Orioles trying to find some relief

Orioles trying to find some relief
Whether the Orioles make a roster move this morning seems less compelling than exactly how many. Is one reliever sufficient after yesterday's 12-9 loss? Manager Brandon Hyde hinted at the possibility of multiple pitchers joining the team in D.C. today, though as I wrote Friday night, there are 40-man roster complications. Another starter didn't get deep into yesterday's game, with rookie Bruce Zimmermann lasting only three innings and the Orioles surrendering leads of 5-0 and 6-1. Hyde used...

O's offense perks up in losses, Elias on core players and more

O's offense perks up in losses, Elias on core players and more
O's fans had been waiting for the Orioles to break out on offense. And now they have scored 10, six and seven runs the last three games. But as Trey Mancini said after the game Tuesday, they are not synching up right now. When they get pitching, the hitting comes up short and when they get hitting, the pitching is not there. The O's have scored 13 runs in this series against Tampa Bay. But they have given up eight homers and lost the two games by 13-6 and by 9-7 last night. Even with lefty...

O's can't hold five-run lead with ace dealing, lose 9-7 (updated)

O's can't hold five-run lead with ace dealing, lose 9-7 (updated)
The questions keep following John Means. They just change in nature. In Seattle, it was whether he would actually complete a no-hitter. In Queens, N.Y., it was how he'd respond after throwing 113 pitches and making history. Tonight's unknown was born from the seven days between starts. Would he be too fresh? His first pitch hitting the backstop on the fly, his command flickering like a bad bulb. Means' fastball was 93-95 mph in an eight-pitch first inning, all of them strikes. He retired the...

One that got away: O's lose five-run lead and game to Rays

One that got away: O's lose five-run lead and game to Rays
Trey Mancini was driving in runs and John Means needed just 13 pitches to get the first six outs tonight. The Orioles led Tampa Bay 5-0 after two innings and had their ace on the mound. What could go wrong? The Rays could outscore the Orioles 9-2 from the fifth inning on to come from five runs down and beat the Orioles. And that happened tonight at Camden Yards. Tampa Bay beat the Orioles 9-7 to run their win streak to six games. O's fans had been waiting for their offense to get it going....

Updating Orioles rotation for Rays series

Updating Orioles rotation for Rays series
The Orioles are flip-flopping their top two starters entering their series against the Rays that begins tonight at Camden Yards. As expected, Matt Harvey is starting the opener on an extra day of rest due to yesterday's vacancy in the schedule. Left-hander John Means takes the mound Wednesday with seven days separating his outings. Rookie Dean Kremer closes out the series Thursday afternoon before the Orioles head to D.C. The Rays are starting right-hander Luis Patiño tonight. Manager...

Bullpen management made easier yesterday

Bullpen management made easier yesterday
A bullpen that experienced more hiccups over the weekend wasn't going to choke away a lead yesterday and subject the Orioles to a sweep. The use of rookie Bruce Zimmermann in a bulk role was rewarded in a big way with 5 2/3 sparkling innings. He was the first in a succession of southpaws, the baton passed to left hands. Manager Brandon Hyde knows who's available for every game, though he won't necessarily share it with the public. He tries to piece together nine innings when starters fail...

Zimmermann big in bulk role and Orioles win 10-6 (updated)

Zimmermann big in bulk role and Orioles win 10-6 (updated)
The sound of the first part of the plan backfiring was almost as loud as the contact made by the Yankees again this afternoon. Adam Plutko lasted one turbulent inning as the opener after the Yankees loaded the bases with no outs for the second time in less than 24 hours. Gary Sánchez and Clint Frazier hit back-to-back home runs. Bruce Zimmermann warmed in the bullpen. Assistant pitching coach Darren Holmes visited the mound. There wouldn't be a clean handoff of the baton. It wouldn't...

Checking in on good signs as O's beat Yankees

Checking in on good signs as O's beat Yankees
As the Orioles played the Yankees today in the third game of this series while trying to avoid a sweep, there were a few good signs that could prove to be a positive for the club no matter today's result. But the Orioles did get a winning result today. They beat New York 10-6 and improved to 17-23 at the 40-game mark. They snapped a four-game losing streak. For one, the Orioles made an adjustment in their hitting approach, it sure appeared, versus Yankees lefty Jordan Montgomery. This was his...

O's game blog: Adam Plutko faces Yankees

O's game blog: Adam Plutko faces Yankees
The Orioles need to beat the New York Yankees at Camden Yards today to avoid a three-game sweep. New York rallied to win 5-4 on Friday and then scored five early runs last night to post an 8-2 win. The Orioles (16-23) will reach the 40-game mark today. They have lost four in a row and seven of eight games. The O's are 3-6 against the Yankees, but have scored just 21 runs in those nine games. The Orioles are starting right-hander Adam Plutko (1-0, 1.27 ERA) in today's series finale. Plutko has...

More on Orioles' pitching plans

More on Orioles' pitching plans
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said today that the composition of the Yankees lineup in the series finale prompted the decision to start right-hander Adam Plutko. Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann was recalled today and could cover innings. "Just because they're so right-handed," Hyde said in his Zoom call. "We're going to try to piece this one together today. Plutko's obviously got a lot of starting experience and the first right guys in their batting order are right-handed. So we'll see how...

