How long is Arrieta's leash? (w/Pelzer update)

How long is Arrieta's leash? (w/Pelzer update)
Apparently, it's longer than the one Brian Matusz wore last night. Interim manager Juan Samuel indicated before the game that he'll stick with Arrieta if the rookie right-hander encounters some early-inning trouble. No quick hooks here. That's probably a good idea, considering that Samuel went to his bullpen in the fourth inning last night. Arrieta received a visit from pitching coach Rick Kranitz in the first inning, and a lecture in the dugout while the Orioles were batting in the top of...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 3B Luke Scott 1B Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Corey Patterson DH Cesar Izturis SS Jake Arrieta RHP For the Royals: Chris Getz 2B Jason Kendall C Billy Butler 1B Jose Guillen DH Rick Ankiel CF Wilson Betemit 3B Alex Gordon LF Yuniesky Betancourt SS Mitch Maier RF Sean O'Sullivan RHP
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Who does No. 2 work for?

Who does No. 2 work for?
I made it to Ocean Pines without having to pull off the road and blog about a trade. I won't bother to ask president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail whether he's close to making another deal. One phone call changes everything, and I'd need to sit next to him all day to make sure his original answer holds up. He hasn't extended the invitation. We've figured out that Josh Bell is the primary replacement for Miguel Tejada at third base, but who becomes the No. 2 hitter? Nick...
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This, that and the other

This, that and the other
A few observations before I load up my car for another weekend trip to Ocean Pines, where my family will be celebrating my sister's birthday. That would be my older sister. My opinion of the Miguel Tejada trade? The Orioles weren't going to get much for him and they ended up with a Double-A power arm, belonging to Wynn Pelzer, who was ranked the seventh-best prospect in the Padres' organization by Baseball America. They could have done a lot worse. Not a ringing endorsement, but that's...
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Quick hook for Matusz

Quick hook for Matusz
Interim manager Juan Samuel isn't playing around. His days in charge are numbered, but he's still calling the shots. Samuel removed Brian Matusz tonight after 3 1/3 innings. Matusz took a no-hitter into the fourth, walked three of the first four batters he faced, and eventually was charged with five runs. Only two runs had crossed while Matusz was on the mound. The rest came home with Mark Hendrickson pitching. MASN's cameras caught Matusz and pitching coach Rick Kranitz heading down the...
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Showalter's impact already felt

Showalter's impact already felt
Well, not really, but the Oriole lead, 3-0, in the third inning after manufacturing two runs and getting another on Nick Markakis' homer. Or maybe the Orioles are trying to win one for Juan! Brian Roberts doubled to lead off the first inning, took third on Nick Markakis ground ball and scored on Ty Wigginton's fly ball. Orioles 1, Royals 0. Felix Pie singled with one out in the second, moved up on a wild pitch, held as Matt Wieters walked, moved up again on another wild pitch, held on...
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Tejada deal now official (update)

Tejada deal now official (update)
The Orioles announced that they have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Wynn Pelzer from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Miguel Tejada and cash. Pelzer, 24, is 26-23 with a 3.83 ERA and has 330 strikeouts in 79 games (68 starts) over three minor league seasons. The right-hander is 6-9 with a 4.20 ERA (94 1/3 IP, 44ER) and 83 strikeouts in 22 games (18 starts) for the Double-A San Antonio Missions this year. In 2009 with Single-A Lake Elsinore, Pelzer went 11-8 with a 3.94 ERA...
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Deal close for Tejada (& Showalter quote)

Deal close for Tejada (& Showalter quote)
The Orioles removed third baseman Miguel Tejada from tonight's lineup because they're close to completing a trade for him. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said he couldn't confirm anything yet and a deal hasn't been finalized, but we're free to speculate on why Tejada was scratched. Yes, it involves a pending trade. An announcement could come within the next hour or two. The Sun is reporting that Tejada has been dealt to the San Diego Padres, and I just talked to...
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Tonight's lineups (Tejada pulled)

Tonight's lineups (Tejada pulled)
Miguel Tejada was just pulled from the lineup, leading to speculation that he might have been traded. We're scrambling to get more information. Here's the new lineup: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 3B Luke Scott 1B Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Corey Patterson DH Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP For the Royals: Willie Bloomquist RF Jason Kendall C Billy Butler 1B Jose Guillen DH Wilson Betemit 3B Mike Aviles 2B Rick Ankiel CF Yuniesky Betancourt SS Alex Gordon...
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O's to introduce Showalter Monday at Camden Yards

O's to introduce Showalter Monday at Camden Yards
The Orioles will introduce Buck Showalter as manager on Monday at a noon press conference at Camden Yards, when he officially takes over the club. "Buck Showalter's proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles and we are thrilled to add a two-time Manager of the Year to our organization" president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said in a statement. "We believe Buck's extensive experience and expertise will be a major benefit to us as we look towards a...
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The Buck stops here (updated twice)

