Means struggles and Orioles settle for split (updated)

Means struggles and Orioles settle for split (updated)
While Orioles manager Brandon Hyde wonders how he's going to piece together his rotation following today's Andrew Cashner trade, he must rely even more on left-hander John Means to anchor the staff. It's a lot of weight to place on the rookie's shoulders, but who else is going to step up? How is Means going to hold up? Means allowed six runs and surrendered three homers for the first time in his career and the Orioles settled for a split of their doubleheader with a 12-4 loss to the Rays...
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Cashner on trade: "It's a shocking moment" (O's down 9-3)

Cashner on trade: "It's a shocking moment" (O's down 9-3)
Andrew Cashner felt that a trade was coming. He could sense it. He could pick up on clues via the text messages on his phone. It's the timing that surprised him. Rather than make his scheduled start Sunday afternoon against the Rays, Cashner is packing his belongings and joining the Red Sox following today's deal that sends 17-year-old outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero to the Orioles. Prado and Romero have been assigned to the Rookie-level Dominican Sumer League on separate...
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Orioles trade Cashner to Red Sox

Orioles trade Cashner to Red Sox
The Orioles have made their first significant trade as the deadline approaches. Starter Andrew Cashner is headed to the Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero. Prado and Romero are both 17 and natives of Venezuela. Prado will be assigned to the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Orioles 1 and Romero to the DSL Orioles 2. Cashner was supposed to start Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Rays and manager Brandon Hyde will need to come up with a...
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Orioles and Rays Game 2 lineups

Orioles and Rays Game 2 lineups
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is keeping Stevie Wilkerson in the lineup tonight for Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Rays. The Orioles are trying for their first sweep since June 25, 2016 versus Tampa Bay. Wilkerson hit the decisive two-run homer off left-hander Colin Poche in a 2-1 victory in Game 1 and he's in center field for the nightcap. Wilkerson has eight home runs this season, the first seven coming off right-handers. He's 5-for-50 against left-handers this season. Keon Broxton...
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Brooks opens twinbill with effective outing in 2-1 win (updated)

Brooks opens twinbill with effective outing in 2-1 win (updated)
The first part of the plan worked to near perfection for manager Brandon Hyde, who had to resist joining the crowd in applauding Aaron Brooks as the right-hander walked off the mound in the third inning. Getting eight outs from Brooks in his Orioles debut, in his first start since late April, was cause for celebration. Who's got the laundry cart? Also factor in the 2 2/3 scoreless innings, with no hits or walks, less than 24 hours after a 16-4 loss that included the pitching debut of Stevie...
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Wilkerson recounts his pitching debut (O's lead 2-1)

Wilkerson recounts his pitching debut (O's lead 2-1)
Stevie Wilkerson couldn't come up with a new nickname after making his pitching debut last night. He was open to suggestions. "Stevie Slider" wouldn't work because he doesn't have one in his limited arsenal. The super-utility player might settle on "Stevie Strike-thrower." No one can argue that it doesn't fit after he located the zone on seven of his 10 pitches in the ninth inning of a 16-4 loss. Wilkerson became the fourth position player to toe the rubber this season and the 31st...
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Bundy could be headed to IL with right knee tendinitis (updated)

Bundy could be headed to IL with right knee tendinitis (updated)
The Orioles are preparing for the possibility that starter Dylan Bundy is headed to the 10-day injured list after a medical exam this morning revealed tendinitis in his right knee. Bundy lasted only one inning and 37 pitches last night, allowing a season-high seven runs and revealing afterward that he felt discomfort while throwing in the outfield and in the bullpen and throughout his abbreviated start. "We're going to monitor here and have some more discussions about it in the next hour...
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Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Rays

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Rays
David Hess is the 26th man for today's doubleheader against the Rays, making his latest stop with the Orioles. Hess could back up Aaron Brooks, who isn't stretched out to work deep into the opener. The Orioles also could make another roster move before the nightcap. Trey Mancini is starting at first base and Anthony Santander is in right field. Santander is 17-for-48 (.354) in 12 home games. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing third base. Pedro Severino is catching and batting...
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More on today's doubleheader and Mancini's All-Star break

More on today's doubleheader and Mancini's All-Star break
Back in the city where he's employed and no longer mingling with All-Stars, Orioles left-hander John Means can be certain that he's going to pitch tonight. The manager won't withhold him in case he's needed in extra innings. Means is returning to a normal routine that includes plenty of games against the Rays. Today marks his third appearance, his first half closing with two earned runs allowed (three total) in seven innings that matched his career high and lowered his ERA to 2.50. Means'...
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Bundy leaves tonight's game with right knee soreness

Bundy leaves tonight's game with right knee soreness
Dylan Bundy began to notice some soreness in his right knee today while long tossing in the outfield and again throughout his bullpen session. He didn't say anything about it until after the first inning. After giving up seven runs and eight hits, throwing 37 pitches and watching someone else work the second. Bundy received treatment on the knee and the Orioles, coming off an embarrassing 16-4 loss to the Rays at Camden Yards, will evaluate him again Saturday morning while preparing to play a...
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Orioles open second half with 16-4 loss

