Latest winless road trip followed by Yankees clash, plus farm notes

Latest winless road trip followed by Yankees clash, plus farm notes
Well, as they are 2-17 in their past 19 home games, we can't necessarily say it will get better for the Orioles as they return home today. They host the New York Yankees this afternoon at 4:05 p.m. in a single-admission doubleheader. The last-place Orioles (24-65) are now 41 games under .500 and 37 games out of first as they begin an eight-game homestand today. They just endured their third 0-6 road trip of the season. They lost all six in April at Boston and Detroit. They did the same in May...
Continue reading

The Manny Machado sweepstakes hits the home stretch

The Manny Machado sweepstakes hits the home stretch
So we've reached July 8 with the non-waiver trade deadline coming at the end of this month. Shortstop Manny Machado is still an Oriole, but it will be a big surprise if that holds true as the calendar turns to August. My colleague, Roch Kubatko, wrote an entry last night, citing a source that sized up for him the interest in Machado. He wrote: "The Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Phillies, Braves and Cubs are, in that order, the most aggressive teams in talks, according to the source. And...
Continue reading

O's game blog: Orioles need victory to avoid winless trip

O's game blog: Orioles need victory to avoid winless trip
The Orioles have never been swept in a four-game series at Minnesota and need a win today to keep it that way. A loss would make this the 10th time this year where the Orioles were swept in a series of three or more games. They've been swept at Houston, at Boston, at Detroit, at Anaheim, at Oakland, versus Washington, at Toronto (four games), versus Boston and at home against Seattle (four games). A loss today would extend the Orioles' current losing streak to six and would complete a winless...
Continue reading

O's game blog: The search for offense continues

O's game blog: The search for offense continues
The Orioles keep looking for some offense and continue not finding much. In the four games of their current road trip - all losses - they have scored two, one, two and two runs. That is seven runs on 30 hits, and they've gone 3-for-27 (.111) with runners in scoring position. They'll try again today to get the bats going in the third game of a four-game series at Minnesota. The Twins began this series with a six-game losing streak, 11 losses in 13 games and were coming off a 1-8 road trip. But...
Continue reading

O's had to get Blaine Knight and they did - wrapping up the draft

O's had to get Blaine Knight and they did - wrapping up the draft
In a season that has been extremely tough on their fan base, the Orioles made a move yesterday that avoided what would have been another gut punch. Within 90 minutes of the deadline to sign 2018 draft picks, the Orioles reached an agreement with University of Arkansas right-handed pitcher Blaine Knight. During such a miserable season, letting one of the top college pitchers get away would have further riled up an already riled-up fan base. And it would have been a big mistake. The Orioles need...
Continue reading

O's reach deals with Arkansas pitcher Blaine Knight, two other picks

O's reach deals with Arkansas pitcher Blaine Knight, two other picks
The Orioles this afternoon agreed to terms with their third-round draft pick, Arkansas right-hander Blaine Knight. The agreement beat today's 5 p.m. Eastern time deadline for clubs to sign 2018 draft picks. The club has not made an announcement yet, but this deal did get done today and Knight has already passed his physical. Knight agreed to a bonus of $1.1 million, well over the slot amount of $663,200 for the 87th overall pick. The Orioles will wind up signing 32 total draft picks. They got...
Continue reading

O's game blog: Dylan Bundy re-enters rotation, faces Twins tonight

O's game blog: Dylan Bundy re-enters rotation, faces Twins tonight
Right-hander Dylan Bundy (6-7, 3.75 ERA) returns to the Orioles rotation tonight as the Birds play the second game of a four-game series at Minnesota. He's been on the disabled list since June 26, after he sprained his left ankle running the bases in Atlanta on June 23. Bundy gave up two runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings in that start in Atlanta. Over his past six starts, he is 4-1 with a 2.55 ERA with two scoreless outings in that stretch. This run began May 24 when Bundy pitched a...
Continue reading

Minor league notes on Akin, Sedlock, Rodriguez and more

Minor league notes on Akin, Sedlock, Rodriguez and more
Here is a whole batch of minor league news and notes for today. And we add some news about draft picks as well. * Double-A Bowie left-hander Keegan Akin will return to the Baysox rotation tonight. Akin left his start on June 26 with groin tightness after he had pitched four innings. He never went on the disabled list, and the injury turned out to be a minor issue. He returns tonight with an 8-5 record and 2.63 ERA over 15 starts. He ranks second in the Eastern League in ERA. During my recent...
Continue reading

O's game blog: Andrew Cashner pitches Twins series opener

O's game blog: Andrew Cashner pitches Twins series opener
After losses by 3-2 and 4-1 in Philadelphia, the Orioles road trip continues tonight as they start a four-game series in Minnesota. O's pitching allowed just seven runs and eight hits in Philly, but O's batters produced just three runs and went 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position in that series. The Twins (35-48) are third in the American League Central, 12 games behind. Minnesota just concluded a 1-8 road trip and has lost six in a row. The Twins are 2-11 their past 13 games. They are...
Continue reading

Ramirez was impressive, Mullins heats up and trade talk tweets

Ramirez was impressive, Mullins heats up and trade talk tweets
PHILADELPHIA - A team that is 24-61 is going to take positives anywhere it can find them and yesterday the Orioles found a big one in 24-year-old right-hander Yefry Ramirez. He threw a strong game against the Philadelphia Phillies in the Orioles 4-1 loss. Making his third big league appearance and second as a starter, Ramirez faced the minimum 12 batters with a no-hitter going through four innings. In the fifth he gave up a walk and double and then saw first baseman Chris Davis fail to make...
Continue reading

