Power outage

Power outage
The Orioles have collected just three extra-base hits - two doubles and a home run - over 36 innings in the four games of this current road trip. In those four games, the Orioles have drawn 16 walks, but only two of those runners have scored. Mark Reynolds' home run yesterday was the first for the Orioles in 38 2/3 innings since the second inning of a May 26 game. Four of the Orioles' regulars have combined for nine doubles and no homers in their last 245 at-bats. Matt Wieters has three...
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Talking about Fox, Jones and Markakis

Talking about Fox, Jones and Markakis
While wondering if former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel's next contract will include a vesting option ... And while wondering if anyone got that joke ... If I'm Jake Fox, I'm wondering where I fit on this team. Fox didn't pinch-hit yesterday despite having a few opportunities. I explained in one entry why he isn't an automatic choice with a left-hander on the mound, considering that he's 3-for-28 against them this season and is a career .206 hitter against them. But playing...
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Simon keeps it simple (Orioles lose 4-3)

Simon keeps it simple (Orioles lose 4-3)
Alfredo Simon kept today's game at Safeco Field from spinning out of control. If the Orioles brought their bats, he might be in line to get the win. Simon struck out the first two batters he faced to leave the bases loaded in the third inning and keep Jake Arrieta's line from growing uglier. He gave manager Buck Showalter 3 1/2 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits, walking one and striking out four. Just what the doctor ordered. And the manager. Simon threw 55 pitches over two...
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Another bullpen day? (updated twice)

Another bullpen day? (updated twice)
While wondering why Major League Baseball insists that teams celebrate Memorial Day by wearing ugly caps... Matt Wieters commits his first error and Jack Cust triples. So it's going to be that kind of a day? Jake Arrieta threw 24 pitches in the first inning while surrendering two runs to the Mariners and putting the Orioles in an early hole. Arrieta receives a lot of run support. He'll need at least three today. Arrieta gave up two hits, including Cust's first three-bagger, and...
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Orioles lineup doesn't include Jones

Orioles lineup doesn't include Jones
Manager Buck Showalter waited longer than usual to post his lineup today. He had to check on Adam Jones, who apparently needed one more day to lessen the discomfort in his right shoulder. For the Orioles: Felix Pie CF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Luke Scott 1B Nolan Reimold LF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP Also, the Orioles made their roster move official earlier today by announcing that they recalled pitcher Chris...
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Worth noting (updated)

Worth noting (updated)
Center fielder Adam Jones told reporters yesterday that his sore shoulder wasn't going to force him onto the disabled list and he expected to play today against the Mariners at Safeco Field. If he needs added incentive, Jones went 8-for-14 (.571) with two doubles, a triple, five RBIs, and a walk against his former team during a May 10-12 series at Camden Yards. Update: The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec tweeted that Jones isn't in today's lineup, but the center fielder says his shoulder feels better...
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This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The five open dates in June provide more than just rest for the Orioles. They allow manager Buck Showalter and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail to more easily practice what they preach. If you're not doing the job, we'll find someone else who will. Brad Bergesen and Chris Tillman weren't getting through the middle innings consistently. They weren't making the kind of progress expected and needed of them. It figured to be one or the other when the Orioles had to create room...
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Tillman also optioned, Jones update

Tillman also optioned, Jones update
Chris Tillman beat out Brad Bergesen for a spot in the Orioles' rotation. That victory lasted one day. Manager Buck Showalter hinted earlier today that another roster move could be coming, and it happened after the game with Tillman being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec and MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli tweeted that Chris Jakubauskas is expected to join the team in Seattle, giving Showalter another long reliever. The Orioles have five open dates on their June schedule...
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A career day for Zach Britton

A career day for Zach Britton
I don't mean it in a good way. Zach Britton allowed a career-high six runs and 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings today before Jeremy Accardo replaced him. Britton gave up five runs on April 15 in Cleveland. He surrendered nine hits in his last start against the Royals at Camden Yards. Britton threw 97 pitches today, 57 for strikes. And once again, manager Buck Showalter is forced to go to his bullpen earlier than desired. In this series, Orioles' starters have logged 4 1/3, 5 2/3 and 5 2/3...
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Orioles take lead, lose Jones (and lose lead)

Orioles take lead, lose Jones (and lose lead)
The Orioles have gotten pretty good at loading the bases with no outs. This time, they did more than come away frustrated. They're taking a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth. J.J. Hardy reached on an infield hit to open the fifth. Mark Reynolds grounded a single into left field and Robert Andino reached on a fielder's choice after laying down a bunt that was meant to advance two runners. Oakland starter Guillermo Moscoso tried unsuccessfully for the out at third. Felix Pie followed...
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The Matusz-Britton connection (updated)

