Tillman vs. Blanton tonight

Tillman vs. Blanton tonight
Chris Tillman is making his second career start tonight against the Los Angeles Angels, and his first in their home ballpark. Considering that he's an Anaheim native, this is a pretty big deal. He may have to beg teammates for their spare tickets. Tillman owns a victory against the Angels. He allowed three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings on Aug. 14, 2009. That's it. One start, one win. Tillman has only faced three current Angels. Josh Hamilton is 0-for-6 with three strikeouts against him,...

The Clark bar is raised tonight (O's lose 8-3)

The Clark bar is raised tonight (O's lose 8-3)
Tonight's game had been largely forgettable until the Orioles scored twice in the sixth inning, but we should hold onto the memory of Zach Clark making his major league debut. Clark will turn 30 in July. He agreed to terms on a professional contract while standing with scout Dean Albany in the parking lot at UMBC. It wasn't a hard negotiation. He settled for a cool $1,000. The Orioles interrupted Clark's eighth minor league season yesterday by recalling him. And here he is, pitching in...

Jones having a rough night in center field (Chen done)

Jones having a rough night in center field (Chen done)
Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen hadn't allowed a run in his last 13 innings before tonight. He fell behind 1-0 in the first after a line drive fell in front of center fielder Adam Jones to spark the Mariners' two-out rally. He fell behind 3-0 in the second after Jesus Montero tripled on a ball that bounced off the heel of Jones' glove as he raced to the warning track. It could have been a whole lot worse in the first. Chen threw 28 pitches, the last a called third strike on Dustin Ackley...

Orioles and Mariners lineups

Orioles and Mariners lineups
Nate McLouth is leading off and Manny Machado is batting second tonight for the Orioles' series finale against the Seattle Mariners. Why mess with a good thing? 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 Ryan Flaherty 2B Nolan Reimold DH Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Mariners Saunders CF Seager 3B Morales DH Morse RF Bay LF Smoak 1B Ackley 2B Montero C Andino SS Harang RHP The Mariners are 0-3 in rubber matches...

Can Chen save the 'pen?

Can Chen save the 'pen?
Orioles manager Buck Showalter used four relievers last night to cover the final four innings of a 7-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Showalter used Tommy Hunter for a second consecutive game, but he avoided closer Jim Johnson, who hasn't pitched since Saturday. He's rested and ready tonight if there's a save situation. Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland hasn't pitched since Thursday in Oakland. He's been used once since April 21, totaling one inning. He's rested, ready and probably a...

Pleading for the fifth starter

Pleading for the fifth starter
I can still feel the Sarasota sun beating down on me as Orioles manager Buck Showalter revealed the last few names in his rotation during a late spring training batting practice. He confirmed that Jake Arrieta would be the No. 4 starter rather than No. 5, and that Chris Tillman would be the fifth starter after coming off the disabled list. It seemed simple enough, except that the order is pretty twisted now and Arrieta is no longer in it. Arrieta was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after four...

Dickerson proved to be the right choice in right field (O's win 7-2)

Dickerson proved to be the right choice in right field (O's win 7-2)
Chris Dickerson was 1-for-8 as an Oriole before manager Buck Showalter decided to give him the start in right field tonight. He hadn't started since April 20. Showalter must have played a hunch. He may want to swing by Atlantic City on his way back to Baltimore. Dickerson is 3-for-3 tonight, and his two-run single in the sixth inning increased the Orioles' lead to 6-0. Dickerson isn't tearing the cover off the ball. The "damage" includes a bunt single and a bloop into center field, but...

Alomar voted into Orioles Hall of Fame

Alomar voted into Orioles Hall of Fame
The Orioles Hall of Fame will make room a player later this summer who's already been elected into Cooperstown. Former second baseman Roberto Alomar will be honored on Aug. 2 prior to the Orioles game against the Seattle Mariners at Camden Yards. Former Orioles scout and baseball operations executive Don Pries will be inducted as this year's Herb Armstrong Award winner. Alomar played for the Orioles from 1996-1998, compiling a .312 batting average, 50 home runs and 210 RBIs in 412 regular...

McLouth and Machado stay hot (updated)

McLouth and Machado stay hot (updated)
Nate McLouth made a triumphant return to the Orioles' lineup tonight. One night after sitting on the bench against a left-hander, McLouth hit his 11th career leadoff home run to give the Orioles a quick 1-0 lead. Mariners starter Brandon Maurer threw four straight fastballs to McLouth, at 91, 91, 93 and 91 mph. He might want to mix in an off-speed pitch. He might want to just avoid McLouth, who has reached base in 23 of his last 37 plate appearances. He's 16-for-30 with 14 runs scored in...

Orioles option Britton, DFA Exposito

Orioles option Britton, DFA Exposito
The Orioles announced a flurry of roster moves before tonight's game in Seattle. They officially recalled former UMBC pitcher Zach Clark from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned left-hander Zach Britton to the Tides. Also, the Orioles purchased catcher Chris Snyder's contract and designated catcher Luis Exposito for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. And finally, the Orioles reinstated pitcher Steve Johnson from the disabled list and optioned him to Norfolk. Clark, 29, is 1-2 with...

