Hammel goes six innings again (O's win 10-2)

Hammel goes six innings again (O's  win 10-2)
Jason Hammel was at 80 pitches through five innings tonight. Seemed like a pretty good bet to become the first Orioles starter to make it through the seventh. Not anymore. Hammel needed 24 pitches to complete the sixth and strand two runners. That's 104 pitches. Manager Buck Showalter shook Hammel's hand in the dugout. It's up to the bullpen now - except for closer Jim Johnson, who has pitched in three straight games and needs a break. Hammel threw 113 pitches in his last start against...

Hardy still slumping (McLouth still scorching, Davis homers)

Hardy still slumping (McLouth still scorching, Davis homers)
Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy popped up to end the second inning tonight and strand Chris Davis, who drew a walk off Oakland right-hander Jarrod Parker. Hardy is in 2-for-20 and 4-for-33 slumps that have lowered his average to .177. He did produce a hit in the 10th inning yesterday that almost won the game for the Orioles, but Rajai Davis threw out Manny Machado at the plate. Hardy's average dropped from .269 in 2011 to .238 last season, and manager Buck Showalter vowed to remove him from...

O's lineup vs. A's

O's lineup vs. A's
The Orioles confirmed that they have recalled left-hander Zach Britton from Triple-A Norfolk. He's available in the bullpen tonight. Nate McLouth is back in the leadoff spot tonight, which comes as no surprise. Over his last five games, McLouth is batting .462 (6-for-13) with six walks and six runs scored. In the leadoff spot, McLouth is batting .321 (17-53) with 11 walks. McLouth is second in the American League in walks by a leadoff hitter behind Oakland's Coco Crisp (14), but Crisp has...

A's lineup vs. O's

A's lineup vs. O's
The Oakland Athletics have already posted their lineup for tonight's series opener against the Orioles. For the Athletics Coco Crisp CF John Jaso C Seth Smith DH Jed Lowrie SS Brandon Moss 1B Chris Young LF Josh Reddick RF Josh Donaldson 3B Eric Sogard 2B Jarrod Parker RHP Reddick batted .343 with two homers and seven RBIs in eight games against the Orioles last season. The A's haven't lose a season series to the Orioles since 1998. The Orioles have lost 34 of their last 45 games in...

Orioles pitchers taking too many walks on the wild side (Britton in Oakland)

Orioles pitchers taking too many walks on the wild side (Britton in Oakland)
Zach Britton is still listed as tonight's starter for Triple-A Norfolk. If he isn't a late scratch, he won't be starting for the Orioles on Monday. Update: Zach Clark (UMBC) is now listed as Norfolk's starter tonight instead of Britton. Feel free to speculate. The assumption here is that Britton will be in the Orioles' bullpen the next few nights and will start Monday if he isn't used in relief for an extended stretch. Update II: Britton is definitely in Oakland and he will take Josh...

McLouth proving to be a bargain

McLouth proving to be a bargain
The Orioles woke up this morning in Oakland while I woke up in Sykesville. I'm having separation anxiety. I'm completely detached from the Orioles for the first time since Feb. 11. We're on a break. They're going to face a right-hander tonight, Jarrod Parker, who's 0-3 with a 7.50 ERA. Without seeing the lineup, I'm fairly confident that Nate McLouth will return to left field and the leadoff spot. McLouth is 2-for-3 with a home run against Parker, but his career stats don't matter....

Showalter speaks after 6-5, 11-inning loss

Showalter speaks after 6-5, 11-inning loss
Extra innings on a travel day with the Orioles heading to the West Coast later this afternoon. Not exactly the way they would have drawn it up today. Except... "We'd draw it up if we could have gotten a W out of it," manager Buck Showalter said after a 6-5, 11-inning loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. "Really proud of the guys the way they competed. Very easy to pull in the dirt after they (Blue Jays) jumped out there. Of course, there were some solo home runs there that allowed us to get...

Bundy has Monday appointment with Dr. Andrews (Stinson optioned)

Bundy has Monday appointment with Dr. Andrews (Stinson optioned)
No wonder the Orioles didn't have an update today on Dylan Bundy's visit to Dr. James Andrews in Gulf Breeze, Fla. It still hasn't taken place. Bundy will be examined on Thursday by team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens in Baltimore. His visit to Dr. Andrews won't take place until Monday. Orioles manager Buck Showalter corrected the information he passed along to reporters yesterday. Wilckens previously examined Bundy on April 2. An MRI on the pitcher's right elbow came back clean, but he...

Orioles rally to tie, McLouth an on-base machine (O's lose 6-5)

Orioles rally to tie, McLouth an on-base machine (O's lose 6-5)
The Orioles scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the Blue Jays 5-5 and take Josh Stinson off the hook. It happened in part because Nate McLouth keeps getting on base. McLouth has doubled, walked twice, singled, stolen a base and scored three runs. He's got the only single in this game among the 10 hits. The Orioles didn't have a hit after the first inning until Ryan Flaherty followed Nolan Reimold's one-out walk in the seventh with an RBI double to right-center...