The Buck stops here (updated twice)
Finally, the headline everyone was waiting to read. ESPN's Tim Kurkjian reports that the Orioles reached agreement with Buck Showalter to take over as manager on Tuesday, when the Orioles begin their next homestand. Interesting timing that president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail had to take another call earlier today just as I asked him about the managerial situation. Could Showalter have been on the other end? Update: A team official confirmed the hiring, and the Orioles are...
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Another 48 hours

Another 48 hours
The Orioles continue to engage in "active discussions" with other teams as the 4:00 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline approaches on Saturday, according to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, but nothing appears close to transpiring. No deals are on the immediate horizon. It's obvious that teams are chasing impact pitchers and position players, and the Orioles represent a fallback option. What happens with the Orioles depends largely on what happens around them. That doesn't...
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Psyched for that Toronto rematch

Psyched for that Toronto rematch
If it makes you feel any better, the Orioles don't play Toronto again until Sept. 13. They should be good and mad at the Jays. Hold 'em back or this could get ugly. They also have three more games at Rogers Centre beginning Sept. 24. Oh, I bet they'll be steamed like a bushel of crabs. Prepare for baseball's No. 1 rivalry. It'll make Yankees-Red Sox look like a PTA meeting. (So who ordered the French toast with a side of sarcasm? And anyone need a refill on their coffee?) Scooter gave...
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Good Guts, but no glory (updated)

Good Guts, but no glory (updated)
Jeremy Guthrie turned in his third consecutive quality start, but he has no shot at winning this game. The offense bailed on him again, finding it impossible to catch up to Brad Mills' mid-80s heater and sweeping curveball. Looked like slop to me, but what do I know? The Orioles managed only two hits in seven innings - Brian Roberts' leadoff single in the first and Jake Fox's two-out single in the seventh. They were impatient early on, making it easy for Mills, and stranded three runners...
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Couldn't help but notice (1 more thing)

Couldn't help but notice (1 more thing)
Brian Roberts began the game with a single, and Miguel Tejada swung at the first pitch and grounded into a routine double play. Can't recall if that's happened this season. Ty Wigginton stopped halfway between first and second because he wasn't certain if Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay fielded Adam Jones' sharp grounder in fair territory. He took a few more steps and stopped again before realizing it was a live ball. Wigginton dived into second without a throw, but I can't quite...
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More of Scott Moore

More of Scott Moore
Infielder Scott Moore cleared waivers today and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. Moore could have elected to become a free agent, but again chose to stay in the organization. The Orioles designated Moore for assignment when second baseman Brian Roberts came off the disabled list. He batted .209 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 41 games. I'll be interested to find out where he makes most of his starts with the Tides. He still needs work at second base, but it also would...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: 2B Brian Roberts 3B Miguel Tejada RF Nick Markakis DH Luke Scott 1B Ty Wigginton CF Adam Jones C Jake Fox LF Corey Patterson SS Cesar Izturis RHP Jeremy Guthrie For the Blue Jays: LF Fred Lewis SS Yunel Escobar RF Jose Bautista CF Vernon Wells DH Adam Lind 2B Aaron Hill 1B Lyle Overbay C John Buck 3B Edwin Encarnacion LHP Brad Mills Minor league transactions: Catcher Craig Tatum has been added to Triple-A Norfolk's roster. Catcher Adam Donachie was transferred to...
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What's at stake

What's at stake
The Orioles will try to avoid their 70th loss tonight. They're currently 31-69 through 100 games. The historically bad 1988 team was 32-68 at this point. Putting this fine season in perspective, the Orioles need to finish 32-30 to avoid losing 100 games. They need to go 25-37 to avoid losing more games than the '88 team that finished 54-107. The '88 Orioles played their next 3 games against the Royals - this year's team will play the next four in Kansas City - and lost all three. They...
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A must-win tonight

A must-win tonight
It has to happen tonight. The Orioles are 0-11 against the Blue Jays this season. They can't go 0-12. Tonight presents their best opportunity to salvage a victory over Toronto, a team that treats the Orioles the same way Sidney Ponson treats a slice of cheesecake. Rookie Brad Mills is making his third major league start for the Jays, and his first in 2010. The lefty has allowed 12 runs and 14 hits in 7 2/3 innings, and has surrendered four home runs. The Orioles will counter with...
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Same old story

Same old story
Same old song and dance. The Orioles can't beat the Blue Jays. Doesn't matter who's pitching, who's hitting, where the game's being played. It's a mismatch and I've seen too much of it. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and realize this entire season has been a bad dream. Jose Bautista doesn't really have 30 home runs, and the Orioles' No. 1 starter acquired during the winter meetings, right-hander Kevin Millwood, isn't really 2-10 with a 5.96 ERA. I have no idea who's taking a shower,...
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