No offense, but... (updated)
No offense, but... (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I'm so glad the Yankees left town so the Orioles can finally get a reprieve. Bring on the Red Sox. Well, at least the ballpark won't be filled with fans cheering for the other team. On a strange note, Robinson Cano went 3-for-4 on the ride to the airport. Rangers first baseman Justin Smoak hit his first career home run last night while Brian Matusz was losing to the Yankees. I told you the Orioles should have drafted Smoak. Just kidding. I swear. The Orioles are 4-18 and looking for...
Britton works to pitch his way through tough stretch at Bowie
Britton works to pitch his way through tough stretch at Bowie
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When I watched the Bowie Baysox play Thursday amidst sunshine at Prince Georges Stadium, I saw an O's top pitching prospect dealing with a rough stretch and a veteran O's minor leaguer proving once again he has a solid bat. Last year, when Zach Britton was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year at Frederick, he gave up four runs or more just six times in 24 starts. Now he has allowed that many in three straight starts. "Some things didn't go my way, but it's still early in the...
Exclusive: One-on-One with Bryce Harper
Exclusive: One-on-One with Bryce Harper
Byron Kerr
Nationals
With the June First-Year Player Draft now less than a month and a half away, I got another opportunity to speak with 17-year-old catcher phenom Bryce Harper as his season with the College of Southern Nevada heads toward postseason play. Harper leads the Coyotes in several offensive categories including batting average (.410), hits (64), doubles (14), home runs (21), RBIs (59), total bases (143) and slugging percentage (.917) in 47 games. CSN is 38-10 and 25-7 in conference play. We touched...
More post-game talk
More post-game talk
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Matusz: "For the most part I was able to battle and get through some tough jams. I just wasn't locating down in the zone as well as I should have. I've just got to make some adjustments and move forward for my next start against the Yankees." That would be Tuesday in the Bronx. Asked about Robinson Cano, Matusz said, "That guy is swinging the bat so well. You see all those hits he had today. They are different pitches in different locations. I left a curveball up. It was...
Post-game notes:  O's drop series vs. New York
Post-game notes: O's drop series vs. New York
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Wins and losses: With the 4-0 loss Thursday night, the O's lost the series, two games to one to New York and are 0-7 in series on the year. The Orioles are now 4-18 on the season and are just 1-8 at home. They are 3-12 in games vs. the AL East and 0-10 in games where their opponent scores the first run. No beef, runs or extra-base hits: The Orioles had just three singles and went 3 for 30 at bat in the game as the team average dropped from .247 to .241. The O's were blanked for the...
Trembley talks about Matusz (with video)
Trembley talks about Matusz (with video)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Dave Trembley wasn't tempted to return Brian Matusz to the mound in the seventh inning. In his opinion, and that's the one that counts, Matusz was done after allowing three runs and throwing 96 pitches through six. "I don't think it was the right thing to do to let him face their lineup again for the fourth time," he said. "Having to work as hard as he did the first three times and the amount of guys who got on base every inning, the amount of two-strike pitches he had to...
Yikes, another losing streak already
Yikes, another losing streak already
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After picking up 49 hits over the previous four games, tonight the Orioles had just three singles as the Yankees beat the Birds 4-0 to win the series, two to one. The Orioles fall to 4-18 and have now lost all seven series this year. Winning pitcher A.J. Burnett pitched eight shutout frames and gave up just three singles. He is now 3-0, 2.43 and threw 116 pitches. He is 10-2 in his career vs. Baltimore. Brian Matusz gave up three runs over six innings and suffered his first loss since...
Albers making a statement? (updated twice)
Albers making a statement? (updated twice)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Perhaps something along the lines of, "I want to stay here?" Matt Albers tossed a scoreless inning last night, and he dominated the Yankees in the seventh tonight, retiring Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira on bouncers to the mound and striking out Nick Swisher. His fastball reached 95 mph. Albers' ERA is down to 7.59 in a team-leading 12 appearances, but is it too late to save his job? As you know, a roster spot must be created Saturday for Brad Bergesen. Albers is vulnerable despite being...
Matusz done for the night
Matusz done for the night
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It won't go down as a win, but Brian Matusz has turned in a quality start by holding the Yankees to three runs over six innings. His pitch count stands at 96, and the Orioles' bullpen was busy in the sixth. Matt Albers continues to throw in the seventh, and Matusz isn't going to return. Marcus Thames is 3-for-3 with an RBI against Matusz. Nobody can handle Robinson Cano. Matusz allowed nine hits, struck out two and didn't walk a batter. Brian Matusz talks with the media about his start...
Now this is happening
Now this is happening
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Gwinnett's Matt Jones, who made the final out last night to seal Chris Tillman's no-hitter, belted a three-run homer off Jake Arrieta in the fourth inning. It was fun while it lasted. Arrieta had allowed one earned run in 28 innings until the fourth. Left-hander Brian Matusz could use better luck, and a lineup that's missing Robinson Cano. The Orioles need to pitch around that guy. He began the night batting .390, and his seventh home run increased New York's lead to 2-0 in the...