The Wieters strategy (w/interesting Matusz stat)

The Wieters strategy (w/interesting Matusz stat)
The Rays keep playing that exaggerated infield shift with Matt Wieters at the plate. Second baseman Sean Rodriguez drops into shallow right field, shortstop Jason Bartlett swings around to second and third baseman Evan Longoria occupies the shortstop position. It's an interesting perception of Wieters, considering that one of the most common questions posed to him last year was, "When are you going to pull a ball for a home run?" He kept going to the opposite field. Wieters flied to...
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Gonzo's baby girl (updated)

Gonzo's baby girl (updated)
It looks like we'll start on time tonight. The tarp's off the field, players are warming up and the lineups are being introduced over the PA system. Closer Mike Gonzalez is the proud father of a baby girl, Arianna Marie Gonzalez. She's 6 pounds, 14 ounces, and she's 19 1/2 inches long. Gonzalez claims that she's "gorgeous." Aren't they all? Manager Dave Trembley commented on Monday's record-low crowd at Camden Yards. "I think it's always nice to have a lot of people, but you...
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What's going on with Gonzo?

What's going on with Gonzo?
Is Mike Gonzalez the closer tonight? Not if his mechanics still need to be ironed out. I wouldn't count on Gonzalez getting the ball in the ninth inning unless the Orioles have a comfortable lead, but you decide. "I'm not sure when I would use him, whether that be the seventh inning or eighth inning or ninth inning," manager Dave Trembley said. "He came here to be the closer. Like I said before he left to attend the birth of his child, I thought it was in his best interest and in the...
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Welcome Matt to the cleanup spot

Welcome Matt to the cleanup spot
This might comes as a total shock to many of you, but the lineup was the primary topic in manager Dave Trembley's pre-game media session. No lie. "Let's do what we can to get the offense started and score some runs," he said. "Changing it up is a good idea. Change the routine a little bit." Trembley won't commit to batting Miguel Tejada second, Matt Wieters fourth and Adam Jones fifth for an extended period. He's taking it on a game-by-game basis. In fact, you can expect Craig Tatum...
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Tejada second, Wieters fourth

Tejada second, Wieters fourth
Here's the Orioles lineup: Felix Pie LF Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Nolan Reimold DH Garrett Atkins 1B Ty Wigginton 2B Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP Koji Uehara was scheduled to throw another bullpen session today in Sarasota. He was expected to throw 25 pitches, duplicating Sunday's count. Here's the Rays lineup: Bartlett SS Rodriguez 2B Zobrist RF Longoria 3B Pena 1B Upton CF Aybar DH Navarro C Kapler LF Niemann RHP
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Roberts: "Whether that means 15 days or 25 days, I don't know."

Roberts: "Whether that means 15 days or 25 days, I don't know."
The strained abdominal muscle that forced Brian Roberts out of Friday's home opener has improved enough that it's no longer a concern for him. His lower back, however, continues to disrupt the first month of his season and leave a gaping hole atop the order. Roberts received another epidural yesterday to ease the discomfort in his lower back. He's been told to rest before being re-examined by a specialist in three days. "Initially, I came out of the game because of my stomach, but the...
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Lineup changes coming?

Lineup changes coming?
Following last night's loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, which might not have actually happened since nobody was there to see it (you know, the ol' tree falling in a forest), manager Dave Trembley suggested that he might shake up the lineup. "Yeah, I probably should do something," Trembley replied when asked if he'd consider it. "You lose your leadoff hitter, that isn't the greatest news in the world when that happens. And then you've probably got eight other guys trying to make up for his...
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Rookie stopper

Rookie stopper
I knew that Mike Gonzalez left the team to be present for the birth of his daughter in Arizona. I didn't know he took most of the city with him. You probably can't blame last night's record-low attendance entirely on the Orioles' lousy start. Monday night games against the Rays aren't a big draw. But it's still painful. Brian Matusz takes the ball tonight, and I'm asking him again to behave like a veteran anchor of the pitching staff and end this skid. No pressure, kid. Matusz...
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Down on the farm

Down on the farm
Brandon Erbe took the loss tonight in his Triple-A debut. Erbe allowed four runs and six hits, with three walks, in 4 1/3 innings in Norfolk's 6-3 loss to Charlotte. Erbe struck out three, but his pitch count soared to 85 before Jim Miller replaced him. Charlotte starter Dan Hudson allowed a leadoff homer to Jeff Salazar before retiring 14 in a row. Josh Bell had an RBI double in the ninth, and he scored on Rhyne Hughes' single. The rally ended when former Oriole Greg Aquino retired...
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Wrapping up another defeat

Wrapping up another defeat
During his post-game session with the media, Orioles manager Dave Trembley said, "I think for the most part guys are doing the best they can." Dave Trembley talks with the media after the O's 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay I'd love to hear the exceptions. Jeremy Guthrie turned in a solid start, one that was worthy of a victory. His ball has more movement than last season. He's not pitching up in the strike zone as much. His slider is better. His record would be better if the Orioles would score...
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When you're going bad...

