ALCS notes and quotes with Hunter, Cruz, Tillman and more

ALCS notes and quotes with Hunter, Cruz, Tillman and more
KANSAS CITY - So can the rain slow down the Kansas City Royals? Nelson Cruz was asked that question after Monday's rainout of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Kansas City has a 2-0 lead in this series over the Orioles and is 6-0 this postseason. "Probably that helps, hopefully that helps," he said. "You come to the ballpark ready to play and to be canceled changes that a little bit. But just come back tomorrow. "For me, I don't change my routine because the game might...

Britton, Cruz and Hunter comment after ALCS Game 3 postponement

Britton, Cruz and Hunter comment after ALCS Game 3 postponement
KANSAS CITY - The consensus of the Orioles players interviewed today after the announcement that Game 3 of the American League Champions Series was rained out is that it doesn't change much. They just have to wait another day to try and get in the win column in this series. But O's closer Zach Britton said it could help the bullpen pitchers that worked in both of the first two games. "Physically it's not bad to have another day, but mentally we want to get back out there and play,"...

In battle of bullpens, Kansas City gets the two-game edge

In battle of bullpens, Kansas City gets the two-game edge
The Orioles bullpen has allowed five runs and nine hits over 10 1/3 innings of the American League Championship Series for an ERA of 4.36. The O's 'pen pitchers have seven walks and 10 strikeouts. Darren O'Day has taken the loss in each of the first two games after losing twice in 68 regular-season appearances. O'Day and Brian Matusz gave up homers in the 10th inning of Game 1. The Orioles bullpen has not pitched to the level fans are used to over the first two games. Adam Jones was asked...

ALCS notes and quotes heading into Game 3

ALCS notes and quotes heading into Game 3
KANSAS CITY - The Orioles need to win two of the next three games in the American League Championship Series or Jarrod Dyson will be right and this series will not return to Camden Yards. The Orioles went from favorites to win the World Series back to underdogs in the ALCS after losing a pair of two-run games in Baltimore. The Orioles were loose, relaxed and seemingly not too concerned about their two games to none deficit when they spoke with reporters on Sunday before their workout at...

Adam Jones on Jarrod Dyson: "He doesn't speak for this clubhouse"

Adam Jones on Jarrod Dyson: "He doesn't speak for this clubhouse"
KANSAS CITY - He doesn't play for the Orioles, but Jarrod Dyson's name certainly came up a lot in their clubhouse this afternoon during the 45-minute media availability before their workout at Kauffman Stadium. Dyson was asked last night by a Kansas City writer whether he expected to return to Baltimore for Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. "No sir, I don't," he said. "And I don't think they think that, either." I asked Adam Jones his reaction to Dyson's comments. "He...

Hunter provides reminder that "it's the best of seven, so it's not too bad"

Hunter provides reminder that "it's the best of seven, so it's not too bad"
Tommy Hunter warmed up in the third inning last night and pitched in the fifth. Not the usual routine for the Orioles reliever, who tends to make later entrances. Welcome to October baseball. Routines go out the window. Hunter replaced starter Chris Tillman with one out in the fifth, the first time he pitched in that inning since September 2012. Billy Butler lifted a sacrifice fly and Alex Gordon singled before Hunter picked him off first base. Kevin Gausman replaced Hunter in the...

ALCS Game 1 update, quotes from Pearce and Cruz (O's down 5-4)

ALCS Game 1 update, quotes from Pearce and Cruz (O's down 5-4)
The ballpark is as loud as expected tonight for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Manager Buck Showalter always draws the loudest and most prolonged ovation. The place also erupted for J.J. Hardy, who signed his three-year, $40 million extension yesterday. Players not on the ALCS roster - Matt Wieters, Steve Clevenger, Quintin Berry and Ryan Webb - were introduced before the game. Wieters tried to catch the ceremonial first pitch from former Orioles first baseman Boog...

More quotes before Game 1 of the ALCS

More quotes before Game 1 of the ALCS
The tarp is off the field. Lines are being drawn in chalk. Infield dirt is being raked. It appears that Game 1 of the American League Championship Series will start on time. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked earlier today whether he'd rather play three hours in a light rain or five days in a row. "Yes," he replied. A classic response from Showalter. Just give him a starting time and his team will be ready. "We're pretty excited to be playing," he said. "The big thing is in...

O's game blog: It's Tillman against Shields in Game 1 of the ALCS

O's game blog: It's Tillman against Shields in Game 1 of the ALCS
In the first 17 years there was a Championship Series in each league, starting in 1969, there were only three years (1975, 1981 and 1982) when neither the Orioles nor Royals played for the pennant. They just never played against each other. That changes tonight when the Orioles host the Royals in Game 1 of the 2014 American League Championship Series. The Orioles host the first two games before the scene shifts to Kansas City. The Orioles won 96 games to take the AL East and then swept...

Hardy on extension talks, Joseph on injury rumor

Hardy on extension talks, Joseph on injury rumor
Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy smiled today as a herd of reporters and cameramen rushed to his table at the far end of the row during player availability for the media on the club level at Camden Yards. Hardy warned that his contract extension isn't "official" and he can't comment on it, but he understood why the questions needed to be asked before the Orioles took batting practice in preparation for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. "It's going to be a big...

