Now this is happening

Now this is happening
Gwinnett's Matt Jones, who made the final out last night to seal Chris Tillman's no-hitter, belted a three-run homer off Jake Arrieta in the fourth inning. It was fun while it lasted. Arrieta had allowed one earned run in 28 innings until the fourth. Left-hander Brian Matusz could use better luck, and a lineup that's missing Robinson Cano. The Orioles need to pitch around that guy. He began the night batting .390, and his seventh home run increased New York's lead to 2-0 in the...
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What's happening so far (updated)

What's happening so far (updated)
Triple-A Norfolk's Jake Arrieta has allowed one baserunner, on a walk, over the first two innings tonight against Gwinnett. I'm just saying... The Orioles got their first hit off Yankees starter A.J. Burnett on Ty Wigginton's two-out single in the second inning. History won't be made here tonight. Adam Jones led off the bottom of the first by grounding to short, but he ran the count full, so at least he was patient. The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the top half on Derek Jeter's leadoff...
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More pre-game notes

More pre-game notes
I just saw a report that the band A-ha is breaking up after 30 years. Here's a bigger story for me: The band A-ha was still together after 30 years. Jeremy Guthrie was distraught after last night's game, apologizing to practically everyone for his poor performance. Trembley recalled looking out a window of the warehouse during a recent rainstorm and seeing Guthrie running on the warning track. "He's as tireless a worker as anybody," Trembley said. "The guy just prepares himself, he...
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Trembley's not concerned about Roberts

Trembley's not concerned about Roberts
Second baseman Brian Roberts had an endoscopy today to determine the source of his gastrointestinal discomfort, but the Orioles believe the ailment is related to the medication he's taken for his herniated disk and other aches and pains. "I talked to him last night," manager Dave Trembley said. "It's his feeling that he's been taking a lot of medication. I think he's off the medication now. Some of the medication might have just upset his stomach, so that was another issue he was...
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What's next for Koji? (w/quotes)

What's next for Koji? (w/quotes)
Reliever Koji Uehara will continue his injury-rehab assignment by reporting to Triple-A Norfolk and pitching Saturday against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz wants Uehara to come out of the bullpen rather than start the game. Uehara has worked the first inning in two games with Double-A Bowie, allowing one hit and walking a batter. Uehara probably will make two appearances at Norfolk, the second coming on Monday, before the Orioles decide whether to activate him. Manager...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 2B Rhyne Hughes 1B Nolan Reimold LF Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP For the Yankees: Jeter SS Swisher RF Teixeira 1B Rodriguez 3B Cano 2B Thames DH Granderson CF Cervelli C Gardner LF Burnett RHP Chris Tillman's nine-inning no-hitter last night was the first by an Orioles' Triple-A pitcher since Wayne Garland on April 20, 1974. Radhames Liz has the last nine-inning no-hitter by one...
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Now and later

Now and later
Koji Uehara tossed another scoreless inning today at Double-A Bowie. Check out coverage of Koji's outing in Steve Melewski's blog here. He made the drive down to Prince George's Stadium. The Baysox are playing a morning game, but don't look for the Orioles to activate Uehara from the disabled list later today. That would be a tad early. They'll want to check on him tomorrow and make sure his hamstring didn't tighten up. A move could be coming soon, however. I know you've missed...
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Feeling better about the cavalry

Feeling better about the cavalry
My head hits the pillow and the sun comes up. Estimated time: 36 seconds. Wasn't I just sitting in front of this laptop while providing periodic updates on Chris Tillman's march toward his no-hitter? I'm pretty sure these are the same clothes. OK, now we've entered dangerous territory. Let's move on. Many congrats to Tillman, who has turned around his season in dramatic and historic fashion. I always say, if you're going to put together back-to-back quality starts, always make the...
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Trembley talks about the loss and Tillman's no-no

Trembley talks about the loss and Tillman's no-no
Opening statement: "You wouldn't want to draw it up getting behind 5-0 to Sabathia. That's a tough hill to climb. And Guthrie starts out pitching behind. The Yankees got way too good of a hitting club to be getting so many three-ball counts. I think 22 or 23 of the guys he faced, he had seven three-ball counts and then had to come in to them. They put runs on the board early and Sabathia is too good of a pitcher. We had to come back and got in it. We got in it. We needed a couple hits and it...
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Tillman talks

Tillman talks
The Gwinnett Braves supplied quotes from Chris Tillman, who threw a no-hitter tonight for Triple-A Norfolk. On ranking the accomplishment among his career highlights: "It's high up there, I think this may be No. 1. I had one other game where I came pretty close, but nothing to this extent. I think getting called up to the big leagues was definitely a huge thing last year and that probably sticks out more to me as that has been my goal my whole life. This is what I'm here for, just trying...
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Three outs to go (Tillman throws no-hitter!)

