The Orioles are trying to conduct business as usual today. They're trying to complete their first-ever sweep of a four-game series in Minnesota. They're just trying to get through the day and head back to Baltimore.
Today's MASN broadcast is more subdued than usual. Jim Hunter and Jim Palmer have referenced Mike Flanagan multiple times, though usually in relation to his work with a particular pitcher.
The last time the Orioles won four straight games in Minnesota was April 15-September 5,...
Adam Jones isn't in the lineup after leaving last night's game with more discomfort in his chest that's believed to be caused by a strained muscle. Matt Angle gets his first major league start in center field.
Vladimir Guerrero returns to the lineup after being scratched last night.
For the Orioles:
Robert Andino 3B
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Mark Reynolds 1B
Nolan Reimold LF
Ryan Adams 2B
Craig Tatum C
Matt Angle CF
Jo-Jo Reyes LHP
Also, ignore the rumors...
The Orioles will play an afternoon game today and the lineup should be posted shortly, but it still doesn't feel like a normal day. Far from it.
This team has won three games in a row, has finally won a series, and it seems so insignificant. The news of Mike Flanagan's death knocked the wind out of us. Trying to make sense of it is a futile exercise.
It wasn't until late last night that I realized Flanagan was the first major league player that I interviewed for a game story. I was...
Nothing that happened on Target Field tonight seems important after the news that former Orioles pitcher, coach, executive and broadcaster Mike Flanagan died at age 59, but I wanted to post the final score while desperately trying to grasp the slightest feeling of normalcy on a night of tragedy and heartache.
The Orioles defeated the Twins 6-1 to gain their first series win since June 24-26 and their first road series win in three months.
Jeremy Guthrie held the Twins to one run and five hits...
The Orioles have confirmed that the body of former Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan was found tonight on a trail leading to a barn on his Sparks property. He was 59.
Flanagan returned to the MASN broadcast booth last season, but he'll always be remembered as one of the greatest pitchers in Orioles history. He compiled a 167-143 record and 3.90 ERA in 18 seasons with the Orioles and Blue Jays, and won the Cy Young Award in 1979 after going 23-9 with a 3.08 ERA.
He also was the last Oriole to...
Adam Jones is batting third and playing center field tonight after leaving last night's game in the second inning and being transported to a local hospital with shortness of breath and mild chest pains.
He was right. It wasn't as bad as it seemed.
For the Orioles:
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Matt Wieters C
Mark Reynolds 1B
Robert Andino 3B
Nolan Reimold LF
Ryan Adams 2B
Jeremy Guthrie RHP
Andino is batting .333 (12-for-36) during a career-high...
Adam Jones was released from the hospital early this morning and tweeted the following: "Back from hospital. Wasn't as serious as it sounded. Glad everything is in order. Appreciate the support and well wishes. Back at it mañana."
I'm just disappointed that he wasn't tweeting from the ambulance.
We'll find out tomorrow whether Felix Pie cleared waivers and is willing to accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.
Pie can choose to become a free agent. The...
Orioles manager Buck Showalter, interviewed on MASN2 after tonight's 8-1 win over the Twins, said center fielder Adam Jones left the game in the second inning because he felt weak.
Doctors couldn't find a specific cause, and Jones was sent to a local hospital for more tests. It's not known whether he'll stay overnight.
It doesn't sound too serious, but any trip to the hospital is cause for at least a little concern.
Hopefully, Jones will tweet an update on his condition later...
Just when I'm convinced that Alfredo Simon should be used as a power arm in the bullpen, he turns in a start like this one.
Simon has held the Twins to one run and three hits over seven innings, his only mistake resulting in Danny Valencia's homer in the third. He's walked one and struck out seven.
Simon is nearing the end. He's thrown 103 pitches 68 for strikes.
In his last three starts, Simon had allowed 16 runs (13 earned) and 29 hits over 15 2/3 innings, with five walks and four home...
Matt Angle pinch-hit for Adam Jones with two outs in the top of the second inning and struck out.
I know the Orioles like Angle, but that's a pretty big responsibility. Batting for the likely Most Valuable Oriole in the second inning?
