Tillman talk
Tillman talk
Steve Melewski
Orioles
O's right-hander Chris Tillman will take the mound at Camden Yards tonight vs. Tampa. We'll see if he can follow up on his excellent outing before the break at Texas where he beat the Rangers and out-dueled Cliff Lee. He took a no-hitter in the seventh and gave up just two hits and a run over 7 1/3. It was his first start after going back to Triple-A for three starts. O's pitching coach Rick Kranitz said this time Tillman returned a more confident pitcher and one that can now rely on...
Demotion not considered for Matusz
Demotion not considered for Matusz
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Interim manager Juan Samuel told reporters after today's game that he's not thinking about optioning left-hander Brian Matusz to the minors. "Not at this point. Not in my mind," he said. Reminded that the Orioles demoted Brad Bergesen and Chris Tillman this season, Samuel replied, "We're not thinking about that right now." He clearly wanted to change the subject. Samuel had an extended chat with Matusz in the second inning before taking the ball from him. "I basically asked him if...
Escobar with a Slam as Toronto completes sweep
Escobar with a Slam as Toronto completes sweep
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles are still looking for their first win of the year vs. the Toronto Blue Jays. Yunel Escobar's first homer of the year was a second-inning Grand Slam off Brian Matusz, as the Jays whipped the O's 10-1 Sunday afternoon to complete a three-game sweep. Juan Samuel talks with the media following the Oriole's 10-1 loss to the Blue Jays The Jays are now 9-0 on this season vs. the Orioles and have won three straight series vs. Baltimore for the first time since they won four straight...
Too late for a do-over? (updated)
Too late for a do-over? (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The worst part about this game is it started. Brian Matusz gave up six runs in 1 2/3 innings. I omitted the hit batter when passing along his line in my last entry. It wasn't pretty. Felix Pie took another poor route on a fly ball to left, allowing it to bounce on the warning track and over the fence for a ground-rule double. He looked tentative chasing it. He certainly has the speed to run it down. Nick Markakis and Scott Moore couldn't catch up to Vernon Wells' fly ball down the right...
Gonzo and Matusz
Gonzo and Matusz
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The plans for Michael Gonzalez have changed. He was supposed to pitch today at Triple-A Norfolk, but he'll wait until tomorrow. That appearance will be the last one on his injury rehab assignment. The Orioles originally were going to give him two more outings. The Blue Jays batted around in the second inning against Brian Matusz and have taken a 6-1 lead. Matusz goes 1 2/3 innings in his shortest outing of the season. He served up a grand slam to Yunel Escobar in the second among the five...
Bell gets to play and someone special gets to watch
Bell gets to play and someone special gets to watch
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Josh Bell is excited today. Not only is he making his fifth Major League start for the Orioles, but someone special gets to watch him play in person. "I get excited every time you get to play. My mom will be here today. She's been waiting to see me play in the big leagues since 2005 when I signed." Bell's mom made the trip to Camden Yards from her home in Florida. She got to see him play in person several times when he was in the minors. "She was a bit of a roadie, usually got to...
A few random thoughts
A few random thoughts
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
With Corey Patterson expected to be unavailable for the next few days, I wonder whether the Orioles will keep Josh Bell on the roster tomorrow when Luke Scott is activated from the disabled list. Perhaps the smarter move is to send down Frank Mata and fatten up the bench. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, appearing earlier today on 105.7 The Fan, confirmed that he expressed interest in Justin Smoak after the Rangers drafted the first baseman in 2008. He knew the Rangers had...
More on Patterson
More on Patterson
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Corey Patterson told reporters that he'll probably miss the next game or two with a bruised left heel. He isn't confident that he could pinch-hit today. Patterson said he sustained the injury last night when his left foot hit the bag on a bunt. A thin bench is almost transparent.
Patterson scratched (w/more notes)
Patterson scratched (w/more notes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Corey Patterson has been scratched from the lineup with a sore heel, an injury sustained during last night's game. Patterson is being examined by a team physician, and the Orioles hope that he's available to pinch-hit. Otherwise, they're down to a two-man bench consisting of Julio Lugo and catcher Craig Tatum. "When he bunted last night, we think it happened," interim manager Juan Samuel said. Felix Pie will bat first and play left field. Just insert his name in Patterson's spot in...
Bell and Fox starting today
Bell and Fox starting today
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Here's the Orioles lineup: Corey Patterson LF Miguel Tejada DH Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Adam Jones CF Jake Fox C Scott Moore 2B Josh Bell 3B Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP Matt Wieters had his right leg wrapped in ice again today as he walked out of the trainers room, but he told me that his hamstring feels much better.