Three outs to go (Tillman throws no-hitter!)
Tonight's attendance: 17,248. Orioles manager Dave Trembley won't have to worry about choosing a closer tonight. Nick Markakis hit his first home run. It took 21 games, but he got it. Down on the farm, Chris Tillman still has limited Gwinnett to two baserunners through eight innings, on a walk and Michael Aubrey's error. Tillman has thrown 94 pitches, 56 for strikes. Three outs to go. Update: It happened. Chris Tillman has thrown a no-hitter for Triple-A Norfolk in a 6-0 victory...
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Still talking Tillman (updated)

Still talking Tillman (updated)
I'm more interested in Chris Tillman's start for Triple-A Norfolk than the Orioles' poor showing against the Yankees at Camden Yards. The Gwinnett Braves have two baserunners through six innings, on a walk and Michael Aubrey's error at first base. Tillman has struck out four batters, including the last one he faced to end the sixth. He's thrown 71pitches, 42 for strikes. That's two quality starts in a row for Tillman, and another hot pitcher for the Tides. Keep 'em coming. Jeremy...
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Checking on Tillman (update)

Checking on Tillman (update)
Chris Tillman has faced 12 batters tonight for Triple-A Norfolk. He's retired 12 batters. Tillman has two strikeouts along the way, and Norfolk leads Gwinnett, 1-0. Tillman has thrown 43 pitches, 26 for strikes. Is he pushing to make Saturday's start, too? Corey Patterson is starting in center field for the Tides. Joey Gathright has moved to left. Update: Tillman walked a batter in the fifth. Double-A Bowie twin brothers Paco and Daniel Figueroa were hit by pitches in the third inning....
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Strange happenings in the first inning (updated)

Strange happenings in the first inning (updated)
Let's start with Derek Jeter's leadoff double, on a ball that bounced past first baseman Garrett Atkins and up the right field line. I counted 12 hops before it passed the bag. OK, not really, but I expected it to be retrieved by someone other than right fielder Nick Markakis. Nick Johnson followed with a single into left field, and the ball skipped past Lou Montanez for an error that allowed both runners to advance and gave New York a quick 1-0 lead. The miscue's importance grew when...
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Tides tidbits

Tides tidbits
Chris Tillman is pitching tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, and he's trying to turn in back-to-back quality starts. Tillman allowed three runs and seven hits in eight innings in his last outing against Charlotte, with no walks and five strikeouts. He threw 90 pitches, 62 for strikes. He's taking on Gwinnett tonight. Corey Patterson has joined Norfolk's roster after signing a minor league contract and reporting to extended spring training in Sarasota. Josh Bell has hit safely in eight of his...
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Roberts' latest medical issue

Roberts' latest medical issue
I raced back down to the clubhouse to check on Brian Roberts, who hasn't been seen here all day, and realized he's gone. Roberts is scheduled to undergo an endoscopy tomorrow because of persistent gastrointestinal discomfort that has become the latest health crisis to strike the Orioles' leadoff hitter and second baseman. "He told me that he's had bad flu-like symptoms during the time that his back's been bothering him," manager Dave Trembley said. Roberts visited back specialist Dr....
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Making room for two pitchers

Making room for two pitchers
The Orioles aren't committed to removing two pitchers from the 25-man roster when Saturday's starter, expected to be Brad Bergesen, and reliever Koji Uehara rejoin the club. They could slice off a position player, but that presents a separate issue. Who would go? Julio Lugo is the backup middle infielder. Sending down Lou Montanez would mean more starts in left for Nolan Reimold and Luke Scott and leave the Orioles short an outfielder - and a more mobile one in Montanez. They don't want...
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Jones atop the order

Jones atop the order
Knowing that manager Dave Trembley usually despises lineup questions, I eased into one this afternoon concerning Adam Jones. Actually, it was the second question he fielded after we received an update on reliever Alfredo Simon's availability. But I did preface it by saying, "I know you hate lineup questions..." Well, here it comes. Why is Jones still batting first while mired in a slump that's lowered his average to .211 and raised his blood pressure? "I think he is our best option...
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Simon's availability tonight

Simon's availability tonight
Alfredo Simon says his arm feels good and he's available to pitch tonight. Now the ball is in manager Dave Trembley's court, so to speak. "We'll have to see how the game plays out tonight," Trembley said. "I'd like to see him play catch, see how he feels. I think we have to be cautious with him, using him a lot early because he has not been a reliever. He's been a starter and just recently has been pitching out of the bullpen. He pitched on Sunday, had a day off and pitched yesterday....
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 2B Miguel Tejada 3B Matt Wieters C Garrett Atkins 1B Nolan Reimold DH Lou Montanez LF Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP For the Yankees: Jeter SS Johnson DH Teixeira 1B Rodriguez 3B Cano 2B Posada C Granderson CF Swisher RF Gardner LF Sabathia LHP
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