Showalter speaks after 2-1 win

Showalter speaks after 2-1 win
Most of the postgame focus tonight shifted to Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, who has a damaged ligament in his elbow - it's fair to speculate that it's a tear - and could be facing surgery. We'll know more later. However, there were other topics for manager Buck Showalter to cover, including starter Tommy Hunter, who was a heck of a lot better tonight than he previous outing in Chicago. What was the difference? "Probably the curveball a little bit, somewhat. I little bit different...
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Wada has "problem" with elbow ligament (with quotes)

Wada has "problem" with elbow ligament (with quotes)
The MRA on Tsuyoshi Wada's left elbow today revealed "a problem" with the ligament, according to manager Buck Showalter. Showalter didn't offer a specific diagnosis, but he said the test revealed damage that didn't show up during Wada's physical before the Japanese left-hander signed a two-year, $8.14 million contract. "We were hoping for a little bit better news," Showalter said. Showalter said Wada and the Orioles are contemplating the next direction to take. Wada was held back in...
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So who's closing? (Strop gets save in 2-1 victory)

So who's closing? (Strop gets save in 2-1 victory)
We're in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Orioles are clinging to a 2-1 lead. Unless they break out here, we'll have a save situation. Jim Johnson probably isn't available because of flu-like symptoms that kept him in the hospital today. The Orioles keep passing the baton, going from starter Tommy Hunter to Troy Patton to Darren O'Day to Luis Ayala. O'Day needed four pitches to retire the only batter he faced, catcher Jeff Mathis, who struck out looking, but manager Buck...
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Homers continue to hurt Hunter, but O's lead 2-1 (updated)

Homers continue to hurt Hunter, but O's lead 2-1 (updated)
The Orioles gave Tommy Hunter a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning tonight after loading the bases with no outs. It should have been a much more productive frame, but Adam Jones grounded into a double play and Matt Wieters grounded to first. The Blue Jays tied the score in the top of the third on Eric Thames' first home run this season, the ball traveling an estimated 410 feet and hitting the warehouse on one bounce. However, Matt Wieters broke the tie in the fourth inning with his...
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A few words from Showalter

A few words from Showalter
Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that Nolan Reimold remains day-to-day with neck stiffness. "He was in yesterday for treatment," Showalter said. "It's getting better little by little. The problem is playing has set him back. He's OK for maybe half to three-fourths of the game, and then as the game goes on, it gets worse. When you have that type of spasm, you also have a strain, the way I understand it, so we're trying to resolve it completely so the game doesn't set him back to...
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Jim Johnson hospitalized, Andino leaving team

Jim Johnson hospitalized, Andino leaving team
Here are a few news nuggets to hold you until dinner: A virus has swept through the Orioles' clubhouse, and it's hit closer Jim Johnson the hardest. Johnson was hospitalized early this morning with flu-like symptoms. The Orioles are waiting for reports to determine whether it's a virus or food poisoning, but the suspicion is the former. Either way, he's probably not available for tonight's game. Second baseman Robert Andino will leave the club after tonight's game for the birth of his...
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Reimold out of lineup, Flaherty in it

Reimold out of lineup, Flaherty in it
Nolan Reimold is out of the lineup tonight, which probably means he's still dealing with a stiff neck. He didn't play in the last two games of the Angels series, and the Orioles were off yesterday. The rest apparently didn't help him. Also, Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty is starting at third base, with Wilson Betemit serving as the designated hitter and Mark Reynolds sitting on the bench. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis...
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Tommy Hunter and other random thoughts

Tommy Hunter and other random thoughts
What will tonight bring for Orioles starter Tommy Hunter? Hopefully, Hunter will bring his fastball. Just check his back pocket. You'll recall that Hunter didn't have his fastball in an 8-1 loss to the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, and it cost him eight runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings and inflated his ERA to 5.79. "I've got a couple bullpens coming up and the emphasis is going to be down in the zone," he said afterward. "I'll find my fastball, I will find it. It will come....
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Willis: "I don't have anything to lie about. I'm more embarrassed than anything"

Willis: "I don't have anything to lie about. I'm more embarrassed than anything"
It appears that we have a standoff between the Orioles and pitcher Dontrelle Willis. Executive vice president Dan Duquette has no plans to release Willis. Willis has no plans to report to Triple-A Norfolk, the team he left on Friday before learning that the Orioles placed him on the restricted list. The Orioles claim that Willis didn't have permission to leave. Willis and his agent, Matt Sosnick, say that's not the case, and that the left-hander believed he had been granted his release so...
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Orioles sign Bill Hall, Dontrelle Willis' agent speaks

