Big days for Markakis and Reyes (updated)

Big days for Markakis and Reyes (updated)
Nick Markakis singled in the fifth inning to drive in his third run of the game, and Vladimir Guerrero added a two-run single to increase the Orioles' lead to 6-1. Markakis has his second multi-RBI game since July 18. He hadn't driven in more than two runs since June 10, when he collected six RBIs against Tampa Bay. Guerrero hit into two double plays before his two-run single. He's 5-for-11 with four RBIs since being lowered to fifth in the order. The inning started with Nolan Reimold's...

Markakis keeps hit streak alive (updated)

Markakis keeps hit streak alive (updated)
Nick Markakis doesn't have a 33-game hitting streak like Atlanta's Dan Uggla. His achievement won't be chronicled on SportsCenter. The numbers don't hang from the warehouse. However, Markakis has collected a hit in 178 consecutive series, the longest streak in the majors. It was in jeopardy today, as I wrote earlier, but he belted a two-run homer off Tigers starter Doug Fister in the bottom of the first inning. Markakis gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead, which also appeared to be in jeopardy...

Britton starting Tuesday in Norfolk (rain update)

Britton starting Tuesday in Norfolk (rain update)
I don't have any weather information to pass along. The tarp is off the field and the sun is peeking through the clouds. The forecast is ominous, but the Orioles will try to play this game. A postponement could lead to a Sept. 8 game here, since both teams are off that day. The Orioles have an open date between series in New York and Toronto. Flying to Baltimore for one game wouldn't be an ideal arrangement. Update: The tarp's on the field and it's pouring again. Zach Britton, on the...

Orioles lineup against Tigers

Orioles lineup against Tigers
Weather permitting, of course. Nolan Reimold is leading off again, with J.J. Hardy batting second. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Craig Tatum C Robert Andino 2B Jo-Jo Reyes LHP

Showalter speaks after 6-5 loss

Showalter speaks after 6-5 loss
The Orioles will lose another series, no matter what happens tomorrow afternoon - including a possible postponement because of rain. They're 0-12-1 in their last 13 series. The Orioles have lost five one-run games on this homestand after being 10-1 in one-run games at Camden Yards. Tonight's defeat lowers the Orioles' record to 45-72, putting them on pace for 100 losses. Buck Showalter meets with the media after the Orioles lose to the Tigers 6-5 Vladimir Guerrero is 4-for-8 with a home...

Five-run lead and Guthrie disappear (Hobgood update)

Five-run lead and Guthrie disappear (Hobgood update)
Jeremy Guthrie receives the ninth-lowest run support in the American League at 3.58 per game, so handing him a 5-0 lead is like giving a starving man the crumbs off Peter Schmuck's shirt. Guthrie couldn't handle prosperity tonight. The Tigers scored once in the fourth inning to reduce the lead to 5-1, and six straight batters reached base with two outs to put Detroit ahead, 6-5, and put Guthrie on the bench. Magglio Ordonez doubled and Miguel Cabrera followed with an opposite-field home...

Still scoreless after one inning (Guerrero, B. Davis homer)

Still scoreless after one inning (Guerrero, B. Davis homer)
Jeremy Guthrie needed only six pitches to dispose of the Tigers in the top of the first inning. He got two fly balls to center fielder Adam Jones sandwiched around a pop up to first baseman Chris Davis. The Orioles also were retired in order in the bottom of the first, but that's considered progress. They've been outscored, 87-38, in the first inning this year. They've been outscored by 88 runs in the first three innings. J.J. Hardy struck out in the first inning, so I guess we'll have to...

Closer look at the lineup

Closer look at the lineup
The Orioles had to cut short their batting practice session because of the rain. The tarp is going on the field. The weather won't make it easy for the Orioles to hold their Hall of Fame ceremonies. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. Bring a towel. Third baseman Mark Reynolds isn't in the starting lineup, but it's not because he's nursing an injury. His pride might be bruised from a 1-for-21 slump, but that's it. Reynolds has played in 115 of 116 games, so he was due...

Updates on Matusz, Britton and bullpen coach

Updates on Matusz, Britton and bullpen coach
The Orioles haven't made an official announcement on Tuesday's starter, but left-hander Brian Matusz has a bullpen session today in Charlotte and is scheduled to meet the club tomorrow at Camden Yards before taking the charter to Oakland. Left-hander Zach Britton threw in the bullpen here today and will start Monday or Tuesday at Single-A Frederick. The Orioles wanted to give him an extra work day, which eliminated him from making tomorrow's start at Double-A Bowie. Mike Bordick, who will...

Matusz to make Tuesday start (with lineup)

Matusz to make Tuesday start (with lineup)
As expected, the Orioles will recall Brian Matusz to make Tuesday night's start in Oakland. The decision came down to Matusz or reliever Brad Bergesen, who has been valuable coming out of the bullpen. He's allowed one run in his last two appearances covering 7 1/3 innings. Matusz is coming off a five-hit shutout of Lehigh Valley on Thursday. In his last three starts for Triple-A Norfolk, he's allowed four earned runs over 23 innings while also doing a better job of maintaining his...

