Snyder back to Norfolk (update - he homers)

Snyder back to Norfolk (update - he homers)
Brandon Snyder was activated off the DL by the Triple-A Norfolk Tides today and is batting seventh and playing first base at Lehigh Valley tonight. Snyder, who last played for the Tides on June 17, went 3 for 13 with a double and homer in three games on an injury rehab assignment with Aberdeen. Snyder resumes his play with the Tides with a five-game batting streak, during which he went 7 for 18. Update: His first time up tonight, Snyder hit a two-run homer in the top of the second in that...
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Roberts set to return to lineup

Roberts set to return to lineup
It was Friday afternoon, April 9 and the Orioles were playing Toronto in their home opener. It was 55 degrees at game time and 48,891 filled the Camden Yards stands. And Brian Roberts was in the O's lineup. He re-injured his back that day sliding into second base on a successful steal in the bottom of the first. He later scored, but soon after came out of the game. He has not been seen in the O's lineup since. That changes tonight, when Roberts officially comes off the DL to bat first...
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Wiggy reacts to his suspension

Wiggy reacts to his suspension
Ty Wigginton had a two-word response when asked today about getting a three-game suspension and fine for allegedly bumping umpire Gary Darling in last night's game. "Shock. Surprised," he said. Wigginton got the news just before reporters were allowed in the clubhouse. He said he was told the suspension was handed down because it was ruled that he did bump Darling. "Yep, yep (that is why I got suspended). It wasn't like a definite bump. I feel like if I bump somebody there, that...
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Jordan says contract talks with Machado have begun

Jordan says contract talks with Machado have begun
O's scouting director Joe Jordan confirmed this afternoon that the Orioles have begun contract negotiations with top draft pick, shortstop Manny Machado. "We've gotten that one opened up. It's a long way from being complete, but there is some dialogue going on which is good. Like I said before, I just don't have a real timeline on that one." Jordan said dollar figures have been exchanged, but "we still have a lot of ground to cover." Andy MacPhail told O's season ticket holders...
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O's frustations boil over & Millwood gets it together

O's frustations boil over & Millwood gets it together
For some fans, even in a 5-0 loss to Minnesota last night, maybe there was something to be pleased about. They saw passion, emotion and a little anger from Juan Samuel and Ty Wigginton. They both got ejected but also got some of their loudest ovations of the year. You could almost sense the crowd saying "Right on, it's about time you guys showed you are as ticked off as we are." Pitching coach Rick Kranitz, who was also ejected, pretty much admitted what seemed obvious. The arguments...
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Wigginton and Kranitz on their ejections

Wigginton and Kranitz on their ejections
After a volatile night with three O's ejected from tonight's 5-0 loss to Minnesota, pitching coach Rick Kranitz and Ty Wigginton talked about their ejections. (Roch has posted comments from Juan Samuel, who was also tossed). Kranitz was ejected after Wigginton's ejection for arguing a safe call at first base. Kranitz was tossed by home plate ump Bill Hohn. "I didn't say anything," Kranitz said. "I sarcastically clapped in the way that the umpire, I guess Bill Hohn took offense to. ...
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The umpires speak

The umpires speak
Tonight, I served as the pool reporter for the reporters covering the game and asked some post-game questions to crew chief Gary Darling about the ejections of Ty Wigginton and pitching coach Rick Kranitz from tonight's game. Darling admitted that he got the call at first base wrong on the tag play and safe call in the top of the seventh that led to Wigginton's argument and ejection. "We looked at it, he missed him the first time and on a close play, he got him the second time it looked...
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Wiggy's ejection (Juan & Kranny too)

Wiggy's ejection (Juan & Kranny too)
If fans were looking for someone to show fire and passion on this team, they just saw it. Ty Wigginton was ejected by first base umpire Gary Darling for arguing a play in the top of the seventh. J.J. Hardy broke for second on a steal then turned around and retreated to first. When Wigginton took the throw and applied the tag on Hardy he was expecting an out call that didn't come. He immediately charged toward Darling, but did not make contact with him as Darling put up his hand to throw...
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Millwood gets on a roll

Millwood gets on a roll
Too bad he gave up three runs in the first inning tonight. Since then, Kevin Millwood has had a strong outing that should be somewhat encouraging for fans and O's brass alike. Millwood has allowed just one run and three hits from innings two through six. He gave up a bomb to Michael Cuddyer for a solo homer in the fourth. It went 434 feet and was one of those blasts that Jamie Walker used to refer to as a "rocket ship." But Millwood has been pretty solid since giving up that...
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Some things I just don't understand (updated)

Some things I just don't understand (updated)
The O's hitters watched their 35-year-old right-hander Kevin Millwood throw 34 pitches in the top of the first tonight and then their hitters went down 1-2-3 in the last of the first on just five pitches. Three batters, five pitches. Minnesota's hitter leading off the top of the second, Nick Punto, saw as many pitches (five) as the three O's hitters did combined. I just don't get that. Why not see a few pitches at least and give the guy a break. After all he is coming off the DL to...
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Wieters closes in on his return