Orioles sign Bill Hall, Dontrelle Willis' agent speaks
So much for a quiet day off. The Orioles didn't play a game today, but they've been in the news with the signing of infielder Bill Hall to a minor league deal and confirmation that pitcher Dontrelle Willis left Triple-A Norfolk and has been placed on the restricted list. Hall will replace Josh Bell at Norfolk. In a text message, executive vice president Dan Duquette said Hall's strengths are "his defense at third base and power hitting vs. left-handed pitching." Hall, 32, is a career...
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Britton threw off mound today (more on Welty and Willis)

Britton threw off mound today (more on Welty and Willis)
Here's a quick update on Orioles' left-hander Zach Britton, who's been rehabbing his left shoulder at the minor league complex in Sarasota. Britton has spent the last few days long-tossing from 120-plus feet. He threw a few pitches off a mound today with a catcher in front of home plate. "Just an exercise to get my arm used to that angle again," he said. "My arm feels strong and healthy." Britton doesn't know when he'll be ready to pitch in a game. "I'm sure Chris (Correnti) and...
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There's nothing wrong with 6-4 and 9-7

There's nothing wrong with 6-4 and 9-7
The just-concluded road trip had the potential to be something special after the Orioles took two of three games in Toronto and three of four in Chicago. They lost two of three in Anaheim, removing some of the luster, but they finished above .500 on a three-city jaunt that could have sent them tumbling down the American League East standings. I think we can all agree that going 6-4 on the trip was a nice achievement, especially after the Yankees swept the Orioles at Camden Yards. And being 9-7...
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Not the Endy of my Chavez props (O's win 3-2)

Not the Endy of my Chavez props (O's win 3-2)
Endy Chavez singled and scored the go-ahead run for the Orioles in the top of the eighth inning, using his speed to reward third base coach DeMarlo Hale for the aggressive send. With the score tied in the 10th, Robert Andino drew a leadoff walk against former Orioles reliever Latroy Hawkins and took second on Chavez's sacrifice bunt. Andino moved to third with two outs and scored on another Nick Markakis single. Orioles 3, Angels 2. To review: Chavez made a great running catch in left field...
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Showalter earns his 20th career ejection (Markakis gets his revenge)

Showalter earns his 20th career ejection (Markakis gets his revenge)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter came out of the dugout in the sixth inning to protect Nick Markakis, who argued a strike call, and ended up getting tossed for the first time this season and the 20th in his career. Bench coach John Russell has taken over the managerial duties. Showalter isn't far away. He's just not in disguise. Showalter needed to vent. He's been upset with the strike zone at various times during this entire road trip, and especially in this series. He mentioned last...
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The good part of Chavez's season

The good part of Chavez's season
Endy Chavez saved a run in the bottom of the first inning today, and for a team that's been so bad defensively, it's worth pointing out and embracing and asking for a second date. Chavez broke back for the fence and made a running, backhanded catch to rob Albert Pujols with one out and a runner on second base. This isn't an usual occurrence for Chavez. I've seen him race into the gap and to the line to make outstanding catches. He's a plus-defender, which makes him a solid fourth...
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Orioles lineup vs. Angels

Orioles lineup vs. Angels
Nolan Reimold remains out of the lineup today because of neck spasms. He'll get extra rest tomorrow because the Orioles don't have a game scheduled. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Mark Reynolds DH Wilson Betemit 3B Ronny Paulino C Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP
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A few pregame notes (and Angels lineup)

A few pregame notes (and Angels lineup)
Courtesy of the Orioles' PR staff: The last time the Orioles went on a 10-game road trip and finished with a record above .500 was Sept. 13-23, 2004, when they took two of three at Toronto and Minnesota and split four in Boston. The Orioles have not allowed a home run in their last 29 innings since Chicago's Alejandro De Aza went deep in the fourth inning Wednesday. It's the longest homerless stretch of the year by Orioles pitching. The Orioles have had consecutive three-error games for...
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Brooms and Bell

Brooms and Bell
A few days ago, I wrote that most fans would have been satisfied with a 5-5 record when this road trip began. The Orioles are one loss away from returning home with that record. Probably not as satisfying anymore. The Orioles have been swept once this season, by the Yankees at home. They'll try to avoid a repeat today in Anaheim. Fresh off his first major league win, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will try to salvage one game of this series against the Angels. It won't happen if the Orioles...
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Arrieta's meltdown inning

Arrieta's meltdown inning
Jake Arrieta took a one-hit shutout into the fifth inning tonight. Then he took a seat in the clubhouse, his night having unraveled like the baseball in "The Natural." Arrieta gave up five runs and five hits, walked three batters and threw a wild pitch, and his 2-0 lead disappeared into the Anaheim night. He also committed his second error. Why should everyone else have all the fun. Nine different Orioles have been charged with errors this season. The club has committed 18 of them. In...
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Reimold out of lineup, Johnson in it

Reimold out of lineup, Johnson in it
Nolan Reimold is being held out of tonight's lineup because of neck spasms. Endy Chavez is starting in left field. Nick Johnson will serve as the designated hitter in search of his first hit. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Johnson DH Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP
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