Ripken's opinion on the 2012 Orioles

Ripken's opinion on the 2012 Orioles
The Orioles are off today, so don't waste your afternoon waiting for me to post a lineup. It's not coming until tomorrow, when the Orioles begin a three-game series against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Warning to all Orioles pitchers: Davey Johnson will be checking your gloves. He'll probably ask why Brian Matusz's glove has Brady Anderson's name on it. And no, I'm not answering that one again. I'm just worried that the Orioles' bats will cool off before tomorrow. #sarcasm. Wilson...
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Still looking for a run (O's lose 4-3)

Still looking for a run (O's lose 4-3)
The Orioles' scoreless-innings streak has reached 25, which isn't good when the offense is responsible for it. They have one hit in four innings against Mets starter Dillon Gee, the first for left-hander Brian Matusz in his major league career. Matusz lined a single into center field. He may serve as the DH this weekend. Matusz has held the Mets to two hits in three scoreless innings, but he's thrown 50 pitches because of the two errors behind him. Adam Jones nearly collided with Ryan...
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Taking a closer look at the Orioles' shutout streak (and more)

Taking a closer look at the Orioles' shutout streak (and more)
The Orioles have been involved in four consecutive shutouts, winning the first two in Atlanta behind Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen, and losing the next two in New York. So when's the last time the Orioles were involved in a streak of four or more consecutive shutouts? Elias has the answer, which the Orioles' PR department obtained earlier today. The Orioles were involved in five straight shutouts to end the 1995 season, and they won all five games by scores of 5-0 on Sept. 26 at Toronto,...
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Orioles and Mets lineups

Orioles and Mets lineups
The Orioles have been shut out in two straight games and they haven't homered in their last five, so manager Buck Showalter is making a few changes tonight. Nick Johnson is starting at first base and Ryan Flaherty is starting in left field, as Showalter goes heavy with left-handed hitters against Mets right-hander Dillon Gee. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Johnson 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Ryan Flaherty LF Brian Matusz...
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Lindstrom's rehab continues with GCL team

Lindstrom's rehab continues with GCL team
Orioles reliever Matt Lindstrom pitched another inning today with the Gulf Coast League team in Sarasota. Used again as the starter, he allowed one run and two hits, walked none and struck out one. Lindstrom tossed a scoreless first inning on Monday. Lindstrom, on the disabled list with a slightly torn ligament in his right middle finger, is expected to continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie. The Orioles are hopeful that he'll be activated before the All-Star break, which would...
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Shouldn't be much longer before Moyer

Shouldn't be much longer before Moyer
I'm detecting a pattern with the Orioles. They're going to shut out their opponent or be shut out. Those are the two choices. Can they extend their streak to five straight games tonight? And which side will they occupy? One of my Twitter followers asked me last night whether the rotation will undergo any changes after the All-Star break. I replied that it might not take that long. Jamie Moyer is scheduled to make his third start tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, and executive vice president...
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Hunter hanging tough, but where's the offense? (O's lose 5-0)

Hunter hanging tough, but where's the offense? (O's lose 5-0)
The Orioles might want to mix in a run once in a while. Not trying to be a know-it-all here, but I think it's pretty solid advice and I'm offering it up for free. It's almost like they're being punished since Jason Hammel tossed a one-hit shutout Saturday night in Atlanta. They needed another shutout to win the following day while being limited to two runs, and they managed only one hit last night while being shut out by Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Tonight, left-hander Johan Santana...
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Reimold decision on hold

Reimold decision on hold
The Orioles still don't know whether outfielder Nolan Reimold will undergo surgery. They continue to wait and hold onto whatever bit of optimism remains. I wrote earlier today that Reimold was undergoing another examination - special assistant Brady Anderson accompanied him - after he already visited two cervical specialists. If you missed "O's Xtra" on MASN HD, here's what manager Buck Showalter told reporters at Citi Field regarding Reimold's status and what lies ahead: Buck Showalter...
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Pearce in right field, Andino at third base (and more notes)

Pearce in right field, Andino at third base (and more notes)
Manager Buck Showalter is changing his lineup today against Mets left-hander Johan Santana. He's got Steve Pearce in right field, Steve Tolleson in left and Robert Andino at third base. Chris Davis, who has been starting in right field, is 0-for-14 on the road trip. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Steve Pearce RF Steve Tolleson LF Robert Andino 3B Tommy Hunter RHP The Orioles have been involved in three consecutive...
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Pineiro throws five innings in GCL

Pineiro throws five innings in GCL
Pitcher Joel Pineiro, on the minor league disabled list with a sore right shoulder, is nearing a return to Triple-A Norfolk's rotation Pineiro followed a start in a simulated game on Thursday by going five innings today with the Gulf Coast League Orioles. Pineiro allowed one run and four hits against the GCL Twins, with one walk and three strikeouts. Pineiro tossed four innings Thursday in the simulated game in Sarasota. The Orioles signed Pineiro as a minor league free agent after the...
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This, that and the other

