Orioles waste Cashner's quality start in 3-1 Game 2 loss (updated)

Orioles waste Cashner's quality start in 3-1 Game 2 loss (updated)
NEW YORK - Following a game that featured four more home runs hit off Orioles pitching, Andrew Cashner seemed to find a solution in the nightcap by limiting the contact against him. Can't drive the ball over the fence if you can't touch it. Cashner struck out six of the first nine batters he faced. A four-seam fastball averaging 93.87 mph, according to brooksbaseball.net, was sitting at 96. The Yankees didn't get their first hit until DJ LeMahieu's comebacker with two outs in the third...

The pitching is trending in the right direction

The pitching is trending in the right direction
The Orioles pitching has taken a bit of a turn for the better and that is very welcome. Yes, it's just small slice of a long season but maybe it provides a lift for the team and maybe we can begin to see more of it. The club's team ERA is 5.52 and through games of Wednesday, that still ranks last in the American League. But the ERA was over 6.00 for most of late April and it went as high as 6.37 on April 22. But over the past 13 games, the team ERA is 3.97 and the Orioles have allowed four...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is staying true to his word in his use of reliever Mychal Givens. It's fine to label Givens as the closer based on his team-leading four saves and how he's the first choice to pitch last. But he won't be saved for the saves. Hyde trusts Givens to get the biggest outs anywhere after the sixth inning. Givens worked the eighth and ninth Wednesday night with the score tied and carried the game into extras. He's exceeded one inning in eight of his 13 appearances. The...

Benintendi homers in 12th and Orioles lose to Red Sox

Benintendi homers in 12th and Orioles lose to Red Sox
Andrew Cashner pounded a fist into his glove tonight and stormed off the mound after striking out Mitch Moreland on a changeup to close the first inning and strand a runner at third base. He threw another changeup with two outs in the third, Mookie Betts launched it into the left field seats to break a scoreless tie and the veteran right-hander took a few shots at himself. Cashner turned back toward the plate and yelled, knowing that poor location led to a bad result. He'd find out later that...

Shawn Armstrong is settling in with his new team

Shawn Armstrong is settling in with his new team
New Orioles right-hander Shawn Armstrong has been an Oriole for a week and a day now. He was claimed off waivers from Seattle on April 28 and has made two scoreless appearances for the club, pitching two innings. He quickly got over feeling like the new kid in class and he said he had his teammates and really the entire organization to thank for that. "The guys have been the best," Armstrong said this afternoon. "(Paul) Fry and (David) Hess, as soon as I got here they kind of helped me out...

Dealin' Dylan: Bundy pitches O's past Rays, 3-0

Dealin' Dylan: Bundy pitches O's past Rays, 3-0
He owned an ERA of 8.76 after his first three starts of this season. But right-hander Dylan Bundy seems to be slowly but surely making progress. He provided a big example of that tonight. Bundy produced the longest outing by an O's starter this year with 7 1/3 scoreless innings as the Orioles blanked Tampa Bay 3-0 at Camden Yards. It was the club's first shutout since the last game of last year, on Sept. 30 versus Houston. The game was swiftly played, taking just two hours and 19...

Orioles spin the shutouts with 3-0 win over Rays (updated)

Orioles spin the shutouts with 3-0 win over Rays (updated)
The Orioles scored a run in the first inning tonight and the race was on to make it an official game before the storms hit. The forecast called for rain around first pitch, but there were only dry eyes in the house. Another run in the third inning and still nothing. Dwight Smith Jr. led off the fourth with a home run and the grounds crew hadn't left the shed. Dylan Bundy got on a roll, the tarp stayed rolled up and the Orioles defeated the Rays 3-0 before an announced crowd of 15,241 on "Star...

Orioles left with one southpaw option in bullpen

Orioles left with one southpaw option in bullpen
CHICAGO - Paul Fry feels like the last left-handed reliever standing in the Orioles bullpen. Richard Bleier is rehabbing a shoulder injury in Sarasota. Tanner Scott is back with Triple-A Norfolk after his latest demotion. John Means is in the rotation and makes his next start Sunday against the Rays. Fry and Means are the only left-handers on a 13-man pitching staff. Josh Rogers made one relief appearance before returning to Norfolk. The Orioles claimed Shawn Armstrong off waivers from the...

