Nothing else Matusz (updated)
Nothing else Matusz (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
That's five hitless innings for left-hander Brian Matusz, and another nice escape. Josh Bell's throwing error allowed Jayson Werth to reach second base with no outs. Greg Dobbs grounded to first, Brian Schneider lined to second and pinch-hitter John Mayberry Jr. struck out. Not a problem. Matusz threw 12 pitches, nine for strikes. He's thrown 42 of his 68 pitches for strikes tonight. He also has 18 strikeouts in 14 innings this spring. Bell booted Werth's grounder, but he kept the ball...
Quick game update (updated)
Quick game update (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Will Ohman retired both batters he faced, with one strikeout, after replacing Brian Matusz. He still hasn't allowed a run in six appearances. Jim Johnson, who allowed three runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings before tonight, walked a batter and struck out two in a scoreless seventh. The Phillies still don't have a hit as we enter the top of the eighth with the Orioles leading, 2-0. Update: John Mayberry Jr. singled off Dennis Sarfate with one out in the eighth inning to end the Orioles'...
As a Matusz of fact
As a Matusz of fact
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Manager Dave Trembley had nothing but good things to say about Brian Matusz after tonight's 2-0 victory over the Phillies. "Doesn't matter who he faces, doesn't matter what lineup he's facing, he doesn't get out of his lane," Trembley said. "That's Brian Matusz, the way he pitches. He just has a feel for pitching. And he knows what he's doing. "He's going to be real special. We saw it last year. He's picked up right where he left off in his last start of the year. He's got great...
Orioles lineups
Orioles lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
vs. Pirates in Sarasota: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott 1B Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold DH Ty Wigginton 2B Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP vs. Red Sox in Fort Myers: Robert Andino 3B Justin Turner 2B Lou Montanez LF Garrett Atkins 1B Jeff Salazar CF Josh Bell DH Craig Tatum C Miguel Abreu RF Blake Davis SS Chris Tillman RHP Jake Arrieta also will pitch against the Red Sox. The Orioles get their second look at knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.
Nolan needs to get rollin'
Nolan needs to get rollin'
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Unless something changes in the next 24 hours, manager Dave Trembley said closer Mike Gonzalez will pitch against the Phillies tomorrow in Clearwater, rather than appear in another Triple-A game in Sarasota. As I approached Nolan Reimold's locker this morning, he grew sentimental for the days when I would check on his sore Achilles. Anything beats talk of his 0-for-19. I figured that I was doing him a favor. He was tired of updating reporters on his health and having his gait analyzed....
A few nuggets (with Pirates lineup)
A few nuggets (with Pirates lineup)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As always, choose your favorite dipping sauce. Outfielder Kyle Hudson was supposed to travel to Fort Myers as part of the minor league contingent for today's game against the Red Sox, but Ronnie Welty is taking his place. The Orioles will wear their black batting practice jerseys for that game, in case you were wondering. Here are the pitchers for some upcoming games: Tomorrow's minor league game: David Hernandez, Mark Hendrickson, Jason Berken. Tuesday in Jupiter (Marlins): Jeremy...
Quick Koji update
Quick Koji update
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara decided not to play catch today to test his sore left hamstring. "Maybe tomorrow," he said through interpreter Jiwon Bang. Uehara said there's "no particular reason" why he's delaying the flat-ground session for at least one more day. "I could have done it today," he said, "but I wanted to do some weight lifting on my upper body." I'll pass along some pre-game quotes from manager Dave Trembley in a few minutes.
Trembley unplugged
Trembley unplugged
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Roberts hit from the left side today, taking his cuts at soft-toss and off a tee. Michael Aubrey took batting practice and fielded grounders at first base as he draws closer to playing in a game after injuring his groin last Saturday in Tampa. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells told manager Dave Trembley that it should be "any day now." "We've got, what, 16 or 15 games left to play? About half the camp," Trembley said. It's 13 after today, if you're keeping score at...
Bergy's on the mound (part 2)
Bergy's on the mound (part 2)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Not a good first inning for Brad Bergesen. The Pirates loaded the bases with no outs and scored twice to take a 2-0 lead. The inning included a costly error by second baseman Ty Wigginton, who failed to backhand Ryan Doumit's grounder up the middle as the second run scored. Garrett Jones drove in the first one with a sacrifice fly. Bobby Crosby struck out on three pitches and Brandon Moss grounded to short to end the rally. Bergesen threw 16 pitches, nine for strikes. He allowed two hits...
Bergy much better (part 2)
Bergy much better (part 2)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brad Bergesen struck out two in a perfect third inning. Ryan Church flied to left, Garrett Jones took a called third strike and Ryan Doumit went down swinging. Bergesen has struck out three in three innings, but the Pirates continue to hold a 2-0 lead. He's thrown 35 pitches, 24 for strikes. He's only needed 19 pitches (15 for strikes) to get through the last two innings. Nolan Reimold bounced into a double play to end the bottom of the second. Felix Pie reached on another infield hit with...