Trying to Buck a losing trend

Trying to Buck a losing trend
Did you know that, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Orioles can become the first team in history to have three managers work at least 50 games apiece in the same season? Buck Showalter can complete the Triple Crown if he doesn't change his mind in September. I don't think the buzz over Showalter's debut tonight will match the one that accompanied Matt Wieters' arrival last summer. It's just not quite the same for a manager - unless Earl Weaver comes out of retirement again - but...
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VandenHurk dazzles in debut

VandenHurk dazzles in debut
Rick VandenHurk went seven innings tonight for Triple-A Norfolk and held Indianapolis to one run and four hits. He walked one and struck out four. VandenHurk left the game after 97 pitches, 64 for strikes. The right-hander, obtained from the Marlins for reliever Will Ohman at the non-waiver deadline, has allowed one earned run in each of his last five starts - the previous four with Triple-A New Orleans. Could he beat Zach Britton to Baltimore? Brandon Snyder hit his seventh home run, and...
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Adleman: No baserunners through six (updated three times)

Adleman: No baserunners through six (updated three times)
And no Buck Showalter quotes in this entry. Aberdeen's Timothy Adleman, a 24th-round draft pick this year out of Georgetown University, hasn't allowed a baserunner through six innings in his start against Staten Island. He's struck out five. Update: Adleman walked the leadoff batter in the seventh. Another batter reached on a two-out error. Update II: Adleman was removed after seven innings and no hits. Must have reached his pitch count. Update III: Staten Island finished with one...
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One more Showalter note; J.J. update

One more Showalter note; J.J. update
Buck Showalter modeled his new Orioles' jersey today, which included No. 26 to honor the late Johnny Oates. It was one of the more memorable scenes to come out of today's press conference. "The first thing, our kids looked at the media guide and my son Nathan said, 'Dad, Mr. Samuel's got No. 11,' and I said, 'Well, he'll keep it.' That's just part of it. I thought Juan certainly earned it," Showalter said. "The first thing that came to mind was John. He meant a lot to me in my...
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More Showalter-speak

More Showalter-speak
I've transcribed a few more quotes from new manager Buck Showalter: "You look at every job like it's your last one. This is where you want to have your career end, on your own terms, but we all know that's real naïve. I've got it. But you roll the dice. You really do. And people who have trouble with that accountability don't last very long. You do what's right, you try to treat people like you'd like to be treated, and through it all, you know that somewhere along the...
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Quotes from the press conference

Quotes from the press conference
Here is part of Andy MacPhail's opening statement: "What we have currently in our franchise is we have a young core of players who are struggling and have taken a step backwards. They haven't been exposed to a winning-type environment. We for the last couple months have been trying to find somebody that has had some experience at creating that winning environment, that has been exposed to young rosters before and knows how to prepare young players to be as good as they can possibly be. We...
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A few notes from Showalter's press conference

A few notes from Showalter's press conference
The press conference introducing Buck Showalter as manager lasted about 43 minutes and included a few unexpected quips. He often wears a serious look, but he also has a nice sense of humor. O's officially announce the hiring of their new skipper Buck Showalter Part 1 I'll attach some quotes later, but I wanted to pass along a few points: * Juan Samuel will remain in the organization in a special assignment role that will include checking out the Dominican facility. Gary Allenson will...
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Showalter time

Showalter time
I'm loading up my car and heading back to Sykesville so I can change clothes and head to Baltimore for Buck Showalter's noon press conference at Camden Yards. Sounds like a plan. I've never dealt with Showalter, never had a single conversation with him, and have no idea how he interacts with the media. He's been one of us at ESPN, which could prove beneficial in establishing a relationship. Maybe he's developed more patience over the years. I pointed out the obvious yesterday, that the...
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Checking on Zach (updated)

Checking on Zach (updated)
Zach Britton lasted four innings tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, allowing four runs (two earned) and four hits, walking two, striking out two and throwing two wild pitches. He threw 74 pitches, 35 for strikes. I wouldn't say he's kicking down the door right now, but a little defensive support would have been nice. More on that later. The Tides and Indianapolis are tied, 6-6, in the eighth. Robert Andino is batting cleanup tonight, which strikes me as odd. He's 1-for-3 with an RBI and two...
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Juan more loss for the road

Juan more loss for the road
The Orioles squandered another scoring opportunity, putting runners on first and second with no outs in the ninth. Nick Markakis swung at the first pitch and bounced into a 1-6-3 double play. Dagger. I had to hold down my father so he didn't launch himself through the ceiling. The first pitch? A tapper to the mound? Go ahead and scream at the top of your lungs. It's OK. Ty Wigginton walked to keep the rally alive, but second baseman Chris Getz made a diving stop of Luke Scott's...
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Wasted days and wasted nights

Wasted days and wasted nights
The Orioles loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth inning, but Julio Lugo struck out on a high fastball. Alex Gordon immediately made them pay, leading off the bottom half of the inning with a home run. The Orioles loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth and knocked Bruce Chen from the game, but they only scored one run after Josh Bell grounded into a double play. The Royals immediately made them pay, stringing together three consecutive singles with no outs in the bottom half of...
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Win one for Juan?