Wieters closes in on his return
Matt Wieters continues to make progress and today ran the bases earlier here at Camden Yards to test his right hamstring strain. "It went well. It was no (bad) feeling at all. The only difference is you've got to get used to getting the stride right to where you're not going to hit the base. But other than that, everything felt really good. "Yeah, barring any setbacks (I should be back Sunday). Right now I feel good and I was out there doing some catch and stuff, and everything feels...
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B-Rob behind closed doors in manager's office

B-Rob behind closed doors in manager's office
After spending a few minutes behind closed doors today in the manager's office, Brian Roberts emerged and said he is taking today off and is still not sure when he will rejoin the Orioles roster. Some here are guessing it could come as early as tomorrow but no one is saying that just yet. Roberts said he was just joking around with Juan Samuel and John Shelby in the skipper's office and not politicking to get back on the team. "I don't know whose decision it is at this point, yet. ...
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Mummey is playing solid ball despite minor injury

Mummey is playing solid ball despite minor injury
The early reviews are quite good for the Orioles fourth-round draft pick, outfielder Trent Mummey from Auburn. He is batting leadoff and playing center field for Aberdeen of the New York-Penn League. He is batting over .300 and has produced 15 extra-base hits in just 23 games. All this while playing with a quad injury that first surfaced in late May during his college season with the Tigers. "It's just a nagging thing and you see it once in a while when he accelerates and decelerates,"...
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Quotes from the O's clubhouse

Quotes from the O's clubhouse
Here are some comments from the clubhouse after Wednesday's 5-4 loss to Tampa. Brad Bergesen talked about his outing, after he gave up five runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings: "It was a tough outing, just one of those where I battled and tried to keep the team in it. The (seven) strikeouts were irrelevant. Compared to the hits today, it was kind of a hot and cold day. Didn't make good execution pitches when I needed to, with two strikes and that's what really hurt me today. "My...
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O's fall one short in series-decider vs. Tampa

O's fall one short in series-decider vs. Tampa
A day after becoming the only team in the Majors this year to win when trailing in the ninth inning and in extra innings in the same game, the O's lost the third and deciding game of their series with Tampa, 5-4, on Wednesday afternoon at the Yard. The O's fell behind 4-0 in the third, rallied to tie it at 4-4 by the fifth, only to see Tampa move back in front on a bases-loaded walk in the sixth. Losing pitcher Brad Bergesen allowed five runs and nine hits over 5 1/3. Bergesen falls to...
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Troubling Bergy stat

Troubling Bergy stat
Brad Bergesen allows five runs, all earned, over 5 1/3 innings today here at Camden Yards. Bergesen has now allowed 4 ER or more in 11 of his 15 Major League starts on the season. He has allowed 4 ER or more in seven of his last eight starts. Last year he allowed 4 ER or more in just five of his 19 starts all season. So it happened in 26.3 percent of his starts in 2009 and has happened in 73.3 percent of his starts this year. Of course it makes one wonder if this is just more than a...
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Not working for Bergy

Not working for Bergy
This did not add up to a winning combination for the Orioles. A struggling starting pitcher, Brad Bergesen, vs. a good team a little ticked off about blowing a lead last night. And Tampa comes out with a 4-0 lead in the third vs. the O's and Bergesen. Evan Longoria has already homered and doubled. He is 12 for 35 vs. the O's this year with three homers and 11 RBI. In winning last night, the O's became the first team this year to trail in the ninth inning and in extra innings, but...
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Bell reflects on his stay with O's

Bell reflects on his stay with O's
Josh Bell had to figure it could come to this. Today he was optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk. As he packed his bag to head out of Camden Yards, he was nice enough to take a few minutes to reflect on his first few days at the big league level. "Just being here, I don't take it for granted at all. I enjoyed being at this level and definitely it teaches you stuff even when you are not playing. "Whatever they need, I'm ready to do. Even when I wasn't playing it was beneficial to me to...
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Erbe and Mickolio will head to Aberdeen

Erbe and Mickolio will head to Aberdeen
Two right-handers that have been pitching with the Norfolk Tides this season will join the Aberdeen IronBirds this weekend on injury-rehab assignments. Brandon Erbe and Kam Mickolio are expected to pitch for Aberdeen this Saturday at Ripken Stadium. It's been a busy week in the O's minors on the injury rehab front with Brian Roberts at Bowie and Brandon Snyder joining Aberdeen yesterday. Erbe has been on the DL since June 25 and has not pitched since June 20 due to right shoulder soreness....
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Walk off Grand Slam for Aberdeen

Walk off Grand Slam for Aberdeen
Kipp Schutz, who began tonight as the second leading hitter in the New York-Penn League, batting .379, hit a walk-off Grand Slam in the last of the 11th this evening as the Aberdeen IronBirds beat Tri-City 9-5 at Ripken Stadium. Schutz's bomb to right field was his third homer of the season and gave Aberdeen its fifth win in a row. Schutz went 3 for 6 with 5 RBI on the night. It was Aberdeen's third walk-off win in its last four home games and the Birds are now 17-15, two games over .500...
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