Harvey with six scoreless, first win in two months (updated)

Harvey with six scoreless, first win in two months (updated)
Six pitches thrown in the first inning. Only 18 through the second and 28 through the third. Eleven of 12 first-pitch strikes. No runs against him. Matt Harvey was having himself a day. Manager Brandon Hyde was having visions of a starter plowing through the early and middle innings, removing one of the hardest decisions he routinely makes during the season, which inevitably fuels second-guessing as a first reaction to it. A hit batter, walk and infield single in the fourth, with Domingo...

Another short start makes for long day in 8-3 loss (updated)

Another short start makes for long day in 8-3 loss (updated)
The Orioles held optional batting practice early this afternoon, the cage rolled onto the field and a pitching machine and hitting coach Don Long set up in front of the mound. A team with a roster weighted with established veterans might have attracted a small handful of participants. The Orioles had players coming in waves. The outfield was covered with pitchers willing to shag fly balls. Long worked up a heavy lather in the summer heat. "I don't see anybody not working in here," said...

Tate replaces Akin as tonight's starter

Tate replaces Akin as tonight's starter
In another unexpected twist to the Orioles' season, Dillon Tate is making a start tonight against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Rookie left-hander Keegan Akin has been scratched, with the Orioles providing more information later this afternoon. Akin could be working in a bulk role behind Tate, who's making his first major league start. Or Akin could be dealing with a physical issue. Manager Brandon Hyde will explain it during his media scrum, with the weather dictating if it's done on the...

Harvey still can't locate win, Orioles lose to Jays 10-2 (updated)

Harvey still can't locate win, Orioles lose to Jays 10-2 (updated)
Matt Harvey has pitched in some tough luck this season, as Orioles manager Brandon Hyde mentions with great frequency. Tonight, he pitched in confusion. Mark it on the Matt Harvey bingo card. Umpires ruled that left fielder Ryan McKenna made a diving catch of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s sinking liner after the first two batters reached. Marcus Semien was tagged after rounding third base, the call requiring him to go back to second, and two runners stood on first. A double play? A triple play? The...

Lakins leaves with injury, Orioles erupt late in 13-3 win (updated)

Lakins leaves with injury, Orioles erupt late in 13-3 win (updated)
A bullpen game to compensate for optioning a starter to the minors is a shakier proposition when six relievers are used the previous night. At least the Orioles planned on it tonight. Well, part of it. The Astros unexpectedly tapped into their bullpen in the second inning to replace injured starter José Urquidy. Travis Lakins Sr. exited with an injury after loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the second. There are bullpen games and then there are emergency situations, mad...

Hyde on Kremer demotion, Wells and Wade on promotions

Hyde on Kremer demotion, Wells and Wade on promotions
The removal again of rookie Dean Kremer from the rotation and active roster this afternoon leaves Orioles manager Brandon Hyde contemplating a replacement with no days off on the schedule until Thursday. "The decision is pending," Hyde said on his media Zoom call. Alexander Wells is available out of the bullpen for tonight's game against the Blue Jays, and the Australian-born left-hander could start Tuesday in Houston. The Orioles needed fresh arms in relief and Wells and Konner Wade, who...

Orioles call up Wells and Wade, option Kremer

Orioles call up Wells and Wade, option Kremer
Two more pitchers have a chance to make their major league debuts with the Orioles. The team announced today that it recalled left-hander Alexander Wells from Triple-A Norfolk and selected the contract of right-hander Konner Wade. They're in Buffalo tonight as the Orioles try to snap a 20-game road losing streak. Knuckleballer Mickey Jannis was designated for assignment to make room for Wade on the 40-man roster. Dean Kremer has been optioned to Norfolk after last night's disastrous outing...

Kremer retires only one batter in 9-0 loss (updated)

Kremer retires only one batter in 9-0 loss (updated)
After his second walk of the first inning tonight, Orioles starter Dean Kremer swatted at the ball with his glove while taking the throw from catcher Pedro Severino. After the third, he spun around with his back to the plate. Faced with a bases-loaded, no-out jam, no matter where he stood. The frustration only grew for Kremer, along with the deficit and pitch count. One batter retired, six runs against him, a seat on the bench with teammates patting him on the back in an attempt to encourage...

Mancini homers twice, but Harvey can't finish fifth in 7-4 loss

Mancini homers twice, but Harvey can't finish fifth in 7-4 loss
Matt Harvey stood on the mound after the final out was recorded in the third inning, a frozen posture he's struck in previous starts while watching a fly ball land in the seats. Except this time he was pausing to congratulate Pat Valaika on a nice defensive play, with the infielder ranging beyond second base to make the backhand stop and long throw. The day was progressing more favorably for Harvey, but the wall that keeps leaving marks appeared in the fifth. He'd be stopped again. He'd make...

