Karns ready to start pitching again in Sarasota

Karns ready to start pitching again in Sarasota
Brandon Hyde is back in the manager's office this morning, marked absent for only one day. He didn't need to bring a note from home. He had a valid excuse. The responsibility of knowing when to remove a starter and which relievers can be trusted to get the last outs falls again in his lap. The lack of a more veteran presence in the bullpen has been an issue for the Orioles, though certainly not an uncommon one in a rebuilding situation. They certainly could use Nate Karns, a strikeout pitcher...

Hess unable to build on last start in 8-2 loss (updated)

Hess unable to build on last start in 8-2 loss (updated)
The plan to duplicate the first five innings of his last start unraveled today for David Hess after back-to-back walks in the opening frame. Seldom is there a positive outcome. Free passes aren't really free. Brandon Belt singled with two outs to score both runners, Buster Posey homered in the third and the Orioles never led in an 8-2 loss to the Giants before an announced crowd of 19,352 at sunny Camden Yards. Renato Núñez homered again, but the Orioles fell to 18-40 overall and 8-22 at...

O's game blog: Looking for a series win against the Giants

O's game blog: Looking for a series win against the Giants
After their 9-6 win over the San Francisco Giants last night the Orioles will win this series if they get a victory either today or tomorrow. That would give the team its first series victory since April 22-24 at Oriole Park against the Chicago White Sox. The Orioles scored just seven runs in three games earlier this week against Detroit. Last night they had eight by the second inning. Their night included Dwight Smith Jr.'s grand slam in the first, Trey Mancini's two-run shot in the second...

Orioles lineup vs. Giants

Orioles lineup vs. Giants
The Orioles will try today to secure their first series win since April 22-24 against the White Sox. They haven't won back-to-back games since May 4-6, with a postponement wedged in between. Stevie Wilkerson is in center field today and Keon Broxton gets a breather. Jonathan Villar is playing shortstop and Hanser Alberto is starting at second base. Dwight Smith Jr. moves up to third in the order after batting eighth last night against a left-hander and hitting a grand slam. Rio Ruiz reappears...

Givens' effective outing, Wynns' early work, Hess' start and more

Givens' effective outing, Wynns' early work, Hess' start and more
The high-leverage situations continue to find Orioles reliever Mychal Givens. Just not in the ninth inning. Maybe they should be considered lower high-leverage. Givens stepped on the mound last night with a runner on base in the seventh, one out and Evan Longoria representing the tying run. Longoria struck out on a changeup. Brandon Crawford struck out on a 96 mph fastball. An entire ballpark exhaled. Manager Brandon Hyde let Givens leave on a high note after a third batter, with Kevin Pillar...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles have reached their first non-weather-related day off since May 9. They had back-to-back postponements in the Bronx but still reported to the ballpark and waited for the inevitable announcement. At least the second one came much quicker, with an ominous forecast sending everyone back to the hotel. Twenty games in a row were stretched across the schedule before today's breather. "Needed," said manager Brandon Hyde. "I think everybody's looking forward to it. It's been quite a...

Orioles and Tigers lineups

Orioles and Tigers lineups
DJ Stewart stays in right field and bats seventh tonight as the Orioles try to win their series against the Tigers. Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field and batting fifth, followed by Keon Broxton. Hanser Alberto continues to lead off and Trey Mancini is playing first base in Chris Davis' absence. Austin Wynns is behind the plate tonight. Alberto is batting .414 (24-for-58) against left-handed pitching, the highest average in the majors. He's hitting .391 (9-for-23) with three doubles, one home...

Is DJ Stewart's time approaching?

Is DJ Stewart's time approaching?
DENVER - Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias mentioned last week that Triple-A Norfolk outfielder DJ Stewart was on the club's radar, based on the first-round pick's scorching bat. However, he included the complication of trying to fit Stewart on the roster as a corner outfielder. The Orioles have a wealth of them. Putting first baseman Chris Davis on the injured list with left hip inflammation could open the door for Stewart, who's already on the 40-man roster...

Hyde, Givens and Hess talk about Orioles' 8-7 loss

Hyde, Givens and Hess talk about Orioles' 8-7 loss
DENVER - The situations line up properly. The matchups unfold as Orioles manager Brandon Hyde envisions them. And then chaos ensues and he's left to wonder again about the composition of his pitching staff and praise a team for resiliency that's tested to the limit. The Orioles came within two outs of a rare series win, but the feel-good comeback was followed again by a violent gut punch. A bases-loaded walk from struggling closer Mychal Givens ties the game in the bottom of the ninth inning...

O's game blog: Looking for a series win in Colorado

O's game blog: Looking for a series win in Colorado
The Orioles beat Colorado last night 9-6 and produced a season-high 17 hits. That sets them up with a chance to win the series today at Coors Field in the series finale. The club's last series win was at home versus the Chicago White Sox April 22-24. Since then they have lost seven series and tied one. The Orioles' Renato Núñez has homered in four straight games, the longest streak by an Oriole since Jonathan Schoop homered in five straight from July 22-27, 2018. It is tied for the...

