I always point out how I strongly dislike incremental updates that don't advance a story, but here I go again.
The Orioles haven't made an announcement today regarding president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, and we probably won't hear anything until Monday at the earliest. Nothing has changed at this point.
MacPhail will no longer serve as president of baseball operations unless there's a dramatic turn in events that nobody is anticipating. The question is whether he stays in the...
A source confirmed tonight that Andy MacPhail no longer will serve as president of baseball operations and is leaving the organization
This isn't a resignation or a firing, despite the wording in some national reports. MacPhail's contract ends on Oct. 31.
MacPhail flew to Florida earlier this week to attend to a family matter. He couldn't be reached tonight for comment.
Family obligations are a primary reason why MacPhail won't return, according to a source.
It was known for much of the...
One of the lasting images from the 2011 season was provided last night by second baseman Robert Andino.
Not just his game-winning hit, but the way he bounded around the bases, took a flying chest-bump from Adam Jones and landed on his back. And the way he disappeared under a pile of jubilant teammates. And the way he strutted back to the dugout on his way to the clubhouse, waving that right arm in the air.
OK, that's four lasting images.
I warned you about my math.
Andino almost didn't...
Manager Buck Showalter couldn't return to his office after meeting with reporters until he returned to the field through the home plate entrance and waved to fans who refused to go home.
Pitcher Tommy Hunter tossed baseballs into the stands.
It felt like the final regular-season game in 1979, except this wasn't Memorial Staidum and the Orioles weren't heading to the playoffs.
The Orioles rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Red Sox, 4-3. A few...
I might be confused, but I'm pretty sure what I eat this morning determines whether a Boston sportswriter has to skip breakfast.
All of us in the press box who cover the Orioles were in agreement that last night's ending made up for a lot of the aggravation, frustration and heartache of a 14th consecutive losing season. The three straight two-out hits off Boston closer and face contortionist Jonathan Papelbon. The wild celebration between second and third, with Robert Andino leaping in the...
Play resumed at 10:58 p.m. after a 1 hour, 26 minute rain delay.
Boston reliever Alfredo Aceves might need a few more warmup tosses.
Aceves hit Mark Reynolds in the left ribcage with his first pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning. Chris Davis flied out, and Aceves drilled Nolan Reimold in the left shoulder.
Reimold flipped his bat, walked toward first base and glared at Aceves. He wore an expression that said, "Are you kidding me?"
Aceves isn't throwing at the Orioles with his team...
Alfredo Simon lasted only 4 1/3 innings tonight. Dustin Pedroia hit a tie-breaking home run in the top of the fifth, and Simon exited after David Ortiz singled off the out-of-town scoreboard in right field.
Simon was charged with three runs and six hits, with three walks, two strikeouts and a balk. He threw 87 pitches, 53 for strikes.
Simon also gave up three runs in his last start, but they were spread out over eight innings against the Tigers. In the start before that one, he allowed six...
Alfredo Simon stranded a runner in the first inning and another one in the second, but the Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the third.
No. 9 hitter Mike Aviles drew a leadoff walk, moved up on Jacoby Ellsbury's single and scored on Dustin Pedroia's single.
Ellsbury extended his hitting streak against the Orioles to 36 games.
Simon got a double play, issued an intentional walk and struck out Ryan Lavarnway, who homered twice last night. His pitch count is up to 52 through three innings.
The...
I'm hearing now that it's highly unlikely that the Orioles make an announcement tomorrow regarding president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Something would have to change during the afternoon. Maybe on Friday.
Center fielder Adam Jones beat out shortstop J.J. Hardy by one vote for Most Valuable Oriole. I expected a close count, but that's taking it to the extreme.
"It's a tremendous honor," Jones said. "Played a hard season, a long season. There's a lot of deserving guys...
You can add corner infielder Chris Davis to the list of Orioles who will undergo sports hernia surgery after the season.
Davis is in tonight's lineup at third base. He's batting .265 with five homers and 19 RBIs.
"It's something he's had for a while," Showalter said.
Second baseman Ryan Adams is scheduled to undergo a similar procedure on Oct. 4 in Philadelphia.
Also, outfielder Matt Angle will work out at second base in the fall instructional league in Sarasota.
"You've got Bordy...
Adam Jones has been named Most Valuable Oriole for the 2011 season.