Can Cruz be as good against K.C.? (with notes)

Can Cruz be as good against K.C.? (with notes)
Now that Nelson Cruz is done hammering Tigers pitching in the 2014 playoffs, he can take aim at the Royals, who don't have three former Cy Young Award winners. It didn't seem to matter in the American League Division Series, when the Royals posted a 1.74 ERA while sweeping the Angels. Cruz has hit eight of his 16 career postseason home runs against the Tigers. Overall, he's a lifetime .297/.349/.710 hitter in 37 playoff games, with nine doubles and 32 RBIs. He went 6-for-12 with two homers,...

A look at Nelson Cruz's remarkable postseason stats

A look at Nelson Cruz's remarkable postseason stats
Whether you say, "Oh, Nelly" or O's Nelly, Nelson Cruz continues to get it done for the Orioles. In his first game with the team, opening day against Boston, he hit a homer in the seventh inning off Jon Lester. It broke a 1-1 tie and gave the Orioles a 2-1 win. He's been hitting big homers ever since and that carried through the American League Division Series. Cruz hit a two-run homer in the first inning of Game 1 off Max Scherzer to get the series started. In Game 3, his two-run homer to...

Showalter on first ALCS: "It's not going to drive my life" (O's-K.C. in ALCS)

Showalter on first ALCS: "It's not going to drive my life" (O's-K.C. in ALCS)
DETROIT - As Orioles manager Buck Showalter sat down in the interview room following today's 2-1 victory over the Tigers, a reporter offered congratulations on his first series win. "Really?" Showalter replied in mock surprise. "I got one in Albany." He got a much bigger one in Detroit. The Orioles swept the Tigers in the American League Division Series, enabling Showalter to reach his first Championship Series. "They're all relevant," Showalter said. "It feels good. It means we...

On to the ALCS: Norris with a gem, Cruz with a homer as O's sweep Detroit

On to the ALCS: Norris with a gem, Cruz with a homer as O's sweep Detroit
In his first career postseason start, Orioles right-hander Bud Norris was sensational. He matched 2012 Cy Young Award winner David Price pitch for pitch and his offense finally got him the lead. Norris pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings and Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer as the Orioles beat Detroit 2-1 to complete a three-game sweep of their American League Division Series. The win sends the Orioles to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 1997. They await the winner of the...

Cruz homer gives Orioles lead (Orioles sweep Tigers, headed to ALCS)

Cruz homer gives Orioles lead (Orioles sweep Tigers, headed to ALCS)
DETROIT - Nelson Cruz broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning today with a two-run homer off Tigers left-hander David Price. The Orioles lead 2-0 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Cruz continues his assault on postseason pitching. Cruz has 16 career playoff home runs, tied with Carlos Beltran for ninth on the all-time list. He just passed Babe Ruth. Cruz is 6-for-11 with two homers and five RBIs in the series. Price was working on a two-hit shutout before Adam...

Showalter on left field decision and Russell

Showalter on left field decision and Russell
DETROIT - The Orioles are taking batting practice this afternoon while the Lions play the Bills across the street. Manager Buck Showalter decided to start Delmon Young in left field and use Nelson Cruz as the designated hitter. His primary reason involves not wanting to lose Cruz's bat while making a late defensive substitution. "Delmon has played left field as well as anybody," Showalter said. "He's very familiar with this ballpark, a bigger left field line than other places. You have...

Andrew Miller on playoff bullpen usage and other notes and quotes from the Game 1 win

Andrew Miller on playoff bullpen usage and other notes and quotes from the Game 1 win
The 1966 Orioles didn't do it. Neither did the great teams from 1969, '70 and '71. Or the 1983 World Series champs. None of them scored 12 runs in a playoff game. The Orioles' previous best was 11 runs four times before last night's 12-3 win over Detroit in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. The last time the O's scored 11 runs was Oct. 7, 1983 in Game 3 at the White Sox in the AL Championship Series. That date is also notable for this reason: The Orioles won that game 11-1...

Hearing from Showalter and Cruz following 12-3 win in Game 1

Hearing from Showalter and Cruz following 12-3 win in Game 1
If anyone forgot that the Orioles were supposed to hold the advantage over the Tigers in bullpens and defense in the American League Division Series, tonight provided a sharp reminder. Sharp enough to carve out a 1-0 series lead. The Orioles scored eight runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, their largest total of the season, and took advantage of a huge error by shortstop Andrew Romine in a 12-3 rout before 47,842 at Camden Yards. Fans waved orange towels all night. The Tigers were ready...

O's score eight in eighth to beat Tigers 12-3, turn ALDS Game 1 into rout

O's score eight in eighth to beat Tigers 12-3, turn ALDS Game 1 into rout
In the end it turned into a rout. Using a familiar formula that led them to 96 wins and a division championship, the Orioles beat the Tigers 12-3 tonight to take Game 1 of the American League Division Series. A frenzied crowd of 47,842 roared its approval at Camden Yards. The Orioles got a solid starting pitching performance from Chris Tillman, homers from Nelson Cruz and J.J. Hardy, a clutch hit from Nick Markakis and solid bullpen work in the victory. They also scored eight runs and...

Cruz with another home run tale against Tigers (O's lead 3-2)

Cruz with another home run tale against Tigers (O's lead 3-2)
The Orioles got sentimental today before Game 1 of the American League Division Series, arranging for injured third baseman Manny Machado to throw the ceremonial first pitch to injured catcher Matt Wieters. Soon after, Nelson Cruz got serious and put a hurting on the Tigers. Cruz hit a two-run homer on the first pitch thrown to him by Max Scherzer to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. The Tigers tied the score in the second on back-to-back home runs by Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez, raising...