Hammel's timing: From bad to good (O's lose 6-3)

Hammel's timing: From bad to good (O's lose 6-3)
Jason Hammel tied his career high by allowing eight runs in his final start before the All-Star selections were announced. Bad timing. Hammel is one of five finalists for the Final Vote, joining fellow pitchers Jonathan Broxton, Yu Darvish, Ernesto Frieri and Jake Peavy. Tonight, he's held the Mariners to one run through six innings. Good timing. Hammel has given up five hits, including John Jaso's gift double in the sixth, walked none and struck out seven. He's clinging to a 3-1 lead...
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Rotation could spin in different directions (updated)

Rotation could spin in different directions (updated)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter, during his pregame session with reporters in Seattle, indicated that Chris Tillman could start Wednesday against the Mariners instead of Thursday against the Angels. Executive vice president Dan Duquette told me earlier today that Tillman was scratched from his start in Triple-A Norfolk in case he was needed to pitch against the Angels, but Jake Arrieta could be pushed back a day. That seems to be the plan. It might be a good idea to reintroduce Tillman to...
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Orioles and Mariners lineups

Orioles and Mariners lineups
Robert Andino is starting at second base and batting leadoff tonight for the Orioles as they begin a three-game series in Seattle. Brian Roberts is taking a seat on the bench. Jim Thome is serving as the designated hitter again after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts yesterday in his debut. Wilson Betemit has moved up to third in the order for the first time this season. He has 17 hits in his last 36 at-bats. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Wilson Betemit 3B Adam Jones CF...
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Roster move and Willis retirement official, and other notes

Roster move and Willis retirement official, and other notes
The Orioles confirmed today that pitcher Steve Johnson has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and joined the team in Seattle. He's wearing No. 52. Johnson and his father, Dave, will become the sixth father-son duo to play for the Orioles, joining Bob and Terry Kennedy, Don and Damon Buford, John O'Donoghue Sr. and John O'Donoghue Jr., Dave and Derrick May, and Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr. Including today, the Orioles have made 10 moves on the 25-man roster involving nine players in...
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Tillman scratched, Willis may retire, Markakis took BP

Tillman scratched, Willis may retire, Markakis took BP
Chris Tillman no longer is scheduled to start tonight for Triple-A Norfolk. Tim Bascom, the Orioles' minor league Pitcher of the Year in 2011, will take Tillman's turn in the rotation. Bascom is moving up from Double-A Bowie. Tillman is expected to move up to the majors and start Thursday night's game in Anaheim. Tillman is 8-8 with a 3.63 ERA in 16 games with Norfolk, including 15 starts. He's allowed 85 hits, walked 30 and struck out 92 in 89 1/3 innings. Tillman has allowed two earned...
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More changes in store for the Orioles

More changes in store for the Orioles
When it comes to the Orioles these days, the great debate centers on the biggest concern. The defense? It's been tagged for 69 errors in 78 games, most in the majors. The offense? It perked up a little over the weekend with a combined 14 runs in two games, but the Orioles managed only two yesterday and didn't have a baserunner until the fifth inning. The pitching? The starters have a 4.82 ERA that's the fourth-highest in the majors. So what's a team to do? Well, the Orioles traded for...
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Steve Johnson joining Orioles in Seattle (Britton update)

Steve Johnson joining Orioles in Seattle (Britton update)
The Orioles are preparing to recall right-hander Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk and insert him into their bullpen during their West Coast trip that begins tomorrow night in Seattle. Johnson will replace left-hander Brian Matusz on the 25-man roster. Matusz was optioned after today's 6-2 loss to the Indians at Camden Yards. Johnson, 24, is 3-5 with a 2.73 ERA in 14 games, including nine starts. He's allowed 43 hits, walked 24 and struck out 63 in 62 2/3 innings, and opponents are...
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Showalter speaks after 6-2 loss

Showalter speaks after 6-2 loss
The Indians lost five straight games before arriving in Baltimore, but they took three of four in this series. Brian Matusz gave up five runs (four earned) and seven hits in four innings and was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. He hasn't been the same pitcher since holding the Rays to one run and two hits in 7 1/3 innings back on June 2. What happened? "The same thing that Miguel (Gonzalez) did really well, he hasn't been able to do, and that's command his fastball," said manager Buck...
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Matusz optioned to Triple-A Norfolk (with Duquette quotes)

Matusz optioned to Triple-A Norfolk (with Duquette quotes)
The changes keep coming to the Orioles' 25-man roster, and to their rotation. Less than 24 hours after Tommy Hunter was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles made the same move with left-hander Brian Matusz following today's 6-2 loss to the Indians at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed the move after meeting with reporters. He called Matusz into his office to break the news. Matusz is 0-5 with an 8.44 ERA (21 1/3 innings pitched, 20 earned runs) in his last five...
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Miguel Gonzalez pushing for rotation spot (updated)

Miguel Gonzalez pushing for rotation spot (updated)
The Orioles recalled Miguel Gonzalez from Triple-A Norfolk yesterday - he was scratched about an hour before his scheduled start for the Tides - because they needed a long reliever for today's game against the Indians. He might be needed in the rotation later this week. Gonzalez must stay with the Orioles, no matter his role. He's tossed four shutout innings in relief of left-hander Brian Matusz, allowing two hits, walking two and striking out five. He's thrown 66 pitches, 12 fewer than...
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And the Thome era officially begins (Matusz's day ends)

