Last chance? (yep)
Last chance? (yep)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Ty Wigginton struck out to end the top of the eighth inning after Nick Markakis tripled to center field with two outs, allowing the Rays to keep their 3-2 lead. That might have been the Orioles' last shot, but we'll find out. Update: Rays closer Rafael Soriano retired all three batters he faced on fly balls to right, and the Orioles' streak of series wins ends at three in a row. Down on the farm, Joe Mahoney went 2-for-4 with a run scored to raise his average to .388 in Double-A Bowie's...
On the catwalk, yeah, on the catwalk
On the catwalk, yeah, on the catwalk
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Jake Fox has brought the Orioles within a run by homering in the seventh inning off Rays reliever Dan Wheeler. The ball hit one of the catwalks at Tropicana Field, which forces you to relearn the ground rules. Meanwhile, Jake Arrieta is credited with a quality start after allowing three runs over six innings. He threw 114 pitches, again taking advantage of a long leash from new manager Buck Showalter. Backup catcher Craig Tatum just threw out John Jaso attempting to steal second base....
O's 7th-round pick, Matt Bywater, still open to signing
O's 7th-round pick, Matt Bywater, still open to signing
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Pepperdine pitcher Matt Bywater, who was drafted in round seven by the Orioles, said he still could sign with the team, although it hasn't happened yet. "We are still in negotiations," Bywater, a 21-year-old lefty said this afternoon from his home in Thousand Oaks, California. "It's not a done deal on either side." When asked if he is still open to coming to terms with the club he said "completely open." I asked Bywater if the sides were close or far apart in their...
More on Berken and today's game (updated)
More on Berken and today's game (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Updating my previous entry on Jason Berken, his MRI is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon in Baltimore. He's been receiving treatment on his right shoulder for most of the season, but the discomfort behind the shoulder apparently has gotten worse. Manager Buck Showalter watched video of Berken and noticed that the reliever's mechanics have changed and his pitches aren't as crisp. Berken isn't following through on his delivery and appears to be aiming the ball. The issue isn't a drop in...
Berken shut down
Berken shut down
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters in St. Petersburg that reliever Jason Berken will undergo an MRI on his right shoulder. Berken has been struggling throughout the second half after leading American League relievers in innings pitched. He'll be shut down until the Orioles obtain the results of the MRI. Berken gave up an unearned run and two hits in two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's appearance. He's allowed 10 earned runs (12 total) in his last 10 outings. That's all I've...
Orioles lineup
Orioles lineup
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
You'll notice some changes: Julio Lugo 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Jake Fox 3B Cesar Izturis SS Craig Tatum C Jake Arrieta RHP
Morgan rehab today in Potomac; Roark wins
Morgan rehab today in Potomac; Roark wins
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan will play for the Potomac Nationals today in a rehab start. Morgan is on the disabled list with inflammation in his right hip. In 103 games with the Nationals in 2010, Morgan has hit .261 with 20 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Will Flemming with the P-Nats reports Morgan is expected to play five innings in center field. Harrisburg Senators starter Tanner Roark, acquired from the Texas Rangers last month as part of the trade for Cristian Guzman, earned his first...
The pitching matchup (w/a few notes)
The pitching matchup (w/a few notes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are facing another pitcher who might not be familiar to a lot of fans. You know how that usually ends. Tampa Bay's Jeremy Hellickson is making his third major league start today. He's a fourth-round pick in the 2005 draft who's 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA. He's allowed two runs and six hits in 14 innings, with two walks and 13 strikeouts. Baseball America rated him as the 18th-best prospect in baseball going into the 2010 season. He started for Team USA in the Futures Game. He throws...
Mock with 7 K in rehab start for Potomac
Mock with 7 K in rehab start for Potomac
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals right-handed pitcher Garrett Mock was solid in a rehab start Saturday night in Potomac against Myrtle Beach, going four innings, scattering four hits, allowing one run with no walks and season-high seven strikeouts. Mock was throwing every pitch for strikes and even tried his sinker for the first time this season. Mock says he got "very good late movement on it. I was encouraged." He says he was getting strikeouts with his fastball and curve. "I was walking off the field and...
A matchup of young guns:  Arrieta vs. Hellickson
A matchup of young guns: Arrieta vs. Hellickson
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Here is the reason to watch and/or listen to today's Orioles-Tampa game. The contest features a matchup of the two of the best, young pitching prospects in the game. It's Jake Arrieta for Baltimore and Jeremy Hellickson for Tampa. Let's start with Hellickson. Entering this season, Baseball America ranked the 23-year-old righty as Tampa's number 2 prospect and number 18 in all of baseball. In their recent mid-season rating of the top 25 prospects in baseball at the mid-point he was...