Hardy and Roberts move up in order (with White Sox lineup)

Hardy and Roberts move up in order (with White Sox lineup)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is batting shortstop J.J. Hardy fifth and second baseman Brian Roberts sixth for today's series finale against the Chicago White Sox. Hardy has batted fifth in 31 career games, posting a .231/.274/.346 line. Roberts has appeared in the sixth slot in four previous games during his career, going 2-for-2. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Brian Roberts 2B Nate McLouth LF Nolan Reimold DH Taylor...
    

A few more pregame notes

A few more pregame notes
I mentioned earlier that Scott Feldman is the 13th different starting pitcher used by the Orioles this season, exceeding last year's total. The Orioles hadn't used that many starters since 2008. Feldman will be the 14th player to make his Orioles debut this season. We're not counting left-hander Mike Belfiore, who was recalled without pitching in a game. White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers is 5-for-7 lifetime against Feldman. Right fielder Alex Rios is 10-for-32 with two home runs. Brian...
    

Hammel takes the loss as White Sox beat Orioles in series opener

Hammel takes the loss as White Sox beat Orioles in series opener
On the day the Orioles added a pitcher, they needed more from their bats at Chicago. The Orioles were held to eight hits in a 5-2 loss to the White Sox in the opener of a six-game road trip. Winning pitcher John Danks gave up two runs on six hits over seven innings, throwing 93 pitches to improve to 2-5 with an ERA of 4.20 in eight starts. The Orioles' four-game winning streak came to an end and they came up short in their shot to go 12 games over the .500 mark for the first time all year,...
    

Roberts homers for first time in more than two years (O's lose 5-2)

Roberts homers for first time in more than two years (O's lose 5-2)
It's been a while. Brian Roberts, making only his fifth start of the season, gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead over the White Sox tonight with a home run in the top of the third inning. Roberts lined an 89 mph fastball from left-hander John Danks over the fence in left field, his first home run since April 13, 2011 off former Yankee A.J. Burnett. Roberts has nine career home runs against the White Sox, the third-most against any opponent. He's hit 14 vs. the Yankees and 11 vs. the Rays - both...
    

Roberts talks on the win, thanks crowd for its support (with other player quotes)

Roberts talks on the win, thanks crowd for its support (with other player quotes)
In his first game back with the Orioles since April 4, Brian Roberts went 1-for-2 and produced a key insurance run with a sac fly. He received several big ovations from the crowd of 40,878 during the Orioles' 4-2 win over the Yankees. "My first at-bat was special for me," Roberts said. "To be here as long as I have and to be through so many ups and downs, you don't really know if people are just tired of you or if they really want you out there still. "My journey, so many people can...
    

Showalter speaks after 4-2 win

Showalter speaks after 4-2 win
Shortly before tonight's game started at Camden Yards, Orioles manager Buck Showalter turned to bench coach John Russell and said, "Boy, this place is hoppin'." The electric atmosphere didn't go unnoticed. "It was cool," Showalter said following the Orioles' 4-2 win over the Yankees in the first ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game in Baltimore in eight years. "You could tell there was some real energy in the park, and it meant a lot to us, but we've got to continue to do the things...
    

O's win to complete first three-game home sweep of Yankees since 2005

O's win to complete first three-game home sweep of Yankees since 2005
In their fourth attempt to get a three-game series sweep, the Orioles picked up their first of the year tonight. A large enthusiastic crowd of 40,878 saw Chris Tillman gain his 10th win as the Orioles beat the Yankees 4-2 to complete a three-game sweep in their first home game on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" since July 31, 2005. The Orioles completed their first three-game home sweep of New York since April 15-17, 2005. It also is their fifth straight home win against New York - their...
    

Roberts singles, Tillman continues (O's complete sweep with 4-2 win)

Roberts singles, Tillman continues (O's complete sweep with 4-2 win)
Brian Roberts lined a 1-2 pitch into center field for a single with one out in the fifth inning. Must have felt like a walk-off home run. Roberts had collected his first hit since April 4 at Tropicana Field, and his first hit in Baltimore since June 29, 2012. He took a deep breath and exhaled as he stood on the bag. He traveled a long way for that hit, and I don't mean Sarasota. Roberts is 6-for-14 this season. He's a nice presence at the bottom of the lineup. By the way, his wife,...
    

Notes before tonight's game (updated)

Notes before tonight's game (updated)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters today that Brian Roberts will start at second base Tuesday night in Chicago. Roberts is serving as the designated hitter tonight in the series finale against the Yankees. "Just a good place to start," Showalter said. Roberts is 5-for-12 in three games. "We saw it early on, the few games he played with us," Showalter said. "He had a really good spring, and I'm encouraged to hear (Triple-A Norfolk manager) Ron Johnson talk about the...
    

Brian Roberts on his latest return to the Orioles and more

Brian Roberts on his latest return to the Orioles and more
Brian Roberts' latest comeback continues tonight at Camden Yards. The Orioles activated him off the 60-day disabled list today, and he'll bat ninth and serve as the DH against the Yankees. Roberts had surgery to repair his injured right hamstring in early May after getting hurt in the third game of this season. "It's great, I'm excited. Should be a great atmosphere and looking forward to being a part of it," he said about being back. He has played in just 118 games since 2010, and he...
    