Orioles overcome early defensive miscues in 5-4 win (updated)

Orioles overcome early defensive miscues in 5-4 win (updated)
CHICAGO - A defense that has brought relief to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde during stretches where home runs allowed and injuries tested his patience suffered a breakdown in Game 1 of today's doubleheader. Careful where you lean. Three of the four runs surrendered by David Hess through three innings were unearned. The first four ground balls that he induced didn't turn into outs, and not because they sneaked through the infield. An ugly loss was teed up, but the Orioles swung their way out of...

Armstrong on getting a fresh start with Orioles (O's lead 5-4)

Armstrong on getting a fresh start with Orioles (O's lead 5-4)
CHICAGO - The revolving door attached to the Orioles bullpen pushed Tanner Scott back to Triple-A Norfolk and brought in right-hander Shawn Armstrong, who's been added to the 25-man roster for today's doubleheader. The Orioles claimed Armstrong off waivers from the Mariners Sunday afternoon and he joined the club yesterday. "It's been a lot, but the Orioles made it super easy for me," he said. "I can't complain. They've done anything and everything for myself and my family. Went to...

Game between O's and White Sox postponed due to rain (updated)

Game between O's and White Sox postponed due to rain (updated)
CHICAGO - The latest downpour and a forecast that calls for rain throughout the night have caused the postponement of tonight's game between the Orioles and White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. The teams are forced to play a traditional doubleheader on Wednesday because the Orioles don't return to Chicago this season. The first game is slated for 4:10 p.m. eastern time, with Game 2 starting approximately 30 minutes after the final out. Though the Orioles' pitching plans haven't been...

Armstrong expected to be added to 25-man roster (updated)

Armstrong expected to be added to 25-man roster (updated)
CHICAGO - The Orioles should extend their streak of making roster moves later today by adding reliever Shawn Armstrong. Followed by repeated checking of the radar to determine whether they have any shot at playing. The forecast is nasty. Armstrong appeared to be flying to Chicago yesterday, judging by his tweet that included, "Until next time Seattle?" and four airplane emojis. This is the state of journalism today. I'm checking Twitter and interpreting emojis. "We're expecting him here in...

Notes on Ramirez, Alberto, Mancini and more (O's down 5-2)

Notes on Ramirez, Alberto, Mancini and more (O's down 5-2)
CHICAGO - New Orioles reliever Shawn Armstrong, claimed off waivers yesterday from the Mariners, is flying to Chicago and should officially join the team Tuesday or Wednesday. With a vacancy on the 25-man roster, the Orioles recalled right-hander Yefry Ramirez from Triple-A Norfolk and he's available to pitch tonight on three days' rest if needed. "He's going to fill the long role for us," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He's been throwing the ball well in Norfolk. Excited to have him. We...

Orioles recall Yefry Ramirez

Orioles recall Yefry Ramirez
CHICAGO - The Orioles latest roster move involves another pitcher to be placed in their bullpen. However, it isn't Shawn Armstrong. The club announced today that right-hander Yefry Ramirez has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. He's expected to be available in relief for tonight's series opener against the White Sox. Ramirez has made four starts with Norfolk and posted a 1.50 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 18 innings. Opponents are batting .177 against him. A streak of 14 straight scoreless innings...

Latest with Orioles pitching and roster

Latest with Orioles pitching and roster
The Orioles can be thankful that the Twins don't play in their division. Nineteen games against them would be excruciating. The sweep at Target Field over the weekend continued a trend that's seen the Twins win 12 straight games against the Orioles. Someone asked Dylan Bundy, who took the loss yesterday, what makes them so good. "They don't miss pitches over the plate," he replied. No one seems to be missing those pitches, and that's how a staff surrenders 71 home runs in 29 games. And...

Orioles claim Shawn Armstrong off waivers (Ortiz optioned)

Orioles claim Shawn Armstrong off waivers (Ortiz optioned)
A day filled with roster moves and transactions for the Orioles has room for at least one more. The Orioles announced this afternoon that they claimed right-hander Shawn Armstrong off waivers from the Mariners, the latest attempt to settle a pitching staff that's giving up home runs in record proportions. Armstrong, 28, is out of minor league options and will be placed on the Orioles' 25-man roster after he reports to the club, which should happen this week during the series in Chicago that...