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...

More on Harvey and the Orioles rotation

More on Harvey and the Orioles rotation
The Orioles resume their season tonight after yesterday's break and reset following a 14-1 loss to the Mets, now faced with a stretch of playing 20 days or nights in a row. Seriously, who's responsible for a schedule that keeps lumping off-days together and then withholding them as if the commissioner's office is hoarding? The latest off-day had to be savored, and it allowed the bullpen to recover after Matt Harvey worked just three innings Wednesday night. Manager Brandon Hyde said...

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...

Harvey hit hard again in 14-1 loss (updated)

Harvey hit hard again in 14-1 loss (updated)
Matt Harvey placed a hand on his hip and stared at the ball landing in the left field seats. Reliever Adam Plutko reached down for his glove in the bullpen, the call coming for him to warm up. Actions done almost simultaneously. Actions that signaled another abbreviated start for Harvey. A second chance at his former team produced a near identical result with seven runs and eight hits allowed, though tonight's outing fell 1 1/3 innings short of Harvey's return last month to Citi Field. An...

Orioles' winning streak ends after Means exits (updated)

Orioles' winning streak ends after Means exits (updated)
The careful handling of Orioles left-hander John Means couldn't prevent him from leaving today's game after facing only five batters. Calling on the bullpen early wasn't going to improve the Orioles' chances of building on their winning streak and maintaining a more positive frame of mind. The momentum folded with an ace no longer showing. Means might be headed to the injured list with left shoulder fatigue, confirmation of the injury coming as the Indians were marching toward a 10-4...

Means leaves game with apparent injury (updated)

Means leaves game with apparent injury (updated)
What began as a routine mound visit this afternoon from pitching coach Chris Holt in the first inning turned into a situation that's much more alarming to the Orioles. Left-hander John Means might be hurt. Means walked off the field with two outs, the Orioles behind 2-0 and Indians rookie Owen Miller coming to the plate. Holt signaled for manager Brandon Hyde and head athletic trainer Brian Ebel. A brief exchange was followed by Means and Ebel walking to the clubhouse and former Indians...

Quality start for Orioles can't stop losing streak (updated)

Quality start for Orioles can't stop losing streak (updated)
The best method for eliminating a streak usually isn't to pile another one on top of it. The Orioles began today with 13 losses in a row. They were 0-15 against the Twins since March 2018. Maybe they could kill two streaks with one starter. Or a solid outing from the bullpen. A clutch hit with runners in scoring position. Any trick to get back on track. Thirteen consecutive Orioles were retired by Twins starter José Berríos before Ryan Mountcastle hit a game-tying home run to center...

Late runs stretch Orioles' losing streak to 13 games (updated)

Late runs stretch Orioles' losing streak to 13 games (updated)
Keegan Akin blew a 92 mph fastball by Zack Collins today to end the second inning and shook his head on his way back to the dugout, the disgust as visible as his facial hair. A silent scolding for a pair of two-out walks. Knowing what's unacceptable to the rookie and the people evaluating him. A leadoff home run by sudden slugger Billy Hamilton in the bottom of the third also was frowned upon, another early lead vanishing before it could be celebrated. Akin gave the Orioles 4 2/3 innings in...

More thoughts on managing the bullpen

More thoughts on managing the bullpen
John Means didn't leave the bullpen many innings to cover Monday night in Minnesota. He worked through the seventh, trailing only because of two solo home runs and an offense that short-circuited with men in scoring position. The game never carried into the bottom of the ninth. The bullpen was responsible only for the eighth, unexpectedly given a lead and coughing up six runs in a demoralizing 8-3 loss. Manager Brandon Hyde wasn't going to use his most effective reliever, left-hander Paul...

Orioles lose lead in second inning and eighth game in a row

Orioles lose lead in second inning and eighth game in a row
The topic probably didn't come up tonight during assistant pitching coach Darren Holmes' visit to the mound in the second inning, but Dean Kremer's lengthy stay on it threatened to get a beleaguered bullpen busy. Wheels in motion with the possibility of having them come off again. Kremer surrendered two runs, and a walk following his conversation with Holmes loaded the bases with one out. The pitch count was skyrocketing, reaching 54 by the time he made it back to the dugout. Two wild...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The return of Anthony Santander from the injured list gives manager Brandon Hyde more outfield choices. It also gives him a cleanup hitter, the early numbers dismissed with a wave of the bat. Santander was slashing .196/.230/.321 with a double, two home runs, two walks and 17 strikeouts in 62 plate appearances before spraining his left ankle in Miami. But he's a presence in the lineup, someone that the opposition must account for, a threat to produce runs from both sides of the plate. Too bad...