Lebron update
Lebron update
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Reliever Luis Lebron was expected to resume throwing today after being shut down for about a week. Lebron, who made a strong impression on manager Dave Trembley during his time in the major league camp, had been experiencing some slight "tenderness" in his arm, according to John Stockstill. "We decided to give him a few days off as a precaution," said Stockstill, who will officially take the title of director of player development on April 5. Lebron caught Trembley's eye with a major...
Trying to catch on
Trying to catch on
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Chad Moeller re-signed with the Orioles because he figured to remain their backup catcher. The best opportunity was found in Baltimore. Otherwise, he might have kept looking for a job rather than accept their minor league offer and spring invite on Dec. 15. Manager Dave Trembley suggested yesterday that the competition between Moeller and Craig Tatum would carry into the final days of spring training. So much for being the overwhelming favorite. Moeller doesn't possess Tatum's arm, but...
Orioles lineup (with Matusz update)
Orioles lineup (with Matusz update)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Roberts 2B Felix Pie CF Nolan Reimold RF Luke Scott 1B Garrett Atkins DH Lou Montanez LF Scott Moore 3B Chad Moeller C Robert Andino SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP I won't be traveling to Dunedin today, but I'll check in later with a recap. Update: Matusz is done after seven innings. The only hit and run he allowed came on a Billy Rowell homer to center field in a strong wind. Matusz got four outs in the sixth and five in the seventh. Yes, you know it's spring training when...
Millwood in the opener
Millwood in the opener
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Manager Dave Trembley might not be ready to announce his starting rotation on Monday. "We're going to let the next time through go, but I don't think there's any doubt now who's going to be the No. 1 guy," Trembley said. "I guess he threw eight scoreless innings in the back. Monday I'll be able to tell you who that guy is." Trembley chuckled, knowing that Kevin Millwood was the obvious choice all along. I guess this little nugget will have to pass for news today. Millwood is the No....
Hernandez's day
Hernandez's day
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Scott Moore lifted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth and Justin Turner hit a three-run double to increase the Orioles' lead to 6-0.. Did David Hernandez do enough today to push Chris Tillman from the fifth starter's slot? We still don't know, and neither does Hernandez. "I'm just trying to go out there and do the best I can every performance," he said. "Whether it's good enough or not, all I can say is I went out there and gave it my best effort. And today, the results...
Millwood's day
Millwood's day
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Kevin Millwood tossed eight scoreless innings in the minor league game. He threw 102 pitches. Yes, he's stretched out. "Everything felt good," he said. "It was like a normal day out on the mound. I felt like I located my fastball real well today. I threw some good changeups, I threw some good sliders. At times my curveball was good. I would take that stuff any day on a big league field." Millwood will be limited to 50-60 pitches in his final outing.
Sweet relief
Sweet relief
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Cla Meredith induced three ground balls from the Red Sox in a routine sixth inning, and Will Ohman again retired all three batters he faced in the seventh. Orioles 2, Red Sox 0. Ohman hasn't allowed a run in 7 1/3 innings. He's surrendered only one hit. David Hernandez has finished running in the outfield, and I'll be heading downstairs shortly to interview him.
Hernandez takes the fifth (updated)
Hernandez takes the fifth (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
David Hernandez has made it through five scoreless innings today. Tug Hulett flied out on Hernandez's first pitch, but Dusty Brown walked after working the count full. Jacoby Ellsbury singled to left, and both runners advanced on Dustin Pedroia's fly ball to the warning track in right. Markakis slammed into the fence after making the grab and seemed to be a little shaken up, but he stayed in the game. Bullpen coach Alan Dunn visited the mound - he's filling in for pitching coach Rick...
Hernandez's great escape
Hernandez's great escape
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fourth, but David Hernandez did a masterful job of keeping the game scoreless. Dustin Pedroia and Victor Martinez singled, and Adrian Beltre walked to put the right-hander in a serious jam. Hernandez responded by striking out Mitch Dening, Marco Scutaro and Josh Reddick. "Impressive" doesn't quite do it justice. On the downside, the Red Sox worked Hernandez for 27 pitches to raise his count to 75. He isn't stretched out enough...
Hernandez in the second (and third)
Hernandez in the second (and third)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Red Sox scorched a couple balls in the second inning, but David Hernandez didn't allow a run. Jeremy Hermida singled with one out, but Marco Scutaro flied to right and Josh Reddick flied to right-center. Nick Markakis and Adam Jones ran a long way to make the catches. Hernandez threw 19 pitches, 12 for strikes. That's 33 pitches and 22 strikes through two innings. Red Sox starter John Lackey struck out Jones and Markakis in the first inning. Garrett Atkins singled with two outs in the...