Junior Lake optioned to Norfolk (Travis Snider released)

Junior Lake optioned to Norfolk (Travis Snider released)
Henry Urrutia is serving as the designated hitter tonight for the Orioles. Outfielder Junior Lake has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to create room on the 25-man roster. Lake was 2-for-14 with the Orioles. Nolan Reimold is in left field. Steve Clevenger is catching. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Manny Machado is the only Orioles player in history to hit multiple walk-off home runs in the 12th inning or later. He also did it in the 12th inning last year against the Angels. Machado's...

More on the roster and tonight's game

More on the roster and tonight's game
Unless the unexpected happens, the Orioles figure to keep the same 25-man roster as they head into the second game of their series in Anaheim. They will go a full day without designating anyone for assignment. Was there any doubt that they would make a move yesterday while I was in studio for "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report?" Sort of like when I'm driving, except I didn't have to pull off the road. I just had to tweet when the camera wasn't on me. We're now waiting to find out what...

Dan Duquette on today's roster move (O's lose 8-4)

Dan Duquette on today's roster move (O's lose 8-4)
The Orioles aren't letting their roster grow stagnant in the second half. Outfielder Travis Snider becomes the third player designated for assignment in the past week, joining pitcher Bud Norris and outfielder/first baseman Chris Parmelee. Snider cost the Orioles minor league pitchers Stephen Tarpley and Steven Brault, who were sent to the Pirates in the January trade. He's under team control through 2016, but he didn't make it past the first week in August. Snider batted .237/.318/.341 with...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles have again climbed within 5 1/2 games of first place in the American League East. All it took was a dramatic 10-inning victory in Oakland and a Yankees loss to a Red Sox team that hadn't won on the road since July 2. Assuming that his left ankle is fine, do you start Chris Tillman on Sunday in Anaheim or Monday in Seattle? Tillman is 6-0 with a 2.09 ERA lifetime against the Mariners, and he's allowed one run and five hits in 14 1/3 innings in two starts at Safeco Field, with two...

Matt Kremnitzer: What's gone wrong for Travis Snider?

Matt Kremnitzer: What's gone wrong for Travis Snider?
When the Orioles traded for Travis Snider before the season, I was optimistic about the move. Some options on the free agent market, like Nori Aoki and Colby Rasmus, made sense. The O's showed more interest in Rasmus than Aoki for some reason, but they opted to go in a different direction altogether. In Snider, the O's thought they were picking up a corner outfield bat with decent power, who was also under team control through 2016. Unfortunately, things have not worked out as planned this...

Tommy Hunter on being traded (Parmelee DFA'd)

Tommy Hunter on being traded (Parmelee DFA'd)
The Orioles confirmed that they designated Chris Parmelee for assignment and stated that Gerardo Parra has reported to the club. Parmelee batted .216/.255/.433 with seven doubles, one triple, four home runs and nine RBIs in 32 games. He got off to a sizzling start after the Orioles purchased his contract, but he was 7-for-50 with three RBIs and 13 strikeouts this month. Here's Tommy Hunter: On his reaction: "It's sort of surprising, I guess, but if your name's been in it all day, it's not...

Orioles and Yankees lineups

Orioles and Yankees lineups
NEW YORK - The Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener at Yankee Stadium includes Chris Parmelee at first base and batting ninth. Travis Snider is back in left field and Chris Davis remains in right. Matt Wieters is catching. The Orioles' .288 average with runners in scoring position ranks third in the majors behind the Blue Jays (.297) and Rockies (.295). For the OriolesManny Machado 3BJimmy Paredes DHAdam Jones CFChris Davis RFMatt Wieters CJ.J. Hardy SSTravis Snider LFJonathan Schoop...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
While wondering where to get my "I Heart Shutdown Innings" tattoo ... The Orioles are off today after a grueling three-game series following the All-Star break. They must be exhausted. How's a team supposed to catch its collective breath? They also were off prior to the three-game series against the Nationals at Camden Yards that led into the break. That's six open dates on the schedule within a 12-day period. Manager Buck Showalter would prefer to have the off days spread out, but you play...

Orioles and Tigers lineups

Orioles and Tigers lineups
Jonathan Schoop is starting at second base for the third consecutive day, a first since his knee injury, as the Orioles conclude their series in Detroit. Chris Parmelee is batting ninth again. Travis Snider is in left field. The Orioles are trying to win their first series in July. They've failed in their first four attempts. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Jimmy Paredes DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis RF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Travis Snider LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Chris Parmelee 1B Miguel...

Orioles' Travis Snider meets his biggest fan from Thailand

 Orioles' Travis Snider meets his biggest fan from Thailand
A pinch-hit grand slam in 2013 by then-Pittsburgh Pirate Travis Snider gave the Bucs a 5-3 lead over the Cubs. Beyond helping the Pirates eventually win 5-4, Snider's home run also had a much bigger, long-term effect: the birth of his superfan. Nine-year-old Wyatt Anthony said he called the grand slam right before it happened, and the big knock was what made Snider his favorite player. However, after the 2014 season came to an end, Wyatt and his family moved to Thailand. Shortly after, Snider...

