About tonight ...

About tonight ...
The Orioles return home tonight after a 3-3 road trip through Detroit and New York. They may have shortstop J.J. Hardy in the lineup, depending on whether his back responded favorably to yesterday's workout. David Lough could return to left field against Blue Jays right-hander Dustin McGowan. But does manager Buck Showalter sit Delmon Young, who went 6-for-11 with a double, home run and three RBIs in the last two games at Yankee Stadium? Young isn't just raking against lefties. The Orioles...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
NEW YORK - The Orioles will play under the lights tonight for the first time in six games. Hopefully, they won't be distracted by the moon. It's been a while since they've seen it unless the curtains were open in their hotel rooms. Fans keep asking why the Orioles would recall infielder Jemile Weeks from Triple-A Norfolk to replace outfielder David Lough, who's apparently going on the disabled list. Well, Weeks has played the outfield and he also provides insurance in case shortstop J.J....

Daniel Clark: Looking at how the newest Orioles have fared

Daniel Clark: Looking at how the newest Orioles have fared
The Orioles are now eight games into the 2014 season and have a record of 3-5. However, the team is on a high after a great win over the Yankees on Tuesday. Prior to that, there seemed to be a lack of spark and many rallies were being killed by poor baserunning and poor pitch selection. Thankfully, it's only the early days of a new season and it could have been worse. There's also the encouraging thought of Manny Machado's future return, which will likely be later this month. Of the 25...

More Orioles chatter following 14-5 win

More Orioles chatter following 14-5 win
NEW YORK - Lots of Orioles quotes coming out of the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium. Here's a sampling. Buck Showalter on offense breaking out: "It's not that big of a deal. We can't live in that world. You trust your guys and their track record. These are the best pitchers in the world and you try to keep that in mind. You don't just go up there and say, 'I did this last year.' Nobody cares. And tomorrow will be another challenge. That's what it is. Every day you've got to live...

O's offense breaks out big in 14-5 rout of the Yankees

O's offense breaks out big in 14-5 rout of the Yankees
The Orioles began today with a team batting average of .231 and just 22 runs scored over their first seven games. But their offense broke out in a big way this afternoon, as the Orioles routed the Yankees 14-5 to even this series at a win each. The Orioles had hit just three homers on the season until Adam Jones, Delmon Young and Matt Wieters connected for two-run homers today. The O's 14 runs and 20 hits were easily season highs, topping the previous bests of six runs and 10 hits. This is...

We said it wouldn't get weird (O's win 14-5)

We said it wouldn't get weird (O's win 14-5)
NEW YORK - Before today, Ryan Flaherty's last three-hit game occurred on Aug. 2, 2013 against the Mariners. Before today, Delmon Young's last three-hit game also occurred on Aug. 2, 2013, while playing for the Phillies. Hold me. Chris Davis led off the eighth inning with a single for the Orioles' 17th hit today. Matt Wieters was the only starter without a hit, though he lifted a sacrifice fly in the sixth. That was before Wieters belted a two-run homer off left-hander Vidal Nuno to...

Chen giving up hits but holding lead (updated)

Chen giving up hits but holding lead (updated)
NEW YORK - The Orioles gave left-hander Wei-Yin Chen a six-run lead today and he handed back three runs in the bottom of the fourth. It's never easy in the Bronx. Chen has allowed nine hits in five innings today, increasing his total to 21 over 10 2/3 frames. He's thrown 102 pitches, 65 for strikes. Josh Stinson had been warming in the bullpen with the Orioles holding a 7-4 lead, but he took a seat after Brian McCann grounded out to end the fifth and strand Jacoby Ellsbury at third. Chen...

Jones homers and Orioles getting production from bottom of order (updated)

Jones homers and Orioles getting production from bottom of order (updated)
NEW YORK - The Orioles jumped on Yankees starter Ivan Nova for three runs in the first inning today, another fast start for a team that's lost five of seven games. The Orioles have scored six runs in the first inning and eight in the ninth. Nick Markakis and Delmon Young opened with singles and Chris Davis lifted a sacrifice fly. Adam Jones followed with a two-run homer, his first of the season, on a 92 mph fastball. Jones had been 7-for-35 against Nova. Young is 8-for-13 with two homers,...

Orioles take first lead of 2014 (we're tied and Tillman's done)

Orioles take first lead of 2014 (we're tied and Tillman's done)
If you're ready to collect your money today after choosing Delmon Young in the "first Oriole to get an RBI" pool, I've got bad news for you. A double play doesn't produce an RBI. Just a run. Not that there's anything wrong with it. Young grounded into an unconventional 4-3-6 double play with runners on the corners and one out in the second inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead against Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester. Nelson Cruz walked after falling behind 0-2 in the count and Matt...

Working out the 40-man roster

Working out the 40-man roster
I'm heading to Camden Yards this morning for the workout that precedes opening day. Don't try to stop me. The weather may force the Orioles indoors for batting practice. As long as the clubhouse still has a roof over it, the media will be perfectly fine. I'll check on Nick Markakis, who was scratched from yesterday's lineup due to neck stiffness. I'll check on Nelson Cruz, who took an Alex Cobb curveball off his batting helmet during Thursday's game against the Rays. I'll check on...

