Showalter speaks after 4-2 victory

Showalter speaks after 4-2 victory
The confidence that Orioles manager Buck Showalter demonstrated in pitcher Kevin Gausman didn't waver after two outings that left the rookie's ERA at 11.00. And today, Gausman repaid Showalter in a sense by holding the Tigers to one run over six innings in the Orioles' 4-2 victory at Camden Yards. "I thought he had a much better angle today," Showalter said. "Rick and he made a couple adjustments getting back to what he was doing in the spring, which is the good thing about having him....
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Gausman concludes outstanding day (O's win 4-2)

Gausman concludes outstanding day (O's win 4-2)
Still think Kevin Gausman is overmatched and should be sent back to the minors? Gausman went six innings for the first time in three major league starts and held the potent Tigers attack to one run - on Prince Fielder's homer in the fourth. He allowed five hits, walked none and struck out four. Gausman's 96th and final pitch of the afternoon was a 97 mph fastball that Miguel Cabrera took for a called third strike. Gausman painted the black. And he made the orange proud today. Gausman threw...
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Gausman's first time through the order much better (updated)

Gausman's first time through the order much better (updated)
Kevin Gausman has lowered his ERA from 11.00 to 8.25 today with three scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards. Gausman has allowed two hits - an infield single by Torii Hunter in the first and a bloop double by Ramon Santiago in the third on a ball that eluded a diving Adam Jones in center field. He's struck out two. Gausman served up three home runs in four innings in his last start in Washington, and was charged with seven runs and eight hits. He's keeping the ball...
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Updates on Strop, Teagarden, Reimold and Chen

Updates on Strop, Teagarden, Reimold and Chen
Pedro Strop will accompany the Orioles to Houston and pitch in a simulated game Tuesday. Strop, on the disabled list with a strained lower back, has thrown two bullpen sessions and performed a drill off a mound over the past four days. He will throw another bullpen session following the simulated game before the Orioles decide whether to send him on an injury-rehab assignment. Taylor Teagarden caught eight innings last night in his second injury-rehab game at Triple-A Norfolk. He will serve...
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Snyder catching Gausman today

Snyder catching Gausman today
As you were told yesterday, Chris Snyder is behind the plate today for Kevin Gausman's third major league start. Snyder and Gausman watched video together yesterday while preparing for the start. Chris Dickerson is the designated hitter again today and Ryan Flaherty remains at second base. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Chris Dickerson DH J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Chris Snyder C Kevin Gausman RHP Nick Markakis is...
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Looking back and ahead

Looking back and ahead
Kevin Gausman will attempt today to win his first major league game and avoid becoming the second consecutive Orioles starter to be ejected. I'm confident that he will achieve the second goal. I mean, what are the odds of it happening twice in two days? If the ball keeps slipping out of his hand, as it did yesterday with Jason Hammel, he may want to play it safe and switch to an underhand delivery. Maybe just roll the ball to the plate. Don't take any chances. Hammel had the full support...
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Showalter and Hardy comment on Hammel's ejection

Showalter and Hardy comment on Hammel's ejection
Orioles manager Buck Showalter and shortstop J.J. Hardy used the same logic and arguments to defend starter Jason Hammel, who earned his first career ejection today in the fourth inning after surrendering three consecutive home runs and hitting Matt Tuiasosopo with the next pitch. The ball kept slipping out of Hammel's hand today, especially when he tried to throw his slider. And if you're going to drill a batter on purpose, you do it with a fastball to make the intent perfectly...
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Hammel ejected in fourth inning (O's allow fifth homer today, lose 10-3)

Hammel ejected in fourth inning (O's allow fifth homer today, lose 10-3)
It's gone from bad to worse for Orioles starter Jason Hammel, who will spend the rest of his afternoon in the Orioles' clubhouse. And not because manager Buck Showalter removed him from the game. Hammel served up back-to-back-to-back home runs to Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila to open the top of the fourth inning, giving Detroit a 4-1 lead. His next pitch sliced near Matt Tuiasosopo's head, hitting the Tigers left fielder on the left shoulder, and plate umpire Hunter...
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Hammel wild early

Hammel wild early
Jason Hammel has matched his season high for walks today, and he hit the mark after only 1 2/3 innings. Not good. Hammel has issued three free passes, as he also did in four other starts. Factor in two singles, and he's fortunate to only be trailing 1-0. Five of the first nine batters reached against Hammel, including Matt Tuiasosopo, who singled in the second inning to score Victor Martinez after Alex Avila grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to nearly take Hammel off the hook. I also...
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Duquette talks about Rauch

Duquette talks about Rauch
The Orioles had interest in signing pitcher Jon Rauch over the winter, and they were able to secure a minor league deal with him over the weekend. Executive vice president Dan Duquette is hoping that his patience pays off. Rauch will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday and join the Tides bullpen. A spot must be cleared for him, since the current roster is at full capacity. "He's a qualified major league reliever," Duquette said. "He had a really good year last year. He can set up and...
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Orioles sign Rauch to minor league deal

