Short outing for Jimenez (Cruz has five hits, O's win 7-4 in Game 2)

Short outing for Jimenez (Cruz has five hits, O's win 7-4 in Game 2)
BOSTON - The walks were bound to hurt Ubaldo Jimenez tonight. Jimenez didn't make it out of the fourth inning, turning in his second-shortest outing of the season in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Red Sox. Jimenez tied his season high with six walks, the last to Mike Napoli leading off the bottom of the fourth. Stephen Drew followed with a two-run homer to tie the game - the first hit off Jimenez. Drew also homered in Game 1, his first since re-signing with the Red Sox. The Red Sox...
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Machado returns, Davis struggles, Jimenez working on night moves (Hundley HR)

Machado returns, Davis struggles, Jimenez working on night moves (Hundley HR)
BOSTON - Third baseman Manny Machado struck out tonight in his first at-bat since completing his five-game suspension, and it led to a five-minute review. J.J. Hardy was thrown out trying to steal on the play, which occurred in the second inning. The Orioles challenged the call, and five minutes later Hardy was sent back to first base. Machado hit Red Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski with his backswing, and the third baseman was called for incidental contact rather than interference. Machado's...
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Machado back in lineup for Game 2

Machado back in lineup for Game 2
BOSTON - Manny Machado's suspension has ended and he's back at third base for the Orioles in Game 2 of today's doubleheader against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Orioles were 4-1 during Machado's absence. Steve Pearce is batting second as the designated hitter. Chris Davis is at first base and Nelson Cruz is in left field. Jonathan Schoop remains at second base after also starting Game 1. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce DH Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz LF Chris Davis 1B J.J....
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Norris' simulated game, Showalter and Gonzalez on Game 1 loss, Boston lineup

Norris' simulated game, Showalter and Gonzalez on Game 1 loss, Boston lineup
BOSTON - The Orioles will gain two players for the nightcap of their doubleheader against the Red Sox, with reliever Preston Guilmet being recalled and third baseman Manny Machado coming off the suspended list. Bud Norris threw two innings in his simulated game, with the roster of hitters including coaches Wayne Kirby and Einar Diaz, and vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson. Kirby lined a ball into the left field corner. Norris won't hear the end of it. Norris retreated to the...
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Sloppy start to Game 1 (Gonzalez ties career high in innings, O's lose 3-2)

Sloppy start to Game 1 (Gonzalez ties career high in innings, O's lose 3-2)
BOSTON - The city of Boston celebrated the Fourth of July on Thursday night because of the pending storm. The Red Sox celebrated it today before Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Orioles, draping a huge American flag over the Green Monster. Maybe that's why both teams appear so disoriented. The Orioles and Red Sox have combined for four errors in three innings, including three from the gracious hosts. Third baseman Xander Bogaerts allowed two runs to score with two outs in the third when...
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Showalter on Norris, the rotation, Machado and more

Showalter on Norris, the rotation, Machado and more
BOSTON - Bud Norris remains scheduled to throw a simulated game between games of today's doubleheader at Fenway Park. The Orioles traded batting practice for use of the field for Norris. "The only thing that would keep it from happening is a long extra-inning game," said manager Buck Showalter. The Orioles need a starter for Wednesday and Norris is a candidate if his simulated game produces the desired results. Norris is eligible to come off the disabled list on Monday. Miguel Gonzalez was...
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Orioles and Red Sox lineups for Game 1

Orioles and Red Sox lineups for Game 1
BOSTON - Chris Davis is starting at third base in Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Red Sox. Delmon Young is in left field and Steve Pearce is at first base. Reliever Preston Guilmet arrived this morning as the 26th player for Game 2. The season series is tied 5-5, with the Orioles going 3-3 in Baltimore and 2-2 in Boston. In 2013, the Orioles won the season series 11-8 by going 6-4 at home and 5-4 at Fenway Park. They were the only team in the American League East to post a winning...
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Orioles double down today in Boston (Guilmet 26th man for nightcap)

Orioles double down today in Boston (Guilmet 26th man for nightcap)
BOSTON - Let's play two - without the rain. The Orioles and Red Sox have a doubleheader scheduled today following yesterday's postponement caused by Tropical Storm Arthur, which apparently did not get caught between the moon and New York City. I know it's crazy, but it's true. The postponement was the right call. Rain began to fall around 1 p.m. and didn't stop. If there was a window, it had streams of water running down it. Today's forecast is 79 degrees and sunny. Much better. The...
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Reimold placed on waivers

Reimold placed on waivers
BOSTON - The Orioles continue to conduct business today while waiting to play their next two games on Saturday. Outfielder Nolan Reimold has been placed on outright waivers after the Orioles were unable to work out a trade. Any team may sign him and assume the remainder of his $1.025 million salary. The Orioles reinstated Reimold from the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday and designated him for assignment. He's out of minor league options and the club doesn't have a spot for him on the active...
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Gausman to start Sunday, and other notes

Gausman to start Sunday, and other notes
BOSTON - Miguel Gonzalez will start Game 1 of Saturday's split doubleheader against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, with Ubaldo Jimenez starting Game 2. Manager Buck Showalter didn't change the order of his rotation. Jimenez is 0-5 with a 10.55 ERA in five day games this season, and 3-3 with a 2.53 ERA in 12 night games. Easy decision. Kevin Gausman will be recalled Sunday and start the final game of the series. He threw two innings Wednesday at short-season Single-A Aberdeen, allowing an...
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Orioles-Red Sox game postponed (updated)

