Roch Kubatko

Orioles sign Stinson off waivers (updated twice)

April 04, 2013, 10:03am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.- The Orioles aren't done adding to their minor league pitching depth. Earlier today, the Orioles claimed right-hander Josh Stinson, 25, off waivers from the Oakland Athletics and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Stinson is 0-2 with a 4.43 ERA in 20 major league games, including one start, over parts of the last two seasons with the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He's allowed 21 hits, walked 12 and struck out 11 in 22 1/3 innings. Stinson permitted one run and...

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Encouraging news on Betemit, Johnson and Bundy

April 04, 2013, 9:49am

Orioles

Encouraging news on Betemit, Johnson and Bundy

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Infielder Wilson Betemit underwent an exploratory arthroscopic procedure on his right knee yesterday in Baltimore, and the Orioles were encouraged by the reports. Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens "cleaned up a few things," said manager Buck Showalter, and didn't find any further damage to the knee. Betemit suffered a Grade 2/3 tear of the PCL while running to second base during an exhibition game at Ed Smith Stadium. The procedure won't extend the timetable for...

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Wieters and other assorted pregame notes

April 04, 2013, 8:44am

Orioles

Wieters and other assorted pregame notes

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters can block out contract talks and distractions as easily as home plate. Wieters basically is ignoring a published report that the Orioles reached out to agent Scott Boras with an offer of a contract extension for the two-time Gold Glove winner. The offer, according to CBSSports.com, covers at least five years. "Once the season has started, I'm not worried about it anymore this year," Wieters said. "I'm focused on this year, and anything...

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It's Flaherty's turn to DH

April 04, 2013, 8:05am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Three games, three different designated hitters. Orioles manager Buck Showalter is shuffling the DH deck again today, going from Steve Pearce on Tuesday to Nolan Reimold yesterday to Ryan Flaherty this afternoon in the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays. Nate McLouth remains in the leadoff spot. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty DH Brian Roberts...

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This and that

April 03, 2013, 7:29pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I woke up and it hit me. This is my last morning in Florida until I make a return trip to The Trop. I left my house on Feb. 11. I have no idea if I'll be able to find it. The challenge will be to catch my 9:20 p.m. flight out of Tampa. Today's game begins at 3:10 p.m. I really can't afford one of those 18-inning thrillers, or five pitching changes in the top of the eighth inning. Should I be forced to leave before the final out, we'll never speak of it...

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Hunter, Strop, Chen and Davis comment following 8-7 loss

April 03, 2013, 7:06pm

Orioles

Hunter, Strop, Chen and Davis comment following 8-7 loss

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Tommy Hunter left a pitch over the middle of the plate tonight in the bottom of the ninth inning. Then came the slow walk to the clubhouse. Matt Joyce, who began the game on the bench, homered to right field to give Tampa Bay a wild 8-7 victory over the Orioles. Joyce got ahead 3-1 and evened the series. "He put a good swing on it," Hunter said after allowing the first walk-off hit of his career. "It was just not an executed pitch." Hunter retired the side in...

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Showalter speaks after 8-7 loss

April 03, 2013, 6:44pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It could take hours to dissect all of the moments and decisions that helped to shape the Orioles' 8-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at Tropicana Field. We don't have that kind of time, so let's just get to the highlights. Wondering why Wei-Yin Chen was removed from the game after 5 2/3 innings and 84 pitches? "It was a good first start for him," said manager Buck Showalter. "He was a little up early but he made some adjustments and got the ball down and went...

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Orioles lose four-run lead (O's lose 8-7)

April 03, 2013, 5:07pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Well, that escalated quickly. Wei-Yin Chen left tonight's game after giving up a two-out RBI single to Ben Zobrist in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Orioles led 4-1, and Luis Ayala was called upon to get the final out. He got it, but not before Evan Longoria singled and Shelley Duncan mashed a three-run homer to left field. Orioles 4, Rays 4. Duncan hit into a double play and struck out against Chen, who's charged with two runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings,...

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Showalter on leadoff hitters, Davis on an early home run binge (updated twice)

April 03, 2013, 3:25pm

Orioles

Showalter on leadoff hitters, Davis on an early home run binge (updated twice)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter will have another decision to make on Thursday regarding his lineup. Does he keep Nate McLouth in the leadoff spot against Tampa Bay right-hander Roberto Hernandez or does he go back to Nick Markakis? "It's based on pitchers, but also based on our guys' skills, where they are in the season," Showalter said earlier today. "A lot of it has to do with presenting as good of a challenge as we can not only for the starter, but for the...

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McLouth on batting leadoff

April 03, 2013, 2:14pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Nate McLouth didn't know that he was batting first tonight until told by a reporter before the pregame stretch. He hadn't checked the lineup card hanging in the hallway that leads into the clubhouse. Nick Markakis led off on opening day against Tampa Bay left-hander David Price. McLouth is leading off against Rays right-hander Jeremy Hellickson. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? "There's multiple guys capable of doing that, of leading off," McLouth said. "He's...

