New faces can't keep O's from familiar place in 5-2 loss (updated)

New faces can't keep O's from familiar place in 5-2 loss (updated)
The roster churn that presents one of the defining qualities of the Orioles' 2021 season freshened the lineup this morning and expanded the bench. It could not, however, improve the won-lost record. Jorge López threw 100 pitches in 4 2/3 innings, the third time through the order bruising him in the fifth, and the Blue Jays won 5-2 in Buffalo to claim the series. The Orioles are 24-54 and have lost 22 of 23 road games as they board their flight to Houston. López was done after Cavan...

Orioles aren't done debuting players

Orioles aren't done debuting players
Knuckleballer Mickey Jannis, and the law states that he can't be referenced without his signature pitch proceeding his name, became the eighth Oriole on Wednesday to make his major league debut this season. Konner Wade was the ninth, and the 42nd player used by the club, when he replaced starter Keegan Akin yesterday and allowed six runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. Alexander Wells became Nos. 10 and 43 when he replaced Wade in the seventh and tossed two scoreless innings. And it's only...

Orioles win in 10 innings to end road losing streak at 20 (updated)

Orioles win in 10 innings to end road losing streak at 20 (updated)
The pitch count didn't present an issue tonight for Matt Harvey. No inning so taxing that he became fatigued by the midpoint, which happened again in his last start. Harvey made it through the fifth inning for the first time in his last 10 starts, though two solo homers put him behind twice, letdowns that have been deadly with the Orioles unable to siphon runs out of a game. The offense wasn't on mute tonight, rare noise coming from a four-run eighth that created a tie. Harvey wouldn't...

Orioles unable to carry two Rule 5 pitchers through season

Orioles unable to carry two Rule 5 pitchers through season
The rarity of breaking camp with two Rule 5 pitchers is followed by the rarity of keeping them through an entire season. The Orioles took a stab at it, needing right-handers Tyler Wells and Mac Sceroler to remain on the active roster for 90 days. Sceroler didn't make it. He was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Let me begin by pointing out that the reference order used to be Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells based on their selections at the Winter Meetings, though the former had less...

Means won't return to Orioles until second half

Means won't return to Orioles until second half
John Means is playing catch down in Sarasota, Fla. and slowly building on his throwing progression, but Orioles manager Brandon Hyde doesn't anticipate having his ace in the rotation to close out the first half. Hyde said Means, on the injured list with a strained left shoulder, will start throwing side sessions when cleared to increase his activities. "I would expect him at some point right after the All-Star break," Hyde said during today's media Zoom call. Means can't be considered for...

Orioles DFA Mac Sceroler and select Mickey Jannis' contract

Orioles DFA Mac Sceroler and select Mickey Jannis' contract
The Orioles have cut ties with Rule 5 pitcher Mac Sceroler. The club designated Sceroler for assignment this afternoon and selected the contract of knuckleballer Mickey Jannis from Triple-A Norfolk. Jannis is wearing No. 76, a first in team history, and waiting to make his major league debut. Sceroler, the nephew of former Orioles pitcher and current MASN analyst Ben McDonald, made five appearances and allowed 12 earned runs (15 total) and 15 hits in 7 2/3 innings. He walked seven batters,...

Taking another look at Matt Harvey's situation with Orioles

Taking another look at Matt Harvey's situation with Orioles
If the Orioles stick with their five-man rotation through a grueling stretch that doesn't bring an off-day until July 1, Matt Harvey would take his next turn Friday night in Buffalo. He'll be opposed by Josh Allen. But seriously, Harvey is lined up to face the Blue Jays in the second game of the series while a segment of the fan base - impossible to measure because the loudest dissenters tend to post more regularly on social media - wonder why he's still in the rotation. Or the...

Franco on getting hit: "It shouldn't be like that"

Franco on getting hit: "It shouldn't be like that"
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said today that he hasn't spoken or reached out to Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo since yesterday's heated exchange on the field after Alek Manoah appeared to be aiming at third baseman Maikel Franco in the fourth inning and benches and bullpens emptied. Manoah nailed Franco on the shoulder with a 93.8 mph sinker after surrendering back-to-back home runs to Ryan Mountcastle and DJ Stewart in the fourth inning. The Orioles hit six home runs on the day. Franco...

Mountcastle homers three times, but Jays rally in ninth (updated)

Mountcastle homers three times, but Jays rally in ninth (updated)
A feel-good win and a six-homer day by the Orioles - with three from Ryan Mountcastle - blew up on the team in the ninth today, as the Toronto Blue Jays scored six runs in the inning to stun the Orioles 10-7 and quiet what was a boisterous crowd of 10,721. It was a gut punch loss times 10. They were one out away in the ninth, but lefty Paul Fry allowed a bases-loaded walk to Marcus Semien and it was 7-5. Fry, who entered with a 1.78 ERA, allowed two singles and walk around a fly out and...

O's open to Tyler Wells as a starter and updating John Means

O's open to Tyler Wells as a starter and updating John Means
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said "right around there" today when asked if his ace left-hander, John Means, was expected back around the All-Star break. Means, who is 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA in 12 games, last pitched June 5 when he walked off the mound in the first inning against Cleveland. He went on the injured list with a left shoulder strain. "Good. He's feeling good. He's starting to play catch. Kind of a slow progression back," Hyde said. Speaking of starting pitchers, an outing as a...

