Hammel can't solve Encarnacion (O's lead 3-2)

Hammel can't solve Encarnacion (O's lead 3-2)
The Orioles may want to walk Edwin Encarnacion. Or trade for him. Encarnacion hit his seventh home run in 12 games against the Orioles this season, and his 14th over the past two years. That's the most by any player against a single team in that span, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Blue Jays almost hit for the cycle against Jason Hammel in the first inning. Jose Reyes doubled, Encarnacion homered and Adam Lind singled. Hammel was only four batters into his start. Encarnacion's...

Showalter speaks after 2-1 victory

Showalter speaks after 2-1 victory
NEW YORK - Future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera has lost nine times to the Orioles in his illustrious career. No other team has beaten him in more than seven games. Then again, he's faced the Orioles more than any other team, as well. The Orioles avoided a three-game sweep today on Adam Jones' two-run homer off Rivera in the ninth inning, giving them a 2-1 win over the Yankees before 40,218. The Orioles had three hits going into the ninth, all of them against starter Hiroki Kuroda....

Jones homers off Rivera in ninth as O's come back to beat Yankees

Jones homers off Rivera in ninth as O's come back to beat Yankees
Two outs away from a 1-0 loss and a 1-5 road trip, the Orioles handed Mariano Rivera a blown save and the Yankees a bitter loss. Adam Jones' two-run homer to left off the Yankees closer pulled the Orioles off the deck today and gave them a 2-1 comeback win over the Yankees. The O's were two outs away from a fourth straight one-run loss. But Nick Markakis singled to center and Jones hit his two-run shot to left for his first homer since June 18 vs. Detroit. Jones had gone 15 consecutive...

Hammel's winless streak continues (Jones homers off Rivera, O's win 2-1)

Hammel's winless streak continues (Jones homers off Rivera, O's win 2-1)
NEW YORK - Orioles starter Jason Hammel gave up one run today. That's the good part. Hammel lasted only five innings, threw 102 pitches and left with the Orioles trailing the Yankees 1-0. Those are the bad parts. Hammel hasn't won since May 27 in Washington. His winless streak has reached seven starts. Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland replaced Hammel to begin the bottom of the sixth inning. McFarland hasn't pitched since June 28, when he started against the Yankees and allowed three runs and...

A take on Hammel's homers and Feldman's addition

A take on Hammel's homers and Feldman's addition
For whatever reason, it seems Jason Hammel is not getting the consistent sink on his fastball that he got last year for the Orioles. He had the best homer ratio of his career last season and now he has the worst. He gave up just nine homers in 118 innings in 2012 and he has given up 18 in 100 2/3 in 2013. He has gone from 0.7 homers allowed every nine innings to 1.6 homers every nine innings. As an aside, Chris Tillman has also given up 18 homers, so you can give up the longball and still...

Hammel takes the loss as White Sox beat Orioles in series opener

Hammel takes the loss as White Sox beat Orioles in series opener
On the day the Orioles added a pitcher, they needed more from their bats at Chicago. The Orioles were held to eight hits in a 5-2 loss to the White Sox in the opener of a six-game road trip. Winning pitcher John Danks gave up two runs on six hits over seven innings, throwing 93 pitches to improve to 2-5 with an ERA of 4.20 in eight starts. The Orioles' four-game winning streak came to an end and they came up short in their shot to go 12 games over the .500 mark for the first time all year,...

Hammel in search of a win

Hammel in search of a win
Did everyone enjoy the off-day? The Orioles flew to Chicago last night, and outfielder Nolan Reimold must have been with them. He wasn't in Double-A Bowie's lineup, which pretty much confirmed that he would be activated from the disabled list before tonight's game. The trick is making room for him on the 25-man roster. In any other series, Danny Valencia would be the logical candidate to be optioned. Remove one right-handed DH-type for another, with Reimold also able to replace Nate...

After two seven-inning outings for O's, Gonzalez goes for a trio tonight (updated)

After two seven-inning outings for O's, Gonzalez goes for a trio tonight (updated)
Can the Orioles get another long outing from another starting pitcher tonight? For the first time all year, O's starters have gone seven innings or more in back-to-back games with Chris Tillman and Jason Hammel doing that on Tuesday and Wednesday vs. Cleveland. Miguel Gonzalez (5-3, 3.75 ERA) makes his 14th start tonight and he's a good candidate to get deep into the game. For one, Gonzalez is pitching pretty well right now and he's gone seven or more twice in his last three...

To no one's surprise, O's aren't winning the same percentage of the close ones this year

To no one's surprise, O's aren't winning the same percentage of the close ones this year
Those of you who said the Orioles couldn't possibly play as well as they did last year in close games were right. Those of you who said the O's bullpen couldn't pitch as well as it did last year, it is looking like you will be right. Last night's loss was the Orioles' sixth on the year when they were leading after eight innings. That is the most losses in the league in those games. This stat is not good: The Orioles are now 35-6 when leading after eight innings. That loss total matches...

Cleveland matches O's rally, scores two in the ninth off Jim Johnson to win 4-3

Cleveland matches O's rally, scores two in the ninth off Jim Johnson to win 4-3
They rallied, but then so did Cleveland. After the Orioles scored twice in the last of the eighth tonight to get a 3-2 lead, Cleveland scored twice in the ninth off Jim Johnson to post a 4-3 win. It was the fifth blown save for the O's closer, who had saved 12 in a row since a blown save May 26 at Toronto. Johnson, seeking his 28th save, issued a four-pitch walk to Micheal Brantley to start the ninth and Jason Giambi doubled. An intentional walk followed and back-to-back ground balls scored...

