Akin makes major league debut in 15-3 loss (updated)

Akin makes major league debut in 15-3 loss (updated)
Tommy Milone had a week to think about it. How he could at least come close to duplicating his last start against the exact same opponent. Whether he could keep pounding the strike zone and inducing weak contact. Shut out the Nationals for six innings? Let's give it another shot. By the top of the fifth inning, the attention fell squarely upon pitching prospect Keegan Akin and his major league debut. Repeating the magic of last Friday wasn't going to happen. Anthony Santander extended his RBI...

O's win suspended game and run streak to six in a row (updated)

O's win suspended game and run streak to six in a row (updated)
Paul Fry was the first Orioles reliever to make the long walk from the dugout to the bullpen this afternoon, a strong hint that he'd pitch the bottom of the sixth inning in the suspended game at Camden Yards. He warmed up as the "visiting" Orioles batted in the top half and padded their three-run lead on Bryan Holaday's two-out infield hit that scored Dwight Smith Jr., who drew a walk on Sunday. Of course, it makes sense in 2020. Kyle Finnegan let an inherited runner score, Fry and three...

Cobb looking like chip and O's win in bizarre fashion (updated)

Cobb looking like chip and O's win in bizarre fashion (updated)
The new baseball trade deadline is creeping up on teams. None are certain how the market is going to evolve in a truncated season. But pitching always is in demand and an expansion of the playoff field could lure more executives into discussions. Alex Cobb was supposed to be a topic of conversation last summer, except he was injured in spring training, made only three starts and underwent hip and knee surgeries. Not much demand for an injured pitcher in the second year of a four-year, $57...

Orioles claim López while going for sweep (game suspended)

Orioles claim López while going for sweep (game suspended)
The search for pitching that can provide length and serve in swingman and long relief roles has brought the Orioles to right-hander Jorge López. A team that's trying to get back above .500 fiddling with its roster. The Orioles claimed López off waivers from the Royals earlier today, filling their 40-man roster and 60-man player pool with one transaction. They made the move while also busy building a lead against the Nationals that's been put on hold in the top of the sixth inning due to...

Orioles and Nationals lineups

Orioles and Nationals lineups
Chance Sisco is going to catch Thomas Eshelman tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Nationals in D.C. Sisco came off the bench last night in an 11-0 win, but he's behind the plate tonight and Pedro Severino is among the reserves. Hanser Alberto stays in the leadoff spot and Austin Hays remains at the bottom of the lineup. Dwight Smith Jr. is the left fielder again and Chris Davis continues to bat eighth. A lineup very similar to last night. Because it ain't broke. With...

Milone coasts and offense crushes in 11-0 win (updated)

Milone coasts and offense crushes in 11-0 win (updated)
WASHINGTON - On a night that their offense stayed in high gear, the Orioles made certain that their pitching and defense didn't shut down the operation. Keeping everyone on the same page brought a much different result. Nine of the first 15 Orioles batters reached against Aníbal Sánchez, three runs scored and a team still bruised from a four-game sweep in its home ballpark hit the road and kept hitting in an 11-0 win over the Nationals in D.C. José Iglesias had a run-scoring double,...

Thoughts on Stewart's demotion, Mountcastle's inevitable arrival

Thoughts on Stewart's demotion, Mountcastle's inevitable arrival
Is the path clearer for Ryan Mountcastle to make his major league debut? Can an hour pass without someone asking why he's still at the Bowie camp site? There's absolutely no doubt that Mountcastle is going to play for the Orioles this summer, and it could happen at any minute with his service time unaffected by a promotion. There are no excuses beyond the organization's mandate that he must be able to handle left field rather than serve exclusively as the designated hitter and must exhibit...

Defensive shortcomings for O's contribute to series sweep (updated)

Defensive shortcomings for O's contribute to series sweep (updated)
The bats came out of the rack. They made some loud noises. The threat of another shutout was obliterated like the pitch Renato Núñez launched into the left field seats to open the top of the second inning. If the Orioles were going to lose again tonight, at least they'd go down swinging. A problem is fixed and the ship springs two other leaks. And the solution wasn't to keep plugging away. Wade LeBlanc lasted only 3 1/3 innings, the defense collapsed behind him and an offensive rush...

Orioles and Marlins lineups

Orioles and Marlins lineups
José Iglesias is getting the start at shortstop tonight rather than kept as the designated hitter or a pinch-hitter. Rio Ruiz, however, isn't ready to return to third base while dealing with a sore right shoulder. Ruiz is 7-for-22 (.318) with three home runs and a 1.112 OPS. Iglesias is 11-for-24 (.458) with six doubles and a 1.188 OPS. The Orioles need both of them with their offense in a major funk. An offense that's totaled one run and 10 hits in three losses in the series. Ruiz could...

Lumber slumber has led Orioles to brink of series sweep

Lumber slumber has led Orioles to brink of series sweep
More changes came to the Orioles last night beyond their status as the road team inside their own ballpark. Can't wipe the weirdness slate clean. Rather than wait until later today, the Orioles further reduced their roster to 28 players by optioning outfielder DJ Stewart to the alternate camp site in Bowie. Coupled with pitcher John Means going on the bereavement list, the Orioles can stop tweaking the roster unless they want to swap out personnel before playing tonight's series finale...

