The good and bad in the first (updated)

The good and bad in the first (updated)
Brad Bergesen threw 13 pitches in the top of the first inning and stranded a runner. That's good. The Orioles scored a run off White Sox starter John Danks in the bottom of the first. Also good. The Orioles worked Danks for 24 pitches. Still good. Here's the bad part: The first three batters singled, with Ty Wigginton's hit producing the run, but the Orioles couldn't do any more damage. Luke Scott struck out in the key at-bat of the inning, and Adam Jones and Julio Lugo flied...
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Buck's sixth sense regarding Lugo

Buck's sixth sense regarding Lugo
Dave Trembley used to hate lineup questions, but I had to ask Buck Showalter about his decision to bat Julio Lugo sixth tonight. We're accustomed to seeing Lugo's name at the top or bottom, but Showalter is taking two factors into account: The veteran infielder is hitting .320 in 75 at-bats against left-handers, and the White Sox bullpen includes left-hander Matt Thornton. "Obviously, his track record is hitting left-handed pitching quite well," Showalter said. "It fits us to try to...
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Montanez update and Chisox lineup

Montanez update and Chisox lineup
Outfielder Lou Montanez played his first injury rehab game today with the Gulf Coast League Orioles. He started in left field against the GCL Rays and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Montanez, who's recovering from a strained oblique, told me in a text message that he felt fine and "did everything without pain." He's expected to play in at least three more games down there before reporting to another affiliate. It's ex-Oriole day at Camden Yards. Besides the familiar faces at today's...
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Orioles lineup

Orioles lineup
Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Julio Lugo SS Matt Wieters C Felix Pie LF Josh Bell 3B Brad Bergesen RHP Lugo sixth? According to Elias, Buck Showalter is the fourth manager to win his first three games with the Orioles, joining Hank Bauer (1964), Earl Weaver (1968) and Davey Johnson (1996).
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Honoring past Orioles

Honoring past Orioles
I'm happy to report that former Orioles pitching coach and manager Ray Miller looks exactly the same except for a goatee that he can wear without violating the club's facial hair policy. Miller looks terrific, which is a relief after he dealt with a serious health issue during his final season in the organization. He's a pretty stoic guy, as old-school as they come, but the honor of being inducted into the Orioles' Hall of Fame has clearly moved him. "First time in my life I was...
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Showing Showalter what he wants to see

Showing Showalter what he wants to see
I'm heading over to Camden Yards to catch up with Ray Miller, who will be inducted into the Orioles' Hall of Fame before tomorrow night's game against the Chicago White Sox. It's been years since I've seen him. I'm relieved that he's in good health and enjoying his retirement. Going back to how we're all learning about manager Buck Showalter, I'm enjoying his thorough evaluation process this week. He's not focused only on the obvious stuff - how a player is swinging the bat, how a...
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Passing the Buck quotes

Passing the Buck quotes
Manager Buck Showalter was asked about the Orioles' refusal to become deflated after Torii Hunter's game-tying three-run homer off Jason Berken in the eighth inning. It led to my favorite quote of the night: "I looked for that," he said. "It's part of playing, not only in the big leagues, but in the American League. Big, strong, hairy guys here. They hit it where the grass doesn't grow. And that's part of playing in this division, this league. That's part of it. "We've got some...
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Manufacturing a win

Manufacturing a win
I feel bad for Jake Arrieta, but the Orioles just swept the Angels and improved to 3-0 under Buck Showalter. I'll choose to be happy. I'll also choose to celebrate another quality start from the Orioles' rotation. Matt Wieters led off the bottom of the ninth with a double to left-center field off Angels reliever Francisco Rodriguez. Pinch-runner Julio Lugo took third on Corey Patterson's sacrifice bunt, and the Angels went with a five-man infield against Cesar Izturis, with Torii Hunter...
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The decision (updated)

The decision (updated)
Jake Arrieta walked Erick Aybar to put runners on first and second with one out in the eighth inning. The Orioles held a 4-0 lead. Arrieta's pitch count stood at 106, and left-hander Michael Gonzalez was ready in the bullpen. Manager Buck Showalter stuck with Arrieta as switch-hitter Maicer Izturis stepped to the plate. I can think of a manager or two who would have removed Arrieta before the inning started, or immediately after pinch-hitter Reggie Willits' leadoff single. The walk would...
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No longer tied (updated twice)

No longer tied (updated twice)
Nick Markakis must feel guilty about not making that catch in the fifth inning. Markakis gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth with a 416-foot blast off Dan Haren. That's the eighth home run for Markakis, and he won't hit them much further. Markakis was 15-for-76 in his last 19 games before connecting off Haren. Alberto Callaspo's double is the only hit off Orioles starter Jake Arrieta, and Markakis almost made a sensational diving grab. He laid out for the ball, but it...
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Arrieta's dealing (updated)

