Machado continues monster season (O's lose 5-4)

Machado continues monster season (O's lose 5-4)
It's been quite a day for Manny Machado, and it's only the fourth inning. Machado is 2-for-2. He doubled in the first inning, giving him 31 this season. He singled in the third, giving him 28 mult-hit games, which also leads the majors. The 97 hits? Yeah, that also leads the majors. Machado has four straight multi-hit games, going 9-for-18 with four doubles. His average is up to .327. Imagine how good he could become once he turns 21 next month? The Red Sox hadn't scored in 18 innings...

More on Manny Machado (O's lead 2-0)

More on Manny Machado (O's lead 2-0)
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has 30 doubles in 68 games. According to Elias, the earliest any other major leaguer under 21 reached 30 doubles since 1900 was 81 games by Hall of Famer Ted Williams in 1939. According to STATS, Machado's 30 doubles in 68 games are the most by any player under age 22 since 1920, topping Williams' 25 in 1939 and Joe DiMaggio's 24 in 1936. Machado is on pace for 71 doubles. The major league record in a season is 67 by Earl Webb for Boston in 1931. The...

Roberts approaching date for rehab assignment

Roberts approaching date for rehab assignment
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts continues to take outdoor batting practice and will accompany the team to Detroit following Sunday's game. He may also go to Toronto and could begin his injury-rehab assignment when the Orioles begin a seven-game homestand on June 24. Roberts hasn't played since the third game of the season. Wei-Yin Chen threw off a regular mound today in Sarasota. He could pitch in a simulated game down there before coming to Baltimore. Orioles manager Buck Showalter...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Matt Wieters is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter today and Taylor Teagarden is behind the plate. Ryan Flaherty remains at second base against Red Sox right-hander John Lackey. Nothing else to see here. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters DH J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Taylor Teagarden C Freddy Garcia RHP For the Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury CF Shane Victorino RF Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Mike Carp...
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The bullpen, McFarland's first win and team chemistry

The bullpen, McFarland's first win and team chemistry
I find it absolutely shocking that the Orioles are 10 games above .500. Judging by some of the comments here after Wednesday's loss, I thought the season was over and a managerial change was on the horizon. The bullpen has been instrumental in these last two victories, both of them against the first-place team in the American League East. A bullpen that Buck Showalter refused to completely torch on Wednesday in order to avoid using Pedro Strop, who had struck out two in a scoreless inning in...

Showalter speaks after 2-0 win

Showalter speaks after 2-0 win
The Orioles' bullpen was stellar again tonight in a 2-0 win over the Red Sox, turning in three scoreless and hitless innings behind starter Chris Tillman. The only baserunner coming on a hit batter by closer Jim Johnson. "Chris allowed that to happen," said manager Buck Showalter. "It's not very often he has four or five walks. He made a lot of good pitches. He was frustrated. We were trying to get the seventh out of him, but didn't get off to a good start. Bullpen pitched well again...

Tillman doesn't trip during walk on wild side (O's win 2-0)

Tillman doesn't trip during walk on wild side (O's win 2-0)
Chris Tillman walked a batter in the first inning. He walked one leading off the second. He walked one in the third. He walked one leading off the fourth. The Red Sox couldn't feast on a recipe for disaster. Tillman made it through the sixth without allowing a run, gave up a leadoff double to Jose Iglesias in the seventh and was done. Darren O'Day replaced him and stranded Iglesias at second base. Tillman allowed three hits in six innings, walked four and struck out three. He threw 106...

Wada and game updates (Wada move official, O's lead 2-0)

Wada and game updates (Wada move official, O's lead 2-0)
Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada has agreed to accept being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk once his injury rehab assignment concludes this weekend. The final details are being ironed out. Wada has to give his consent, according to a clause in the two-year, $8.15 million contract that he signed on Dec. 14, 2011. Wada has made six starts with Norfolk, going 1-4 with an 8.14 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. The Tides are playing a doubleheader tonight, with Josh Stinson starting Game 1 and Jair Jurrens...

Notes and updates before tonight's game

Notes and updates before tonight's game
Pitcher Jake Arrieta hadn't arrived at Camden Yards when reporters met with manager Buck Showalter shortly after 4 p.m., but he's on the field now for batting practice and will be available in the bullpen. "It's his day to pitch," Showalter said. "We needed some length out there and Jake fit for us. We'll see what the next couple days bring. Freddy (Garcia) would also be available to us in the 'pen tonight. He was available last night, too, in his words." Arrieta is "an option" to...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Chris Tillman takes the mound tonight for the Orioles, who will attempt to beat the Red Sox in the regulation nine innings. Something different to break the monotony. Tillman is 1-1 with a 2.97 ERA in six career starts against the Red Sox. In seven home starts this year, he's 1-2 with a 5.31 ERA over 39 innings, with four quality starts. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson DH Ryan Flaherty...