Mullins masterful again as Orioles end losing streak (updated)

Mullins masterful again as Orioles end losing streak (updated)
The questions aimed at Orioles manager Brandon Hyde earlier this season sought an explanation for his team's inability to play as well at home as on the road, where the majority of wins were achieved. After the Orioles dropped their 19th road game in a row yesterday, Hyde was asked before boarding a flight out of Cleveland how much he looked forward to getting back to Baltimore. The venues must not be the issue. And a neutral site isn't an option. There's no real science to it. The Orioles...

Left to wonder about Orioles' rotation possibilities

Left to wonder about Orioles' rotation possibilities
There are reasons to keep deflecting attention from the 2021 season and imagining how the Orioles could look further down the road. Because of the struggles that are surfacing again this summer and the promise of better times ahead with the farm system in much better shape. Perhaps at a level that hasn't been achieved since players with no reason to stay in the minors returned in bunches to Triple-A Rochester and waited their turns, forcing the front office into making trades in order to...

Kremer makes impressive return in 4-3 loss (updated)

Kremer makes impressive return in 4-3 loss (updated)
Dean Kremer made his 14th major league start tonight and could brag of being the most experienced pitcher among the three rookies now planted in the Orioles rotation for however long it lasts. Kremer was recalled this afternoon from Triple-A Norfolk, his reset complete, and joined left-handers Bruce Zimmermann and Keegan Akin, who have started in 12 and nine games, respectively. If fans want a distraction from the losing streaks that keep hounding this club, a trio of pitching prospects taking...

Pitching importance rotating to bullpen

Pitching importance rotating to bullpen
While the Orioles concentrate on building a rotation primarily through the draft, with gradual introductions to the majors that have led to resets at Triple-A, they also understand how a lockdown bullpen would tie together the whole process. The Rays keep providing examples that the Orioles don't need or request. They get it. No reason to beat them over the head. Or to keep beating them, the latest sweep occurring over the weekend at Tropicana Field. Michael Wacha was an opener yesterday, a...

Wells good again in series opener, Tides pitch shutout on the farm

Wells good again in series opener, Tides pitch shutout on the farm
It was kind of a tough night for one young Orioles pitcher last night, and a better one for another as they lost 4-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays to start a weekend series. Lefty Keegan Akin pitched with traffic on the bases most of his night, allowing five hits and three runs over four innings. The Rays forced him to throw 95 pitches, and two walks to start the game didn't help his cause. But Akin pitched out of that and minimized a jam in the third inning, allowing just one run. But second baseman...

Mancini homer a lone bright spot for Orioles in 4-2 loss (updated)

Mancini homer a lone bright spot for Orioles in 4-2 loss (updated)
The game within the game begins early, shortly after the final note is struck in the anthem. Wondering how much length the starter can provide. How many calls must be made to the bullpen. The piecing together of nine innings doesn't come with an easy set of instructions. Keegan Akin moved past the fifth inning once as a rookie in 2020, recording an out in the sixth. He completed the fifth in his previous start this month. Like other young pitchers on the staff, the Orioles are trying to safely...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
One of manager Brandon Hyde's favorite descriptions for Ryan Mountcastle's at-bats is how the rookie "snorkels" the ball. Which leads to one very important question: What exactly is snorkeling a ball? Hyde couldn't provide a demonstration yesterday because an afternoon storm canceled batting practice and stuck the media on another Zoom call. Otherwise, he gladly would have grabbed a bat and swung into action. "I guess I use it as when someone throws a breaking ball or slider or...

Orioles rotation unsettled after Akin

Orioles rotation unsettled after Akin
The Orioles rotation is undergoing more changes with John Means on the injured list and another off-day approaching on Thursday. Rookie left-hander Keegan Akin is starting Friday night against the Rays at Tropicana Field. The Orioles are listing the next two starters as TBA. Jorge López could get the ball Saturday afternoon on an extra day of rest, followed by rookie left-hander Bruce Zimmermann on his normal turn. However, the Orioles could decide to plug in a fifth starter earlier than...

Hits keep coming for Orioles in 10-3 win (updated)

Hits keep coming for Orioles in 10-3 win (updated)
The Orioles have reached the 60-game mark in their season, the same point where they packed up and headed home last fall while the playoffs unfolded. There's nothing truncated in 2021 besides a manager's patience if the losses mount and mistakes aren't corrected. The praise, however, can be expanded to cover pretty much everyone during the good times. A 4-1 start to the month brought a sense of relief and plenty of smiles, and the arrival yesterday of the first-place Mets didn't change the...

Wells working toward bigger bullpen role with Orioles

Wells working toward bigger bullpen role with Orioles
The return of Rule 5 pitcher Mac Sceroler yesterday has left two Orioles on the 10-day injured list. Outfielder Austin Hays began his rehab assignment last night with Triple-A Norfolk and hit a solo home run. Pitcher John Means is with the team but shut down due to a strained left shoulder. Hays should be activated later this week. Means won't be back in games for a while, the Orioles taking every precaution with their ace and aiming for no further interruptions in his status over the second...