Arrieta's dealing (updated)
The Angels have gotten two balls out of the infield in four innings and still don't have a baserunner. Jake Arrieta has struck out three and fielded three tappers to the mound. Arrieta needed only seven pitches to complete the fourth, raising his total to a whopping 45. He struck out Erick Aybar on a 93 mph fastball to start the inning. Instant update: Arrieta retired the first two batters in the fifth inning on two pitches before Alberto Callaspo doubled to right. Nick Markakis made a...
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Patton's next appearance pending

Patton's next appearance pending
Troy Patton remembers July 28 with great fondness. It's the last time he pitched. Patton started that night for Triple-A Norfolk, going 5 2/3 innings in a victory over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He's back with the Orioles and back in the bullpen, still waiting for a call that hasn't arrived. The Orioles are saving Patton for long relief, but the starters have been working deeper in games lately. That's a good thing. It's also a bad thing if you're the long reliever - though Patton isn't...
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The Buck talks here

The Buck talks here
Buck Showalter needs two more wins to pass Don Zimmer for sole possession for 64th place on the all-time list. That subject didn't come up today. Brian Roberts is in the lineup, but Showalter will monitor him in batting practice. "So far, so good," Showalter said. "It looks like he's a go." Showalter wanted to make sure that he started Corey Patterson tonight, and it became easier with Josh Bell on the bench. Ty Wigginton moves to third base, Luke Scott plays first and the DH slot...
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Pre-game notes; Angels lineup

Pre-game notes; Angels lineup
David Hernandez will stay with the team through the homestand before flying down to Sarasota and appearing in a few games. He expects to be ready when he's eligible to come off the disabled list on Aug. 20. Josh Bell is available tonight. The cramping in his left hamstring is being blamed on dehydration. The same thing happened in Boston. Armando Gabino can pitch in a variety of roles, since he's started and been used in relief. He'll pick up a ball when the bullpen phone rings. "He's...
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Gabino here and Orioles lineup

Gabino here and Orioles lineup
Armando Gabino is listed among the relievers. Here's the lineup: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 3B Luke Scott 1B Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Corey Patterson DH Cesar Izturis SS Jake Arrieta RHP
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Gentile to be honored

Gentile to be honored
The Orioles have announced that they'll honor Jim Gentile in a special on-field ceremony before tomorrow night's game against the Chicago White Sox at Camden Yards. In 1961, Gentile set career highs with a .302 average, 46 homers and 141 RBIs. He finished one RBI behind league-leader Roger Maris, until a baseball researcher discovered several years ago that Maris was credited with an RBI on an error. Major League Baseball recently verified and approved the research, and Gentile appears in...
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Jones: "Everyone knows his reputation"

Jones: "Everyone knows his reputation"
I found this quote from last night's game to be especially interesting, since we're still gauging how players are accepting new manager Buck Showalter. I'll let Adam Jones do the talking here: "I think what's really going on is everyone knows his reputation as a hard-ass. He's going to get on you for doing this; he's going to say something about everything. I think that's actually worked. Hey, let's get it done. You might as well. You don't want him on you. I think that's the...
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Freaky Tuesday and Wednesday

Freaky Tuesday and Wednesday
Last night marked the third consecutive game that the opposing starter didn't last six innings. We've entered the Bizarro World. The Angels are a bad baseball team, and it feels strange to type those words. I'm not downplaying a single thing the Orioles have accomplished under Buck Showalter...but the Angels are a bad baseball team. Guys are playing out of position. Can you imagine such a thing? Did you see the botched pop up in foul territory? They actually let the ball fall harmlessly...
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The Showalter must go on

The Showalter must go on
That's two in a row, but who's counting? The Orioles held on for a 9-7 victory after the Angels scored the last six runs of the game. "When you get to six innings, can we keep them from scoring eight runs before we get nine outs? I kind of break it down that way. And we did," said manager Buck Showalter. Special thanks to Torii Hunter for attempting to steal third base with no outs in the ninth inning after the Angels had reduced the deficit to two runs. He already was in scoring...
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Hernandez could be headed to DL (updated)

Hernandez could be headed to DL (updated)
David Hernandez came out of tonight's game with a sprained left ankle, and the swelling is severe enough that he's a candidate for the disabled list. Manager Buck Showalter spoke to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail about the possibility of a roster move tomorrow. Josh Bell left the game with some cramping, though we're trying to determine whether it's back or legs. Doesn't sound too serious, but it explains why he didn't swing at a 3-2 pitch in the seventh. Update:...
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