Actually, the Orioles announced that Jones exited because of an illness.
Though the Orioles recalled Angle today, Nolan Reimold figures to get most of the starts in left field as the club continues to evaluate him. But just in case...it's not a bad idea to...
The Orioles are hoping that Felix Pie clears waivers and accepts an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.
Manager Buck Showalter just met with reporters before tonight's game in Minnesota. He talked about the risk of designating Pie for assignment.
"The bad side of that is somebody could pick him up or he could become a free agent," Showalter said. "But we got to a point where if he can't get at-bats and get back to being what he's capable of being, it wasn't going to work out for...
The Orioles continued their roster shakeup by designating outfielder Felix Pie for assignment and recalling outfielder Matt Angle from Triple-A Norfolk.
Pie has played only once since Aug. 13 and he had a rough day in left field during Sunday's game in Anaheim, losing one ball in the sun and failing to track down two others hit to the fence. He's batting .220 in 85 games.
Angle is batting .272 with 13 doubles, three triples, four homers, 33 RBIs and 27 stolen bases in 107 games with...
If we can believe Facebook, Jake Fox is replacing Blake Davis on the 25-man roster.
Here's what he posted on his page: "I got the call today. I am headed back to be an Oriole in the morning. I have mixed feelings about going back because I was really looking forward to playing for team USA. Going back to the big leagues takes away my eligibility from playing in the world cup and pan am games. I am excited to be back in the big leagues, but disappointed I will miss the opportunity to...
The Orioles got five innings out of Zach Britton tonight. Now it's up to the bullpen.
Britton allowed one run and six hits, with four walks and four strikeouts. He threw 98 pitches, 57 for strikes.
That's a lot of baserunners and pitches over five innings, but he was a master at damage control.
We'll find out later whether Britton's pitch count was the deciding factor in manager Buck Showalter removing him from the game, or if there's a health issue.
Chris Jakubauskas tossed a perfect...
Ryan Adams was officially recalled today and immediately placed in the starting lineup at second base.
Adams didn't waste any time making sure he got noticed. His single into center field in the top of the third inning gave the Orioles a short-lived 1-0 lead against Twins right-hander Carl Pavano.
The Twins scored the tying run in the bottom half of the inning against left-hander Zach Britton, who officially came off the disabled list today.
Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in...
Ryan Adams, recalled today from Triple-A Norfolk, is starting at second base for the series-opener in Minnesota. Robert Andino is starting at third. Mark Reynolds is back in the lineup at first base.
For the Orioles:
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Matt Wieters C
Mark Reynolds 1B
Robert Andino 3B
Nolan Reimold LF
Ryan Adams 2B
Zach Britton LHP
For the Twins:
Revere CF
Plouffe SS
Mauer 1B
Cuddyer RF
Kubel LF
Thome DH
Valencia 3B
Hughes 2B...
Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Rick VandenHurk has been named the International League's Pitcher of the Week for the period from Aug. 15-21.
VandenHurk tied for the league lead with two wins and 18 strikeouts, and he posted the lowest ERA (0.75) among all pitchers with multiple starts.
VandenHurk fanned 13 batters in Game 1 of last Monday's doubleheader against Charlotte. He allowed four hits in six scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory.
Facing first-place Durham on Saturday, VandenHurk allowed...
If you're a fan of the Seattle Seahawks, this tweet yesterday from ESPN's John Clayton (@claytonESPN) should send chills down your spine: "Tavaris Jackson remains the Seahawks starting QB, but Charlie Whitehurst is closing the gap"
See you in the Super Bowl.
In the darkest of seasons, fans usually can find a sliver of light. I'm just not sure what the Orioles have done this season to brighten your days.
They're on pace for more than 100 losses, but at least ...
I've got nothing.
A...
Brian Matusz should have stayed in the team hotel or boarded the charter for Minnesota around noon.
Making his second start since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, Matusz needed 50 pitches to get through the first two innings because the defense kept him on the mound.
The Orioles had three errors in three innings, none by new first baseman Matt Wieters, who was supposed to be the weak link in the field. Blake Davis misplayed two bouncers at third and catcher Craig Tatum fired the ball...