Plutko starting and Zimmermann recalled

Plutko starting and Zimmermann recalled
The Orioles are going with a bullpen game this afternoon to close out their series against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Adam Plutko is getting the start after making 15 relief appearances and compiling a 1.27 ERA and 1.031 WHIP in 21 1/3 innings. He's surrendered only one home run. Purchased from the Indians on March 27, Plutko hasn't started since Aug. 21, 2020. His longest outing with the Orioles was three scoreless innings on April 6 versus the Yankees in the Bronx. The 39 pitches also...

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
The Orioles have both catchers in tonight's lineup as the series continues against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Pedro Severino is the designated hitter and Chance Sisco is behind the plate. Rio Ruiz is the third baseman instead of Maikel Franco, who's in a 4-for-52 slump. DJ Stewart is in right field and batting cleanup. Pat Valaika is the second baseman. Freddy Galvis moves down to fifth in the order after batting fourth last night for the first time in his career. Fifteen of Trey Mancini's...

Plutko on heavy innings load and praise for young pitchers

Plutko on heavy innings load and praise for young pitchers
After his latest scoreless outing for the Orioles last night, one that reduced his ERA to 1.27 over 21 1/3 innings, right-hander Adam Plutko said he is ready to take the ball again. He has carried a pretty heavy innings load so far, leading the team among relievers in innings. He has five more than Tanner Scott, the reliever with the next most innings after him. Right now, he said, rest can wait. "I love it," Plutko said. "I told Darren (Holmes, assistant pitching coach), 'Don't come and...

Means follows no-hitter with six scoreless innings in 3-2 loss

Means follows no-hitter with six scoreless innings in 3-2 loss
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde didn't need to state the obvious with left-hander John Means. Didn't need to remind the ace to control his emotions in his first start after tossing a no-hitter in Seattle. The pregame tasks didn't include delivering special messages to Means. There would be some concessions after Means threw a career-high 113 pitches, the implementation of an extra day's rest already done. Hyde would monitor him closely and not push him. "I don't say anything," Hyde insisted...

Orioles can't hold lead in sixth and lose 4-3 (updated)

Orioles can't hold lead in sixth and lose 4-3 (updated)
The bullpen was a bit shaken by having too many relievers stir last night, reaching the point where a utility infielder finally had to pitch. And the Orioles couldn't provide any reinforcements this afternoon, instead subtracting Dillon Tate due to a hamstring injury and expanding their bench. Dean Kremer was coming off his finest start and the Orioles were in dire need of a duplication this afternoon against the Red Sox, leaders in just about every offensive category in the majors, including...

Frustrating loss: O's fall 4-3 to Red Sox at Camden Yards

Frustrating loss: O's fall 4-3 to Red Sox at Camden Yards
Right-hander Dean Kremer had a solid, if not long, outing. Cedric Mullins hit another home run. Orioles pitching got out of a bases-loaded jam in the Boston seventh when the Red Sox had a chance to extend a one-run lead. But after all that, the Orioles still could not beat Boston at home. The Red Sox beat the Orioles 4-3 on a frustrating day in Birdland as Boston improved its major league-best record to 22-13, and the Orioles fall to 15-19 overall and to 4-13 at home. The Orioles lose this...

Orioles spot starter still a secret

Orioles spot starter still a secret
The Orioles are going to need a spot starter for Saturday night at Camden Yards, the pitcher's identity withheld as they finish their series today in Seattle and board a flight home. Optioning left-hander Bruce Zimmermann has created an opening and the Orioles decided again to move it up, as they did after removing Dean Kremer from the roster. "Right now it's our friend TBA," manager Brandon Hyde said in today's Zoom call. This could indicate a bullpen game, the course chosen after Kremer...

The RISP issues and a look at opening night on the farm

The RISP issues and a look at opening night on the farm
For the Orioles, it has been a recurring problem with their offense: a lack of clutch hits. This issue showed up again big time in the second game of the Seattle series Tuesday night. The Orioles had the bases loaded and one out in the second inning. They had bases loaded and two outs in the sixth and the same situation in the eighth. The last two times, catcher Chance Sisco grounded out in each instance to end the threat. He went hitless and is now batting .162 with a .414 OPS. He had company...

Orioles done in by Athletics defense in 7-5 loss (updated)

Orioles done in by Athletics defense in 7-5 loss (updated)
A 25-pitch first inning for Bruce Zimmermann and the two errors on one play and resulting runs didn't fit a team that sought to sweep a series and extend its winning streak to four games. More appropriate were the two rallies in the first five innings that erased deficits and kept alive the quest to reach .500. And a third RBI for Trey Mancini in the seventh that gave the Orioles their first lead. It didn't last long. And .500 was put on hold in jarring fashion. Ramón Laureano made a...

Mullins' sacrifice fly in 10th bails out Valdez in 4-3 win (updated)

Mullins' sacrifice fly in 10th bails out Valdez in 4-3 win (updated)
Starting pitcher Jorge López came out of the dugout this afternoon and hopped across the first base line before teammates followed him onto the field. Manager Brandon Hyde was more interested in whether they could get on base. It wasn't the only time they trailed, but it's where you finish that counts. César Valdez was a strike away from stranding two runners after walks and notching his sixth save - though plate umpire Rob Drake was squeezing him - but Gleyber Torres lined an automatic...