Akin solid again and O's get rare AL East win over Toronto

Akin solid again and O's get rare AL East win over Toronto
The Orioles had to wonder whether lefty Keegan Akin could put together another good start to follow up his recent seven-inning outing. As the game wore on, they also had to wonder if they would get to Hyun Jin Ryu, a pitcher who has finished in the top three of the last two Cy Young Award votes, once in each league. The answers were yes and yes. And they helped the Orioles pick up a rare win against an American League East opponent. The Orioles (41-90) beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 tonight at...

Sulser's slip last night more unusual this summer

Sulser's slip last night more unusual this summer
Cole Sulser thought it was a pretty good pitch. Manager Brandon Hyde described it as OK. Neither one expected that it was going to land on the flag court in right field, as close as possible without striking the top of the out-of-town scoreboard. The Orioles lost again to the Rays last night 4-3 after Randy Arozarena hit his eighth home run against them this season and increased his RBI total to 18. He entered the game slashing .469/.500/.980 versus a team that can't figure out how to stop...

Hyde on Harvey, Mateo, Urías, and López

Hyde on Harvey, Mateo, Urías, and López
The Orioles didn't take batting practice this afternoon. Their pitchers threw in the outfield before the Rays went into the cage. Ominous clouds are hovering about the ballpark, but so far no rain. The forecast keeps pushing back the precipitation in Baltimore. Manager Brandon Hyde's media session was moved from the dugout to the Zoom format. He provided an update on reliever Hunter Harvey, who's made three injury rehab appearances with Norfolk and allowed two runs and five hits in three...

Leftover thoughts on Wells and López in bullpen roles

Leftover thoughts on Wells and López in bullpen roles
While wondering how I possibly could have missed using a "sage advice" pun in Wednesday night's game story ... So much could get lost in the streak-breaking victory, including the importance of Chris Ellis completing three innings in a bullpen game and burning herbs in the clubhouse. Seems like a small detail - the Ellis part - but one-and-done could have left manager Brandon Hyde in a real bind. Tyler Wells was denied a chance at his first major league save after the Orioles added a fifth...

The homers, the bullpen and the fans get credit for streak-ender

The homers, the bullpen and the fans get credit for streak-ender
It was not an evening billed as "Fantastic Fans Night" as it was in May 1988. Then, just days after the Orioles had snapped their 0-21 start to the season, more than 50,000 fans showed up to welcome them home at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. But when the Orioles rallied for five runs in the last of the eighth last night and took a 10-6 lead over the Los Angeles Angels, a crowd of 15,867 - some of them there, no doubt, because Shohei Ohtani was pitching - roared their approval. It sounded...

Orioles rally in eighth, end losing streak at 19 games (updated)

Orioles rally in eighth, end losing streak at 19 games (updated)
The old reverse lock theory is supposed to have its limits. A team riding a 19-game losing streak, its last victory on Aug. 2, and resorting to a bullpen tactic rather than using a starting pitcher, already is operating from an extreme disadvantage. The bench had two healthy players. The best hitter in 2021 fell into an August slump. The Orioles needed to catch a monumental break last night. Instead, they got Shohei Ohtani - on the mound and in the Angels lineup. An anchor tossed to a club with...

Hyde on Davis' retirement and Wells' return

Hyde on Davis' retirement and Wells' return
As he sat in the dugout for his pregame interview today, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was asked about the retirement of first baseman Chris Davis. Hyde managed Davis for 105 games in the 2019 season and 16 games last season. "I want whatever is best for Chris and Chris' family," Hyde said. "We traded texts this morning. We've stayed in touch this season. Always got along really well with him, really like him. He's done so many great things for this organization, the community here, so...

A few notes on O's latest loss and more from Adley Rutschman

A few notes on O's latest loss and more from Adley Rutschman
On a night the Orioles losing streak was extended to seven with a 5-2 loss to Detroit, there were a few positive signs that some better days could be in the offing. For one, it was good to see Matt Harvey return, throw four scoreless innings before he ran into trouble in the fifth and get through his start doing fine physically. This outing was pushed back a few days after he tweaked his right knee in his last start. With lefty Bruce Zimmermann likely to rejoin the rotation this weekend, this...

Updates on Zimmermann, Wells, Mountcastle, Kremer

Updates on Zimmermann, Wells, Mountcastle, Kremer
The Orioles are going to adjust their rotation again by early next week. Whenever left-hander Bruce Zimmermann is deemed ready to start again. Zimmermann tossed five hitless innings last night at Triple-A Norfolk in his third injury rehab game and second with the Tides. The Orioles wanted to stretch him out a little more before reinstating him from the injured list. "We're seeing how he recovers today and probably make that decision in the next day or two," said manager Brandon Hyde. Asked...

Scott returns from injured list (plus other notes)

Scott returns from injured list (plus other notes)
The Orioles reinstated left-hander Tanner Scott from the injured list this afternoon and optioned southpaw Alexander Wells to Triple-A Norfolk. Scott has recovered from a sprained left knee and convinced the club that he was ready yesterday after a bullpen session. Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells is expected to be reinstated within a day or two after yesterday's simulated inning. Alexander Wells hops back on the shuttle after allowing a run and three hits last night in the ninth inning. He can return...