Jones continues to torment Morrow (Stinson done after 5 2/3)

Jones continues to torment Morrow (Stinson done after 5 2/3)
Nate McLouth immediately got into scoring position for the Orioles today with a leadoff double to center field, the ball clearing the fence on one bounce off the natural-surface warning track. I guess it's not a synthetic thing. Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow retired the next two batters, bringing Adam Jones to the plate. Morrow could have pitched around Jones with first base open, but he challenged the center fielder. And he lost again. Jones lined an RBI double to right field to...

No update on Bundy

No update on Bundy
The Orioles don't expect to receive an update today on pitcher Dylan Bundy, who traveled to Gulf Breeze, Fla., yesterday to be examined by orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. Bundy threw on flat ground from 90 feet on Monday and still experienced tightness in his right forearm near the elbow. He may have undergone a second MRI after the first one on his elbow came back clean. Manager Buck Showalter is focused more on his team and the pending flight to Oakland that kicks off a three-city West...

Teagarden catching, Stinson starting in finale vs. Jays (Burnett likely optioned)

Teagarden catching, Stinson starting in finale vs. Jays (Burnett likely optioned)
Manager Buck Showalter is going with close to his standard lineup for today's afternoon finale against the Blue Jays. The only change is Taylor Teagarden starting at catcher in place of Matt Wieters because it's a day game after a night game. Teagarden has appeared in just two games this season, with the last one coming on Saturday. Right-hander Josh Stinson is set for his Orioles debut. Reliever Alex Burnett just walked out of Showalter's office and appeared to have his travel papers in...

Notes on Stinson and Shannon's Fund

Notes on Stinson and Shannon's Fund
Your baseball body clock is probably out of whack this morning. The Orioles are playing a 12:35 p.m. game today. It's Wednesday. Something doesn't feel quite right. It's a travel day, with the Orioles flying to Oakland following Josh Stinson's debut with the club. Stinson was given today's assignment instead of left-hander Zach Britton, but don't read too much into it. The Orioles could have gone either way. The reports on Britton are mostly favorable. The feeling within the...

Showalter speaks after 4-3 win

Showalter speaks after 4-3 win
The Orioles registered their fourth series win against American League East teams tonight by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 at Camden Yards. That sound you hear isn't champagne corks popping in the home clubhouse. "We have a lot of bridges to cross, but I'd rather see that than the other way," said manager Buck Showalter. "We've got a quick turnaround, a game tomorrow, and then head out to the West Coast for 11. There's another challenge around the corner, and I'm proud of the...

Different story with Dickey (O's win 4-3)

Different story with Dickey (O's win 4-3)
The Orioles apparently have recovered from the one-hit shutout that R.A. Dickey threw against them last summer. Different night, different team, much different results. Dickey has faced 12 batters in only two innings, and seven have reached base. Nine Orioles came to the plate in a four-run second inning. Adam Jones, Chris Davis and Matt Wieters strung together singles to open the second inning and give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. Ryan Flaherty walked with one out to load the bases, and Nolan...

In non-Bundy news ...

In non-Bundy news ...
Tsuyoshi Wada worked four innings today in an extended spring training game in Sarasota, striking out six and throwing around 68 pitches. The reports on him remain favorable. Not a single setback in his recovery and return from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, which took place on May 11. Wada's progression will take him to five innings in his next outing, assuming the elbow feels good Wednesday. Wada is on the 60-day disabled list, which makes him eligible to be activated...

Bundy getting second opinion from Dr. Andrews (updated)

Bundy getting second opinion from Dr. Andrews (updated)
Dylan Bundy decided to get a second opinion on his right forearm today from renowned orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews. Bundy threw on flat ground from 90 feet yesterday and still felt discomfort in the forearm, near his elbow, which led to his visit with Andrews. The Orioles supported Bundy's request to get the second opinion. An MRI taken on Bundy's right elbow came back clean. He will likely undergo another MRI today. Manager Buck Showalter said the forearm stiffness didn't...

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
The Orioles are going with their standard lineup tonight against a right-hander. In this case, it's Toronto Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Nate McLouth is leading off and playing left field. Nick Markakis drops down to third. Ryan Flaherty is the second baseman, and Nolan Reimold is the designated hitter. 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...

Stinson expected to make Wednesday's start

Stinson expected to make Wednesday's start
The Orioles will add pitcher Josh Stinson to the 25-man roster on Wednesday, and he's expected to start that day against the Toronto Blue Jays. I'm told that manager Buck Showalter hasn't made a final decision on his starter, but Stinson's arrival would seem to signal that he's taking the mound in the last game of the homestand. Freddy Garcia is listed as tonight's starter for Triple-A Norfolk, which eliminates him from consideration unless he's a late scratch. Left-hander Zach...

Will Orioles knuckle under again vs. Dickey? (with note)

Will Orioles knuckle under again vs. Dickey? (with note)
He's back. R.A. Dickey and his confounding knuckleball will present the latest challenge for the Orioles, who don't care to dance with his signature pitch. They couldn't keep up the last time he faced them in a June 18 interleague game with the Mets. Dickey tossed a one-hit shutout in a 5-0 victory. Dickey struck out a career high 13 batters while improving to 11-1 with a 2.00 ERA. Wilson Betemit had the only hit against him, with two outs in the fifth inning. Jake Arrieta also carried a...