Yefry Ramirez provides strong outing, but O's lose (quotes added)

Yefry Ramirez provides strong outing, but O's lose (quotes added)
PHILADELPHIA - By now the Orioles and their fanbase are getting used to seeing good starting pitching not rewarded with wins. It happened again today. Most days it is because of a lack of offense. That was true today but a misplay on defense also proved critical as well. Two runs scored on an error by first baseman Chris Davis in the last of the fifth as Philadelphia beat the Orioles 4-1 in front of 30,943 at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies sweep this quick two-game series. The Orioles (24-61)...
Continue reading

Showalter pregame with some trade deadline talk (game update)

Showalter pregame with some trade deadline talk (game update)
PHILADELPHIA - Earlier today Manny Machado was not ready to say much about possibly being an ex-Oriole before this month is out. Later, during his pregame press conference, manager Buck Showalter wasn't ready to answer whether he will be happy, sad and/or relieved when this month is over. "You can ask me then," Showalter said. "I can't project my emotions that far away. I know what they are now. We've talked about it. Manny and I talked about it and he understands what is going on. Good...
Continue reading

Machado on trade talk: "I just really don't know what will happen"

Machado on trade talk: "I just really don't know what will happen"
PHILADELPHIA - Orioles shortstop Manny Machado had his latest interview session with reporters that work in a city where he could be playing in the future. This time the stop is in Philadelphia where the Phillies are one of several teams that could make a strong run to acquire Machado via a trade this month. They could also make a run at signing him as a free agent. Machado right now is not either allowing himself to think much about the possibility of soon being an ex-Oriole or is not ready to...
Continue reading

O's game blog: Yefry Ramirez makes his second MLB start

O's game blog: Yefry Ramirez makes his second MLB start
PHILADELPHIA - Orioles right-hander Yefry Ramirez (0-1, 2.89 ERA) will make his third career big league appearance and second as a starter as the Orioles and Phillies conclude this brief two-game series today. Ramirez made his MLB debut June 13 as a starter versus Boston and gave up three runs over 4 1/3 innings. On June 28, he threw five scoreless innings in relief versus Seattle on 52 pitches. He was optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk the next day. He can come back sooner than 10 days this...
Continue reading

Teammates support Rasmus as Cobb rethinks results

Teammates support Rasmus as Cobb rethinks results
PHILADELPHIA - Before last night's game we found out that outfielder Colby Rasmus had left the Orioles, but no specific reason was given for that. After the game, two of his Orioles teammates expressed support for Rasmus. The Orioles placed him on the restricted list, which means he will forfeit his remaining salary and that he comes off both the 25-man and 40-man rosters. This is the second year in a row that Rasmus has walked away from a team in the month of July. He went on the Tampa Bay...
Continue reading

Offense held in check as Orioles fall in series opener (quotes added)

Offense held in check as Orioles fall in series opener (quotes added)
PHILADELPHIA - In need of a good outing, Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb got one tonight. In need of many victories, the Orioles did not get one tonight. Their offense was held to three runs or less for the 29th time in the last 40 games in a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies to start a two-game series. A crowd of 28,204 waited out a rain delay of 1 hour, 25 minutes before first pitch. Philadelphia third baseman Maikel Franco made a diving backhand stop against Chris Davis with two outs and...
Continue reading

Showalter on Ramirez's start, Grenier signing official (game update)

Showalter on Ramirez's start, Grenier signing official (game update)
PHILADELPHIA - The Orioles have made official the signing of their second draft pick, Oregon State shortstop Cadyn Grenier. He will report to Single-A Delmarva. Grenier was taken with the No. 37 overall pick in Competitive Balance Round A. The slot value for that pick is $1,923,500 and Grenier was signed for $1.8 million. Grenier was considered the top defensive shortstop in the college ranks and won the Brooks Wallace Award, which goes to the top shortstop. His Oregon State team won the...
Continue reading

Rasmus leaves Orioles, goes on restricted list (start delayed)

Rasmus leaves Orioles, goes on restricted list (start delayed)
PHILADELPHIA - Outfielder Colby Rasmus is no longer on the Orioles. He has decided - at least for now - to stop playing Major League Baseball. The Orioles have placed him on the restricted list and they will work to get another player here for Wednesday's game. They will take on the Phillies tonight with a 24-man roster. "Colby talked to me this afternoon and said he made a decision to go home and discontinue playing," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "We're going to honor that and...
Continue reading

Chance Sisco's return to O's has produced a heavy workload

Chance Sisco's return to O's has produced a heavy workload
PHILADELPHIA - Tonight is the fifth Orioles game since catcher Chance Sisco was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on June 28. It will be his fifth start. Optioned on June 17, Sisco spent a brief time in the minors. Since he's been back, he's been busy. "It is always a good feeling to come to the park and have your name in the lineup," said Sisco, who is batting .208 with two homers and 16 RBIs over 51 games. He's in there tonight batting eighth as the Orioles begin a two-game series against...
Continue reading

O's game blog: Alex Cobb pitches Philly series opener

O's game blog: Alex Cobb pitches Philly series opener
PHILADELPHIA - When last seen, the Orioles were beating the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The 8-2 win featured eight strong innings from Kevin Gausman and four home runs, two by Mark Trumbo. That result for the Orioles (24-59) snapped a seven-game losing streak overall and 17-game skid versus American League opponents. Tonight, they begin a quick two-game series against Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park. The Orioles went 6-20 in June, but started July off with a win. Still they have lost seven...
Continue reading