Game 2 drama and trauma (and attendance)

Game 2 drama and trauma (and attendance)
Jake Arrieta is charged with eight runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings, with two walks and five strikeouts. He threw 77 pitches, 50 for strikes. Arrieta's ERA jumps to 8.68. J.J. Hardy left the game after two innings with a strained left oblique muscle, an injury that usually leads to a stay on the disabled list. So much for that feel-good vibe from Game 1. Brian Roberts needed some assistance from assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel after apparently getting some dirt in his eye, but he...
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Hardy leaves game (with 2 updates)

Hardy leaves game (with 2 updates)
J.J. Hardy lasted one at-bat before coming out of Game 2. Hardy has been bothered by tightness in his lower left ribcage area. He appeared to be in pain after swinging at a pitch, and struck out looking to end the second inning. Robert Andino moved from left field to shortstop. Felix Pie took over in left. Hardy could be a candidate for the disabled list, though we might hear "day-to-day" after the game. Perhaps he'll sit out tomorrow's series finale and gain another day of rest on...
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Britton talks about outing

Britton talks about outing
Zach Britton didn't get rattled on the mound today, and he kept the same composure in the interview room. Maybe he'll crack a smile later tonight. Britton was all business today, shutting out the Rangers on four hits over 7 2/3 innings. He must have left his nerves back in Clearwater. "I felt pretty good," he said. Is it getting easier? Zach Britton comments on his shutout performance as the Orioles defeat the Rangers, 5-0 "Yeah, definitely," he said. "Getting that first one out...
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Orioles Game 2 lineup

Orioles Game 2 lineup
Brian Roberts is staying in the lineup for Game 2. Robert Andino is starting in left field and Jake Fox is behind the plate. And J.J. Hardy is back at shortstop after being scratched Thursday night. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Jake Fox C Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino LF J.J. Hardy SS Jake Arrieta RHP
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Bullish on Britton (updated)

Bullish on Britton (updated)
It's hard to believe that 84 players were drafted ahead of Zach Britton in 2006. The Orioles took Billy Rowell in the first round, Pedro Beato in the supplemental round and Ryan Adams in the second round. They grabbed Britton in the third. The Rangers have barely touched him tonight through the fifth. Their only baserunners have come on walks to Mike Napoli and Elvis Andrus, and Nelson Cruz's one-out single in the fifth that broke up the rookie's no-hit bid. Britton has faced only one...
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Just what the manager ordered (updated)

Just what the manager ordered (updated)
Buck Showalter needs his starters to work deep into both ends of this doubleheader. Zach Britton is off to a good start. Britton needed only six pitches to complete the top of the first inning. Ian Kinsler flied to center, and Elvis Andrus and Josh Hamilton bounced to first. Britton covered the bag for the final out. Six pitches, four strikes. And a fastball that reached 94 mph. Good to see. Nick Markakis gave Britton a 1-0 lead with his first home run. The ball landed on the flag court in...
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Roberts and Showalter speak

Roberts and Showalter speak
Just not at the same time. Brian Roberts didn't really elaborate on the stomach pains that caused him to be scratched from last night's lineup and undergo tests at a local hospital. He's just glad to be in the lineup for Game 1. "Everything's fine," he said. "I haven't been feeling great for a couple days and the doctor just a little while before the game wanted me to go get checked out." Asked if he was given a diagnosis, Roberts replied, "Nothing really. I was just having some...
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Jakubauskas here, Bergesen headed to minors (updated)

Jakubauskas here, Bergesen headed to minors (updated)
The Orioles didn't wait until the conclusion of Game 1 to make a roster move. Brad Bergesen has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, and Chris Jakubauskas takes his place on the 25-man roster after having his contract purchased this morning. The Orioles didn't need a corresponding move involving the disabled list because Jakubauskas wasn't on the 40-man roster. Jakubauskas most likely will start tomorrow against the Rangers, with Jeremy Guthrie pushed back to Tuesday in New York. However,...
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Roberts in lineup

Roberts in lineup
Brian Roberts is back in today's lineup for Game One after being sent to the hospital last night with stomach pains. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Zach Britton LHP
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Roberts update

Roberts update
The tests on Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts came back negative. No appendicitis, nothing serious. A team official confirmed that Roberts has been cleared to play. Roberts won't need to go on the disabled list and could return to the lineup for today's doubleheader against the Rangers at Camden Yards. It depends how he's feeling when he arrives at the ballpark. I'll obviously have more information when I get to Camden Yards around 1 p.m. Roberts was scratched from last night's...
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Ripken having '89 flashbacks

