Shutout shoe on other foot as Orioles lose 2-0 (Scott optioned)

Shutout shoe on other foot as Orioles lose 2-0 (Scott optioned)
The Orioles didn't get greedy. The consecutive shutouts with 13 runs scored in both games, a major league first, had a shelf life. The streak wasn't going to carry through an entire series. Carlos Santana's run-scoring single with two outs in the third ended the Orioles' scoreless streak at 21 innings. The task at hand was finding a way to overcome a small deficit, to reignite an offense that had plowed through Indians pitching. It didn't happen. Santana drove in another run in the...

Orioles post back-to-back 13-0 victories to win series (updated)

Orioles post back-to-back 13-0 victories to win series (updated)
The announcement was made shortly before the anthem. Andrew Cashner no longer would start for the Orioles. Reliever Shawn Armstrong had become the chosen one. Not a trade. Not an injury. Just a weather report that called for storms to pummel the area. Manager Brandon Hyde didn't list "juggler" on his baseball resume, but he's been doing it with his rotation. The Orioles nailed the forecast and switched back to Cashner, who blanked the Indians on three hits in seven innings and rode the...

Updates on Rogers, Stewart, Karns, Lucas and more (O's up 9-0)

Updates on Rogers, Stewart, Karns, Lucas and more (O's up 9-0)
Orioles rookie pitcher Josh Rogers will receive the second opinion on his left elbow Tuesday morning in Arlington, Texas, while bracing for confirmation that he'll need a second Tommy John surgery. Rogers also underwent the procedure as a high school senior in 2013. He had a bone spur removed from the elbow four years later. He's no stranger to elbow surgeries. Not that it gets any easier for him. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Timothy Kremcheck performed the first two surgeries, but Rogers is...

O's pitchers roughed up again as San Diego sweeps

O's pitchers roughed up again as San Diego sweeps
Another game and another day when Orioles pitchers got roughed up. They allowed five more homers on this warm afternoon at Camden Yards as the Padres beat the O's 10-5 to complete a two-game sweep. The Orioles fall to 22-58 at the 80-game mark. They have lost 13 of 14, 17 of 20 and 21 of their last 26 games. They fall to 9-30 at home and to 0-17-1 in their past 18 series. Right-hander Dylan Bundy pitched out of a first-and-third, no-outs jam in the first. But he allowed two homers over the...

Orioles lose 10-5 while trying to solve rotation riddle

Orioles lose 10-5 while trying to solve rotation riddle
No matter how Dylan Bundy fared this afternoon, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde could reach a certain level of comfort in knowing that he sent an actual starter to the mound. Hyde is plugging holes in the rotation as if it's a kiddie pool. He's resorted again to using openers, which really constitutes a bullpen game with the first reliever unable to provide length. There's a glaring difference beyond the terminology. The baton-passing "affects you the next day and it affects you the day after...

Elias on Henderson, international signings and more (O's down 10-4)

Elias on Henderson, international signings and more (O's down 10-4)
The Orioles announced the signings of their top two draft picks over the past two days and they still have more work to get done. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said negotiations continue with the remaining unsigned players, who include LSU outfielder Zach Watson (third round), Stanford first baseman Andrew Daschback (11th) and University of Pittsburgh right-hander Dan Hammer (13th). Ten of the 41 selections haven't agreed to terms. Asked about a few of the...

O's rally falls one run short, losing streak reaches 10 (with quotes)

O's rally falls one run short, losing streak reaches 10 (with quotes)
SEATTLE - Well this was a unique way to lose a game and stretch a losing streak to 10, but the Orioles did it. Fall behind big, rally big, come up just short. Frustrating indeed as they lost 10-9 at Seattle after trailing 10-3 after five innings. This time it did not come apart for the Orioles in the middle innings. It happened by the end of the home third. Their rally in the sixth and seventh was impressive but it did not produce a stirring comeback win, rather just yet another frustrating...

The sweep is complete: O's lose series finale at Oakland

The sweep is complete: O's lose series finale at Oakland
OAKLAND - They lost their best player in the first inning and didn't get a hit until the sixth. And while they made this game close after initially falling behind, in the end, it was another loss for the Orioles. The Athletics beat the Orioles 8-3 to complete a three-game home sweep. At 21-53, the Orioles now have an eight-game losing streak, which is a season high. Baltimore has lost 12 of 14 and 16 of the last 20. The Orioles finish the season series going 1-6 against Oakland, allowing 62...

Hyde unable to give relievers defined roles

Hyde unable to give relievers defined roles
I'm not sure if there's a media member alive covering baseball who doesn't want the answer. We have to know specific bullpen roles. Who's the closer, primary set-up man, lefty specialist, middle reliever and long man? The emergency catcher also is a common curiosity, but let's stick to the bullpen for the sake of this morning's discussion. (Manager Brandon Hyde hasn't revealed the identity of the emergency catcher, but Stevie Wilkerson is back on the roster and he got in some work behind...

Hyde on Davis, bullpen, Cobb and more (O's down 8-6)

Hyde on Davis, bullpen, Cobb and more (O's down 8-6)
The lineup for tonight's game against the Blue Jays was posted later than usual, with Orioles manager Brandon Hyde sifting through various stats and reports on Derek Law. The Blue Jays switched from veteran Edwin Jackson to Law this afternoon and Hyde wanted to know whether changes were necessary. The lineup stayed the same. It still didn't include first baseman Chris Davis. "We wanted to look at some things before we announced our lineup," Hyde said. "I wanted to look at Derek Law a...

