Roch Kubatko
Roch Kubatko

They Bop

They Bop
I had no idea that Delino DeShields spent the summer as hitting coach for the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League. So you can imagine my reaction when I read yesterday that he was named manager. Delino DeShields? Yep, that guy. I never thought of DeShields as manager material, but the Cincinnati Reds obviously disagree. Perhaps a baserunning instructor, but definitely not a motivational speaker. DeShields, nicknamed "Bop," did a lot of pouting during his three seasons with the...
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Roch Kubatko

Minor matters

Minor matters
Major League Baseball will announce its Managers of the Year in the AL and NL later today. I'm predicting that Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire is honored after leading the Twins to the Central Division title, with Texas' Ron Washington and Seattle's Don Wakamatsu also collecting votes. The Twins looked like toast after Justin Morneau was shut down, but they made the playoffs. And it's not like they loaded up on pricey free agents over the winter. After revealing the Orioles' interest in...
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Roch Kubatko

And the winners are...

And the winners are...
The Angels' Mike Scioscia was named the AL's Manager of the Year after receiving 15 first-place votes, 10 for second and one for third. Minnesota's Ron Gardehire was the runner-up. He received six first-place votes, 12 second and six third. The Yankees' Joe Girardi (four, three, five) finished third. Seattle's Don Wakamatsu and Texas' Ron Washington also received first-place votes. Detroit's Jim Leyland garnered two third-place votes. In the NL, Colorado's Jim Tracy took home the...
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Roch Kubatko

40-man moves (updated)

40-man moves (updated)
The Orioles have added six players to their 40-man roster: pitchers Brandon Erbe and Luis Lebron, and infielders Josh Bell, Pedro Florimon, Rhyne Hughes and Brandon Snyder. The roster is at its capacity. Teams must submit their rosters to the MLB office by Friday afternoon. The Orioles could create more room by the deadline and protect other players from the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 10 in Indianapolis, but it's not expected to happen. For now, at least, they've settled on their...
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Roch Kubatko

Not putting the fun in fundamentals

Not putting the fun in fundamentals
I just read The Sun headline on its Web site and did a spit-take before realizing my mistake. Funk continues as O's lose 4-2 to A's Maybe it's because I'm still half-asleep. In my haste to approve comments this morning, I accidentally deleted the three most recent that were filed (including one from JPA.) I can't retrieve them, so re-submit and I'll post them. And please accept my apologies. Another reminder that I've seen the FoxSports.com story from Ken Rosenthal and I'll try to...
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Roch Kubatko

Fighting back in the fifth

Fighting back in the fifth
Oakland left-hander Dallas Braden retired the first 10 batters before Nick Markakis doubled down the right field line in the fourth inning. Whew. As if we needed a perfect game on top of everything else. Ty Wigginton just hit a two-run bomb into the upper deck in left field to reduce Oakland's lead to 4-2 in the fifth. It looks like he'll continue to receive the starts at second base. Kevin Millwood has allowed four runs in four innings, and his pitch count is skyrocketing. It's already...
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Roch Kubatko

Pie down

Pie down
Anyone want to bat leadoff? The Orioles' decision to put Felix Pie on the disabled list this afternoon with a strained muscle in his upper back leaves them without two leadoff hitters. Pie joins second baseman Brian Roberts, who's supposed to fill that role on a full-time basis. I'd draw straws, except that's also the method I'd use to write out the entire lineup. Not very original. Adam Jones gets the call tonight, and it won't be the last time. If I'm Jones, I'd be a little...
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Roch Kubatko

Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold DH Luke Scott LF Garrett Atkins 1B Ty Wigginton 2B Cesar Izturis SS Kevin Millwood RHP For the Athletics Rajai Davis CF Daric Barton 1B Ryan Sweeney RF Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B Eric Chavez DH Jake Fox C Gabe Gross LF Adam Rosales 2B Cliff Pennington SS Dallas Braden LHP
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The real race

The real race
If you'd rather shield your eyes from the division standings, and it's like staring at the sun until you get a searing headache, I have a better race for you. Who is the greater source of frustration for manager Dave Trembley - Koji Uehara, Mike Gonzalez or Felix Pie? Uehara was limited to 12 starts last year because of hamstring and elbow injuries. The hamstring first became an issue in spring training. And his stamina was so poor, he'd break a sweat opening a bottled water. Now the...
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What to do with Pie

What to do with Pie
Has anyone been able to find the reset button on this season? I'll gladly take the tip of a pen and press it inside that little hole. Whatever it takes to start over. If the Orioles can't lead the league in wins, maybe they'll take first in injuries. Felix Pie's shoulder won't heal, and he left last night's game in obvious pain after taking a hard cut. Manager Dave Trembley has sat him against left-handers, but not only because of the percentages. He just can't use Pie every night...
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Being programmed

