Means goes 5 1/3, bullpen implodes in 9-4 loss (updated)

Means goes 5 1/3, bullpen implodes in 9-4 loss (updated)
Wilson Ramos shot a ground ball between shortstop and third base this afternoon and John Means turned away in disgust. Burned again by location. Not within the strike zone, but on the field. Between those hits was a two-run, opposite-field homer from Michael Conforto, who reached for a fastball and watched it carry as Ryan Mountcastle drifted back for it. Means wasn't shelled. It was more like shocked. Set free of the stricter pitch counts that accompanied his previous starts, Means worked a...
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Hyde on Means: "I look for John to have a really good September"

Hyde on Means: "I look for John to have a really good September"
The Orioles are lifting the restrictions on John Means. Manager Brandon Hyde has been providing incremental increases in pitch count and innings after Means returned from his second trip to the injured list. If the Mets cooperate with him, Means is going to move past four innings and 74 pitches in this afternoon's series finale at Camden Yards. "I feel comfortable with taking him further than he's gone so far," Hyde said today in his Zoom conference call with the media. "I think John's...
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Orioles lineup vs. Mets

Orioles lineup vs. Mets
Hanser Alberto remains out of the Orioles lineup this afternoon with a sore knee. Pat Valaika, who had a career-high four hits last night, is playing second base in the series finale against the Mets. José Iglesias is the designated hitter and Andrew Velazquez is the shortstop. The lineup is the same as last night's except Pedro Severino is catching. John Means is making his sixth start and the first of his career against the Mets. He was built up to four innings and 74 pitches in his last...
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Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The Orioles yesterday began their first homestand since the wave of deadline trades that subtracted Tommy Milone, Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro from the pitching staff and further lowered the average age in the clubhouse. Players knew that more changes were in store after the earlier deal that sent reliever Richard Bleier to the Marlins. Their baseball worlds aren't rocked. They can see the big picture. No one needs to sit down with them and explain it. Say your goodbyes and try to stay...
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Núñez homers twice, Valaika collects four hits in 9-5 win (updated)

Núñez homers twice, Valaika collects four hits in 9-5 win (updated)
Cedric Mullins is going to bunt. José Iglesias is going to collect doubles as if it's his hobby. Renato Núñez is going to be a streaky home run hitter. The Orioles can be an unpredictable bunch, but there are certain truths that hold over an entire season. They were responsible for staking Asher Wojciechowski to a quick lead tonight, casting the latest homestand and month of September in a positive light. It became a flicker in the next inning, with Wojciechowski giving back two runs...
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Notes on roster moves, injuries, Phillips, Harvey and more

Notes on roster moves, injuries, Phillips, Harvey and more
The Orioles chose to deepen their bench instead of their bullpen this afternoon by selecting the contract of infielder Dilson Herrera from the alternate camp site in Bowie. Outfielder DJ Stewart was recalled as the replacement for outfielder Mason Williams, who's been designated for assignment. But the arrival of Herrera is tied to Hanser Alberto, who's day-to-day with a sore knee. Alberto jammed the knee on first base yesterday after laying down a sacrifice bunt in the 10th inning. He came...
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Orioles roster moves and lineup

Orioles roster moves and lineup
Rather than bring in another reliever this afternoon, the Orioles have selected the contract of infielder Dilson Herrera from the alternate camp site in Bowie, recalled outfielder DJ Stewart and designated outfielder Mason Williams for assignment. The 40-man roster currently has 38 players and the 60-man pool has 57 players. The moves were made following yesterday's trade of reliever Miguel Castro to the Mets for minor league left-hander Kevin Smith and a player to be named later or cash...
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Orioles move to next phase after trade deadline

Orioles move to next phase after trade deadline
A trade deadline passes and the inevitable question is posed. Now what? Or what now? The Orioles are done dealing until after Sept. 27. There's nothing flimsy about this deadline. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has to wait until the offseason to move other parts that don't fit in a rebuild. (I write "parts" knowing these are people with families and feelings, but it's the cold terminology used in this instance. Former manager Buck Showalter called out the media for it...
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Orioles avoid four-game sweep with 4-3 win in 11 innings (updated)

Orioles avoid four-game sweep with 4-3 win in 11 innings (updated)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde posted his lineup this morning and wondered if it would remain intact. If anyone would be scratched or removed from the game before 4 p.m. If the relievers who walked together to the bullpen would board the same flight back to Baltimore. The first major league start for Keegan Akin played out in the middle of the trade deadline frenzy. At least Hyde knew the rookie wasn't on the block. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias sent reliever Miguel Castro...
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Orioles trade Miguel Castro to Mets at deadline (updated)

Orioles trade Miguel Castro to Mets at deadline (updated)
The Orioles have lost another reliever at today's trade deadline. Miguel Castro has been dealt to the Mets for minor league left-hander Kevin Smith and a player to be named later or cash, according to reports. The news broke a few minutes past 4 p.m., but an agreement already was in place. Smith, 23, was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Georgia. He struck out 130 batters in 117 combined innings at the Single-A and Double-A levels in...
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Hyde changing closer strategy with Sulser struggling