Orioles could be ready to expand bench

Orioles could be ready to expand bench
The improvements in the Orioles rotation during the last road trip and John Means' ability to gut out five innings last night after a laborious first could open some doors for manager Brandon Hyde. Maybe shuffle the hand that he's been dealt. Hyde finds it much easier to rest certain relievers with fewer innings to cover. A burden finally is lifted from the bullpen, for however long it lasts. Game management is simplified. Hyde will take it. There's also the possibility that the club finally...

Means grinds through five innings in 4-2 win (updated)

Means grinds through five innings in 4-2 win (updated)
Extending the Orioles' streak of quality starts to six tonight became a tall order for left-hander John Means after a 33-pitch top of the first inning. Making it through the fifth was now an issue. Means managed to complete five innings while continuing to impress in his rookie campaign and the Orioles claimed their fourth series opener in the last five opportunities with a 4-2 victory over the Blue Jays before an announced crowd of 12,524 at Camden Yards. The bullpen held the Jays to one run...

Shorebirds don't clinch yet as Orioles return home

Shorebirds don't clinch yet as Orioles return home
Single-A Delmarva clinching its first playoff appearance in 14 years will have to wait at least until tonight. The Shorebirds were a few outs from clinching last night, but West Virginia hit a grand slam down three runs in the last of the eighth to stun Delmarva in a comeback 5-4 win. So instead of wrapping up the first-half title in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division, the Shorebirds title will have to wait. Their magic number remains one with six games left. Delmarva was 34-1 when...

Severino's three homers and Smith's six RBIs key 12-11 win (updated)

Severino's three homers and Smith's six RBIs key 12-11 win (updated)
ARLINGTON, Tx. - It started with a bunt single. An innocent infield hit. Nothing to suggest that muscles would flex and a four-run lead would accompany Dylan Bundy to the mound in the bottom of the first inning. That the Orioles would match their season high in runs and the teams would combine for 23. The Orioles worked Rangers left-hander Drew Smyly for 40 pitches in top of the inning. They pretty much coasted until running into more late drama and somehow managed to lead the entire way while...

Notes on Ynoa, bullpen, Armstrong and Davis (O's lead 9-6)

Notes on Ynoa, bullpen, Armstrong and Davis (O's lead 9-6)
DENVER - Gabriel Ynoa is getting another opportunity to start for the Orioles. Manager Brandon Hyde has chosen Ynoa to pitch Monday afternoon against the Tigers at Camden Yards, the spot that opened with Dan Straily's move to the bullpen. Ynoa hasn't started in the majors since Sept. 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh. He missed the 2018 season due to shin and shoulder injuries and has made nine relief appearances this year. Hyde isn't going with the hot hand. He just needs someone who's stretched out...

Orioles lose late lead and seventh game in a row (updated)

Orioles lose late lead and seventh game in a row (updated)
DENVER - Keon Broxton just wants to have fun. And if a man can't enjoy a 474-foot home run on the first pitch thrown to him on his new team, well, there's something truly wrong in the baseball world. Broxton was all smiles as he crossed home plate tonight and turned toward the Orioles dugout, knowing the enthusiastic reception that waited for him. Rio Ruiz got to him first behind home plate, scoring after drawing a leadoff walk and giving Broxton an affectionate slap on the helmet. The high...

As the losses mount, how is Birdland dealing with them?

As the losses mount, how is Birdland dealing with them?
So the Orioles had chances to win a couple of games in the series with the New York Yankees, but they went 0-4. They've now lost six in a row and take a 15-35 record into their game in Colorado tonight. As the losses mount, some fans in Birdland are venting, but to me, it appears a large segment of Birdland expected exactly this. They knew rebuilding would be painful in the won-loss column and they actually get it. They want to see some positives and they have and they are not yet getting too...

Shawn Armstrong has a 1.08 ERA in his first seven games with the Orioles

Shawn Armstrong has a 1.08 ERA in his first seven games with the Orioles
So far, 28-year-old right-hander Shawn Armstrong is turning out to be a nice addition for the Orioles, one which came via a waiver claim. He retired all four Yankees he faced last night with two strikeouts on 16 pitches. In seven games with the Orioles since they claimed him April 28 from Seattle, Armstrong is 0-0 with a 1.08 ERA and .111 batting average against. Over 8 1/3 innings he has allowed three hits and one run with three walks and 10 strikeouts. "I think the key has been just trying...

The bullpen, Alberto at leadoff and Mountcastle at first base

The bullpen, Alberto at leadoff and Mountcastle at first base
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde can envision how he'd like to line up his bullpen, though some of the names could change. How he'd want an innings-eater or two in long relief, a couple of left-handers and sturdy bridges to closer Mychal Givens, who in an ideal setting would be saved for the last inning. The games and certain individuals won't allow it to come to fruition. Gabriel Ynoa allowed one run in his first 11 1/3 innings after the Orioles selected his contract, I wrote about him and now...

Orioles mishandle late lead and lose 10-7 (with quotes)

Orioles mishandle late lead and lose 10-7 (with quotes)
The fundamentals that Orioles manager Brandon Hyde demands of his team, no matter how far away it sits from contention, disappeared tonight along with a late-inning lead. And the outcome was predictable. The Yankees scored four runs in the ninth while taking advantage of poor throws and a missed pop up and produced a 10-7 win over the Orioles before an announced crowd of 16,457 at Camden Yards. Mychal Givens couldn't get the four-out save. The Orioles couldn't rescue him while falling to...