Does a lack of runs hurt Matusz's cause?
Does a lack of runs hurt Matusz's cause?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Since Brian Matusz shut down the Boston Red Sox on just two hits over seven scoreless innings on the fourth of July, he has made back-to-back starts where he lasted just three and 1 2/3 innings. He has given up 10 ER over 4 2/3 in those two starts as his ERA jumped from 4.56 to 5.21. I'm still firmly on the Matusz bandwagon, in fact I couldn't even find the edge to jump off if I wanted to, I am so firmly on that bandwagon. Having said that, it would silence some of the doubters a bit if he...
Balester thrilled to be back, even for just one day
Balester thrilled to be back, even for just one day
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Right-handed pitcher Collin Balester got the call back to the big leagues this weekend - for one game tonight. He joined the Nationals in Milwaukee Saturday. The 24-year-old Balester has made the transition this season from starter to reliever and he told me he has embraced the change completely. "It is all about attitude coming out of the bullpen. You have to let it all go. When you get the call out of the pen, you have to be ready to pitch. I come out firing, ready to go right...
Minor league news on Erbe, Mickolio and Joseph
Minor league news on Erbe, Mickolio and Joseph
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Norfolk Tides pitcher Brandon Erbe, who made four injury rehab starts for the Aberdeen IronBirds last year, will be back at Ripken Stadium tonight, beginning another injury rehab assignment. He'll be joined by Norfolk and former O's reliever Kam Mickolio. Erbe has been on the DL since June 25 and has not pitched since June 20 due to right shoulder soreness. He is 0-10, 5.73 in 14 Triple-A starts this year. Mickolio, who pitched in three O's games back in April, hasn't pitched since June...
Roster move coming (w/quotes added)
Roster move coming (w/quotes added)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Yes, another one. The Orioles will reveal later tonight or early tomorrow how they'll create room on the 25-man roster for catcher Matt Wieters, who's eligible to come off the disabled list tomorrow and will start behind the plate. The choice still appears to come down to Craig Tatum, who has an option remaining, or Jake Fox, who would have to be designated for assignment. Good luck with that one. The Orioles love Fox's versatility. He can catch and play both infield and outfield...
Tonight's lineups
Tonight's lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 1B Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP For the Twins: Span CF Casilla 2B Mauer C Cuddyer 1B Young LF Kubel DH Valencia 3B Hardy SS Repko RF Baker RHP
Townsend moves to Frederick
Townsend moves to Frederick
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After a recent hitting tear, Delmarva Shorebirds first baseman Tyler Townsend has moved to Frederick. He will join the Keys for their game tonight vs. Myrtle Beach. In 30 games for the Shorebirds, Townsend, last year's third-round draft pick, hit .342 (40-117) with three home runs and 26 RBIs. Townsend's bat, like the weather, heated up this month. In 21 games, he batted .354 with three home runs and 21 RBIs. He also totaled 10 doubles. As of July 24, he leads the Orioles minor league...
Guthrie's resurgence
Guthrie's resurgence
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Jeremy Guthrie is complicating the non-waiver trade deadline process. His value is going through the roof after last night's start, when he made one bad pitch - resulting in Joe Mauer's two-run homer - in seven innings to post his first victory since May 25. Guthrie has allowed three runs in 13 1/3 innings, with one walk and 12 strikeouts, in his last two starts. Scouts are hanging around Camden Yards as if the club is giving away free food and lap dances. Contenders covet pitching, and...
Looks like Luke is locked in
Looks like Luke is locked in
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Did you ever notice that Luke Scott seldom hits what some might call a "cheap homer." One of those balls where the outfielder leaps at the wall and it just goes over his glove. No, he usually hits the kind where the outfielder doesn't need to bother running out near the wall, because the ball is sailing well over it. Like his two-run blast off Minnesota's Anthony Slama last night. He turned around a 94-MPH fastball on a 1-1 count, driving it 394 feet to right field. It gave the O's a...
B-Rob on the win and his first game back
B-Rob on the win and his first game back
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Brian Roberts is back and the Orioles won. Jeremy Guthrie's pitching and Luke Scott's clutch homer had a lot to do with that, but Roberts was back on the field for the O's for the first time since April 9th in their 3-2 win over Minnesota. He went 0 for 4 with two ground outs, a strikeout and a line out to the outfield. He had a few routines plays in the field. Here are his post-game comments. How did it go? "It was good, it was fun to be back out there, be with the guys and play the...
Juan and done
Juan and done
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Second baseman Brian Roberts saw 24 pitches in his four at-bats tonight, and his seven-pitch battle with Twins starter Brian Duensing in the first inning seemed to set the tone for the Orioles' hitters. "That's Brian," interim manager Juan Samuel said. "Brian has been doing that for so long and he knows what needs to be done when you're the leadoff guy, and he's one of the best. He saw so many pitches, he gave our guys a chance to see what the pitcher had. That's the job of a leadoff...