Orioles and Rockies lineups

Orioles and Rockies lineups
DENVER - Keon Broxton moves down to seventh in the order today as the Orioles close out their series against the Rockies and return home. Austin Wynns is catching. Renato Núñez remains at first base with Chris Davis on the bench. David Hess comes into Coors Field today leading the majors in home runs allowed with 17. Daniel Murphy and Mark Reynolds are 0-for-2 against them. They're the only Colorado batters to face him. The Orioles matched last year's season high with 17 hits last...

Hyde on pitching: "As of right now, this is what we have" (O's lose 6-5)

Hyde on pitching: "As of right now, this is what we have" (O's lose 6-5)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he expects outfielder Keon Broxton to join the club Friday in Colorado, which will require a corresponding roster move. A position player is more likely to be removed with the Orioles trying to compensate for a lack of pitching depth. Hyde repeated that Stevie Wilkerson will stay busy. Broxton's arrival won't impact his roster spot or bury him on the bench. "They're all going to play," Hyde said. "Stevie's going to play. I think Trey (Mancini) has had...

Orioles and Yankees lineups

Orioles and Yankees lineups
Orioles starter Dylan Bundy won't have to face Gleyber Torres and Gary Sánchez today in the series finale against the Yankees. They aren't in the lineup. Bundy already gets a win before stepping on the mound. Keon Broxton isn't expected to join the team today. In the meantime, Stevie Wilkerson is batting second today and staying in center field. Dwight Smith Jr. is batting cleanup, as manager Brandon Hyde keeps switching lineups. Richie Martin gets back-to-back starts after hitting his...

Orioles running short on starter replacements

Orioles running short on starter replacements
The latest failed start from Orioles right-hander David Hess last night raised more questions about his stay in the rotation. As in, how much longer? It's the same with Dan Straily, who's carrying an 8.51 ERA and 1.891 WHIP into tonight's start against the Yankees. And therein lies the problem. The Orioles don't have an abundance of choices and Hess isn't riding alone on the struggle bus. The bullpen doesn't offer a worthy candidate short of going back to an opener. Gabriel Ynoa made...

Hess allows nine runs in O's loss to Yankees

Hess allows nine runs in O's loss to Yankees
The 2019 season was off to a good start for Orioles right-hander David Hess. Two scoreless in relief on opening day followed by 6 1/3 no-hit innings in Toronto. But since then it's been mostly a series of shaky pitching marked by opponent home runs. That trend continued tonight at Camden Yards. A night after their 10-7 come-from-behind win over the Orioles, the Yankees were swinging big again. Hess allowed nine runs as New York beat the O's 11-4 to take the first two games of this four-game...

Orioles reach 100 home runs surrendered in 11-4 loss (updated)

Orioles reach 100 home runs surrendered in 11-4 loss (updated)
The Orioles waited for it. The bounce back that has come within a day or two. The displays of resiliency and pride and the short memories that allow them to march forward after an ugly loss. They did it after a 15-3 thrashing by the Yankees, defeating the Athletics 12-4 in the next game. David Price and two relievers shut them out in Boston and they gain a series split with an 8-1 win. They lose 12-2 to the White Sox and win the next two. The Rays' Tyler Glasnow shoves, bringing another...

O's game blog: The Orioles face eight-game winner Domingo Germán

O's game blog: The Orioles face eight-game winner Domingo Germán
The Orioles offense produced seven runs and 13 hits last night, including eight for extra bases. But tonight, as they try to bounce back from Monday's blown lead and 10-7 loss, they face one of the best pitchers in baseball this year. The O's face right-hander Domingo Germán (8-1, 2.50 ERA). He is the major league leader in wins. He is fifth in the AL in ERA, second in the AL and fourth in the majors with a .175 batting average against and ranks fourth in the league and eighth in the...

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
The Orioles are switching leadoff hitters again tonight, with Stevie Wilkerson getting the call for the first time. Rio Ruiz is batting cleanup and Hanser Alberto has moved down to eighth after collecting a career-high four hits last night while atop the order. Jonathan Villar is playing shortstop and batting fifth. Chris Davis returns to first base after sitting out last night's 10-7 loss. Austin Wynns is catching. Alberto is 10-for-22 (.455) in seven games against the Yankees this season and...

Orioles lineup vs. Indians

Orioles lineup vs. Indians
The Orioles close out their four-game series today against the Indians, and their road trip, with Hanser Alberto at second base and Jonathan Villar playing shortstop. Renato Núñez is the designated hitter while Trey Mancini goes back to right field. Stevie Wilkerson continues to play center field and bat fifth. Austin Wynns is catching Yefry Ramirez. Indians right-hander Shane Bieber is 2-2 with a 3.81 ERA and 1.087 WHIP in nine games (eight starts) covering 49 2/3 innings. He's...

Ramirez chosen to make today's start

Ramirez chosen to make today's start
The Orioles flirted with the idea of switching to a six-man rotation earlier in the year and now they're doing it - for one game. The doubleheader in New York forced manager Brandon Hyde to find another starter today in Cleveland instead of using someone on short rest and he's chosen right-hander Yefry Ramirez. The alternative would have been an opener or recalling a starter from the minors, with left-hander Josh Rogers one of the possibilities. Gabriel Ynoa threw 54 pitches in relief...