Orioles open second half with 16-4 loss
The All-Star break enabled the Orioles to enter tonight's game with a rested bullpen. They reached a point where it appeared that they might need every reliever - and at least one position player. Dylan Bundy lasted only one inning and allowed a season-high seven runs and every Rays batter collected a hit by the second in a 16-4 victory over the Orioles before an announced crowd of 22,422 at Camden Yards. Eleven batters came to the plate in the first, with the Rays squeezing 37 pitches out of...
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Means on his All-Star experience: "It was a blast" (O's down 16-2)

Means on his All-Star experience: "It was a blast" (O's down 16-2)
John Means wasn't surprised that he didn't pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game, the lone Orioles representative unable to get back on the field until the final out of the American League's 4-3 win. He knew how his night would play out. AL manager Alex Cora kept Means in the loop as well as the bullpen. "I knew before the game I was extra innings," Means said earlier today. "He brought me in and was like, 'I've got to plan out 15 innings. I know you're a starter, you can go longer, so...
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Brooks is the opener for Game 1 (and other notes)

Brooks is the opener for Game 1 (and other notes)
Aaron Brooks is in uniform tonight for the Orioles but he won't be in the bullpen. Brooks is tabbed to serve as the opener Saturday in Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Rays at Camden Yards. Gabriel Ynoa could back him up, with Brooks needing to be stretched out before he can be viewed as a starter. "He hasn't thrown in a while and hasn't started in a while," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We see him possibly joining the rotation at some point. Kind of see how it goes. "We want to get...
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Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
The Orioles open the second half tonight with Anthony Santander in center field. Chance Sisco is batting cleanup to begin a four-game series against the Rays at Camden Yards. Jonathan Villar is the shortstop and Hanser Alberto is playing second base. Chris Davis is batting seventh. He's 6-for-12 this month with a double and two home runs and his .189 average is its highest since reaching .191 on May 17. He's 10-for-26 since June 19. For the Orioles Jonathan Villar SS Dwight Smith Jr. LF Trey...
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Mullins moves down to Double-A Bowie (and other notes)

Mullins moves down to Double-A Bowie (and other notes)
The Orioles' center fielder on opening day has moved down to Double-A Bowie. Cedric Mullins has been transferred to the Baysox after batting .205/.272/.306 in 66 games with Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles optioned him after he started the season with only six hits in 64 at-bats. Mullins, 24, broke camp with the Orioles despite going 8-for-53 in exhibition games and he's never been able to heat up at the plate. He's leading off tonight and playing center field in Akron. The Tides made a series...
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Brooks latest to enter Orioles bullpen

Brooks latest to enter Orioles bullpen
The 2019 season starts up again tonight with the Orioles inserting Aaron Brooks into their bullpen as the latest adjustment to a unit that's trying to gain more consistency in the second half. The Orioles are carrying a four-man bench and seven relievers - Brooks, Mychal Givens, Richard Bleier, Paul Fry, Miguel Castro, Jimmy Yacabonis and Shawn Armstrong. But two open dates on the schedule next week, countering Saturday's doubleheader, could allow for some creativity from manager Brandon...
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Questions and curiosities about the Orioles' second half

Questions and curiosities about the Orioles' second half
The Orioles open the second half of their season Friday night against the Rays and host two more teams, the Nationals for two games and the Red Sox for three, before going back out to the West Coast. (Quick, when is the last time they've played consecutive series of four, two and three games? Someone contact STATS or the other Elias.) There are some lingering questions and curiosities hanging over the team, including whether it finishes again with the worst record in baseball and gets the...
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Brooks added to roster (and other notes)

Brooks added to roster (and other notes)
The Orioles completed their pending roster move today by adding right-hander Aaron Brooks to the 25-man roster. Brooks will wear No. 38 and he's set to become the 47th player used by the Orioles this season. Reliever Josh Lucas was designated for assignment Saturday to make room for Brooks on the 40-man roster. Lucas cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, news also announced today by the Orioles. So much for a break. Brooks was a waiver claim Saturday from the...
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Hyde looking back and ahead

Hyde looking back and ahead
The All-Star Game is over and baseball's idle time stretches to Friday night, when the Orioles host a four-game series against the Rays. They have a doubleheader on Saturday. The 2019 season isn't about wins and losses, but it's still a hard sell for the manager, his coaching staff and his players. They understand the plan and support the direction, but they aren't going to lay down. The Orioles aren't running away with the first overall pick in next year's draft. They own the worst...
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Manto means much to Orioles

Manto means much to Orioles
Trey Mancini would have spent a portion of the All-Star Game media session this week tallying how many people he had to thank for assisting in his climb to established major league hitter. So many of them, whether within his own family or the baseball community. Though he's home for the break, he's still able to express his gratitude without making the trip to Progressive Field in Cleveland. And I've found that he isn't alone in his appreciation of Orioles minor league hitting coordinator...
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