Looking at the numbers from the Tampa series sweep

Looking at the numbers from the Tampa series sweep
*The Orioles swept the three-game series by a 12-3 score. They allowed exactly one run on four hits in each of the three games. They won three with a team batting average of just .222, going 22-for-99 vs. the Rays. They hit just one homer in the series, but it was a big one by Brian Roberts on Saturday night. They had just 11 hits in the series' first two games, then added 11 more on Sunday. Brian Roberts was the only Oriole to hit safely in all three games. The O's swept three without...

Some stats & facts from the first two games

Some stats & facts from the first two games
*Today the Orioles go for a three-game sweep at St. Pete vs. Tampa. They have not swept three from the Rays in their home park since September 30 to October 1, 2005. The Orioles have now won six of their last seven games vs. Tampa and are 4-1 at the Trop during that stretch. They now lead the all-time series, 113-111, vs. the Rays. *The Orioles have won these two games despite scoring just seven runs on 11 hits and with a team batting average of .175 to date. But O's pitching has allowed...

Hardy's the first to score in 2011 (updated)

Hardy's the first to score in 2011 (updated)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - J.J. Hardy is the first Oriole to cross the plate this season, scampering home on Nick Markakis' two-out single in the third inning to break a scoreless tie. Hardy doubled with one out off Rays starter David Price, and took third base on the left-hander's errant pickoff throw. The ball actually went through Hardy's legs. Brian Roberts struck out, but Markakis lined a single into left-center field. Hardy batted .351 in spring training. He's looking pretty good at...

More injury updates (updated)

More injury updates (updated)
TAMPA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter indicated that Brian Roberts, Derrek Lee and Koji Uehara could appear in games this weekend. Roberts hit off a tee from both sides of the "plate" and is encouraged by his progression. Lee didn't take live bating practice, instead hitting soft toss, but it could happen tomorrow. His debut is tentatively set for this weekend. Koji Uehara had another positive bullpen session and is close to appearing in his second spring game. "I've got all three...

Updating Roberts and Izturis (with lineup)

Updating Roberts and Izturis (with lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Overheard this morning at breakfast: "Oh, it's going to be chilly Friday. Sixty-eight degrees." Yeah, chilly. Brian Roberts said his back feels a little better, but he won't play in today's game against the Twins in Sarasota. And there's no way he's traveling to Fort Myers tonight for the other split-squad game. "It's not too bad," he said. Roberts said he woke up with back spasms a few days ago. He said they weren't caused by him diving into first base during...

Roberts is on the field (updated)

Roberts is on the field (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts has taken the field for the pre-workout stretch. He's also expected to participate in infield drills. Roberts had to get the approval of the athletic training staff. He stated yesterday that it's been a "group effort" when determining whether he could work out. Roberts spent the last three days getting treatment for a stiff neck. He hasn't been able to participate in baseball activities, but he noted that his neck kept improving each...

Lee not hitting today (updated)

Lee not hitting today (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee won't take batting practice today after hitting outdoors for the first time yesterday afternoon. Lee said his surgically repaired right thumb is "a little bit tender." "Probably as expected, since it was the first time I hit on the field," he said. Lee plans to take BP tomorrow. "Overly cautious," he said. "I was hoping I would wake up feeling 100 percent, but I kind of knew I'd wake up sore." Meanwhile, Brian Roberts is outside...

More Roberts, more Lee

More Roberts, more Lee
SARASOTA, Fla. - No sense ignoring Brian Roberts in this entry. He's been a constant presence, though Derrek Lee provided a slight distraction earlier today. Roberts said his neck is "getting better every day." He received more treatment today to alleviate the soreness and also rode a stationary bike. "It's definitely better than it was a couple days ago," he said. "It's the time of the year where you just want to get it completely gone before you go back out there again." Asked...

Quick hits from workout

Quick hits from workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - I'll plug in more quotes later, but here are some short items from today's workout: Brian Roberts said his neck feels better every day. He also said he could play if it were the regular season. "It's definitely better than it was a couple days ago," he said. Asked if he might work out tomorrow, Roberts said, "I don't try to guess about tomorrow. To tell you the truth, it probably hasn't really been my call. It's a group effort." Derrek Lee will see how his thumb...

