Notes on Snyder, Garcia and Bundy (and Charlie Zill)

Notes on Snyder, Garcia and Bundy (and Charlie Zill)
New Orioles catcher Chris Snyder is expected to meet up with the Orioles tonight in Seattle, but his contract won't be selected until Tuesday, which allows Luis Exposito to serve in a backup role for one more game. The Orioles will need to create room on their 40-man roster, which also could impact Exposito. Stay tuned. Executive vice president Dan Duquette has been interested in Snyder since joining the Orioles' front office. He considered signing Snyder the past two winters and again in...

Orioles acquire Chris Snyder (updated)

Orioles acquire Chris Snyder (updated)
The Orioles didn't wait long to find another backup catcher. According to a text message from executive vice president Dan Duquette, the Orioles have acquired catcher Chris Snyder from the Los Angeles Angels for reliever Rob Delaney in a minor league deal. Update: The Orioles and Angels both announced the trade. Snyder, 32, could join the Orioles in Seattle on Monday night, according to Duquette, and will have his contract selected this week. Luis Exposito, who met up with the club in...

Strop and the bullpen: The morning after (and Garcia note)

Strop and the bullpen: The morning after (and Garcia note)
I could hear the blood pressure of some fans rising after yesterday's loss. My ears popped when it spiked. It's never easy to surrender a five-run lead, blow a two-run lead in the ninth and commit back-to-back throwing errors in the 10th that hands a game to the opponent. That'll make you chew nails for the rest of the night. To the fans who wondered why Jim Johnson didn't pitch yesterday, I'll repeat that he was used on five of the previous six days. No game is worth having his arm fall...

Orioles getting top production from top of order (O's lose 9-8 in 10th)

Orioles getting top production from top of order (O's lose 9-8 in 10th)
Nate McLouth and Manny Machado have combined for eight hits, two RBIs and five runs scored today. The Orioles have a pretty nice one-two combination at the top of their order. McLouth produced his first four-hit game in four years. Machado has his first career four-hit game. McLouth, who's scored four of the runs, is batting .351. He's making $2 million this season. That's quite a bargain. Machado, who's accounted for both RBIs, has raised his average to .302. He seems pretty...

Orioles string together singles to break tie (Davis homers)

Orioles string together singles to break tie (Davis homers)
So much for that scoreless tie in Oakland. Nate McLouth, Manny Machado, Nick Markakis and Adam Jones singled in succession to produce the game's first run in the top of the fourth inning. Chris Davis drove in two more runs with a double and Matt Wieters produced a sacrifice fly. The Orioles didn't knock out Oakland starter Bartolo Colon. They just peppered him with jabs. McLouth has reached base safely in 19 of his last 33 plate appearances. Over his last nine games, he's 12-for-26 with...

O's lineup vs. A's (updated)

O's lineup vs. A's (updated)
Nolan Reimold is serving as the designated hitter today, as the Oriolestry to complete a four-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics. Nate McLouth remains the leadoff hitter. Ryan Flaherty gets the start at second base. 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 Miguel Gonzalez RHP Down on the farm, Triple-A Norfolk's Jonathan Schoop extended his hitting streak to 10...
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A's lineup vs. O's (updated)

A's lineup vs. O's (updated)
The Oakland Athletics activated outfielder Yoenis Cespedes from the disabled list today and designated Casper Wells for assignment. The Toronto Blue Jays selected Wells, the Towson University alum, off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on April 10. The A's purchased him from the Blue Jays on April 22. Now he's out there again. The Orioles had some interest in Wells earlier this year. He's out of minor league options, which is why he keeps hitting the open market more than...
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Orioles make roster move official

Orioles make roster move official
The Orioles placed backup catcher Taylor Teagarden on the 15-day disabled list today with a dislocated left thumb and recalled catcher Luis Exposito from Triple-A Norfolk. Exposito, 26, is batting .218/.254/.273 in 16 games and 59 plate appearances with Norfolk. He's 1-for-15 throwing out runners attempting to steal. The Orioles also transferred catcher Luis Martinez from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk. The Orioles' game notes say Monday's starter "is expected to be LH Zach...

Britton inching closer to Monday's start (updated)

Britton inching closer to Monday's start (updated)
Veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia remains listed as today's starter for Triple-A Norfolk. If he takes the mound, he won't be taking a flight to Seattle. Left-hander Zach Britton remains the favorite to start Monday for the Orioles. He hasn't pitched in the first three games in Oakland and it's doubtful that he would be needed today in relief, considering that Tommy Hunter and T.J. McFarland are well-rested and available out of the bullpen. Hunter hasn't pitched in four days. McFarland...

Life without Teagarden

Life without Teagarden
The Orioles will place backup catcher Taylor Teagarden on the disabled list today with a dislocated left thumb. They're not going to make an announcement until his replacement gets to Oakland. The corresponding move would figure to involve Triple-A Norfolk's Luis Exposito, who's on the 40-man roster. Chris Robinson is not, and he caught last night for the Tides. He probably would have been scratched if the Orioles intended to select his contract. Caleb Joseph was behind the plate last...