And the Thome era officially begins (Matusz's day ends)
Jim Thome received a nice ovation as he walked to the plate with one out in the bottom of the second inning. The cartoon bird looked a bit strange on his helmet, but we'll get used to it. He's worn many hats over the years. In his first at-bat with the Orioles, who completed a trade with the Phillies yesterday that included Single-A pitcher Kyle Simon and catcher Gabriel Lino, Thome fell behind 0-2 and sent a hard bouncer off Indians pitcher Justin Masterson's leg. Masterson covered the...
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Avery optioned to Triple-A Norfolk

Avery optioned to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles have made two changes to their 25-man roster. Jim Thome is serving as the designated hitter today after being acquired from the Phillies in yesterday's trade, and right-hander Miguel Gonzalez will work out of the bullpen as a long man. Tommy Hunter was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last night, and outfielder Xavier Avery was optioned this morning after being recalled for a second time on Thursday. Avery's batting .222 with five doubles, a triple, one home run, six RBIs and 10...
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Thome in lineup, batting fifth (updated with Avery move)

Thome in lineup, batting fifth (updated with Avery move)
Jim Thome will make his Orioles debut today in the finale of a four-game series against the Indians. He's in the lineup, hitting fifth as the designated hitter. Here's the Orioles lineup for Sunday: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Jim Thome DH Wilson Betemit 1B Ryan Flaherty LF Ronny Paulino C Robert Andino 3B Brian Matusz, P Pitcher Miguel Gonzalez is in the clubhouse, but no roster move has been announced to accommodate his placement on the 25-man roster....
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Jones, J. Johnson and Wieters chosen to All-Star team (Hammel in Final Vote)

Jones, J. Johnson and Wieters chosen to All-Star team (Hammel in Final Vote)
For the first time since 2005, the Orioles will have more than one representative at the All-Star Game. Their streak remains of not having a player voted in - seven years and counting - but center fielder Adam Jones, closer Jim Johnson and catcher Matt Wieters were selected and will represent the Orioles in Kansas City on July 10. A fourth Oriole could join his teammates as a Final Vote candidate, so it's possible that the Orioles will have another representative. UPDATE: Jason Hammel is...
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Orioles option Hunter

Orioles option Hunter
In a move that was anticipated after today's game, the Orioles have optioned right-hander Tommy Hunter to Triple-A Norfolk. No corresponding roster move was announced. Jim Thome will be added to the 25-man roster tomorrow, but the Orioles also are expected to add pitcher Miguel Gonzalez, who was scratched from tonight's start at Norfolk. Hunter is 3-4 with a 6.11 ERA in 15 games, including 13 starts. He relieved left-hander Dana Eveland today and allowed five runs and eight hits in 1 2/3...
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Postgame chatter and speculation following 11-5 loss

Postgame chatter and speculation following 11-5 loss
The Orioles are prepared to make two roster moves tomorrow after Dana Eveland threw 77 pitches in 3 2/3 innings and Tommy Hunter threw 51 in 1 2/3 relief innings in an 11-5 loss to the Indians before 35,335 at Camden Yards. Veteran designated hitter Jim Thome will arrive tomorrow, but the Orioles apparently aren't ready to go back to a four-man bench with left-hander Brian Matusz starting the series finale. Miguel Gonzalez was scratched from tonight's start at Triple-A Norfolk, with Oscar...
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Duquette discusses today's trade for Jim Thome (updated)

Duquette discusses today's trade for Jim Thome (updated)
The Orioles completed a trade today that brings veteran designated hitter Jim Thome to Baltimore for Single-A Frederick pitcher Kyle Simon and Single-A Delmarva catcher Gabriel Lino. Thome is expected to be in uniform for tomorrow's game against the Indians. Executive vice president Dan Duquette told reporters that the two sides were engaged in trade talks for about a week before completing it today. "Jim Thome's a real pro and he specializes in hitting home runs and getting on base....
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Orioles on verge of completing trade (Simon and Lino headed to Phils)

Orioles on verge of completing trade (Simon and Lino headed to Phils)
The Orioles are close to completing a trade for a hitter, according to a source outside the organization, and speculation centers on veteran Jim Thome, who isn't in the Phillies lineup today. No one with the Orioles will confirm that a deal is in place, but an announcement is expected following today's game against the Indians at Camden Yards. Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia is reporting that the Orioles and Phillies are engaged in serious talks involving Thome. It appears that an...
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Great start to day, rough beginning for Eveland (O's down 2-1)

Great start to day, rough beginning for Eveland (O's down 2-1)
It's only 91 degrees at first pitch. Anyone have a sweater I can borrow? I had to keep reminding myself that the Orioles were playing a game today. I've been a bit distracted by all the Hall of Famers roaming around Camden Yards. I braved the stifling heat to watch the unveiling of Earl Weaver's statue in the picnic area, and I wasn't alone. You may recognize a few of the names: Frank Robinson, Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Paul Blair, Al Bumbry, Don Buford, Scott McGregor, Rick...
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Orioles and Indians lineups

Orioles and Indians lineups
Now it's Ryan Flaherty's turn to start at third base. He's handling the hot corner for today's game against the Indians after starting in right field last night. Wilson Betemit stays at first base. Matt Wieters is batting seventh again after homering in that spot last night. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Wilson Betemit 1B Chris Davis RF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds DH Ryan Flaherty 3B Dana Eveland LHP For the Indians: Shin-Soo Choo...
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