Ripken having '89 flashbacks
I'm rushing around this morning, which seems to be my usual routine, but I wanted to post some comments from Cal Ripken before getting ready for the Wall to Wall Baseball show on MASN - I'm on the air from 11 a.m. to noon - and the doubleheader at Camden Yards. Who needs sleep? We'll find out later today if Brian Roberts' stomach pains were a virus or something more serious that could put him on the disabled list and free up a spot for a reliever if the bullpen is stretched too thin. A...
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Sorting through the pitching mess

Sorting through the pitching mess
Zach Britton will oppose the Rangers' Colby Lewis in Game 1 of tomorrow's doubleheader. Jake Arrieta will oppose Matt Harrison in Game 2. That's about all we know. The Orioles would like to add a reliever, but the process is complicated by a rule that prohibits teams from calling up players on the 40-man roster until 10 days have passed in the season, unless another player goes on the disabled list. Jeremy Guthrie and J.J. Hardy don't appear to be DL candidates at the moment. Manager...
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Roberts taken to local hospital with stomach pain

Roberts taken to local hospital with stomach pain
Second baseman Brian Roberts was scratched from the lineup about 20 minutes before the scheduled first pitch because of stomach pains that wouldn't subside. Roberts was taken to a local hospital for tests. The Orioles are hoping it's just a virus that's going around. We'll obviously know more tomorrow.
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Tonight's game postponed (updated)

Tonight's game postponed (updated)
The rain is coming down harder, and tonight's game has been postponed. So much for that window. Better close it so you don't get wet. The Orioles and Rangers will play a straight doubleheader tomorrow, with the first game starting at 4:30 p.m. Zach Britton will pitch in one of the games. I'm heading to manager Buck Showalter's office for more details. It seems almost certain that the Orioles will make a roster move to add a reliever. Update: Britton and Jake Arrieta will pitch...
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Hardy and Guthrie speak (with game update)

Hardy and Guthrie speak (with game update)
J.J. Hardy says he probably could have played tonight if the weather conditions weren't so bad. Hardy is day-to-day with tightness in his left ribcage area that surfaced during yesterday's batting practice session. "We'll give it another day and kind of reevaluate tomorrow," Hardy said. "I've never had anything like it, but being able to throw, being able to run around and not feel pain, I feel like it can't be that big a deal, so I'm hoping - I don't know what their time schedule...
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Showalter talks about Guthrie, Hardy and pitching

Showalter talks about Guthrie, Hardy and pitching
Let me begin by saying I don't have any inside weather information. The Orioles like their chances of playing tonight, but that's all I know. They're not making any guarantees, and they haven't set an exact time when they'd announce a postponement if the rain doesn't cease. The pitching picture is a bit fuzzy. OK, it's really, really fuzzy. Jeremy Guthrie did some long-tossing and threw off an indoor mound. He could make Sunday's start, but it's also possible that he could wait until...
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Izturis starting again at shortstop, Rangers lineup

Izturis starting again at shortstop, Rangers lineup
Cesar Izturis will make his second consecutive start at shortstop tonight in place of J.J. Hardy, who's considered day-to-day with tightness below his left ribcage area. Izturis batted .105 in spring training, but he went 1-for-3 last night with an RBI and a walk. Here's the Rangers lineup: Kinsler 2B Andrus SS Hamilton LF Beltre 3B Young DH Cruz RF Napoli 1B Torrealba C Borbon CF Lewis RHP
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Waiting on Hardy (updated)

Waiting on Hardy (updated)
The Orioles' lineup is posted, but the shortstop position is blank. It's still being determined whether J.J. Hardy is available. Update: Hardy is considered day-to-day. He's not starting tonight, but he's available if needed. It looks like he could avoid the disabled list. Here's the lineup so far: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Zach Britton LHP Also, Manny Ramirez has...
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Patton coming here, no move made so far (updated)

Patton coming here, no move made so far (updated)
An Orioles official confirmed that left-hander Troy Patton will be added to the 25-man roster if the Orioles use the disabled list today. However, we might not have a game tonight because of the rain, which could keep Patton from being officially recalled from Triple-A Norfok. The Orioles would lose a bench player if shortstop J.J. Hardy goes on the disabled list with tightness in his left ribcage area. They need the extra arm in the bullpen because Josh Rupe and Jeremy Accardo aren't...
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Orioles taking the bad with the good

Orioles taking the bad with the good
What is it about a hard early-morning rain that makes you want to pull the covers over your head and stay in bed? It also makes teams play doubleheaders, which could happen tomorrow unless we end up with that proverbial "window" tonight that allows the Orioles to begin their three-game series with the undefeated Rangers. The Rangers are 6-0, the Orioles are 5-1. Let's take an early peek at that ALCS. J.J. Hardy might not be in the lineup after complaining of soreness in his lower left...
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