Matusz on Matusz
Matusz on Matusz
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Matusz was satisfied that he got in his work today. He'll also take the four scoreless innings. "Fifty to 60 pitches was what we were looking at," he said. "It was nice to work with Matt [Wieters] to get on the same page. I didn't shake Matt one time. When I faced Luis Castillo the second time, we went four fastballs down and away, and he ended up coming back to me. I was unsure why we were going four pitches down and away in a row and then I talked to Matt afterwards. I didn't...
Reimold goes deep (updated twice)
Reimold goes deep (updated twice)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Nolan Reimold hit a two-run homer off Sean Green in the bottom of the sixth inning to increase the Orioles' lead to 7-0. Reimold has two home runs this spring. He's also singled and walked today. Maybe that's why manager Dave Trembley waited to replace Reimold with Felix Pie. He knew that home run was coming. Talk about being one step ahead. Mark Hendrickson allowed two hits in a scoreless top of the sixth. Update: Brian Roberts delivered another run in the sixth with a ground ball....
Grand performance for Miggi
Grand performance for Miggi
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Miguel Tejada hit a grand slam off Mets left-hander Jon Niese in the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 5-0 lead. Tejada hadn't homered before today. The Orioles strung together five straight singles to open the inning, but scored only once. Nolan Reimold was thrown out trying to steal, and the Orioles were playing station-to-station baseball. Adam Jones' third hit scored Garrett Atkins for a 1-0 lead, and Tejada followed with a towering fly ball that cleared the left-field fence. Matt...
Koji on DL (with Matusz update)
Koji on DL (with Matusz update)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
In a move that surprises no one, the Orioles placed pitcher Koji Uehara on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. The move is retroactive to March 26. Uehara posted a 1.69 ERA in six exhibition games covering 5 1/3 innings. He limped off the mound during a March 18 game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. Uehara was supposed to be the seventh-inning reliever and a bridge to set-up man Jim Johnson. Maybe one of these days. The Orioles must turn in their final roster to the...
Matusz through two
Matusz through two
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Matusz has turned in two scoreless innings today. He allowed singles to Jason Bay and Fernando Tatis in the second and threw a wild pitch, but he struck out Gary Matthews and retired Henry Blanco on a fly ball. Matusz has thrown 34 pitches, 18 for strikes. He's on a reduced pitch count - probably no more than 50 - before making his first regular-season start on Thursday. Adam Jones reached on an infield hit in the first, but he was caught stealing. From the Department of Irony: New...
No place like home
No place like home
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are down to their last exhibition game, and their first year at Ed Smith Stadium has been a rousing success at the gates. They've drawn 94,405 fans for 14 dates and will exceed 100,000 at a Grapefruit League ballpark for the first time in club history. The Reds drew 77,758 fans in 15 dates last year before moving their spring home to Arizona. We've had seven sellouts going into today's game. On four occasions, the Orioles have topped the previous record for highest attendance...
Trembley talks about Mike Cuellar
Trembley talks about Mike Cuellar
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Dave Trembley notified the team this morning of Mike Cuellar's passing. It was one of the most difficult meetings he's ever conducted in baseball. Trembley let us know later how close he had become to Cuellar over the past two years, when the former Orioles great had served as a guest instructor at spring training. "If there was ever a guy who epitomized what the Orioles are all about, it's Mike Cuellar," Trembley said. "All he ever wanted to do was help. It's really a...
Pre-game notes
Pre-game notes
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Manager Dave Trembley expects to split today's DH duties between Nolan Reimold and Felix Pie. Each player will get two at-bats under the current plan. David Hernandez and Jason Berken will pitch in a minor league game today. Cla Meredith has been dealing with a stomach virus for the last three days. Trembley wants to give him an inning today, but might have to settle for one batter. Trembley indicated that the final roster decisions are set, but a few players still need to be notified. He...
Pie could play
Pie could play
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Felix Pie said there's "no question in my mind" that he'll be ready for Opening Day after being hit near the right ankle by a Mariano Rivera pitch during yesterday's game in Tampa. Pie said the ball struck the edge of his shin guard. X-rays taken on his ankle were negative. "I feel a lot better," he said. "There's a little pain when you touch it, but I'm OK." Pie thought he might have broken a bone until being examined. Though he's not in today's lineup, Pie said he could swing...
Orioles lineup
Orioles lineup
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Roberts 2B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott LF Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold DH Garrett Atkins 1B Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP Kam Mickolio will throw another bullpen session today and pitch in an intrasquad game tomorrow. "From there," he said, "I have no idea."