This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles will be searching for a starting pitcher this winter who fits at the top of their rotation. They don't figure to stay in the bidding for left-hander David Price, however, since he's going to break the bank into millions and millions of pieces. Yes, there seems to be mutual interest here, with Price liking the idea of pitching for the Orioles, from what I've heard. They're not bothered by his postseason record, but let's take a quick look at it. Price lost again yesterday in...

O's game blog: Orioles are 1-7 this season at Yankee Stadium

O's game blog: Orioles are 1-7 this season at Yankee Stadium
Last season, as the Orioles were on their way to the American League East championship, they went 13-6 against the New York Yankees and 6-4 in New York. This year, as they may struggle to even have a winning record, they are 5-9 against the Yankees and only 1-7 in New York. On Monday, the Orioles lost an early 4-1 lead in losing 8-6 at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles have lost five straight at Yankee Stadium and they are 0-4 in one-run road games versus the Yankees. Even though they have a losing...

Wieters remains out with sore wrist (with Orioles-Yankees lineups)

Wieters remains out with sore wrist (with Orioles-Yankees lineups)
NEW YORK - Catcher Matt Wieters tested his injured left wrist in the batting cage today, but reported that there's still some soreness in the joint, which he hurt in a diving play at first base on Friday night. Wieters isn't in the Orioles lineup today for the opener of a three-game series against the Yankees and doesn't expect to play. Caleb Joseph will catch left-hander Wei-Yin Chen today. Manny Machado is playing shortstop, Jimmy Paredes is the designated hitter and Nolan Reimold is in...

As the season turns ...

As the season turns ...
The Orioles truly believe they're going to get on a roll this month. Hope arrives with each new day. The rotation will need to perform better. The offense will need to perform better. Runners on base will need to exhibit better judgment. That's a good starting point. Mike Wright allowed two hits over six scoreless innings last night at Triple-A Norfolk and could soon return to the Orioles. They're going to have an open spot in the rotation with Miguel Gonzalez unable to pitch due to...

Jimmy Paredes trying to break out of his slump (O's win 8-5)

Jimmy Paredes trying to break out of his slump (O's win 8-5)
KANSAS CITY - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he wanted to put Jimmy Paredes in the lineup the day after a costly fielding error in the 12th inning allowed the Twins to score the tiebreaking run and complete a four-game sweep. He prefers to get a player back on the field rather than have him sit on the bench and dwell on the mistake, wondering whether the club has lost confidence in him. Paredes didn't make it into Monday's lineup in Kansas City, but he's returned to it tonight, serving...

Orioles and Royals lineups

Orioles and Royals lineups
KANSAS CITY - With the Orioles facing Royals right-hander Johnny Cueto tonight, Ryan Flaherty gets the start at shortstop and Jimmy Paredes serves as the designated hitter. Steve Clevenger was serving as the left-handed DH, but he's on paternity leave. Paredes is starting for the first time since Aug. 12. He's 4-for-34 with 15 strikeouts this month. The Orioles confirmed that former All-Star closer Chris Perez has retired. Perez was working out in Sarasota while serving his 50-game suspension...

Can the Orioles regroup and rebound after the Twins series?

Can the Orioles regroup and rebound after the Twins series?
It was one eventful 10-game homestand for the Orioles. They swept a four-game series and got swept four in a row. They won three of the first six games of the homestand on walk-off homers. They then lost leads the last three days against the Twins, dropping three consecutive one-run games. The Orioles had an 18-2 win against Oakland where they tied a team record with 26 hits and a 15-2 loss to Minnesota. The Orioles got swept four straight by a Minnesota team that came to Camden Yards with a...

Machado and Paredes errors lead to winning run in 12th as Twins sweep O's

Machado and Paredes errors lead to winning run in 12th as Twins sweep O's
Swept away, four in a row by the Minnesota Twins. The Twins, who had lost 22 of their previous 35 games when they arrived in Baltimore, used two infield errors to push across the winning run in the top of the 12th today. Minnesota beat the Orioles 4-3 to complete its first four-game sweep in Baltimore since Aug. 23-26, 2007. Errors by Manny Machado, who was playing shortstop, and Jimmy Paredes, who was in at third, put the Twins ahead in the 12th. Paredes entered the game as a pinch-runner for...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Who's ready for another roster move? Outfielder Henry Urrutia will be recalled today after spending yesterday on the taxi squad. A spot must be created for him. Junior Lake, who doubled in six at-bats last night and is 2-for-14, has a minor league option, but it doesn't guarantee his removal. It's just an easier avenue to take if the Orioles choose it. Plenty of guys are slumping. Jimmy Paredes struck out in both at-bats last night after pinch-hitting for Nolan Reimold, who was 2-for-4....

O's game blog: O's look for winning road trip today at Seattle

O's game blog: O's look for winning road trip today at Seattle
The Orioles split the first two games of their series at Oakland and then won the third game. They split the first two games of their series in Anaheim and then lost the third game to the Angels. Today, they play the third game in Seattle after splitting the first two. Today's game will not only decide this series, but will either provide the Orioles a winning West Coast road trip at 5-4 or a losing one at 4-5. The Orioles are 19-14-4 in series this year and they are 21-16 in the final game of...