Dickerson in right field, Markakis the DH

Dickerson in right field, Markakis the DH
Whatever roster move is being made by the Orioles today, it won't involve outfielder Chris Dickerson. He's starting in right field tonight against the Seattle Mariners. Nick Markakis is serving as the designated hitter. Nate McLouth is back in left field and atop the order. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Chris Dickerson RF Jason Hammel RHP

Mariners lineup vs. O's (and Ayala note)

Mariners lineup vs. O's (and Ayala note)
Still waiting for the Orioles to announce their roster moves today. Still waiting for their lineup. Michael Saunders, who came off the disabled list yesterday and homered on Zach Britton's second pitch, is back in the leadoff spot for the Mariners. For the Mariners Michael Saunders CF Kyle Seager 3B Kendrys Morales DH Michael Morse RF Jason Bay LF Justin Smoak 1B Dustin Ackley 2B Kelly Shoppach C Brendan Ryan SS Brandon Maurer RHP None of the Orioles have faced Maurer. He'll be a total...

Clark joining Orioles in Seattle (updated)

Clark joining Orioles in Seattle (updated)
The Orioles are continuing to make roster moves today, and the latest one has a nice local flavor. Besides needing to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for new backup catcher Chris Snyder, they also have summoned pitcher Zach Clark from Triple-A Norfolk. Clark is flying to Seattle today and could provide another arm in the bullpen. The Orioles are expected to officially recall Clark, 29, later today, but will wait until his arrival. Clark (UMBC) will be making his major league debut if...

McLouth won't be left on the bench tonight

McLouth won't be left on the bench tonight
The Orioles will face right-handers in five of the final six games on this West Coast trip, and you know what that means. Nate McLouth will be in the starting lineup in five of the final six games on this West Coast trip. McLouth is pretty much in a platoon situation despite his red-hot bat. Nolan Reimold has been starting in left field against southpaws, with Steve Pearce serving as the designated hitter. Before last night, McLouth had reached base safely in 22 of his last 36 plate...

Britton's strange night lasts six innings (O's lose 6-2)

Britton's strange night lasts six innings (O's lose 6-2)
Orioles left-hander Zach Britton experienced a little bit of everything tonight in his first major league start of 2013. The home run he allowed on his second pitch of the night. The 34-pitch fourth inning. The easy nine-pitch fifth inning. The three-run sixth inning, and the bruise he probably sustained on his left arm from the home plate umpire. Strange night indeed. Britton allowed six runs and 10 hits in six innings, with two walks, two strikeouts and a wild pitch. He totaled 101...

Britton falls behind on second pitch (O's down 3-2)

Britton falls behind on second pitch (O's down 3-2)
For Orioles left-hander Zach Britton to have success tonight, he needs to keep the ball on the ground. He needs that sinker to be working. He needs to do a better job with Michael Saunders. Activated from the disabled list this afternoon, Saunders drove Britton's second pitch of the game into the right field seats to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead over the Orioles. The Mariners have hit three leadoff home runs this season. Saunders just collected the first of his career. Britton threw a 91...

Garcia staying at Norfolk

Garcia staying at Norfolk
Veteran pitcher Freddy Garcia has decided to remain in the Orioles organization beyond his five starts at Triple-A Norfolk. Garcia could have opted out of his contract after Sunday's start, but he has agreed to stay through May 14. Garcia is 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA in five starts, with two walks and 21 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings. Earlier today, he was named the International League's Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA, no walks and nine strikeouts. Executive vice president...

McLouth sits vs. Saunders (Steve Johnson update)

McLouth sits vs. Saunders (Steve Johnson update)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is sticking with his right-handed lineup tonight against Mariners left-hander Joe Saunders, which puts Nate McLouth on the bench. Nolan Reimold is starting in left field and Steve Pearce is serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Steve Pearce DH Nolan Reimold LF Alexi Casilla 2B Zach Britton LHP Wieters is 2-for-2 with a home run lifetime against Saunders, who...

Bundy receives PRP injection

Bundy receives PRP injection
Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy, shut down because of stiffness in his right forearm, received a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection this afternoon from orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews in Gulf Breeze, Fla. Andrews prescribed six weeks rest for Bundy, who will conduct his rehab in Sarasota. Bundy hasn't pitched since March. He tried to throw off flat ground from 90 feet recently and complained of more tightness in his flexor mass. Bundy sought a second opinion from Andrews,...

Manny Machado joins Brooks Robinson in Orioles history

Manny Machado joins Brooks Robinson in Orioles history
According to the Orioles, only two players in club history at the age of 20 have collected four hits in a single game. Brooks Robinson was the youngest at 20 years, 130 days on Sept. 25, 1957. Manny Machado because the second-youngest yesterday in Oakland at 20 years, 296 days. Machado was 4-for-5. Robinson was 4-for-4. Robinson's four-hit day included a triple and his 10th RBI and raised his average to .226. All four hits came against Whitey Ford in the second game of a doubleheader. The...