Hammel pitches a gem as O's take series opener against the Nats

Hammel pitches a gem as O's take series opener against the Nats
After a four-game series where O's pitchers gave up 29 runs and O's starters failed to go six innings once, the Orioles needed Jason Hammel to go deep in today's game. Hammel did just that, pitching eight very solid innings as the Orioles beat the Nationals 6-2 in Game 1 of a four-game home-and-home series. The game attracted a sellout of 41,260 at Nats Park. Hammel allowed eight hits and two runs with no walks and eight strikeouts. He improves to 7-2 with an ERA of 4.98 and threw 107...

Is the Orioles' starting pitching now in good shape?

Is the Orioles' starting pitching now in good shape?
For the Orioles, besides ending their six-game losing streak, the best development over the last few days was seeing their starting pitchers deliver some solid performances. Jason Hammel had pitched to an ERA of 10.43 over his previous three starts until giving the club a solid 6 2/3 innings last night. No doubt, seeing Hammel throw well was a big development for him and the team. The Orioles have gotten a season-high four straight quality starts, which means your starter goes six innings or...

Postgame comments from Davis, Wieters, Markakis and Hammel

Postgame comments from Davis, Wieters, Markakis and Hammel
Not long after the Orioles had finished off a second straight win over the Yankees, Matt Wieters talked about Jason Hammel and his strong outing in this win. "I'd say this was probably the best outing he's had this year. They have a lot of tough lefty hitters in that lineup, and he had to locate and mix in his change-up, which was big for him tonight. That was the Hammel we saw last year," Wieters said after the right-hander gave up two runs and six hits over 6 2/3 to improve to 6-2. It...

Showalter speaks after 6-3 win

Showalter speaks after 6-3 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter finally confirmed that Kevin Gausman will start Thursday night's game in Toronto. The corresponding move won't be announced until earlier in the day. "They're deciding who they're going to pitch second day in. I'd kind of like to see who that's going to be between a left- and right-hander before we do something," he said. Showalter indicated that he would be willing to go with a short bench and keep the extra bullpen arm, with the uncertainty surrounding...

Jason Hammel records quality start, O's bash three homers and top N.Y.

Jason Hammel records quality start, O's bash three homers and top N.Y.
Jason Hammel recorded his first quality start tonight since April 25, and the Orioles scored five runs off Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda as they beat New York 6-3 to win the series, two victories to one. That is back-to-back wins for the Birds after a six-game slide. They have won 10 of 15 series on the year and moved to within three games of the first-place Yankees. Hammel, who had pitched to an ERA of 10.43 over his last three starts, went 6 2/3 this time, giving up six hits and two runs....

Hammel keeps the quality coming (O's win 6-3)

Hammel keeps the quality coming (O's win 6-3)
Orioles starter Jason Hammel kept the rotation on its recent roll tonight. Hammel labored early, but he became the fourth consecutive Orioles pitcher to complete six innings. And he kept going, striking out Reid Brignac and Austin Romine in the seventh before manager Buck Showalter signaled for left-hander Brian Matusz. OK, Kevin Gausman, it's your turn. Hammel tied his longest outing of the season at 6 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs and six hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. He...

Orioles ambush Kuroda in first inning (Wieters homers)

Orioles ambush Kuroda in first inning (Wieters homers)
Hiroki Kuroda shut out the Orioles on five hits in his first start against them on April 14 in New York. Tonight, the Orioles strung together four hits with two outs in the first inning and took a 3-0 lead. I'm pretty sure that's Kuroda on the mound, but he doesn't resemble the same pitcher who shut them down with such ease in the Bronx. Kuroda had allowed three home runs in his first nine starts. He served up two in the first inning tonight, with Nick Markakis clearing the fence in...

After rough stretch, Jason Hammel looks to turn it around tonight

After rough stretch, Jason Hammel looks to turn it around tonight
In his first six starts this season, Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel pitched to an ERA of 3.79 and American League batters hit just .244 off him. In his last three starts, his ERA is 10.43 and opponents are batting .409. Hammel gave up seven runs in just 4 2/3 innings Friday against Tampa Bay. Over the past three starts, he has gone 14 2/3 innings, allowing 27 hits and 17 earned runs. What is going on with the O's opening night starter right now? For one thing, Hammel insists his struggles...

Clubhouse supports Jim Johnson

Clubhouse supports Jim Johnson
How could there not be some tension in any big league team's clubhouse after a stretch of six straight losses that has featured three straight blown saves by All-Star closer Jim Johnson? But if the Orioles are feeling any extra pressure right now, they are not showing it and they are certainly talking like that is not the case. Adam Jones addressed that topic this afternoon. "People are going to point fingers, but we win and lose as a team," Jones said when asked specifically about...

O's pitching coach Rick Adair talks about Jason Hammel

O's pitching coach Rick Adair talks about Jason Hammel
He gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings last night in the second-worst start of his 29 as an Oriole. Just three times in those 29 starts has Jason Hammel given up six runs or more, and it's now happened in back-to-back starts. The Orioles have some issues to resolve right now with their struggling opening day starter. Hammel is 5-2 with a 5.72 ERA. He has allowed 13 earned runs in his last two starts and pitched to an ERA of 10.43 over his last three. Where to turn from here? O's pitching...