More clubhouse chatter

More clubhouse chatter
Adam Jones nearly tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, but center fielder Austin Jackson made a leaping catch at the fence to take away a home run. "I've done it before to people, so I know the feeling," Jones said. "A hell of a play. He's turned himself into a one of the best center fielders in the game. I'm a fan of his and I've watched him throughout the years. I've seen his progression at the major league level. He continues to excite people." Adam Jones talks about...

Showalter speaks after 5-4 loss

Showalter speaks after 5-4 loss
Tonight's attendance: 21,465 Alfredo Simon allowed a career-high 11 hits in only 4 2/3 innings. He's given up 10 runs (eight earned) and 20 hits in his last two starts covering 9 2/3 innings. Manager Buck Showalter offered the following assessment of tonight's outing: "Just inconsistent. He didn't have much command. I think we gave up 19 or 20 baserunners. We were real lucky to even be in that ballgame. He had one inning that was pretty good crisp-wise, but it was a struggle for...

How low should Hardy go?

How low should Hardy go?
The Orioles are a season-worst 26 games below .500, but who's counting? I completely forgot to pass along reliever Willie Eyre's uniform number yesterday when I first entered the clubhouse. He wore No. 50, which you probably noticed if you watched the game. Chris Davis produced three great plays at first base last night. He made a diving stop of Victor Martinez's smash along the line and got the out, saving two runs in the process. He made a lunging grab of an Alex Avila line drive to end...

The Eyre up there (O's lose 5-4)

The Eyre up there (O's lose 5-4)
I've been saving that one. Willie Eyre made his Orioles debut tonight, relieving left-hander Troy Patton with two runners on base and one out in the top of the eighth. The Tigers were looking to build on their 5-4 lead. Eyre was looking to make a good first impression. He made a great one. Eyre kept pumping four-seam fastballs, and he escaped the jam by striking out Magglio Ordonez and retiring Miguel Cabrera on a fly ball to center field. Eyre's fastball hit 93 mph on three occasions. He...

Hardy homer notes and Guerrero's RBI (updated)

Hardy homer notes and Guerrero's RBI (updated)
Shortstop J.J. Hardy has produced his third multi-homer game of the season and the seventh of his career. Bat him first. Bat him second. Just keep him in the lineup. Hardy took Tigers starter Brad Penny deep again in the bottom of the fifth inning to reduce Detroit's lead to 4-3. Adam Jones doubled with two outs and scored on a single by Vladimir Guerrero, who produced his first RBI since Aug. 3. Hardy also homered twice on July 26 and July 28 in Toronto. In between, he went 0-for-4 with...

Good news on Arrieta (updated twice)

Good news on Arrieta (updated twice)
Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta underwent successful surgery today to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. Orthopedic specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum handled the procedure in California. A team official said Arrieta is expected to be full-go for spring training, which is why it made sense for the pitcher to undergo surgery now instead of waiting until after the season or relying on cortisone injections and treatments. Arrieta will return to Baltimore before the season ends. Meanwhile, Tigers No....

Stringing along the Orioles again in the first (updated twice)

Stringing along the Orioles again in the first (updated twice)
Last night, the Chicago White Sox began their assault on Orioles starter Chris Tillman in the first inning by stringing together a single, home run, double, double and double. Tillman was behind, 4-0, before recording his first out. One night later, Orioles starter Alfredo Simon retired the first Detroit Tigers batter he faced before issuing a walk and allowing three consecutive singles. Fortunately for Simon, the Tigers managed only one run, on Miguel Cabrera's single into left field....

More notes and Showalter quotes

More notes and Showalter quotes
A line drive from Robert Andino in batting practice struck Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque in the head, creating a frightening scene here at Camden Yards. Alburquerque went down hard and was kicking his legs while players from both teams and members of the Tigers training staff gathered around him. Alburquerque left the field on a cart and was taken to a nearby hospital for a CT scan. A photographer in the press box identified Alburquerque as the stricken player. I'll pass along any updates...

A few pregame notes (and Tigers lineup)

A few pregame notes (and Tigers lineup)
The Orioles made their roster move official about an hour ago. Reliever Willie Eyre's contract was purchased from Triple-A Norfolk, and pitcher Jake Arrieta was placed on the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man roster. The club still hasn't received any information on Arrieta's surgery today to remove a bone spur from his elbow. Second baseman Brian Roberts worked out in Sarasota, playing long toss and taking ground balls, among other things. He hasn't experienced any...

Reimold leading off tonight

Reimold leading off tonight
The Orioles have a new leadoff hitter tonight: left fielder Nolan Reimold. Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting second, and Vladimir Guerrero moves down to fifth. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Alfredo Simon RHP