Reynolds ends drought in rain (O's win 2-1)

Reynolds ends drought in rain (O's win 2-1)
Mark Reynolds was in a 1-for-15 slump, with no hits in his last 11 at-bats, before stepping to the plate for the first time tonight. One swing, and he felt right at home. Reynolds hit his sixth home run of the season to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. He admired it for a few seconds before heading to first base. A typical no-doubter to left field. Reynolds rarely hits a cheap one. The Orioles have four hits in three innings off Nationals starter Jordan...

Reimold talks about surgery (first-pitch 8 p.m., Lindstrom update)

Reimold talks about surgery (first-pitch 8 p.m., Lindstrom update)
After much deliberation and multiple consultations with specialists, Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold decided to undergo surgery Monday morning at Johns Hopkins to remove a disk that's pressing on a nerve on his cervical spine and fuse the vertebrae. "The best thing to do as far as my career is definitely to get the surgery and get the pressure off the nerve that's being pushed on," Reimold said. "I contemplated back and forth a little bit, but it was pretty much a consensus among all...

Reimold will undergo surgery (updated)

Reimold will undergo surgery (updated)
Though the club hasn't made an announcement, outfielder Nolan Reimold has decided to undergo surgery to alleviate the pressure on a nerve caused by a herniated disk in his cervical spine. Manager Buck Showalter spoke with Reimold for about an hour yesterday. The club is letting Reimold determine how he wants to address the topic with the media. "We're leaving it in his hands," Showalter said. Showalter didn't confirm that surgery is imminent, but that's the plan. He also wouldn't...

Davis back in right field

Davis back in right field
Orioles manager Buck Showalter has regained the use of his designated hitter. However, he's keeping Chris Davis in right field for tonight's series opener against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Nick Johnson, who had two hits Wednesday night against the Mets, is serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Nick Johnson DH Steve Pearce LF Jason Hammel RHP I gave you...

Hammel and Chen trying to turn back clock to 1997

Hammel and Chen trying to turn back clock to 1997
The Orioles are listing Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen and Jake Arrieta as the starters for the three-game series against the Nationals that begins tonight at Camden Yards - just in case there were any doubts about the alignment. According to Elias, if Hammel and Chen win this weekend, they would become the first Orioles duo to record eight wins each by June 23 since 1997: Jimmy Key (11), Scott Erickson (10) and Mike Mussina (eight). You remember what happened in '97. The Orioles are 9-3 at...

What Hammel's bringing to the table tonight (draft signings)

What Hammel's bringing to the table tonight (draft signings)
Jason Hammel gets another chance tonight to strengthen his case for inclusion on the American League's All-Star team. That's not his priority, of course. He won't be standing on the mound wondering if each baserunner allowed has ruined his chances. But he deserves serious consideration with a 7-2 record, 2.87 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings. Hammel has lost once since April 30 and is coming off his dazzling one-hit shutout in Atlanta, the second time in his last three starts that...

Britton better today at Norfolk (Machado and Schoop homer)

Britton better today at Norfolk (Machado and Schoop homer)
Left-hander Zach Britton turned in his finest start today at Triple-A Norfolk, holding Buffalo to two runs in six innings before Zach Phillips replaced him in the seventh. Britton allowed both runs in the second inning. He surrendered three hits, walked two, struck out five, threw a wild pitch and committed an error. He threw 90 pitches, 56 for strikes. Britton retired 12 of the final 13 batters he faced and allowed just five balls out of the infield. In his previous start, Britton allowed...

Decisions pending on Moyer and Reimold (and note)

Decisions pending on Moyer and Reimold (and note)
Left-hander Jamie Moyer made his third start for Triple-A Norfolk last night, throwing 77 pitches in four innings against Buffalo. Now the Orioles are on deck. Moyer can opt out of his contract if the Orioles don't select it from Norfolk and bring him back to the majors. As one team official said, it's "up or opt." Catchy. Moyer isn't listed among Norfolk's upcoming starters. Zach Britton starts today, followed by Chris Tillman on Friday, Dontrelle Willis on Saturday, Jason Berken on...

Ripken's opinion on the 2012 Orioles

Ripken's opinion on the 2012 Orioles
The Orioles are off today, so don't waste your afternoon waiting for me to post a lineup. It's not coming until tomorrow, when the Orioles begin a three-game series against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Warning to all Orioles pitchers: Davey Johnson will be checking your gloves. He'll probably ask why Brian Matusz's glove has Brady Anderson's name on it. And no, I'm not answering that one again. I'm just worried that the Orioles' bats will cool off before tomorrow. #sarcasm. Wilson...

Still looking for a run (O's lose 4-3)

Still looking for a run (O's lose 4-3)
The Orioles' scoreless-innings streak has reached 25, which isn't good when the offense is responsible for it. They have one hit in four innings against Mets starter Dillon Gee, the first for left-hander Brian Matusz in his major league career. Matusz lined a single into center field. He may serve as the DH this weekend. Matusz has held the Mets to two hits in three scoreless innings, but he's thrown 50 pitches because of the two errors behind him. Adam Jones nearly collided with Ryan...