Hyde changing closer strategy with Sulser struggling
Cole Sulser has been removed from the closer's role with the Orioles. Manager Brandon Hyde spoke with Sulser this morning, less than 24 hours after the rookie walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning and surrendered Teoscar Hernández's walk-off single that produced another loss to the Blue Jays. And his second blown save in three games. Sulser has walked 13 batters in 15 1/3 innings for an average of 7.6 per nine. He averaged 2.7 in six minor league seasons. "Suls is just...
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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
Orioles left-hander Keegan Akin makes his first major league start today and he's trying to fill the role of stopper for a team that's reeling. Akin was used in relief twice before today's assignment. He's allowed three runs and two hits in 3 1/3 innings. With openings in the rotation created by injury (Wade LeBlanc) and trade (Tommy Milone), Akin has a chance to receive an extended look as a starter over the final month of the season. Pedro Severino will set the target for Akin, while...
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More thoughts on yesterday's trades

More thoughts on yesterday's trades
Sometimes it works precisely as intended. The Orioles signed veteran left-hander Tommy Milone to a minor league deal in spring training, one of their typical late moves under the Florida sunshine. Never make roster projections until after everyone reports to camp. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias had the same vision as his predecessors. Bring in a pitcher or player on a shortened and inexpensive deal and hope for the type of production that benefits the club on the field and...
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Elias on trades, departed players and status of rebuild

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The Orioles made two trades today and remain open for business less than 24 hours before the deadline.

Executive vice president Mike Elias sent left-hander Tommy Milone to the Braves for two players to be named later and Mychal Givens to the Rockies for corner infielder Tyler Nevin, middle infielder Terrin Vavra and a player to be named later.

He isn't necessarily done.

"Our group is still working and is very active during this trade deadline tonight and tomorrow, and we expect the conversations to continue and we'll see if anything else takes place," Elias said in today's Zoom conference call with the media.

Elias noted how the Orioles are a young team "playing their hearts out every night," but today's 6-5 loss was their 11th in 13 games and knocked them five below .500. Once nipping at the Blue Jays' heels, they're now in danger of being left in the dust.

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Mountcastle homers twice in 6-5 loss

Mountcastle homers twice in 6-5 loss
The Orioles took a break from their trading this afternoon to play a baseball game. They shuffled two pitchers out of Buffalo and held an audition for right-hander Jorge López. One of their busiest and most important days. No one pretended that López wasn't pitching for a job. Wade LeBlanc is out for the season with an elbow injury. Tommy Milone is starting tonight for the Braves. There are several candidates, but López had first dibs. Ryan Mountcastle doesn't need to audition. He's...
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Orioles trade Givens to Rockies, more on Milone deal (updated)

Orioles trade Givens to Rockies, more on Milone deal (updated)
The Orioles have swung their second trade of the day, sending reliever Mychal Givens to the Rockies. MLB Network's Jon Heyman first reported the trade, which has been confirmed. However, the return is currently unknown and this story will be updated shortly. Givens, 25, was a second-round pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft who made the successful conversion from light-hitting shortstop to reliever. He allowed two runs this summer with 19 strikeouts in 13 innings. Over six seasons and 296...
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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
Mason Williams is starting in center field today as the Orioles try to break a four-game losing streak. Cedric Mullins is on the bench today in Buffalo. And José Iglesias is the designated hitter, with Andrew Velazquez playing shortstop. Ryan Mountcastle stays in left field. Jorge López is making his first start with the Orioles. Left-handed hitters are slashing .310/.373/.536 against him in 63 career games. López has made three appearances against the Blue Jays and allowed six runs...
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Orioles trading Milone to Braves (updated)

Orioles trading Milone to Braves (updated)
The Orioles will need a starter for Monday's series finale against the Blue Jays. Left-hander Tommy Milone is headed to the Braves for two players to be named later. An industry source has confirmed multiple reports of the deal. The trade deadline is 4 p.m. Monday and Milone became an attractive chip with a 3.99 ERA, only 1.2 walks per nine innings and a career-high 9.5 strikeouts. Milone, 33, agreed to a minor league deal in spring training, made the club and rotation and provided two quality...
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Orioles remain intact as trade deadline looms

Orioles remain intact as trade deadline looms
The trade deadline is 4 p.m. Monday and the Orioles haven't made any moves. Alex Cobb and Tommy Milone are still in the rotation. Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro are still in the bullpen. Hanser Alberto is still in the lineup at second or third base. Milone is starting Monday afternoon against the Blue Jays. Could be his last with the Orioles. Cobb made it through last night's game. No one was pulled from the on-deck circle. Is there a hug watch during social distancing? What's happening in...
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Orioles shut out for third time with 5-0 loss (updated)

Orioles shut out for third time with 5-0 loss (updated)
Randal Grichuk chased a split-change from Alex Cobb tonight in the first inning, the ball diving toward the dirt, shook his head and walked back to the dugout. He looked mortal. Just a guy striking out in a major league game. Nothing to see here, except the Orioles actually kept him in the ballpark. The on-field ceremony was canceled with no fans in attendance to see it. Manager Brandon Hyde had Cole Sulser pitch to Grichuk in the 10th inning last night because of the guy on deck. The guy who...
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