Jones: "We're just having some fun"

Jones: "We're just having some fun"
As Adam Jones watched Minnesota reliever Casey Fien issue an intentional walk to Nick Markakis in the bottom of the eighth inning today, he turned toward the visiting dugout and smiled at Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. Gardenhire smiled back at him. "I love the dude, I love his competitiveness," Jones said. "He's a great manager. And he always smiles at me." Jones got the last laugh, grounding a bases-loaded single into left field to tie the score at 5-5. Tyler Robertson replaced Fien,...

Davis hits grand slam, makes history (O's win 9-5)

Davis hits grand slam, makes history (O's win 9-5)
This has gotten ridiculous. And historic. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Chris Davis swung at the first pitch from Twins reliever Tyler Robertson and hit a grand slam to give the Orioles a 9-5 lead. Davis reached out and lifted the ball over the fence in left field, and Camden Yards erupted. He came out for a curtain call after Robertson's first pitch to Matt Wieters. Davis is the fourth player in major league history to homer in the first four games...

Showalter on the new warning track, and game update

Showalter on the new warning track, and game update
Did anyone notice the new warning track at Camden Yards? Orioles manager Buck Showalter is pleased that the Orioles replaced their synthetic track with a natural surface. "I know it's a lot safer," he said. "I really applaud our ownership for it, because somebody had to pay for it, and it was huge. "I know our outfielders are very excited about it. They came out with this zone rating for defense and they kept coming back about Orioles outfielders, and a couple spots they were short in...

Showalter on Ravens, and game update (Arrieta done for day)

Showalter on Ravens, and game update (Arrieta done for day)
The Orioles acknowledged the Ravens' Super Bowl victory with a video tribute during today's pregame ceremony. "I'm a big fan of them and the way they do things," manager Buck Showalter said during his session with the media. "I know Ozzie Newsome, being an Alabama guy. I got to spend some time with him. I liked to see how they did things, and I spent some time with coach Harbaugh and Ozzie, toured their facility. "The more you're around things like that, you see things don't happen...

Orioles strike again with two outs, Arrieta gives up four in fourth (updated)

Orioles strike again with two outs, Arrieta gives up four in fourth (updated)
In an earlier blog entry, I noted how 14 of the Orioles' 20 runs this season have scored with two outs. Apparently, it's not just a dome thing. Nate McLouth singled with two outs in the bottom of the third inning, stole second base and raced home on Manny Machado's single up the middle. Nick Markakis had the Orioles' only hit, a single in the first inning, before McLouth ignited the rally. Jake Arrieta came within an out of escaping another jam in the fourth, but the odds caught up to...

More notes and quotes before the home opener (and pregame ceremony)

More notes and quotes before the home opener (and pregame ceremony)
It's already been a busy day and we're still waiting for the first pitch from Orioles right-hander Jake Arrieta to start the home opener against the Minnesota Twins. The Orioles have had runners on base for all five of their home runs in 2013. Last year, 122 of their 214 homers were solo shots (57 percent). Sixty percent of the Orioles' runs this year have come via the long ball. Chris Davis is trying to join Willie Mays (1971), Mark McGwire (1998) and Nelson Cruz (2011) as the only...

Roberts has ruptured tendon

Roberts has ruptured tendon
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts suffered a ruptured tendon behind his right knee yesterday while stealing second base at Tropicana Field, and he's expected to miss two to four weeks of the season. Roberts underwent an MRI on his knee this morning in Baltimore, and team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens passed along the results to Orioles officials. Roberts had to be carried off the field in the ninth inning yesterday after hearing a popping sound behind the knee. The Orioles officially...

Showalter on Roberts: "It will heal and he will play for us again"

Showalter on Roberts: "It will heal and he will play for us again"
Yamaico Navarro walked into the Orioles clubhouse around 11 a.m. today, carrying an equipment bag and bats. He's expected to stick around while Brian Roberts goes on the disabled list, but that move won't become official until Dr. John Wilckens reads the results of an MRI taken on the second baseman's right leg. "I keep reminding myself that Dr. Wilckens has other patients who are just as important, so when he's able to break away from that, he'll give us an idea of what we're looking...

Orioles lineup for home opener vs. Twins (updated twice)

Orioles lineup for home opener vs. Twins (updated twice)
Here's the Orioles lineup for today's 3:05 p.m. home opener against the Twins. 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 Jake Arrieta RHP For now - and pending an MRI - Brian Roberts remains listed among the Orioles reserves. But as I mentioned in an update to my previous post, infielder Yamaico Navarro has arrived at Camden Yards, and there's a locker and uniform waiting for him. Update:...

Opening day ceremonies will include Ravens video tribute, but no Ravens (updated)

Opening day ceremonies will include Ravens video tribute, but no Ravens (updated)
We're about 5 1/2 hours from first pitch in the Orioles' home opener against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards, where the sun is shining and the forecast calling for a 100 percent chance of rain apparently was sent to extended spring training to work out the kinks. The Orioles haven't revealed their plans for the ceremonial first pitch. They will honor Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver, who passed away on Jan. 19, and it's expected that they will weave that tribute into the first pitch....

