Socolovich optioned to Norfolk

Socolovich optioned to Norfolk
The Orioles have optioned reliever Miguel Socolovich to Triple-A Norfolk. A corresponding roster move will be announced later. Socolovich has appeared in six games, allowing eight earned runs in 10 1/3 innings for a 6.97 ERA. He let two inherited runners score last night after replacing starter Chris Tillman and also was charged with one run. Socolovich has posted a 1.90 ERA in 28 appearances with the Tides. He was chosen to the International League All-Star team. Could the Orioles be...
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Machado: "I haven't settled in yet, but I'm getting there"

Machado: "I haven't settled in yet, but I'm getting there"
Imagine how good Manny Machado will be once he actually settles in and gets comfortable. Machado is 6-for-16 with a double, triple, three home runs, seven RBIs and five runs scored in his first four major league games. He shares the Orioles club record with at least one extra-base hit in four consecutive games to begin his career, joining Ray Knight (1987), Lee May (1975) and Frank Robinson (1966). Machado hit his third home run today, though it took a review to have a double overturned. "I...
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Showalter speaks after 5-3 win

Showalter speaks after 5-3 win
The Orioles are nine games above .500 again. They improved to 17-11 in two-run games with today's 5-3 victory over the Royals. They're also 47-0 when leading after the seventh inning and 49-1 when leading after the eighth. Credit the bullpen with four scoreless and hitless innings, beginning with Luis Ayala and ending with closer Jim Johnson. Manager Buck Showalter also used Troy Patton and Pedro Strop to piece together the last four innings. "Well, I think because we have an off-day...
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Machado does it again (O's win 5-3)

Machado does it again (O's win 5-3)
Just Manny being Manny again. Manny Machado hit his third major league home run today, and his first that was reviewed by umpires. Machado's two-run shot, initially ruled a double, gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. The ball hit the top of the center-field fence and kicked off the back wall. The review lasted about 12 seconds. Machado crushed two hanging breaking balls in his second major league game. Today, he launched an 86 mph sinker from former Orioles...
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Pregame notes on Hammel, Jones, Flaherty and more

Pregame notes on Hammel, Jones, Flaherty  and more
Jason Hammel said his knee felt good after throwing off the front slope of the mound yesterday. He has a bullpen session scheduled for Monday morning. Hammel doesn't know how many pitches he'll throw or what he'll do after Monday. It's one step at a time. Hammel told Orioles manager Buck Showalter that he got out of bed and didn't give the knee a thought, which is a positive sign. Adam Jones is making his first career start as a designated hitter. He was used as a pinch runner five...
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Jones serving as DH today, Machado moves up the order

Jones serving as DH today, Machado moves up the order
One way to provide a little rest for Adam Jones is to take him out of center field and make him the designated hitter. Nate McLouth is only the second player to start in center field for the Orioles. Manny Machado has moved up to seventh in the lineup. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J Hardy SS Nate McLouth CF Adam Jones DH Lew Ford LF Mark Reynolds 1B Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Taylor Teagarden C Tommy Hunter RHP
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While waiting for the lineup...

While waiting for the lineup...
The Orioles have a later reporting time today after last night's debacle. May as well let the players catch a few hours sleep before they try to catch a fly ball. Former Orioles left-hander Bruce Chen is starting for the Royals, which means manager Buck Showalter will break out his right-handed lineup. Taylor Teagarden will catch today, and Showalter must decide whether to use Matt Wieters as the designated hitter or give him the day off. Lew Ford will start in left field. Mark Reynolds...
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Showalter speaks after 7-3 loss

Showalter speaks after 7-3 loss
A rain delay that lasted more than three hours tonight provided a convenient excuse for the Orioles if they chose to reach for it. Manager Buck Showalter's arms aren't that long. "It was a challenging night and they did a better job with it than we did," Showalter said after the Orioles lost to the Royals 7-3 at Camden Yards. "It was impressive that Tilly (Chris Tillman) fought his way through five-plus. Usually, three or four runs, you can hold them right there. I thought giving up the...
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Machado hits for the cycle - in three days (O's lose 7-3)

Machado hits for the cycle - in three days (O's lose 7-3)
Not only did Manny Machado break up Luis Mendoza's shutout in the seventh inning, he hit for the cycle in a three-day period. I know it doesn't count, but humor me. Machado tripled and reached on an infield hit Thursday in his major league debut, and he homered twice on Friday. All that remained was the double, which he collected off Mendoza to score Wilson Betemit. Omar Quintanilla, who went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer last night, followed with a two-run double to reduce the Royals'...
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Flaherty will report to Norfolk

Flaherty will report to Norfolk
Infielder Ryan Flaherty, on the disabled list with a bacterial infection, is scheduled to report to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. He could begin his rehab assignment that night if his health has improved. Flaherty can remain on his assignment for a maximum of 20 days (30 for pitchers), but only if his physical condition warrants it. Major League Baseball makes sure players aren't being stashed. Jason Hammel threw off the front slope of the bullpen mound this afternoon. The Orioles will check...
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McLouth moves up in the lineup, Machado stays in it

McLouth moves up in the lineup, Machado stays in it
Nate McLouth is batting third tonight for the Orioles, with Chris Davis dropping down to seventh. Manny Machado remains at third base and in the eighth slot. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 1B Chris Davis DH Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Chris Tillman RHP
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Remembering how Machado got here

Remembering how Machado got here
I've heaped a lot of praise on manager Buck Showalter this season, and rightfully so, but let's not forget that former scouting director Joe Jordan used the third pick in the 2010 player draft on Miami prep shortstop Manny Machado. The Orioles had serious interest in Texas high school right-hander Jameson Taillon, but the Pirates grabbed him with the second pick. That left Machado, who wasn't getting past the Orioles. Here are the top 10 selections from that year: 1. Bryce Harper, OF,...
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It starts at the bottom

It starts at the bottom
With all due respect to new leadoff hitter Nick Markakis, the bottom third of the Orioles' lineup did the heavy lifting last night. No. 7 hitter Nate McLouth, No. 8 hitter Manny Machado and No. 9 hitter Omar Quintanilla were a combined 7-for-12 with a double, three home runs, seven RBIs and four runs scored. Seven RBIs. In a 7-1 victory over the Royals. That's heavy lifting. Manager Buck Showalter didn't want Quintanilla's two-run homer in the second inning to get lost in the Machado...
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Machado and Gonzalez talk about their nights

Machado and Gonzalez talk about their nights
Manny Machado had a crowd of reporters waiting for him after tonight's game. He also had traces of the shaving cream pie he received still wedged in his ears. I suppose he wouldn't mind having to clean it off every night. "I wouldn't mind that at all," he said. Machado had a pretty good idea that the first ball was going to settle into the left field seats. "I put some good wood on it," he said. "I kind of figured it was going to go out." And the second one? "Yeah, no doubt,"...
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Showalter speaks after 7-1 victory

Showalter speaks after 7-1 victory
Manager Buck Showalter would like to keep the Manny Machado hype at a reasonable level. You can tell by the tone of his voice and the measured responses, how he points out the small number of games that the kid has played and how a new one is coming up tomorrow. Machado isn't make it easy on Showalter. "He had a nice night, put a couple good swings on some breaking balls that were left out over the plate," Showalter said after Machado hit two home runs to lift the Orioles to a 7-1 victory...
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Machado making history tonight (O's win 7-1)

Machado making history tonight (O's win 7-1)
It's only been two games, but Manny Machado doesn't look like a kid who was rushed to the majors. Machado hit his second home run tonight, a three-run shot deep into the left field seats in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 7-1 lead. Machado is the youngest Orioles player to hit a home run since Jim Palmer, who was 19, on May 16, 1965. He's now the youngest ever to hit multiple home runs in the same game. Boog Powell collected two on May 2, 1962 against the Twins when he...
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Gonzalez burned by HR and benefits from one (Machado home run note)

Gonzalez burned by HR and benefits from one (Machado home run note)
Miguel Gonzalez had allowed a home run to the first batter he faced in both home starts this season - Detroit's Austin Jackson and Tampa Bay's Desmond Jennings - which made his battle tonight with Kansas City's Alex Gordon must-see TV. Gordon struck out. No repeat tonight. Gonzalez retired the side in order, but catcher Salvador Perez homered with one out in the second inning to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. Gonzalez has allowed 10 homers in seven starts with the Orioles. His only clean...
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Chavez staying in organization, Hammel to throw off mound Saturday

Chavez staying in organization, Hammel to throw off mound Saturday
Outfielder Endy Chavez has cleared waivers and will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. Chavez could have opted to become a free agent, but he agreed to stay in the organization. The Orioles are expected to call him up when rosters expand on Sept. 1. Pitcher Jason Hammel is expected to rejoin the Orioles on Saturday unless he runs into some sort of travel issue. Hammel will throw off the front slope of the mound - not the pitching rubber - and will be reevaluated the following day before...
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Machado starting again tonight

Machado starting again tonight
If you wondered whether Manny Machado would be part of a platoon at third base, he's starting again tonight against Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar. Wilson Betemit slides over to first base. Chris Davis is the Orioles' designated hitter. Mark Reynolds is on the bench. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 1B Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP
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What I know

What I know
This will be a short blog entry, as you can imagine. The Orioles optioned Steve Johnson yesterday because they don't have a game on Monday and won't need a fifth starter until Saturday. They don't want him sitting in the bullpen or throwing 30-40 pitches in a relief outing and then being expected to throw 90-100 in a start. A Sept. 1 call-up is assured, and he could be here a lot sooner. J.J. Hardy isn't moving off shortstop. Suggesting that he shift to third or second is wasted energy....
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