Defense set the early tone in Orioles' blowout win

Defense set the early tone in Orioles' blowout win
It might sound a bit strange to praise the Orioles defense tonight, on a night they hit four homers, got fine starting pitching and won 9-1 over the Chicago White Sox. But coming off last night's 12-2 loss, there were several big plays early on by the Orioles defense that helped keep Chicago off the board and build some momentum for starting pitcher Andrew Cashner. Two plays in the first two innings saved three runs and kept the game 0-0 in the first two innings before the O's homer barrage...

Cashner, homers and stellar defense propel O's to 9-1 win (updated)

Cashner, homers and stellar defense propel O's to 9-1 win (updated)
Brandon Hyde can live with the losses because he has no choice and understands they're part of the rebuilding process. He knows the deal. They're a necessary evil. It's sloppy play in the field and on the basepaths that can irk the Orioles manager and test his patience, with last night's ugly loss to the White Sox a prime example. Hyde keeps pushing for improvements, looking for the incremental steps that lead to better days. Within the first three innings tonight, he saw Rule 5 shortstop...

Hearing from Hyde and Castro before tonight's game

Hearing from Hyde and Castro before tonight's game
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said his bullpen should be fine tonight. The club didn't make a roster move prior to first pitch. He said it without fingers crossed. At least not visibly. "With that being said, would love to have Cash (Andrew Cashner) go deep in the game," Hyde said. "We should be OK, but looking for Cash to give us some innings and pitch like he's been pitching. Love to see him go deep." Miguel Castro won't be available tonight after throwing 45 pitches last night in...

Hyde on Smith, Mullins, Wilkerson and more (O's down 12-1)

Hyde on Smith, Mullins, Wilkerson and more (O's down 12-1)
Orioles outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. said he could have played tonight, the discomfort in his right quadriceps muscle vanishing since he came out of yesterday's game. Manager Brandon Hyde wants to avoid using him in the series opener against the White Sox and likely will return him to the lineup on Tuesday. "Leg's feeling fine, feeling better than it did yesterday," Smith said. "I was walking around fine this morning. I'm available tonight." Smith is on the bench with the White Sox...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Though he went hitless yesterday with a pair of strikeouts and a walk, Renato Núñez continues to lead the Orioles in RBIs with 16 and is one ahead of Dwight Smith Jr. Two players who weren't assured of making the club out of spring training, though Núñez being out of options improved his chances. Smith wasn't in the organization until a March 8 trade between the Orioles and Blue Jays. Former executive Dan Duquette claimed Núñez off waivers from the Rangers on May 13, 2018,...

Dylan Bundy provides quality start, but O's lose series finale

Dylan Bundy provides quality start, but O's lose series finale
Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy became just the third O's starter to go six or more innings this season, but it didn't lead to a win today for the Orioles. Bundy allowed four runs (two earned) in six frames, but Minnesota beat the Orioles 4-3 to complete a three-game sweep. The Twins are 12-7 and the Orioles fall to 8-15, with five losses in their last six games and 10 in the last 13. Down 4-2, the Orioles scored once in the ninth on Jonathan Villar's RBI single to make it a one-run game....

Twins complete sweep with 4-3 win over Orioles (updated)

Twins complete sweep with 4-3 win over Orioles (updated)
Dylan Bundy was saddled with two unearned runs today in the top of the first inning, a unique spin on the Orioles' 2019 story. Home runs weren't included in the opening chapter. Baseballs that kept flying into the seats were more inclined to elude a glove. Bundy turned in a quality start by definition to close out the series against the Twins, with two earned runs allowed in six innings, but he never got a lead and the Orioles lost 4-3 to complete the sweep at Camden Yards before an announced...

Orioles allow three more home runs in 6-5 Game 1 loss

Orioles allow three more home runs in 6-5 Game 1 loss
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde stated before Game 1 of today's doubleheader that his club needs to play good defense because it's not going to set any home run records. He meant at the plate. Dan Straily surrendered three homers today over five innings, including two by Eddie Rosario. The Orioles have allowed 49, one short of the 1996 Tigers for the major league mark through April. Opponents have homered in 20 of 21 games. The Orioles hit three of their own this afternoon, but the Twins scored...

Rickard double gives Orioles 6-5 win in 11 innings (with quotes)

Rickard double gives Orioles 6-5 win in 11 innings (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles needed five outs from Mychal Givens tonight to secure a win that would prevent them from being swept to close out their road trip. The latest heavy tax applied to a bullpen that's in constant motion. Givens surrendered a game-tying home run to Avisaíl García with one out in the ninth inning and manager Brandon Hyde turned to his fifth reliever of the night, left-hander John Means, who had been bumped from the rotation temporarily. Means struck out the...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles conclude their latest road trip tonight, having gone 2-4, and Chris Davis stays on the bench while recovering from a stomach virus. Davis is missing his third game in a row. Trey Mancini is in left field tonight, with Joey Rickard in right and Dwight Smith Jr. serving as designated hitter. Renato Núñez makes his second career start at first base. Pedro Severino is catching. Andrew Cashner has won three of his four decisions despite a 5.31 ERA and 1.623...