Orioles being no-hit through six innings (O's lose 4-3)

Orioles being no-hit through six innings (O's lose 4-3)
Maybe it should have kept raining. Indians starter Scott Kazmir hasn't allowed a hit in six innings. The only baserunner came on a four-pitch walk to Matt Wieters in the fifth after Kazmir retired the first 13 Orioles. First base umpire Will Little is probably rehearsing his quotes for the pool reporter. If Kazmir completes the no-hitter, immediate attention will fall upon Little, who blew a call in the fourth inning. Manny Machado dove into the bag and was clearly safe. His hand touched...

A return to 2012 form by Jason Hammel would be big for the Orioles

A return to 2012 form by Jason Hammel would be big for the Orioles
Tonight would be a good time for Jason Hammel to pitch better than he has in recent outings. Hammel went 8-6 with a 3.43 ERA last year and while he is 7-4 this year, his ERA is up there at 5.30. Hammel has allowed four runs over six innings in each of his last two outings and in his most recent four starts, he is 0-2 with an ERA of 6.23. His last win came May 27 against Washington. His hits per nine innings are up and his strikeout rate is down. Hammel has been able to put together...

Hammel leaves game, Orioles lose lead (O's lose 7-6)

Hammel leaves game, Orioles lose lead (O's lose 7-6)
Jason Hammel won't be satisfied with tonight's start. He's a harsh critic. But he had a chance to register his eighth victory of the season and his seventh on the road. It won't happen. Toronto shortstop Munenori Kawasaki continues to harass the Orioles, launching a two-run homer off Tommy Hunter in the seventh inning to tie the game 6-6. It was Kawasaki's first major league home run, and the first allowed by Hunter since May 24 in Toronto - a span of 12 appearances. Kawasaki doesn't...

Showalter ejected in second inning (Davis, Flaherty homer)

Showalter ejected in second inning (Davis, Flaherty homer)
Plate umpire Angel Hernandez infuriated both managers tonight in the top of the second inning. Hernandez is in mid-game form. Chris Davis appeared to swing through an R.A. Dickey knuckleball for the first out of the inning. He dropped the bat and started running to first. However, Hernandez ruled it was foul tipped, which brought Blue Jays manager John Gibbons out of the dugout. Hernandez conferred with third base umpire Jordan Baker and changed his call, which brought Orioles manager Buck...

It's Hammel vs. Dickey tonight (with notes)

It's Hammel vs. Dickey tonight (with notes)
The Orioles will make a roster move later today to create room for pitcher Miguel Gonzalez, who's returned from paternity leave and will start Saturday at Rogers Centre. First baseman Travis Ishikawa had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk after filing paperwork to opt out. He's 1-for-9 with five strikeouts in two games. Ishikawa can't be sent back down to the minors without an outright assignment, which he can refuse based on service time. The Yankees are believed to have interest...

Britton to start Tuesday in Detroit

Britton to start Tuesday in Detroit
The Orioles announced today that left-hander Zach Britton will start Tuesday night's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park. Jason Hammel is being pushed back again while recovering from a stomach virus. The Orioles are off Thursday, and Hammel could start Friday night in Toronto. Britton made one start for the Orioles this season, allowing six runs and 10 hits in six innings in an April 29 game in Seattle. He's 3-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 11 starts with Triple-A Norfolk. Britton has allowed...

Arrieta will start Monday's game

Arrieta will start Monday's game
Orioles manager Buck Showalter named Jake Arrieta as Monday night's starter in Detroit. Jason Hammel is being pushed back at least one day while he recovers from a stomach virus that swept through his family's home. If Hammel is unable to start Tuesday, the Orioles could recall left-hander Zach Britton from Triple-A Norfolk and option Arrieta. Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland also would be an option if he isn't used in relief during the series opener against the Tigers. Arrieta was optioned to...

Rotation and injury updates

Rotation and injury updates
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is making contingency plans in case Jason Hammel can't start Monday night in Detroit. An announcement is expected following today's game against the Red Sox. Jake Arrieta is a possibility if he isn't used in relief today. Zach Britton, scratched from his start with Triple-A Norfolk, also is an option. T.J. McFarland isn't a consideration after he worked 3 2/3 innings yesterday. Hammel stayed home the past two days with a stomach virus and hasn't regained...

Hammel's here, but unsure whether he'll start Monday

Hammel's here, but unsure whether he'll start Monday
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel returned to Camden Yards this morning after being away the last two days because of a stomach virus. Hammel said he's feeling better, but didn't know whether he'd make Monday night's start in Detroit. He didn't sound encouraged, and the Orioles are making other plans. Left-hander Zach Britton was scratched from today's start with Triple-A Norfolk. Chris Jones is taking Britton's turn in the Tides' rotation. The Orioles may be keeping Britton available to...

Notes and updates before tonight's game

Notes and updates before tonight's game
Pitcher Jake Arrieta hadn't arrived at Camden Yards when reporters met with manager Buck Showalter shortly after 4 p.m., but he's on the field now for batting practice and will be available in the bullpen. "It's his day to pitch," Showalter said. "We needed some length out there and Jake fit for us. We'll see what the next couple days bring. Freddy (Garcia) would also be available to us in the 'pen tonight. He was available last night, too, in his words." Arrieta is "an option" to...