Bats stay quiet in 1-0 loss in first game of doubleheader (updated)

Bats stay quiet in 1-0 loss in first game of doubleheader (updated)
Alex Cobb was first out of the home dugout today, which later became the visiting dugout. Baseball in 2020 is funny that way. Cobb did a small hop before finding his stride, as every pitcher attempts to do during the game. There were a few stumbles in the early innings, which soon became middle innings due to the shortening under minor league rules. The four-pitch walk to Miami's Corey Dickerson in the first, his throwing error in the second after fielding Matt Joyce's roller near the first...

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Marlins (updated)

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Marlins (updated)
José Iglesias is the designated hitter today for the opening game of a doubleheader against the Marlins at Camden Yards, where the Orioles are tabbed as the home team. They're the visitors in the second game because it's 2020 and weirdness is the theme. Iglesias has been kept off the field due to a sore left quad, but he's 10-for-19 with five doubles and four RBIs. Austin Hays is batting sixth after collecting two hits last night to break an 0-for-15 streak. Renato Núñez is the...

Means masterful and bats muted in 4-0 loss (updated)

Means masterful and bats muted in 4-0 loss (updated)
As more players reported back to Camden Yards today, the ballpark deemed safe again after a few Marlins were retested for COVID-19 and an earlier evacuation was lifted, they were subjected to the latest disruption to their normal preparation and routine. Because the year 2020 hasn't provided enough to satisfy everybody. Pitchers threw in the outfield and headed to the bullpen for their side sessions. Renato Núñez knelt on a towel and fielded grounders in front of the dugout, with third...

Orioles win in 11 innings on Valaika single (updated)

Orioles win in 11 innings on Valaika single (updated)
The Orioles almost made it through tonight's game without committing an error, perhaps because they've gotten so good at handling everything thrown at them. Players are lost to injury or trade. Opponents change unexpectedly and games are rearranged like furniture. Manager Brandon Hyde puts out fires and jokes about dressing for the part. This team is only interested in staying hot. The Rays scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game, taking advantage of Shawn...

Davis could return to Orioles tonight

Davis could return to Orioles tonight
The Orioles might be back to a full roster for tonight's series opener against the Rays at Camden Yards after playing a man down for the past two games. Chris Davis could be cleared to rejoin the team after being kept at home for precautionary reasons, according to an industry source. Davis hasn't tested positive for COVID-19, but he ran a low fever Wednesday morning and the Orioles placed him in the protocol. From what I've heard, the fever was related to his sinuses and he's undergone...

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
The Orioles reinstated John Means from the 10-day injured list this afternoon and optioned reliever Cody Carroll to the alternate camp. Carroll, who has faced nine batters and retired only one, left the ballpark shortly before 3 p.m. Chris Davis and José Iglesias are out of the lineup. The Orioles aren't explaining Davis' absence. Iglesias, who had an RBI double last night, is dealing with some tightness in his quadriceps muscle. Iglesias is a career .359 (42-for-117) hitter against the...

Home runs hurt Orioles again in home opener (updated)

Home runs hurt Orioles again in home opener (updated)
The orange carpet wasn't unrolled tonight at Camden Yards. Players walked out of the dugouts and lined up sans the traditional introductions. The only bunting used was intended to advance a runner. The Orioles held their home opener in understated fashion, adapting to the new policies implemented because of the coronavirus pandemic. A video played at 7:12 p.m. celebrating baseball's return but also calling for an end to racial injustice and reminding everyone of the importance of wearing...

Davis away from ballpark for tonight's home opener

Davis away from ballpark for tonight's home opener
Chris Davis admitted last night that his safety concerns increased after seeing reports of the positive COVID-19 tests among Marlins players. He also said he'd probably wear a mask at first base. Davis gave the impression that he'd be playing in tonight's home opener against the Yankees, but he's absent from the lineup and away from the team. Renato Núñez has replaced Davis in the field and the Orioles are short one player. "CD, he's not here today," manager Brandon Hyde said...

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Chris Davis is out of the Orioles' lineup tonight for their first home game of the 2020 season. Renato Núñez is playing first base and Dwight Smith Jr. is the designated hitter. Davis was 1-for-11 with an RBI double in Boston. José Iglesias continues to bat third. Anthony Santander is one spot ahead of him. DJ Stewart is in left field. Orioles pitchers haven't issued a walk in the last two games. The club record is three straight on July 1-3, 1980. For the Orioles Austin Hays CF...

Orioles skillfully maneuver 40-man roster

Orioles skillfully maneuver 40-man roster
The Orioles demonstrated yesterday how they're able to do the 40-man roster dance without tripping over their own feet. It was an impressive feat. They had one open spot and a lengthy list of non-roster players competing for jobs, though Stevie Wilkerson dropped out due to a broken finger on his left hand. That's a lot of traffic and the potential for a massive pileup. But utility player Pat Valaika was the lone addition, pretty much winning a job in spring training prior to the shutdown. He...