Hess hit hard and dugout heated in 8-1 loss (updated)

Hess hit hard and dugout heated in 8-1 loss (updated)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - If David Hess had any shot at getting deeper into his start tonight against the Rays, he needed to soften the contact against him. Think pillow instead of pillar. Everything that Hess threw was tattooed, with exit velocities in the first inning of 115.4, 102.3, 105.6 and 108.9 mph - the latter resulting in a three-run homer by the University of Maryland's Brandon Lowe on a ball that traveled 409 feet, according to Statcast. Hess allowed another run in the second and...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chris Davis is out of the Orioles lineup tonight after being a late scratch yesterday due to an illness. The Orioles are carrying a three-man bench. If Davis isn't available, manager Brandon Hyde's late-inning options are further compromised. Renato Núñez is making his first start in the field this season by replacing Davis at first base. Trey Mancini is the designated hitter. Joey Rickard is in right field, with Dwight Smith Jr. in left and Cedric Mullins in...

One bad inning dooms Orioles in 4-2 loss (with quotes)

One bad inning dooms Orioles in 4-2 loss (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Playing a team on the road with the best record in baseball was going to challenge the Orioles. No way around it. And so would a pitcher with blistering heat and a microscopic ERA. They'd like to preserve the first three innings, placing them under glass instead of the dome. They'd like to get back the fourth, when the home run ball shattered them again. Avisaíl García delivered a two-run shot off Dylan Bundy to give the Rays a lead they were able to maintain,...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles will try to build on their 6-4 road record tonight while beginning at three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Trey Mancini remains in right field while Chris Davis plays first base. Mancini is 16-for-40 (.400) in 10 road games and he's 7-for-12 (.583) with two home runs in the first inning this season. Dwight Smith Jr., in left field again tonight, has homered in three of his last five games. He has eight RBIs in that span. Renato Núñez,...

Orioles split series with 8-1 win over Red Sox (updated)

Orioles split series with 8-1 win over Red Sox (updated)
BOSTON - The Red Sox put a catcher at second base today. Their starting pitcher worked an inning in relief two days ago. Their Gold Glove center fielder has the flu. Their left fielder fouled a ball off his foot yesterday and couldn't play. If the Orioles had a game screaming for them to win, this was it. They still had to go out and earn it. And without their manager for the last four innings. Dan Straily allowed only one run over five innings, Dwight Smith Jr. had a two-run homer and two-run...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (updated)

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (updated)
BOSTON - The Orioles conclude their four-game series in rainy Boston this morning with Dwight Smith Jr. back in the lineup in left field after being a late scratch yesterday due to a sore right leg. Chris Davis is playing first base and Cedric Mullins is batting ninth as the center fielder. Jonathan Villar leads off again today. Jesús Sucre is catching Dan Straily. For the Orioles Jonathan Villar 2B Trey Mancini RF Dwight Smith Jr. LF Rio Ruiz 3B Renato Núñez DH Chris Davis 1B ...

Orioles waste Means start and rallies in 4-0 loss (updated)

Orioles waste Means start and rallies in 4-0 loss (updated)
BOSTON - John Means gave the Orioles five innings today. Gave them a gritty effort with easy stretches, one jam escaped and minimal damage in another. Gave them reasons to consider him for a longer stay in the rotation. Alex Cobb is expected back next weekend, leaving Means to wonder how he's going to be handled. He'll let the people above his pay grade make the decision. Means complicated it by holding the Red Sox to one run in his second major league start, the deficit too much for the...

Smith scratched from Orioles lineup (O's down 4-0)

Smith scratched from Orioles lineup (O's down 4-0)
BOSTON - Dwight Smith Jr. has been scratched from the Orioles lineup today with a sore right leg. Manager Brandon Hyde passed along the news that Smith is available to play if needed. Trey Mancini moves from right field to left, Joey Rickard goes to right and Cedric Mullins gets the start in center. Smith was supposed to make his 15th start in left field. "He's been playing great defense in left field," Hyde said. "I knew he was going to be a good outfielder. I didn't know he was going to...

Wrapping up the end of Davis' streaks and a 9-5 victory

Wrapping up the end of Davis' streaks and a 9-5 victory
BOSTON - Chris Davis went through the victory line on the field today, handled a walk-off television interview, returned to the clubhouse and was swarmed by his teammates. Streaks were broken. Friendships were strengthened. Players pounded their fists on lockers as Davis raised his hands in the air. A few of them spoke. He wasn't drenched in beer and water, but the showering of affection meant more to him. Davis ended his hitless streaks with a two-run single off Rick Porcello in the top of...

Chris Davis ends hitless streaks with two-run single (O's win 9-5)

Chris Davis ends hitless streaks with two-run single (O's win 9-5)
BOSTON - Chris Davis rounded first base today and slapped his hands together. Solid contact made twice in one at-bat. Davis lined a two-run single into right field with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the first inning. The Orioles, slow starters at the plate this season, grabbed an early lead off Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello. Davis, off to the slowest start in major league history, finally had his first hit. Porcello missed with a changeup on his first pitch and Davis lined a...