Updates on Wells, Scott, Harvey, Severino, Zimmermann and more

Updates on Wells, Scott, Harvey, Severino, Zimmermann and more
The Orioles are on the verge of getting back one of their high-leverage relievers for a beleaguered bullpen. Tyler Wells threw a simulated inning this afternoon and the results were positive for a team that badly needs him. No discomfort in his right wrist and the stuff was crisp. "Came off the mound feeling good," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He looked great. Fastball was there. He threw some really good curveballs and sliders and changeup. So, encouraged how he came off the mound. "We're...

Wells throws off mound again (and lineups)

Wells throws off mound again (and lineups)
Rule 5 reliever Tyler Wells pitched to outfielders Ryan McKenna and DJ Stewart this afternoon at Camden Yards in a live batting practice session. The Orioles are deciding whether Wells is ready to be reinstated from the injured list. Soreness in his right wrist delayed his return after his last mound session. Wells hasn't pitched for the Orioles since July 19 due to tendinitis in the wrist. He's the closer in waiting for a bullpen that needs a trustworthy option for manager Brandon Hyde. The...

Latest check on Orioles roster, moves and more

Latest check on Orioles roster, moves and more
The Orioles maintained their streak yesterday of conducting business or announcing it on an off-day. Well, pretty much every day, under any circumstances. Don't get too attached to the roster. Of course, there's bound to be separation when a team is 38-72 and unable to stay healthy. The Orioles designated reliever Conner Greene for assignment Saturday and recalled Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Norfolk. The Dodgers claimed Greene off waivers yesterday. This was the last loose end, needing...

Orioles trying to find ways to fix a frustrating situation

Orioles trying to find ways to fix a frustrating situation
There are no easy or obvious solutions to the Orioles' explosive bullpen, holes in the rotation and thinning roster due to injuries. Not unless the production picks up at its highest affiliate. That would at least provide an option. Relievers have surrendered 52 runs in the past five games - 16 scored in the eighth inning in the Rays' sweep - and manager Brandon Hyde can't be criticized for running the same group into games every night. He can't be ripped for ignoring hot hands that simply...

Skipper made right moves with bad results, plus other notes

Skipper made right moves with bad results, plus other notes
There is no doubt it was a frustrating weekend in Birdland. The Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays were tied 5-5 in the eighth on Friday, the O's were down 5-3 in the eighth on Saturday and they led 5-3 in the eighth on Sunday. But they gave up 16 runs total in the eighth innings of those games and lost all three. It is pretty remarkable for a team to score that many runs that late to win all three games. But the Rays improved to 11-1 against the Orioles this year and to 6-0 at Oriole Park, where they...

Mountcastle appears headed to concussion injured list

Mountcastle appears headed to concussion injured list
Out of the lineup tonight, Orioles rookie Ryan Mountcastle is moving toward an exit from the active roster. The Orioles are expected to place Mountcastle on the seven-day concussion injured list after he absorbed Wander Franco's hard tag on the side of the head last night while attempting to steal second base in the first inning. Mountcastle came out of the game in the top of the third, with Maikel Franco replacing him at first base. He underwent a concussion evaluation and the club has been...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
Ryan Mountcastle is out of the Orioles lineup tonight after undergoing an evaluation last night for a concussion. Mountcastle was removed from last night's game after two innings. He took a hard tag from Wander Franco on the side of his head in the first on a failed stolen base attempt. Trey Mancini is starting at first base and Anthony Santander is the designated hitter. Maikel Franco is starting at third base and the Orioles are going with a double play combination of Jorge Mateo at second...

Updates on Mateo, Zimmermann, Wells, Scott and Harvey

Updates on Mateo, Zimmermann, Wells, Scott and Harvey
Jorge Mateo will be in Saturday night's lineup to make his Orioles debut, whether as the 51st or 52nd player used in 2021. Reliever Marcos Diplán could finish ahead of him later tonight. The Orioles claimed Mateo off waivers from the Padres yesterday and Hyde met him this afternoon in the dugout before batting practice. Mateo will start at shortstop or second base in the middle game of the series against the Rays. "I'm going to give him a big opportunity," Hyde said. "It's a really...

Prospect list, Zimmermann update, Mateo and more

Prospect list, Zimmermann update, Mateo and more
Baseball America has published its updated top 30 prospects list for the Orioles, and first-round pick Colton Cowser ranks fifth while beginning his professional career in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League. Heston Kjerstad, last year's first-rounder, hasn't appeared in a single game after being diagnosed with myocarditis, but he's sixth. This year's second-round pick, infielder Connor Norby, is 10th. A big jump was made by Double-A Bowie shortstop Joey Ortiz, who's 12th in the system...

Hyde on rotation, Alexander and Tyler Wells and new relievers

Hyde on rotation, Alexander and Tyler Wells and new relievers
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said left-hander Keegan Akin, who tossed three scoreless innings last night in relief, will enter the rotation in Alexander Wells' spot. The Orioles are staying with five starters and keeping them in turn. Extra rest comes with the off-days Thursday and Monday, "which is needed right now for everybody," Hyde said. The Rays are starting Ryan Yarbrough, Shane McClanahan and Michael Wacha in the weekend series at Camden Yards. The Orioles are starting John Means,...