This, that and the other
You've heard manager Buck Showalter rave about shortstop J.J. Hardy's defense. What does Hall of Famer Cal Ripken think about it? Funny I asked. "He doesn't do it flashy," Ripken said yesterday as we kicked back in the seats at the Aberdeen stadium that bears his last name. "He knows himself, he gets good jumps on the ball, he gets good reads, he positions himself well. I like all the little fundamental things he does. He gets there early on steal coverages, he makes tags the right way,...
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Arrieta was grand until grand slam (deficit grows)

Arrieta was grand until grand slam (deficit grows)
Jake Arrieta had allowed one run in his last 12 2/3 innings when the Mets' Ike Davis stepped to the plate tonight with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the sixth. With one swing, a scoreless tie was shattered and Arrieta's run of success had been destroyed. Davis' first career grand slam gave New York a 4-0 lead against the Orioles, who have managed only one hit off knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. The Orioles hadn't allowed a run in 25 consecutive innings before the Mets batted...
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Davis stays in right field (and Mets lineup)

Davis stays in right field (and Mets lineup)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is giving Chris Davis another start in right field tonight as the Orioles make their first trip to Citi Field to play the Mets. The Orioles last played the Mets in New York in 2006, winning two of three games. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Steve Pearce LF Jake Arrieta RHP The Orioles haven't allowed a run in the last 20 innings and haven't surrendered an...
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Jones moves up to fourth in All-Star voting (and notes)

Jones moves up to fourth in All-Star voting (and notes)
Adam Jones is pushing to become the first Oriole elected to the All-Star Game in seven years. Jones has moved up to fourth among American League outfielders in the latest balloting figures. Jones has received 1,959,207 votes, leaving him behind the Blue Jays' Jose Bautista (1,996,940) for the third spot. Jones was fifth last week, a spot now occupied by the Rangers' Nelson Cruz. Nick Markakis actually moved up from 15th to 13th despite being sidelined with a broken hamate bone. J.J....
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Which Orioles will be seeing (all) stars?

Which Orioles will be seeing (all) stars?
With only a few exceptions in recent years, the Orioles' involvement in the All-Star Game has pretty much been reduced to the obligatory one representative. Someone has to be chosen, no matter how poorly the team is performing. It's baseball law. Matt Wieters last summer. Ty Wigginton in 2010. Adam Jones in 2009. George Sherrill in 2008. Brian Roberts in 2007. Miguel Tejada in 2006. Yes, I'm referring back to 2005 again while noting that Roberts, Tejada, Melvin Mora and B.J. Ryan...
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Back-to-back blankings of the Braves

Back-to-back blankings of the Braves
I left Ocean Pines at 1:30 p.m. with the idea of catching the end of today's game on MASN2 after I arrived home. I barely made it across the Bay Bridge when Jim Johnson recorded his 20th save to preserve the Orioles' 2-0 victory over the Braves. The starting pitchers were getting quick outs and the traffic was moving at a snail's pace. Did anyone guess back in March that Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen would each win seven of their first nine decisions? What about the back-to-back shutouts,...
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Roberts gets day off

Roberts gets day off
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is giving Brian Roberts the day off today unless the second baseman is needed later in the game. Nothing to worry about. Roberts is fine. It's just a scheduled rest. Matt Wieters also is on the bench today. Robert Andino returns to second base. Chris Davis remains in right field. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Ronny Paulino C Steve Pearce LF Wei-Yin Chen LHP
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Showalter excelled at rotating his starters (and notes)

Showalter excelled at rotating his starters (and notes)
Yesterday, I praised manager Buck Showalter's handling of the bullpen, which continues to own the lowest ERA in the majors. Today, I'm offering the blog equivalent of a fist-bump for the adjustments he made to the rotation. Showalter pushed back Brian Matusz's start from Wednesday to Friday, giving the left-hander a few more days to recover after a bunted ball smacked him in the nose. Matusz felt good enough to take his scheduled turn, but Showalter had a plan. Besides making sure that...
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Hammel time (Hammel finishes with one-hit shutout)

Hammel time (Hammel finishes with one-hit shutout)
Jason Hammel allowed four earned runs in four of his last six starts before tonight. He also won four of his last six starts, though not each time he permitted four runs. It just worked out that way. Hammel is on top of his game tonight, permitting one baserunner in his first five innings - on a walk to Dan Uggla. He's retired 12 in a row heading into the sixth. Hammel has thrown 57 pitches, 33 for strikes, and fanned four Braves. His right knee isn't keeping him out of the rotation or...
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Britton scuffling again tonight (O's take the lead)

Britton scuffling again tonight (O's take the lead)
Left-hander Zach Britton has allowed three runs and five hits in two innings against Triple-A Toledo. Britton posted a 0.75 ERA in two rehab starts at Double-A Bowie, but he's gone 1-1 with a 5.91 ERA in his first two starts at Norfolk covering 10 2/3 innings. He's allowed seven runs and 14 hits, walked four and struck out four. In his most recent outing, he gave up three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings in Buffalo after the Orioles removed him from the 60-day disabled list and...
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