Jurrjens up next, Gonzalez may return soon as O's continue search for solid rotation

Jurrjens up next, Gonzalez may return soon as O's continue search for solid rotation
There is no question about the struggles for much of this season, especially recently, regarding the Orioles' starting rotation. The starters have just one quality start over the last seven games, with an ERA of 7.34 in that stretch. In five of the last six games, the O's starter pitched five or fewer innings. The rotation ERA for the season is now 4.86. That has to get better, but this may surprise you. Last year on August 3, the O's rotation ERA was 4.80, and the Orioles were 55-51 and 7...

Pitching woes for the O's

Pitching woes for the O's
Want to view the glass as half full? The Orioles scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning last night and brought the tying run to the plate. They had no business being in that game. Except that they truly believe that they're in every game, no matter the deficit or the inning. Want to view the glass as half empty? The rotation is a royal mess. Starters have gone five innings or fewer in five of the last six games. That's quite alarming. Jason Hammel has a 5.72 ERA, and Wei-Yin...

Hammel: "I've been here before. I've figured it out before"

Hammel: "I've been here before. I've figured it out before"
After allowing 15 earned runs over his first six starts, covering 35 2/3 innings, Jason Hammel has given up 17 earned runs in 14 2/3 frames over his last three starts. He took the loss tonight in the 12-10 defeat against Tampa Bay, giving up 10 hits and seven runs over 4 2/3 innings. "I am missing over the plate, arm-side fastball," he said. "And that is honestly about it. A pretty simple fix, but for right now it's seemingly difficult for me. "I've been here before. I've figured it...

Showalter speaks after 12-10 loss

Showalter speaks after 12-10 loss
The Orioles are discussing whether they need to make two roster moves following tonight's 12-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. One player must be removed from the 25-man roster to make room for starter Jair Jurrjens, and the Orioles might need another bullpen arm after Alex Burnett threw 28 pitches and Troy Patton threw 40. "We were starting to talk about it a little bit," said manager Buck Showalter. "It's hard to talk during the game. I'm aware of what went on in Norfolk, and Bowie for...

Updating the recent rotation stats

Updating the recent rotation stats
Read this at your own risk. If shaky stats make you queasy, sit down first. Over the last seven games, counting tonight, Orioles starters have pitched to an ERA of 7.34, allowing 28 earned runs over 34 1/3 innings. With Jason Hammel pitching just 4 2/3 tonight, O's starters have now worked five or fewer innings five times in the past six games. Not exactly a recipe for success. Should you worry? Go ahead, but it won't make an O's starter get the next out any easier. Still there is...

Hammel's struggles continue in big way (O's lose 12-10)

Hammel's struggles continue in big way (O's lose 12-10)
Jason Hammel retired the side in order in the fourth, the only time tonight that he posted a clean inning. By the fifth, his start had completely unraveled. Hammel is charged with seven runs and 10 hits, both season highs, in 4 2/3 innings, with two walks, four strikeouts and a home run. He threw 99 pitches, 58 for strikes. Reliever Alex Burnett inherited a runner and promptly issued a walk and gave up a ground-rule double to No. 9 hitter Yunel Escobar that completed Hammel's line....

Early innings continue to trip up Hammel, Rays lead 5-3

Early innings continue to trip up Hammel, Rays lead 5-3
Jason Hammel has allowed 29 runs in nine starts this season, including tonight's outing against the Tampa Bay Rays. Fifteen of them have scored in the first two innings. Hammel threw 21 pitches in the opening frame tonight and fell behind 1-0 on Evan Longoria's sacrifice fly to right field. Matt Joyce singled with one out and Ben Zobrist doubled to left, with Chris Dickerson slipping on the warning track. Joyce held at third and scored easily on Longoria's fly ball. The Rays almost added...

Can Jason Hammel get his fastball command locked in tonight?

Can Jason Hammel get his fastball command locked in tonight?
If he gets a win tonight here against Tampa Bay, Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel would improve to 6-1 this season. He would become the first Oriole to go 6-1 or better to start consecutive seasons since Mike Boddicker went 6-1 to begin the 1985 season and 10-1 the following year. Hammel had a 6-1 start to the 2012 season. While that is a very impressive stat for Hammel, he has allowed 10 earned runs in 10 innings over his last two starts, raising his ERA from 3.79 to 4.93. That is higher...

Orioles lineup and notes

Orioles lineup and notes
You want lineup changes? You've got them. Yamaico Navarro is making his first start for the Orioles at second base tonight, as they begin a three-game series against the Rays at Camden Yards. Nate McLouth is the designated hitter tonight, with Chris Dickerson starting in left field. For the Orioles Nate McLouth DH Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson LF Yamaico Navarro 2B Jason Hammel RHP Miguel Gonzalez threw...

The Orioles were in first place after 40 games last year

The Orioles were in first place after 40 games last year
With the Yankees' loss to Seattle while the Orioles were off last night, the idle Birds moved to within 1 1/2 games of first in the AL East. They are in third place in the standings, and they were in first after they had played 40 games last year. AL East after 40 games in 2012: Baltimore: 26-14 Tampa Bay: 24-16, 2 GB Toronto: 22-18, 4 GB New York: 21-18, 4.5 GB Boston: 18-21, 7.5 GB AL East after 40 games in 2013: New York: 25-16 Boston: 24-17, 1 GB Baltimore: 23-17, 1.5 GB Tampa Bay:...