Taking a closer look at the Orioles' shutout streak (and more)

Taking a closer look at the Orioles' shutout streak (and more)
The Orioles have been involved in four consecutive shutouts, winning the first two in Atlanta behind Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen, and losing the next two in New York. So when's the last time the Orioles were involved in a streak of four or more consecutive shutouts? Elias has the answer, which the Orioles' PR department obtained earlier today. The Orioles were involved in five straight shutouts to end the 1995 season, and they won all five games by scores of 5-0 on Sept. 26 at Toronto,...

Orioles and Mets lineups

Orioles and Mets lineups
The Orioles have been shut out in two straight games and they haven't homered in their last five, so manager Buck Showalter is making a few changes tonight. Nick Johnson is starting at first base and Ryan Flaherty is starting in left field, as Showalter goes heavy with left-handed hitters against Mets right-hander Dillon Gee. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Johnson 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Ryan Flaherty LF Brian Matusz...

Lindstrom's rehab continues with GCL team

Lindstrom's rehab continues with GCL team
Orioles reliever Matt Lindstrom pitched another inning today with the Gulf Coast League team in Sarasota. Used again as the starter, he allowed one run and two hits, walked none and struck out one. Lindstrom tossed a scoreless first inning on Monday. Lindstrom, on the disabled list with a slightly torn ligament in his right middle finger, is expected to continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie. The Orioles are hopeful that he'll be activated before the All-Star break, which would...

Shouldn't be much longer before Moyer

Shouldn't be much longer before Moyer
I'm detecting a pattern with the Orioles. They're going to shut out their opponent or be shut out. Those are the two choices. Can they extend their streak to five straight games tonight? And which side will they occupy? One of my Twitter followers asked me last night whether the rotation will undergo any changes after the All-Star break. I replied that it might not take that long. Jamie Moyer is scheduled to make his third start tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, and executive vice president...

Hunter hanging tough, but where's the offense? (O's lose 5-0)

Hunter hanging tough, but where's the offense? (O's lose 5-0)
The Orioles might want to mix in a run once in a while. Not trying to be a know-it-all here, but I think it's pretty solid advice and I'm offering it up for free. It's almost like they're being punished since Jason Hammel tossed a one-hit shutout Saturday night in Atlanta. They needed another shutout to win the following day while being limited to two runs, and they managed only one hit last night while being shut out by Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Tonight, left-hander Johan Santana...

Reimold decision on hold

Reimold decision on hold
The Orioles still don't know whether outfielder Nolan Reimold will undergo surgery. They continue to wait and hold onto whatever bit of optimism remains. I wrote earlier today that Reimold was undergoing another examination - special assistant Brady Anderson accompanied him - after he already visited two cervical specialists. If you missed "O's Xtra" on MASN HD, here's what manager Buck Showalter told reporters at Citi Field regarding Reimold's status and what lies ahead: Buck Showalter...

Pearce in right field, Andino at third base (and more notes)

Pearce in right field, Andino at third base (and more notes)
Manager Buck Showalter is changing his lineup today against Mets left-hander Johan Santana. He's got Steve Pearce in right field, Steve Tolleson in left and Robert Andino at third base. Chris Davis, who has been starting in right field, is 0-for-14 on the road trip. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Steve Pearce RF Steve Tolleson LF Robert Andino 3B Tommy Hunter RHP The Orioles have been involved in three consecutive...

Pineiro throws five innings in GCL

Pineiro throws five innings in GCL
Pitcher Joel Pineiro, on the minor league disabled list with a sore right shoulder, is nearing a return to Triple-A Norfolk's rotation Pineiro followed a start in a simulated game on Thursday by going five innings today with the Gulf Coast League Orioles. Pineiro allowed one run and four hits against the GCL Twins, with one walk and three strikeouts. Pineiro tossed four innings Thursday in the simulated game in Sarasota. The Orioles signed Pineiro as a minor league free agent after the...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
You've heard manager Buck Showalter rave about shortstop J.J. Hardy's defense. What does Hall of Famer Cal Ripken think about it? Funny I asked. "He doesn't do it flashy," Ripken said yesterday as we kicked back in the seats at the Aberdeen stadium that bears his last name. "He knows himself, he gets good jumps on the ball, he gets good reads, he positions himself well. I like all the little fundamental things he does. He gets there early on steal coverages, he makes tags the right way,...

Arrieta was grand until grand slam (deficit grows)

Arrieta was grand until grand slam (deficit grows)
Jake Arrieta had allowed one run in his last 12 2/3 innings when the Mets' Ike Davis stepped to the plate tonight with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the sixth. With one swing, a scoreless tie was shattered and Arrieta's run of success had been destroyed. Davis' first career grand slam gave New York a 4-0 lead against the Orioles, who have managed only one hit off knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. The Orioles hadn't allowed a run in 25 consecutive innings before the Mets batted...