Roberts serving as DH tonight (updated)

Roberts serving as DH tonight (updated)
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts is off the disabled list and in the lineup for tonight's series finale against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. Roberts is batting ninth, as he did in the first three games of the season. He was 5-for-12 before injuring his hamstring on a slide into second base at Tropicana Field. Roberts is serving as the designated hitter, with Ryan Flaherty started at second base. Flaherty is batting .483 (14-for-29) with four homers and nine RBIs during an...
    

Orioles designate Jurrjens for assignment (updated)

Orioles designate Jurrjens for assignment (updated)
The Orioles have officially activated second baseman Brian Roberts from the 60-day disabled list and designated pitcher Jair Jurrjens for assignment. Roberts is expected in tonight's lineup against the New York Yankees. Jurrjens threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief last night, allowing three hits after following starter Zach Britton to the mound. Jurrjens signed with the Orioles on Feb. 15 after the Atlanta Braves declined to offer him arbitration. His contract was restructured, going...
    

Orioles working on their Sunday night moves (updated)

Orioles working on their Sunday night moves (updated)
Tonight marks the first "ESPN Sunday Night Baseball" game at Camden Yards since July 31, 2005. It seems like only yesterday. A week, tops. Maybe what happened to the Orioles explains why the network stayed away for so long. Rodrigo Lopez lasted only 1 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs and seven hits, walking three batters and hitting one. The Orioles lost to the White Sox 9-4. Who started for the White Sox? Well, that would be Freddy Garcia, who gave up four runs and 10 hits over seven...
    

Showalter on roster move and more

Showalter on roster move and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter explained to reporters why the club designated first baseman Travis Ishikawa for assignment this afternoon and recalled pitcher Jair Jurrjens. "Just felt like we needed some coverage in our bullpen tonight after last night, and we're going to make a move with Brian (Roberts) tomorrow, anyway," Showalter said. The Orioles will continue their attempts to trade Ishikawa. If he goes through waivers and clears, he can choose to become a free agent. "Hoping it...
    

Ishikawa on today's roster move

Ishikawa on today's roster move
First baseman Travis Ishikawa received the news this afternoon that the Orioles designated him for assignment to make room for pitcher Jair Jurrjens. He took it in stride, knowing that it was a distinct possibility. "They needed another arm," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen now. They have a few days to try to trade me, and then if they can't trade me, I go through the waiver process and see if anybody claims me. If they don't, I can either accept my assignment to Triple-A...
    

Roster rumblings

Roster rumblings
Second baseman Brian Roberts will return to Camden Yards today, take batting practice and wait to be activated on Sunday. For fans questioning whether he's ready to come off the disabled list after being removed from last night's game at Triple-A Norfolk because of rain, I'll respond by asking if you're really serious. Of course he should have come out of the game. Why risk injury on a wet minor league field to a guy coming off surgery on his hamstring? No team would have taken that...
    

Showalter speaks after 4-3 win

Showalter speaks after 4-3 win
The Orioles are discussing whether to bring up a reliever for Saturday night after Kevin Gausman worked 4 1/3 innings in relief. They don't really have a long man, since T.J. McFarland started tonight. Manager Buck Showalter prefers having a right-hander backing up a left-handed starter, and Zach Britton takes the mound Saturday night. Tommy Hunter pitched the last two innings for the Orioles and recorded his second career save in a 4-3 victory over the Yankees. Jim Johnson told Showalter...
    

Updates on Roberts, Betemit, Pearce and more

Updates on Roberts, Betemit, Pearce and more
Brian Roberts is expected to play nine innings at second base tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, drive to Baltimore Saturday morning and come off the disabled list on Sunday. The Orioles would prefer that he avoid traveling on the day that he's activated and inserted into the lineup. Roberts isn't coming here to sit on the bench. He's going directly into the lineup, most likely batting ninth. Infielder Wilson Betemit resumed baseball-related activities today in Sarasota. He was shut down for a...
    

A closer look at McFarland and tonight's start

A closer look at McFarland and tonight's start
If you had June 28 as the date of T.J. McFarland's first major league start, step up to the window and collect your money. No shoving, please. Manager Buck Showalter dropped a few hints about McFarland this week, but Kevin Gausman still seemed to be the choice. At least, that's how most of the beat crew read it. Showalter did pause when asked about Gausman's candidacy. More than once. And he brought up all the left-handers in the Yankees lineup. The Yankees are batting .233 vs. lefties...
    

Roberts likely to rejoin Orioles this weekend

Roberts likely to rejoin Orioles this weekend
Second baseman Brian Roberts is continuing his rehab assignment with two games today at Triple-A Norfolk, including the resumption of a suspended game from last night. He most likely will come off the disabled list and rejoin the Orioles for this weekend's series against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. Roberts went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored Tuesday night, and he walked twice on 18 pitches last night before rain forced the Tides' game against Columbus to be...