Orioles-Red Sox game postponed (updated)
BOSTON - Today's game between the Orioles and Red Sox at Fenway Park has been postponed due to inclement weather associated with Tropical Storm Arthur. The teams will play a day-night doubleheader on Saturday with Game 1 scheduled for 1:05 p.m. and Game 2 at 7:15 p.m. The first game will air on MASN2 HD and the second game on FOX. The Orioles haven't confirmed their starters, but it's expected to be Miguel Gonzalez and Ubaldo Jimenez, who was slated to pitch on Saturday. Kevin Gausman...
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Gonzalez vs. Lester in series opener in Boston

Gonzalez vs. Lester in series opener in Boston
BOSTON - Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester has a 2.92 ERA in 17 starts this season. Lester has a career 2.92 ERA in 26 starts against the Orioles. Does anyone else find that odd? What about coincidental? I'm not going with ironic. Lester is 15-4 lifetime against the Orioles and held them to two runs over seven innings on opening day, walking one and striking out eight. However, he went 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA in four starts in 2013 and 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts in 2012. Nelson Cruz is...
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Orioles sweep Rangers and sweat their travel plans

Orioles sweep Rangers and sweat their travel plans
BOSTON - If you happen to check the American League East standings, you may notice that the Orioles are listed first. They swept the Rangers in a four-game series to conclude their homestand. Four games without third baseman Manny Machado, whose suspension ends on Saturday. They played nine innings uninterrupted, which isn't how Rangers manager Ron Washington pictured it happening while scratching starter Yu Darvish. Did the lines of weather communication get crossed? The Orioles need to...
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Lough keeping spirits high

Lough keeping spirits high
The tarp remains on the field as a light rain falls at Camden Yards. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown in front of the Orioles dugout. Another lineup card was posted today that didn't include outfielder David Lough. Lough checks it to make certain, knowing that he's more likely to be used as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement in the late innings. Lough has made one start since June 16 and two since June 10. He's appeared in 59 games, batting .191/.268/.287 with three doubles, a...
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Updates on Norris, Wieters, Johnson and Urrutia

Updates on Norris, Wieters, Johnson and Urrutia
The storm is approaching Camden Yards and the grounds crew has just placed the tarp on the infield. The Orioles and Rangers have one common off-day if tonight's game is rained out - Aug. 21 during a break in the Orioles' series against the White Sox and Cubs in Chicago. How convenient. The Orioles would have to play 27 consecutive days without a break, which I'm pretty sure would be an issue with the union. The forecast in Boston on Friday isn't promising. Lots of rain. If tonight's game...
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Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
No surprises in the Orioles' lineup tonight as they try to complete a four-games sweep of the Rangers at Camden Yards. Ryan Flaherty is starting at third base. Jonathan Schoop is at second base. You've seen it a few times since Manny Macahdo's suspension. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B Ryan Flaherty 3B Nick Hundley C Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Rangers Shin-Soo Choo DH Elvis Andrus SS Alex Rios...
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Revisiting the rotation and tonight's game

Revisiting the rotation and tonight's game
While wondering if I'm the only person who imagines Tropical Storm Arthur as a short drunken millionaire in a top hat or a cartoon aardvark ... Each day seems to bring another review of the Orioles' rotation, and this morning is no exception. I'm still expecting Kevin Gausman to start Sunday afternoon in Boston after he worked two innings last night for short-season Single-A Aberdeen. His fastball touched 98 mph in the first inning, according to the IronBirds. T.J. McFarland can back him...
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Showalter speaks after 6-4 win

Showalter speaks after 6-4 win
The Orioles have won all three games while playing with a 24-man roster following third baseman Manny Machado's suspension. A win Thursday would give the Orioles their first four-game sweep of the Rangers at Camden Yards since 2004. Manager Buck Showalter knew he'd need contributions from everyone this season, and not only with Machado off the roster. Ryan Flaherty stepped up tonight with a tie-breaking home run in the seventh and several good plays at third base. "We talked about how we...
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Patience pays off for Orioles, Flaherty homer gives them lead (O's win 6-4)

Patience pays off for Orioles, Flaherty homer gives them lead (O's win 6-4)
Ryan Flaherty led off the bottom of the seventh inning tonight by homering to right field off Rangers left-hander Neal Cotts and giving the Orioles a 5-4 lead at Camden Yards. Flaherty has four home runs this season, including one on Sunday. They've all come at home. The Orioles finally got rid of Rangers starter Miles Mikolas in the sixth inning, and they did it by keeping the bat on their shoulder while plate umpire Toby Basner tried to figure out the strike zone. Mikolas, in his first...
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Game update and notes on Norris and Yoon (Jones homers, Tillman done)

Game update and notes on Norris and Yoon (Jones homers, Tillman done)
Chris Tillman gave up three singles in the top of the first inning tonight, the last by Alex Rios that scored Shin-Soo Choo and gave Texas a 1-0 lead at steamy Camden Yards. It's 87 degrees here, but it's a wet heat. None of the balls were hit particularly hard, but they counted just the same. Tillman has allowed 16 runs in the first inning this season. He retired the Rangers in order in the second to leave his pitch count at 25. Making his first major league start, Miles Mikolas retired...
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