Teagarden leaves game with injury (O's win 7-3)

Teagarden leaves game with injury (O's win 7-3)
Orioles backup catcher Taylor Teagarden exited today's game in the bottom of the sixth inning after taking a foul tip off his left thumb. Teagarden removed his mitt and immediately headed to the dugout. There was no hesitation. The thumb obviously isn't exposed, but the foul ball from Josh Donaldson still created an injury situation. Donaldson has been a pest today. Two RBIs, one injured catcher. Teagarden's departure is complicated by Matt Wieters serving as the designated hitter today....

Another bunt by Machado (Tillman struggling, O's leading)

Another bunt by Machado (Tillman struggling, O's leading)
Manny Machado extended his hitting streak to six games today, reaching on a bunt single with one out in the top of the first inning. I won't dare suggest that it was a "perfect" bunt. I did that once this season on a Machado sacrifice and was shouted down in the comments section. Machado didn't keep the ball on the ground, ending his quest for perfection, but he sailed it past diving Oakland Athletics pitcher A.J. Griffin, who decided to cushion his fall with his face. Once the ball...

Wieters serving as DH today

Wieters serving as DH today
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is putting Matt Wieters and Taylor Teagarden in the same lineup this afternoon. Teagarden will catch a day game after a night game. Wieters will serve as the designated hitter. Otherwise, it's the standard lineup vs. a right-handed starter. 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 Chris Tillman RHP

Orioles release Proctor

Orioles release Proctor
The Orioles have released veteran right-hander Scott Proctor, who was pitching at Triple-A Norfolk. Proctor allowed seven earned runs, and 13 total, in 7 1/3 innings with the Tides. He surrendered 10 hits, walked 10 and struck out six. The Orioles have plenty of other pitching options at Norfolk. Josh Stinson returned to the Tides today after starting for the Orioles on Wednesday. Left-hander Chris Jones was promoted from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk. Reliever Rob Delaney was transferred from...

Reversing a nasty Oakland trend (and A's lineup)

Reversing a nasty Oakland trend (and A's lineup)
You've probably figured out that the Orioles have struggled in Oakland in past years. Here are a few more examples: The Orioles have posted consecutive quality starts in Oakland for the first time since April 16-18, 2010 when they posted three straight - Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Guthrie and Brian Matusz. The Orioles have won three straight in Oakland, dating back to Sept. 16, 2012, for the first time since Aug. 15-17, 2005. The Orioles haven't won four straight in Oakland since May 23-Sept....

Wieters on Arrieta

Wieters on Arrieta
The day after the Orioles optioned pitcher Jake Arrieta to Triple-A Norfolk, manager Buck Showalter sought out catcher Matt Wieters to discuss the right-hander and bounce ideas about what went wrong. "Very frustrating for Matt," Showalter said. "He's as good as there is at putting fingers down. Most of us are looking at how we're failing him." Arrieta didn't fail last night. Making his first start for Triple-A Norfolk, he tossed six scoreless innings and didn't walk a batter. Arrieta...

Will Chen go seven? (O's win 3-0)

Will Chen go seven? (O's win 3-0)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is rooting for one of his starters to go seven innings just so he doesn't have to address the topic during every postgame media session. It's a hot topic among reporters. Probably a few fans, too. Wei-Yin Chen has come pretty close, going 5 2/3, 6 1/3, six and six innings this season. He's turned in three straight quality starts. He's allowed three runs or fewer in all four. At the risk of slowing his roll, I'll point out that Chen allowed one baserunner...

McLouth sits vs. lefty (updated)

McLouth sits vs. lefty (updated)
The Orioles have a red-hot hitter sitting on their bench tonight. Nate McLouth is 4-for-8 with two doubles, three RBIs, three walks, five runs scored and three stolen bases in his last two games. He's 8-for-18 with two doubles, four walks, eight runs scored and four stolen bases in his last five games. McLouth has really thrived atop the order, but he's not in tonight's lineup against the Oakland Athletics. Nick Markakis is batting first. Nolan Reimold is starting in left field. Manager...

A's lineup vs. O's (and O's lineup)

A's lineup vs. O's (and O's lineup)
Major props again to the Oakland Athletics, and their charming 500 miles of foul territory, for posting their lineup ridiculously early. For the Athletics Coco Crisp DH Chris Young CF Josh Reddick RF Jed Lowrie 2B Josh Donaldson 3B Derek Norris C Nate Freiman 1B Casper Wells LF Adam Rosales SS Tommy Milone LHP The Athletics have lost six of their last seven games. In his only career start against the Orioles, Milone allowed one earned run (two total) and six hits in 6 1/3...

Matusz providing relief in a role he doesn't relish

Matusz providing relief in a role he doesn't relish
Could the umpiring have been any worse last night? Not to mention the official scorer. OK, I just mentioned him. You know it's bad when a pitching coach, in this case Oakland's Curt Young, comes out of the dugout for a mound visit and instead yells at the first base umpire, who ejected him. Young never did talk to Jarrod Parker. I hadn't seen that happen before last night. Did it count as a mound visit? Brian Matusz never made it to the mound last night. Two other left-handers, Troy...