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McLouth leading off, Machado batting second (plus Rays lineup)

April 03, 2013, 11:47am

Orioles

McLouth leading off, Machado batting second (plus Rays lineup)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have a new leadoff hitter tonight. Nate McLouth will bat first against the Tampa Bay Rays, with Nick Markakis moving down to third. Manny Machado will bat second again, as he did on opening day. Nolan Reimold will serve as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Nolan Reimold DH Brian Roberts 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP Since allowing five earned runs...

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Is tonight's game Chen music to Zobrist's ears? (plus home opener plans)

April 03, 2013, 8:23am

Orioles

Is tonight's game Chen music to Zobrist's ears? (plus home opener plans)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Now that we've slowed our heart rates following yesterday's opening day festivities at Tropicana Field, and the Orioles' 7-4 victory that followed, it's time to move onto the second game of the 2013 season. Jason Hammel basically trashed himself yesterday after turning in a quality start by definition, allowing three runs over six innings. He retired 15 of the first 17 batters he faced, serving up a single and home run to Ben Zobrist, but still gave himself a failing...

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Showalter shifts Machado

April 02, 2013, 7:14pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Kelly Johnson lined a pitch from Orioles reliever Darren O'Day into right field yesterday leading off the bottom of the eighth inning. I lowered my head to mark a single on my score sheet until realizing that someone had snatched the ball, tapped his glove once and fired a throw to first base to record the out. Second baseman Brian Roberts wasn't playing Johnson deep and right fielder Nick Markakis wasn't playing him shallow. That was third baseman Manny...

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Hearing from Showalter, Wieters and Hammel

April 02, 2013, 4:02pm

Orioles

Hearing from Showalter, Wieters and Hammel

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Matt Wieters feels right at home in Tropicana Field, which makes you wonder whether he lives in a large storage shed. Wieters' .371 average here is the second-highest among active players with a minimum of 100 at-bats, trailing only Victor Martinez (.402). He had two hits today, including a two-run homer in the first inning off Cy Young Award winner David Price, and drew two walks. Wieters is now 5-for-10 with two homers and three RBIs in three career openers against...

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Reimold and Roberts talk about their return to the lineup

April 02, 2013, 3:40pm

Orioles

Reimold and Roberts talk about their return to the lineup

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The first Tampa Bay batter of today's game, Desmond Jennings, sent a long fly ball to left field that Nolan Reimold ran down before slamming into the wall. He held onto it despite the impact. A few of the Orioles probably held their collective breath. Reimold didn't play after April last season because of a herniated disc in his neck that required surgery and a lengthy rehab. He got the start in left today, collected two hits and had one scary moment. "Well, I got...

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Jones has a typical opening day, Davis has a big swing

April 02, 2013, 3:20pm

Orioles

Jones has a typical opening day, Davis has a big swing

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Adam Jones doubled twice, singled and drove in two runs today that gave the Orioles a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh inning. Three hits on opening day? So, what else is new? Jones has recorded three-hit games in three of his six openers with the Orioles. He's 10-for-19 (.526) during that stretch. The Orioles were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position when Jones batted in the seventh. He fell behind 0-2 to Rays reliever Jake McGee and ripped a two-run double to...

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And there goes the lead (O's win 7-4)

April 02, 2013, 1:02pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position today, and it's come back to haunt them. Tampa Bay left-hander David Price is done after six innings and 100 pitches. He served up a two-run homer to Matt Wieters in the first, but that's all the scoring off him. Jason Hammel carried a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth, but he walked No. 9 hitter Kelly Johnson to lead off the inning. As you know, nothing good ever comes from a leadoff walk, especially to...

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Wieters gives Orioles early lead (Zobrist homers)

April 02, 2013, 11:33am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Tampa Bay left-hander David Price retired the first two Orioles in the top of the first inning. Then he ran into a little trouble. It was compounded when catcher Matt Wieters ran into a changeup. Wieters launched a two-run homer to left-center field following Adam Jones' double, giving the Orioles a quick 2-0 lead over the reigning Cy Young Award winner. Price missed with a 95 mph fastball, then tried an 87 mph changeup. Wieters, batting cleanup today, responded with...

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More from Showalter before the first pitch

April 02, 2013, 10:04am

Orioles

More from Showalter before the first pitch

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Three players in the Orioles clubhouse made an opening day roster for the first time in their major league careers: Pitchers Miguel Gonzalez and T.J. McFarland, and third baseman Manny Machado. McFarland is getting his first exposure to the majors after being selected from the Cleveland Indians' organization in the Rule 5 draft. "Before I came over here, I was looking at T.J. and wondering what must be going through his mind right now," said manager Buck Showalter....

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Lots of moving pieces in DH slot

April 02, 2013, 9:33am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter looked ahead at the upcoming pitching matchups and figured that he needed to get Steve Pearce in the lineup today as the designated hitter against Tampa Bay's David Price. The Orioles may not face another left-hander for a while, and Showalter didn't want Pearce to sit for too long. "It looks like we're going to go quite a while, the equivalent of about 10 days if you go back to the last time Stevie played in a game, before we face a...