Showalter on Gausman, Schoop, Meek, Young and more after Norfolk game

Showalter on Gausman, Schoop, Meek, Young and more after Norfolk game
NORFOLK, Va. - After today's game was called due to rain with the Orioles winning 4-3 over Norfolk in six innings, manager Buck Showalter touched on a variety of topics in the manager's office at Harbor Park. He said he let the position coaches tell players that they had made the opening day roster. So infield coach Bobby Dickerson got to tell Jonathan Schoop he'd be on the roster come Monday. "He's been with him a long time too," Showalter said of the Dickerson-Schoop relationship. "I...

Last day to camp out

Last day to camp out
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are off today. The complex is closed and players are told to stay away from it. Half of the remaining beat writers are flying home, with the other half vacating on Saturday. Spring training is drawing to a close. If you blinked, you missed ... nothing. It didn't go by that quickly. I should probably start packing my bags while wondering why I bought all those bags of frozen vegetables. It's a spring tradition. I stock up the freezer and never empty it before my...

Showalter speaks after 4-4 tie

Showalter speaks after 4-4 tie
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Josh Stinson posted an unusual line tonight. Two innings, no hits, one unearned run, three walks, six strikeouts. The tying run scored in the ninth on Stinson's throwing error. The Orioles have played to four ties this spring. It's time to go home. Stinson didn't allow an earned run in nine innings. "Josh has had a good spring," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's making it tough on us." Seems simple to me. Stinson is out of options and has earned a spot in...

Game update and more notes (Tillman goes 4 2/3)

Game update and more notes (Tillman goes 4 2/3)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Rays scored a run off Orioles starter Chris Tillman in the bottom of the first inning tonight, but Delmon Young's RBI grounder tied the score in the top of the second. Nelson Cruz led off with a single and Matt Wieters doubled before Young tied the game with one out. Wieters is 10-for-26 this spring. Chris Marrero, batting for the first time this spring after recovering from an oblique injury, bounced out to end the inning. Tillman gave up two hits in the first,...

Gausman gives up home run, Markakis hits one (Gausman done)

Gausman gives up home run, Markakis hits one (Gausman done)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's starting pitchers, the Orioles' Kevin Gausman and the Pirates' Garret Cole, allowed leadoff home runs in the first inning. How often does that happen? Anyone care to look it up? Starling Marte drove a Gausman pitch to center field. Nick Markakis, who remained in the lineup despite dealing with a stomach issue, cleared the fence in left-center field for his first spring home run. David Lough reached on an error, stole second and took third on a ground ball, but...

No longer making a case for Casilla

No longer making a case for Casilla
SARASOTA, Fla. - As soon as the Orioles signed Alexi Casilla to a minor league contract in January, I penciled him onto the 25-man roster as a utility infielder. No doubt in my mind. Casilla would back up at second base, short and third. He was a necessity with Ryan Flaherty projected as Brian Roberts' replacement at second. He offered more versatility than Jemile Weeks. What could possibly go wrong? Well, let's start with the injury to Casilla's right hamstring and continue with his...

Bird Talk: Looking at prospects, an old Bundy trade rumor and roster advice

Bird Talk: Looking at prospects, an old Bundy trade rumor and roster advice
The Orioles' are off to one of the hottest starts in spring training. The club has won nine Grapefruit League games and has looked impressive while doing so. I know MASNsports.com has loyal readers, but you may have missed other stories from national outlets. Don't worry, I have you covered. * MLB.com's Bernie Pleskoff took a deeper look at the Orioles' top prospects and how they could benefit the big league club. Kevin Gausman and Jonathan Schoop are two players who could help out the...

Note on Young and information on services for Monica Barlow

Note on Young and information on services for Monica Barlow
SARASOTA, Fla. - Delmon Young is back on the bench today after collecting two hits for the Orioles yesterday in Fort Myers. Young could get an at-bat or two later, and he's expected to make the trip to Tampa for Tuesday night's game against the Yankees. He's on a typical spring schedule as he attempts to crack the 40-man roster and break camp with the team. The work day started early for Young, who already was bathed in a heavy sweat before players took the field for batting practice....

A few early spring standouts

A few early spring standouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - We're only three games into the exhibition schedule. Much too early to draw any conclusions. Much too early to ... Oh, who am I kidding? Let's take a look at a few Orioles who have grabbed my attention. Jonathan Schoop came off the bench yesterday and delivered a two-run double in the ninth inning of the Orioles' 8-6 loss to the Red Sox. The ball slammed off the replica Green Monster at JetBlue Park. The kid is swinging the bat like a man. The Orioles want Schoop, their...

Showalter speaks after 8-6 loss

Showalter speaks after 8-6 loss
FORT MYERS, Fla. - These Orioles are a scrappy bunch. Jonathan Schoop had a two-run double in the top of the ninth, Buck Britton had an RBI single and Christian Walker added a two-run single, as the Orioles tried to pull off another come-from-behind victory. But Xavier Paul struck out to complete the Red Sox's 8-6 victory at JetBlue Park. The Orioles batted around in the inning. Mike Yastrzemski, who grounded out in his first at-bat, drew a walk and hustled to third on Walker's...