Roch Kubatko
Roch Kubatko

A few random thoughts (and Pettit note)

A few random thoughts (and Pettit note)
A road trip that was supposed to crush the Orioles has produced two wins in the first three games. Reminds me of the trip to New York and Tampa Bay that was supposed to crush them. This just in: The bullpen is still really, really good. It's the No. 1 reason why the Orioles would make the playoffs if the season ended today. Jim Johnson would get my vote for Most Valuable Oriole if I had to submit my ballot today, but I'd still like to make an exception and just give it to the entire...
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Roch Kubatko

The Matusz relief experiment after two games

The Matusz relief experiment after two games
Brian Matusz made his second relief appearance tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, and he lasted one inning against Charlotte before Tides manager Ron Johnson went back to his bullpen. Matusz replaced starter Jason Berken with two outs in the seventh and was charged with two runs and two hits, with two walks, one strikeout, one wild pitch and one balk. He stranded two inherited runners in the seventh, but Zach Phillips replaced him with two outs in the eighth. Matusz made his relief debut on...
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Roch Kubatko

First inning challenges Chen again (O's win 7-5)

First inning challenges Chen again (O's win 7-5)
Wei-Yin Chen fell behind by five runs today before he could record his second out of the game. The first inning continues to challenge Chen. He's allowed 19 runs in the opening frame this season, the most in any inning. The Royals took a 4-0 lead against him on Aug. 9 before finally making an out. The Rays led 5-0 in the first back on June 1. Chen has surrendered 20 home runs this season, including two today. Six of them have come in the first inning. Omar Infante homered with one out in...
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Roch Kubatko

Orioles and Tigers lineups

Orioles and Tigers lineups
Taylor Teagarden gets the start behind the plate today for the Orioles. Mark Reynolds and Manny Machado continue to handle the infield corners. Chris Davis moves up to fifth in the lineup. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Taylor Teagarden C Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Tigers: Austin Jackson CF Omar Infante 2B Miguel Cabrera 3B Prince Fielder 1B Jhonny Peralta SS Delmon...
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Roch Kubatko

Is Davis a nugget?

Is Davis a nugget?
As the Orioles approached the 2012 season, I implored them to give Nolan Reimold and Chris Davis a minimum of 500 at-bats and determine whether they were legitimate major league hitters with a future in Baltimore. Play Reimold in left field. Keep Davis at first base. Figure it out. Reimold hasn't played since April 30 because of a herniated disc in his neck that required surgery. The jury is still out on him. Davis has become the regular designated hitter with Jim Thome on the disabled list...
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Roch Kubatko

Britton forcing the Orioles into a tough decision (O's win 3-2)

Britton forcing the Orioles into a tough decision (O's win 3-2)
Zach Britton is shutting out the Tigers tonight on five hits over five innings. He's slithered out of a few jams. He's bearing down on a quality start. The Orioles can't get him a lead, which is the only downside to Britton's night. The Orioles don't have a game when Britton's turn comes up again on Thursday. They can go back to a four-man rotation or just push back everyone and stick with the current alignment. The other option is sending down Britton and reinserting Steve Johnson...
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Roch Kubatko

Mahoney optioned, Reynolds in lineup

Mahoney optioned, Reynolds in lineup
The Orioles have optioned first baseman Joe Mahoney to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for left-hander Zach Britton on the 25-man roster. Steve Johnson remains on the roster and is available to pitch in relief. He's the designated long man. Manager Buck Showalter will work with a three-man bench tonight: Omar Quintanilla, Lew Ford and Taylor Teagarden. Robert Andino is getting the start at second base. Mark Reynolds remains at first base, one night have blasting the umpires. Should be...
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Roch Kubatko

Reynolds earns high marks for honesty

Reynolds earns high marks for honesty
Last summer, reliever Kevin Gregg won over a few Orioles fans by yelling at David Ortiz, standing his ground when the burly designated hitter took a few steps toward him and ripping the Red Sox for their sense of entitlement. Now it's Mark Reynolds' turn. Reynolds already had been cheered more after heating up at the plate during the last homestand. Fewer people were wondering why he was in the lineup and on the 25-man roster. Fewer people were demanding that the Orioles eat the rest of...
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Roch Kubatko

Orioles confirm Britton back in rotation

Orioles confirm Britton back in rotation
In news that won't come as a shock, the Orioles confirmed in a tweet that Zach Britton will start Saturday night's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park. It makes sense, since Britton is in Detroit. He didn't fly there to visit Greektown. The Orioles didn't have to officially recall Britton tonight. He was placed on baseball's equivalent of a 24-hour taxi squad. A corresponding 25-man roster move is coming on Saturday. The Orioles could choose to option right-hander Steve Johnson to...
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Roch Kubatko

Small ball, big debate (big homer, big controversy, O's lose 5-3)

Small ball, big debate (big homer, big controversy, O's lose 5-3)
J.J. Hardy has batted twice tonight against Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander. He's laid down two sacrifice bunts. Good execution. Bad idea? Neither bunt led to a run, though some of the blame lies at the feet of plate umpire Tim Timmons, who blew a call in the first inning. Nick Markakis clearly was safe, beating Prince Fielders' throw, but Timmons wouldn't remove the blindfold. Manager Buck Showalter didn't call for Markakis to bunt last night, and there's no way to know whether...
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Roch Kubatko

