two run-scoring singles. The Orioles lead 4-1 after Pearce's second RBI hit with one out in the bottom of...

Game delayed by rain (O's lead 3-1, Norris done)

Game delayed by rain (O's lead 3-1, Norris done)
Play at Camden Yards was halted at 5:25 p.m. due to the latest storm to hit the Baltimore area. Mother Nature has a sick sense of humor. Fans in their orange "I Like Our Guys" T-shirts streamed to the exits. Streams formed in the parking lots. We have a theme today. The delay won't last long. The grounds crew already is pulling back the tarp at 5:36 p.m. Bud Norris has allowed one run and five hits in four innings, with one walk and three strikeouts. He threw 20, 20 and 20 pitches over...

Urrutia to DL, information on make-up game, O's win challenge and more

Urrutia to DL, information on make-up game, O's win challenge and more
Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Henry Urrutia has been placed on the seven-day minor league disabled list, retroactive to April 29, with an abdominal strain. Urrutia is batting .220/.250/.293 with six doubles and seven RBIs in 20 games with the Tides. The Orioles-Rays game at Camden Yards that was postponed due to rain on April 15 will be made up at 1:05 p.m. on June 27 as part of a split doubleheader. The Orioles and Pirates are playing Game 1 and Game 2 today. If the Orioles are smart,...

More notes and quotes before Game 1

More notes and quotes before Game 1
The Orioles and Pirates aren't allowed to call up a 26th player today because this isn't a split doubleheader. Also, the doubleheader wasn't scheduled before yesterday. Those are the rules. The Orioles had consecutive games postponed due to rain for the first time since April 13-14, 2004 in Boston. Here are the pitching matchups for the series in Minnesota: Friday: Ubaldo Jimenez versus Ricky Nolasco Saturday: Wei-Yin Chen versus Kevin Correia Sunday: Miguel Gonzalez versus Phil...

Lombardozzi optioned and other notes

Lombardozzi optioned and other notes
The Orioles announced that they optioned infielder Steve Lombardozzi to Triple-A Norfolk today to make room for third baseman Manny Machado on the 25-man roster. Lombardozzi, 25, batted .292/.301/.333 (21-for-72) in 19 games at second base for the Orioles this season. Ryan Flaherty remains on the roster and could start at first base tonight in Game 2. The Orioles like him defensively in the infield and he also can play the outfield. He's basically the backup first baseman with Chris Davis on...

Machado not in Game 1 lineup, Lombardozzi not listed among reserves

Machado not in Game 1 lineup, Lombardozzi not listed among reserves
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado isn't starting Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Pirates at Camden Yards. He's listed among the reserves, with Ryan Flaherty starting at third. Infielder Steve Lombardozzi isn't listed among the Orioles reserves. He's apparently been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Machado on the 25-man roster. Lombardozzi said he's not injured and wouldn't comment further. Jemile Weeks is leading off again today. Steve Pearce is playing first...

No longer anticipating precipitation, Orioles will play two today

No longer anticipating precipitation, Orioles will play two today
The Orioles no longer are attempting to play one game. Weather permitting, they're going for two. It's a daring maneuver, to say the least. The Orioles will play a straight doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. Much preferred over the crooked ones. "I Like Our Guys" T-shirts for everyone! Make mine a smedium. Sleeves optional, of course. The Orioles will activate third baseman Manny Machado from the disabled list before Game 1 and make a corresponding move. He's been in the clubhouse and...