Roberts sits for third straight day (updated)

Roberts sits for third straight day (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts didn't take the field for the pre-workout stretch and catch, and he was absent during infield drills. Roberts continues to receive treatment on his neck. He told reporters yesterday that he hoped to get back on the field today or tomorrow. Looks like today is out. Cesar Izturis and Brendan Harris took grounders at second. Izturis looks every bit as smooth there as he did at short. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said no further tests on...

Who bats leadoff if it isn't Roberts?

Who bats leadoff if it isn't Roberts?
If the Orioles are going to avoid another 2-16 start, if they're going to make significant progress in 2011 and stop ripping their fans' hearts out, Brian Roberts will need to stay healthy and stay in the lineup. That said, it wouldn't hurt to have a Plan B for the leadoff spot. The Orioles are close to finishing their roster moves for the winter. A left-handed reliever and starting pitcher remain on the shopping list. As you've heard, one of the available designated hitters would have to...

Did you see...

Did you see...
...the segment that ran on O's Xtra last night with Brady Anderson and Luke Scott? Former Oriole Brady Anderson headed into the batting cages with current O's slugger Luke Scott to work through a hitting drill and to take a look at Scott's home run swing. It's a short video, but fun to get a behind the scenes look at a former Oriole working casually in the cages with a current player, and knowing how methodical Scott's approach to the game is, it's neat to have an inside look at how he...

Roberts joins injured list (updated)

Roberts joins injured list (updated)
Brian Roberts was forced out of tonight's game with a strained left hip. Let's hope his day-to-day is shorter than Adam Jones' day-to-day. Josh Bell entered the game in the fourth and batted for Roberts in the sixth. He singled leading off the inning and scored with two outs on Luke Scott's infield hit, giving the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Bell was supposed to get the night off. He's been in a terrible slump since his two-homer game, striking out seven times in 14 at-bats. Julio Lugo, a...

Out and about with the Birds

Out and about with the Birds
Not only do the Birds return to Baltimore for a seven-game homestand against Seattle and Texas next week, but you'll have a handful of opportunities to see some of your favorite Orioles out in the community. Jeremy Guthrie will kick off the community appearances next week by visiting the Official Orioles Team Store in the York Galleria Mall on Tuesday, August 17. Guthrie will meet with fans and sign autographs from noon to 1:00 p.m., so don't miss your chance to meet the O's...

Ticket time for Brian's Baseball Bash

Ticket time for Brian's Baseball Bash
A few weeks ago, O's fans were wondering if Brian's Baseball Bash was still on for the summer of 2010. I assured you here in the Orioles Buzz that the Bash was still happening, but now I can even do you one better. The floor is now open for sponsorship opportunities and individual ticket sales for this year's Brian's Baseball Bash. Just as a refresher, this year's Bash is scheduled for Sunday, August 22 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Dave & Buster's at the Arundel Mills Mall. If...

5th Annual Brian's Baseball Bash still on

5th Annual Brian's Baseball Bash still on
A handful of you have been asking about this year's Brian's Baseball Bash - With B-Rob struggling with injuries, is the Bash still on? With the closure of the ESPN Zone, where will they hold it this year? All valid questions - that now appear to have answers. According to the Community Calendar on Orioles.com, Brian's Baseball Bash is still on and scheduled for Sunday, August 22 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This year's event will take place at the ESPN Zone-concept similar Dave and Busters in...

Roberts to the DL now official

Roberts to the DL now official
The Orioles have just announced that they have placed 2B Brian Roberts on the 15-day disabled list with a strained abdominal muscle, retroactive to April 10. Roberts was batting .143 (2-14) with one double when he injured himself sliding into second base Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays. To fill Roberts' roster spot, the Orioles recalled INF Justin Turner from Triple-A Norfolk. Turner appeared in 16 spring training games for the Orioles and batted .344 (11-32) with one home run and...

Izzy's busy (updated)

Izzy's busy (updated)
Shortstop Cesar Izturis had a hand in all three outs in the bottom of the first inning. He also failed to make a play that was scored a hit and started a rally that allowed Toronto to tie the game. Jose Bautista opened the inning by grounding to Izturis. Aaron Hill followed with a grounder that scooted past Izturis, who attempted to make a backhanded stop. Izturis made a leaping grab of Adam Lind's liner for the second out, but Hill moved up on a wild pitch from Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie...