Orioles overcome early defensive miscues in 5-4 win (updated)

Orioles overcome early defensive miscues in 5-4 win (updated)
CHICAGO - A defense that has brought relief to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde during stretches where home runs allowed and injuries tested his patience suffered a breakdown in Game 1 of today's doubleheader. Careful where you lean. Three of the four runs surrendered by David Hess through three innings were unearned. The first four ground balls that he induced didn't turn into outs, and not because they sneaked through the infield. An ugly loss was teed up, but the Orioles swung their way out of...
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Armstrong on getting a fresh start with Orioles (O's lead 5-4)

Armstrong on getting a fresh start with Orioles (O's lead 5-4)
CHICAGO - The revolving door attached to the Orioles bullpen pushed Tanner Scott back to Triple-A Norfolk and brought in right-hander Shawn Armstrong, who's been added to the 25-man roster for today's doubleheader. The Orioles claimed Armstrong off waivers from the Mariners Sunday afternoon and he joined the club yesterday. "It's been a lot, but the Orioles made it super easy for me," he said. "I can't complain. They've done anything and everything for myself and my family. Went to...
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Hyde on Mancini and injuries, Santander on his return

Hyde on Mancini and injuries, Santander on his return
CHICAGO - The Orioles decided to use an outfielder as the 26th man in today's doubleheader, with Anthony Santander ticketed for a start in Game 2. Santander has joined the club from Durham, where Triple-A Norfolk is playing. "With the rainout yesterday, the off-day tomorrow, we feel good about our pitching situation," said manager Brandon Hyde. "A little bit beat up from the position-player standpoint. There are a couple guys I don't want to go both games, so Tony's going to be in...
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Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. White Sox (updated)

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. White Sox (updated)
CHICAGO - Trey Mancini has returned to the Orioles' lineup today for Game 1 of the doubleheader against the White Sox. Mancini is batting second and playing right field. Renato Núñez is the first baseman while Chris Davis goes to the bench. Hanser Alberto is playing third base. Stevie Wilkerson is in left field. David Hess faced the White Sox last week in Baltimore and allowed four runs in five innings. He retired 12 of the first 13 batters faced before his start crumbled in the fifth....
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Orioles outfield a work in progress

Orioles outfield a work in progress
CHICAGO - The depth that the Orioles possess in the outfield was trumpeted in spring training as if the club had its own horn section. How they sent down prospects Austin Hays, DJ Stewart and Yusniel Diaz in the name of development. How they didn't need to keep veteran Eric Young Jr. as insurance. Opinions haven't necessarily undergone makeovers, but it's easy to forget as the Orioles head into May with utility infielders pressed into outfield duty and with various prospects down below...
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Sucre outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk

Sucre outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk
CHICAGO - Jesús Sucre is staying in the Orioles organization, giving them a veteran catcher as insurance for a roster that is susceptible to change. The Orioles announced this afternoon that Sucre cleared waivers and accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk rather than becoming a free agent. Sucre was designated for assignment Sunday after breaking camp as the starter. He batted .210/.269/.242 with two doubles and three RBIs in 20 games after agreeing to a minor league deal on...
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Game between O's and White Sox postponed due to rain (updated)

Game between O's and White Sox postponed due to rain (updated)
CHICAGO - The latest downpour and a forecast that calls for rain throughout the night have caused the postponement of tonight's game between the Orioles and White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. The teams are forced to play a traditional doubleheader on Wednesday because the Orioles don't return to Chicago this season. The first game is slated for 4:10 p.m. eastern time, with Game 2 starting approximately 30 minutes after the final out. Though the Orioles' pitching plans haven't been...
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Armstrong expected to be added to 25-man roster (updated)

Armstrong expected to be added to 25-man roster (updated)
CHICAGO - The Orioles should extend their streak of making roster moves later today by adding reliever Shawn Armstrong. Followed by repeated checking of the radar to determine whether they have any shot at playing. The forecast is nasty. Armstrong appeared to be flying to Chicago yesterday, judging by his tweet that included, "Until next time Seattle?" and four airplane emojis. This is the state of journalism today. I'm checking Twitter and interpreting emojis. "We're expecting him here in...
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Two more homers off Orioles make difference in 5-3 loss (updated)

Two more homers off Orioles make difference in 5-3 loss (updated)
CHICAGO - The Orioles are trying so hard to change the narrative. They make adjustments to their rotation and bullpen based on production and health. Pitchers are optioned, designated for assignment and put on the injured list. They're rewarded after good starts by getting another turn, which can bump someone else. No matter what manager Brandon Hyde tries to do, he keeps having to answer for the steady stream of home runs that flood the box scores. He does it pregame, postgame and probably in...
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Notes on Ramirez, Alberto, Mancini and more (O's down 5-2)

Notes on Ramirez, Alberto, Mancini and more (O's down 5-2)
CHICAGO - New Orioles reliever Shawn Armstrong, claimed off waivers yesterday from the Mariners, is flying to Chicago and should officially join the team Tuesday or Wednesday. With a vacancy on the 25-man roster, the Orioles recalled right-hander Yefry Ramirez from Triple-A Norfolk and he's available to pitch tonight on three days' rest if needed. "He's going to fill the long role for us," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He's been throwing the ball well in Norfolk. Excited to have him. We...
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Mancini offers positive update on finger injury

Mancini offers positive update on finger injury
CHICAGO - Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini expects to get back into the lineup Tuesday night against the White Sox. Mancini left Saturday's game in Minnesota in the first inning after being hit on the right index finger and he sat out yesterday's 4-1 loss. His day-to-day status extends to tonight's series opener, but it's nearing an end. "It feels better than yesterday. I think I'm good to go tomorrow," Mancini said. "I'm not 100 percent and I kind of learned not to go out there if...
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Orioles and White Sox lineups

Orioles and White Sox lineups
CHICAGO - Trey Mancini remains out of the Orioles' lineup tonight for the opener of a three-game series against the White Sox. Mancini is day-to-day with a bruised hand. He didn't play yesterday in Minnesota. Hanser Alberto is making his first professional start in right field. He appeared in two games in right last year with Triple-A Round Rock. Joey Rickard is batting second and Dwight Smith Jr. is hitting cleanup. Pedro Severino is behind the plate to catch left-hander John Means. Smith is...
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Orioles recall Yefry Ramirez

Orioles recall Yefry Ramirez
CHICAGO - The Orioles latest roster move involves another pitcher to be placed in their bullpen. However, it isn't Shawn Armstrong. The club announced today that right-hander Yefry Ramirez has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. He's expected to be available in relief for tonight's series opener against the White Sox. Ramirez has made four starts with Norfolk and posted a 1.50 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 18 innings. Opponents are batting .177 against him. A streak of 14 straight scoreless innings...
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Latest with Orioles pitching and roster

Latest with Orioles pitching and roster
The Orioles can be thankful that the Twins don't play in their division. Nineteen games against them would be excruciating. The sweep at Target Field over the weekend continued a trend that's seen the Twins win 12 straight games against the Orioles. Someone asked Dylan Bundy, who took the loss yesterday, what makes them so good. "They don't miss pitches over the plate," he replied. No one seems to be missing those pitches, and that's how a staff surrenders 71 home runs in 29 games. And...
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Orioles claim Shawn Armstrong off waivers (Ortiz optioned)

Orioles claim Shawn Armstrong off waivers (Ortiz optioned)
A day filled with roster moves and transactions for the Orioles has room for at least one more. The Orioles announced this afternoon that they claimed right-hander Shawn Armstrong off waivers from the Mariners, the latest attempt to settle a pitching staff that's giving up home runs in record proportions. Armstrong, 28, is out of minor league options and will be placed on the Orioles' 25-man roster after he reports to the club, which should happen this week during the series in Chicago that...
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Orioles DFA Sucre, put Cobb on IL and option Yacabonis

Orioles DFA Sucre, put Cobb on IL and option Yacabonis
The Orioles have returned pitcher Alex Cobb to the injured list with a lumbar strain, designated catcher Jesús Sucre for assignment and optioned pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis to Triple-A Norfolk. The three moves create room on the 25-man roster for pitchers Branden Kline and Luis Ortiz and catcher Austin Wynns, who were recalled from Norfolk prior to today's series finale against the Twins in Minnesota. Cobb is making his third stop on the IL this year, missing his opening day assignment with a...
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Orioles bullpen could undergo more changes today (updated)

Orioles bullpen could undergo more changes today (updated)
The Orioles surrendered five more home runs yesterday in Minnesota, all of them coming out of their bullpen, which again is in need of repair. Relievers have accounted for 34 of the 69 home runs allowed by the Orioles, easily the most in the majors and 15 more than the runner-up Cardinals and Rangers heading into the late slate of games. The Twins hit a homer off left-handers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott and three off Jimmy Yacabonis. Scott didn't retire a batter and his ERA rose to 7.11. All...
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Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups
The Orioles will try to end a streak of 10 straight losses to the Twins when they meet again this afternoon at Target Field. Chris Davis has returned to the lineup. He left the club Wednesday to attend to a personal matter and was on the bench last night, but he's batting seventh against Twins right-hander José Berríos. Trey Mancini had three more hits last night and is 14-for-34 with five doubles during an eight-game hitting streak. He's in right field today, with Dwight Smith Jr. in...
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Running through some of the Orioles' biggest steals

Running through some of the Orioles' biggest steals
The Orioles wisely used their selection in the eighth round of the 2013 draft on Notre Dame first baseman Trey Mancini, who has emerged as their top hitter and someone capable of making the transition to the outfield. Finding Mancini still available after using earlier picks on outfielder Josh Hart, left-hander Travis Seabrooke, infielder Drew Dosch and catchers Jonah Heim and Alex Murphy was fortuitous. He's going to be a steal if he continues to grow as a player, the heights perhaps...
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Orioles and Twins lineups (updated)

Orioles and Twins lineups (updated)
Chris Davis isn't in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against the Twins in Minnesota. Davis had to leave the club Wednesday for personal reasons, but manager Brandon Hyde said the first baseman would join the team in Minnesota. The Twins are starting left-hander Martín Pérez and Davis is 3-for-19 with 10 strikeouts lifetime against him. Davis was 2-for-17 with a home run at the old Metrodome, but he's slashed .338/.368/.723 with seven doubles and six home runs in 68 plate...
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