Chris Davis following his own act from 2013 (and other notes)

Chris Davis following his own act from 2013 (and other notes)
Chris Davis is on such a roll these days, he's resembling the 2013 version of himself. Davis belted a three-run homer in the first inning last night to point the Orioles toward a 9-2 victory in Oakland. He's collected six home runs and 19 RBIs in his last 10 games. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last Oriole to do so was also Davis in his first 10 games of the 2013 season. Over the last 30 seasons, the only other players to do so for the Orioles were Albert Belle in June 2000 and...

Orioles and Athletics lineups

Orioles and Athletics lineups
Jimmy Paredes is making his first start and appearance in right field with the Orioles tonight as they begin a three-game series in Oakland. Paredes has played 54 games in right field in the majors (45 starts), most recently in 2013 with the Astros. Matt Wieters is serving as the designated hitter and Chris Davis is playing first base. Manny Machado continues to lead off, with Gerardo Parra batting second. Left-hander T.J. McFarland is joining the team in Oakland, as the Virginian-Pilot...

Orioles facing another early deficit (O's lose 6-1)

Orioles facing another early deficit (O's lose 6-1)
Last night was the exception. The Orioles are off to another slow start today against the Tigers. Once again, the Orioles are behind in the first inning. The saving grace is the Tigers' bullpen. No lead is really safe. J.D. Martinez hit a three-run homer off Ubaldo Jimenez after Jose Iglesias singled and Ian Kinsler walked with one out. Jimenez grooved a 1-2 pitch down the middle of the plate, and the ball landed in the Orioles bullpen. Martinez exited last night's game after fouling a ball...

Updates on Pearce, the lineup and trade rumors

Updates on Pearce, the lineup and trade rumors
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Steve Pearce's MRI on his left oblique revealed a Grade 1 strain, which is considered good news for the Orioles. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't know whether Pearce will be ready in 15 days, saying it's "iffy." Pearce is eligible to return from the disabled list on Aug. 3. "It showed some inflammation in there. Not severe as it could have been, but he's obviously got something in there," Showalter said. "I know the normal time those things take. What's tough is...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Coming off a sweep in New York, the Orioles shook up their lineup for tonight's opener vs. the Rays. And it starts at the top, with designated hitter Jimmy Paredes leading off for the first time this season. Paredes has batted leadoff in nine games (six starts) over his career and is 5-for-30 (.167). Manny Machado has been moved down to third in the order for the first time in his career. He's batted in every other position except cleanup. Ryan Flaherty will hit second...

Today's roster move and tonight's game

Today's roster move and tonight's game
NEW YORK - Another day has arrived when the Orioles must make a difficult roster decision. Do they designate a player for assignment, option a player or pull off a trade? The optioning part doesn't seem likely with so few players offering that type of flexibility. Ryan Flaherty can be sent down, but he's a backup at all four infield positions. The Orioles would rather not slide Manny Machado to shortstop if J.J. Hardy is hurt or needs a rest. Executive vice president Dan Duquette is working...

Gonzalez returns with no-decision, couldn't quite locate curveball against Orioles

Gonzalez returns with no-decision, couldn't quite locate curveball against Orioles
BALTIMORE - It is difficult to look back at good pitching in a game that a team loses in walk-off fashion, but the Nationals' 3-2 loss to the Orioles wouldn't have been close early on if not for the pitching of left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez allowed a solo homer to Adam Jones which gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the fourth. But he took a 2-1 lead into the seventh before walking Jimmy Paredes and being relieved by Aaron Barrett. Jones hit a changeup to put the Orioles on the...

Because You Asked - Havana Nights

Because You Asked - Havana Nights
The Orioles are off today, which opens the door for plenty of quips. Go ahead and get them out of your system. This seems like a good time to dig through my mailbag and address the questions that have been presented to me on multiple occasions. The questions I've answered on multiple occasions. The questions that won't go away, which is why this sequel exists. It's a fun exercise. And if it makes you sweat, you need to visit your cardiologist. Could the Orioles play in Cuba this year? There...

J.J. Hardy's tiebreaking homer in seventh lifts O's past Texas

J.J. Hardy's tiebreaking homer in seventh lifts O's past Texas
Did the Orioles beat the Texas Rangers at their own game tonight? Tied 2-2 in the last of the seventh, shortstop J.J. Hardy hit a two-run shot to left to break the tie and send the Orioles to a 4-2 win over the Rangers at Camden Yards. While Texas has hit 10 homers in this series, the Orioles have five, and No. 5 by Hardy was big. Chris Davis singled to start that inning against right-hander Nick Martinez, the losing pitcher. The single extended Davis' hitting streak to 11 games to tie his...

O's game blog: O's look for fifth win in a row in series opener against Texas

O's game blog: O's look for fifth win in a row in series opener against Texas
The American League East race now features four teams separated by one game in the standings. The Orioles have the best winning percentage in the division at .547 as they open a four-game series tonight against the Texas Rangers. The Orioles and Tampa Bay sit atop the division, but by just 1/2 game over the Yankees and one game over the Blue Jays. The Orioles are winners of four in a row, seven of eight, 10 of 13 and 18 of their last 23 games. They are 25-13 at home, which is the best home...