It's Matusz vs. Hughes tonight

It's Matusz vs. Hughes tonight
NEW YORK - The sky looks like it could open up any second and drench us in heavy rains, but tonight's game doesn't appear to be in jeopardy. Brian Matusz could use a break in the clouds - the black ones that have hovered over him since spring training 2011. Matusz has lost 12 consecutive decisions, but he's coming off his finest start, allowing two unearned runs over six innings against the Blue Jays. Rays of sunlight are beginning to reach him. He's also 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA and four...

The DH dilemma

The DH dilemma
NEW YORK - Mark Reynolds served as the Orioles' designated hitter last night and was hitless in three at-bats in a 2-1 loss to the Yankees. In 23 games this season, the Orioles' designated hitters are a combined 18-for-80 (.225) with three doubles, one home run and three RBIs. Reynolds has done it, and he's batting .143 with no homers and three RBIs this season. Nick Johnson has done it, and he's 0-for-26 this season. Chris Davis has done it, and he's batting .310 with six doubles,...

Hearing from Hammel, Davis and Markakis

Hearing from Hammel, Davis and Markakis
NEW YORK - Tonight's 2-1 loss dropped the Orioles' record to 11-5 when they score first. The key is to keep scoring, which they failed to do after tallying one run in the second inning. The Orioles are 5-17 against the Yankees since the start of the 2011 season and 10-30 since the start of 2010. They're 6-22 at the "current" Yankee Stadium, as it's called in the postgame notes. The bullpen turned in two more scoreless innings - one each by Matt Lindstrom and Jim Johnson. Jason Hammel...

Showalter speaks after 2-1 loss

Showalter speaks after 2-1 loss
NEW YORK - The Orioles are 0-4 against the Yankees this season and 14-4 against the rest of their April schedule. They had plenty of chances tonight, but every ball they hit hard seemed to find a glove, except for Matt Wieters' long single in the second inning. "We squared up, I think, eight balls, but you've got to applaud their defense, too. They caught them," manager Buck Showalter said following a 2-1 loss at Yankee Stadium. "Some nights, it happens like that. We won a ballgame...

Hammel and Bundy updates (Hammel done after sixth)

Hammel and Bundy updates (Hammel done after sixth)
NEW YORK - Jason Hammel was handed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but Eric Chavez snatched it away from him. Chavez used brute force, hitting a long two-run homer off Hammel in the bottom of the second after Mark Teixeira singled and Raul Ibanez lined to right. Hammel didn't bother to turn and watch the flight of the ball. He stared straight ahead and raised his glove, waiting for a new ball. Chavez has three home runs this season, his highest total since 2007. Hammel has...

Non-update updates on Wada and Roberts, Showalter on No. 1,000

Non-update updates on Wada and Roberts, Showalter on No. 1,000
NEW YORK - Dr. Lewis Yocum examined Tsuyoshi Wada's left elbow today in Los Angeles, and the Orioles are waiting for the results. We might hear something later today. Wada is seeking a second opinion, and he's conceded that he might need to undergo ligament-reconstructive surgery. The Orioles still haven't set a target date for second baseman Brian Roberts to start playing games at extended spring training or go on an injury rehab assignment in the minors. "He's progressing well. Little...

Jim Johnson says he's available to pitch

Jim Johnson says he's available to pitch
NEW YORK - Jim Johnson has thrown two bullpen sessions since being hospitalized with food poisoning and flu-like symptoms, and he's available to pitch if manager Buck Showalter needs him. Johnson hasn't made an appearance since April 22 in Anaheim, when he converted his 15th straight save opportunity dating to last August, but he confirmed earlier today that he's "pitchable." "I'm ready. I told them I was ready yesterday," he said. "I feel back to normal. My pants fit a little bit...

Orioles and Yankees lineups

Orioles and Yankees lineups
NEW YORK - Mark Reynolds is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter tonight, with Chris Davis starting at first base. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds DH Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP For the Yankees: Jeter SS Granderson CF Rodriguez DH Cano 2B Teixeira 1B Ibanez RF Chavez 3B Martin C Nunez LF Kuroda RHP A reminder that manager Buck Showalter needs one more win for 1,000 in...

Will the Orioles take a big bite out of the Big Apple?

Will the Orioles take a big bite out of the Big Apple?
Or will they find a worm? The Orioles are back on the road, with three games in New York and three in Boston over a seven-day period that will further test their resolve. And their rotation. And their lineup. And their bullpen. And their depth. Jason Hammel will have another chance tonight to silence his critics - the ones who thought he'd get eaten alive in the insatiable American League East. He's 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA in four outings. He's posted quality starts in three of them. Hammel...

Showalter speaks after 5-2 walk-off win

Showalter speaks after 5-2 walk-off win
The Orioles are six games above .500 for the first time since July 20, 2005. That's impressive and depressing at the same time. Wilson Betemit gave the Orioles their first walk-off home run since Nolan Reimold on Aug. 10, 2011 against the White Sox. The Orioles have won 57 straight games when allowing two runs or fewer. Their last loss was Aug. 20, 2010, when Texas beat them 2-0. The Orioles improved to 5-6 when trailing after seven innings. Last year, they were 5-83 when behind after the...

