It's Gonzalez vs. Vargas tonight

It's Gonzalez vs. Vargas tonight
The Orioles are facing a left-hander tonight, the Angels' Jason Vargas, which could put Nate McLouth back on the bench. Manager Buck Showalter is inclined to go with his right-handed lineup, which includes Nolan Reimold in left field and Steve Pearce as the designated hitter. Reimold is 3-for-9 with a double and home run against Vargas. McLouth is 1-for-2 with an RBI. Pearce has never faced him. The Orioles might want to try something different, since Vargas has posted a 2.03 ERA against...

Orioles are 7-1 in Miguel Gonzalez's last eight starts (updated)

Orioles are 7-1 in Miguel Gonzalez's last eight starts (updated)
The stats sheet says when Miguel Gonzalez takes the mound, the Orioles have a pretty good chance to win. Today, he will try to pitch the O's to their first four-game sweep at Oakland since May 22-25, 1987. Gonzalez is 2-1 with a 4.13 ERA over four starts in 2013. The Orioles are 3-1 in those starts and 7-1 in Gonzalez's last eight starts, dating to September. Gonzalez has made 19 career starts in an O's uniform and the club is 14-5 in those games for a win percentage of .737. Gonzalez was...

Jim Johnson talks about the streak that has reached 100 games (plus Machado and Gonzalez quotes)

Jim Johnson talks about the streak that has reached 100 games (plus Machado and Gonzalez quotes)
When it was over, reporters wanted to talk to Jim Johnson. He has been a big part of the Orioles now winning 100 consecutive regular season games when leading after seven innings, even if he was not even aware of the streak that is now at triple digits. "I didn't know honestly," Johnson said after recording his eighth save in eight tries. "But obviously it means guys are throwing the ball well in the bullpen and getting put in good opportunities and doing what they are supposed to...

Showalter speaks after 4-3 win

Showalter speaks after 4-3 win
The Orioles registered their fourth series win against American League East teams tonight by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 at Camden Yards. That sound you hear isn't champagne corks popping in the home clubhouse. "We have a lot of bridges to cross, but I'd rather see that than the other way," said manager Buck Showalter. "We've got a quick turnaround, a game tomorrow, and then head out to the West Coast for 11. There's another challenge around the corner, and I'm proud of the...

O's win their 100th straight game when leading after seven innings

O's win their 100th straight game when leading after seven innings
The last time the Orioles faced R.A. Dickey he pitched a one-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts against them. Tonight they used a big inning to beat the knuckleballer and the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 in front of 13,272 at Camden Yards. The win was the Orioles' 100th consecutive in the regular season when leading after seven innings. The last loss came on Aug. 8, 2011. Jim Johnson pitched the ninth to record his eighth save in eight chances this year and his 29th consecutive save dating to last July...

Postgame comments from Pearce, Gonzalez and Machado

Postgame comments from Pearce, Gonzalez and Machado
When Steve Pearce came up to bat with a man on second, no outs and the Orioles down 5-4 in the seventh inning Thursday, he didn't figure he'd hit a home run. He didn't think he'd even get that chance. "I thought I was going to be bunting in that situation to get the runner over to third. I was surprised that Buck let me swing away right there. Initially I was just trying to move the runner, get him over. Worked the count real well and got a pitch to hammer and I got it," Pearce said of...

Orioles can't get out of first inning clean (O's down 5-4 in sixth)

Orioles can't get out of first inning clean (O's down 5-4 in sixth)
It happened again. The Tampa Bay Rays have homered in the first inning in all three games of this series at Camden Yards. How often does that happen? Desmond Jennings walloped his second leadoff homer in three nights, and Evan Longoria added a two-out solo shot to give the Rays a 2-0 lead against Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez. The Orioles hadn't permitted a run in the first inning before this series. Now they've given up four. Kelly Johnson homered off Chris Tillman last night as the...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
NEW YORK - Orioles left-hander T.J. McFarland got his feet wet in an April 6 game against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards. He was tossed into the deep end of the pool last night at Yankee Stadium, and the Rule 5 pick didn't sink to the bottom. McFarland threw two scoreless innings, raising his major league total to 5 1/3. He's allowed two hits and struck out eight. "I felt good," he said. "It was a little cold out there. I was layered up, but I felt good. "You couldn't ask for...

Postgame comments on the triple play, the walks and the loss

Postgame comments on the triple play, the walks and the loss
NEW YORK - Most of the blame for the Orioles' 5-2 loss to the New York Yankees tonight will be laid upon the shoulders of center fielder Adam Jones, whose dropped fly ball in the seventh inning let three runs score. However, other aspects of the club's performance can't be overlooked or easily excused. Let's start with the 4-6-5-6-5-3-4 triple play that the Yankees turned in the eighth. Manny Machado was tagged out at second to end the inning after second baseman Robinson Cano fielded his...