Showalter breaks out familiar lineup in Detroit (updated)

Showalter breaks out familiar lineup in Detroit (updated)
Manager Buck Showalter is sticking with his usual lineup tonight against a right-handed starter, including Nate McLouth batting third and playing left field and Omar Quintanilla batting ninth and playing second base. Joe Mahoney is listed among the reserves. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Tommy Hunter RHP Update: Let the speculation cease regarding Saturday's...
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Roch Kubatko

Up next: Another roster move (with Tigers lineup)

Up next: Another roster move (with Tigers lineup)
As soon as Steve Johnson returned to the mound for the ninth inning last night, I figured he no longer was a candidate to make Saturday night's start in Detroit, unless he recorded three outs on three pitches or learned how to throw a knuckleball. Johnson was listed as Saturday's starter earlier in the day, but manager Buck Showalter couched it by saying the plans could change if the St. Paul's grad had to work in relief. Talk about a cruel tease. Johnson remained in the bullpen through...
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Roch Kubatko

For one inning, hot corner burns Machado

For one inning, hot corner burns Machado
The Red Sox broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the sixth inning last night when rookie Manny Machado couldn't field Dustin Pedroia's slow bouncer with runners on second and third and two outs. Machado charged the ball, but didn't come up with it. Not an easy play, but one that had to be made. "They got lucky," said reliever Luis Ayala, who took the loss. "Ground ball. Tough play, but it was a key for the game. "We got lucky, too. We got a nice play with Machado, too. It's part of the...
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Roch Kubatko

Showalter and Tillman speak after 6-3 loss

Showalter and Tillman speak after 6-3 loss
Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters after tonight's 6-3 loss to the Red Sox that Steve Johnson was still "somewhat of an option" to start Saturday in Detroit. However, I doubt that it's going to happen after Johnson threw 28 pitches tonight. We'll see. "There's still that potential he can pitch there," Showalter said. "He hadn't pitched in seven days. We didn't want to pitch anyone else. We were down to our last guy. I was trying to stay away from Steve if I could. We're...
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Roch Kubatko

Jones is drilled, bringing cold stare from Showalter (O's lose 6-3)

Jones is drilled, bringing cold stare from Showalter (O's lose 6-3)
Manager Buck Showalter can count the number of times that Adam Jones has been hit by a pitch this season. He probably can name each body part that's been bruised. Now it's Showalter's face that's turning purple. Showalter didn't hide his displeasure with the Red Sox as he walked toward first base to check on Jones, who was drilled in the backside by a Clay Buchholz fastball in the third inning. He glared at them to such a degree, I'm pretty sure he melted the railing in front of their...
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Roch Kubatko

Orioles 'pen is still mightier, Hardy's defense looks golden (O's lead 3-1)

Orioles 'pen is still mightier, Hardy's defense looks golden (O's lead 3-1)
With a win tonight, the Orioles would move 12 games above .500 for the first time since June 17. They also would gain another game on the New York Yankees, closing to within five in the American League East. Over the last 12 games, the Orioles' bullpen has posted a 0.45 ERA by allowing two earned runs in 39 2/3 innings. During that span, the relievers have permitted 25 hits, walked eight, struck out 32 and held opponents to a .175 average. Four of the top 22 qualifiers in ERA among American...
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Roch Kubatko

Betemit has cartilage tear in wrist

Betemit has cartilage tear in wrist
The MRI taken on Wilson Betemit's right wrist this morning revealed a small cartilage tear and a bone bruise. Betemit will receive a cortisone injection later today and fly down to Sarasota tomorrow morning. The Orioles will shut him down for a week before he's cleared to begin baseball activities. Betemit hasn't played since Saturday, making him eligible to come off the disabled list on Aug. 27 - a realistic target date, according to manager Buck Showalter. Joe Mahoney flew into...
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Roch Kubatko

Orioles lineup against the Red Sox (Mahoney up, Betemit to DL)

Orioles lineup against the Red Sox (Mahoney up, Betemit to DL)
Mark Reynolds continues to start at first base, as the Orioles try to complete a three-game sweep of the Red Sox at Camden Yards. The reserves aren't listed on the magnetic board outside the clubhouse, leaving us to guess whether Wilson Betemit is headed to the disabled list. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Chris Tillman RHP Update: Joe Mahoney is now listed...
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Roch Kubatko

Is Mahoney headed to Baltimore?

Is Mahoney headed to Baltimore?
Joe Mahoney started at first base today for Triple-A Norfolk, but he was removed for a pinch hitter before his first at-bat. Jamie Hoffman batted for Mahoney and moved to right field, with Ryan Flaherty going to first base. Wilson Betemit underwent an MRI on his right wrist at 11 a.m., so it's possible that Mahoney is headed to Camden Yards in case the Orioles again need to use the disabled list. Mahoney plays first base, bats from the left side and is on the 40-man roster, which makes him...
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Roch Kubatko

Matusz says he's "excited" about switch to bullpen

Matusz says he's "excited" about switch to bullpen
Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson called Brian Matusz into his office on Monday and made official the left-hander's move to the bullpen. And so began the next phase of Matusz's professional life. Whether it's a passing phase has yet to be determined. The decision was born after numerous conversations involving Johnson, Orioles manager Buck Showalter, executive vice president Dan Duquette, director of pitching development Rick Peterson and Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin. "Buck...
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