J.J. Hardy placed second and Matt Wieters was third. Both players received first-place votes.
Mark Reynolds, Jim Johnson, Robert Andino and Nick Markakis also received votes from members of the media who cover the team.
Jones has set career highs with 26 doubles, 25 home runs, 83 RBIs and 150 games played. He's tied for the team lead with 14 outfield assists, and leads all American League center fielders in...
Nick Markakis milked Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon for 11 pitches in the bottom of the ninth inning. Adam Jones worked him for 10 before bouncing out to end the game. Papelbon needed 28 pitches to record the save in the Red Sox's 8-7 win.
The Orioles didn't go quietly. Not after falling behind 8-4 in the eighth inning, and not after trailing 8-6 in the ninth.
"I don't think it surprises anybody who knows those two guys," manager Buck Showalter said. "I know you all get tired of...
The Orioles scored once against Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Adam Jones bounced to third base with the count full to strand the potential tying run at second in an 8-7 loss before an announced 22,123 at Camden Yards.
Jones saw 10 pitches in the at-bat.
J.J. Hardy led off with a single and took second on a bouncer to first base by Nick Markakis that concluded an 11-pitch at-bat. Markakis was swinging at everything because he didn't trust umpire Wally...
Former Oriole Erik Bedard didn't make it out of the fourth inning tonight. Rookie Zach Britton didn't make it out of the fifth.
Nothing here that screams "quality," but they do classify as starts.
Bedard allowed three runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings, with three walks and six strikeouts. He threw 84 pitches, 48 for strikes.
Britton was charged with five runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings, with two walks, two strikeouts, one wild pitch and two home runs. He threw 84 pitches, 45 for...
It seems like only yesterday that I was standing in the home clubhouse at Ed Smith Stadium, scribbling down every move made by future Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero on his first day in camp. What he wore, where he sat, what he ate, how many words of English he spoke, how many teammates stared in awe.
I was touring the refurbished Sarasota facility, staking out Justin Duchscherer's locker for updates on his hip, misspelling "wart" on Twitter - I blame Brian Matusz - counting pitches in...
It seems like only yesterday that I was standing in the home clubhouse at Ed Smith Stadium, scribbling down every move made by future Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero on his first day in camp.
I was touring the refurbished facility, staking out Justin Duchscherer's locker for another update on his hip, misspelling "wart" on Twitter, glazing over as the pitchers performed fielding drills, counting how many diet Dr. Peppers that The Sun's Peter Schmuck consumed for breakfast.
I firmly...
Both pitchers tonight have given up runs after recording the first two outs in an inning.
Nick Markakis drew a two-out walk off former Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard in the bottom of the first and scored on Vladimir Guerrero's double into left-center field.
Boston's No. 9 hitter, Marco Scutaro, doubled to left field against Orioles rookie Zach Britton with two outs in the top of the third and came home on Jacoby Ellsbury's 32nd home run of the season.
Red Sox 2, Orioles 1.
Ellsbury...
If Zach Britton records a win or a no-decision tonight, he'll become the first Orioles pitcher with 20 or more decisions to post a record above .500 since Erik Bedard went 15-11 in 2006. Coincidentally, Bedard is starting tonight for the Red Sox.
I determined that it qualifies as a coincidence, not an irony. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
A 12th victory tonight would tie Britton with Daniel Cabrera (2004) for the eighth-most wins by an Orioles rookie in franchise history.
Pedro Strop...
For the Orioles:
Robert Andino 2B
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Matt Wieters C
Adam Jones CF
Mark Reynolds 1B
Chris Davis 3B
Nolan Reimold LF
Zach Britton LHP
For the Red Sox:
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Lowrie 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Lavarnway C
McDonald RF
Crawford LF
Scutaro SS
Bedard LHP
This is the first time that Lowrie has began a game as Boston's cleanup hitter.
Jones is 5-for-9 lifetime against Bedard. Guerrero is 6-for-18 with a double and home run.
I want to start out by saying that I went 12-4 picking against the spread in NFL games, which means I'll probably go 2-14 this weekend.
Dallas rallied last night for my 12th win. I was hesitant to take a team whose quarterback was playing with cracked ribs and a punctured lung, but then I thought, "What the heck?"
I mentioned last night that Adam Jones had the last Orioles inside-the-park home run until Robert Andino circled the bases against Josh Beckett. Jones' unique four-bagger...