Yankees' offense hot heading into series with Orioles (Schoop homers)

Yankees' offense hot heading into series with Orioles (Schoop homers)
The New York Yankees' offense will provide a real challenge tonight for Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, pitching for the first time since he allowed two runs over 6 1/3 innings April 4 against Tampa Bay. The Yankees have scored 32 runs in winning their last three games before they were slowed down not by pitching, but by rainouts the past two days. In Tuesday's win at Cleveland, the Yankees recorded season highs in runs (14), hits (18), homers (5) and extra-base hits (11). That was...

Showalter on Ayala, Reimold and more (updated)

Showalter on Ayala, Reimold and more (updated)
BOSTON - Reliever Luis Ayala is available to pitch today after becoming dizzy yesterday at Camden Yards and spending a few hours at a local hospital. Ayala is throwing in the bullpen during batting practice to make certain that he's physically up to the task. "He wasn't feeling well and doctors took some of his vitals and decided to check it out a little further at the hospital, just to be on the safe side," said manager Buck Showalter. "I think for Louie to tell you that he wasn't...

Scenes from the visiting clubhouse

Scenes from the visiting clubhouse
BOSTON - If you've never stepped inside the visiting clubhouse at Fenway Park, imagine trying to fit your sectional sofa inside a phone booth. I volunteered to scrape the paint off the walls, just to create more space. It's so small, the mice are hunchbacked. It's so small, I had to step outside to change my mind. It's so small, the clubhouse attendant put a key in the door and broke a window. But seriously, folks ... Nolan Reimold rode a stationary bike to loosen the ol' hamstring....

Orioles-Red Sox lineups

Orioles-Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Nolan Reimold is listed among the Orioles reserves today at Fenway Park, and said he should be ready to go by Wednesday. Reimold reports that his right hamstring feels better, but it still a little tight. Also, Miguel Gonzalez will start Friday's opener of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Steve Pearce DH Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Red...

Ayala taken to hospital, Reimold could go on DL

Ayala taken to hospital, Reimold could go on DL
Orioles reliever Luis Ayala began to feel ill during today's game and is currently being checked out at a local hospital. He won't accompany the Orioles to Boston tonight, but he could meet up with them later. Manager Buck Showalter said Ayala left the bullpen around the sixth or seventh inning. Showalter said the club has a pretty good read on the problem, but he didn't go into specifics. Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette are discussing the various options if outfielder...

Miguel Gonzalez not listed among starters for Boston series

Miguel Gonzalez not listed among starters for Boston series
A few eyebrows were raised today when the Orioles released the probable starting pitchers for the upcoming Boston series and Miguel Gonzalez was not listed. The Orioles list Wei-Yin Chen to pitch game one of that series tomorrow afternoon with Jake Arrieta going Wednesday, after an off day and Chris Tillman on Thursday night. Gonzalez, who gave up two runs over 6 1/3 innings in his first start in the third game of the Tampa Bay series, would have been in line to start Wednesday in Boston,...

Some impressive stats from the Tampa Bay series

Some impressive stats from the Tampa Bay series
Here are some of the impressive stats for the Orioles after they won today 6-3 against Tampa Bay to take two of three in that series. * Chris Davis had an amazing series, going 7-for-11 with three doubles, three homers and 11 RBIs. He somehow managed to work a single in there. He exits this series batting .636 with a slugging percentage of 1.727 and a 2.420 OPS. * Davis has hit 10 homers over his last 10 regular season games. He hit one in each game this series and has homered in nine of...

Hearing from Gonzalez and Davis

Hearing from Gonzalez and Davis
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez couldn't avoid Yunel Escobar's sharp grounder in the fifth inning, but he dodged an injury. The ball nailed Gonzalez in the shin as Escobar reached on an infield hit. However, Gonzalez stayed in the game and lasted 6 1/3 innings in the Orioles' 6-3 win over Tampa Bay. "It skinned me," Gonzalez said. "Good thing it didn't hit me straight up or I probably would have been out of the game. But I'm all right. I feel good." Manager...

Showalter talks about Roberts, Gonzalez and more

Showalter talks about Roberts, Gonzalez and more
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will undergo an MRI on his right leg Friday in Baltimore after being carried off the field in the top of the ninth inning. Roberts said he felt something pop behind his right knee as he was about to dive into second on a stolen base. Dr. John Wilckens will examine him in the morning. "Just the bottom part of the hamstring, where he felt it," Showalter said following the Orioles' 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. "It's early....

This and that

This and that
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I woke up and it hit me. This is my last morning in Florida until I make a return trip to The Trop. I left my house on Feb. 11. I have no idea if I'll be able to find it. The challenge will be to catch my 9:20 p.m. flight out of Tampa. Today's game begins at 3:10 p.m. I really can't afford one of those 18-inning thrillers, or five pitching changes in the top of the eighth inning. Should I be forced to leave before the final out, we'll never speak of it...

More from Showalter before the first pitch

More from Showalter before the first pitch
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Three players in the Orioles clubhouse made an opening day roster for the first time in their major league careers: Pitchers Miguel Gonzalez and T.J. McFarland, and third baseman Manny Machado. McFarland is getting his first exposure to the majors after being selected from the Cleveland Indians' organization in the Rule 5 draft. "Before I came over here, I was looking at T.J. and wondering what must be going through his mind right now," said manager Buck Showalter....