More memories from days covering Orioles spring training

More memories from days covering Orioles spring training
Because major league spring training remains delayed and I'm stuck at home for an indefinite period - I'd definitely like to know for how long - I must live vicariously through myself. Oh, the memories. I loved the city of Fort Lauderdale and the proximity to South Beach. I had my favorite spots to eat and drink and made lots of friends. I didn't care for the small complex, the flooded dugouts and clubhouse after heavy rains, the limited space, the ballpark lights that didn't work, the...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
We're down to the last day before teams can begin expanding their rosters. The Orioles will bring up a pitcher to get their bullpen back to seven relievers and select the contract of a third catcher. They also could recall outfielder Joey Rickard rather than wait until Triple-A Norfolk's season ends on Monday. Rickard hit his first home run for the Tides last night and it was a grand slam. Here's the yearly reminder that anyone who comes up from the minors must be placed on the 40-man roster...

Showalter on Machado's award and shortstop debate (O's lead 7-3)

Showalter on Machado's award and shortstop debate (O's lead 7-3)
Batting practice was halted before 5 p.m. today and the tarp again was unrolled and stretched over the infield with the pending arrival of the latest storm, which has hit twice to varying degrees. Manny Machado's selection as American League Player of the Week didn't exactly send shockwaves through the home clubhouse at Camden Yards. Machado batted .385 (10-for-26) with a double, four home runs - including two grand slams - and 12 RBIs over six games. Among his AL counterparts, Manny finished...

Orioles score seven runs in the first inning at Oakland

Orioles score seven runs in the first inning at Oakland
OAKLAND, Calif. - Well, that was one way to respond to a tough one-run loss on Friday night. The Orioles scored seven runs on eight hits in the top of the first inning tonight at the Oakland Coliseum. They knocked A's starter Sean Manaea out after he got just one out - and that was an out at the plate. The seven runs ties for their biggest inning of the year and matches their highest run total for any one game on this road trip. They beat the A's Thursday night 7-2. Manaea had allowed 12 runs...

Another look at Friday's loss and notes from the night on the farm

Another look at Friday's loss and notes from the night on the farm
The Houston Astros began last night leading the American League in runs scored, averaging 5.87 per game, and with a 33-11 road record. They built a big early lead and improved on both stats in Friday's 8-7 win over the Orioles. Houston entered this series scoring a major league-best 7.14 runs per game on the road. When compared to previous full season totals, that number would rank fourth best in big league history. The Orioles found out about that offense as Houston banged out 16 hits and hit...

Tejada trying to extend hot streak into tonight's game (O's win 10-2)

Tejada trying to extend hot streak into tonight's game (O's win 10-2)
With Johnny Giavotella on the roster strictly as a second baseman, Rubén Tejada has settled into a role as the everyday shortstop for the Orioles. Paul Janish was designated for assignment and again outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. The only alternative in J.J. Hardy's absence seems to be moving second baseman Jonathan Schoop to the left side of the infield, which has happened only twice in the starting lineup. Manager Buck Showalter has kept Manny Machado at third base. Machado apparently...

Paul Janish and David Washington outrighted to Norfolk

Paul Janish and David Washington outrighted to Norfolk
The Orioles announced today that infielder Paul Janish and first baseman David Washington are staying in the organization. Janish and Washington cleared waivers and were assigned to Triple-A Norfolk, leading to more roster moves for the Tides after play resumes. The International League All-Star Game is scheduled for Wednesday in Tacoma. Janish has been outrighted multiple times again this season and could have refused the assignment and elected free agency. But he's back at Norfolk and likely...

Orioles DFA Paul Janish

Orioles DFA Paul Janish
MINNESOTA - Infielder Paul Janish is back in limbo. But at least it's close to home. The Orioles designated Janish for assignment this afternoon to create room for pitcher Chris Tillman on the 25-man roster. Tillman came off the paternity list and is available in the bullpen. Janish has multiple outrights and can refuse the assignment if he clears waivers. However, he's likely to stay, as he's done previously. The Orioles want to keep Janish in the organization and start him again at...

Orioles undone by one inning in 6-4 loss (with quotes)

Orioles undone by one inning in 6-4 loss (with quotes)
MINNESOTA - The unraveling happens so quickly and with such force that it creates sparks. Players should be required to wear protective goggles. The Orioles took a two-run lead into the third inning tonight and watched the Twins bat around while scoring six times, and the final series before the All-Star break began with a 6-4 loss before an announced crowd of 19,706 at Target Field. When is it going to get better? Can it get better? The Orioles are a season-worst five games below .500 at...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins

Orioles lineup vs. Twins
MINNESOTA - Johnny Giavotella is on the bench for tonight's series opener against the Twins at Target Field. The Orioles selected Giavotella's contract earlier today from Triple-A Norfolk, and he's among five reserves available to manager Buck Showalter. Hyun Soo Kim is in left field and batting eighth ahead of shortstop Paul Janish. For the Orioles Seth Smith RF Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Adam Jones CF Mark Trumbo DH Trey Mancini 1B Welington Castillo C Hyun Soo Kim LF Paul Janish...