Orioles sign Rauch to minor league deal
The Orioles have signed 6-foot-11 pitcher Jon Rauch to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. He will report to the Tides on Monday. Rauch, 34, was 1-2 with a 7.56 ERA in 15 relief appearances with the Miami Marlins this season, with 23 hits allowed, seven walks and 15 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings. Rauch has played for eight major league teams, including Montreal/Washington, over parts of 11 seasons. He's 43-40 with a 3.90 ERA. He posted a 3.59 ERA in 73 games with the...
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Orioles break out same lineup today (with Tigers lineup)

Orioles break out same lineup today (with Tigers lineup)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't making any changes to his lineup this afternoon after his club rallied last night to defeat the Tigers 7-5 at Camden Yards. Chris Dickerson hit a walk-off three-run homer and he remains the designated hitter today. Ryan Flaherty gets another start at second base. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson DH Ryan Flaherty 2B Jason Hammel RHP For the...
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Gausman learning from Garcia

Gausman learning from Garcia
While Freddy Garcia was sweating profusely and putting the Nationals' offense in a deep freeze Thursday night during his eight scoreless innings, Orioles manager Buck Showalter glanced down the bench at young starter Kevin Gausman and noticed how he kept watching intently. Each pitch, each sequence, each out. Gausman throws 99 mph. Garcia celebrates if his fastball ventures into the upper 80s. They have little in common besides the uniform, but Gausman took advantage of another opportunity to...
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Showalter speaks after 7-5 victory

Showalter speaks after 7-5 victory
After Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer retired the last 16 batters he faced tonight, the Orioles must have felt as though they were getting a fresh start with a new pitcher entering in the bottom of the ninth. "Kind of similar to last night with Freddy (Garcia)," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Except for the outcome. Jim Johnson got the save for the Orioles last night after Garcia went eight innings, but Tigers closer Jose Valverde blew the save tonight after surrendering a solo...
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Gonzalez done after six innings (Dickerson with walk-off HR)

Gonzalez done after six innings (Dickerson with walk-off HR)
Another Orioles starter completed six innings tonight, the third to do so in the last nine games. Otherwise, it was a fairly disappointing night for Miguel Gonzalez, who was replaced by left-hander Troy Patton to begin the seventh. Gonzalez is charged with a season-high five earned runs and seven hits, with three walks, six strikeouts, two home runs and a wild pitch. He threw 105 pitches, matching his season high - 66 for strikes. Gonzalez still hasn't won since April 23 against the Blue...
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Gonzalez feeling the heat early tonight (O's down 5-3)

Gonzalez feeling the heat early tonight (O's down 5-3)
It was 90 degrees at Camden Yards tonight as Miguel Gonzalez threw his first pitch to Tigers leadoff hitter Omar Infante. It probably rose to 92 as Infante swung through a slider for the first out. Freddy Garcia is now classified as a flood zone. Before tonight, the Orioles ranked second in the American League with 273 runs scored. The Tigers ranked third with 268. The Tigers led the AL with a .279 average. The Orioles ranked second at .276. The two teams were tied for the AL lead in hits...
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Notes on Dickerson, Strop, Teagarden, Britton and the rotation (updated)

Notes on Dickerson, Strop, Teagarden, Britton and the rotation (updated)
Orioles outfielder Chris Dickerson has been receiving treatment for a sore left wrist, which limited him to one at-bat since his last start on May 23. Dickerson was a candidate to go on the disabled list last weekend before the Orioles decided to put reliever Pedro Strop on the DL while recalling pitcher Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk. Manager Buck Showalter had mentioned that there were two or three players being considered. Dickerson is batting .318/.333/.568 with two doubles, three...
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Dickerson the DH tonight (with Tigers lineup)

Dickerson the DH tonight (with Tigers lineup)
Chris Dickerson is in the Orioles lineup tonight as the designated hitter, his first start since May 23 in Toronto. Dickerson has one at-bat since making that start. The rest of the lineup is predictable. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson DH Ryan Flaherty 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Tigers Omar Infante 2B Andy Dirks LF Miguel Cabrera 3B Prince Fielder 1B Victor Martinez...
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Machado and more

Machado and more
Here's a nugget for lunch, which isn't deep-fried and doesn't come with any dipping sauces: According to the MLB Network, Manny Machado has the most hits in a month (44) by a player under 21 since Mickey Mantle had 46 in July 1952. Machado leads the majors with 25 doubles - Boston's Mike Napoli is next with 19 - and he's tied with Detroit's Miguel Cabrera with 79 hits. The Tigers are in town tonight to start a three-game series. I wonder if the Machado-Cabrera angle will get the proper...
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Some striking numbers

Some striking numbers
While the Orioles continue to rank at or near the top in several offensive categories, they've totaled the third-fewest strikeouts in the majors. Why is this stat significant? Well, the Orioles ranked sixth in the majors last season with 1,315 strikeouts. So, you know, they're not doing it as much this year. Last year, the Orioles struck out 449 times in 1,829 at-bats in their first 53 games. This year, they struck out 337 times in 1,866 at-bats in their first 53 games. The San Francisco...
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