When you're going bad...
Tonight's attendance: 9,129. That's the smallest crowd in the history of Camden Yards. Just when it appeared that Garrett Atkins would come up with a big hit in the seventh, Carl Crawford raced into left-center field and made a sensational diving catch. Crawford looked like an NFL receiver laying out for a pass, except he only used one hand to make the grab and it was covered with an outfielder's glove. So it wasn't exactly like an NFL receiver. No shoulder pads, either. Luke Scott...
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Could tie-breaker also be heartbreaker? (updated)

Could tie-breaker also be heartbreaker? (updated)
Ben Zobrist just tripled in the sixth inning to score Carl Crawford and break a 1-1 tie. Zobrist came home on Evan Longoria's fly ball. Rays 3, Orioles 1. Jeremy Guthrie retired eight in a row before Crawford doubled with one out, making him 3-for-3. Guthrie's completed six innings, but his pitch count has exceeded 90 and the bullpen is busy. The Orioles are 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position tonight, including two chances in the second inning, to leave them 9-for-58 on the season....
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The good and the bad (updated)

The good and the bad (updated)
Felix Pie led off the bottom of the first with a home run off Tampa Bay starter Matt Garza. Orioles 1, Rays 0. Pie could get a lot of opportunities to bat first while Brian Roberts stays on the disabled list, though it's less likely to happen when the Orioles face a left-handed starter. And you never know what you'll get with Pie, as manager Dave Trembley has pointed out. Pie could jump on the first pitch and hit it a long way. He could work the count in his next at-bat. He could swing at...
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Juan and done

Juan and done
You can include Juan Samuel, who works with the infielders, among the observers who rank second base as Justin Turner's best position. "To me, his best position from what I've seen is second base," Samuel said. See, I told you. "He's got a good bat and he can turn the double play at second base," Samuel added. "He came up last year and played a little third base for us. I haven't seen him play much at short, but his best position is second base." Shortstop is Turner's third-best...
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Updating Roberts

Updating Roberts
Orioles manager Dave Trembley confirmed that second baseman Brian Roberts received another epidural on his lower back today after an MRI didn't reveal any new information. Roberts has been told to rest for four or five days before attempting to work out. He'll probably go on an injury rehab assignment before being activated from the disabled list. The question is, when will Roberts be ready? And are we back to worrying more about his back? What about the strained abdominal muscle? Fifteen...
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Justin time

Justin time
Justin Turner and his Norfolk teammates were watching the Orioles' home opener on a clubhouse television when Brian Roberts left the game with a strained abdominal muscle. Turner knew about the injury. He just wasn't sure how it would impact him. It wasn't until yesterday morning that Turner found out about his promotion to Baltimore, the news coming in a meeting with Tides manager Gary Allenson about an hour before their game. "I knew Brian was hurt but I didn't know what was going to...
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Pre-game notes

Pre-game notes
Injured second baseman Brian Roberts won't accompany the team to the West Coast after undergoing an MRI today. Roberts also might receive another epidural after being re-examined. Roberts has been instructed to take off the next three days before attempting to work out. He also will need to get some at-bats at the minor league camp or with an affiliate before returning to the lineup. The Orioles don't know whether Roberts will be ready to come off the disabled list when he's eligible on...
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Today's lineups

Today's lineups
For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Matt Wieters C Luke Scott DH Garrett Atkins 1B Julio Lugo 2B Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP For the Rays: Bartless SS Crawford LF Zobrist RF Longoria 3B Pena 1B Upton CF Burrell DH Brignac 2B Navarro C Matt Garza RHP
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Jones goes from Gold Glove to Golden Arm

Jones goes from Gold Glove to Golden Arm
MASNsports.com's Dan Kolko, who is providing constant updates on the Ravens-Colts game today from M&T Bank Stadium, noted that Orioles center fielder Adam Jones stood on the sideline during warmups wearing a Johnny Unitas jersey. Jones is playing it smart. He's a Colts fan because he's a huge Peyton Manning fan, but he must know how poorly that choice would be received in Baltimore. Better to sport the Unitas jersey. That softens the blow. And you can't go wrong anytime you pay tribute...
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Talking to Bergesen

Talking to Bergesen
Brad Bergesen continued his running program yesterday, the third time he's picked up the pace without having any issues with his leg. Bergesen told me that he starts with a five-minute walk, then a five-minute run, then a five-minute power walk. "It all felt good," he said. "I've been doing my core training for three weeks now, going into a fourth. Everything's good. I still feel (the leg) a little, but I'm able to do everything. It's not like it's painful or anything." Asked if...
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