Orioles and Brewers lineups (Wilson recalled, Aquino note)

Orioles and Brewers lineups (Wilson recalled, Aquino note)
MILWAUKEE - Caleb Joseph is catching and Paul Janish is starting at shortstop for today's game against the Brewers. Joseph was behind the plate for Ubaldo Jiménez's gem in Toronto. Makes sense to keep them together. Seth Smith is making his third start this season in left field. Mark Trumbo is in right. Jonathan Schoop continues to bat third between Manny Machado and Adam Jones. For the Orioles Seth Smith LF Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Adam Jones CF Mark Trumbo RF Trey Mancini 1B...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Joey Rickard is playing left field tonight and Craig Gentry is in right for the Orioles in the series finale against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Manager Buck Showalter is breaking out his right-handed lineup against Jays left-hander J.A. Happ. Rubén Tejada is starting at shortstop to interrupt Paul Janish's streak of four consecutive games. In his last 18 games, Trey Mancini is batting .412/.459/.721 (28-for-68) with four doubles, one triple, five home runs, 13 RBIs and nine multi-hit...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles are sending Ubaldo Jiménez to the mound tonight to complete their series in Toronto and their six-game road trip. They're back home on Friday. Chris Tillman beat them to Baltimore. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters yesterday that he sent Tillman ahead of the team in preparation for Friday's scheduled start against the Rays, but it's tentative with the right-hander's wife, Christina, due with their first baby. Dylan Bundy, slated for Saturday afternoon's start, would...

Wrapping up 4-0 loss by Orioles

Wrapping up 4-0 loss by Orioles
TORONTO - Looking to get back over the .500 mark for the first time since they were 31-30, the Orioles were denied tonight. Mostly by the right arm of a pitcher looking to bounce back from his worst start of the season. Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman blanked them over 7 2/3 innings, as Toronto beat the Orioles 4-0 at Rogers Centre. The O's failed to produce their first four-game road win streak of the year and are 38-39. Stroman gave up seven runs in four innings his last time out against...

Stroman shuts down Orioles as Blue Jays win 4-0

Stroman shuts down Orioles as Blue Jays win 4-0
TORONTO - The Orioles did well against Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman last year when he posted a 7.04 ERA against Baltimore in four starts. But it was a different story tonight in front of 38,847 at Rogers Centre. Stroman pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings as Toronto beat the Orioles 4-0 to improve to 37-40 while dropping Baltimore back under the .500 mark at 38-39. The right-hander was pretty dominant, allowing just five singles - no runner even reached second base while he was in the game....

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
The Orioles will attempt tonight to craft their first four-game winning streak since taking six straight from May 4-9. They also can move above .500 for the first time since being 31-30 on June 11. Paul Janish continues to start at shortstop and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate tonight. Hyun Soo Kim is in left field. The Orioles are 8-2 against the Blue Jays this season and 4-1 at Rogers Centre. They've won only one series in Toronto since 2005. Adam Jones needs one RBI for 766 with the...

Sunday lineup delivers 8-5 win (with quotes)

Sunday lineup delivers 8-5 win (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The lineup may not have been the most conventional, with manager Buck Showalter choosing right-handed hitters Joey Rickard and Craig Gentry to handle the outfield corners against a right-hander. He started Paul Janish at shortstop for the second consecutive day and put Caleb Joseph behind the plate despite a turnaround that didn't really qualify as quick. Fans on social media mocked the lineup, particularly the bottom third of Joseph, Gentry and Janish. Some of them went...

Showalter on Britton, bunting and more (tied 5-5)

Showalter on Britton, bunting and more (tied 5-5)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles closer Zach Britton remains scheduled to come off the disabled list on July 5 as he moves smoothly through his injury rehab assignment. Britton tossed another scoreless inning last night at Single-A Delmarva, walking a batter and throwing 11 pitches. He's allowed one hit in three scoreless innings on his assignment, the first at short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Britton will pitch Monday and Thursday at Double-A Bowie and join Single-A Frederick for Friday's game,...

Orioles defeat Rays 8-3 to end streak at 20 games (with quotes)

Orioles defeat Rays 8-3 to end streak at 20 games (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Dylan Bundy finished his warmup tosses and headed into the visiting dugout at Tropicana Field, waiting for the top of the first inning to be completed and his latest start to officially unfold. It was meaningful on various levels. Bundy's schedule moving forward might have been influenced by his performance. Of far greater importance, he could play stopper for a club that lost 12 of its last 16 games and continued to share last place with the Blue Jays. And a quality...

Orioles lineup vs. Indians

Orioles lineup vs. Indians
Paul Janish is starting at shortstop tonight and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate as the Orioles continue their series against the Indians at Camden Yards. Hyun Soo Kim continues to start in left field. Manny Machado is 7-for-18 (.389) with two doubles, three home runs, eight RBIs and five runs scored in five games since moving up to second in the order. The Orioles have allowed five runs or more in 17 consecutive games to tie the American League record held by the 1901 Philadelphia Athletics,...