The Matusz-Britton connection (updated)
They're left-handed and their paychecks are distributed by the Orioles, but there's more to the connection between Brian Matusz and Zach Britton. Britton wouldn't have made his major league debut April 3 without Matusz going on the disabled list. The Orioles are 1-11 in Oakland since 2008. The one victory was provided by Matusz. And I seem to recall guaranteeing it. Matusz threw a bullpen session today in Oakland, the last step before making his 2011 debut Wednesday in Seattle. It...
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Orioles and Athletics lineups

Orioles and Athletics lineups
For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Luke Scott 1B J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Zach Britton LHP For the Athletics: Crisp CF Barton 1B Jackson LF Willingham DH Suzuki C DeJesus RF Ellis 2B Kouzmanoff 3B Pennington SS Moscoso RHP The Orioles are 1-11 in Oakland since 2008 and have been outscored, 60-32. They've scored two runs or fewer in eight of those games. This doesn't bode well for...
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Viola will replace Bergesen (officially)

Viola will replace Bergesen (officially)
I wrote in my last entry that Brad Bergesen didn't look like a pitcher who had saved his spot in the rotation. The frustration was written all over his face as he stood on the mound, waiting for manager Buck Showalter to take the ball. Bergesen obviously knew what was coming, and it wasn't just his manager. The Orioles sent out a press release at 3:15 a.m. announcing that Bergesen was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Left-hander Pedro Viola is in Oakland and will be officially recalled before...
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Not putting "fun" in fundamentals (updated)

Not putting "fun" in fundamentals (updated)
The Orioles haven't been particularly sharp in the early innings tonight. They put runners on first and second with no outs in the first inning on Robert Andino's bunt single and an error. Andino popped up another bunt, but this one cleared the mound. Nick Markakis failed to advance the runners, flying to left field. With Vladimir Guerrero at the plate, Andino broke too soon for third base and got caught in a rundown. So much for that rally. Second baseman Ryan Adams made a diving stop of...
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Matusz ready to debut

Matusz ready to debut
Brian Matusz played catch today with Jeremy Guthrie, and he'll throw a bullpen session tomorrow for pitching coach Mark Connor. Unless his left arm falls off, Matusz will start Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners. Notice that I say "left arm." I think he'll still take the ball if his right arm becomes detached. Jim and Rick interview Brian Matusz about his health and his pending return Seriously though, Matusz is ready after making his third injury rehab start last night at Triple-A...
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Reynolds starting at 1B tonight; rain, field prep delay start until 10:15 p.m. on MASN HD

Reynolds starting at 1B tonight; rain, field prep delay start until 10:15 p.m. on MASN HD
The Orioles are breaking out an interesting lineup tonight. Mark Reynolds is starting at first base and Robert Andino is starting at third. Matt Wieters is on the bench so he can start tomorrow's day game. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 3B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Adams 2B Craig Tatum C Brad Bergesen RHP This is Reynolds' 25th career start at first base, the first 24 coming in 2009 with Arizona. Jones (ninth,...
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On this date

On this date
On May 28, 1998, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Buck Showalter ordered an intentional walk to San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds. Bonds walked a record 2,558 times in his career, and that doesn't count the courtroom. So why is this noteworthy? Showalter instructed his reliever to walk Bonds with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the bases loaded. Arizona led by two runs and Showalter wanted no part of Bonds. It was a tremendous gamble, and it paid off. The next batter,...
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Talking about Gonzalez and Bergesen (updated)

Talking about Gonzalez and Bergesen (updated)
I had to "sleep fast," as manager Buck Showalter always says. These West Coast games are exhausting, even when you're not on the trip. The Orioles have another 10:07 p.m. start tonight in Oakland - no one rounds off these times anymore - and we'll find out later today whether a roster move is made. Double-A Bowie left-hander Pedro Viola was rushed to Oakland, and that decision was made before Alfredo Simon threw 55 pitches and took the loss last night and Michael Gonzalez followed with...
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Tillman doesn't take the fifth (updated)

Tillman doesn't take the fifth (updated)
On the same night that left-hander Brian Matusz was apparently making his last injury rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk, his good friend Chris Tillman couldn't get out of the fifth inning in Oakland. Tillman has allowed one earned run or fewer in four consecutive starts and five of six. However, his rising pitch counts continue to force him out of games in the middle innings and lead to a parade of relievers. He threw 102 tonight before heading to the bench for good. This is the third-shortest...
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Viola headed to Oakland

Viola headed to Oakland
The Orioles are prepared to make another roster move, with Double-A Bowie left-hander
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