Being programmed
I'm bouncing between programs tonight - the SNL special, the "30 for 30" documentary on Allen Iverson, the end of the Caps game. I check on the Orioles and see David Hernandez give up two runs in the first inning. I turn back later and see Cesar Izturis ground out to strand two runners. I flip back again and see Oakland add a run in the second inning and still have the bases loaded. Hernandez did a terrific job controlling the damage in the second. The game could have totally gotten out...
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Second to none (w/injury updates)

Second to none (w/injury updates)
Injury updates: MASN's Amber Theoharis tells me that closer Mike Gonzalez will head to the minor league camp in Sarasota to begin a three-week rehab assignment. It'll be a while before he's attempting to close games again. Manager Dave Trembley told reporters in Oakland that Jim Johnson most likely would receive the bulk of the save opportunities. Kam Mickolio will work at the back end of the bullpen, giving Trembley a power arm late in the games. Also, Koji Uehara is scheduled to face...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Matt Wieters C Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 2B Garrett Atkins 1B Cesar Izturis SS David Hernandez RHP For the Athletics Rajai Davis CF Daric Barton 1B Ryan Sweeney RF Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B Kurt Suzuki C Eric Chavez DH Adam Rosales 2B Travis Buck LF Cliff Pennington SS Ben Sheets RHP
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Missing the Orioles

Missing the Orioles
Today is the first day that I've been away from the Orioles since I arrived in Sarasota on Feb. 16, and I'm beginning to experience separation anxiety. I just asked my neighbor how his groin is feeling. I chastised the paper boy for his poor arm slot. I stopped by the Eldersburg bowling alley so I could check how the ball was coming out of someone's hand. I popped in a tape of the last New Year's Eve celebration so I could watch another ball drop. I chose a different chair this morning...
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Roster move official (updated)

Roster move official (updated)
The Orioles just announced that they've recalled right-handed reliever Kam Mickolio from Triple-A Norfolk to replace closer Mike Gonzalez on the 25-man roster. He joined the team in Oakland. Mickolio went 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings in spring training, but he also walked seven batters. He allowed one earned run in three innings at Norfolk, but also issued four walks. Once that plate stops moving, he'll be fine. The Orioles view Mickolio as a potential closer down the road once his...
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Opponents 8, Orioles 1

Opponents 8, Orioles 1
You want good news? The Orioles didn't give up a run in the eighth or ninth inning for the first time this season. That's progress. I respect the fans who applauded Luke Scott's one-out walk in the bottom of the ninth inning. I won't question their sanity. Way to stay in the game. Dave Trembley talks with the media after the O's 9-1 loss to the Rays Garrett Atkins followed with a little roller in front of the plate. The catcher picked up the ball and tagged Atkins on the foot for...
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A closer look

A closer look
Manager Dave Trembley confirmed that Jim Johnson would "get that consideration" as Mike Gonzalez's replacement in the ninth inning. It's not a ringing endorsement, but it sounds like Johnson is the frontrunner to close. He brings a little experience, if not a lot of success, to the table. Gonzalez told Trembley that his shoulder has been bothering him the last couple of days. The club is awaiting the results of his MRI.
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A few items of possible interest

A few items of possible interest
Today's attendance: 10,248. Not a record low, but pretty darn low. That's 125,646 tickets sold for this homestand. B.J. Upton has two home runs this season - both of them coming today. He connected off Brad Bergesen in the third inning and took Jason Berken deep in the seventh. Tampa Bay 9, Orioles 1 Did two blown saves in four games really turn things around this dramatically? It's the second multi-homer game of Upton's career, the other coming July 20, 2007 at New York. See, bad...
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What's going on with Sarfate? (updated twice)

What's going on with Sarfate? (updated twice)
Dennis Sarfate entered today's game at Triple-A Norfolk, but he apparently left without throwing a pitch. Anybody else find that strange? The Tides lead Charlotte, 7-0, in the bottom of the seventh. Jake Arrieta tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out five. He threw 79 pitches, 56 for strikes. Update: Sarfate left the game with a strained oblique muscle. He's tossed three scoreless innings for the Tides this season, allowing one hit, walking one and striking...
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From bad to worse

From bad to worse
I wonder if the new reliever can get here right now. Brad Bergesen is getting the pinata treatment today. B.J. Upton just hit a three-run homer in the third inning, the second for the Rays today. Tampa Bay 6, Orioles 0. Bergesen just doesn't have it today. Upton slaughtered an 89 mph fastball, sending it 405 feet into the seats in left-center field. The Rays also collected two doubles in the inning. Four of their five hits have gone for extra-bases, with Upton and Carlos Pena touching...
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