Win one for Juan?
I didn't mean on this road trip. Kevin Millwood gave up three runs and four hits in the first inning today, continuing that disturbing trend of being incredibly slow out of the gate. He's permitted at least two runs in the first inning in 11 of his last 12 starts. The Orioles ignored my previous suggestion of using a reliever in the first and bringing in Millwood in the second. Too desperate? Millwood threw 28 pitches in the inning. Troy Patton is probably staring at the bullpen phone....
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Today's lineups

Today's lineups
For the Orioles: Julio Lugo 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Jake Fox C Josh Bell 3B Cesar Izturis SS Kevin Millwood RHP For the Royals: Chris Getz 2B Jason Kendall C Billy Butler 1B Jose Guillen DH Wilson Betemit 3B Alex Gordon LF Mitch Maier RF Yuniesky Betancourt SS Gregor Blanco CF Bruce Chen LHP The Orioles officially recalled left-hander Troy Patton from Triple-A Norfolk. He'll wear No. 40. Patton was 7-9 with a 4.80 ERA in 20 starts with...
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Yesterday's fury of inactivity

Yesterday's fury of inactivity
Brad Bergesen didn't get the win last night because Billy Butler hit a two-run homer off David Hernandez in the eighth inning. Painful, yes, but not the same as taking a Butler line drive off your shin. If you put it in perspective...well, never mind. It still hurts. It's just a different kind of hurt. The Orioles need to avoid playing the Royals around the non-waiver trade deadline. Bad things happen. Speaking of the deadline, yes, I'm aware that ESPN gives the Orioles a failing grade...
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Wanting to throw back this game

Wanting to throw back this game
No wonder I didn't recognize the two teams playing as I walked past the bar television at Fresco's. Those throwback uniforms threw me. On the ride home, I received a text message that said, "Snakebit!!" I assumed that the Orioles no longer held that 3-2 lead. Sure enough, I got back to my parents' house in time to watch the top of the ninth - fast game - and get the recap. In an attempt to find the silver lining, I'll point out that Brad Bergesen held the Royals to two runs over seven...
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New Royals lineup and more stuff

New Royals lineup and more stuff
The Royals traded Rick Ankiel to the Braves, so you can scratch him from tonight's lineup. Here's the new one: Getz 2B Kendall C Butler 1B Guillen DH Gordon LF Aviles 3B Maier CF Bloomquist RF Betancourt SS Greinke RHP Rick VandenHurk is the fifth Netherlands-born player to appear in the majors since 1900. He'll have to wait to make his Orioles debut, since he's been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. Josh Bell was added to the Orioles' roster tonight. Scott Moore takes Bell's place on...
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More on the trade (updated)

More on the trade (updated)
The Orioles will assign newly acquired right-hander Rick VandenHurk to Triple-A Norfolk. They're expected to recall left-hander Troy Patton and use him in long relief, but discussions are ongoing. Mark Hendrickson could be used in a shorter role, since Will Ohman served primarily as a specialist. But the Orioles need depth at long relief because their starters have been exiting games early. The Orioles asked for VandenHurk earlier today and were turned down. The couldn't reach agreement on...
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Ohman traded (w/ update and lineups)

Ohman traded (w/ update and lineups)
I've just gotten confirmation that the Orioles traded Will Ohman to the Florida Marlins. Nothing else to report at the moment, but the Orioles have swung their second trade in three days. Update: The Orioles receive right-hander Rick VandenHurk. So much for "unlikely." Luke Scott and Ty Wigginton remain in the organization, but the Orioles have dealt their left-handed specialist, whose 51 appearances without a decision are a club record. Here are the lineups: For the Orioles: Brian...
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Waivering on potential trades (updated)

Waivering on potential trades (updated)
Update: I just got off the phone with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, who said it's "unlikely" that the Orioles will make a trade today. "At this point, I would believe not," he said. I'll check back with him later this afternoon. Now, back to your original entry, already in progress: The 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline is bearing down on us, and I passed up a chance to accompany my parents and the birthday girl to the beach this morning because I need to make phone...
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Berken's slump (updated)

Berken's slump (updated)
Jason Berken gave up the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and stands to be the loser if the Orioles don't rally. Update: Berken's off the hook. Ty Wigginton doubled to tie the game in the eighth, and he scored on Wilson Betemit's error to give the Orioles a 5-4 lead. Berken was making his first appearance since July 24, and his second since July 21, as interim manager Juan Samuel tries to ease up on him. After carrying a heavy workload in the first half, Berken has allowed seven runs and...
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