Arrieta joining Orioles' bullpen

Arrieta joining Orioles' bullpen
The Orioles will recall Jake Arrieta from Triple-A Norfolk this afternoon to serve as an extra bullpen arm for tonight's game against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. An announcement will come later today. Arrieta will take Kevin Gausman's spot on the 25-man roster. Gausman was optioned after last night's 13-inning game, which included six relievers being used behind him. Arrieta hasn't pitched since Sunday, so he'd be working on normal rest if needed tonight. He's 3-3 with a 5.50...

Really random thoughts

Really random thoughts
This blog entry is going to shift in many directions, so buckle up or grab onto the railing. The Orioles will announce their corresponding roster move today after optioning Kevin Gausman late last night. They have a spot open on their 40-man roster, though they'll need it for Tsuyoshi Wada once his 30-day rehab assignment ends this weekend. The plan is to put him on the 40-man and option him, with his consent, to Triple-A Norfolk. Josh Stinson, Jair Jurrjens and Zach Britton are three...

Showalter speaks after 5-4, 13-inning win (Gausman optioned)

Showalter speaks after 5-4, 13-inning win (Gausman optioned)
The Orioles are contemplating a roster move for Friday to add another reliever after using six in tonight's 5-4, 13-inning win over the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. Brian Matusz threw 26 pitches, Tommy Hunter 21, Darren O'Day 26, Troy Patton five, Jim Johnson 10 and T.J. McFarland 16. Patton and Matusz also pitched Wednesday afternoon against the Angels. "We didn't overextend anybody," said manager Buck Showalter. "Tommy's pitch count was down. Darren had two days off going today...

Davis wins it in 13th

Davis wins it in 13th
Chris Davis' two-out bloop single into left field in the bottom of the 13th inning off Red Sox reliever Alex Wilson scored Nick Markakis and gave the Orioles a 5-4 victory before whatever remained of 20,098 at Camden Yards. Markakis walked with two outs and Adam Jones singled to right field. Davis followed with his second run-scoring single of the night. Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland picked up his first major league win by retiring the Red Sox in order in the top of the 13th inning. The game...

Gausman leaves with lead (free baseball!)

Gausman leaves with lead (free baseball!)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter let rookie Kevin Gausman start the top of the sixth inning, but he had left-hander Brian Matusz ready in the bullpen. Gausman was going to face two more batters before David Ortiz came to the plate. Shane Victorino flied out and Dustin Pedroia singled. With Ortiz representing the tying run, Showalter brought in Matusz for one of the more favorable matchups in baseball. Ortiz was 1-for-15 with 10 strikeouts against Matusz. Make it 1-for-16 after Ortiz popped...

A few more notes and updates (O's lead 4-2)

A few more notes and updates (O's lead 4-2)
The Orioles have won 11 of their last 15 games against the Boston Red Sox and 21 of their last 30. They've won five straight series and eight of nine dating back to Sept. 19, 2011. Manager Buck Showalter gave Nate McLouth the start in left field tonight against Boston left-hander Felix Doubront, leaving Steve Pearce on the bench. Pearce walked past the lineup card today and asked a reporter who was pitching for the Red Sox. There hasn't been a change. Showalter had his reasons. "If you...

Showalter on Strop

Showalter on Strop
Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked today whether he's comfortable using reliever Pedro Strop in any situation after yesterday's outing, when the right-hander allowed two inherited runners to score and four of his own. "What does 'comfortable' mean," Showalter replied. Will Showalter use Strop in any situation? "Well, it depends what the needs of our bullpen are," he said. "Yesterday, we had three or four guys that we weren't going to use. We've got some guys who, when...

Reimold almost ready for rehab assignment

Reimold almost ready for rehab assignment
Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold said he expects to begin his injury-rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Bowie. "That's what I'm shooting for," he said. Reimold ran sprints and did quick bursts today before the heavy rain arrived at Camden Yards. As long as his right hamstring didn't bark, he would be cleared to start playing again. "It's feeling better. I've made a lot of progress," he said. "I think you know when you're past the point where you're going to keep having...

McLouth and Flaherty included in tonight's lineup (plus Casilla update)

McLouth and Flaherty included in tonight's lineup (plus Casilla update)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't entirely break out his right-handed lineup tonight against Red Sox left-hander Felix Doubront. Nate McLouth is in left field. No Steve Pearce. Ryan Flaherty is at second base. No Alexi Casilla. Casilla's right index finger must still be sore. For the Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury CF Shane Victorino RF Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Mike Napoli 1B Daniel Nava LF Jarrod Saltalamachia C Will Middlebrooks 3B Stephen Drew SS Felix Doubront LHP For the...

Kevin Gausman and his two changeups

Kevin Gausman and his two changeups
Kevin Gausman is on the mound tonight for the Orioles, searching for his first major league win in the opener of a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox. As usual, no pressure. During his last two starts, the Gameday pitch tracker kept giving readings on a "splitter," which seemed curious, since Gausman doesn't throw a split-fingered fastball. One split was clocked at 81 mph, the next at 88 mph. Gausman explained earlier this week that the confusion stems from the two changeups that...