The pending roster move

The pending roster move
Something doesn't feel right about this morning's blog entry. Must be the missing Florida dateline. I'm back in Sykesville, but not for long. It's opening day at Camden Yards and I'll be arriving at the ballpark about 5 1/2 hours before the scheduled first pitch. I'll be feeding you plenty of blog entries, updates and tweets, so save room. More will be written about second baseman Brian Roberts, who injured his right hamstring yesterday and will undergo an MRI to determine the...

Hearing from Gonzalez and Davis

Hearing from Gonzalez and Davis
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez couldn't avoid Yunel Escobar's sharp grounder in the fifth inning, but he dodged an injury. The ball nailed Gonzalez in the shin as Escobar reached on an infield hit. However, Gonzalez stayed in the game and lasted 6 1/3 innings in the Orioles' 6-3 win over Tampa Bay. "It skinned me," Gonzalez said. "Good thing it didn't hit me straight up or I probably would have been out of the game. But I'm all right. I feel good." Manager...

Roberts "frustrated" by latest injury

Roberts "frustrated" by latest injury
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said he "felt something kind of pop" in the back of his right knee today on his stolen base in the top of the ninth inning. Being unfamiliar with hamstring injuries, he's uncertain of its severity and will await the results of his MRI on Friday. "Somewhere in the last couple of steps, I felt something kind of pop in the back of my knee. I don't know what happened exactly," he said. "I don't know at this point. We'll just...

Showalter talks about Roberts, Gonzalez and more

Showalter talks about Roberts, Gonzalez and more
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will undergo an MRI on his right leg Friday in Baltimore after being carried off the field in the top of the ninth inning. Roberts said he felt something pop behind his right knee as he was about to dive into second on a stolen base. Dr. John Wilckens will examine him in the morning. "Just the bottom part of the hamstring, where he felt it," Showalter said following the Orioles' 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. "It's early....

Roberts carried off field with injury (O's win 6-3, Roberts update)

Roberts carried off field with injury (O's win 6-3, Roberts update)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts appeared to injure his right knee in the top of the ninth inning and had to be carried off the field. Roberts dived head-first into second on a stolen base after leading off the inning with a single. He beat the throw, but had difficulty standing up and eventually crouched as head athletic trainer Richie Bancells ran onto the field. Bancells and first base coach Wayne Kirby carried Roberts to the dugout, and Alexi Casilla entered the...

Davis does it again (Gonzo goes 6 1/3, Hardy homers)

Davis does it again (Gonzo goes 6 1/3, Hardy homers)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chris Davis remains on pace to hit 162 home runs this season. Davis muscled up again today in the top of the second inning, launching a changeup from Rays starter Robert Hernandez over the fence in right-center field to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Adam Jones led off with a single and Davis homered for the third time in three games. He's homered in his last 10 regular-season games. Davis is now 6-for-9 with two doubles, three homers and nine RBIs. The Orioles may...

Orioles sign Stinson off waivers (updated twice)

Orioles sign Stinson off waivers (updated twice)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.- The Orioles aren't done adding to their minor league pitching depth. Earlier today, the Orioles claimed right-hander Josh Stinson, 25, off waivers from the Oakland Athletics and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Stinson is 0-2 with a 4.43 ERA in 20 major league games, including one start, over parts of the last two seasons with the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He's allowed 21 hits, walked 12 and struck out 11 in 22 1/3 innings. Stinson permitted one run and...

Encouraging news on Betemit, Johnson and Bundy

Encouraging news on Betemit, Johnson and Bundy
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Infielder Wilson Betemit underwent an exploratory arthroscopic procedure on his right knee yesterday in Baltimore, and the Orioles were encouraged by the reports. Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens "cleaned up a few things," said manager Buck Showalter, and didn't find any further damage to the knee. Betemit suffered a Grade 2/3 tear of the PCL while running to second base during an exhibition game at Ed Smith Stadium. The procedure won't extend the timetable for...

Wieters and other assorted pregame notes

Wieters and other assorted pregame notes
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters can block out contract talks and distractions as easily as home plate. Wieters basically is ignoring a published report that the Orioles reached out to agent Scott Boras with an offer of a contract extension for the two-time Gold Glove winner. The offer, according to CBSSports.com, covers at least five years. "Once the season has started, I'm not worried about it anymore this year," Wieters said. "I'm focused on this year, and anything...

It's Flaherty's turn to DH

It's Flaherty's turn to DH
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Three games, three different designated hitters. Orioles manager Buck Showalter is shuffling the DH deck again today, going from Steve Pearce on Tuesday to Nolan Reimold yesterday to Ryan Flaherty this afternoon in the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays. Nate McLouth remains in the leadoff spot. 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 DH Brian Roberts...