A look at the homer barrage at the Yard, plus Aberdeen's draft picks and other notes

A look at the homer barrage at the Yard, plus Aberdeen's draft picks and other notes
The ball was carrying at Camden Yards last night. There were seven homers hit between the teams, and Mitch Moreland and Chris Davis hit two each. But Moreland's second two-run shot, which gave Texas two insurance runs, and an 8-5 lead in the eighth, surprised a few Orioles. Even on a night when the ball was carrying so well. "That last one, I don't think even the hitter thought it would go out," Orioles outfielder Travis Snider said. "But, that is the elements and we understand this park...

Chris Tillman on his strong outing, Travis Snider on his great catch

Chris Tillman on his strong outing, Travis Snider on his great catch
A two-game display of pitching and power. Five homers, two shutouts and a 41-34 record for the Orioles, who move into first place in the American League East by percentage points. For Chris Tillman, it was a much-needed outing. He pitched seven scoreless on four hits, throwing 110 pitches in tonight's 8-0 win over Cleveland. He began the day with a 6.22 ERA. What was the difference? "I think I was able to command the fastball and make some good pitches early on. I think that is the key to...

Buck Showalter speaks after an 8-0 win in Game 2

Buck Showalter speaks after an 8-0 win in Game 2
The Orioles have moved ahead of the Rays by percentage points for first place in the American League East, the result of winning 18 of their last 23 games, including a doubleheader sweep of the Indians at Camden Yards. The Orioles are seven games above .500 as they wait for the Rangers to arrive for the next series. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't make a daily check of the standings before the All-Star break. Still too soon. "It's a return for that (good play), but it can be very fleeting,"...

O's beat Cleveland, post two shutouts in twinbill for first time since 1974

O's beat Cleveland, post two shutouts in twinbill for first time since 1974
The Orioles used a big inning to get a big win, one that moved them into first place by percentage points in the American League East. A strong pitching performance from Chris Tillman didn't hurt either. The Orioles beat Cleveland 8-0 in front of 40,006 to sweep the day-night doubleheader and improve to 41-34 for a winning percentage of .547. It puts them ahead of Tampa Bay at .545 (42-35). The Orioles posted two shutouts in a doubleheader for the first time since Sept. 6, 1974 at Cleveland....

Zach Wilt: Have the O's replaced Markakis' production?

Zach Wilt: Have the O's replaced  Markakis' production?
It took 71 games, but I can now comfortably say that the Orioles have effectively replaced Nick Markakis' production from last season. Markakis was a lot of things to the Orioles in 2014. He was a Gold Glove corner outfielder, a table-setter atop the lineup and, of course, a clubhouse leader who provided a veteran presence on a team that advanced to the American League Championship Series. That's a lot to replace; no one player could fill those shoes. Defensive metrics were never a fan of...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (and notes)

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (and notes)
Adam Jones is missing from the Orioles' lineup tonight for the sixth time in the last eight games due to a sore right shoulder. David Lough remains in center field, and manager Buck Showalter is going with a hot bat by starting Travis Snider in left. Chris Parmelee is in right field. The Orioles have won six straight games against the Red Sox in the same season for the first time since 1961, according to Elias. The Orioles lead the majors with a .318 average with runners in scoring position,...

Does Travis Snider start tonight?

Does Travis Snider start tonight?
So, you're Orioles manager Buck Showalter and you need to write out tonight's lineup while also trying to forget that a garden gnome in your name is being distributed this week. Do you give Travis Snider another start or put him on the bench? Snider has six hits in his last 10 at-bats, including a double and triple. He's 10-for-24 in his last seven games, with four doubles, a triple, a home run, four RBIs and seven runs scored. It sounds like an easy decision until you check his career...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles have reached another open date on their schedule, giving them a free day in Boston to load up on chowder and expensive haircuts. (I haven't forgotten mine. Next time, take the offer of a glass of champagne while you wait as a clue that the cost is going to reach triple figures - without tip.) The Orioles are 36-33 and three games out of first place. Last season, they were 35-34 and five games out of first place after a 5-4 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field. * The Orioles will...

Orioles and Phillies lineups

Orioles and Phillies lineups
PHILADELPHIA - There's no Adam Jones in the Orioles lineup for today's finale of a two-game interleague series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Jones will miss his third straight game while he rests a sore right shoulder, among other nagging ailments. The Orioles will go with Travis Snider in left field, David Lough in center and Chris Parmelee in right. If they can beat the Phillies today, the Orioles will move a season-high four games above .500. They have the same 34-31 record...

Wrapping up a 6-4 win

Wrapping up a 6-4 win
PHILADELPHIA - The Orioles are three games above .500 for the first time this season after tonight's 6-4 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The roll continues. The Orioles have won nine of their last 10 games and 11 of 13. The Phillies have dropped 19 of 22. Keep a bad team down, something the Orioles failed to do last month on their trip to Miami. "Winning a major league game is hard," said manager Buck Showalter. "Last night, obviously, is a break from the norm. You get one or...