And we're no longer scoreless (Betemit with walk-off HR)

And we're no longer scoreless (Betemit with walk-off HR)
Tommy Hunter took a four-hit shutout into the sixth inning today, one more hit than Oakland's Bartolo Colon allowed in his five scoreless frames. Hunter retired the first two batters on fly balls, but Josh Reddick continued to torture the Orioles with a single into left field, and Yoenis Cespedes smoked a line drive into the left field corner that gave him a double and the A's a 1-0 lead. Third baseman Wilson Betemit made a leaping attempt, but the ball barely cleared his glove. It probably...

Showalter talks about putting Reynolds at first base (updated)

Showalter talks about putting Reynolds at first base (updated)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter detests lineup questions. He can't understand the obsession with who's batting where and when. It's become something of a joke. He doesn't implode, but he shakes his head in disapproval. Well, here's another one: What went into the decision to move Mark Reynolds to first base today? "He's played first base, he's been taking balls there. I know you've all been watching," Showalter said. "That's the type of club we have, hopefully. Move people...

Reynolds at first in finale vs. A's

Reynolds at first in finale vs. A's
The Orioles have posted their lineup for Sunday's finale of a three-game series against the A's, and it has Mark Reynolds batting eighth and playing first base. Here's the lineup for today's 1:35 p.m. game: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP

Barfield released from Norfolk roster

Barfield released from Norfolk roster
The Orioles' lineup isn't posted yet and it's a slow morning, but I've got a small nugget of news. The Orioles released infielder/outfielder Josh Barfield from Triple-A Norfolk's roster to make room for pitcher Jason Berken, who was optioned after spending two days in Baltimore. Barfield, signed as minor league free agent in spring training, was 0-for-8 with a walk and three strikeouts in four games with the Tides. He's a career .264 hitter in parts of four major league seasons, most...

Showalter speaks after 10-1 victory

Showalter speaks after 10-1 victory
Here's a sampling of manager Buck Showalter's comments following tonight's 10-1 rout of the Oakland Athletics before 26,926 at Camden Yards: On the second-inning baserunning: "It's one thing to be aggressive, it's another thing to be kind of smart. The situation presented itself. Push the envelope a little bit. There were a lot of good at-bats there. Ronny (Paulino) stayed inside a ball. If nothing else, he's going to get the runner over and the run in. Same way with (Ryan) Flaherty....

Davis homers onto Eutaw Street

Davis homers onto Eutaw Street
I would have guessed I-95. Chris Davis hit an absolute bomb down the right field line in the bottom of the seventh inning, the ball easily clearing the flag court and bouncing on Eutaw St. to increase the Orioles' lead to 10-1. Davis, who connected off former Orioles reliever Jim Miller, is 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. He's batting .313. That's the 59th ball to land on Eutaw St., and the 25th time that an Orioles player has put it there. Davis hadn't done it before...

Big second inning for Orioles (big scare for Chen, O's lead 9-0)

Big second inning for Orioles (big scare for Chen, O's lead 9-0)
It's football weather here at Camden Yards, but the Orioles played inspired baseball in the second inning. They sent nine batters to the plate. They collected six hits. They kept taking extra bases. And they scored five runs to build a nice lead for Taiwanese left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. Adam Jones, Wilson Betemit, Chris Davis and Ronny Paulino strung together singles before Oakland starter Tyson Ross recorded his first out. Davis' single brought home one run. Paulino's delivered two...

Buck Showalter on Frank Robinson

Buck Showalter on Frank Robinson
The grounds crew is peeling the tarp off the field. I guess that's a good sign, though the forecast is pretty bad, from what I've been told. One of the loudest ovations during today's ceremony for the unveiling of Frank Robinson's statue came when the Hall of Famer proclaimed that "The Oriole Way was the correct way." You don't have to convince manager Buck Showalter, who has long admired Robinson and stays in contact with him. Showalter attended today's ceremony, along with first...

Logic behind the Orioles lineup

Logic behind the Orioles lineup
Orioles manager Buck Showalter had to piece together his lineup tonight while taking into account all the injuries and illnesses that are picking apart his team. Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis are experiencing the same flu-like symptoms that have swept through the clubhouse. Wieters was going to rest tomorrow, but Showalter chose to sit him tonight because of the cold and rainy conditions. Wieters will catch tomorrow. Markakis is being kept out of right field for the same reason, making him...

Flaherty in right, Wieters on bench

Flaherty in right, Wieters on bench
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is breaking out an interesting lineup tonight, with Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty making his first major league start in right field and Nick Markakis serving as the designated hitter. Ronny Paulino is starting behind the plate, with Matt Wieters listed among the reserves. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis 1B Ronny Paulino C Ryan Flaherty RF Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP